Directory_and_Chronicle_1884 — Page 199

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SHANGHAI,

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the difficulties of organizing and efficiently working such a small force are cousid ble. A scheme for the reconstruction of the police of the "Anglo American" Settle, ment is now being carried out. In few places is life and property more secure.

The climate of Shanghai is generally allowed to be fairly Lealtoy. The death rate amongst, foreigners ashore and aflat during the past twelve years has ranged from 22.3 per thousand (in 1875) to 37 per thousand in 1881 and 32 per thousand in 1832. The increase in the death rate for the last two years given is attributed to the unusual prolongation of the period of damp beat, the increase in the paire population, and the increase in the number of women and children. Partial outbreaks of cholers have occurred four times in recent years, there having been sixteen deaths amonget foreigners from this cause in 1877, the same number the next year, thirteen in 1881 and fifteen in 1852, but the great majority of the cases occurred among the ships in harbour. Two foreign resident succumbed to this disease in 1881 and five in 1892. If we exclude non-residents the rate has varied from 19 per 1,000 in 1376, to say 21.50 per 1,000 in 1882, a rate which compares favourably with that of large towns in Europe The Halth Officer in a late report says, out of the seventy-five deaths rgist rel, there were but nine which can in any senis: be termed climatic." The thermometer rauges from 25 deg. to 100 deg. Fahrenheit, the mean of eight years having been 59.2 deg.; winter being 39.1, spring 51.9, suminer 78.2, and autumn 62.6. Shanghai approaches nearest to Rome in a temperature, while the winter temperature of London and Shanghai are a'most id n- tical. In the months of Otober and November there is generally dry, clear, and delightful weather, equal to what can be found in any other part of the world; but when the winter has fairly set in the north-east winds are extremely cold and bit ng On January 17th, 1878 the river was frozen over at Woo-ung. The hat in the sum- mer is sometimes exe-ssive, but generally lasts only a few days at a time. The summer of 1879 was an exception, being the hottest that has been known for many years, the thermometer reaching 99 dez. for several succes-ive days, and the average maximun for July and August being 92.7. In late years very severe gales have home mer? frequent. The annual average of rainy days in Shanghai during eight years was 124, the annual rainfall 42.464 inches; 55 wet days occurred in winter, and 69 in summer; the heaviest shower was on the 24th Oct ber, 1875, wh. n 7 inches fell in 3 hours. Earthquakes occasionally occur, but have not been known to inflict any serious injury,

The streets of the English an1 French Settlements all ruu a rth and south and east and west, mostly for the whole length of both settlements, crossing each other at right angles. Notwithstanding the soft nature of the soil they are now kept ja remarkably good order, at least those near the river, the district chiefly occupi by Europeans. Owing to the nature of the ground, expensive piling is necessary be any foreign buildings can be erected, and all stone has to be brought from a long distance. The Soochow Creek, between the English Settlement and Hongkew, is crossed by six bridges, three of which are adapted for carriage traffic, and the Fre ch is connected with the other Settlement by eight bridges. There are several d driving roals extending into the country, two lading to Sicawei, a distance of fire and a half miles, and one to Jessfield, by the banks of the Soochow Creek, for a'ont seven miles. Another broad road, more recently constructed, runs by the side of the river for six miles. It is intended ultimately to extend it to Woosung. Several other roads have been prop sed, but although foreigners are prepared to pay high prices for the land the opposition of the officials has hitherto prevented their coustrac

At the time the Taipings approached Shanghai some roads for the passage artillery were made by the British military authorities at the expense of the Ch:180 Government, one of them exteuding for seventeen miles into the country; bu eir cepting those close to the settlement they have now been turned into ploughed fidd An inland carriage road to Woosung, made at the expense of Messrs. Jardine,

tion.

*The Health Offer in his Report for 1881 said: “Por reasons detailed in 1970 the death rate given in these Fr is not intended for comparison with the returns of similarly peopled towns at home, and ought not to be so used." This rem is no doubt to a considerable extent true, unt at the same in it must be remembered that the conditions peculiar to li hai," which he enumerated in 1870, have become greatly modified since then, and that the foreign population, and the tions of life in Shanghai are becoming every year more like those of a home city,

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SHANGHAI.

Matheson & Co. and others, has now also been reduced to a narrow footpath. The for shore in front of the settlement has recently been raised, turfed, and planted with 6111' 8. The trees planted some years ago having now attained a good height, and seral more imposing buildingsaving been completed, the English and French Buds form as wagnificent a boul vard as auy in the East.

Many foreign bouses, nearly all of them with several mow of garden_ground, have been erected near the outsile roads, especially on that leading the Bubbling W11, which is the main outlt from the set le.uent, and from which most of the other This road and its extension to Sicawei is planted with trees on roads raneb off. both sides, forming a five avenue of over five miles in length. A all but well laid ont and admirably kept Puble Garden was formed about 19. on land recovered from the river in trout of the British Consulate. It is Lowposed to considerably extend its area by reclaiming the foreshore.

Immense suins have been wasted in various attempts to drain the settlements, principally from the want of skilled direction; but the great difficulties in this matter, arising from the low lying and level nature of the ground, have now been fairly overcome. The settim us are well provided with te graphic fire alarms. The desire of the Municipal Councils to keep the monopoly in their own bands re'a del for many years the inauguration of water works, but a public company has Dow been established, and commenced to supply water at the close of last year. Electric light was introduced in 1882; lamps have been erected at the wharves and ou the quincipal thorong) fares, but it has not yet proved quite satis actory.

The

Shanghai can beast 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 finest specim ns of modern ecclesiastical architecture to be found out of Europe, but, from want of fun 8, the tower and spire, which is an essential part of the esign, bas not yet been built. There is a Roman Catholic Church in the French Co..c-ssion and another in Hongkew; als › a Chapel belonging t › the London Mission and one to the American Episcopalians, and a very pretty and prettily situated The Seamen's Church at Pootung, les des several Missin Chapels for natives. Jsuit Fatbers have an extensive Mi∙sion establishment at Sicawei, to which is attached a valuable scientific ol serva ory. Under the direc ion of this institution, a complete system of meteorological o »servations, to embrace the whole of the China Sas, is being inaugurated. The Shan bai Club occapies a large and elaborate building at one en of the English Bund. It cost T.s. 120,000, and at that is said to bave raised three contractors. It has passed through a varied and of the Bund. peculiar history. There is a really fine Masonic Hall a' Amongst the other conspic

ins may be mention those occupied by the Oriental and Hongkong and Shanganking Corporations. There is a vry fair Theatre, but it is as yet devoid of internal duration. Tas members i the tenan (Concordia) Club bare also a handsome little catre attached their new, remu..? a in the Canton Rad. A monument to the memory of Mr. ... R. Margary, of the British Consular service, who woe murdered by C nese in Yunnan, was unveiled in June, 130. The principal ildings on the Fren à Concession are the Municipal Hall and the Consulate.

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Among the institutious of the place may be mentioned the Volunteer Defence Force, consisting of Field Artillery, Light Horse, and d Bri.ade, the latter com- prising a battalion of four companies. Originally formed in 1861 it gradually weže to decay, until the fear of attack after the " sacre at Tientsin in 1870 caused its revival with considerable vigour. It aga swindled in numbes, but a recent effort to reorganise it has proved success, there being now tw・ uundred and eighty-six members, almost all of whom are effective. 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 buited States. There is a Hospital for foreigners, the new and commodious building or which was completed in 1877, and several Hospitals for natives. The Temperance Society has a good hall and well furnished library, and having latterly been conducted on liberal principles is