18.
opening of the line south should lead to considerable
stimulation at the Mine, and I am of opinion that coal will
move from Ping Shiang to Canton and Hong Kong in large
quantities if the rail rates do not exceed 14 cents (Chinese)
per ton-mile. There appears to be no reason why this rate
should not prove profitable to both railway and mine. Long
hauls of 500 and 600 miles are involved in coal movement
from the Ping Shiang mines to Canton and Hong Kong respect-
ively, but I am informed by Major C.M. Manners, Assistant
Manager of the Hong Kong & Kowloon Wharf & Godown Company,
who was once connected with the ine, that transportation
costs of Hong Kong $8 per ton are well within the capacity
of this kind of coal which besides being of first class
quality is one of the finest in the world for the production
of coke.
44. There appears to be no doubt that large quantities
of wood oil, cereals, fruit and eggs will move south by
rail as soon as the railway is completed, whilst metals
and mineral ores will be transported in increasing quanti-
ties as soon as the various mines are exploited. Conversely
such commodities as salt, sugar, flour, oils, manufactured
and piece goods, and machinery should be transported by the
return haul.
45. Passenger traffic between all points in the North,
the upper Yangtze valley, and Canton and Hong Kong will be
stimulated considerably by the completion of the line, as
previously a round-about route via Shanghai had to be taken.
The line is sufficiently beautiful to attract tourists,
provided suitable accommodation is provided at stop-overs.
The carrying of higher class passenger traffic must depend
to a great extent on speed, so that the 40 hours overall
timing between Canton and Hankow at present contemplated
cannot be regarded with satisfaction. This timing will no