Directory_and_Chronicle_1923 — Page 901

CHINKIANG

I A Chin-kiếng

The port of Chinkiang, which was opened to trade by the Treaty of Tientsin, is situated on the south bank of the Yangtsze, about 150 miles from its mouth, and near the entrances of the southern and northern sections of the Grand Canal. This position gave it formerly great importance, and it was at one time believed that the port must eventually become a serious rival to Shanghai. But the neglect of the inland waterways, and especially of the Grand Canal, which is closed to steam traffic for some months during each year, either because the water is too shallow or because it has risen so much that the wash from launches would injure the embank- ments, is causing the trade to be gradually diverted to Hankow and Tsingtao. Now that the Tientsin-Pukow Railway is completed more of the trade is being diverted to Nanking: A railway froin Kwachow, at the mouth of the Grand Canal on the north bank of the river, along the Canal to Tsingkiangp'u, is projected and may do something to save the situation, but there are 14 tax barriers along this route, and it remains to be seen whether this railway, if built, will not have the same difficulty with the lakin officials as is now experienced by the Shanghai- Nanking Railway. The north bank opposite the Concession is being eroded rapidly, and a spit from the island of Chêng Jên Chou, to the west of the Concession, is extending eastwards. Indeed, the steady deterioration of the harbour is rapidly threatening the existence of Chinkiang as a shipping port. Owing to this cause, it has been necessary to remove the last of the hulks which used to lie off the British Buud, and river steamers trading with the port are seriously inconvenienced both as regards passengers and cargo. The entrance to the southern section of the Grand Canal is practically closed to traffic, except for very small boats in the high-water season, and no attempt is made to keep the mouth of the canal open. The silting up of the harbour has caused great difficulties to the British Municipal Council in regard to the water supply, and piping 1,500 yards long has had to be laid to deep water on the north side of the spit, but even this may have to be extended in future.

Chinkiang is one of the pleasantest ports on the river. It is now within a few hours' railway journey of Shanghai, which enables ice and other necessaries to be delivered promptly, while the Shanghai morning paper is received the same afternoon. The surrounding country is very pretty, and there is fair shooting, wild pig being plentiful within a few miles of the Concession. An electric light installation was set up by the Municipal Council in 1914 for the service of the Concession. The power used for generating electricity at the same time pumps water into a water-tower, which supplies the Concession. The deterioration of the water owing to the silting up of the harbour caused increasing anxiety amongst the foreign residents for some years, but a Candy dechlorinating filter, capable of supplying 6,000 gallons of filtered water an hour, has been working satisfactorily since August, 1921. Long-distance telephones were installed towards the end of 1920 and there is now connection from Chinkiang with Shiherhwei, 45 li; Yangchow, 60 li; Siennümiao, 72 li; Shaopo, 80 li; and Kaoyu, 147 li. It is reported that there will soon be through service to Tsingkiangpu, 377 li.

The population of the Native City is estimated at about 150,000. To the west of the Concession is a handsome temple adorned with a pagoda standing on a con- spicuous elevation, and known as Golden Island. It is interesting to record that in the time of Marco Polo this hill was on the north bank of the river. In 1842 is was an island near the middle of the river, and the British fleet anchored where the railway station now stands.

The net value of the trade of the port for 1921 was Hk. Tls. 27,507,564, as compared with Hk. Tls. 28,836,607 in 1920. There are no local industries of importance, and the trade of the port is with the districts to the north of the river. The Commissioner of Customs in a recent trade report expressed the opinion that it is probable that the port will gradually sink into insignificance and decay.