Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 874

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ICHANG

trade, similarly inland water trade has ceased to exist. At the end of 1928 the Italian Consul in Hankow ordered that none of these ships were to be per- mitted to fly the Italian flag, and there are now no steamers on the Upper River flying that flag. Steam navigation is now practicable for the larger vessels from the middle of April to the end of November and for the smaller vessels throughout the year. The rates for foreign passengers vary consi- derably by the different vessels, but all are much higher than on the lower Yangtsze. In view of the enhanced traffic, aids to navigation and rules of the road through the gorges have become urgent, and have been for some years undertaken by the Government, with two River Inspectors functioning be- tween Chungking and Ichang. The upward voyage to Chungking now takes four days, and the return trip about two days. The survey of the railway to Chengtu has been completed, but construction has been delayed. The esti- mated Chinese population of Ichang is 112,309.

TRADE IN 1930.

Despite continual firing on steamers on the middle and lower stretches of the Yangtze River and the frequent ravaging of towns in the Yangtze and Siang River valleys by Communist forces, Ichang remained undisturbed and passed an entirely peaceful year. The same may be said of the towns on the Upper Yangtze and Szechwan generally for which Ichang is the trade gateway and transhipping centre. From a political point of view, therefore, local conditions have been unusually suitable for trade, and it is to be the more regretted that the acute financial depression, due to over-taxation, from which the province of Szechwan is suffering proved a retarding element. For the latter reason shipping has experienced a lean year. Tonnage was considerably in excess of demand, especially on the upper river, but ships were, nevertheless, kept running in almost the same numbers as in recent years, and the small decrease in the number of entrances and clearances record- ed was mainly due to strike of pilots, which commenced in February and lasted till May. In few cases, however, were full cargoes obtained, except in certain instances where steamers, on one pretext or another, were allowed to break the "through cargo agreement" and run straight through to or from Shanghai. Salt was not offering from Chungking in the usual quantities, but kerosene helped to fill many an upward-bound steamer. Freight rates as fixed by the Ichang Chungking Shipping Conference were unprecedentedly low, and only the stronger shipping companies, it is feared, can continue to carry on trade, and that at a loss. On the middle river freights were main- tained at a somewhat higher level than last year, due to a very large ex- pansion in shipments of almost all export staples, the total value of which was practically double the figure for 1929, produce to the value of over 6 million taels being exported. The reason for this general expansion appears to be the diversion of goods to the port for shipment by steamer which would, under more peaceful conditions, have found their way by junk or road to other ports for export. Towards the close of the June quarter a great shortage of ice occurred locally, due to a refusal on the part of the Szechwan authori- ties to permit exports from that province. As Chungking and Wanhsien have always been looked upon as granaries for this district when local stocks become exhausted before the new crops are ready for harvesting, the shortage was keenly felt, and imports from Rangoon and Saigon were temporarily attracted to this port till the local harvest, which was excellent, could be reaped. Dur- ing the year some progress was made with a scheme for the improvement of the channel at Kunglingtan. A detailed survey of the rocks and surroundings was made and expert advice obtained from Messrs. Nobels, Ltd. It is to be hoped that it will be possible to undertake the removal of these rocks during the next low-water season.

The net value of the trade of the port in 1930 was H.K. Tls. 13,900,183, as compared with Hk. Tls. 12,661,940 in 1929, Hk. Tls. 13,533,187 in 1928, Hk. Tls. 7,561,511 in 1927, Hk. Tls. 16,820,980 in 1926, and Hk. Tls. 12,809,132 in 1925.