Directory_and_Chronicle_1887 — Page 400

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 harbour, 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 Hûbei, is situated on the north side of the river, about two miles from the bar. The trade at Tamsui is not extensive. Tea grows on the hills in the locality, and the production of Formosa Oolongs is annually increasing. In 1872 the export only amounted to 19,513 piculs, 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. The limits of the port are defined to be from Sand Point in straight line bearing N. N. E. to Red Fort. On the 2nd October, 1884, the French ships under Admiral Courbet commenced the bombardment of Tamsui from outside the bar, the entrance to the river having been blocked by the Chinese, and continued it until the forts were dismantled and silenced. On the 8th October a landing was effected by the French, and a sharp engagement with the Chinese troops ensued, but in the end the French had to return to their boats, the landing party being too small to take the place. The population of Tamsui is estimated at 95,000. The principal exports are Tea, Camphor, and Coal. Trade was suspended altogether for the three latter months of 1884 owing to the French blockade of the coast. The import of Opium in 1885 was 1,436 piculs, and in 1884, 1,270 piculs. The value of the trade of the port in 1885 was Tls. 4,499,255, and in 1884, Tls. 3,630,379.

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The port of Klung lies to the north-east of Tamsui, in latitude 25 deg. 9 min. N. and longitude 121 deg. 47 min. E. It is situated on the shores of a bay between the capes of Foki and Peton, some twenty miles apart, amidst bold and striking scenery, backed by a range of mountains. It was once a Spanish Settlement, but was subs quently captured and held by the Dutch until they in turn gave place to the Chinese under Koxinga. Though only a mere village, it has long carried on a con- siderable native trade with Amoy, Chin-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 Government, 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 worked. Kelung was opened to foreign trade at the same time as the other Formosan 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 bombarded by the French under Admiral 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 about to be constructed.

DIRECTORY.

Consulates. BRITISH.

Consul-H. A. Giles Writer-Lin Hsün Chên

Linguist-Yeap Thian-lye Constable-P. W. Petersen

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN.

Acting Consul-H. A. Giles

GERMAN.

Acting Vice-Consul-H. A. Giles

UNITED STATES. Consular Agent-T. G. Gowland

NETHERLANDS.

Consul-C. Pye

SWEDEN AND NORWAY.

Vice-Consul-Francis Cass

SPAIN.

Acting Vice-Consul-H. A. Giles