Directory_and_Chronicle_1903 — Page 682

SHANGHAI

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from 16.4 per thousand (in 1897) to 26.7 per thousand (in 1882). The rate in 1901 was 21.9 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 to 1894 and 1897 to 1901 inclusive there were no deaths from cholera among foreign residents. The highest number of deaths of foreigners from small-pox was 19 in 1896. There were no deaths of foreigners from this cause in 1900 and only one in 1901. In winter cases of small-pox and typhoid ace frequent among the natives. Amongst the shore population the death rate was 18.3 per thousand in 1901, and has varied, so far as can be estimated in the absence of an annual census, from 14.3 in 1900 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 5,292 deaths amongst the natives in the "Anglo-American Settlement " in 1901, which makes the rate 15.1 per thousand, but that is without doubt greatly under the real proportion: 928 deaths of natives were registered as from cholera in 1895, 18 in 1896, and 2 in 1897, but none since, and from small-pox 316 in 1896, 92 in 1897, 65 in 1898, 183 in 1899, 54 in 1900 and 31 in 1901. The thermometer ranges. from 25 deg. to 103 deg. Fahrenheit, the mean of eight years having been 59.1 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 temperature, while the winter temperature of London and Shanghai are almost identical. The daily range is from 13.3° 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 43.66 inches, 14.06 in winter and 29.60 in summer; the heaviest shower was on the 24th Octo- ber, 1875, when 7 inches fell in 3 hours. The mean degree of humidity is from 76 in the winter to 80 in the summer months. 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- withstanding the soft nature of the soil the roads are now kept in remarkably good order, at least the main thoroughfares. The Municipal Council now leases a stone quarry at Pingchiao, in Chekiang, about 150 miles south-west of Shanghai, from which they obtained about 23,422 tons of good stone and 2,450 tons decomposed sand and stone for road making in 1901. Owing to the nature of the ground, expensive piling or concrete foundations 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 seven bridges, four of which are adapted for carriage traffic, and the French concession is connected with the other Settlement by eight bridges crossing the Yangking-pang. Six new bridges were erected in 1901 to connect the extended Settlements. It was proposed to culvert and fill in this Creek and to make a broad throughfare along its line, but the Councils have decided that the advantage to sanitation of this scheme would not be com- mensurate with the expense of carrying it out. There are several good driving roads extending into the country, two leading to Sicawei, a distance of about six miles, and one to Jessfield by the banks of the Soochow Creek, for five miles. A scheme for the construction of a road from Sicawei to the hills, eighteen miles, has been sanctioned and there is every prospect of its soon being made. Another broad thoroughfare, Yangtsepoo Road, runs by the side of the river for five miles, which it is intended ulti- mately to extend to Woosung. The termini of Jessfield Road and Yangtzepoo Road now mark the limits in their separate directions of the Foreign (settlement. Several other roads have been proposed, but, although foreigners are prepared to pay high prices