the Viceroy's application, but have not yet received
213
head of the Gendarmerie, Mr Li Chia Cho, a very able
man,
is saddled with so much work that he cannot
any reply.
A report of doubtful credibility reached
me yesterday to the effect that Sun Wên had been
seen in this neighbourhood and also that several
hundred rowdies from Hong Kong had betaken themselves
hither.
Great discontent undoubtedly exists on
account of the feeble administration of His Excellency
and the new Governor seems as yet to have disappoint-
always keep his few hundred police up to the mark.
Rice is still fairly cheap, but the autumn crop is,
owing to heat and drought, likely to be poor.
Should more definite information reach me,
I propose to apply for the presence of a gunboat here
during the festival of the 9th of the 9th moon
ed expectations.
Seizures of arms have for several months been made now and then, and a few days
ago no less than 200 rifles were found in a shop in
The native papers teem with stories
of abductions and gang-robberies in broad daylight,
of petty local risings and clan fights, while gam-
bling hells under the protection of men of standing
defy the prohibition of the authorities.
A large
number of the hells and brothels are located just
(October 15th) but I have still hopes that the ru-
mours are exaggerated.
The French Consul is
also making careful inquiry into them.
across the Shameen canal, and the municipal police
report that their frequenters returning late at night
talk of nothing but fighting and riot to come.
The
head
IM
WL