Directory_and_Chronicle_1931

YOCHOW-SHASI

911

ling is undoubtedly one of the most healthy towns in the Yangtsze Valley. Since the occupation of this port by the Cantonese Army in August, 1926, the Chengling Bluff has twice been fortified and the Harbour nined in order to prevent a hostile army coming down river from Shasi. The shore-batteries by firing on foreign gunboats have been the cause of a bombardment by foreign warships, to which this port has been subjected on no less than five occasions within a period of a year. It is fortunate to be able to record that no casualties have so far been reported.

In order to have a general idea of the trade of this port, the figures of the revenue collected by the Yochow Customs during the last ten years are given below in round numbers:-1920, Hk. Tls. 126,000; 1921, Hk. Tls. 142,000; 1922, Hk. Tls. 215,000; 1923, Hk. Tls. 224,000; 1924, Hk. Tls. 200,000; 1925, Hk. Tls. 221,000; 1926, Hk. Tls. 261,000; 1927, Hk. Tls. 138,000; 1928, Hk. Tls. 261,000; 1929, Hk. Tls. 781,948.

A noteworthy feature of 1907 was the connection of Changteh by steamer during the high-water season-June to October-the resulting trade being valued at Tls. 617,000. Connection with Changteh is now maintained practically throughout the year by steamers of the river type, and tugs and lighters. Buoys and lights were established in 1907 to mark the channel across the lake. The difficulties and risks of this route are considerable, and it is probable that it will be found advisable to adopt the somewhat longer route via Lulintan; on account of the sharp bends of the River Yuan in its lower reaches, specially adapted steamers will probably have to be used. The question of making Changteh an open port

was considered in 1906 and again taken up in the spring of 1915, and Chinese officials visited the place to enquire into the conditions, but it still remains open only to vessels under Inland Water Steam Navigation rules. In 1920, a new organization for the technical control of the Middle Yangtsze Aids to Navigation and channels was instituted by the Customs.

The Standard Oil Company of New York has recently established an oil installa- tion at a point about two miles below the Settlement. It has erected three tanks and contemplates erecting three more. The first oil tanker direct from California arrived here during the high water season of 1926. This installation will be the centre of distribution for the upper Yangtsze and the "Lake Ports," such as Changteh, Yiyang and Tsingshih. Although all oil was withdrawn from the tanks in May, 1927, owing to the then disturbed conditions, the use of the tanks has been resumed since June, 1928. Further disturbances due to communistic activities necessitated the removal during July 1930 of the Maritime Customs Offices to Hankow where the work of the Yochow Customs is now carried on under special temporary arrangements, a nucleus out-door staff being alone retained at Yochow.

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