About 10 years ago, some enterprising merchants of this river Port prepared a hulk, at which river steamers could embark and disembark passengers and cargo. Since then Messrs. Butterfield Swire's boats have regularly called at this hulk (known as the "Li Chi"). As a consequence, there has been a marked increase in the prosperity of the town. One sure sign of this growth of trade is that, to-day, there has arrived here from Shanghai a second hulk (to be known as the "New Li Chi"), provided by the same enterprising merchants. The report beforehand was that China Merchants steam-. ers would call at the new hulk, but now it is said that both Butterfield & Swire's and China Merchants' boats may call at either hulk.
The new arrival appears to have been one of the American wooden ships built during the war—it bears the mark "1918." It was bought at Shanghai by the present owners, and after necessary alterations had been made by the Hung Chang Ca., of Shanghai, was towed up river by the B. & S. steamer Chungking, taking about eight days to complete the trip.
The length of the "New Li Chi" is said to be equal to that of the Chungking, and its capacity nearly twice as great as that of the old hulk. The inscription Net tons 1612" is found out into one of the beams. There are two decks for storing cargo, and three doorways, to allow of more speedy loading and unloading.
There are still some finishing touches to be put to the structure, e.g., rooms for passengers are yet to be built on top deck. The whole is yet to be passed by the Hankow Harbour Master. So it is likely to be some weeks before the steamers will commence to call at the "New Li Chi."
The country around here produces large quantities of hemp, and this is the chief export. From about the middle of June, for four or five months, there are from 2,000 to 3,000 bundles of hemp for each down river steamer calling here. The facilities for shipping this product have led to increased production. A journey in this district, with its numerous well-built hamlets and villages, gives one an impression of great prosperity prev-vailing.
Yesterday about 1,000 Northern soldiers arrived from Yochow. They may possibly be moving on to Kiukiang shortly, but the date of their departure is not fixed. It is said that efter they have left, a number of Hupeh troops will be stationed here for a time.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.