WUCHO W
州梧
Trú châu
Wuchow, opened to foreign trade on June 4th, 1897, by the Special Article of the Burmah Convention, is situated on the Sikiang or West River at its junction with the Fu or Kuei (Cassia) River. By the steamer routes at present authorised it is distant about 220 miles from Hongkong and Canton. Wuchow is the limit of navigation for ocean-going steamers; but, during eight months in the year, vessels drawing not more than 3 feet can reach Kueihsien (150 miles beyond Wuchow), and Nanning (360 miles from here) can be reached almost all the year round by boats drawing 2 ft. The population of the city and suburbs is estimated at about 65,000; it is slowly increas- ing, more especially in the riverine suburbs, which comprise the business quarter. The annual inundations caused by the rise in the river-there is an average difference of 60 feet between the winter and summer levels-are a source of great inconvenience to the inhabitants and at times bring about a total cessation of business. To obviate this, the principal steamship offices, the Custom House and other Tax Offices are located on pais (houses built on pontoons), moored alongside the river bank. In July, 1924, Wuchow was visited by a very high flood--73 feet 9 inches-which is the second highest on record. In winter the only local industry worthy of mention is boat building; when the river falls the foreshore is lined with matsheds, where native craft of all descriptions are constructed. The situation of Wuchow inakes it the natural distributing centre for the trade between Kweichow, Eastern Yunnan, Kwangsi, and Hongkong and Canton. The future is full of promise, and Wuchow sure to make a bold bid for second place as the largest trade mart in the south of China. Local merchants are making strenuous efforts to divert to Wuchow, via the Liuchow and West Rivers, the trade of south-eastern Kweichow, which is principally supplied via the Yangtsze. Attempts are being made to work the manganese, antimony, copper, and tin mines which abound in the Kwangsi Province.
TRADE
The gross value of the trade coming under the cognisance of the Maritime Cus- toms had steadily grown to Tls. 23,237,078 in 1920, but subsequently, owing to frequent military operations and the disturbed state of the country, the trade diminished to Tls. 11,952,197 in 1922, this being the smallest figure on record sinse 1908. The value of trade recovered to Hk. Tls. 17,485,294 in 1923 and Hk. Tls. 21,030,247 in 1924, but owing to the boycott of Hongkong, in 1925 it fell again to Hk. Tls. 13,604,856. The boycott ended in October, 1926, and the trade for that year recovered to Hk. Tls. 17,291,745 In 1928 the figures further increased to Hk. Tls. 27,942,671 as compared with Hk. Tls. 23,004,288 in 1927, but fell again in 1929 to Hk. Tls. 21,860,065 owing to military disturbances, in 1930 to H.k. Tis. 22,256,711, and in 1931 to H.k. Tls. 24,200,311 ̈
Mr. A., Casati notes in his report that during the five months of 1931 'the Cantonese army controlled Wuchow, the chief trading centre of Kwangsi province, which considerably hindered the free novement of produce within the province. A large proportion of the smaller vessels on the rivers was commandeered for military purposes, besides which heavy tolls were exacted on cargo under transport from one place to another. Upon the secession of Kwangtung from the Central Gov- ernment at Nanking in May however, an alliance was formed between the hitherto contending factions in the Liang Kwang. The evacuation of the Cantonese forces from Kwangsi which was completed in June resulted in the resumption of traffic by motor vessels and junks between Wuchow and inland cities, and the export trade of this port greatly benefited under these more favourable conditions.
The total mileage of motor roads in Kwangsi is estimated at about 1,800 miles. Strenuous efforts are being made by the authorities to repair the existing roads which are in bad state. It is the intention to connect Wuchew with Kweilin by a motor road in the near future. Kwangsi now possesses an air force all her own. It is composed of a fleet of some 15 aeroplanes of British make. The construction of the Wuchow