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be adopted in regard to the Peiyünho and the Yungtingho (better known as the Hunho), Mr. Maze urged the necessity of appointing, without further delay, a joint Commission composed of three representatives of the Chinese Government and three persons nominated by the Board-viz., Mr. T. Pincione, Mr. H. von Heidenstam (Engineer in Chief, Whangpoo Conservancy Board), and Mr. W. F. Tyler (Coast Inspector) to study the important and far-reaching questions: involved, which are of vital importance to the vast and growing trade of North China, the shipping interests of Tientsin, and the welfare and prosperity of the agricultural communities in the plains, and, ultimately, to submit recommendations for the information and acceptance of the Chinese Government. The Board, at a meeting on the 14th September, agreed to this proposal. The senior Consul, therefore, was addressed accordingly and requested to make representations on the subject to the Diplomatic Body with a view to obtaining the acquiescence of the Chinese Government. Early in October the Board realised that it was essential in the general interests of trade, Chinese and foreign, to cause strong representations to be made to the Chinese Government forthwith regarding the restoration of the Peiyünho, etc., and it was decided, therefore, as a preliminary measure and before the appointment of the joint Commission referred to above, to invite Mr. von Heidenstam and Mr. van der Veen, Adviser to the National Conservancy Bureau, to come to Tientsin and confer with Mr. Pincione on the subject. A report was issued by them, which was subsequently laid before the Chinese authorities concerned in Peking by the doyen of the Diplomatic Body, who supported the views and advice contained therein. The Chinese Government have definitely consented to the Board's original proposal as regards the appointment of a joint Commission, but various other matters in connection therewith - notably the constitution of the survey party and the Niuinutun Cutting, etc. are still under discussion and have not yet been decided. The Board have reason to believe, however, that all the recom- mendations outlined in the Engineer's report dated 12th October, 1917, will ultimately receive the concurrence of the Chinese authorities and will be acted upon." The new Board, or Committee of Engineers, thus established has since been styled the "Commission for the Improvement of the River System of Chihli" 順直水利委 A). His Excellency Hsiung Hsi-ling() was appointed President of the Commission by the Government, and the following gentlemen have been nominated to serve :-Admiral Woo Yu-ling), Mr. Yang Pao-ling), Mr. H. van der Veen, Mr. T. Pincione, Mr. H. von Heidenstam, and Captain W. F. Tyler. The inaugural meeting took place here on the 20th March, 1918, and con- gratulatory telegrams were received from President Feng Kuo-chang, the Dean of the Diplomatic Body, and the Inspector-General of Customs. The preliminary functions of the Commission comprise a comprehensive survey of the province, and the execution of the Niumutun Cutting, etc. When the first of these is completed there will be sufficient data at hand to enable the Grand Scheme to be formulated. The interests which the successful conservation of the waterways of the province would serve are of immense importance-the inhabitants of the plains would secure immunity from floods, and agriculture would be promoted by improved methods of irrigation; communications would cease to suffer periodical interruption, and the vast trade of North China would be safeguarded and fostered; while the immediate welfare of Tientsin would be protected and the navigability of the Haiho improved. The financial and administrative difficulties which will probably arise are admittedly serious, but it is hoped that these will be overcome and that the sanguine anticipations entertained of ultimate success will be realised at some future date. It would be well, of course, if arrangements could be made to fix the constitution of the Commission on a permanent basis with a recognised official status; and with provision for continuity of policy and ultimate expansion on broad lines. Referring to the development and progress of this Commission, the Customs Trade Report for 1919, which dealt exhaustively with Tientsin Conservancy affairs, states that the two previous Reports referred to the Commission for the Improvement of the River System of Chihli and the circumstances which led up to its establishment, adding that its preliminary functions comprised a comprehensive survey of the province and the execution of the Niumutun Cutting, etc. The main function of the Commission, of course, is the investigation of the river system of the province with a view to the formulation of the so-called Grand Scheme. Topographical and Hydrometrical Survey Departments were therefore organised, and their activities began in the summer of 1918. A second
A second year of the Commission's existence means a greatly increased probability that it will remain a