Directory_and_Chronicle_1938 — Page 789

ICHANG

A387

for the latter port is landed here and transferred to steamers. Steam navigation is 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 are much higher than on the lower Yaugtsze. Aids to navigation and rules of the road through the gorges are efficiently maintained by the Government, with three River Inspectors functioning between Chung king and Ichang, night navigation having been introduced in 1936. The upward voyage to Chungking now takes between three and four days, and the return trip just under two days. The port is now connected by motor highway with Hankow and is an important station on the Hankow-Chungking and Shanghai-Chengtu air service lines. The Hupel-Szechuan motor highway. which will pass Ichang, is under survey. The estimated Chinese population of Ichang is 110,000.

TRADE IN 1936

Conditions in the Ichang district were generally more stable. More settled conditions in the hinterland since the suppression of communist bandits along. the Hopeh-Szechwan border, the development of banking facilities, improve- ment in inland communications, and a good harvest all combined to react favourably on the business of the port of Ichang. The total volume of trade passing through the Customs during 1936 exceeded considerably that for the previous year, the value statistics recorded being as follows: direct foreign imports, $193,000 as compared with $115,000; coastwise importations of native goods, $9.1 million as compared with $10.4 million; and coastwise exports of native produce, $6.8 million as against $4.6 million. No direct exports to foreign countries were recorded, goods destined for abroad being transhipped at Shanghai or some other port and appearing as domestic exports only in the returns for Ichang. Among direct foreign imports, refined sugar is almost the only article worthy of mention, total arrivals for 1936 amounting to 9,724 quintals, being an increase of some 11 per cent. over the figures for 1935. About 4,531,700 litres of kerosene oil were imported. Of this amount, 2,618,50) litres came in as duty-paid oil from Shanghai and Hankow, the rest being imported locally for entry into bond. As 1,428,000 litres were shipped in bond to Chungking, the net total quantity for local consumption was 3,103,700 litres against a net import of 4,021,000 litres for local sale in 1935. The demand for native cotton piece goods during 1935 was comparatively large owing to the presence in the province of more than 100,000 troops and labourers. The withdrawal of this excess population affected the piece goods business of the port, the total import of cotton piece goods dropping to $1,657,000 as compared with $1,849,000. About 80 per cent. of the piece goods imported were the pro- ducts of mills at Shanghai. Native cotton yarn also declined owing to a diminution of the native weaving industry in the interior. Wood oil formed the principal article of export, the amount for the year being 45,900 quintals as compared with 38,700 quintals during 1935. The export business in vegetable tallow was also successful. The total number of vessels entering and clearing during 1936 was 3,029, aggregating 1,366,631 tons, as compared with 2,771 vessels and 1,294,665 tons for 1935. All available vessels were required to meet the increased demand for tonnage on the Upper Yangtsze. Towards the end of the year most steamers were forced to suspend operations. Freight charges on the Upper Yangtsze remained high throughout the year. Official remit- tance charges $0.50 per mille for transactions within the province and of $1 per mille for extra provincial remittances were maintained throughout the year. The Patung-Szenan motor road was opened to traffic in May, and further exten- sions from Szenan to Lichan (J) and between Ichang and Patung are under construction. In addition to the long-distance telephone service between Ichang and Hankow, which began to operate in 1935, Ichang was connected by telephone with Shasi in August, 1936, branches therefrom extending to several interior

towns.