YOCHOW
849
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.
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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 Although all oil was withdrawn from the tanks in May, 1927, owing to the then disturbed conditions, the use of the tanks has been resumed since June, 1928.
TRADE IN 1931.
In his report of the trade for the year 1931 Mr. E. G. Lebas, Hankow Commissioner in temporary charge of Yochow Customs, says that there is un- fortunately no improvement to chronicle in the persistently adverse condi- tions under which trade through Yochow has been carried on for some years: the same forlorn tale must again be told of insecurity to life and property owing to the bandit menace, of interference through vexatious delays and exactions, and of interruptions to communications due to the frequent move- ment of troops, principally on this occasion from fear of a possible invasion by the Cantonese forces. In addition, part of the district suffered from the unprecedented floods, particularly towards Changteh, whilst the effect on im- ports of the continued abnormally low silver prices and on exports of the world-wide economic depression-very noticeable in the wood-oil industry-also acted as contributory causes to a decline in trade which dropped in value by 5.86 million taels, the lowest trade value since 1922. To such a discourag- ing result, no change for the better can be looked for until the situation improves within the province itself and of this there is still no sign. Nei- ther is there any indication that the Customs personnel which in July 1930 was forced to transfer to Hankow, can soon be assured of that sense of secu- rity which is the essential prerequisite of a return to Yochow. During the year further useful surveys were undertaken by the Marine Department of the Customs on the east and west routes of the Tungting Lake the highest recorded flood level at Yochow was 51 feet and much damage was done to towns and villages below Changsha and around the Lake where many dykes collapsed and will cost millions to repair at Chengling a happy innovation was the installation of an electric light plant on a small scale which it is hoped later to further develop.
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