Directory_and_Chronicle_1899 — Page 588

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SHANGHAI

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 79 Europeans, 13 indians, and 454 natives for the north of the Yang-king-pang, and 41 Europeans and 70 natives for the French Concession, or about one constable for every 600 inhabitants. 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 are life and property more secure.

· CLIMATE

The climate of Shanghai is generally allowed to be fairly healthy. The death rate amongst foreigners ashore and afloat during the past two decades has ranged from 17.2 per thousand (in 1884) to 30.8 per thousand (in 1881). The rate in 1897, calculated on the basis of the census taken in June 1895 was 16.4 per thousand. It was given as 23.5 in 1895 and the same in 1894, but these figures are too high, having been based on the population in 1890. Partial outbreaks of cholera have occurred at intervals, but the larger proportion of the cases were among the ships in harbour. The highest recorded number of deaths from this cause among foreigners was 32, in 1890. Of these, 11 were amongst residents. In 1892, 1893, 1894 and 1897 there were no deaths from cholera among foreign residents. There were 20 deaths in 189, 11 of residents, and 10 in 1896, 3 of residents, from this disease. The deaths of foreigners from small-pox were 19 in 1896, of whom 8 were residents, and 6 in 1897, 2 being residents. Amongst the shore population the death rate was 15 per thousand in 1897, and has varied, so far as can be estimated in the absence of an annual census, from 23 per 1,000 in 1891 to 14.2 per 1,000 in 1884, a rate which compares favourably with that of large towns in Europe. The Health Officer in a late report says that "out of the seventy-five deaths registered there were but nine which can in any sense be termed climatic." The Chinese authorities reported 2,821 deaths amongst the natives in the "Anglo-American Settlement in 1897, which would make the rate about 12 per thousand, but that is without doubt very greatly under the real proportion: 928 deaths of natives were registered as from cholera in 1895, 18 in 1896, and 2 in 1897, and from small-pox 138 in 1895, 316 in 1896, and 92 in 1897. The thermometer ranges from 25 deg, to 103 deg. Fahrenheit, the mean of eight and years having been 59.2 deg.; winter being 39.1, spring 50.9, summer 78.2, autumn 62.6. Shanghai approaches nearest to Rome in mean temperature, while the winter temperature of London and Shanghai are almost identical. In October and November there is generally dry, clear, and delightful weather, equal to that found in any part of the world; but when the winter has fairly set in the north-east winds are extremely cold and biting. On January 17th, 1878, the river was frozen over at Woosung. The heat in the summer is sometimes excessive, but generally lasts only a few days at a time. In late years very severe gales have become more frequent. The annual average of rainy days in Shanghai during eight years was 124. the annual rainfall 32.454 inches; 55 wet days occurred in winter, and 69 in summer: the heaviest shower was on the 24th October, 1875, when 7 inches fell in 3 hours Earthquakes occasionally occur, but have not been known to inflict any serious injury.

DESCRIPTION

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The streets of the English and French Settlements all run north and south and east and west, mostly for the whole length of both settlements, crossing each other at right angles. They were when first laid out twenty-two feet wide, but have since at very great expense been mostly made much wider. Notwithstanding the soft nature of the soil they are now kept in remarkabiy good order, at least those near the river, the district chiefly occupied by Europeans. The Municipal Council now leases a stone quarry at Pingchiao, in Chekiang, about 150 miles south-west of Shang- hai, from which they obtain about 1,700 tons per year of the best stone for road making. Owing to the nature of the ground, expensive piling or concrete founda tions are necessary before any foreign building can be erected, and all stone has to be brought from a long distance. The Soochow Creek, between the English Settlement and Hongkew, is now crossed by six bridges, three of which are adapted for carriage traffic, and the French is connected with the other Settlement by eight bridgen crossing the Yang-king-pang. There are several good driving rouds extending ints the country, two leading to Sicawei, a distance of about six miles, and one to Jesstield by the banks of the Soochow Creek, for five miles. Another broad road, more recently constructed, runs by the side of the river for seven miles. It is intended ultimately