Directory_and_Chronicle_1922 — Page 711

TIENTSIN

645

.+

The interests which the successful conservation of the waterways of the province would serve are of immense importance the inhabitants of the plains would secure immunity from floods, and agriculture would be promoted by improved methods of irrigation; communications would cease to suffer periodical interruption, and the vast trade of North China would be safeguarded and fostered; while the immediate welfare of Tientsin would be protected and the navigability of the Haiho improved. The financial and administrative difficulties which will probably arise are adinittedly serious, but it is hoped that these will be overcome and that the sanguine anticipations entertained of ultimate success will be realised at some future date It would be well, of course, if arrangements could be made to fix the constitution of the Commission on a permanent basis with a recognised official status; and with provision for continuity of policy and ultimate expansion on broad lines. Referring to the development and progress of this Commission, the Customs Trade Report for 1919, which dealt exhaustively with Tientsin Conservancy affairs, states that the two previous Reports referred to the Commission for the Improvement of the River System of Chihli and the circumstances which led up to its establishment, adding that its preliminary functions comprised a comprehensive survey of the province and the execution of the Niumutun Cutting, etc. The main function of the Cominission, of course, is the investigation of the river system of the province with a view to the formulation of the so-called Grand Scheme. Topographical and Hydrometrical Survey Departments were therefore organised, and their activities began in the summer of 1918. During 1920, the surveys of the rivers to the northward of Tientsin were completed, and a topographic survey of the country lying between the Yungtingho and Peiho was approaching completion. Towards the south, river surveys of the Weiho, Tangho, Shaho, and Tzeho were completed, in addition to topographical surveys of several localities. The total area surveyed during the year amounted to 11,419 square kilometres. As regards the actual construction of works, two schemes of a flood-protective nature were put in hand, viz., the outer Tientsin South Dike and the Machang Canal escape channel. In the former case the construction and cost of the earthwork were undertaken by a syndi- cate of local gentry, the Commission on its part being responsible for the necessary masonry works. The railway embankment, which can be made to serve as an effective dike in continuation of the new portion of dike now constructed, still requires to have its formation level heightened, and negotiations to effect this have been opened with the railway authorities. The new outlet channel for the Machang Canal was com- menced in October, 1920, and about 75 per cent. of the total earthwork was completed before winter set in. It is satisfactory to record that in 1920 the financial position of the Commission was considerably improved by the guarantee of a monthly grant of Tls. 30,000, which is sufficient to cover the ordinary recurring expenditure.

Before closing these remarks upon the conservancy interests of Tientsin it is fitting to refer to a very important scheme recently brought forward by Mr. Maze, the Commissioner of Customs there, viz., his proposal to establish a deep-water port at the river entrance below the town of Taku. The construction of certain training works by the Hai Ho Conservancy Board in the vicinity for the purpose of preventing further encroachment on the fairway of the North Bank, and of maintaining the new line of direction of the Bar Channel, seemed to him a favourable opportunity for suggesting that reclamation works to the north of the training works should be undertaken in order to secure sufficient ground for the construction of steamer-wharves, godowns, coal-yards and railway- sidings on land reclaimed between the North Fort and the inner end of the Deep Hole. The Engineer-in-Chief of the Hai Ho Conservancy Board advises that from an engineering standpoint the scheme is quite feasible and would not be unduly expensive, and that the position concerned-situated, as it is, at the actual mouth of the river-is for a variety of reasons the most suitable site avail- able. The first reach of the river is straight, is about 1,000 feet broad, and is deep, thus possessing obvious advantages for the accommodation of shipping. It is superior in this and every other respect to sites a little further up stream, which are not only much more limited in extent but do not possess such favourable advan- tages as regards breadth of river or depth of water. If facilities for deeper draught steamers are provided on the above lines it is no exaggeration to state that the shipping interests of the port would be revolutionized and that the trade of Tientsin and North China would greatly benefit. A deep-water port below Taku, for example, would form a convenient shipping centre for the coal business; similarly, the oil companies trading there would probably find it advantageous to erect installations at the river entrance and-provided sufficient depth of water can be secured in