Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 829

CHINKIANG

江鎮

Chin kiảng

The port of Chinkiang, which was opened to trade by the Treaty of Tientsin, is- situated on the south bank of the Yangtsze River, about 150 miles from its mouth, and near the entrances of the southern and northern sections of the Grand Canal. Formerly this position gave it 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 the wash from launches during the high water season would injure the embankments, is causing the trade to be diverted to Pukow, Tsingtao and Natunghsien.. A further reason for the decline in importance of the port is the silting up of the harbour. The Chenjenchow Split to the west of the harbour continues to increase slowly, and two additional splits, one stretching north-west from Consular Bluff and one stretching north-west from Silver Island Bluff, are now forming.

Chinkiang is one of the pleasantest ports on the river. It is now within five and a half hours railway journey of Shanghai, which enables necessities to be delivered promptly, while the Shanghai papers are received the same afternoon. The surrounding country is very pretty and contains some good shooting. Road development is proceeding apace and motor cars are steadily increasing in numbers.

The former British Concession was formally handed over to China on 15th November, 1929, and all undertakings of the former British Municipal Council, such as electric light and waterworks plants, have been taken over by Chinese companies who now supply the concession with electric power and water from their installations in the city.

TRADE IN 1930

The total value of trade passing through the port during the year reached Kk. Tls. 27,179,534—an increase of nearly Kk. Tls. 3,000,000 over the figures for 1929. This was particularly gratifying, as banditry was rife in the Kiangpei District throughout the year. Rice reached the unprecedented price of $22.00 per shih, but a good crop reduced this figure to $11.00 per shih. A large quantity of foreign rice was imported during the year. The number of regular river steamers which pass through the port without stopping is increasing steadily owing to the small amount of freight being offered, and the difficulties of working cargo. A large number of passenger launches are running into the interior, but the competition is so great that fares are low and profits very small.

The net value of thetrade of the port for 1929 was 24.3million Haikwan Taels, as2 compared with 29.8 milli n Haikwan Taels in 1928, 22.4 million in 1927, 29.2 million in 1926, and 28 million in 195.