From the Korean Legation in Paris a despatch has come stating that the secretary, Min Sang Hyun, is starting at once for Korea as he has received notice of the sudden illness of his father. As immediate departure is necessary there is not time to secure leave of absence. The government is asked to pay the return expenses. The magistrate of Hong Wan district has been changed, but as the former magistrate was entirely satisfactory to the Japanese army representations have been made that a change is not desirable. The railway company has been asked to remove posts placed around the hill near the South Temple. Agreements with four French engineers have been cancelled and the Foreign Office has sent to the French Legation eleven thousand seven hundred and seventy-three yen and thirty cents for salaries, house rents and traveling expenses. It is asked that the material which arrives at Fusan to be used in iron bridges be admitted duty free. The willow trees in An Pyen district are asked for by the Japanese authorities for the railway. Civil service examinations were announced to be held between the thirteenth and seventeenth of May, to which each Department was privileged to send not to exceed five men. Vacancies in the office of clerk in any Department are to be filled in regular order from the ranks of those passing the examination. The Home Minister, Mr. Yi To-chai, sent his resignation to His majesty. A dealer living in Chongno has secured the monopoly of furnishing all the Korean national flags throughout the country. The resignation of Min Yeng Whan, Vice Minister of the Supreme Court, has been accepted. The former Chief of Ceremonial Department has been appointed Vice Minister of the Supreme Court. Governors of the various provinces have been asked by the Japanese commander-in-chief to report the number of horses in each district. The ex-magistrate of Ko-Wan district, Hamkyeng province, unfolds a tale to the Home Department of how he was appointed prefect last September, and proceeded as far as Wonsan on his journey to take up his work. At Wonsan the commander-in-chief of the Japanese army detained him. He telegraphed to the Home Department seven different times but received no reply. Finally the police inspector of Wonsan took his official seal by force and there was nothing left for him to do but to return to Seoul which he did four months ago. Now he has been dismissed, charged with being absent from his post of duty, and he desires to be relieved of the charge. Nine Japanese police inspectors and thirteen policemen for the various districts have arrived in Seoul. According to the recent military adjustments the monthly expense for the army is about two hundred and seventy thousand dollars, and the adviser of the Finance Department is willing to pay but one hundred and eighty thousand monthly, hence the War Department is short on salaries.