PAKHOI
海北 Pak-hoi
Pakhoi was opened to foreign trade in 1877 by the Chefoo Convention. It is situated on the Gulf of Tongking in long. E. 109 deg. 7 min. and lat. N. 21 deg. 29 min.
The Chinese town is situated on a peninsula, at the western extremity of which are a few low hills (Kuantao Head NZ). 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 near the eastern end of the town.
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. Various 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-historic 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 recent years an extensive road building programme has been carried out and are now motor connections between Pakhoi and Limchow (M), Tonkin, Kwangchow- wan, Kwangsi and the Canton Delta. Sportsmen will find the following game in the vicinity of Pakhoi: quails, snipe, partridges, wild pigeons, wild ducks, and some woodcocks and pheasants. 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. 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 30,000. Fishing is one of the most important of the local industries, and a large number of vessels are employed in it.
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TRADE IN 1937
At Pakhoi trade showed remarkable resiliency despite disrupted shipping, banking and marketing conditions during the later months of the year, the trade statistics for 1937 being actually more favourable than those of more average years, This was partly due to an increase in legitimate trade and a decrease in smuggling, and partly due to the emergency months being a period of rising prices, which stimulated both imports ard exports. Comparative value statistics for the year 1936 and 1937 were as follows: direct imports from abroad, $1.15 million in 1937 as compared with $669,000 in 1936; coastwise imports of Chinese goods, $2.9 million as against $2.6 million; direct exports to foreign countries, $1.57 million as against $1.48 million; and coastwise exports of Chinese produce, $1.57 million as against $1.6 million. Improved roads gave Pakhoi better communication with the district to the west and north-west, and also with Canton and Nanning. More motor vehicles are in use on the roads, with a resultant increase in imports of gasolene from 124,925 to 471,674 litres. Kerosene imports also increased from 283,907 litres during 1936 to 2,203,765 litres, owing to shortage of supplies, rising prices, and difficulty of replace- ment. Supplies of rice were somewhat short during the first part of 1937 owing to the 1936 harvests being inadequate. The 1937 crops were, however, good, and supplies were ample during the latter half of the year. The cigarette trade was dislocated owing to difficulties in obtaining the favourite Shanghai brands, while the import of wheat flour through Hongkong increased as Shanghai flour became harder to obtain. The exports of dried cuttle-fish and other fishery products were adversely affected by the hostilities, as fishing junks were unable to operate in their accustomed waters.