KONGMOON
903
Hongkong and Macao and its favourable situation as an outlet and distributing centre for the southern prefectures of the province augur well for its future prosperity and development. While this is, to some extent, true, it should be remembered that facts have arisen which have tended to diminish rather than increase its commercial importance. Formerly it enjoyed direct communication with Shanghai and Foochow and was the real outlet and distributing centre for the south-western district of the Delta and the Southern prefectures of the province. The development of Hongkong and the opening of Kiungchow and Pakhoi as treaty ports, however, have seriously interfered with the junk trade and general welfare of the port, and have, besides, opened up other trade routes to districts hitherto dependent upon Kongmoon for their supplies. At present there are no indications that the sanguine expectations, based upon imperfect knowledge, entertained concerning the overestimated commercial possibilities of the place will be speedily, if ever, realized." The large increase of trade in 1905 failed to alter his opinion. There is daily steam communication with Hongkong, regular connection with Macao, and considerable numbers of vessels trading under the Inland Waters Regulations arrive and depart daily. There are also several large junks trading regularly to Hongkong, Macao, and the island of Hainan. Connection with the Samshui railway is now talked of.
The principal articles of export consist of prepared tobacco, joss-sticks, strawmats, palm-leaf fans, and fresh vegetables; and imports are largely represented by dried fruits, foreign piece goods and foreign sundries, including a variety of Japanese com- modities of a cheap nature. Large quantities of softwood poles are floated down in the form of rafts which are dismantled here. These mostly come from beyond Wuchow and also from the North River. The yearly value of this branch of the trade is estimated at about $750,000. There are two silk filatures in the town which afford employment to about 300 women each: the total out-turn of silk amounts to about 100 catties per day.
The unique opportunities presented for transport by the unrivalled waterways of the Delta have been well availed of by native enterprise, and there is a large and lucrative passenger trade with Canton, Fatshan, Sancheong, Hongkong and Macao, etc. Large roomy native passenger boats towed by powerful launches are engaged in this trade.
The surrounding country is picturesque, fertile and highly cultivated, and the inhabit- ants are prosperous and industrious. Rice is, of course, the principal crop, but mulberry shoots are very extensively cultivated for sale in the silk producing centres, and large quantities of fresh vegetables are exported to supply the Hongkong market.
The net value of the port's trade in 1905 was Hk. Taels 3,461,444.
CONSULATE, H. B. M.
DIRECTORY
Consul-R. W. Mansfield, residing at
Canton
CUSTOMS-IMPERIAL MARITIME
Indoor —
Acting Commissioner-G. T. Moule Fourth Assistant A.-H. P. Alberts
Do.
C.-R. L. P. Bande
Outdoor---
Harbour Master-R. Braun Assistant Examiner-B. Cavanagh Tidewaiters--H. F. Brackstone, S. G. Pedersen, J. B. Möller, T. White, H. H. Scheithauer, M. Bryan and H. Tjömsland
Station Watchers-S. M. J. Barreria,
A. Z. de Souza
隆安門江
EMPRESA INDUSTRIAL DE KONGMUN, Kong-
moon Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
C. J. da Silva, manager
J. Casuso, engineer
A. Borges
J. M. de Jesus
Hot Ox Co., Cargo Brokers & Comn. Agts.
Lui Cho Hing
Agencies
New York Life Insurance Co. Hamburg Fire Insurance Co.
Post Office—– IMPERIAL Chinese
Postal clerk-Luk Chun Cheung
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