Directory_and_Chronicle_1912 — Page 1296

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1044

KONGMOON

for 1904 remarked: "The opinion generally prevails that the proximity Hongkong and Macao and its favourable situation as an outlet an centre for the southern prefectures of the province augur well for its fu and development. While this is, to some extent, true, it should be re facts have arisen which have tended to diminish rather than increase importance. Formerly it enjoyed direct communication with Shangh and was the real outlet and distributing centre for the south-western Delta and the Southern prefectures of the province. The developmen and the opening of Kiungehow and Pakhoi as treaty ports, however interfered with the junk trade and general welfare of the port, and opened up other trade routes to districts hitherto dependent upon their supplies. At present there are no indications that the sanguir based upon imperfect knowledge, entertained concerning the overestima possibilities of the place will be speedily, if ever, realized.” The large ine 1905 failed to alter his opinion, but the improvement in the trade of th to be steady, and it is hoped that the opening of the Railway, with tl ication by steamers with Hongkong, will help to increase the volume ‹ through Kongmoon. The trade returns of 1909 show an increase of Tls 6- value in 1908. There is daily steam communication with Hongkong, res with Macao, and considerable numbers of vessels trading under the Regulations arrive and depart daily. There are also several larg regularly to Hongkong, Macao, and the island of Hainan. A railway running southwards to Sunning, a distance of just over 17 miles, structed under the supervision of native engineers, trained in Amer have been continued southward to Samgaphoi, on the coast, a distance it, however, stops short three miles from the sea, as to take the line ri involve laying out a new town on the water front and dredging opera cannot at present afford. They intend devoting their available capital t line from the shore opposite at Kungyik to Kongmoon via Sunwei, rich districts, and will undoutedly prove beneficial to the trade of Kong ning Railway Company has obtained the concession to extend the lin but matters have been delayed considerably owing to the objections rais Han Railway Company to the Sunning Railway Company coming to th Kongmoon, which they allege is within their concession. But in spite opposition raised by the Yueh Han Railway Co. the Sunning Railway been allowed to build their line to Kongmoon, and the whole length f the river opposite Kungyik to Kongmoon has been surveyed and work ments commenced. A Telegraph Office was opened on the 8th Dece telegraphic communication is now possible with the Fatshan office.

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The principal articles of export consist of prepared tobacco, joss-sť palm-leaf fans, and fresh vegetables; and imports are largely repre fruits, foreign piece goods and foreign sundries, including a variety of modities of a cheap nature. Large quantities of softwood poles are floa form of rafts, which are dismantled here. These mostly come from beyo also from the North River. The yearly value of this branch of the tra at about $750,000. There are two silk filatures in the town which affo to about 300 women each: the total out-turn of silk amounts to a per day. An interesting local industry is the dredging of large she good quality of lime is made. The annual production of these shell: 200,000 piculs, worth about $40,000. Quite an important industry h Kongmoon, namely, the preserving and canning of Chinese fruit for where it is consumed by the numerous Chinese in America, Australia Settlements.

The unique opportunities presented for transport by the unrivalled w Delta have been well availed of by native enterprise, and there is a lar passenger trade with Canton, Fatshan, Sancheong, Hongkong and Mac roomy native passenger boats towed by powerful launchies are engaged

The surrounding country is picturesque, fertile and highly cultivated, ants are prosperous and industrious. Rice is, of course, the principal cro shoots are very extensively cultivated for sale in the silk producing cer quantities of fresh vegetables are exported to supply the flongkong ma

The net value of the port's trade in 1910 was Hk. Tls. 6,138,386 as Tls. 5,301,242 in 1909 and Tls. 4,652,827 in 1908.