Directory_and_Chronicle_1906 — Page 1004

KONGMOON

1 Kong-moon

Kongmoon was added to the list of Treaty Ports on 7th March, 1904, in accordance- with the stipulations of Article X. of the Mackay Treaty. It is located some three miles upa creek on the West River, in the Kwangchow Prefecture of the Kwangtung Province in Lat. 22' 34′ 49′′ N. and Long, 113' 8′ 53′′ E. and is about 45 miles distant from Macao, 70 from Canton and 87 from Hongkong. The Creek on which it is built connects the West River with the sea at Ngaimoon and is a narrow and tortuous stream, the lower reaches of which, near the main river, are lined with rafts, while further up in the vicinity of the town it is crowded with native craft of every description, thus rendering navigation for steamers difficult at all times, but especially so when the current runs fast during the summer months. The steamer anchorage is in the West River at the mouth of the Creek, opposite the Imperial Maritime Customs, but the town is included in the Port Limits. The population of Kongmoon is about 55,000, and it has the appearance of being a more populous centre as it extends for a considerable distance on both banks of the stream. Formerly it was a business centre of considerable importance, but various causes have arisen which appear to have lessened its Commercial standing, and which have interfered adversely with the general prosperity of the port. In this connection the Commissioner of Customs in his Trade Report for 1904 remarks: "The opinion generally prevails that the proximity of Kongmoon to Hongkong and Macao and its favourable situation as an outlet and distributing centre for the southern prefectures of the province augur well for its future prosperity and development, while this is, to some extent, true, it should be remembered that facts have arisen which have tended to dimminish rather than increase its commercial, importance. Formerly it enjoyed direct communication with Shanghai and Foochow and was the real outlet and distributing centre for the South-western district of the Delta and the Southern prefectures of the province. The development of Hongkong and the opening of Kiungchow and Pakhoi as Treaty ports, however, have seriously interfered with the Junk trade and general welfare of the port, and have, besides, opened up other trade routes to districts hitherto dependent upon Kongmoon for their supplies. At present there are no indications that the sanguine expectations, based upon imperfect knowledge, entertained concerning the overestimated commercial possibilities of the place will be speedily, if ever, realized." There is daily steam communication with Hongkong; regular connection with Macao; and consider- able numbers of vessels trading under the Inland Waters Regulations arrive and depart daily.

There are also several large junks trading regularly to Hongkong,

Macao and the island of Hainan.

The principal articles of Export consist of prepared tobacco, joss-sticks, strawmats, palm-leaf fans, and fresh vegetables; and Imports are largely represented by dried fruits, foreign piece goods and foreign sundries, including a variety of Japanese com- modities of a cheap nature. Large quantities of softwood poles are floated down in the form of rafts which are dismantled here. These mostly come from beyond Wuchow and also from the North River. The yearly value of this branch of the trade is estimated at about $750,000. There are two silk filatures in the town which afford employment to about 300 women each: the total out-turn of silk amounts to about 100 catties per day.

The unique opportunities presented for transport by the unrivalled waterways of the Delta have been well availed of by native enterprise and there is a large and lucrative passenger trade with Canton, Fatshan, Sancheong, Hongkong and Macao, &c. Large roomy native passenger boats towed by powerful launches are engaged in this trade.

The surrounding country is picturesque, fertile and highly cultivated, and the inhabit- ants are prosperous and industrious. Rice is, of course, the principal crop, but mulberry shoots are very extensively cultivated for sale in the silk producing centres and large quantities of fresh vegetables are exported to supply the Hongkong market.