Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 615

SHANGHAI

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ultimately driven back. In December the rebels to the number of one hundred thousand again threatened the Settlements. The approaches were barricaded and the Defence Creek constructed and fortified at an expense of forty-five thousand taels. Before the close of 1862 the rebels had been driven by the British Forces beyond a radius of thirty miles around Shangliai. So immensely did the price of land rise that it is stated ground which had originally cost foreigners fifty pounds per acre was sold for ten thousand pounds. At this time the old Race Course and Cricket Ground, situated within the British Settlement, was sold at such a profit that after the share- holders had been repaid the original cost there was a balance of some forty-five thousand taels, which the owners generously devoted to the foundation of a fund for the use of the public, to be applied to the purposes of recreation only. Unfortunately thirty thousand taels of this amount were lent by the treasurer on his own responsibility to the Club, in which institution he was a shareholder. As the share- holders were never able to repay this loan out of the profits on the Club, the building and furniture were taken over in 1869 by the trustees on behalf of the Recreation Fund, to which the building still belongs. This fund has proved very useful in rendering assistance to some other public institutions, besides having purchased all the ground in the interior of the Race Course, which is now leased by the Municipality and, with the exception of the steeplechase course at training seasons only, set aside as a Public Recreation Ground, by which name it is known. More recently steps were taken by the Municipality, in conjunction with the trustees of the fund, to acquire, in connection with the new Rifle Range adjoining the Hongkew Settlement, an additional park for public recreation. This, which covers some fifty or sixty acres, has been laid out, and is fully available for public use, relieving the congestion of the ground in the interior of the Race Course where, during summer on a Saturday afternoon, one may see in progress at the same time half a dozen cricket matches, baseball, polo, golf and several tennis matches. The swimming bath in the Hongkew Ground was opened

in 1907.

At the time the local native Authorities were severely pressed they availed themselves of the services of an American adventurer named Ward, who raised a band partly composed of deserters from foreign ships and rowdies of all nations, who had congregated at Shanghai, with whose help he drilled a regiment of natives. This force, notwithstanding its unpromising commencement, attained under Ward a con- siderable amount of efficiency, and did good and useful service. This was acknowledg- ed in a manner unusual, where foreigners are concerned, by the Chinese authorities, who after his death reared in the city of Sungkiangfu a temple to his memory, where services are still maintained. After Ward was killed the force passed under the com- mand of anotlier American of the name of Burgevine, who proved unfaithful to his flag and subsequently transferred his services to the Taiping rebels. The Imperial Authorities found it impossible to control these raw and undisciplined levies, and at their earnest request Admiral Sir James Hope consented to the appointment of Major, afterwards General, Gordon, R.E., to the command. Having by him been made amen- able to discipline, this force now rendered the greatest service in the suppression of the rebellion; indeed, it is generally believed that the Taipings would never have been overcome but for the assistance of "The Ever-Victorious Army," as this hastily-raised band was named. Amongst other services they regained possession of the important city of Soochow on 27th November, 1863, which virtually ended the rebellion. There is, however, much room for doubt as to the wisdom of foreigners aiding in its sup- pression, many of those best capable of judging being of opinion that the civilization of the Empire would have had a much better chance of progressing had the decaying dynasty been then overthrown. Certainly European nations, merely in exchange for the promise of neutrality, might have made almost any terms with the Taiping rebels. monument in memory of the fallen officers of this regiment stood for many years at the north end of the Bund and was afterwards transferred to the Public Gardens. From 1860 to 1867 one British and two Indian Regiments and a battery of British Artillery were stationed at Shanghai.

A

Since that time there have been few historical events worthy of record in a brief sketch. On Christmas Eve, 1870, the British Consulate was burned down and most of the records completely lost. In May, 1874, a riot occurred in the French Settlement owing to the intention of the Municipal Council to make a road through an old graveyard belonging to the Ningpo Guild. One or two Europeans were severely injured, and eight natives lost their lives. A considerable amount of foreign-owned property was destroyed. An extensive fire in the French Concession in August, 1879,

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