Directory_and_Chronicle_1905 — Page 651

TAINAN-FU, TAKOW, AND ANPING

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Foreign shipping has been injuriously affected in recent years by a decrease in the volume of trade with the opposite coast, caused by the increased tariff on imports and the imposition of export duties in Formosa. The British Consul in his report for 1902 observed that with the exception of two sailing ships, which brought timber from Foochow, the British ships which visited Tainan during the year came from Hongkong or Swatow, chiefly in ballast, and loaded there with general cargo, principally sugar, for the northern coast ports of China. No British ships or foreign vessel cleared for the Japan ports during 1902, the large sugar and rice export being carried exclusively in Japanese steamers. The Japanese Government grants a subsidy of 61,028 yen to the Osaka Shosen Kaisha for a fortnightly steamer service between Anping and Hongkong via Amoy and Swatow, and in 1902 a direct steamer service was started between the ports of Japan and the southern ports of Formosa, for which the same Company receives a subsedy of 124,800 yen. A further subsidy of 143,825 yen is paid to the Company for a service of steamers around the coast of Formosa throughout the year. Since the war broke out the service from Hongkong is at present suspended, the Government requiring the steamers for transport purposes. The sea-going junk trade naturally is showing a steady decrease.

The construction of a through railway from Takow as its southern terminus viâ Tainan and Kagee to Taihoku in the north, was begun in the latter part of 1899. The period of construction was estimated at 10 years, and the cost at 28,800,000 yen, which was to have been raised by the issue, yearly of Formosa Industrial Public Loan Bonds at certain fixed amounts. The work progressed rapidly in 1900 and 1901, but in 1902 it was temporarily abandoned owing to lack of funds. The section between the port of Takow and the City of Tainan (28 miles) was opened in November, 1940, and the section between Tainan and Kagee (43 miles) was opened in March 1902. The railway in its present stage (although a great convenience to the public, and most useful from a military point of view) is not remunerative, and is not likely to become largely so until it has been fully constructed throughout the length of the island.

The proposed harbour works at Takow and Anping, and the other public works are postponed but will be proceeded with as soon as the necessary appropriations can be obtained. The harbours have been completely surveyed and the estimated cost is $6,500,00

DIRECTORY

記怡 Ee-kee

BAIN & Co., Merchants

A. W. Bain

H. W. Arthur

C. E. Hastings

Ko Thieng Sang

Agencies

Hongkong and S'hai. Banking Corpn. Norddeutscher Lloyd

Douglas Steamship Company, Limited Indo-China S. N. Company, Limited China Navigation Company, Ld. Canadian Pacific Railway Company Nippon Yusen Kaisha Lloyd's

Liverpool Underwriters' Association Canton Insurance Office, Limited China Traders' Insurance Co., Limited Hongkong Fire Insurance Co., Limited South British Fire and Marine Ins. Co.

Nouveau Lloyd Suisse

New York Life Insurance Company

Impl. Mar. & Trspt. Ins. Co., Ld., Tokyo

General Managers

South Formosa Ice Company, Ld.

BANK OF TAIWAN, Limited, Tel. Ad., Taigin

T. Ikeda, manager

CONSULATES

GREAT BRITAIN

also

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, Consulate DENMARK, Consular Agency FRANCE, Consular Agency GERMANY, Vice Consulate SPAIN, in charge of interests

UNITED STATES, Consular Agency

Consul-A. E. Wileman Pro-Consul-A. W. Bain Writer-Y. Musashi

Legible letters, written on the Remington Typewriter, bring business.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN