Directory_and_Chronicle_1906 — Page 968

FOOCHOW

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Commissioner of Customs in his report for 1902 said: "It is evident that the tea trade in Fukien is in a very critical condition, being in the very unenviable position of depending for its prosperity on the shortage of other teas," Subsequent annual reports show that Foochow's interest for the world's market continues to dwindle.

A few years ago extensive mining concessions were granted in the north and west of the province of Fukien to a Chinese and French syndicate with a view to mining for gold. A French mining engineer of high repute made a careful survey of all the gold fields at Shao-wu Fu and reported them very valuable and all worth working. A company with a capital of one and a quarter million dollars has been formed to work the mines.

The city is built around three hills, and the circuit of the walled portion is between six and seven miles in length. The walls are about thirty feet high and twelve feet wide at the top. The streets are narrow and filthy, but the number of trees about the official quarter of the city, and the wooded hills enclosed by the walls, give a picturesque appearance to the general view, Two well-preserved pagodas stand within the city walls. Near the east gate of the city are several hot springs, which are used by the natives for the cure of skin diseases and are believed to be very efficacious. The Foochow people excel in the manufacture of miniature monuments, pagodas, dishes, etc., from what is called “soapstone," and in the construction of artificial flowers, curious figures of birds, etc. A few miles above the city the river divides into two branches, which, after pursuing separate courses for fifteen miles, unite a little above Pagoda Anchorage. The foreign settlement stands on the northern side of the island thus formed and which is called Nantai. A bridge across the river, known as the Long Bridge or Bridge of the Ten Thousand Ages, affords access to the city.

The climate of Foochow is mild and delightful for about nine months of the year, but in the summer it is rather trying, the range of the thermometer then being from 74 deg. Fahr, to 98 deg. A refuge from the heat of summer can, however, be gained by a three hours' chair ride to the top of Kuliang, which mountain resort is now much frequented by the foreign residents. The thermometer indicates an average of 10 degrees cooler on the mountain than it is in Foochow; the nights are always cool and blankets a necessity for comfort. Sharp Peak also affords a seaside and bathing resort which is much appreciated.

The scenery surrounding Foochow is very beautiful. In sailing up the Min river from the sea vessels have to leave the wide stream and enter what is called the Kimpat Pass, which is barely half-a-mile across, and enclosed as it is by bold, rocky walls, it presents a very striking appearance. The Pass of Min-ngan is narrower, and with its towering cliffs, surmounted by fortifications and cultivated terraces, is extremely pictur- esque, and has been compared to some of the scenes on the Rhine. The Yung Fu, a tributary of the Min, also affords some charming scenery, the hills rising very abruptly from the river bank. The Min Monastery, the Moon Temple, and the Kushan Monastery, all occupying most romantic and beautiful sites, are fine specimens of Chinese religious edifices, and are much resorted to by visitors. Game abounds in all the ravines and mountains in the vicinity of Foochow, while tigers and panthers are common in the more remote hills, and some of these beasts have been killed within ten miles of the city.

Foreign vessels, with the exception of those of very light draught, are compelled to anchor at Pagoda Island, owing to the shallowness of the river, which has been increasing of late years the difficulties of navigation; even at the anchorage the river is silting up in several places. The limits of the port of Foochow extend from the City Bridge to the Kimpai Pass. The Mamoi Arsenal, near Pagoda Anchorage, is an extensive Government establishment, where several good-sized gun- boats have been built. The Arsenal was bombarded by the French on the 23rd-24th August, 1884, and reduced to partial ruin, but has since been restored. The establish- ment has now been reorganised, and is administered by French experts. The construc- tion of a new dock in connection with the Arsenal was commenced in November, 1887, on Losing Island. The dock is over 300 ft. long and has very powerful pumps and a good steel caisson. A small daily paper called the Foochow Echo is published. There is a Government mint in operation. In June, 1900, the port was visited by the most disastrous floods known there in living memory, the river rising through heavy rains which overflowed and deluged the country, sweeping away villages and causing immense havoc and loss of life. The population of Foochow is estimated at 650,000.

The net value of the trade of the port coming under the cognisance of the Foreign Customs Tls. 16,738,718 in 1903 was Tls. 20,474,103 in 1904, against Tls. 15,292,890 in 1902, Tis. 14,432,516 in 1901, and Tls. 15,341,825 în 1900.

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