FURTHER CHINA NEWS. (Special to Press Agency.) Hong Kong, March 26.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1886, 13 May 1878, Page 2

FURTHER CHINA NEWS. (Special to Press Agency.) Hong Kong, March 26.

Business ia fairly active ; homeward freights are low, ami moro tonnage is not wanted at present, as thoro is no demand from China ports or Japan. Tho Legislative Council havo passed a Stoamship Survey and Regulation Ordinance, whioh ia much wanted to prevent such oatastrophes as recently occurred on b^ard., t£° t «teainslup Yesso. The. (luesenginoors has been often mooted, and has latterly assumed a nerious aspect, a steamer having boon known to enter this port, with over 600 passengers, tho engineers of which were all Chinese, not skilled men, and working for little more than Cuolio hiro. Tho Council also voted 10,000 dollars in aid of tho Northern China famino relief fund. The Pekin " Gazotto" contains tho decreo dismissing from tho public service, under sentence of porpotual oxclusion, tho two officers who were in charge of the Refugee Yard whoro some 2000 people were burnt to death at Tientsin. Rico is now cheaper, but unsettled weathor is causing uneasiness amongst agriculturists. Kaieowar was taken by the Chinese by a coup de main, and tho whole district is now in tho power of tho Chinese. Ansoor escaped from tho carnage, which was fearful, and has arrived at Ferghana, on Russian territory, and asks for Russian supportThe atoamer Charlton loaves early for Port Darwin, with a largo number of Chinese. Mendicancy is uxtromely prevalent in Canton and Hong Kong ; tho number of beggars is greater than for years past. This is owin& to tho badness of tho crops, and to tho damage by inundations last yoar. The German barque Kceris, 421 tons, was lost at Chofoo in drifting ice. The crow wore savod, but tho ship and cargo are a total loss.