As though the Whangpoo did not offer enough work for any man, von Heidenstam has probed else-here. In 1914 he conducted the Yangtze Estuary Investigation. His advice was asked as consulting engineer to the"Canton Conservancy Boar in 1915, Foochow in 1918-1922, and the Haiho in 1917, and he also gave advice in connection with the Chikiang flood in 1926. He was i strumeatal in interesting the various posies and authorities concerner 30 that they recommended and formed the Yangtze River Com-rissian, of which he is an original member, In 1817, he recommended the formation of the Chili River Commission, which had long been tasked for by the Haiho Commission, and of this he was an original mem: ber. The Chihli River Commission was created in full realization of the danger of silt from the Hunho to the port of Tientsin and to the eountey in general. This Commis. sion some years ago formulated Ywrious schemes to deal with the root of the matter, but nothing: was done and Tientsin now is suffering, the river being more or less silted and closed to steamers. The "North-China Daily News" recently dealt somewhat fally with this question. "Mfr, von Heidenstam thinks possibly a large conservancy scheme for Chibli province and the Haito and a new port of collin the vicinity may be the ultimate result of the present impasse.
It is of interest to remember that it was largely through the Conseryney Board's support and initiative, fand, Inter, of its energetic work, that the road from Yangtszepoo to Woosung was built, the road being built by military labour and partly paid for-by the Board, The Soochow Creek Tragedy "And what about.the Soochow Creek, Mr. von Heidenstam?"
It must have been five minutes before he recovered, and the interviewer was getting' really anxious. Mr, von Heidenstam reared wit laughter and afternotely held his head and his sides to prevent the bursting. Then he became very sad, is a joke and a tragedy. All Mr. von Heidenstam could say was that people knew how hard the Board and himself had tried to get those who misrule the Creek to do something: effective or to let the Board do it for them, even free, but_nothing could move them. They have not been moved yet, and no one knows when they will be.
It is typical of Mr. von Heidenstam's kindly nature to be optimistic, for he added:—"But when thie Creek is cleared' up, you will send me a copy of the "North-China Daily' News" recording the event, won't you?" Either ourselves or our descendants will, Ry another coincidence, after the above had-been written, hint came along to the effect that the Nationalist Government is taking some terest-in the proposal for a port authority put forward by Mr, von Heidenstam and the Committee of Engineers, and that they want to cly something. It is to do hoped they it follow the carefuly considered expert advice that has been given and that they will make it a body with full-local representation, for as well as Chinese,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.