Directory_and_Chronicle_1926 — Page 575

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

TAINAN, TAKOW AND ANPING

519

The last stand against the Japanese was made at Tainan, Takow and Anping by Liu-Yung-fu, the Black Flag General. Takow was bombarded on the 15th October, 1895, and the resistance collapsed without any serious fighting. Tainan and Anping were occupied on the 21st October.

Foreign shipping is mainly confined to vessels carrying oil, machinery, sulphate of ammonia and other fertilisers, and occasionally cargoes of sugar from Java, and its volume appears to be steadily increasing. The Japanese Government grants a subsidy of Yen 61,028 to the Osaka Shosen Kaisha for a fortnightly service between Anping and Hongkong via Amoy and Swatow. For direct steamers from Japan to the southern ports, a subsidy of Yen 124,800 is paid to the same company, as well as Yen 143,825 for a service of steamers round the coast of Formosa throughout the year. The residents in the southern ports have been agitating for the establishment of direct Mail lines to Japan, on the plea that it is a hindrance to their trade to have to ship by rail to Keelung. As regards the fruit trade, which is mainly a southern industry, an arrangement has recently been arrived at between shippers and the three principal lines running from Takow, that shipments will in future be made by steamer direct from that port, instead of from Keelung, as hitherto. Another development of southern trade that is being fostered is the fishing industry, in connection with which direct boats to Japan are now being run.

The Government Railway now runs day and night trains between Keelung and Takow, the length of which line is approximately 246 miles. There are many private light railways running inland from the main line, tapping the country districts. The chief of these was the Arisan Railway, which has now been acquired by the Government. This line taps the valuable timber forests on Mount Arisan, and is notable for its gradients and the number of tunnels along the route. Many of the private lines are owned by sugar companies who, in addition to transporting their materials, also carry passengers and goods.

Customs returns for 1923-24:-

Imports and Exports Combined (Yen 9,308,749 and Yen

Anping Takow

...

(,, 38,415,952

1,228,342) 130,602,705)

...

Total

...Yen 10,537,091 169,018,657

...

...Yen 179,555,748

The import trade is mainly in the hands of Japanese firms, the only item still in the hands of foreigners being kerosene. The Government has given every encourage. ment to the sugar industry, and many large modern mills have been erected during the past few years. Of the six staple industries of Formosa, Opium, Camphor and Salt have been monopolised by the Formosan Government, which now derives three- fourths of its ordinary revenue from these sources.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1926 — Page 575

Comments

Private Research Note