988
PAKHOI
motor-road is being kept in an excellent condition, and the pleasure of cycling and motor-cycling is afforded. The climate of the port during at least six months of the year is a trying one for Europeans, though the nights are, for the tropics, com- paratively cool. It is satisfactory to be able to state that the question of sanitation is receiving increasing attention as the modernisation of the town progresses. Accurate figures for the population of the town, as elsewhere in China, are difficult to obtain, but the number of inhabitants may perhaps be put at some 35,000. Fishing is one of the most important of the local industries, and a large number of vessels are employed in it. The manganese ore mines in the district of Ch'inchow (Yamchow H) have developed a great deal of late years, and the export of this mineral through Pakhoi increases from year to year. The past year has seen many improve- ments in the municipality. The narrow lanes that served as thoroughfares have now been widened and paved. These streets and the new fronts to the shops give the impression of a new and modern city. New schools have gone up and the Middle School, housed in new buildings, has an attendance of over 400.
No railway construction has yet been commenced in the district, and there seems to be little likelihood of any of the projected undertakings assuming shape in the immediate future.
TRADE IN 1929
Mr. H, D. Hilliard writes that trade at Pakhoi in 1929 hae not been unsatisfactory if the difficulties-in a large degree caused by the lack of a bank with facilities for dealing with exchange and remittances, and by a disturbed hinterland-are taken into consideration. Local merchants were wary and the export trade was erratic, depending largely on Hongkong prices and exchange, which led to difficulties be-- tween sellers in the interior and local buyers. Hongkong prices were greatly enhanced towards the end of the year owing to the closing of the West River, and many commodities at last found a ready market, especially pigs and poultry. Unfortunately, enough space could not be found on Hongkong-bound steamers, and much cargo was. perforce shut out. Two bad crops, due to continued dry weather, made it seem likely that the export of all agricultural products would cease entirely; however, late summer and early autumn saw the long dry spell broken, and the last crop of the year was quite prosperous. 538 steamers, aggregating 642,928 tons, entered and cleared, setting up a new record as far as tonnage is concerned. Keener competition now exists between the various shipping companies in the trade between Hongkong and Haiphong,. with Pakhoi benefiting owing to additional vessels calling en route. With the cessa- tion of the anti-Japanese boycott the shipment of manganese ore to Japan was able to recommence after an interlude of over a year and a half. The importation of kerosene oil through the Maritime Customs, apart from overstocking in the previous year, was seriously affected by dealers in the interior being able to purchase else- where at cheaper prices, the oil being either diverted to the Native Customs or, in some instances, smuggled in from Kwangchowwan or French Indo-China. Pakhoi at one time ranked among the largest exporting ports of indigo, but during recent years the trade has practically died out, the exports of this article falling to negli- gible figures. Conditions for fishing were ideal, and the value of export of marine products accordingly resulted in new high figures. There was a steady demand in the hinterland for cotton yarn, chiefly of the native variety, which was woven into cloth and found a ready market. Pakhoi's connection with the outside world by air mail was broken after only two trips, the two aeroplanes being taken away; and since then the aerodrome has been deserted. The wireless station was improved and is preferred as a means of quick and accurate communication to the slow and frequently relaid land telegraph. The bridge which is being thrown over the Paksha River did not progress, owing to frequent cessation of work due to bandit troubles. In the city of Pakhoi itself slow but steady progress was made in the widening of streets.
Pakhoi is the port for the important cities of Limchow () and Yamchow (M), whence considerable quantities of cargo of foreign origin (e.g., piece goods, etc.) were formerly distributed over the country lying between the West River and the seaboard. Since the opening of the West River to steam navigation, however, a con- siderable part of the trade has been diverted to that route and Pakhoi's commerce has suffered in consequence. The value of trade of the port in 1929 was Hk. Tls. 4,226,673, as compared with Hk. Tls. 4,269,830 in 1928, Hk. Tls. 3,721,089 in 1927, Hk. Tls. 2,398,803 in 1926, Hk. Tls. 4,453,663 in 1925, and Hk. Tls. 5,021,801 in 1924.