Directory_and_Chronicle_1906 — Page 446

HUANGPU CONSERVANCY CONVENTION

The Chinese Government, being desirous of substituting for the terms of the Protocol of 1901, having reference to the establishment of a River Board for the Huangpu and the functions and revenue of such Board, a new method of procedure whereby the Chinese Government itself will undertake the work and defray the whole of the expense thereof; and the Powers signatory to the final Protocol having. assented to this proposition, the following conditions have been agreed upon:-

Art. I.-The Customs Taotai and the Commissioner of Customs at Shanghai are entrusted with the general management of the work of improving the course of the Huangpu and of ameliorating the condition of the bar, both at this and the other side of Woosung, as well as of the maintenance of such works.

With regard to the river and sanitary police, lighting and buoying, pilot service, etc., the former regulations will continue to be in force.

Art. II.-Three months after signature of the present agreement China will herself select an engineer experienced in matters of river conservancy, and if a majority of the representatives of the Powers signatory to the final Protocol consider that the engineer thus chosen possesses the requisite qualifications, China will immediately appoint him to undertake the work.

In case, after commencement of the work, it should be necessary, for reasons considered valid by a majority of the Ministers interested, to take steps to replace him, the selection and appointment of the new engineer would be effected in the same manner as above mentioned.

Art. III. All contracts for undertaking the whole or part of the river conservancy works, for purchase of material or of machinery, etc., shall be submitted to public tender and awarded to the party offering the most advantageous terms.

Art. IV. Every three months a detailed report upon the work done and a statement of expenses incurred will be drawn up and submitted for examination to the Consular Body at Shanghai.

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Art, V.-The sanction of the Taotai and of the Commissioner of Customs in Shanghai will be required for constructing wharves and jetties as well as for the establishment of all pontoons or floating houses in the river.

Art. VI.-The Taotai, and the Commissioner of Customs at Shanghai will have the right to expropriate the existing permanent moorings and to establish a system of public moorings in the river.

Art. VII. The sanction of the Taotai aud of the Commissioner of Customs will be necessary for the prosecution of all dredging and other work.

Art. VIII.--The Taotai and Commissioner of Customs will have the right to acquire all land, situated outside the foreign concessions, necessary for the execution of the work of improving and conserving the Huangpu and to dispose of the said land. If, in this connection, it should be considered necessary to expropriate land, and if such land should be the property of foreigners, the price therefor will be determined by a Commission composed of:-

(1.)-A person selected by the Consular authority having jurisdiction over the

owner.

(2.)—A person selected by the Taotai and the Commissioner of Customs. (3.)—A person selected by the Doyen of the Consular Body.

Should the Doyen of the Consular Body be also the Consul of the proprietor the third member of the Commission would be chosen by the Consul next in seniority to the Doyen.

The Consul having jurisdiction over the party interested will give effect to the decision of the Commission.