TAMSUI AND KELUNG.
The port of Tamsui lies in lat. 25 deg. 10 min. N. and long. 101 deg. 26 min. E. on the northern side of the fertile island of Formosa. It is an uninteresting place. The barbour, like all others in Formosa, has a troublesome bar, which greatly retards the growth of the port. Dredging would do much to render it more accessible. The town, called Hubei, is situated on the north s de of the river, about two miles from the bar. The trade at Tansui is not extensive. Tea grows on the hils in the locality, and the production of Formosa Oolongs is annually increasing. In 1872 the export only amounted to 19,513 picals, while now it exceeds 120,000 piculs. The export of Camphor, on the other hand, shows a steady decline, owing probably to the wholesale destruction of the trees, which were once exceedingly abundant in most parts of the island. In October, 1831, the French ships under Almir Courbet bombarded Tamsui, but were unable to take the place. The population of Tams i is estimated at 95,000. The principal exports are Tea, Camphor, and Coal. The value of the trade of the port in 1887 was Tls. 5,604,806, and in 1835, Tis. 5,434,463.
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The port of Kolung lies to the north-east of Tamsui, in latitude 25 deg. 9 min. N. and longitude 121 deg. 47 mi. E. It is situated on the shores of a bay between Capes of Foki and Peton, some twenty miles apart, amidst bold and striking nery, backed by a range of mountains. It was once a Spanish Settlement, but was subquently captured an 1 held by the Dutch until they in turn gave place to the Chinese under K xinga. Tuough only a mere village, it has long carried on a con- siderable native trade with Amoy, Chiu-chew, and Foochow. Its staple product is coal, the mines of which are very productive; one colliery at Coal Harbour has been worked by the Goverment, with modern English machinery, but the output bas never been very great. Sulphur also abounds in a valley in the neighbourhood, but the Authorities will not allow it to be workel. Kelung wis opened to foreign trade at the same time as the other Forinosan ports. The foreign trade at this port is confined to the shipment of coal. Its exports are included in the returns for Tamsui. The limits of the port are defined to be within a straight line drawn from Image Point to Bush Island. On the 5th August, 1884, the port was bombar led by the French under Amiral Léspes, when the forts above the town were reduced to ruins, and the place captured. It was then garrisoned by the French, who held it until after the Treaty of peace had been signed at Tientsin in June, 1885. A railway to connect Kelung with Tamsui is progressing towards completion.
Consulates. BRITISH.
Acting Consul-F. S. A. Bourne
Writer-Lin Haün Chèn
Linguist-Year Thian-lye
Constable-P. W. Petersen
AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN.
Acting Consul-F. S. A. Bourne
GERMAN.
DIRECTORY.
UNITED STATES.
Consular Agent-Wilfred Christy
Acting Vice-Consul-F. S. A. Bourne
NETHERLANDS.
Consul-C. Pye
SWEDEN ANd Norway.
Vice-Consul-Francis Cass
SPAIN.
Acting Vice Consul-F. S. A. Bourne