Directory_and_Chronicle_1887 — Page 419

SHANGHAI.

407

The revenue for 1886 was estimated at Tls. 118,422 and the expenditure at Tls, 127,503.

The

The Foreign population has considerably increased during late years. census of 1865 gave the number of foreign residents in the three Settlements as 2,757, army and navy (British) 1,851, shipping 981, a total of 5,589. By the census of June, 1885, there were in the Settlements north of the Yang-king-pang a total of 3,673 foreigners, 1,381 in the English division, 1,934 in Hongkew, and 358 in outside roads and Pootung; of these 1,775 were males, 1,011 females, and 887 children, against 1,281 males, 218 females, and 167 children, a total of 1,666 in 1870, and 1,171 males, 502 females, and 524 children, a total of 2,197 in 1880. The increase has been greatest in Hongkew, where the population is three and a-half times what it was only ten years ago. The proportion of different nationalities was 1,453 British, 457 Portuguese, 274 American, 216 German, 232 Spanish, 66 French, 51 Danish, 178 of various other European nationalities, 595 Japanese, 58 Indians, and 95 Manilaman and other Asiatics. While the adult Foreign male population had increased only 38 per cent. since the census of 1870, the number of women and children had been multiplied five times, and nearly doubled during the last five years. The French Concession con- tains about 400 foreigners, the greater proportion being French and the remainder mostly from other European Continental countries. These figures do not include the population afloat, which may be estimated at from 800 to 1,100. Although the Chinese have no right of residence within the Foreign Settlement, and indeed were expressly prohibited by the original Land Regulations, some twenty thousand sought refuge within the boundaries from the rebels in 1854, and when the city was besieged by the Taipings in 1860 there were, it is said, at least four hundred thousand natives within the Settlements. As they found some amenities from "squeezing" when under the protection of foreigners, and foreigners themselves being able to obtain a much higher rental for their land, and finding native house property a very profitable investment, no opposition was made to their residence. In 1870 there were in the three Settlements 75,047. The numbers by the last census (June, 1885) were :-In the British Settlement 78,735, in Hongkew £0,571, in Foreign Hongs in both Settle- ments 5,864, in villages and huts 4,308, in shipping and boats 6,187, total 125,665. Only 39,604 are natives of Kiangsu, the province in which Shanghai is situated, 41,304 being from Chekiang and 21,013 Cantonese; those in the direct employ of foreigners being almost exclusively from these provinces. The native population of the French Concession in 1885 was estimated at 40,000, and the boat population about 5,000, say a total for the three Settlements and afloat of 170,500. Nearly two- thirds are adult males. The population of the native city is supposed to be about 125,000. The large congregation of natives in the Settlements is kept in admirable order by a Police force of 50 Eureans, 50 Indians, and 195 natives for the north of the Yang-king-pang, and 27 foreigners and 29 natives for the French Concession. As the natives have to be tried by their own authorities, and bribery doubtless works its effects in Shanghai as elsewhere in China, the difficulties of organizing and efficiently working such a small force are considerable. In few places is life and property more

secure.

The climate of Shanghai is generally allowed to be fairly healthy. The death rate amongst foreigners ashore and afloat during the past twelve years has ranged from 18.6 per thousand (in 1875) to 35.6 per thousand (in 1883). The rate in 1885 was 20.24 per thousand.* Partial outbreaks of cholera have occurred at intervals in recent years, but the great majority of the cases were among the ships in harbour. The number, 25, in 1885 was the highest recorded. Of these 8 were amongst residents. If we exclude non-residents the death rate was 17.5 per thousand in 1885 and has varied, so far as can be estimated in the absence of an annual census, from 16 per 1,000 in 1876, to 28.6 per 1,000 in 1883, a rate which, with the one exception of 1883.

*The Health Officer gives it as 28.6 per thousand, but that is clearly a mistake as he took the resident population of the British and American Concessions at 2,197, whereas according to the census of June that year it was 3,673. The rates given by him for 1883 and 1884 should also be reduced for the same reason.