CO129-559-1 Canton - Hankow Railways 15-1-1936 - 23-6-1936 — Page 43

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32.

VIII

COMMUNICATIONS AND PRODUCTS.

Lines of communication which will compete against

the railway are in order of importance firstly, the Siang River which runs through the Tung Ting Lake and joins the Yangtze River between Hanyang and uchang; secondly, the North River which joins the West River at Samshui; and thirdly, the metalled highways which run from Ping Shek to the east side of the Siang River at Heng chow and from the west side of the Siang kiver at Heng chow to Changsha, 33. The Siang kiver, although shallow in winter (least depth of navigable channel in the Lake area is 4'.6"), allows the passage of junks during these months and transhipment takes place from these junks to river steamers and vice-versa at Hankow. During the summer, river steamboats can proceed to Changsha and tugs and lighters, which ordinarily carry on the trade between Hankow and Changsha, are able to proceed as far south as Hengchow.

34.

The North River is shallow in winter. Navigation

Above Lok Chong there

of small junks is always difficult.

are many rapids.

35.

The highways are reasonably good with the exception of one stretch which starts at Ping Shek and runs for six miles to siao Tong on the Kwang tung -Hunan border. The road proceeds northwards for about 134 miles to Heng chow Sast, and throughout the entire distance it

is flanked by defence towers on each hill. There is only one private car on the road belonging to Mr. H. H. Ling, the Director and Engineer-in-Chief of Construction. car was placed at my disposal for the trip and an average speed of 26 miles per hour was maintained with reasonable comfort. The highways are stone macadamed and are built and maintained by the Provincial Governments, The buses

This