Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 582

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LUNGKOW-WEIHAIWEI

of mails and cargo is considerable in normal times. The value of land rose rapidly in the early part of 1924 but has since fallen very considerably in the old town. The beach and isthmus of Lungkow are of a loose drifting sand, which, in stormy weather, coupled with dust from the numerous coal supply depots on all sides, mar what otherwise might easily become a seaside resort for those whose work is in the near neighbourhood. The climate is slightly cooler than that of Chefoo, and no doubt one of the healthiest in China.

The opening of this port to foreign trade was due to overtures made to the Chinese Government by Japan. There is a large passenger trade between Shantung Province and Manchuria. The total passenger traffic of the port during 1930, amounted to 137,550 of which Inwards totalled 71,025 and Out- wards 66,525. The greatest part of this traffic was between Dairen with 54,539 and Newchwang with 68,974. Ocean steamers entering the port during the year recorded a registered tonnage, net, of 252,825 as against 89,318 in 1922. The unsettled conditions and local taxation, together with the depreciated price of silver resulted in a general depression of trade for the year. A favourable harvest throughout the neighbouring districts was the cause of the slackening of the migration of coolies to northern ports. Generally, the export trade was fair, there was a strong demand for vermicelli at Shanghai and Hongkong, which commodity revealed an increase of over 4,000 piculs as com pared with last year. The total export of vermicelli for 1930 was piculs 242,579 as against 237,947 in 1929 and 238,929 in 1928.

The total net value of the trade of the port for 1930 recorded Hk. Tls. 10,857,311, as compared with Hk. Tls. 10,890,246 in 1929, Hk. Tls. 10,421,682 in 1928, Hk. Tls. 11,803,880 in 1927, and Hk. Tls. 9,748,196 in 1926.

DIRECTORY

BRITISH-AMERICAN TOBACCO (CHINA), LTD.

-Tel. Ad: Powhattan

CUSTOMS, CHINESE MARITIME

Acting Deputy Com'er.-E. H. Hunter Assistant-Yü I-cheng

Clerks Jên chin Ming and Wang

Yien Ling

Boat Officer-G. W. Davis Examiner U. Araki

Tidewaiters-Whong Chang Chow,

Sung Hwei Han, Chang Chien Yung and Ho Lun Sin

ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION'S DISPENSARY

Rev. L. M. Frederic

WEIHAIWEI

衞海威 Weihaiwei

Weihaiwei is situated on the south side of the Gulf of Pechili near the extremity of the Shantung Promontory, and about 115 miles distant from Port Arthur on the north-west and the same from the port of Kiaochau on the south-west. Formerly a strongly fortified Chinese naval station, it was captured by the Japanese on 30th January, 1895, and was held by them pending the payment of the indemnity, which was finally liquidated in 1898. Before the evacuation by the Japanese an agreement was arrived at between Great Britain and China that the former should take over the territory on lease from the latter, and, accordingly, on the 24th May, 1898, the British flag was formally hoisted, the Commissioners representing their respective countries at the ceremony being Consul Hopkins, of Chefoo, and Captain King-Hall, of H.M.S. Narcissus, for Great Britain, and Taotai Yen and Captain Lin, of the Chinese war vessel Foochi, for China. Weihaiwei was leased to Great Britain "for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia," and was regarded by the