Directory_and_Chronicle_1937 — Page 792

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FOOCHOW

tributary of the Min, also affords some charming scenery, the hills rising very abruptly from the river bank. The Min Monastery, the Moon Temple, and the Kushan Monastery, all occupying most romantic and beautiful sites, are fine specimens of Chinese religious edifices, and are much resorted to by visitors. Game abounds in all the ravines and mountains in the vicinity of Foochow, while tigers and panthers are common in the more remote hills, and some of these beasts have been killed within ten miles of the city.

Most foreign vessels are compelled to anchor at Pagoda Anchorage owing to the shallowness of the river above that point. The limits of the port. of Foochow extend from the City Bridge to the Kimpai Pass. The Min River Conservancy have, however, forseveral years been engaged in dredging and draining the river which is now nav igable for vessels not exceeding 15 feet in draught and 265 feet in length right up to the City Bridge. Consequently since 1934 some small coasting vessels from Shanghai have regularly steamed right up to Foochow.

There is a Government Naval Yard at Mamoi, with a dock over 300 feet long. The establishment includes a training college for naval cadets with British instructors. The population of Foochow, comprising Foochow City and the suburbs of Nantai on the banks of the Min River, amounts to 357, 790 persons (Police census, July 1935). The trade of Foochow continues to fail. Imports from abroad fell from $10,621,000 n 1932 to $9,460,000 in 1933, $7,534,000 in 1934 and $6,754,000 in 1935. Exports fell from $4,816,000 in 1932 and $4,804,000 in 1933, to $4,426,000 in 1934 and $3,496,000 in 1935.

KULIANG AND SHARP PEAK

鼓嶺 Ku Liang 川石

JI Chuan Shih (Sharp Peak)

A refuge from the heat of summer at Foochow can be gained by a ride of half an hour by car and two hours by chair to the top of Kuliang, i.e., "Drum Pass," which is a mountain resort situated about nine miles east of Foochow. The thermometer indicates an average of 10 degrees cooler on the mountain than it is in Foochow; the nights are always cool and blankets are a necessity for comfort. Dr. Rennie was the first to build a house of foreign design at Kuliang in 1886. Now there are upwards of one hundred such houses, and every summer between four and five-hundred persons, chiefly missionaries, are in residence on the mountain. According to the Admiralty Chart, Kushan the last summit on the ridge reaches a height of 2,900 feet. Kuliang itself is from 2,000 to 2,500 feet high. Nearly five miles of stone-paved roads about three feet in width have been made under the supervision of a Public Improvement Committee, appointed by the residents, the necessary funds being provided by voluntary contribution. The greatest charm of Kuliang are the mountain walks, and there are many interesting places within easy walking distance. A Chinese Post Office and a Telegraph Office are opened at Kuliang every year from the middle of June to the middle of September, and daily mail connection with Foochow is maintained. In 1934, Kuliang was connected with Foochow by telephone. There are many private tennis courts and seven public courts on the mountain, also a swimming pool, as well as mountain streams where swimming can be enjoyed. Sharp Peak an Island at the entrance of the Min River about 30 miles from Foochow, also, affords a seaside and bathing resort which is much appreciated by Foochow residents. The American missions and the Anglican Mission each have sanatoria there. It is also the place of landing of the E. E., A. & C. Telegraph Co.'s cables.