AMOY
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1922 with the Kellogg Switchboard and Supply Co. for the installation of a complete new telephone system. Bunding, drainage, jetties, roads, recreation grounds and similar public works, are in progress, many of the main streets have been widened and concrete paved, and a fine public garden has been laid out with facilities for all forins of sport, including a football ground, running track, and hard tennis courts. Reclamation work (filling in without bunding) was started in 1922 to the north of the city and the Amoy Dock..
Amoy has an up to date waterworks system, in excellent running order, operated by the Amoy Waterworks Co.,
Built in 1923 the reservoirs are capable of holding 400,000,000 gallons of water, enough for one years consumption. In addition the Company are proceeding with a scheme to supply water to Kulangsu, which at present relies upon wells for its supply. Pipes have already been laid throughout the island but the system is not in operation,
The erection of a model hospital (to be called the Chung Shan Hospital) at a cost of $800,000 also ef a model Prison costing about $100,000 is projected. About 90% of the money required for these schemes has already been secured by local subscription.
TRADE IN 1930
A survey of the general course of events at Amoy during the past twelve months writes Mr. H. D. Hilliard, leaves, in spite of certain set-backs and disappointments, an impression of progress having been made and of a desire on the part of the people that such progress should continue. Of the year 1930 it may at least be said that evidence of unrest was manifested in a less intense degree than has so often been the case during the past few years, and the outlook for the future has brightened proportionately. Communists and bandits, however, still proved a thorn in the side of the authorities, and while the roads and districts in the vicinity of the port, at any rate during the hours of daylight, were safe for travellers, the country further inland remained practically under the control of bandits, who levied illegal taxes and tolls from the people. As summer approached the activities of disorderly elements increased, and two somewhat serious incidents occurred, when the Szeminglisien prison and the adjacent Salt office were raided by Communist bands and the release of a number of political prisoners and criminals was effected. The coup d'etat at Foochow earlier in the year had its inevitable repercussion at Amoy, and trade was temporarily inconvenienced by the commandeering of vessels for the transport of troops northwards. Martial law was enforced in the city and suburbs, and continued in force for several months. An instance of the saner counsels prevailing in local circles was afforded by the successful arbitration of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Amoy General Chamber of Commerce in the dispute which arose during the summer months between shipping companies and the Cargo Supervisors' Union, when the latter body was persuaded to withdraw its demand for a commission on outward freight to the Straits Settlements. The import of both white and grey cotton piece goods during the year showed that the Japanese varieties were making great advances at the expense of the British article. There was a satisfactory increase in the quantities of scrges imported from abroad, but with these exceptions few articles of import called for comment. The year did not prove a satisfactory one, on the whole, for exports, as the producing power of the interior was still suffering from unrest due to bandit activities and, in addition, there was an appreciable slacken- ing in demand from Chinese living abroad for articles of home produce. The number and tonnage of vessels entering and clearing at the port show a satisfactory increase. This growth, in a year when shipping had many difficulties to contend with, is a healthy sign that the direct trade of this port with places abroad is gradually develo- ping. The work of modernising the city and of reconstructing the system of roads undertaken by the local authorities has steadily proceeded. The Chungshan Road, leading to the park of the same name, has been completed, and well-built shops are already erected on the frontage of the new street. The restoration to China of the British Concession on Amoy Island was effected towards the end of the summer, and the administration of that area and of the public services was taken over by the local Chinese authorities.
The net value of the trade of the port coming under the cognisance of the Foreign Customs in 1930 was Hk. Tls. 43,491,652 as compared with Hk. Tls. 35,865,853 in 1929 Hk. Tls. 37,227,163 in 1928, Hk. Tls. 41,509,023 în 1927, Hk. Tls. 37,648,311 in 1926, and Hk. Tls. 31,088,712 in 1925.
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