Directory_and_Chronicle_1901 — Page 696

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

CHINKIANG

239

The city lies between one of the mouths of the Grand Canal and the right bank of the Yangtsze. Most of the houses are built on level ground, but the surrounding hills lend a pleasant appearance to the locality, which is considerably enhanced by the bluff scenery of the island of Ts'io-shan. When the city was abandoned by the rebel forces, its destruction was very nearly complete, and it has even now hardly recovered its former prosperous aspect. The city is enclosed by walls and defended by rather formidable looking batteries commanding the river approaches. The foreign settlement occupies a tract of land extending from the mouth of the Canal along the bank of the river. The little settlement has a neat bund, is provided with a club, and has small Protestant and Catholic churches. It was the scene of a formidable riot on the 5th February, 1889, when about half the foreign houses and buildings were destroyed by a native mob. The population of Chinkiang is estimated at 140,000.

The net value of the foreign imports for 1899 was Tls. 14,655,821 as compared with Tls. 12,650,707 in 1898. The import of Opium into Chinkiang in 1899 was 4,339 piculs, against 2,953 piculs in 1898, and 10,900 piculs in 1884, the trade having declined owing to the competition of the lighter taxed native drug. The year 1899 was one of unprecedented activity, however, the Opium imports being nearly double those for the preceding year, owing to rumours being current that the Government intended increas- ing the dues and charges by about 30 per cent. on this article. The net value of the trade of the port for 1899 amounted to Tls. 25,691,928, against Tls. 23,143,548, in 1898, and Tls. 24,145,341, in 1897

Directory_and_Chronicle_1901 — Page 696

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