Directory_and_Chronicle_1902 — Page 726

SHANGHAI

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French Concession in 1900 was 80,526 against 45,758 in 1895 and 34,722 in 1890, and the boat population 4,120 and in transit 7,000; say a total for the three Settlements and afloat of 436,922, more than half of whom are adult males. This rapid increase has occurred notwithstanding that rents have risen from thirty to sixty and in some cases even one hundred per cent., and that provisions and cost of living generally both of natives and foreigners has greatly increased. The majority are immigrants from other provinces who followed in the wake of foreigners attracted by the high wages paid to skilled and unskilled labour required for the many industries. The population of the native city is estimated at 183,000 The large congregation of natives in the Settlements and the outlying roads is kept in admirable order by a Police force of 94 Europeans, 173 Indians, and 550 natives for the north of the Yang-king- pang and 45 Europeans and 106 natives for the French Concession, or about one constable for every 470 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. In August, 1899, the Captain Superintendent stated that twenty-four hours had passed without one defaulter being reported, an unique police experience for any city in the world of its population.

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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 16.4 per thousand (in 1897) to 30.8 per thousand (in 1881). The rate in 1900 was 24.6 per thousand. 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 the years 1892, 1894 to 1897, and to 1900 inclusive there were no deaths from cholera among foreign residents. The highest number of deaths of foreigners from small-pox was 19 in 1896, of whom 8 were residents. There were two deaths of foreigners from this cause in 1897, two in 1898, 7 in 1899, but none in 1900. In winter cases of small-pox and typhoid are frequent among the natives. Amongst the shore population the death rate was 14.3 per thousand in 1900, and has varied, so far as can be estimated in the absence of an annual census, from that, the lowest on record (although it was only 14.5 per thousand in 1884 and 1897) rate to 24.6 per thousand in 1891. These compare favourably with that of large towns in Europe and America. 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." There were reported 3,799 deaths amongst the natives in the "Anglo-American Settle- ment in 1900, which makes the rate eleven per thousand, but that is without doubt very greatly under the real proportion: 925 deaths of natives were registered as from cholera in 1895, 18 in 1896, and 2 în 1897, but none in 1898, 1899, or 1901, and from small- pox 138 in 1895, 316 in 1896, 92 in 1897, 63 in 1898, 183 in 1899, and 54 in 1900. The thermometer ranges from 25 deg. to 103 deg. Fahrenheit, the mean of eight years having been 59.2 deg.; the average being 40.8, 65.1, 77.9 and 52.3 for first, second, third and fourth quarters respectively. Shanghai approaches nearest to Rome in mean tempera- ture, while the winter temperature of London and Shanghai are almost identical. The daily range is from 12.9° during the first to 16.6° during the second quarter. 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 during July and August is sometimes excessive, but generally lasts only a few days at a time. In late years very severe gales have become more fre- quent. The mean of the barometer is from 29.78 in the third to 30.26 inches in the first quarter. The annual average of rainy days in Shanghai during eight years was 124 : 55 wet days occurred in winter, and 69 in summer; the annual rainfall averages 43.80 inches, 14.15 in winter and 29.65 in summer; the heaviest shower was on the 24th Octo- ber, 1875, when 7 inches fell in 33 hours. Earthquakes occasionally occur, but have not been known to inflict any serious injury.

DESCRIPTION

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. Under the new Regulations power to compel the sale of land required for public purposes has been secured. Not-

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