rilged prevention, becomes a jem of far greater importance on Yoaching Hankow after passing through what might be called the "lower Yangtze gorges" a term suggested by the high hills which sweep down to the river and restrict it to a much narrower stream beyond, Kiukiang. Hamkow with its twin felties of Hanyang and Wuchang, waa the "centre of the greatest desolation "and scene of the work lower down "ite' valley worst floods last year.
in the rural districts where the population is scattered in villages and {towns over a large area is one phase fof flood prevention: in Hunkow district with its hundreds of thousands of people concentrated ith great industrial and {he local Chinese and foreign. cxinmunities regard dyke building and maintenance with an anxious interest om of past sed experience and apprehensive of the future.
"At the confluence of the Yangtze land the Han Rivers, this district was menaced. by flood water from two, "directions, and bears. many marks of the disaster which over-fame it last year. But for' many years previously the Wu-Han district has suffered from floods and Ithe topography reveals the results jot years and years of prevention work. Much of the district factually below the water lovel_ and when one stands on the deck of the thip'in the river at the present ow level and gazes up to the city Duilt high above on the banks, the impression gained is of another gorge, not mountainous, but of mud Danks and dykes as man and river have struggled for supremacy in the past. The impression is deepened when it is realised that last year the river rose toa level of 63.0 feet at Hankow whereas at Nanking the highest level recorded was 24 ft 68 inches, At Hankow the Flood Relief Com-
strengthening and. increasing the mission' work as been avrely ight of the local dykes, Hankow itself is now surrounded by a dyke 25 miles long and varying in. width from eight to 11 moires. On the Bund, the river wall has been strengthened oF rebuilt, especially towards Seven Mile Greek where last year there was a big break, "The dyke is solidly' stone-faced' and appears a massive and substantial affair, mich stronger than the constructions in vural areas. where only earth Passing from the Bund it parallels the oilway and—then Sweeps around Hankow, passing through the Chinese city back again the Bnd, enclosing & large area including the Hankow city, concessions and former concessions, in a wall, which the Commission' engi neers claim will ast" indefinitely provided it-is. properly maintained, Which is a task for the local Ruthorities, Work has been coinmneneed on facing th dyke either with stone masonory- to. strengthen The water face and add to. its Fesistance and permanence for the Importance and reliability of this Jong embankment for the protection of Hankow and the interests it encloses cannot be overestimated.
The Chang Kung dyke, as the stretch from the Bund across coun try behind the ity is called, is not how. It was originally built' by the famous. Viceroy, Chang Chi-tung, who wrote "Learn," the classical sic pamphlet which exhorted China, in The Ways of the decadent empire, to require. foreign—knowledge. Its icelstudes form a long chapter Tocal history. Generally, the dyke above the highest water evel of through the Chinese city the height last year but as it runs as a roa
declines to. reasonable level among, the buildings which lino it. At the rear of, the city, however, it now stands, higher, broader and stronger than before and enjoys the Com-minions jruarante aa one of thet best. pieces of work and onsuri Hankow's safety against floods. Not only a dyke bat will provide 'a. good. road. for Ureadth will easily allow two cars to pass and a motor tour of the dyke made by the members of the Inspection party. illustrated its stability. "While engaged on building the dyke, the Commission cut a new road to Hankow, biscotin the area enclosed by the dyke an adding to local communications.
Communications and roads in the Wuhan district are) again eme phasized across the Yangtze Wachang, a city of long history and old stone dyke system along the fiver. front Which also. has boon Mrengihened "and. increased in height. "Behind "Wachang stands thither long earth dake. of average width of mine metres, which Protects lange aren and licks frith Kinkow, £5 miles higher up the Fiver. A. motor bus servies fe ex: ceted to start soon along the dss, Thich rans out of Wuchang, past Prosperous "Chinese boat building End repairing district on the water front and a big lumberyard, into the country to Kinkow, where the Yang:
2 River Commission have a preiest
lake inland to prevent flooding, and necting the. Yangtze with a embreg ea lock ystom con
reclaim a large tract of wich Baintenance of the dykes to ensure their continued eficieney
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.