Directory_and_Chronicle_1922 — Page 631

FORMOSA

569

there are three gold mines in operation in the vicinity of Keelung, viz., at Kinkaseki, Zuiho, and Botanko. There are many coal mines, also, near Keelung, and sulphur springs exist in the north and centre of the island. The interior of the island is being gradually explored, but many years must elapse before it becomes thoroughly known. One great drawback to the island is its lack of good harbours, which is more especially felt on account of the strength of the monsoons in the Formosa Channel. These on the eastern side are few and neither commodious nor accessible; whilst on the west coast, with the exception of Keelung in the north and Takow in the south, they are little better than open roadsteads. Harbour improvements are still being car- ried out at Takow, whilst further important harbour works are in contemplation at Keelung, and are expected to be commenced in the near future. It is anticipated that at Takow in another two years it will be possible to handle 900,000 tons of cargo annually. It is estimated, too, that the harbour will be of sufficient capacity to accom. modate ten steamers each of 10,000 tons at the quays and twelve steamers below this tonnage at the buoys. Taipeh is the capital of Formosa, and Tainan is the chief city in the south of the Island. The open ports are four in number, viz., Takow and Anping in the south, and Tamsui and Keelung in the north. The latter was held for some months in 1884-5 by the French, under Admiral Courbet, but was evacuated on the 21st June, 1885. The rivers of Formosa are few, shallow, and winding, only navigable to small flat-bottomed boats. The scenery is delightful, and the climate is very pleasant in the winter, but hot in some parts of the island and malarious in the wet season. A railway traversing the west side of the island, from Keelung in the north to Ako in the -south- a distance of 275 miles-was officially opened by H. 1. H. Prince Kan-In on October 24th, 1908. A short line also connects Taipeh and Tamsui in the north. The total length of Government railways in existence at present appoximates 395.6 miles, but light railways and tramways, mostly privately owned, have a mileage of 1,115 and 578 miles, respectively. A line along the east coast is in course of construction; the following portions have been completed and opened, viz., 55.1 miles between Karenko and Gyokiri, opened on 1st November, 1917; 13.9 miles between Giran and Suwo, opened on 5th March, 1919; and 5.9 miles between Zuiho and Hatto, opened on 5th May, 1919. Work on the northern portion is in progress, but is likely to take some years to complete. The trade of the island shows a steady development, and municipal improvements are noticeable. In Keelung, Tamsui, Takow, Taipeh and the other principal cities water-works have been completed, and amongst the num- erous buildings are large markets. Electric light is laid on everywhere. In Taipeh there is a first-class European hotel. In many of the former Chinese centres practi- cally new towns have been built.

From the north of the island tea forms the principal export, the value shipped in 1920 to foreign markets being Yen 6.400,258, and to Japan Yen 292,801. Owing to the war the past three or four seasons liave been unsatisfactory ones as regards most industries, and last year was especially so in the case of this article, the business transacted being far smaller than usual. The camphor export to foreign countries in 1920 was Yen 4,335,545, and to Japan Yen 3,903,939. Rice to a value of Yen 17,118,664 was sent to Japan in 1920. Flax, hemp, and jute are amongst the articles of export, and there is a factory at Toyohara (formerly Konoton), about the centre of the Island, erected under official auspices, for the manufacture of Hessian cloth and jute bags for packing rice. Sugar has now become the leading industry of the island, the ship- ments during 1920 amounting to Yen 6,718,703 to foreign countries, and Yen 135,224,655 to Japan. The importation of Java sugar by some of the factories, first tried in 1918, still continues. There are now 42 sugar factories equipped with modern machinery in running order, their location being chiefly in the central and southern districts; in addition to which there are 58 factories of improved Formosan type and 290 old-style ones. It is likewise in contemplation to extend the industry to the manufacture of crystalised sugars, hitherto confined to Japan proper.

As regards Imports, Opium and Tobacco, coming under the Monopoly Law, are confined to the Government Bureau; their value in 1920 was Yen 6,062,314 and Yen 2,942,668 respectively. Kerosine, also, is an article of considerable importance. There is a large general business carried on with both Japan and foreign countries in imports of various descriptions.