Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 694

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TIENTSIN

issued by them, which was subsequently laid before the Chinese authorities concerned in Peking by the doyen of the Diplomatic Body, who supported the views and advice contained therein. The Chinese Government have definitely consented to the Board's original proposal as regards the appointment of a joint Commission, but various other matters in connection therewith --- notably the constitution of the survey party and the Niumutun Cutting, etc. are still under discussion and have not yet been decided. The Board have reason to believe, however, that all the recom- mendations outlined in the Engineer's report dated 12th October, 1917, will ultimately receive the concurrence of the Chinese authorities and will be acted upon,'

"The new Board, or Committee of Engineers, thus established has since been styled the "Commission for the Improvement of the River System of Chihli." His Excellency Hsiung Hsi-ling was appointed President of the Commission by the Govern- inent, and the following gentlemen have been nominated to serve-Admiral Woo Yu-ling, Mr. Yang Pao-ling, Mr. H. van der Veen, Mr. T. Pincione, Mr. H. von Heidenstam, and Captain W. F. Tyler. The inaugural meeting took place here on the 20th March, 1918, and congratulatory telegrams were received from President Feng Kuo-chang, the Dean of the Diplomatic Body, and the Inspector-General of Customs. The preliminary functions of the Commission comprise a comprehensive survey of the province, and the execution of the Niumutun Cutting, etc. When the first of these is completed there will be sufficient data at hand to enable the Grand Scheme to be formulated. 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 admittedly 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 Commission, 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 i 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. It was hoped to make the railway embankment serve as an effective dike in continuation of the new portion of dike now constructed by heightening its formation level, but the railway authorities refused to sanction this proposal. Assent, however, was accorded in 1922 to a proposal for extending the Tientsin dike to the south of the railway, but this will cost considerably more. The new outlet | channel for the Machang Canal, commenced in October, 1920, has been completed. The Upper Tombs Bend cutting was commenced in June, 1921, and was completed in the autumn of 1923. This cutting shortens the Haiho river by 6,000 feet and does away with four bad bends. In May, 1922, at the request of the Board, the engineer-in- chief presented a report on the future of the Haiho and its approaches, advocating the adoption of important further improvement measures, particularly in regard to the Taku Bar Channel. The Board decided, in addition to consulting the former chief engineer, Mr. de Linde, to obtain further expert opinion on the proposals before taking