FIGHTING IN FORMOSA.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 313, 3 November 1888, Page 6

FIGHTING IN FORMOSA.

.JTjJW'SCis to hand that on the 2nd of September figbbing had commenced in For_ mosa. The Chinese transport i'urj-po arrived at Tamsui on the 2nd, bringing back 20 braves, who were all badly wounded. They wove in a most pitiful •plight, as their wounds had not been attended to in any way. Many have bullets in their bodies and are sure to lose either their limbs or their lives, both of which could have been prevented by medical attendance on the spot. The poor men are in a very exhausted state, owing to loss of blood and want of proper nursing. It seems strange that a foive of men should have been sent into the wilderness haunts of the so-called savages without the slightest provision being made for the sick or wounded. The Fup po returned again on the 7th of September, when it was reported that little fighting was going on. The rebels had erected strong entrenchments, behind which they lay, and although the Chinese corvette Chin-yuem fired several shots roni her heavy guns at it, apparently not much damage was done, the distance being too great. The wounded men were taken to Dr. Mackays Hospital, where Dr. Rennie was unremittihg in his attendance. The rebels use queer missiles, pieces of nail-rod iron, crockery ware and iron frying pans being extracted from the wounds.

THE HOANG-HO FLOODS. The Yellow River flows past through the breach in its banks at Chang Chou, and so far no attempts have been made to fill the gap. The arrival of Commissioner Wu Tachen is awaited prior to commencing operations. Examination of the banks shows clearly that if ever the gx-eat breach is closed the water will at once seek for new outlets, north or south, and many Chinese officials are now of opinion, as the damage done is irremediable, it will be best to let the waters flow in the present directions rather than be forced to overrun districts that .«o far have not suffered. Vast numbers of people are utterly destitute and homeless. It is feared during the ensuing winter the distress in Honan and Onhui will be very great. So far no efforts have been made to remove the suffering families to other parts of the Empire, where, if land was given them, with seed and some temporary help, they might retrieve their broken fortunes.

THE S.S. BENVENUE IN A TYPHOON. The steamship Benvenue (Captain Thomson) had a very rough time of ib in the recent typhoon' which occurred in the vicinity of -htong Kong. The Benvenue left Singapore heavily laden. Ib was expected to art'ive at the Kowloon Wharf within 5 days. ( Fine weather was experienced from the *. day they started, until midnight on the following Thursday, when heavy squails were met. All hands were called up to make everything secure, and about four p.m. when north of Che Paiacels, and the barometer registering 27.0 the full iorce of the typhoon burst upon them. The first things to go were the forward ventilators and pigsty. TJie sea broke over the vessel from stem to stern, and wiohin half-an-hour the two boats amidships were smashed beyond repair by the weight of water as they hung in the davits. Word was brought that the skylight of the saloon had been stove in by the wheel. Mr Guthrie, the mate, went forward with half-a-dozen sailors to repair the breach with tarpaulin. Just as it was finished a tremenuous sea struck the stern, completely burying it, and hurling ihe men in all directions. Mr Guthrie and thiee of the sailors were dashed against the stanchions, the tirst mentioned being ruptured* by the blow. The men were badly cut and had to be helped forward. The whole of the wheel-house, flagstaff, and meat safe were carried away. Shortly afterwards the window of the saloon went in, and there was soon four feet of water there. The steward, Andrew Cochrane, opened the door of a berth and called the six Chinese passengers to try and get amidships. -When they saw the water in the saloon they refused to move. He then made his way along after great difficulty. His clothes were torn to ribbons and on one occa-ion he was thrown down by the waves, and his boots torn off his feet by the rush of water. It was two hours before he got safely from the saloon to midships. Two passengeis also got across, but the remainder would not venture. About 9 o'clock on the second night the storm was at its height, and next morning the wind abated. The saloon was completely wrecked, and most of the passengers and sailois lost their effects. The Chinese had a bad time of it in their berth, as they were about breast high in water for a long time, with no ventilation. The store rooms were flooded, bub the cargo arrived in good condition, although one hatch was blown off.