Directory_and_Chronicle_1924 — Page 594

532

FORMOSA

Amongst miscellaneous factories and mills at various places throughout the island may be mentioned a brewery, ice-works, two flour-mills, a rainie factory, a jute factory, cement works, several brick-works using Manchester kilns, numerous oil-extracting and rice mills, and several electric-light plants, also a gas factory in Taihoku.

The

From the north of the island tea forms the principal export, and the authorities arc energetically interesting themselves in its cultivation and preparation. The value shipped in 1922 to foreign markets was Yen 9,552,011, and to Japan Yen 139,860. camphor export to foreign countries in 1922 was Yen 4,417,977, and to Japan Yen 2,412,744. Rice to a value of Yen 13,581,618 was sent to Japan in 1922. There is a factory at Taihoku for the manufacture of ramie, which is grown in the island, and one at Toyohara (formerly Koroton), in the centre of the island, where Hessian cloth and jute bags for rice are inade. Sugar is now the leading industry in the island, the ship- ments during 1922 being to foreign countries, Yen 2,745,825; and to Japan, Yen 84,468,656. There are now 45 factories equipped with modern machinery, located chiefly in the central and southern districts, in addition to which there are 16 factories of improved Formosan type, and 101 old-style ones.

The following articles now come under the Monopoly Law, and can only be handled by the Government:-Opium, camphor, salt, tobacco, wines and spirits.

The trade of the island is steadily developing, and building and municipal improvements are progressing. In all the principal towns there are water-works, electric lighting, large markets, etc., and many of the former Chinese centres have been practically rebuilt. At present work is being pushed by a large Japanese Electrical Company under Governinent support with a view to the electrification of the railways and other industries of the island; but the work is likely to occupy some time, there being many difficulties to contend with, especially since the recent catastrophe in Japan.

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. Those 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 both at Keelung and Takow and these, when completed, will greatly increase the existing accommodation. At present not more than four vessels at Keclung, and six at Takow of above 6,000 tons each can be berthed on the quay fronts at one time. The depth at low water at the entrance to the harbours is 30 feet and 23 feet, respectively.

·

·

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 Heito (formerly Ako) in the south-a distance of 275 miles-was officially opened by H.I.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 approximates 469.10 miles, whilst light railways amount to 314 miles, and trolley lines, mostly privately owned, to about 1,400 miles. A line along the east coast is in course of construction; it has been completed between Keelung and Butanko, after which comes a break as far as Dairi, where running recommences to Suwo, a distance of 33.6 miles. Between this and Karenko there is again a break, whilst from the latter to Giokuri, 55.1 miles, the line is working, when another gap occurs, beyond which, from Taito to Riro, a span of 27.7 miles, it is in running order. From Takow to Panryo (the name of which has recently been changed to Borio), near the southern extremity of the island, work is still proceeding, the line being open as far as Choshu. On the west coast a loop line of 56 miles between Chikunan and Oden (near Shoka) has been completed and is now working. Hugging the coast, as it does, it avoids the steep gradients and numerous tunnels of the main line between Chikunau and Kori. On the through line sleeping-cars are now run for the accommodation of first-class passengers.