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cultivated. In the most fertile and thickly populated districts the ground is too precious to be wasted on carriage roads and all the traffic is conducted by coolies and by means of roads no broader than 1-2 feet, which roads are constantly intersected by the irrigation dykes necessary for agricultural purposes.
But even in North China I believe the experience of the last war with China has shown that coolies are far more serviceable even for the heaviest loads than animals. But whilst Hongkong cannot furnish either animals or vehicles to any appreciable extent. Hongkong is a convenient centre for procuring animals from Manila, Australia, and elsewhere.
(lised) &. I Bitel 15th July 1880-