Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 965

CHANGSHA

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excellent management it promises once more to do splendid work for the province. Among the cities of China, Changsha ranks only second to Chengtu; the fine buildings, well laid-out gardens, the wide and clean streets, and the good shops render a walk a pleasant experience.

There is an ice factory, with a capacity for turning out some 3,600 pounds of ice daily, and a fine hospital, the gift of a Yale University graduate, with accommodation for 120 beds. A notable feature of 1919 was the opening up of a branch of the Asia Banking Corporation on the bund, this being the first purely foreign bank to be established in Changsha. Owing to the disturbed conditions in the province of Hunan and to the students' boycott of Japanese goods during 1919 the net value of the trade for that year amounted to about 25 million Haikuan taels, which, although two million taels more than in 1918, was two and a half million taels less than 1917.

A number of foreign residences have been constructed by the Catholic Mission on Shui Lu Island, opposite the city. A new electric plant under native management and ownership has been completed, and an understanding has been reached between the new concern, the Kwang Hua Electric Light Company, and the existing Hunan Electric Light Company, whereby the latter supply current to the southern part of the city and the former to the northern districts with an extension to Sui Lu Island by means of a cable across the river in January, 1919. To improve communications in and immediately around the city and provide facilities for trade a fairly extensive scheme is under consideration, involving the ultimate levelling of the city walls, work on which has been started. The bund on the whole of its length from the Custom House to the Hsin Ho is also to be widened and the surface improved sufficiently to allow extensive wheeled traffic, while the large piece of land outside the North Gate between the Bund and the Railway is to be laid out as a business quarter.

Owing to its comparatively close vicinity to Wuchang, the cradle of the revolution, the city of Changsha quickly passed over into the hands of the New Party. This change was effected without practically any bloodshed, only the heads of the more important officials, refusing to join the Republicans, being sacrificed on the altar of Anti-Manchuism. The Governor, however, managed to escape in the nick of time. A most gratifying feature throughout this critical period was the extremely friendly, not to say courteous, attitude shown to foreigners.

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The low level of the river during the winter months, preventing the regular steamers from plying for nearly three months, is an obstacle to trade. From the records it would appear that there is now more water over the shallows than was formerly the case, probably owing to the largely increased launch traffic preventing the accumulation of silt; therefore, it is not improbable that a regular towing system will be introduced before long to take the place of steamers during the winter. A short section of the Canton-Hankow railway,

railway, from Changsha to Chuchow-about 30 miles-was opened to traffic on 10th September, 1911. Work on the Changsha Yochow Hankow section of the Canton-Hankow railway is progressing favourably and Completed up to Changsha. Unfortunately, the Tuning of heavy trains fail of Northern soldiers to quell the rebellion in Hunan has greatly damaged the line, and extensive repairs will probably be necessary before it can safely be opened to general traffic. Owing to financial and other difficulties due to the European War, work on the railway was interrupted, at this end, south of Chüchow. The continued disturbances within the Province prevented any further work from being done on the Changsha-Canton section of the Canton-Hankow railway in 1919. The export of coal and coke is becoming an important feature in the trade of the district. The coke, which is said to be of excellent quality, is used almost exclusively by the Hanyang Iron Works; the coal is finding an extending market for bunker use. The colliery is under excellent management, and the supply is said to be almost limitless.

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With its fertile plains, mountains seamed with mineral wealth, and its sturdy population, there would seem to be a brilliant future before this province. Until, however, modern machinery is applied, railway communication extended, and capital introduced, no great expansion can be anticipated. The climate of Changsha is excellent There is no great heat, the summer is short, and there is no malaria, the poisonous mosquito not existing here. When the railway is open the scenery traversed will make this journey the most popular in China.

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