Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 695

TIENTSIN

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The Racecourse is situated about 3 miles to the west of the Gordon Hall and comprises a very valuable property to which about 350 mow of land have recently been added. It is proposed to lay out a 9-hole golf course, etc., and the question of rebuilding the grand-stand on an extensive and up-to-date scale is under consideration.

Distilling is one of the largest local industries; it is chiefly from kowliang (sorghum) or millet. Although a spirit, it is called "wine," and is exported to the south in large quantities. The manufacture of coarse unrefined salt by the evaporation of sea water is also carried on ncar Taku; the produce is stacked some distance down river at the first cutting, where all the salt junks now go. It was formerly stacked on the river bank opposite the British Concession, and sometimes gave off very offensive smells, rendering life a burden. The trade in salt is a Government monopoly. In 1909 the salt export was valued at nearly six and a half million taels. Carpets, shoes, glass, coarse earthenware, and fireworks are also made in large quantities in the city, but Tientsin is at present essentially a centre for distribution and collection rather than for manufacture. The exports include coal, wool (from Kokonor, Kansuh, etc.), bristles, straw braid, goat skins, furs, wine, etc. The export trade is a creation only some 15 or 20 years old, and is largely due to foreign initiative. Wool cleaning and braid and bristle sorting are the chief industries in the foreign hongs except those of the Russians, who are exclusively engaged in the transit of tea. The imports are of the usual miscellaneous nature: arms, tea for the Desert and Siberia, mineral oil, matches, and needles figure next to piece-goods. The fine arts are unknown to tlie Tientsinese except in the shape of cleverly-made mud-figures; these are painted and make really admirable statuettes, but are difficult to carry away, being remarkably brittle.

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Tientsin is the principal sea outlet for the entire trade of the provinces of Chihli, Shansi, Shensi, Kansuh, and part of Honan, with a population not far short of 100,000,000. Following are the comparative trade statistics for the years 1917, 1918 and 1919 :-

Imports :- Foreign Native

...

1917

1918

1919

Hk. Tls. 69,021,197 Hk. Tls. 76,028,599 Hk. Tls. 86,740,924

""

"9

28,821,602 51,180,055

""

""

33,190,642 71,550,033

Exports

...

34,758,511 42,118,824

Value of trade of Port... Hk. Tls. 145,898,532 Hk.Tls. 156,030,256 Hk.Tls. 191,481,599

DIRECTORY

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Ching-ching-chi-ch'’i-ch'ang'

ADAIR, GRAHAM & Co., Structural, Heating Sanitary and General Engineers, Slip Repairers, Boiler Makers, Founders and Contractors, Office and Works-British Bund; Teleph. 1195; Tel. Ad: Adair;

Codes A1, A.B.C., Lieber's, Bentley's, and Engineering

清美 Mei-ching

AMERICAN MACHINERY and EXPORT Co.

Mining and Engineering Equipment and General Import and Export-Teleph. 1328; Tel. Ad: Meiching

E. K. Lowry, president, manager

J. L. Dobbins, vice-pres. and mgr.,

San Francisco

H. K. Chang, asst. manager

W. L. Hodges, consulting engineer G. O. Haviland, accountant M. A. Daily, stenographer

Agencies

China Mail Steamship Co.

Westchester Fire Insurance Co. (Fire

and Marine Ins.)

C. S. Johnson & Son (Paints, Wood

Dyes, Wax and Auto Products)

J. H. Channon Mfg., Co. (Boiler and Machine Shop Tools, Railway Track Tools)

Easton Car & Const. Co. (Railway Cars, Special Cars, Portable and Perma- nent Track)

Geo. Haiss Mfg. Co. (Wagon Loaders,

Coal Screens and Hoists)

C. W. Hunt Co. (Electric Platform Trucks and Tractors, Coal Handling Machinery)

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