Directory_and_Chronicle_1931 — Page 1064

NANNING

甯南 Nan-ning

An Imperial Edict issued in 1899 authorised the voluntary opening of Nanning as a Trade Mart, but it was not until 1st January, 1907, that the port was formally opened to foreign trade. Nanning is situated on the left bank of the Yukiang, the most important tributary flowing into the West River from the south, and is 368 miles above Wuchow and 213 miles below Lungchow. It lies in the centre of a wide

and fertile plain at a sharp bend of the river, which here describes nearly two- thirds of the arc of a circle and, according to the report of the West River Survey of 1915, is some 400 feet above mean sea-level. The climate is healthy, the temperature in the height of summer seldom exceeding 90 degrees (F.) and in the winter not falling below 40. Nanning is the capital city of the Province of Kwangsi and the seat of the highest Civil and Military officials. About one mile south of the walled city is the area which has been set apart as the Commercial Settlement, in which are situated the foreign merchants' business offices and residences, the Customs Estab- lishment, and the Settlement sub-Post Office. The Settlement was purchased out of Provincial public funds, and the laying out of roads, constructing and repairing the bund, and the maintenance of law and order within its boundaries are in the hands of a Board presided over by the Superintendent of Customs. Land within the Settlement cannot be purchased, but may be leased for a period of 30 years, and on expiry the lease may be renewed for another period of 30 years. Foreigners desiring to lease land within the Settlement must make their application through their Consul.

Next to Wuchow, Nanning is the most important port in the Province. The 1929 Trade Report for Nanning stated: "Despite generally favourable conditions, good crops, and a lively demand from Hongkong for the special products of the locality, the trade of Nanning declined. Political disturbances, which prevailed almost continuously from April to the end of the year, and brigandage in the country districts led to a complete bouleversement of the money market, with the result that a number of business houses were compelled to close their doors. Gasolene and lubricating oil were imported in larger quantities in the expectation that motor-cars would find ready sales in the province in view of its advanced motor-road system-an expectation, however, which was not realised. The only noteworthy increases in exports were under the headings aniseed oil, wolfram, and black fungus. The available supply of aniseed star was insufficient to meet the urgent demand from Hongkong. The work of moder- nising the city of Nanning made good progress, two long asphalt streets being com- pleted. The motor road, 304 miles long, from Nanning to within 10 miles of Wuchow was maintained in very fair repair, but the Nanning-Liuchow-Kweilin and the partly completed Nanning Lungchow roads relapsed very badly. There were five major wrecks of motor-boats during the year, but in every case the foundered vessel was eventually refloated."

The net value of the trade of the port in 1929 was Hk. Tls. 5,959,313, as compared with Hk. Tls. 6,523,908 in 1928, and Hk. Tls. 7,120,762 in 1927. The province abounds in natural wealth, both mineral and agricultural, and, given a continued period of peace and security within its borders and along its wonderful waterways and through the neighbouring province of Kwangtung to the sea, great advances in prosperity would speedily ensue.