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"whose masters and passengers are un willing to declare any treasure they may possess, for fear of attracting pirates' a significant statement.
Turning now to the Lappa report, we find that 1901 was a record year for the junk trade, the total value amounting to Hk. Tls. 14,606,412, Hk. Tls. 1,033,343 better than in 1900. An examination of the statistics, says Mr. CARL, will show that this increase is entirely due to the growth of the export and native import trades, which show advances of about Hk. ' Tls. 606,000 and 744,000 respectively. The above figures do not include the portion borne by the Hongkong-Macao trading junks. Mr. CARL continues:--"As the total exports passing the Lappa Stations "show an increase of over Hk. Tls. 600,000,
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND from Chinese ports; 1,001, of 129,401 tons, to and from Hongkong; 52, of 1,346 tons, to and from Kwanchauwan; and 9, of 1,454 tons, to and from Annam. Steamers bound up the West River numbered 1,571, and bound down, 1,576. The number of passengers in junks noted at Luppa was 116,798 inwards and 111,967 outwards, an increase of 19,300 and 14,838 respectively, In addition to the above, the Portuguese steamers Waon and Taiping kept up a regular Macao-Samshui service, making 595 trips, during which they carried about a quarter of a million taels' worth of cargo, 16,868 passengers inwards and 16,179 outwards,
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WEST RIVER TRADE IN 1901,
we must conclude that, owing to quicker. (Daily Press, 6th November.) despatch and more prompt delivery, the It we take together the trade reports fo carriage of certain commodities has been 1901 on Wuchow and Samshui, as published "transferred from native junks to foreign in the Imperial Maritime Customs returns, steamers. Although the total value of we should be able to form some idea of the "the trade is the highest ever recorded at progress of West River commerce last year. Lappa, it must not be lost sight of that Mr. E. ALABASTER is the author of the "the figures for 1901 include statistics that Wuchow report and Mr. J. A. VAN AALST previous to the end of 1899 (when the of that for Samshui. Both writers note a Changchow Station was closed) would great improvement not only on the terrible have appeared in the Kowloon Customs year of 1900 but on all previous figures. "returns. The trade then passing the Mr. VANAALST says:- The trade of Changchow Station averaged, at the least, Samshui and its principal stages, Kong- Hk. Tls. 2,000,000 a year, so, after de- moon an Kumchuk, showed during the ducting that amount, the Lappa statistics year 1901 undoubted signs of its tenacious for 1901 represent nothing to boast of. vitality and unrestrainable tendency to Trade in foreign goods, compared with grow and expand, in spite of terrorising "the values of 1900, actually shows a 'piratical spectres and intimidating fiscal
decrease, principally due to the falling off "realities.
If revenue statistics "in the importation of opium, piece goods can be believed, trade in the delta, under and rice. Certain districts in the neigh-"foreign as well as under native flag, by "bourhood of the newly opened French port, Kwanchauwan, which formerly drew supplies from Macao, have now almost "ceased doing so. Direct steamers from Hongkong to that place take considerable quantities of opium and other foreign goods, which trade, of course, no longer comes under the cognisance of the Lappa Customs. Piracy, too, is having a deter- "rent effect on the junk-traffic, as it brings in an element of uncertainty. Arms- "smuggling, from both Hongkong and Macao, was very rife in past years, and it seenis almost a just retribution that now "the insecurity resulting from this nefa- "rious trade should affect indirectly foreign "commerce." Mr. CARL does well to point out that foreigners must bear part of the guilt for the flourishing condition of piracy, but nevertheless it is more than time that the Chinese Government should pay atten- tion to the remarks of their commissioners alike at Canton, Kowloon,, and Iappa as to the damage to trale done by pirates in this part of China. The total collection of revenue at Lappa in 1901 was Hk. Tls. 3,625,890," a decrease of over 300,000 taels from the figures of 1990.
A8 stated above, there was a falling off in the importation of opium, piece goods, and rice, and this more than accounted for the decrease. As for the export trade, 1901 can properly be called a record year, Mr. CARL says; the total value was Hk. Tls. 6,246,617, against Hk. Tls. 5,640,729 in 1900 and Hk. Tis. 6,173,279 in 1899. Among the improved items may be noted sugar, various provisions, and building materials for Hongkong and Macao. The number of junks entered and cleared at the Lappa Stations during 1901 was 16,601, representing a tonnage of 965,717 tons -an increase of 1,073 vessels and 49.602 tous over the shipping of 1900. The tonnage is the highest recorded since 1894. Of the junks reported during the year under review, 15,539, of 834,516 tons, were to and
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[November 8, 1902. felt at Wuchow as at Samshui. We could not without devoting a great deal of space to the subject, go into the details of the import and export trades of Samshui and Wuchow, and those therefore who are interested in the possibilities of West River commerce must be recommended to read the entire reports themselves. Their time will not be wasted. We note that Samshui Commissioner recommends an enterprising piece goods firm to establish itself at that port and begin canvassing the North River; Samshui will no doubt then become an important market. Mr. ALABASTER calis attention to the market for ingenious and cheap playthings such as may be seen any day sold in the London Strand.
The Shipping figures for both places were satisfactory. The actual number of vessels visiting Samshui was less than in 1900, but the aggregate tonnage was considerably higher. The steamers which entered aul cleared, with tonnage, were:-. -British 1,170 (275,90 tons); Portuguese, 600 (45,950 tons); Chinese, 2,710 (260,006 tons). 32 British sailing vessels, of 5,756 tons, also erter d and cleared. Under Inland Navi- gation rules, 88 British vessels (1,474 tons), 144 French (1.688 tous) and 8,552 Chinese (98,200 tons) cutered au cleared.
Mr. VAN AALST writes: The aggregate cargo-carrying capacity of the vessels now visiting Samshui is considerably in excess of the port's requirements, with the "result that freights have been lowered so as to leave but little margin for profits. But great developments are expected in the delta, and it is on hope that so many "steners manage to live.' Interport entries a Wuchow in 1901-479--were practically on a par with those of 1900, but the tonnage-96,540 tons-advanced considerably, largely owing to the ap- pearance of the new stern-wheeler Sainam. 304 British steamers (94,052 tons) and 1,556 Chinese (92,442 tons), 192 British sailing vessels (34,906 tons) and 36 Chinese (4,628_tons) entered and cleared under general regulations; while under Inland Navigation rules the figures were :— -British 73 (1,874 tons), Chinese 2,484 (33,474 tous)." Both in Samshui district (chiefly through Kongmoon) and at Wuchow the passenger traffic was reported to be very flourishing.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
"Chinese junks as well as by foreign-type vessels, trade and its adjuncts, industrial "and agricultural productions, rose far "abore the best year ou record, 1899. It may confidently be said that, in spite of "its pirates, snakes, insects, inundations, plague, fevers, epidemics, heat, dampuess, "and a general disrepute attached to it by people for whom Shameen or the Shanghii Bund constitute the whole of China, the "West River delta with its soil so rich and fertile, its people so intelligent, active, and progressive, its villages and cities so easy of access, has, if peace gives its blessings, a future, and a great future, ure, "be ore it." Similarly, Mr. ALABASTER speaks of the year's figures at Wuchow! bing accord-a term as yet early to apply here." The Foreign Customs revenue of the Samshai district was in all Hk. Tis. 174,707, the best figures known, although such articles as kerosene, piece goods, cotton yarn, etc., passed over to the Native Customs. The protocol tariff, 5 per cent, that came into force on the 11th November last caused a loss instead of an increase in revenue; but, says the Saushui Commissioner, the equalisation of tariffs, which must follow foreign control of Native Ca tous, cannot but bring back importers to foreign-type vessels and merchandise to Foreign Customs control. "When it is realised that the lekin-station at Samshifi cau produce some Tis. 300,000 a year, an idea can be formed of the junk traffic passing this point and of the revenue capacity of the place." The estimated net value of Wuchow's trade was Hk. Tis. 7,496,243, something like oue millions tails! in advance of the figures for 1900. expusiou Mr. ALABASTER writes, is, as precisely as possible, dae to the imports, inland transit showing a similar plementary advance. Exports fell away somewhat, but the decline was mainly due to the complete failure of the sugar stocks. The Native Customs competition was also
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COUNCIL.
Chamber. Prese t:--
A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held on Thursday in the Conacil
HENRY A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G.
THE GOVERNOR, Sir
HIS EXCELLENCY
Hon. Colonel L. F. BROWN, R.E. (Senior Officer Commanding the Garrison).
Hon. F. H. MAY (Colonial Secretary)., Hon. SIR HENRY S. BERKELEY, Kt. (Attorney-General).
Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. Commander R. M. RUMSEY, R.N, (Harbour Master).
Hon. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works).
Hon. F. W. CLARK (Medical (fler of Healthy,
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI, C.M.G.
Hon. WEI A YUK.
Hon. C. 8. SHARP.
Hon. C. W. DICKSON. Hou. G W. F. PL YFAIR. Hoa. R. SHEWAN,
Mr. C. CLEMENTI (Acting Clerk of Councils).
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the
table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 15) and moved its adoption.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
EUROPEAN RESERVATION AT KOWLOON. The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid the following letter on the table :—-