The following interesting correspondence has been handed to us for publication Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, 10th January, 1893.
'S1n,—On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce I beg to ask for goud offices of the Consular Body i ging before the Taotai " proposition with regard to the Woosung Bar.
As you are aware, the obstruction to navigation caused by the Bar has become of late 60 grave and the detention and expense caused by the necessity of discharging steamers outside has become so great, that the actual existence of this place asa first class seaport is seriously threatened. Should the present obstruction continue to grow and become permanent, as seems only tuo probable if no attempt be made to conserve the approach to the port, it appears certain that in no long time Shanghai be de. posed from it position as a terminus for all the principal lines of steamers trading from Europe and America through the Suez Canal, and as a distributing centre for all River and Northern ports, and be reduced tothe rank of small coast port whose trade will be served by small vessels of draft suitable to its capa The gravity of the loss that will be inflicted upon property everyone interested in the trade of the place by such s closing of the port, has been so fully set forth former occasions whenever this matter has been brought forward, that it is not necessary for this Chamber to farther enlarge upon it. I would like to point out, however, to what extent the revenue of the Chinese Government would be affected were this place to cease to be used as a inns by the various lines of steamers from Europe, etc. At present only one regular line of European steamers does not come to Shanghai; that line, the German live from Hamburg, transships Shanghai cargo at Hongkong into coast steamers and the trunk line steamers proceed thence to Japan, making Yoko-hams the terminus. Should the obstruction caused by the Woosung Bar continue, this is the course which we fear would be forced upon all the lines which at present come here regularly, the P. & O., Messageries, German, and Austrian Mails, Ocean Mutuals, Glens, Shires. Bens, Union etc. etc. These steamers pay age Dues every time they come to Shanghai, except Mail steamers which pay once for four steamers, wheres a comparatively small number of coasting steamers running regularly between Hongkong and Shanghai would suffice to bring on the cargo destined for this port, and so these steamers would pay Tonnage Dues only three times in the year it is obvious that the loss in revenue from this source alone would be very great. It is estimated that it would amount to certainly not less than Taels 100,000 per aunum, and perhaps considerably more. The matter is thus of very serious moment to the Chinese Government from a revenue point of view, Before taking action or spending money in conserving such a river as the Whangpoo, it is evidently of vital importance to obtain the very beat advice from those most competent to give it, a to the method of dealing with the river so as to secure the removal of obstruction and improvement of the channel. An opportunity now offers itself for obtaining the advice of an engineer is a firet class authority in such matters, having been engaged in many works of @ similar character where difficulties of the same nature had to be contended with, Acting upon " suggestion made by Mr. O'Conor, Her Britannic Majesty's Minister to Peking, this Chamber has been in communication with Sir Charles Hartley, an engineer of great ability aad experience and who is a first dus authority in such matters. This gentleman to come out and make ination of and report upon the Bar and its approaches, to the best means of estimates and to every way as to the best: the approach to this port practicable and easy for all ver that are now in the habit of frequenting it.
This Chamber asks you to represent to tai that, seeing the pressing and incroxsing importance of the matter, this opportunity ut obtaining the opinion and advice of @ first class en er should on aunt be allowed to slip; and to ask him if he will be prepared to beata portion of the cost of obtaining this opinion, The matter is oe of such vast importance to everyone here that this Chamber is confident that the community generally will be prepared to come forward and defray a fair share of the expense, which it is estimated will amount 12,000, interests involved and how easily money may be thrown away upon ill-directed efforts to improve the Bar, but which mi be utterly useless or even mischievous, this Chamber is of opinion that such a sum would be spent. In the event of the Tuotai agreeing to defray a portion of the expense of obtaining a repor: from Sir Charles Hartley this Chamber is prepared to make all the necessary arrangements with him, and he would come out early in the spring of the present year.
It would be well to point out to the Tavtai that in consenting to defray a portion of the expense he is in no way bound or pledged to any further expenditure, but that the Reports, Surveys, etc., etc. would be at the disposal of the Chinese Government to enable it to judge whether the necessary work should be commenced.
As it is a matter of great importance that no time should be Icst, I ask you, Sir, to lay before the Taotai the contents of this letter as sven as it is possible for you to do Thave the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) Jony G. Porpow, Chairman, To J. A. Leoxarp, Boq., Consul-General for the United States, and Senior-Consul, Shangh Consulate-General, U.8.A..
Shanghai, 14th February, 1893.
Si.—I enclose herewith a copy of my despatch to the Taotai transmitting the memorial of the Chamber of Commerce
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.