Directory_and_Chronicle_1927 — Page 679

PEI-TAI-HO AND CHINWANGTAO

611

has a legal and, to a certain extent, judicial status. It has expended large sums of money in making excellent roads, lined with trees, and intends to throw the whole of the Lotus Hills open as a public park.

Chinwangtao owes its existence as a seaport to the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company, Ltd. (now amalgamated with the Lanchow Mining Company under the title of The Kailan Mining Administration). It serves primarily as port of ship- ment for Kaiping coal. It is situated on the western coast of the Gulf of Liau Tung and is distant about 10 miles W.S.W. of Shanhaikwan. The breakwater and pier form- ing the harbour are so constructed that vessels may lie alongside at any state of the tide and in all weathers, discharging from or loading directly into railway cars, so that there is the minimum of handling and loss by breakage.

Accommodation for steamers is shown in the following table:-

At Breakwater-

Depth at L.W.O.S.T.

Berth No.

Length in Feet

in Feet

3

320

23

4

320

27.5

5

380

29.5

6

380

30

7

420

30.1

At Pier--

12

380

18.6

350

20.2

Very complete arrangements have been made to insure rapid loading of coal at all times. Over 13,500 tons have actually been loaded on one day. For handling general cargo an equipment of locomotive cranes has been installed. Single lifts up to 7 tons can be dealt with. For heavier weights special arrangements can be made. The harbour and the large coal storage yards are exceptionally well lighted by electricity, and work proceeds by night a swell as by day throughout the year.

Good fresh water from the Tongho River may be obtained from hydrants on the Breakwater and Pier.

The Port of Chinwangtao is accessible throughout the year. As a trade distribut- ing centre, its position as an open port on the main line of the Peking-Mukden Railway gives it a great advantage.

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, has good golf links, and is situated amidst magnificent mountain scenery, while a hotel under experienced management and numerous summer bungalows afford the visitor every comfort.

The Administration owns large areas of land in the vicinity of the port. A good harbour, good water, electric light, and cheap coal offer exceptional inducements for industrial enterprises, and it is expected that there will be a great development in this direction in the near future.

The Yao Hua Mechanical Glass Company have erected a glass factory at Chin- wangtao. The establishment, which covers about 110 mou of land, is one of the largest of its kind in existence. The capital of the Company is $1,500,000 plus $600,000 debentures.

The great increase of trade year by year has induced the Chinese 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 convenience of local consignees. The total value of the trade for 1925 was Hk. Tls. 16,981,051, as compared with Hk. Tls. 17,663,651 in 1924, Hk. Tls. 20,467,972 in 1923, Ék. Tls. 16,265,506 in 1922, Hk. "Tls. 22,447,055 in 1921, and Hk. Tls. 17,180,516 in 1920.