Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 1024

942

KONGMOON-WUCHOW

mostly come from beyond Wuchow and also from the North River. The yearly value of this branch of the trade is estimated at about $750,000. Owing to the frequent piracies in the delta the cocoon market hitherto established at Junki has been trans- ferred to Kongmoon, and the numerous steam launches and boats employed in this line of business give the port in front of the settlement a lively and animated appearance. There are two silk filatures in the town which afford employment to about 300 women each the total out-turn of silk amounts to about 100 catties per day. An interesting local industry is the dredging of large shells from which a good quality of lime is made. The annual production of these shells is estimated at 200,000 piculs, worth about $40,000. Quite an important industry has sprung up in Kongmoon, namely, the preserving and canning of Chinese fruit for export abroad, where it is consumed by the numerous Chinese in America, Australia and the Straits Settlements.

The unique opportunities presented for transport by the unrivalled waterways of the delta have been well developed by native cnterprise, and there is a large and lucrative passenger trade with Canton, Fatshan, Sancheong, Hongkong, Macao, etc. Large, roomy native passenger boats towed by powerful launches are engaged in this trade.

The surrounding country is picturesque, fertile and highly cultivated, and the inhabit- ants are prosperous and industrious. Rice is, of course, the principal crop, but mulberry shoots are very extensively cultivated for sale in the silk-producing centres, and large quantities of fresh vegetables are exported to supply the Hongkong market.

The net value of the port's trade in 1919 was Hk. Tls. 4,384,902, as against Hk. Tls. 4,586,923 in 1918, Hk. Tls. 5,178,633 in 1917 and Hk. Tls. 8,252,732 in 1916.

DIRECTORY

ASIATIC PETROLEUM CO.-Tel. Ad:Petrosilex

E. Jean Odufré, manager

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO Co. (CHINA),

LTD.

C. F. Croawell, manager

BRITISH CONSULATE

Consul-General-(residing at Canton)

CUSTOMS, CHINESE MARITIME

Acting Commissioner-H. D. Hilliard Assistant (Foreign)-A. Nakashima Medical Officer-J. A. McDonald Assistants-Wong Tat-tso, Huo Ch'ih Ch'ien and Cheung Iü-shang

Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master-

T. H. Smith

Examiners--L. G. J. W. Schmitto, A. Z. de Souza, J. R. Rendle, W. Battley Tidewaiters-F. A. Strandvig, E. W. Crawford, A. C. Fairburn and S. Boys

POST OFFICE, CHINESE

Postal Commissioner-F. A. Nixon

(Canton)

STANDARD OIL CO. OF NEW YORK-Tel. Ad-

Socony

E. Š. Winters, manager

J. E. Hartle, jr.

WUCHOW

州梧 j # Wi-chau

Wuchow, opened to foreign trade on June 4th, 1897, by the Special Article of the Burmah Convention, is situated on the Sikiang or West River at its junction with the Fu or Kuei (Cassia) River. By the steamer routes at present authorised it is distant about 220 miles from Hongkong and Canton. Wuchow is the limit of navigation for