We left early on the 22nd May, and, after finding that there is a fair channel south of Kuang-lee Island, anchored at Kongkên, where we remained till the 27th. The frontage between Kongkên and the village marked Sun-hû on Mr. Ross's map has been bought up to a large extent by Chinese speculators, but the Hong Kong, Canton, and Macao Steamboat Company and another English Company have secured fair sites. I ascertained that the hill marked "F" is owned by two men, who would sell the whole or a part on condition that the existing graves were not interfered with, and, if only a portion were wanted, would agree not to sell the remainder to anyone. The price demanded is, however, very high, being 300 taels per mou.
The river rose some 9 feet during our stay here, otherwise it is extremely doubtful whether the "Tweed," drawing 9.4 feet, could have passed through the inner channels between Ma-ning and Canton.
Having found that there was considerable depth of water inside Kum-chuk Island, we proceeded by the Ma-ning entrance, Junction, Tailung, and Tamchau Channels, and anchored at Essex Point, beyond which our native pilot's knowledge did not extend. The country is rich, rice-fields surrounded by dykes planted with mulberry covering the low ground, which is continually being added to at the expense of the creeks. The towns are prosperous-looking and the junk traffic considerable.
On the 28th we felt our way through the Saiwan Channel, where only 10 feet or even less were found in places, and up Hill Passage into the Canton River, anchoring off Shamien at 7.15 P.M.
The general conclusion to which I came is that the trade on the West River beyond Kongkên is by no means enormous, and it is probable that at first steamers plying to Wuchow will have to depend to a great extent on their passenger receipts, but I have little doubt that increased facilities will lead to a great expansion of trade, provided that it is not strangled by the imposition of burdensome taxes and by that syndicate system to which this provincial Government is so partial.
I have, &c. (Signed)
E. H. FRASER.
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Page 360
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2
We left early on the 22nd May, and, after finding that there is a fair channel south of Kuang-lee Island, anchored at Kongkên, where we remained till the 27th. The frontage between Kongkén and the village marked Sun-hû on Mr. Ross's map has been bought up to a large extent by Chinese speculators, but the Hong Kong, Canton, and Macao Steamboat Company and another English Company have secured fair sites. I ascertained that the hill marked "F" is owned by two men, who would sell the whole or a part on condition that the existing graves were not interfered with, and, if only a portion were wanted, would agree not to sell the remainder to anyone. The price demanded is, however, very high, being 300 taels per mou.
The river rose some 9 feet during our stay here, otherwise it is extremely doubtful whether the "Tweed," drawing 94 feet, could have passed through the inner channels between Ma-ning and Canton.
Having found that there was considerable depth of water inside Kum-chuk Island, we proceeded by the Ma-ning entrance, Junction, Tailung, and Tamchau Channels, and anchored at Essex Point, beyond which our native pilot's knowledge did not extend. The country is rich, rice-fields surrounded by dykes planted with mulberry covering the low ground, which is continually being added to at the expenso of the creeks. The towns are prosperous-looking and the junk traffic considerable.
On the 28th we felt our way through the Saiwan Channel, where only 10 feet or even less were found in places, and up Hill Passage into the Canton River, anchoring off Shamien at 7.15 P.M.
The general conclusion to which I came is that the trade on the West River beyond Kongkên is by no means enormous, and it is probable that at first steamers plying to Wuchow will have to depend to a great extent on their passenger receipts, but I have little doubt that increased facilities will lead to a great expansion of trade, provided that it is not strangled by the imposition of burdensome taxes and by that syndicate system to which this provincial Government is so partial.
I have, &c. (Signed)
E. H. FRASER.
360
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