1918

YOCHOW-SHASI
enormously, and its distribution batween the ports of Changsha and Yochovv is
determined principally by the state of the river. The value of Yochow’s share of the
trade in the year 1916 was Hk. Tls. 7,978,499, which shows an increase over Dio of Hk.
Tls. 874,432.
The noteworthy feature of 1907 was the connection of Changteh by steamer during
the high-water season—June to October—the resulting trade being valued at Tls. 617,000
Connection with Changteh is now maintained practically throughout the year b special
tugs and lighters, and the value of the trade amounted to Tls. 4,427,489 in the year
1916, of which amount Tls. 1,520,39 f represented the value of native exports. Buoys and
lights were established in 1907 to mark the channel across the lake. The difficulties
and risks of this route are considerable, and it is probable that it will be found advis¬
able to adopt the somewhat longer route via Lulintan, though, on account of the
sharp bends of the River Yuan in its lower reaches, specially adapted steamers will
probably have to be used. The question of making Changteh an “Open Port” was
again taken up in the spring of 1915 and Chinese officials visited the place to enquira
into the conditions, but the place still remains only open to vessels under I.W.8.N.,
rules. The principal products exported from Changteh through Yochovv are native
cloth, ramie, wood oil,, vegetable tallow, lotus nuts, broad beans and hides. The
export of Wood Oil increased from 10,881 piculs in 1915 to piculs 48,786 in 1916, owing
to the existing demand from America.
DIRECTORY
Chinese Post Office (Hunan District)
Acting Postal Commissioner—E. F. S.
Newman (Changsha)
Acting 1st Class Postmaster — Ho
Tun Chih (Yochow)
m w &
Customs—Chinese Maritime
Commissioner—N. E. Bryant
Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master—
E. Shelton
Tidewaiters—R. J. Burke-Close, W. S.
H. Fuller, A. Emiliano
MISSIONS
(For Protestant Missionaries see
end of volume)
Police
E. Shelton, superintendent
SHASI
f|j Ska si
Shasi (the “market on the sands”) is one of the ports opened to foreign trade
under the Japanese Treaty of 1895, the official declaration of the opening being dated
the 1st October, 1896. The port is about 85 miles below Ichang and is situated
at the crossing point of two most important routes of commerce in Central China,
namely, from east to west and from north to south and vice versa. It is reclaimed
from the river and the sea by a magnificent system of dykes and canals, and is “ a
monument of ancient commerce, and a witness to native perseverance and
engineering skill.” The district suffers periodically from the flooding of the Yangtze.
In July, 1908, the river rose to 30 ft. 9 inches, and caused the destruction of all the
earlier summer crops. The general commerce of the port has increased yearly since the Re¬
volution and a succession of floodless years has brought prosperity to the agriculturalists.
The population, which is steadily increasing, is estimated at about 80,000, and the floating