A158
SHANGHAI
towns in Europe and America. The thermometer ranges from 25 deg. to 103 deg. F., the mean of ten years having been 59.19 deg., the average being 41.13, 64.99, 77.91 and 52.49 for first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively. Shanghai approaches nearest to Rome in mean temperature, while the winter temperatures of London and Shanghai are almost identical. In October and November there is generally dry, clear, and delightful weather, equal to that found in any part of the world; but when the winter has fairly set in the north-east winds are extremely cold and biting. On
On January 17th, 1878, the river was frozen over at Woosung. The heat during July and August is some- times excessive, but generally lasts only a few days at a time. In late years very severe gales have become more frequent. On 27th and 28th July, 1915, a typhoon of extraordinary violence visited the district doing much damage. The mean of the barometer is from 29.769 in the third to 30.245 inches in the first quarter. The annual average of rainy days in Shanghai during eight years was 124; 55 wet days occurred in winter, and 69 in summer; the annual rainfall averages 49.57 inches, about 15 in winter and 30.2 in summer. The mean degree of humidity is from 78.6 in the winter to 82.6 in the summer months.
DESCRIPTION
The streets of the International and French Settlements run north and south and east and west, mostly for the whole length of both, crossing each other at right angles. They were when first laid out twenty-two feet wide, but have since at very great expense been mostly made much wider. In spite of this, however and the more stringent regulations. the traffic problem is becoming increasingly acute in Shanghai as elsewhere. Notwithstanding the soft nature of the soil the roads are kept in remarkably good order, despite the heavy motor traffic. With the introduction of trams the whole track of the Maloo, one mile in length, was laid with Jarrah hard- wood blocks, and the section of Nanking Road between Kiangse Road and the Bund was paved with the same material. Owing to the nature of the ground, expensive piling or concrete foundations are necessary before any building over one storey in height can be erected, and all stone has to be brought from a long distance. The Soochow Creek, between the British Settlement and Hongkew, is now crossed by nine bridges, seven of which are adapted for carriage traffic.
Many foreign houses, surrounded by gardens, have been erected near th eoutside roads, especially on the Bubbling Well, Avenue Haig, Yuyuen, Great Western and Sinza Roads, which are the main outlets from the Settlement, and from which most of the other roads branch off. These roads are planted with trees on both sides, forming fine avenues of five to six miles in length. Building activity of late years may be described as remarkable and unparalleled in the history of the port.
Mention should be made of the many 10 and even 20 storied apartment houses in the central as well as western districts. Foreigners for the most part have migrated to these. These are now too numerous to enumerate off-hand.
TRADE IN 1939
There is no doubt that, superficially regarded, Shanghai's trade in 1939 has made a wonderful recovery from the low level to which it fell during the early part of 1938. There has been a more than twofold increase during the year under review as compared with the year preceding. Unfortunately, however, the growth has developed in circumstances so entirely abnormal as to render any forecast of the future trend of trade completely useless; but it says much for the resilience and pertinacity of the Chinese trader that he refuses to be beaten by the countless obstacles he has had to contend with, and, with a magnifi- cent stubbornness, not only manages to carry on but even succeeds in improv- ing his position.
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Reference to the trade statistics shows that, beginning from July 1939, ex- ports advanced rapidly at the expense of imports and that the usual import surplus was soon replaced by a very large excess of exports over imports in the months following. Compared with 1938, all the 32 groups of imports tabu- lated displayed substantial increases. Of the total gain of $311 million, the group raw cotton, cotton yarn, and cotton thread was responsible for almost one-half, and cereals and flour for one-tenth. Under the headings candles,