Directory_and_Chronicle_1897 — Page 224

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

HANKOW

183

are low. At his feet sweeps the magnificent Yangtsze, nearly a mile in width; from the west and skirting the northern edge of the range of hills already mentioned, comes the river Han, narrow and canal like, to add its quota, and serving as one of the highway of the country; and to the north-west and north is an extensive treeless flat, so little elevated above the river that the scattered hamlets which dot its surface are without exception raised on mounds, probably artificial works of a now distant age. A stream or two traverse its farther part and flow into the main river. Carrying his eye to the right bank of the Yangtsze one sees enormous lakes and lagoons both to the north-west and south-east sides of the hills beyond the provincial city.

The port was opened to foreign trade in 1861. The British Settlement is located at the east end of the city, which it joins, and is, together with the Race Course, included within the city walls, which are quite modern, having been built at the time of the Taiping Rebellion. It is well laid out, the roads being broad and all lined with well grown trees. The Bund, which is exactly half a mile in length, affords a very fine and pleasant promenade, and has an imposing appearance from the river. There are a large Roman Catholic and small Protestant and Greek churches, the latter a rather handsome structure built by the Russian residents. Several Brick Tea factories owned by Russians are located in the Settlement. A capital club, with tennis and racquet courts, bowling alley, billiard and reading rooms, library, &c., is kept up. A French Settlement was also fixed upon, but it has never been occupied. The river steamers go alongside hulks moored close to the shore; ocean steamers anchor in mid stream. The current is very strong in the river. The native city of Hankow presents no distinctive feature. Like all Chinese cities it is a crowded agglomeration of narrow lanes. The population of Hankow is estimated at 800,000. Cotton cloth mills established by the Viceroy Chang Chih-tung commenced running in 1892, and large ironworks at Hanyang have also been established.

Great expectations as regards trade were entertained respecting the opening of Hankow. Foreign commerce would, it was thought, be brought into immediate contact with the large internal population of China, and a port be established in the locality of the great tea producing districts. These expectations, however, have been but partially realised. Tea is, of course, the staple export, and it is at Hankow that the first steamers for home take in their cargoes. The total export of Tea from Hankow (including re-exports of Kewkiang tea) amounted in 1895 to 576,631 piculs, as compared with 504,353 piculs shipped in 1894.

shipped in 1894. In 1895 Opium was imported to the extent of 577 piculs as against 721 piculs in 1894. It is computed that 70 per cent. of the opium used at this port is native grown drug; the import of the foreign article is declining. The trade under the transit pass system is larger at Hankow than at any other port; its value in 1895 was Tls. 5,555,905 as compared with Tls. 3,974,546 in 1894. The net value of the trade of the port in 1895 amounted to Tls. 44,507,502, and in 1894 to Tls. 39,134,793.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1897 — Page 224

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