Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 857

WENCHOW

A445

During August and September of 1912 two abnormal freshets occurred in the Wênchow river, causing immense destruction of life and property. In the upper reaches of the main river the water rose 60 feet above normal level, washing away villages and carrying away houses bodily. Some 30,000 people are reported to have been drowned in the Yungchia, Chingtien, Ch'uchow and Juian magistracies. Such a calamity was unprecedented within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Two particularly severe typhoons in the summer of 1920 caused enormous damage in the neighbourhood. Haimen, a neighbouring city, about 85 miles by sea north-east of Wenchow, was partially destroyed on July 15th by a tidal wave with great loss of life; while in the Nanchi River valley, opposite Wenchow, an equally large loss of life was reported in the second typhoon between September 4th and 6th. In August 1923 and 1926 this port was visited by severe typhoons, although they did not cause much damage either afloat or ashore.

TRADE IN 1932

The interruption of steamer communication with Shanghai, in consequence of the Sino-Japanese hostilities in that area, brought trade to a standstill for a considerable period at Wenchow. Produce could not be shipped, supplies could not be obtained, and the prices of imported materials soon rose to extravagant heights.

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The year was not a very profitable one, but, despite the handicaps experienced, no serious bankruptcies were reported. Wenchow, however, is losing a great deal of its commercial importance especially as regards interport trade. The principal factor contributing to this decline is the diversion of trade to neighbouring places not having treaty port status. Another factor contributing to the port's loss is the conversion, one after another, of the lorchas that used to ply under General Regulations into junks enjoying exemption from duty for their cargoes. During the year under review all branches of trade decreased. Direct foreign imports, always a negligible section of the trade, declined slightly. White sugar from Hongkong is the principal direct import. Linen is imported chiefly for making cross-stitch work, for which the demand in America was good. Exports to foreign countries consisted mainly of kittysols, straw hats, fresh eggs and lard.

司公船輪商招

DIRECTORY

CHINA MERCHANTS' STEAM NAVIGATION CO.

Ou Hai Kwan

CUSTOMS, CHINESE MARITIME

關海

Acting Commissioner Yang Ming

T

Hsin

Indoor

Ngu Iong Hieng, assistant

Lau Ceng Nieng

Shih Shih Han

Chang Shou

Shih Chi Wan

Li Fong Sung

Chen Shiao Tsung

Outdoor

Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master-

G. Gosling

Examiner W. H. Tappenden

Tide waiters-Yu Po Chi, Way Sheng

Tsen, Shih Chi Chuan, Wong Vung Wah, Li Ojen Yuh and Wu Hung Ch'en

HWANG CO., CHIWEN, W., Embroidery

}

and Cross Stitch Work-4-5, Mo-chih

Fang St.; Teleph. 267; Cable Ad: Chiwen

C. W. Hwang

MISSIONS

堂主天

CATHOLIC MISSION, WENCHOW

Rev. J. Prost

Rev. L. Marques (Yungkiatchang)

Rev. P. Vonken ·

Rev. P. Kurtyka

Rev. P. Bruzouska

Rev. P. Sitko

Bro. Prinz

Bro. Cieplak

會地內

CHINA INLAND MISSION

Rev. F. and Mrs. Worley

Miss G. I. F. Taylor

At Pingyang

Rev. F. S. and Mrs. Barling

Misses F. Eynon and B. M. Lang