Directory_and_Chronicle_1938 — Page 810

A406

SANTUAO—FOOCHOW

addition, controlling offices were established both at Santuao and Saichi, with head office at Foochow, while godown and cargo boat facilities were improved. Prices in North China and abroad were favourable. Steamer shipments included 20,842 quintals of black tea and 35,199 quintals of green tea, showing increases of 6,851 quintals and 23,493 quintals respectively as compared with 1935. The amount carried by junks aggregated 4,471 quintals only, a decrease of 13,704 quintals. The extensive planting of sugar cane in the neighbouring districts subsequent to the cessation of poppy growing was mainly responsible for the larger exportation of brown sugar. The quantity shipped by juuks and inland steamers amounted to 11,710 quintals, or an increase of 7.831 quintals over the figure for the previous year. There was a further decline in the export of rice bowls, only a few kilns remaining in operation. Greater activity was shown in the export of paper, prices being considerably lower than in the previous year. In all 10,022 quintals was shipped to northern provinces via Foochow. There was no silver in circulation during the year, but new subsidiary nickel and copper coins were introduced by the Central Bank during the latter half of the year. The long-distance telephone to Foochow via Ningteh was freely availed of by the public.

DIRECTORY

關海福 Fu hai kwan

CUSTOMS, CHINESE MARITIME

Asst.-in-charge-T. Manuel Wong

Assistant - K'o Yu-p'ing

Boat officer-F. C. Parr

STANDARD - VACUUM OIL Co.-Cable Ad:

Standvac

Hsü Pai-hsi, agent

TELEGRAPH OFFICE

Fee Veng Fiang, manager

FOOCHOW

州福 Ful-chau

Foochow is the capital of Fukien province. It is situated in lat. 26 deg. 20 min. 24 sec. N., and long. 119 deg. 20 min. E. The city is built on a plain on the northern side of the river Min, and is distant about thirty-four miles from the sea, and nine miles from Pagoda Island, where foreign vessels anchor.

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The attention of foreigners was early attracted to Foochow as a likely place where commercial intercourse could be profitably carried on in the shipment of Bohea Tea, which is grown largely in the locality. Before the port was opened, this article used to be carried overland to Canton for shipment, a journey which was both long and difficult. The East India Company, as early as 1830, made representations in favour of the opening of the port, but nothing definite was done till the conclusion of the Treaty of Nanking in 1842. The early years of intercourse with the natives were anything but what was anticipated. The navigation of the river was difficult, there was no market for imports, and several attacks by the populace rendered the port an undesirable place. of residence for some time. It was not until some ten years after the port had been opened that there was much done in the export of tea from the interior, but after that the quantity shipped increased largely, and Foochow became one of the principal tea ports in China. From 1880, however, when the tea trade of the port reached its highest figure, the prosperity of the place has gradually waned.

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