FORMOSA
503
Amongst sundry factories and mills at various places in the island are ice-works, a brewery, a straw-board factory, two flour-mills, fertiliser factories, ramie and jute mills, cement works, brick-works (many using Manchester kilns), numerous oil- extracting and rice mills, several electric-light plants, and a gas works (in Taipeh).
From the north of the island tea forms the principal export, and the authorities are energetically pushing its cultivation and preparation. The value shipped to foreign markets in 1928 was Yen 9,920,990. Export of camphor in 1928 amounted to Yen 3,215,765. The export of sugar in 1928 amounted to Yen 1,252,784. The total imports for the year 1928 amounted to Yen 58,335,729. Sugar factories: there are now 47 of these equipped with modern machinery scattered throughout the island, mostly in the central and southern districts, in addition to 13 factories of improved Formosan type, and 132 old-style ones.
The following articles are classified under the Monopoly Law, and can only be handled by the Government:-Opium, camphor, salt, tobacco, wines and spirits. Total imports amounted to Yen 36,788,852.
The trade and industries of the island are steadily developing, and botli fish and fruit are
now being largely exported to the mother-country and Dairen, whilst recently attention has been directed to the gathering of coral, supplies of which have been found in the waters of the northern vicinity. All the principal towns are now equipped with water-works, electric lighting, and large markets, etc., and con- nection between them by motor lines of cars is becoming general, replacing the push cars hitherto mainly in use.
One great drawback to the island is its lack 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; whilst on the west coast, with the exception of Keelung in the north and Takow in the south, they are little better than open roadsteads. Harbour improvements have just been com- pleted at Keelung, and are still being carried out at Takow, when completed, they will greatly increase the existing accommodation. The depth at low water at the entrance to the harbours is 30 feet and 23 feet, respectively.
Taipeh is the capital of Formosa, and Tainan is the chief city in the south of the Island. The open ports are four in number, viz., Takow and Anping 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.
A complete system of post and telegraph services is in force while two cables connect the island with Japan proper.
A railway traversing the west side of the island, from Keelung in the north to Keishu in the south was officially opened by H.1.H. Prince Kan-In on October 24th, 1908. A short line also connects Taipeh and Tamsui in the north. On the west coast is a loop line of 56 miles between Chikunan and Oden (near Shoka). Hugging the coast, as it does, it avoids the steep gradients and numerous tunnels of the main line. On the through-line, sleeping-cars are now run for the accommodation of first-class passengers only. There is also a railway along the East coast, and some other minor lines partially completed. Besides the Government lines there are 1,349 miles of private railways laid by sugar companies.