Directory_and_Chronicle_1926 — Page 892

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

836

HANKOW

commercial standpoint. In regard to the question of flood prevention, it should be understood that inundation is not necessarily of a destructive character, since the silt deposited by floods has valuable fertilising properties. This being so, it follows thatis thatır the inquiry into damage by floods should extend to the benefits likely to be derived from the silt. It seems that it should not be an impossible task to prepare an accept able and practicable scheme for making protection works remunerative, and it is estimated that the aunual cost may possibly fall within the value of the damage and 11 loss occasioned. Should this prove to be the case, it could possibly be shown that a trivial charge on the land protected would be more than compensated for by immunity i from floods. It is hoped, therefore, that a solution for this very important questioni may be found. Mr. Palmer, in the course of his remarks, pays a tribute to the efficiency and progressive usefulness of the Customs River Department, and the opinion is expressed that the aids to navigation-lights, buoys and beacons-should be extended b in lieu of improvement works, which would be too costly to be practicable.

Tea was formerly one of the staple exports, but the war effectively stopped the Russian branch of the trade, and the general market has been very slack of late years. The net value of the trade of the port according to Custom's statistics for the year 1924 was Hk. Tls. 282,450,395, as compared with Hk. Tls. 239,745,451 for 1923, Hk. Tls. 206,105,905 for 1922, and Hk. Tls. 173,546,774 for 1921.

During the last few years foreign interests at Hankow have undergone a marked pe development, the chief factor in producing the growth being the construction of the Lu Han Railway, a trunk line connecting Hankow with Peking, the contract for which was let to a Belgian syndicate in 1897. It was opened in November, 1905, when trains passed over the Yellow River Bridge, which was immediately closed again as unsafe. Since December, 1905, through traffic with Peking has continued without interruptio Early in 1906 "trains de luxe" were started. The line has diverted much of the traffic that went by water to Chinkiang. A railway from Hankow to Canton is in course of construction, and will eventually link up with the Canton-Kowloon line, giving direct communication between Hongkong and Europe via Siberia.

The Hankow Race Club and Recreation Ground was incorporated in 1904, and since then has undergone a phenomenal development. The property of the Club is extensive enough to embrace a racecourse, an 18-hole golf course, football and cricket field, swimming pool, and, in fact, every branch of sport indulged in by the members. Apart from this club, which is chiefly devoted to sport, there are the Hankow Club, the Russian Club and the French Club, which have splendid libraries, billiard rooms, bowling alleys, etc. The Hankow Golf Club, which was instituted in 1878 and is certainly the oldest club in the port, still holds its own and boasts of a membership of considerably over 100. It is almost entirely devoted to golf and has well laid-out links. There is also a Chinese Race Club and an International Race Club with courses as good as any in China. Meetings are conducted under Newmarket rules, and the management of the former is entirely in the hands of Chinese, while an international Committee govern the latter.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1926 — Page 892

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