120
Yangtsze, there being navigable channels in this lake area, during the winter months, when the least depth of water is about 4′ 6′′. This extreme shallow depth of water (experienced for a very short period in winter) will not in my opinion be sufficient cause alone to deflect goods, apart from perishables,-by rail. The depth of water in the Yangtsze between Shanghai and Hankow is such that river steamboats are employed in the trade between these ports throughout the whole year. During part of the summer, coaster and ocean-going steamers are able to proceed to Hankow. At such times river steamboats are able to proceed to Changsha and the tugs and lighters,-which ordinarily carry on the trade between Hankow and Changsha,-are able to proceed as far as Heng- chow. At all other times, transhipment from barge to river steamer and vice versa takes place at Hankow.
Trade with Central China via the Pacific will, without doubt, be dealt with at Shang- hai. Whilst the railway would undoubtedly bring products to Hongkong for shipment to European countries, the question of developments necessary for the trade of the Port as at present carried on, is, in my opinion, of primary importance.
Mineral Products.
With regard to the products South of Changsha, there is little information available. Coal is mined in considerable quantities at Pingsiang, to which place a branch railway about 55 miles in length connects with the main line at Chuchow, some 20 iniles south from Changsha. The coal mined there, I understand, is absorbed by the Hankow Iron- works. In any case, it is improbable that it will come to Hongkong whilst coal can be obtained from Hongay in French Indo-China, Formosa, Japan and Chinwangtao, (North China).
On the Drawing referred to, which is copied from a map dated 1922 and edited by Sir Alexander Hosie, M.A., L.L.D., F.R.G.S., formerly H. B. M. Consul General, China, coal- fields are shewn to exist near Hengchow (Hengyang), again to the east of Shiuchow and also near the confluence of the Pei Kiang (North River) and the Kwei Kiang (West River) but as to their extent or the quality of the coal or indeed as to any of the minerals (viz.:--zinc, tin, arsenic, asbestos, silver, gold, copper, autimony and iron) iudicated as existing in the south of the Hunan Province, I have been unable to ascertain that their recovery is of commercial importance. At present coal can be brought to Hong- kong from Chinwangtao or Hongay at a cost of about $3.50 per ton including loading charges. Based on the present transport charges and on condition that there will be sufficient return traffic, it is estimated that for the same sum at which coal can be loaded at the mines, shipped at Chinwangtao and brought to Hongkong, coal could be loaded and brought by rail to Hongkong from a point about 400 miles distant or near Hengchow. Coal mined in the neighbourhood of Canton or as far north as Yingtak will undoubtedly be water-borne. There therefore remains the area between Yingtak and Hengchow to be served by the railway. From the information available, it would seem that there is little likelihood of the importation of coal and ores from this district in which case there is no necessity at present for considering developments to meet a trade in mineral pro- ducts: But, by all means reserve an area of the harbour front for dealing with any future possibilities in this direction.
Agricultural Products.
With regard to agricultural products south of Changsha and near the railway, there are indicated on the drawing or map: tea, and tea-oil, ramie grass or fibre, tobacco, hemp, groundnuts, sugar and wheat. The product indicated to be of greatest predo- minance is tea, grown in the centre of the province of Hunan. With regard to this commodity, it must be borne in mind that, due to competition from India and Ceylon, China has lost the predominant position which she once held in the tea trade and although spasmodic attempts have been made from time to time to recover it, they so far have proved hopeless against India and Ceylon's more scientific methods of preparation. At present, the products of cultivation in the areas in question, to a great extent are consumed locally. Although the Chinese peoples are very conservative clinging tenaciously, to established methods and customs, there are many signs that they are now realizing the advantages of western inventions and there is no doubt that in time their present methods will give way to more intensive cultivation on scientific lines and to the preparation of the products in competition with other markets.