Directory_and_Chronicle_1905 — Page 965

LAPPA-SAMSHUI

Customs Watchers—C. C. N. Hansen, J. James, C. Fisher, G. Ward, B. Hutchence, J. Rees, D. Munro, S. Larsen, J. Boyd, J. Fiddes, A. H. Hangen, E. Lepsöe, N. P. Christian- sen, O. Perkins

Station Watchers, B-M. F. d'Assis, A. Z. de Souza, M. J. Barreira, Jr.

Cruising Launch-"Lungtsing

Officer in charge-J. Power

Launch Officer-D. Munro

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Revenue Launch—“C'umsing

Officer in charge -T. Hembrey Launch Officer-C. Fisher Revenue Launch--“Lui Pin"

Officer in charge--A. Chanings Revenue Launch-"Lui Kuk "

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Officer in charge-C. C. N. Hansen Stations under Lappa Customs - Malowchow, Chienshan, Shekkok, Kwanchiap, Nine Islands, Wang Moon, Tung Ho, Mongchao, Gae Moon, Nai Wan Moon

SAMSHUI

* Sám-chwui 水三

The Treaty port of Samshui, opened in 1897 under the Burmah Convention-nearly forty years after Consul Harry Parkes' East River Expedition-is situated near the junction of the West and North Rivers, in lat. 23 deg. 6 min. 30 sec. N., and long. 112 deg. 53 min. and 48 sec. E. The anchorage, known as Hokow, at which foreigners reside, was formerly an ordinary Chinese fishing village, with boat building as its leading industry, and a flooded state in summer as its characteristic peculiarity, but it is fast becoming a busy town. According to the Convention, the town of Samshui and Kongkên (a dirty little village sleeping among the hills opposite Hokow) together constitute the port area. The formal opening took place on 4th June, 1897, since which date the net value of the trade of the port coming under the cognizance of the Foreign Customs has grown to nearly three million taels. The junk traffic is simply enormous and the lekin station is the first in the province. The district city of Samshui itself is surrounded by an imposing wall built in the 6th year of Chia Ching of the Ming's (about A.D. 1560), the year after the place attained to the dignity of a magistrate's cure. Within the wall the houses are poor and the place is wanting in life-a condition in which it has remained throughout the present dynasty and in contrast (say the records) to its affluent state under the Mings. Without the North Gate stands an imposing temple, temp Chia Ching (circa 1800). Between the town and the river is a fine nine-storied pagoda-probably of the Ming dynasty.

The business focus of the district is Sainam, a large well-built town of no great antiquity, three miles distant, on the creek leading to Fatshan. The inhabitants are not lacking in enterpirse and there is a steam silk filature and a steam flour mill. Here an interesting occupation is the tinning of rice-birds, soles and game. The rice birds are caught in reed patches at night in a bag net, into which they are swept by a rope drawn over the reeds. The season is short, lasting only for six weeks in the Autumn.

Three sets of steamer lines converge here, from Canton, Hongkong and Macao respectively, and tourists in China can do many worse things than visit the West River, and should not fail to explore this port and its environs. Numerous steam launches carrying passengers or towing passenger boats ply between Samshui and neighbouring cities on the West and North Rivers and on the creek leading to Fatshan and Canton. A railway line from Canton to Samshui via Fatshan was inaugurated on the 26th September, 1904. So far there are only two daily trains each way and they are well patronized by Chinese passengers. In the Summer malignant diseases-fever, dengue, cholera, plague, etc.-may occasionally appear, as in every other place in China; but in the Winter, the air is keen, bracing and clear. The waterways and surrounding country are picturesque and the adjacent heights (from 200 to 400 ft.) worthy of ascent. Game, especially snipe, duck and geese, is to be found in fair quantities. The temperature varies from 38° F. to 100° F.-dry in winter, damp in summer-but generally very supportable.

The Chinese Imperial Post Office with a Head office at Samshui is connected by steamers with Hongkong and by rail with Canton and with all important cities in the neighbourhood by steam launches or couriers.

There is no telegraph station at Samshui, but telegrams are forwarded via Sairam by messengers.

REMINGTON TYPEWRITERS work well and wear well.

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Original from 12* UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN