FORMOSA
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and snakes not so common as might be expected where vegetation is so abundant. It is believed that the mineral wealth of the island is very considerable. The gold mining industry is advancing rapidly. In 1902 no less than 48,400 ounces were obtained from the mines and alluvial washings, representing a value of £168,626. In 1903, 42,770 ounces were exported to Japan, in 1904, 58,680 ounces in 1905, 52,272 ounces in 1906. 48,132 ounces in 1907, and in 1908, 57,227 ozs., The output of silver in 1907 was about 19,000 ounces. At present there are three gold mines. The gold mines and alluvial washings are situated in the Keelung and Zuiho districts, and the industry from all accounts allows of considerable expansion. There are many coal mines near Keelung and sulphur springs also exist in the north of the island. The interior of the island is, however, still practically unexplored.
In
One great drawback to the island is its want of good harbours, which is more especially felt on account of the strength of the monsoons in the Formosa Channel. Those on the eastern side are few and neither commodious nor accessible, while on the west coast most of the harbours are little better than open roadsteads. Harbour improvements are now being carried out in Keelung, and at Takow. Taipeh is the capital of Formosa, but Tainan-fu is the chief city in point of population. The open ports are four in number, viz.; Takow and Tainan-fu in the south, and Tamsui and Keelung in the north. The latter was held for some months in 1884-5 by the French, under Admiral Courbet, but was evacuated on the 21st June, 1885. The rivers of Formosa are few, shallow, and winding, only navigable to small flat-bottomed boats. The scenery is delightful, and the climate is very pleasant in the winter, but hot in some parts of the island and malarious in the wet season. A railway traversing the island, from Keelung in the north to Takow in the south, a distance of 259 miles, was officially opened by H. I. H. Prince Kan-In on 24th October, 1908. Short lines also connect Taipeh and Tamsui in the north, and Kyu-kyoku-do with Takow in the south. A line along the east coast is likewise in contemplation. The trade of the island shows steady development, and municipal improvements are noticeable. Kelung, Tamsui, and Taipeh water-works have been completed, and amongst numerous new buildings are large markets, and a first-class European hotel. In Taichiu practically a new city is being made, whilst in Takow large reclamations are under way, wharves are to be erected, and extensive dredging operations to be undertaken, etc. From the north of the island Ooloong tea forms the principal export, its value in 1909 being yen 5,568,092, camphor coming next with a value of 1,710,493, which is a million below the value of the export in 1907. Rice is also largely shipped to Japan. The Government is endeavouring to encourage the manufacture of black tea for export to Europe, and is said to have been successful in the experiments so far made with that object. Flax,
Flax, hemp and jute amongst the articles of export, and there is now a factory at Koroton erected under official auspices for the manufacture of jute bags for packing rice. Sugar is becoming a most important industry, and bids fair to become the leading export of the island. There are now several large factories, equipped with the most modern machinery, in running order, their location being the central and southern districts, and the Government is sparing no pains to push the manufacture of refined sugar. Amongst other schemes contemplated is a vast plan of irrigation estimated to run into over 30,000,000 yen, and to require several years for comple- tion. Of imports opium is the most important, its annual value amounting to some 2,250,000 yen; kerosene is an article of some importance, and there is also considerable business in white shirtings and sundry other classes of dry goods; it is, however, noticeable that there has been a steady decline in the enquiry for Chinese
cotton tissues since 1898.
yen
are
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