Directory_and_Chronicle_1929 — Page 565

FORMOSA

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Amongst sundry factories and mills at various places in the island are ice-works, a brewery, a straw-board factory, two flour-mills, fertiliser factories, ramie and jute mills, cement works, brick-works (many using Manchester kilns), numerous oil- extracting and rice mills, several electric-light plants, and a gas works (in Taipeh).

From the north of the island tea forms the principal export, and the authorities are energetically pushing its cultivation and preparation. The value shipped to foreign markets in 1926 was Yen 10,342,044, of whicli about half was Ooloong, and the remain- der Pouchong, a scented tea mainly consumed in Netherlands India and the Straits. Camphor, the annual production of which about ten years ago footed up to 86,000 piculs has in recent years declined, and is now in the neighbourhood of about 60,000. It is estimated that the supply of natural camphor will be exhausted in another thirty years, or so. Export in 1926 amounted to Yen 1,801,395, and to Japan Yen 1,549,519 together with Yen 2,506,762 of camphor oil. Coal exports anìounted to Yen 8,028,782, of which Yen 1,118,321 went to Japan, and the remainder abroad. The export of rice to Japan in 1926 amounted to Yen 46,118,059. Bananas and canned pineapples are like- wise exported to Japan and Dairen, shipments amounting to Yen 10,279,525, and Yen 1,591,018 respectively. The production of sugar, the leading industry of the island, in the 1926-7 season amounted to piculs 7,525,947 of a value of Yen 98,847,325. During 1926 imports of sulphate and bean-cake amounted respectively to 76,818 tons, and 209,066,872 kins. Sugar Factories: there are now 47 of these equipped with inodern machinery scattered throughout the island, mostly in the central and southern dis- tricts, in addition to 13 factories of improved Formosan_type, and 132 old-style ones. Alcohol to a value of Yen 3,654,063 was shipped to Japan, in 1926, and Yen 1,570,535 sent abroad. Of Miscellaneous items: Lumber, cement, dried fish, salt, sweet potatoes, cotton cloth, etc., over Yen 32,134,056 were likewise exported, of which about Yen 14,870,810 went to Japan and the remainder abroad.

The following articles are classified under the Monopoly Law, and can only be handled by the Government:-Opium, camphor, salt, tobacco, wines and spirits. Total imports amounted to Yen 148,182,890.

The trade and industries of the island are steadily developing, and both fish and fruit are now being largely exported to the mother-country and Dairen, whilst recently attention has been directed to the gathering of coral, supplies of which have been found in the waters of the northern vicinity. All the principal towns are now equipped with water-works, electric lighting, and large markets, etc., and con- nection between them by motor lines of cars is becoming general, replacing the push cars hitherto mainly in use.

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 Keelung, 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.

A railway traversing the west side of the island, from Keelung in the north to Keishu in the south 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. 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. On the through-line, sleeping- cars are now run for the accommodation of first-class passengers only. There is also a railway along the East coast.