382
Hongkong.
In view of the great extension of railways in the Empire of China which will undoubtedly take place in the near future, it is obvious that some such system as Zone time will presently become imperative. My Committee therefore endorse the view expressed by the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Officials that this change should be made now rather than at a later date when the various railways are completed.
The fact that these systems are being developed by so many different syndicates embracing so many different national interests adds weight to the request that the change in official time should be made before, rather than after, the railways are completed.
From its geographical position China lends itself very readily to a Zone system of 7 hours in the Western portion and 8 hours in the Eastern.
The 8 hour Zone East of Greenwich would be between 112½ to 127½ therefore the eight hour Zone could well be made to embrace the whole of China Eastward of say Hankow on the Yangtze, and Canton on the Chukiang. Thus not only would the main railway systems in China be worked on the official time of 8 hours east of Greenwich but also all the Treaty Ports at which the main coasting and river trade is conducted, as well as those ports at which Ocean going vessels call.
The nature of the Yangtze and East Rivers is such that steamers proceeding up river beyond Hankow and Canton respectively have to be especially constructed for the purpose and therefore will not have to run from the Eastern into the Western Zone time.
The question as to the time to be adopted at the two Western Treaty Ports, viz.:- Pakhoi, and Hoihow, is a matter of comparatively small importance to the trade of this Colony
lotus colut
382
Hongkong.
In view of the great extension of railways
in the Empire of China which will undoubtedly take place in the near future, it is obvious that some such system as Zone time will presently become imperative. My Committee therefore en- dorse the view expressed by the Chinese Imperial Maritime Cus- toms Officials that this change should be made now rather than at a later date when the various railways are completed.
The fact that these systems are being deve-
loped by so many different syndicates embracing so many diffe- rent national interests adds weight to the request that the change in official time should be made before, rather than after, the railways are completed.
From its Geographical position China lends itself very readily to a Zone system of 7 hours in the Western
portion and 8 hours in the Bastern.
The 8 hour Zone East of Greenwich would be between 112% to 127% therefore the eight hour Zone could well
be made to embrace the whole of China Eastward of say Hankow on
the Yangtze, and Canton on the Chukiang. Thus not only would the
main railway systers in China be worked on the official time of
8 hours east of Greenwich but also all the Treaty Forts at which
the main coasting and river trade is conducted, as well as those
ports at which Ocean going vessels call.
The nature of the Yangtse and East Rivers
is such that steamers proceeding up river beyond Bankow and
Canton respectively have to be especially constructed for the
purpose and therefore will not have to run from the Eastern
into the Western Zone time.
The question as to the time to be adopted
at the two Western Treaty Forts, viz.:- Pakhoi, and Hoihow, is a
matter of comparatively small importance to the tride of this
Colony
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