668
WEIHAIWEI
with sand and débris from the hills. During three-quarters of the year these river-beds are dry. All the hills are terraced for cultivation as far as possible. The total area of the leased territory is about 285 square miles.
The strata of the mountains are metamorphic, consisting of beds of quartzite, gneiss, crystalline, and limestone, cut across by dykes of volcanic rock and granite. Gold is found in the territory and has been worked by the Chinese, and silver, tin, lead, and iron are said to exist. Good building-stone and a rich non-hydraulic limestone are found. The territory contains some 360 villages, and the population, was estimated. in 1930 at 180,000. There are five small market towns, where fairs are held every five days.
The majority of the Chinese inhabitants are either fishermen or farmers, and are a peaceful, law-abiding folk. The chief export trade is in salt fish, salt and saltpetre, ground-nuts, ground-nut oil, sasson, silk and silk hosiery. The import trade chiefly consists of timber, firewood, and maize from Manchuria, paper, crockery, sugar, tobacco, kerosene oil, cotton yarn, piece goods, liquid indigo, synthetic dyes, flour, grains and wines (Chinese).
The Government of Weihaiwei up to the date of rendition was adininistered by a Commissioner appointed under the Weihaiwei Order-in-Council of the 24th July, 1901, with powers similar to those of a Colonial Governor. Under this Order the Commissioner was empowered to make Ordinances for the administration of the territory. The village communities are administered through their headmen in accordance with Chinese laws and usages.
Weihaiwei is now a fairly regular port of call for many China coasting steamers. sailing northwards from Shanghai, and there is a regular weekly service subsidised by Government to run all the year, carrying mails and passengers between Shanghai and Weihaiwei. This enables the public to reach Weihaiwei via Shanghai at any time of the year. The harbour is well lighted by two lighthouses. The climate of Weihaiwei is exceptionally good, and the winter, though cold, is dry and bracing. A land and building company formed in Shanghai, has erected several commodious European bungalows. There is a large hotel on the mainland capable of accom- modating over 100 people, and also a hotel on the Island with accommodation for 50 to 60. Both on the mainland and on the island good roads have been made by the local Government, and there are recreation and parade grounds in both places.
The native city of Weihaiwei (which lies on the mainland opposite the island of Liu Kung) is a walled town of about 2,000 inhabitants. By the provisions of the Wei- haiwei Convention of 1898 this town remained under the jurisdiction of the Chinese authorities. The town is a poor one, and the greater portion of the enclosed area is not built on, but cultivated for vegetables. A Chinese sub-district deputy magistrate resides in the city of Weihaiwei.
No Customs duties have been collected at Weihaiwei during the British régime. In spite of the low taxation, the growing prosperity of the territory under British rule caused the public revenue to increase from about $2,000 in 1900 to about half a million dollars in 1930.
H.B.M. CONSULATE
DIRECTORY
PORT EDWARD
Acting Consul-H. A. F. B. Aichr, 0.B.E.
H.B.M. NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT
Medical Officer-in-charge, Naval Depot ---Surg. Comdr. G. P. Adshead, M.B.,
R.N.
Deputy Naval Store Officer-M. G.
Gill
AH MEE, Government Contractor
AQUARIUS CO. OF SHANGHAI, Manufac
turers of Table Waters
Lavers & Clark, agents
ASIATIC PETROLEUM CO..
Teh Ho, agents