878
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 1930
During the first two weeks of January an icy north wind prevailed at Pakhoi, and the thermoineter fell to 34° - Fahrenheit-a record since. 1893. Keen distress was felt by the populace, business came to a standstill, and steamers in this exposed harbour were unable to work cargo. The Spring Festival again brought with it a temporary stagnation of trade. On the other hand, the impending introduction of the Customs gold unit resulted in a period of considerable activity where imports were concerned, and trade maintained itself at a fairly satisfactory level. As early as February, however, rumours of the approach of Kwangsi troops were current. A run on the Central Bank of China ensued, and as a result the bank closed its doors and the staff left for Canton, bequeathing a large quantity of unredeemed notes to an embarrassed community. On the 7th March some 300 troops of the 4th Independent Army entered and took command of Pakhoi. Strict discipline was fortunately maintained, but a demand was at once put forward for funds from the Chamber of Commerce, and an endeavour was made to take over the additional duties and surtaxes collected by the Customs. At the last moment, however, opposing forces suddenly appeared on the scene, and with their arrival the Independent Army melted into thin air. Conditions would then have reverted to normal had not the Kwangtung Government declared a blockade at Pakhoi, which lasted till early in April. The disturbed conditions of the West River districts continued to divert a large portion of the trade of that territory to Pakhoi, and substantial increases in the export of aniseed star, aniseed oil groundnut oil, and paper were recorded. Exports abroad, chiefly to Japan, of manganese ore amounted to 207,116 piculs, as compared with 90,730 piculs in 1929, but in the prevailing state of the market little profit resulted to exporters. There was again a considerable demand for American flour for the manufacture of noodles for re-export to the interior.and the borders of Indo-China. White and dyed piece goods, mainly from Japan, figured prominently, but raw cotton, hitherto supplied by Tonkin for spinning yarn for use in native hand-looms, fell into disfavour on account of its prohibitive cost, merchants finding it preferable to import the yarn itself from Shanghai and Canton. Matches from Japan and Sweden advanced by over 300 per cent., but increased taxation appears likely to enable the native article to compete advantageously with its foreign rival in the near future. The establishment of local printing presses created a demand for printing paper. More tonnage was available than was required, and merchants and shipping firms have complained bitterly regarding the irregular junk trade between Kwangchowwan and inland places. Pakhoi has undoubtedly suffered in the past and is still suffering considerably from the effects of "irregular trade," the free port of Kwangchowwan on one side and Indo-China on the other offering an easy base from which to conduct illicit operations. Until a Maritime Customs station is established at Kwangchowwan and a cruising patrol operates in these waters no effective control against this wholesale smuggling can be established. The wireless installation owned and operated by the military has proved a boon to the port, and messages from Shanghai via Hongkong are frequently received the same day, a service which the land lines are at preseni unable to render. On the 19th May a typhoon occurred in the vicinity of Pakhoi, and considerable damage to the fishing
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