Directory_and_Chronicle_1907 — Page 672

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

SHIMONOSEKI AND MOJI

These two towns are situated one on each side of Shimonoseki Straits, the western entrance of the Inland Sea -- the former on the north and the latter on the south side. The interests of both towns, so far as shipping is concerned, are identical, and a move- ment exists to have both embraced ́in one new ken, in place of, as at present, Shimonoseki being under the jurisdiction of Yamaguchi, 51 miles away, and Mojí under that of Fukuoka, 47 miles away. The foreign merchants have their offices on the side that suits their own convenience, Custom House and Bankshaving establishments on both sides of the Straits. There is a fairly strong tidal current through the Straits, but the anchorage, which is along the south shore, is only affected by an eddy, and good holding ground is general. Steamers entering from the West can get pilots at Rokuran light, where boats have to stop in any case for medical inspection and harbour master's instructions. From the eastward this inspection takes place at Hezaki Light. The climate is exceedingly healthy, and means of transport are good. Liners run regularly to all foreign ordinary ports of call; and while from Shimonoseki the Sanyo Railway taps the North, from Moji the Kiushiu Railway taps the South of Japan. Excellent foreign accommodation can be had at the Shimonoseki Station Hotel, belonging to the Sanyo Railway. This Railway has also two large ferry boats plying between Moji and the Shimonoseki Station, while a ten-minute ferry plies between the usual landing places at Moji and Shimonoseki. Waterworks are in course of construction for Shimonoseki and being talked of for Moji. Both places are lit by electricity and are connected by telephone with the principal towns, from Kumamoto and Nagasaki in the South, to Chofu in the North. Imports for 1905 amounted to Yen 9,754,460, and Exports to Yen 16,240,720. Imports consist principally of machinery, iron ore, sugar, raw cotton, and flour; and Exports of coal, cotton yarn, and rice. The quantity of coal exported in 1905 was 4,000,783 tons, including foreign bunkers. 7,135 vessels entered into Shimonoseki and Moji in 1905, representing a total tonnage of 8,414,924, of which 781 vessels of 1,900,385 tons were British. These are double the normal statistics, and the great increase in the shipping since 1903 (when the figures were 2,541 vessels aggregating 3,734,872 tons) is due to the fact that numerous transports called at the ports on their way to Manchurian ports with troops and military stores. The population of Shimonoseki at the end of 1905 was 48,710, and of Moji 44,113. It should be specially noted that photographing and sketching are forbidden within a radius of ten miles round Shimonoseki and Moji on land and sea. The law in this respect is strictly enforced and ignorance is not accepted as an excuse.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1907 — Page 672

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