ΡΑΚΗΟΙ
海北 Pak-hoi
Pakhoi was opened to foreign trade by the Chefoo Convention in 1877. It is situated on the Gulf of Tongking in long. E, 109 deg. 7 min. and lat. N. 21 deg. 29 min.
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The Chinese town is situated on a peninsula, at the western extremity of which are a few low hills (Kuantao Head Z). It faces nearly due north, and in winter is much exposed to the force of the N.E. monsoon winds. These blow so hard at times as to interfere materially with, the shipment and discharge of cargo from steamers in the harbour, the anchorage for which is situated opposite the western end of the town and a mile and a half from the Custom House at the eastern end of the town. The foreign residences are situated on slightly higher ground to the south: of the town.
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Extending to the south and east is a plain which is level for many miles, although the country gradually rises towards the north. Attempts at cultivation have been made upon this plain immediately to the south of the town, but with varying success. Very rough cart roads intersect the country in the vicinity of the port and are utilized for bringing in some of the produce from the surrounding district. The carts in use for this purpose are heavy, unwieldy vehicles, of an almost pre-liistoric type. They are drawn largely by oxen and have huge solid wooden wheels of the most primitive. pattern, by which, needless to say, the roads are badly cut up in wet weather. During the past two years an extensive road building programme has been carried out and there is now a motor service between Pakhoi and Limchow (H), Linichow and Shekhong (7), and Limchow and Paksha (2). Another service connects Pakhoi with the large trade mart of Nanhong () A bridge has finally been erected across the Paksha River. which connects Pakhoi by motor road wah: Kwangchowwan, a distance of 180 miles. Sportsmen will find the following game in the vicinity of Pakhoi: quails, snipe, partridges, wild pigeons, wild ducks, and sonie woodcocks and pheasants. Tigers can still be found in the hills, some 25 miles to the N.E. of Limchów. Good cross-country riding is obtainable. The Pakhoi-Limehow 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.
TRADE IN 1933.
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Chiefly on account of the fact that the statistics for certain Customs stations in the Kwangchowan area are now included in the returns for Pakhoi, the value figures for the trade of this port show a very noticeable improvement, amounting to nearly 52 per cent. The stations referred to were formerly under the control of the Kiungchow Customs. The trade of Pakhoi has been declining for some years, and, discounting cargoes brought in through the new stations, actually shows no improvement on the import side of the account during the year under review. Conditions were peaceful; but the severe measures adopted in South China for the protection of home industries, the lowered purchasing power of the country, and the depreciated currency, were factors militating against the import and disposal of foreign commodities in this district as elsewhere. The export trade was better. Exchange rates were in favour of this section of trade, and shipments of pigs, poultry, aniseed star, and groundut oil were all!
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