Directory_and_Chronicle_1915 — Page 806

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

PEI-TAI-HO AND CHINGWANGTAO

805

draft of 25 feet from discharging, provided they are prepared to take the mud at low water. The Company have at present three steam cranes available for weights up to five tous each, and, generally speaking, it may be said that the loading and discharging facilities are excellent. On one occasion 73,000 bags of flour were taken out of one steamer in 27 consecutive hours, whilst on another 4,000 tons of coal were loaded on to one steamer in 31 consecutive hours. These facilities, resulting from the Company's liberal exenditure of capital, have caused Chinwangtao to become a formidable rival for the trade hitherto shipped via Taku to Tientsin. The port is accessible throughout the year, for, though in hard winters there is occasionally a good deal of floating ice in the Gulf, there is no case on record of a steamer having been prevented by ice from making the port. It is, in fact, practically the only port in the Gulfs of Pechili and Liau Tung accessible during the winter, which, on an average, extends from December 10th to March 10th. Good, sheltered anchorage also is to be found in the Roads. The Company's branch line runs from the pier to Tongho, four miles distant, on the main trunk line from Newchwang and Mukden to Peking. The Company own the land in the vicinity of the port, and that portion of the property known as the Bluff, com- prising the best residential and building sites, has now been laid out as a township, in which plots may be bought or leased on moderate terms.

As a seaside health resort Chinwangtao is almost without rival in China. It is easily accessible, has a dry and bracing climate, offers safe bathing from a sandy beach, and is situated amidst magnificent scenery; while a hotel under experienced manage- ment affords the visitor every comfort. The great increase of trade year by year has induced the Imperial Maritime Customs to erect a fine Customs house at Chinwangtao, with a deputy commissioner in charge, and to open a Hai Kwan Bank for the con- venience of local consignees. The total value of the trade for the year 1913 amounted to Hk. Tis. 18,821,592. Chingwangtao was selected on account of its natural geographical advantages as one of the ports of embarkation for coolies emigrating_to South Africa, and during 1904 an extensive depot was established for the accommda- tion of five or six thousand men.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1915 — Page 806

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