Directory_and_Chronicle_1883 — Page 362

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SHANGHAI,

fairly overcome. The settlements are well provided with telegraphic fire alarms. The water supply is at present obtained by means of buckets from the river, and is unfit for cooking or drinking purposes unless both boiled and filtered. The desire of the Municipal Councils to keep the monopoly in their own hands retarded for many years the inauguration of water works, but sanction was given in August, 1880 to a public company to establish the much needed works, which are now far advanced, and it is expected will be in operation early this year. The Electric light was introduced last year; lamps have been erected at the wharves and on the Bund, and it's use is extending. Shanghai can boast of several fine buildings of various and varied styles of architecture. Trinity Cathedral, erected from a design by Sr Gilbert Scott, is one of the fluest ecim ns of modern ecclesiastical architecture to be found out of Europe, but, fom want of funds, the tower and spire, which is an essential part of the design, has not yet been built. There is a Roman Catholic Church in the French Concession and another in Hongkew; also a Chapel belonging to the London Mission and one to the American Episcopalians, and a very pretty and prettily situated Seamen's Church at Pootung, besides several Mission Chapels for natives. The Jesuit Fathers have an extensive Mission establishment at Sicawei, to which is attached a valuable scientific observatory. Under the direction of this insti ution, a complete system of meterological observations, to embrace the whole of the China Seas, is being inaugurated. The Shanghai Club occupies a large and elaborate building at one end of the English Bund. It cost Tis. 120,000, and at that is said to have ruined three contractors. It has passed through a varied and peculiar history. There is a really fine Masonic Hall at the other en of the Bund. Amongst the other conspicuous buildings may be mention those occupied by the Oriental and Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporations. There is a very fair Theatre, but it is as yet devoid of internal decoration. The members of the German (Concordia) Club have also a handsome little Theatre attached to their new premises in the Canton Road. A monument to the memory of Mr. A. R. Margary, of the British Consular service, who was murdered by Chinese in Yunnau, was unveiled in June, 1880. The principal buildings on the French Concession are the Municipal Hall and the Consulate.

Among the institutions of the place may be mentioned the Volunteer Defence Force, consisting of Field Artillery, Light Horse, and Rifle Brigade, the latter com- prising a battalion of four companies. Originally formed in 1861 it gradually went to decay, until the fear of attack after the Massacre at Tientsin in 1870 caused its revival with considerable vigour. It again dwindled in numbers, but a recent effort to reorganise it has proved successful, there being over two hundred effective members. The Fire Brigade, which is entirely volunteer, consists of seven Engine and two Hook and Ladder Companies. It is pronounced to be the most efficient Brigade out of the United States. There is a Hospital for foreigners, the new and commodious building for which was completed in 1877, and several Hospitals for Lalives. The Temperance Society has a good hall and well furnished library, and having latterly been conducted on liberal principles is well supported by the community The other public institutions may be enumerated as, a Subscription Library containing about 10,000 volumes, a branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, with the nucleus of a Museum, a Sailors' Home, a Polytechnic Institution fo: Chinese, a Seamen's Library and Museum, a well sup- plied Gymnasium, a Wind Instrument Band, which gives concerts in the Public Gar- dens three times a week during the summer months, a Race Club, possessing a course of a mile and a quarter, a Country Club on the Bubbling Well Roa, a Parsee, and a Portugues Club, also Pony Paper Hunt, Cricket, Rifle, Yacht, Racket, and various other Clubs for recreation. The last named owns a building containing two splendid Courts, Bowling Green, Tennis Lawn, etc. There are ten or eleven Masonic bodies, with over 500 members. In 1876 a District Grand Lodge for North China was con- stituted, with Shanghai as its head-quarters.

There are four Docks at Shanghai, the one at Tunkadon, opposite the city, having a length of 380 feet over all with a depth at spring tides of 21 feet; the Old Dock at Hongkew is 400 feet long and 18 feet deep at springs, and the New Dock at Pootung