WEIHAIWEI
J
A133
million dollars as against 1.8 million; coastwise importations of Chinese produce, 4.3 million dollars as against 3.2 million; direct exports to foreign countries, 2.9 million dollars as against 2.3 million; and coastwise exportions of Chinese produce, 1.6 million dollars compared with 1.3 million dollars. It will be observed from these statistics that all categories of trade contributed to this increase in total value, imports, principally coast wise imports, accounting for 623 per cent. of it and exports, mainly exports abroad, for the remaining 37 per cent. A feature of the foreign import trade was the striking increase in importations of timber, kerosene oil. inetals, asses and mules, and sugar. Timber importations practically trebled, the figures being 21,257 cubic metres for 1935 as against. 7,513 cubic metres in 1934. Importations of kerosene oil, principally a cheap brand of Japanese origin, were more than double those of the preceding year. Metals also improved, while sugar importations amounted to 5,917 quintals as compared with 211 quintals, indicating a smaller amount of smuggling. The increase in the value of coastwise importations is due to an increase of some 70 per cent. in the figures for rice and of over 40 per cent. in those for wheat' our. As usual, exports consisted practically entirely of ground- nuts, which commodity continues to be the mainstay of the port. Conditions in the local groundnut trade, while still leaving much room for further improvement, were decidedly better than during, the preceding year, prices, thanks to improved demand both at home and abroad, appreciating on the average by some 35 per cent, and the total quantity shipped by 10 per cent., from 336,000 to 369,000 quintals, of which approximately two-thirds went abroad and one-third coastwise. The year was an outstandingly bad one for the local fishing industry, catches being uniformly poor; and such was the resultant plight of the local fishing folk that towards its close of the local administration found it necessary to afford them temporary relief. Despite this, evidence was not lacking that Weihaiwei is likely to become an increasingly important fishing centre. The number of trawlers using this port as a base of operations showed a further substantial increase, reaching a total of 108, of which 43, including 16 newly purchased from Dairen during the year, were registered' locally, and at the beginning of July a guild styled the North China Fishing Trawlers Industry Guild, was, with the official approval of the local administration, establish- ed here with a view to effecting the proper organisation of the industry. Interest. in fruit-farming, a comparative innovation in this district, continued on an enhanced scale during the year, and the area placed under fruit cultivation (principally apples) doubled, some 25,000. young trees being said to have been planted, most of which emanted from local nurseries. If the high expectations entertained generally for this new industry, which is being actively fostered by the local administration, are realised, it should in the next few years become one of first-rate importance. Straiten- ed financial circumstances have prevented the local administration fully alive though it is to the importance of doing everything possible to develop the port and add to its amenities as a summer resort, from carrying out any public works of note during the year. There has, however, been a considerable increase in the number of residential buildings constructed by private enterprise, and a four-storied modern hotel, to be known as the Weihaiwci Grand Hotel, has been built at a cost of $30,000 with a view to attracting more visitors to the port during the summer months and is to be opened early in 1936.
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中華