Directory_and_Chronicle_1934

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TAINAN, TAKAO AND ANPING

Takao is a port twenty-nine miles to the southward of Tainan. Located on the edge of what, less than 20 years ago, was a large, shallow lagoon with an extremely narrow and dangerous entrance, Takao has since been converted into a fine harbour with four buoys and a quay frontage capable of accom- modating six large vessels (up to 23 feet draught) at one time alongside. At low-water the depth is 24 feet, with 30 feet at the harbour entrance, which is 350 feet wide. The harbour improvements under the first period of construc- tion work are now completed, and vessels drawing less than 23 feet can readily enter the harbour. The second period of construction has been post- poned for the present, but, when undertaken, will include the provision of a second pier, dredging, widening of the harbour entrance, construction of a breakwater in Seishiwan, and the dredging of the harbour to an average depth of 30 feet. Under existing conditions, whilst steamers up to about 5,000 tons can be accommodated alongside the quay, vessels of 7-10,000 tons capa- city find it difficult to enter the port if heavily laden, and have to discharge some of their cargo in the outer harbour to enable them to come inside; if the harbour were dredged to a depth of 28 feet this would be unnecessary. As Takao is the only harbour in the south catering for the bulk of the sugar trade and other industries, its future is assured. Large reclamations have been made along the shore of the lagoon, transforming marsh-land into a well laid-out, fair-sized town, with room for expansion.

Foreign shipping is largely increasing in volume, sulphate of ammonia and other fertilisers now being imported in considerable quantities. The Japanese Government grants subsidies to the Osaka Shosen Kaisha for a fort- nightly service with Canton, viâ, Amoy, Swatow and Hutung, and Hongkong via Amoy and Swatow, as well as for a service of steamers round the coast of Formosa throughout the year. As regards the fruit trade, which is mainly a southern industry, an arrangement has recently been arrived at between shippers and the principal lines running from Takao, that ship- ments will in future be made by steamer direct from that

that port, instead of from Keelung, as hitherto. Another development of southern trade that is being fostered is the fishing industry, in connection with which direct boats to Japan are now being run.

The Government Railway now runs day and night trains between Keelung and Takao, the length of which line is approximately 246 miles.

There are many

private light railways running inland from the main line, tapping the country districts. The chief of these was the Arisan Railway, which has now been acquired by the Government. This line taps the valuable timber forests on Mount Arisan, and is notable for its gradients and the number of tunnels along the route. Many of the private lines are owned by sugar companies who, in addition to transporting their materials, also carry passengers and goods.

The import trade is mainly in the hands of Japanese firms, the only item still in the hands of foreigners being kerosens and its allied products. The Gov- ernment has given every encouragement to the sugar industry, and many large modern mills have been erected during the past few years. Of the six staple industries of Formosa, opium, camphor and salt, tobacco and wines have been monopolised by the Formosan Government.

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