CHINA.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 75, 4 September 1878, Page 3

CHINA.

(Own Correspondent Press Agency.) Hongkong, July 15. The past month has been dull in the freight market, although the amount of disengaged tonnage (38 vessels, registering26,o7s tons) is gradually being reduced. A tax is being levied by the Chinese Government at King Kiang of three mace per picu| on tea and six candereens on tea dust. Both taxes are on behalf of the famine fund. There are similar taxes at Hankow. Copious rains have fallen in Chihli and most districts of Sheutung and Shansi, and it is hoped that in those parts where seed has been sown there will be a plentiful harvest. Great distress exists in the Tsing Yuen district, owing to inundations. Supplies of grain have been sent from Canton by order of the Viceroy. Fine crops have been reported at Kiangu, Chekiang, and Kivitung, but locusts have appeared near Yanchin, in the first named province, and excite much apprehension. The new scheme of Chinese emigration to Peru hangs fire. The steamer Peruvia still lies at Whampoa, unable to obtain passengers owing to the local authorities insisting on all emigrants paying passage money in advance. Some very successful experiments with the telephone have been made at Taiwan Fu Formosa. Shanghai. Travellers through the famine districts of Shintung report that while in one pirtion of the province the people are dying of starvation, in another portion of the same province the inhabitants have abundance of everything, and news of a famine existing elsewhere is just reaching them. Yokohama, Japan, June 29. Half of the amount of the domestic loan of twelve million dollars, which was floated a few weeks ago, has been subscribed for. A separate bureau has been estalished to regulate the export of grain so as to keep the price at a certain level, and to retain enough in the Government godowns to secure the people from the effects of a possible famine.