Directory_and_Chronicle_1938 — Page 528

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WEIHAIWEL

rugged mountains and rocky hills up to 1,500 feet high, dividing the plains into valleys and river beds. The island of Liu Kung, once barren and nearly treeless but now verdant and picturesque as the result of a system of afforestation inaugurated in 1910, is formed by a backbone of hills rising to some 500 feet. The hillsides on the main- land, of which Port Edward is the chief port, are either barren rock or planted with dwarf pine and scrub oak trees. The valleys are mostly undulating country full of gullies and mountain river-beds; the streams are all torrential and choke up the valleys with sand and debris from the hills. During three-quarters of the year these river beds are dry. All the hills are terraced for cultivation as far as possible. The total area of the territory is about 285 square miles.

The strata of the mountains are metamorphic, consisting of beds of quartzite, gneiss, crystalline, and limestone, cut across by dykes of volcanic rock and granite. Gold is found in the territory and has been worked by the Chinese, and silver, tin, lead, and iron are said to exist. Good building-stone and a rich non-hydraulic limestone are found. The territory contains some 360 villages, and the population was estimated in 1931 at 195,000. There are five small market towns, where fairs are held every five days.

The majority of the Chinese inhabitants are either fishermen or farmers, and are a peaceful, law-abiding folk.

The Government of Weihaiwei up to the date of rendition was administered by a Commissioner appointed under the Weihaiwei Order-in-Council of the 24th July, 1902, with powers similar to those of a Colonial Governor. Under this Order the Commissioner was einpowered to make Ordinances for the administration of the territory. It is now administered by a High Commissioner appointed by the National Government of the Republic of China, who acts directly under the orders of the Executive Yuan at Nanking

Weihaiwei is now a fairly regular port of call for many China coasting steamers sailing northwards from Shanghai. The harbour is well lighted by two lighthouses. The climate of Weihaiwei is exceptionally good, and the winter, though cold, is dry and bracing. A land and building company formed in Shanghai, has erected several commodious European bungalows. There is a large hotel on the mainland capable of accommodating over 100 people, and also a hotel on the Island with accommodation for 50 to 60. Both on the mainland and on the island good roads have been made by the local Government, and there are recreation parade grounds and golf courses in both places.

The city of Weihaiwei (which lies on the mainland opposite the island of Liu Kung) is a walled town of about 2,000 inhabitants. The town is a poor one, and the greater portion of the enclosed area is not built on, but cultivated for vegetables. New roads and a Public Park have been constructed recently, and two of the four picturesque towngates have been demolished to admit carriages.

No Customs duties were collected at Weihaiwei during the British régime. In spite of the low taxation, the growing prosperity of the territory under British rule caused the public revenue to increase from about $2,000 in 1900 to about half a million dollars in 1930. But a Chinese Maritime Custom House has now been established. This and the establishment of other Central Government Revenue Collecting Depart- ments, such as the Salt Gabelle and the Wine and Tobacco Tax Bureau, has resulted in increased taxation accompanied by a diminution of the revenues available for local government. The Municipal Government is now dependent on a subsidy from the Central Government for balancing its budget. The curtailment of the commercial advantages dependent on what was practically a free port has reduced the volume of business and depressed land values. The system of Government is now more elaborate and the number of officials has greatly increased since Rendition.

TRADE IN 1936

Another peaceful year was passed in the Weihaiwei district, and with the removal of the unfavourable financial conditions which prevailed during the preceding year, conditions were on the whole, favourable to trade, though the political situation was the cause of some uneasiness. The total value of the trade of the district recorded in the Customs statistics amounted to $10.6 million, showing a negligible decline compared