Directory_and_Chronicle_1933 — Page 885

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

SOOCHOW

805

completed in December of the same year. A new Y.M.C.A. building was opened in December, 1921. The Chinese and European school dates back to 1900. With a view to promoting local industries, an exhibition of domestic products was held in November 1930 and lasted three weeks, thousands of spectators being attracted daily to the ex- hibition ground. On new year's day 1931, a new city gate named "Chin Mên" (F), replacing the Hsin Chang Mên and a little to the south of it, was open to traffic. The city of Soochow has thus, in addition with the newly built "Ping Mên" (↑ F9), eight city-gates, much to the convenience of the travelling public. The year 1931 witnessed the growth of a great many modern banking institutions. Branch offices of Chinese modern banks established in this city and opened to business during 1931 were the Ching Ch'eng Bank (7); The Chinese Manufacturer's Bank (4 N N 1# ); The Peasants' Bank (17); The Oriental Bank (17); and The State Bank (##).

TRADE IN 1931

The cocoon crop of 1931 was an exceeding poor one which was primarily due to the fact that a large quantity of silkworms were killed during their first stage on account of the cold and damp weather which then prevailed. The production "of cocoons was so low that they were hardly sufficient for local use the harvest being estimated at only 30% of a normal year's yield. The shortage of cocoons coupled with the dullness of the silk market both abroad and at home compelled the two remaining filatures to close their doors. The Soo Lun cotton mill was the only cotton mill which continued to work in full swing with considerable success throughout the year, following its reorganisation and alteration in 1928. New weaving machines were added to its equipment. It now produces cotton cloth in addition to cotton yarn. Artificial silk and American and Indian raw cotton disppeared from the returns, but it is estimated that considerable quantities arrived through channels which do not come under the cognizance of the Customs. The total value of the export trade showed a decrease of some 5 million taels, mainly due to the small shipments of re-reeled and filature white raw silk. Rape seed-cake and rape seed maintained their position:

The Kiangsu Likin Collectorate and its stations were abolished from the 1st January 1931, but their buiness was not finally wound up until the beginning of following month.

The net value of the trade of the port passing through the Maritime Customs in 1931 was Hk. Tls. 6,878,380, as compared with Hk. Tls. 13,094,455 in 1930, Hk. Tls. 19,458,780 in 1929, Hk. Tls. 15,417,736 in 1928, Hk. Tls. 19,222,490 in 1927, Hk. Tls. 20,013,978 in 1926, and Hk. Tls. 19,458,780 in 1925. This represents only a portion of the total trade of the port, a quantity of which does not come under the jurisdic- tion of the Customs.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1933 — Page 885

Comments

Private Research Note