Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 811

HANKOW

A401

in Europe and America were also factors in the continued dullness which characterised the Hankow export market. Fortunately, harvests in the Middle and Upper Yangtze regions were excellent, a contrast to the crop conditions of the previous year, and, following upon the success of the Government's military operations in the province, there was a general restoration of communications and a consequent resumption of business with many cities which led to a revival of trade towards the end of the year. For the period under review, however, the general decline shown by the statistics for all sections of trade will occasion no surprise. The impoverished state of the country owing to the effects of the flood of 1931 and the communist disturbances is well illustrated by the reduced imports of mineral oil, sugar and luxuries in general. The causes for the poor export trade lay mainly in the crisis with which the nation was faced, the disturbed state of the province of Hupeh where producing districts were in the hands of the communists until relieved by Government forces, the events in the Shanghai neighbourhood which so severely hampered river trade and increased the financial difficulties of exporters, and the depressed markets abroad.

The highest water-mark registered on the Hankow river gauge was 44.2 feet as against the record flood level of 53.6 feet reached during 1931. The river channels in the Hankow district gave unusually little trouble during the year, so that shipping was not hampered by restrictions on night navigation or by regulated times for using the channels. Draught-limiting regulations had to be more strictly enforced at the Hankow Crossing, however, as too many vessels were grounded through overloading and thus impeding navigation. The total tonnage of the shipping entering and clear- ing at Hankow under General Regulations was 6.7 million as against 7.4 million tons in 1931. After the diastrous floods of the previous year the National Flood Relief Commission took in hand the gigantic task of constructing adequate dikes along the banks of the Yangtse. Roads were built on the dikes encircling Hankow, and it is now possible for motor cars to be driven over their entire length. The bund itself is now protected by concrete walls or, in some places, by earthen embankments,

司公險保亞美

DIRECTORY

AMERICAN CHURCH MISSION

(See Missions)

Mei-yah Pao Sien Kung Szu

AMERICAN ASIATIC UNDERWRITERS,

FED., INC., U S.A., General Insur-

Fire, Marine,

ance:

Motor-car,

Life, Accident, Burglary, Plate- glass, Baggage and Special Risks- A.P.C Building, The Bund, S.A.D. 3; Teleph. 1358; Cable Ad: Un- deriters

C. V. Starr, president (Shanghai) H. B. Berntsen, manager

Agents for

Hanover Fire Insurance Co. and 22 Other American, British and Continental Insurance Companies

AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY

(See Missions)

AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (See Chambers of Commerce)

AMERICAN CONSULATE

(See Consulates)

AMERICAN FOREIGN INSURANCE Asso- CIATION, General Insurance N.K.

K. Building; Cable Ad: Afiahan- kow. Head Office: 80 Maiden Lane, N.Y.

H. A. Powell, manager.

Hu Pin Nan, Inspector

K. S. Wu, compradore C. T. Hisao,

do.

(for Agencies see Shanghai)

AMERICAN LUTHERAN MISSION

(See Missions)

司公船輪旗花

AMERICAN MAIL LINE-Teleph. 160; Cable

Ad: Dollar

The Robert Dollar Co., general agents

(See Dollar Co., The Robert)