Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 581

HANKOW

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right bank of the Yangtsze one sees enormous lakes and lagoons both to the north west and south-east sides of the hills beyond the provincial city."

The port was opened to foreign trade in 1861, and was visited by Mr. (after- wards Sir) Robert Hart in that year in connection with opening a branch of the Imperial Customs. The British and other Bunds have many imposing buildings on the waterfront. On the British Bund, are the outstanding offices of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, the National City Bank of New York and the Yoko hama Spiece Bank and extensive godowns, etc., belonging to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. and Messrs. Butterfield & Swire and the Asiatic Petroleum Com- pany have also constructed large premises on the lot immediately to the north of the Commissioner's house. The latter was dismantled in 1924, and the oldest landmark on the British Bund has thus been removed. The British Bund, indeed, was rapidly becoming the banking and business centre of the Concessions, and was ceasing to be a quarter for private residence. In many respects the Hankow bund is the finest in the East, and in point of length is probably unsurpassed. The new Custom House was completed at the close of the year 1922, and is located in an imposing position at the Southern end of the British Bund-admittedly the finest site in Hankow-and the building is in every respect worthy of the site. The fact that it was re-constructed on such extensive lines may be taken as an index, states the Commissioner of Customs in his Annual Report for 1924, of the confidence reposed in the future development and prosperity of Hankow as the foremost trade centre of Mid-China. Of the Concessions acquired by Britain, Russia, Germany, France and Japan, only the last two remain under foreign control, the rest having been handed over to or taken back by, the Chinese authorities.

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 been 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 indugled 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 Wuchang late in 196, 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 blood- shed, the unarmed British marines who were defending the place were ordered to with- draw and British women and children were evacuated. All British business firms closed down for a time and the Nationalist Government took possession with a Com- mittee of Administration. Following upon protracted negotiations the British con- cession was handed over to the Chinese Authorities and is now administered by them. The Chen O'Malley agreement provided that the municipal administration of the former British concession should be taken over by a Sino-British Council. This arrangement took effect on March 16th, 1927, and the administration of the ex-British concession has worked with remarkable smoothness and efficiency.

TRADE IN 1939.

At Hankow, complete stagnation existed from the time of the occupation of Wu-Han by Japanese forces at the end of October 1938. This continued up to the end of the year under review. All Government institutions, schools, banks, factories, and large shops, with the exception of some situated in the Special