Directory_and_Chronicle_1911 — Page 1006

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

NANKING

977

which should secure to Nanking its position as the outlet for these rich provinces is the fact of its being so much nearer the sea than Hankow and accessible to the deepest draught ocean vessels at all seasons of the year. It is therefore only natural that a line. should have been projected from the mineral fields of Shansi to the village of Pukow, on the other side of the river to Nanking. Yet another line, from the mineral district of Hsin-yan in Honan, through Anhwei, with its terminus at Pukow, is also in contempla- tion. These two lines should revolutionise the commercial conditions at Nanking." The line from Shanghai to Nanking does not seem to have given the impetus to commercial life anticipated. Trains are running daily from Shanghai to Nanking and a short line has been completed connecting Hsiakwan, the port of Nanking, with the southern part of the city, a distance of six to eight miles. Work was commenced on the southern section of the Tientsin-Pukow line in January, 1909. The total length of the southern section of this line will be 2361⁄2 miles, and work is in progress now over almost the entire length, which is expected to be completed this year. During the past two or three years there has been "quite an air of progress," especially in building, and quite a Western aspect is being given to the ancient Capital of the Mings, as the new government buildings are all in foreign style and so also are a growing number of shops and residences recently built for Chinese. The Naval College, a large pile of buildings, was opened in 1890. A dozen teachers and instructors are employed, including two foreigners. The Nanking University was founded in 1888 by the Central China Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now an imposing and well-appointed school, with a large roll of scholars. The Arsenal and Powder Mills, for many years in charge of foreigners, are now entrusted to native direction. They are situated just outside the South Gate. A macadamized road has been built from the steamer landing clear through the city to the Tung-Tsi Gate in the south wall, a distance of eight miles, and many similar roads in other parts of the city have been added during the last few years so that it is now posssible to go "almost anywhere" in carriages. The carriages and jinrickhas which have been introduced are much appreciated by the people. British, American and German Consulates were opened in 1900. As the seat of the viceregal government, and by virtue of its historic associations, Nanking is of import- ance, and will, no doubt, regain before long a degree of its lost prestige. The net value of the trade of the port in 1909 was Tls. 11,212,985 as compared with Tls. 9,855,892 in 1908, and Tls, 10,415,071 is 1907. A grand industrial exhibition the first of its kind in China was held in 1910, the principal buildings being devoted to liberal arts, foreign exhibits, agriculture, fine arts, education, Chinese exhibits from foreign countries, a model hospital and an arsenal

Directory_and_Chronicle_1911 — Page 1006

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