Directory_and_Chronicle_1907 — Page 968

ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION

SHASI-CHANGSHA

Tide surveyor-F. G. Becke

Tidewaiters -W. G. Leneweiber, E. J.

J. Elmquist

和怡 E-Wo

JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.

Wo Hung Yuen, agent

Steamer" Kiangwo

"

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATORY OF JAPAN

Y. Oki

MISSIONS

For Protestant Missions see end of

China Directory

851

Rev. Marcel Sterkendries (Kingchow) Rev. Angelus Timmers (Kin-men) Rev. Gratianus Laurent (Kong-ngan)

JANSEA Ta-pan Shang-lun Kung-szu

OSAKA SHOSEN KAISHA

Chu Chia Chien, agent

Steamers Tai-yuen” and “Ta-hung "

POST OFFICE --IMPERIAL CHINESE Postmaster-L. A. Lyall

Postal clerk-in-charge Wong Cheung

POST OFFICE-JAPANESE

Postmaster--R. Suzuki Asst. Clerk--F. Itou

CHANGSHA

沙長 Chang-sha

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Changsha (“Long Sands”), the capital city of Hunan, which stands on the bank of the River Hsiang, 120 miles above Yochow (at the confluence of the Hsiang and Yangtze) became an Open Port under the China-Japan Commercial Treaty of 1903. A Custom- house was inaugurated on July 1st, 1904, and a British Consulate in 1905. surrounding country is hilly; though to the North there is a long plain varying in width from half a mile to a mile; possibly an ancient watercourse. The river Hsiang is not navigable for steamers in winter time, although its gradual fall and absence of rocks seem to promise a useful waterway. The city itself contains many fine streets, well paved and kept, according to Chinese ideas." There are many handsome buildings, both public and private. A local print describes the Changsha people as being earnest in temple worship and incense burning, which accounts for the careful preservation of all the innumerable temples and shrines. The newly-installed Customs Commissioner, writing in February, 1905, reported that the reception accorded to the new status of the port by the people had been quiet but satisfactory, and their behaviour since has been excellent. "Officials and gentry alike have been courteous and civil, and, the right conditions being premised, the future is full of promise." A Mr. H. Bennertz assumed that the walled city itself was open; but the Chinese insisted that open port" was extra-mural. The upshot was a decision against the Chinese, who finally paid Mr. Bennertz to go away. By imposing likin, by boycotting, and in other ways, however, this open port is kept practically closed. In April, 1906, the environ- ments of the city were deeply submerged to the walls, showing that there is little use in "opening" if the city remains closed. In 1905, the Commissioner states that the idea of a foreign settlement is "practically dropped," and suggests that foreign merchants may establish themselves on a low-lying sandbank 400 yards out, which they must first raise to a safe level! "Even now it is difficult to get a foothold," he adds, but for those who do get in, and can wait, golden possibilities are promised. The net value of the trade for 1905 was Hk. Tls. 5,895,830, as compared with Tls. 2,817,514 for the previous six months of which the Customs took note. Direct foreign trade is as yet not worth counting. The Chinese Government has decided to throw open to foreign trade the two largest marts of the province-Hsing-t'au, thirty miles above Changsha and Changteh on the Yuan river. When this is done the prospects of Changsha may improve. What trade has been done at Changsha since the opening of the port has been at the expense of Yochow, whose trade statistics dwindled in two years from Tls. 3,473,241 to Tls. 410,000,

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