Directory_and_Chronicle_1912 — Page 962

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

KIAOCHAU

821

Shantung Railway was cut by Prince Henry of Prussia in October, 1899, and the line to Chinanfu was opened on the 1st June, 1904. It has done a prosperous business from the day it was opened. In 1909 the goods traffic over the line amounted to 712,600 tons, an increase of over 50 per cent. on the previous year's figures, but the passenger traffic was less satisfactory. Only 640,190 persons were carried in 1909 as compared with 828,755 during 1908. The coal mines are progressing favourably. The output of the Shangtung Mining Co. at Fangtse and Hungshan in 1909 was 432,000 tons, as compared with 322,682 tons in 1908. A brewery, soap factory, and a tannery are in full work. Fruit grafting is just becoming a promising enterprise. The development of the town of Tsingtau has made considerable progress; the town is partly lit by electricity, houses are springing up in all directions, and a system of water supply has now been completed. The new harbour works are nearly finished. The outer breakwater and two piers have been in use since March, 1904. The dry dock commenced operations in October, 1905, and continues to expand. The dock employs 36 Europeans and an average of 1,300 Chinese workmen. There are two German newspapers published, a weekly paper called the Kiautschou Post and a daily paper called Tsingtauer Neueste Nachrichten. The climate is temperate, and it is expected that the Bay will in course of time become a summer resort for the residents of Shanghai, there being an excellent bathing beach. Kiaochaų has become the principal market in North China for strawbraid. Passengers and goods now freely move to and from the hinterland without any Customs control or restriction.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1912 — Page 962

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