C.0.
15003
245
RE 12:: 6 JUL 28
West River Trade.-It is reported that the Hong Kong, Canton, and Macao Steam- boat Company intend running one of their steamers, the steam-ship "White Cloud,” of 500 odd tons burden, to Samshui and Wuchou as soon as the river rises. Hitherto there have only been two small foreign steamers of 150 tons running on this line, and the intended action of the above-mentioned Company may be taken as a sign that the volume of the West River trade is increasing.
It is, however, impossible that the trade of the river will be carried on permanently by large steamers. The Companies chiefly interested in the trade are about to build à quantity of flat-bottomed cargo boats, which will be towed by launches of light draught, as they consider that this form of transport is more specially suited to the requirements of the West River traffic.
Canton, April 1, 1898.