Directory_and_Chronicle_1940

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KIUKIANG

During 1921 a system of drainage of approved foreign style was initiated Pinhingchow now comprises either in or adjacent to it the following prominent buildings: the railway station and godowns, the electric-light power house, the Y Sung Match Factory, the Kiuhsing Spinning and Weaving Company's factory, an a large fourstoried hotel.

TRADE IN 1938

With the construction of the boom in the Yangtze River at Kiangyin at the outd break of hostilities and, at a later date after the fall of Wuhu in December 1937, of second barrier at Matang, some 40 miles below the port, Kiukiang was effectively cus off from supplies from the outside world, except for a mere trickle of goods arriving in the district through the parcel post or by the Canton-Hankow Railway by way of Hankow. Trade in the real sense of the word did not exist, as is illustrated by th fact that the total value for direct foreign imports only reached the insignificant figur of G. U. 12, 349, whilst that for direct exports to foreign countries was no more tha. $1,720.

The Customs continued to function right up to the time when evacuation becam necessary with the near approach of the Japanese and the outbreak of serious fighting in close proximity to Kiukiang itself, but activities mainly centred on the coast wis movement of native produce, in every case up rever. Coastwise movements of native produce inwards totalled $5.4 million and outwards $3,8 million for the six month during which the Customs functioned, and these figures compare very unfavourablyd with the totals for 1937, which were $26.6 million and $51.7 million respectively for the 12 months of that year.

As a result of the fall of Wuhu considerable uneasiness became apparent, and ar exodus of a large number of the more wealthy residents occurred, some of whom dig not return even when it became evident that an immediate attack on Kiukiang was not intended. By April, however, this state of uneasiness had became noticeable once again, and an exodus, which grew in volume as time progressed, led to Kiukiang being denuded of all but 2,000 or 3,000 of its lower class inhabitants by the end of June, and this figure included a number of peasants from the surrounding district. The with drawal of all representatives of foreign concerns to the concentration point took place on the 11th July, which necessitated the closing of the Custom House on the same day, whereas the military occupation of the town occurred on the 25th, July.

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