CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6] — Page 311

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Enclosure No.2.

306

Despatch from the Governor of Kwang Si to the Governor of

Hong Kong, dated 13th Day of the 4th Month of the 29 Year

of Kwong Su.

While I was at Tsam Chow I received from Mr

Fox, British Consul at Wuchow, a telegram stating that

in consequence of the Famine existing in the Districts

of Wuchow and Tsam Chow Your Excellency had despatched

Mr Clementi of the Registrar-General's Office to pro-

ceed thither to make investigations and distribute

relief. For seven years the harvests in Kwang Si have

failed, and there have been very many cases of destitu-

tion among the people and the misery has been very

acute.

Last year 20,000 Taels were distributed from

Imperial Funds to alleviate the distress, and I caused

a contribution of 100,000 Taels to be raised to buy rice

for distribution and sale. But the distressed Districts

were large in area and the rice was soon expended. At

present we are again raising subscriptions to buy rice

for distribution and the various Charitable Societies

of Kwang-tung have subscribed. Furthermore I have

ordered the various Prefects, Sub-Prefects, and Dis-

trict Magistrates to establish centres for the distri-

bution of gruel.

Your Excellency has had thoughtful consideration

for the distress of my people and has sent an Official

to distribute relief. Your Excellency has shown un-

and bounded kindness, on behalf of the starving people. I

offer