Directory_and_Chronicle_1938 — Page 756

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HANKOW

The year 1931 brought a disastrous flood to Hankow, the whole city being under many feet of water. An even worse situation threatened in 1935, but the Tung Chi Dyke, which surrounds the whole city and the level which had beer: constructed along the entire length of the Bund kept the water out of the city.

The native city of Hankow was burnt by the Imperialist army in October, 1911, and a population of about 800,000 were thereby rendered homeless. At the end of 1914 it was estimated that fully 80 per cent. of the burnt area had been reconstructed, though unfortunately on the old lines, all the laudable plans for modernising the city having fallen through, owing to difficulties in obtaining the necessary funds. During 1919 large tracts of land in the back of the native, city were reclaimed and several new roads were constructed. A scheme for the development of a Greater Hankow was started with the backing of the Government.

The Hankow Race Club and Recreation Ground was incorporated in 1904, and developed in a remarkable way. The property of the Club is extensive enough to embrace a racecourse, an 18-hole golf course, football and cricket field, swimming pool, and, in fact, every branch of sport indulged in by the members. Apart from this club, which is chiefly devoted to sport, there are the Hankow Club, the Russian Club and the French Club, which have splendid libraries, billiard rooms, bowling alleys, etc. The Hankow Golf Club was instituted in 1878. There is also a Chinese Race Club and an International Race Club with courses as good as any in China.

The success of the northern expedition of the Canton Government and the capture of the Wuhan cities and the establishment of the Nationalist headquarters at Wu- chang late in 1926, altered the position entirely from the point of view of foreign trade. A mob, aroused by agitators, stormed the British concession and, in order to avoid bloodshed, the unarmed British marines who were defending the place were ordered to withdraw and British women and children were evacuated. All British business.firms closed down for a time and the Nationalist Government took possession with a Committee of Administration. Following upon protracted negotiations the British concession was handed over to the Chinese Authorities and is now adminis. tered by them. The Chen-O'Malley agreement provided that the municpal adminis- tration of the former British concession should be taken over by a Sino-British Council- This arrangement took effect on March 16th, 1927, and the adininistration of the cx- British concession has worked with remarkable smoothness and efficiency.

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TRADE IN 1936

Hankow again enjoyed a generally quiet and peaceful year. Due to stabilised currency and good crops, business conditions generally displayed an all-round improvement. The river level rose fairly rapidly during the late spring, and another high water, with a possible flood, was anticipated. The authorities concerned made immediate preparations: the Chang Kung Dike was raised to 17.678 metres (58 feet) above Hankow Customs zero and streng- thened; Special Administrative Areas Nos. 1, 2, and 3 and the French Conces- sion raised their flood, walls to 16.459 metres (54 feet), while the Hankow Muni- ipality, raised the flood walls from the Japanese Concession to Seven Mile Creek to 16.764 metres (55 feet).. Towards the end, of May, however, the water fell considerably and relieved the great anxiety that had prevailed. Customs statistics for the port of Hankow were as follows; according to value: direct imports from abroad: amounted to $32.9 million as against $33.2 million in the preceding year; coastwise importations of Chinese merchandise, $109.8 million as against $82 million; direct exports abroad, $13.6 million as against $12.6 million, and coastwise exportations of Chinese produce (much of which was destined for abroad via Shanghai), $197.5 million as against $138.5 million. With regard to trade with foreign countries, as mentioned in the report for 1935, it must be remembered that figures for such include only steamer-borne import care paying duty at Hankow (excluding the share of the trade which is imported duty paid at other ports, but including cargo paying duty at Hankow while destilica for, and eventually forwarded to, up-river ports) and such outward steamer borne cargo as is carried directly abroad from Hankow, while cargo moved by river"steanier, even when declared for transhipment