Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 684

A442

KONGMOON

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lines of business came to a standstill. By the end of 1938, however, a brisk trade had again developed via Macao, to take advantage of which the Kongmoon Station was reopened on the 11th January and continued to function until occupation of the port by Japanese forces of the 29th March 1939. The head office and all other stations in the Kongmoon district remained closed, however, during the whole year. During the 11 weeks that the Kongmoon Station was open, the volume of trade proved to be larger than expected, due to the diversion of up-country traffic from its customary channels subsequent to the fall of Canton and Samshui and to the closing of the Customs stations at Yungki and Shekki, the former under the Canton and the latter under the Lappa Customs. A considerable trade between these two points and centres on the South-west River passed through Kongmoon. After the occupation of Kongmoon all trade ceased and had not been revived by the close of the year. evident from the foregoing, so far as Kongmoon and district was concerned, the year's trade was confined to 11 weeks-from the 11th January to the 28th March 1939. attempt, therefore, to compare the trade figures for 1938 and 1939 is rendered largely futile. It is of note, however, that larger quantities of two important commodities were imported at Kongmoon during the 11 weeks of 1939 than for the 10 months of 1938, the Kongmoon Customs having been closed on the 22nd October 1938. These two items were cotton piece goods, valued at $20,530 as compared with $1,263 during 1938, and kerosene oil, of which 405,090 litres were imported, showing an increase of 150,808 litres over the 1938 figure, owing to the fact that after the closing of the Kowloon stations and Canton greater portions of this commodity were imported into Kongmoon via the Chienshan Station of the Lappa Customs for transportation to up-river districts. Importations of sulphate of ammonia totalled 4,560 quintals as against 6,028 quintals, while, due to cheap prices and a great demand, 13,576 kilogrammes of cuttle-fish were imported during the 11 weeks as compared with 18,590 kilogrammes in 1938. As regards exports, due to the hostilities, only $26,656 worth of palm-leaf fans were exported as against $64,144 in 1938, while the decline recorded in oranges was 2,928 quintals and in fresh fruits 5,287 quintals. Of cassia lignea, 13,543 quintals were exported to Hongkong, showing an increase of 1,053 quintals, while the decline under leaf tobacco was 355 quintals.

The first rice crop was very small, due to lack of planting following the Japanese occupation. The second erop was better, but still insufficient to meet the demands of the greatly reduced population. No importations of foreign rice or paddy were shown

in the Customs Returns,

Bank-notes of the Farmers' Bank were discounted at one time at 40 per cent, while bank-notes of the Bank of China and Bank of Communications were also discriminated against, with Japanese military notes being in circulation from April 1939.

The Sunning Railway and all roads with terminals in Kongmoon city were destroyed towards the end of 1938. The highways were soon repaired, but it was not until October 1939 that a passenger bus service was reopened over the Kongmoon- Sunwui highway.