A96
PEI-TAI-HO AND CHINWANGTAO
is a matter for consultation between the four associations and the Kung I Hui. The Kung I Hui is a body of Chinese gentlemen mostly with large local interests: it is registered in the Ministry of Communications as a definite working organisation and has a legal and, to a certain extent, judicial status. It has expended large sums of money in making excellent roads, lined with trees, and intends to throw the whole- of the Lotus Hills open as a public park.
Chinwangtao owes its existence as a seaport to the Chinese Engineeering and Mining Company, Ltd. (now amalagamated with the Lanchow Mining Company under the little of The Kailan Mining Administration). It serves primarily as a port of ship- ment for Kaiping coal.
Chinwangtao is situated on the western coast of the Gulf of Liao and is distant about 10 miles W.S.W. of Shanhaikwan. The breakwater and pier forming the harbour are so constructed that vessels may lie alongside at any state of the tide and in all weathers, discharging from or loading directly into railway cars, so that there is the minimum of handling and loss by breakage. The Administration owns large areas of land in the vicinity of the port. A good harbour, good water, electric light, and cheap coal offer exceptional inducements for industrial enterprises, and it is expected that there will be a great development in this direction.
Accommodation for steamers is shown in the following table:
At Breakwater—
Depth at L.W.O.S.T.
in Feet
At Pier-
Berth No.
Length in Feet
3
320
22
4
320
26
5
380
. 29
6
380
29
07
420
29
380
20
350
20
1 2
Harbour entrance 25' at L.W.O.S.T. Dredging is now in progress and the harbour entrance will be dredged to 27' at L.W.O.S.T. Berths No. 3 to 7 are continuous providing berthing accommodation for vessels of any length, the size of vessels berth- ing only being limited by the amount of water available in the entrance channel. Very complete arangements have been made to insure rapid loading of coal at all times. Over 15,500 tons have actually been loaded in one day.
Vessels proceeding to Chinwangtao with heavy weights must have suitable tackle for discharging them from ships hold to railway cars alongside. The Administration has sinall cranes available for lifting small weights of under 10 tons. The harbour and the large coal storage yards are exceptionally well lighted by electricity, and work proceeds by night as well as by day throughout the year.
Good fresh water may be obtained from hydrants on the Breakwater and Pier. The Port of Chinwangtao is accessible throughout the year, and as a seaside health resort Chinwangtao is almost without rival in China. It is easily accessible, has a dry and bracing climate, offers safe bathing from a sandy beach, has good golf links, and is situated amidst magnificent mountain scenery, while a Rest House and numerous summer bungalows afford the visitor every comfort. Extensive improvements in the port were made during 1929 A portion of the lagoon has been reclaimed for the extension of the coal-yard A school for the benefit of the children of the Kailan Mining Administration's employees has been built, as well as additional quarters for the staff; and a new power-house to meet the requirements of the Yao Hua Glassworks, as well as those of the Administration, was completed towards the end of the year.
The Yao Hua Mechanical Glass Company have a glass factory at Chinwangtao. The establishment, which covers about 110 mou of land, is one of the largest of its kind in existence. The capital of the Company is $2,500,000.
TRADE IN 1932.
The first military movements in Manchuria during 1931 did not disturb the Chingwangtao district, but the same cannot be said for the events of the year under review, trade being much affected by apprehension of Japanese advance into Hupeh and the possible occupation of the port. Very low stocks of goods were carried and replenishment orders were made or cancelled at short notices as tension relaxed or increased.