Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 695

ΡΑΚΗΟΙ

海北

Pak-hoi

Pakhoi was opened to foreign trade in 1877 by the Chefoo Convention. It is situated on the Gulf of Tongking in long. E. 109 deg. 7 min. and lat. N. 21 deg. 29 min.

The Chinese town is situated on a peninsula, at the western extremity of which are a few low hills (Kuantao Head). It faces nearly due north, and in winter is much exposed to the force of the N.E. monsoon winds. These blow so hard at times as to interfere materially with the shipment and discharge of cargo from steamers in the harbour, the anchorage for which is situated opposite the western end of the town and a mile and a half from the Custom House near the eastern end of the town.

Extending to the south and east is a plain which is level for many miles, although the country gradually rises towards the north. Attempts at cultivation have been made upon this plain immediately to the south of the town, but with varying success. Various roads intersect the country in the vicinity of the port and are utilized for bringing in some of the produce from the surrounding district. The carts in use for this purpose are heavy, unwieldy vehicles of an almost pre-historic type. They are drawn largely by oxen and have huge solid wooden wheels of the most primitive pattern, by which, needless to say, the roads are badly cut up in wet weather. During recent years an extensive road building programme has been carried out and there are now motor connections between Pakhoi and Limchow (M), Tonkin, Kwangchow- wan, Kwangsi and the Canton Delta. Sportsmen will find the following game in the vicinity of Pakhoi: quails, snipe, partridges, wild pigeons, wild ducks, and some woodcocks and pheasants. The climate of the port during at least six months of the year is a trying one for Europeans, though the nights are, for the tropics, com- paratively cool. Accurate figures for the population of the town, as elsewhere in China, are difficult to obtain; but the number of inhabitants may perhaps be put at some 30,000 in normal times. In recent years, no foreign consuls or merchants have resided at Pakhoi, and the only foreign residents have been a few Mission and Customs representatives. Fishing is one of the most important of the local industries, and a large number of vessels are employed in it.

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TRADE IN 1939

The remarkable resiliency shown by the trade of Pakhoi and district during the adverse conditions of recent years continued during most of 1939, but late in the year the intensification of the blockade brought trade and shipping to a temporary stand- still. Throughout the year trade was much handicapped by the precautionary de- struction of roads, bridges, and ferries connecting the port with the interior; much cargo, how ever, continued to be carried overland to Pakhoi for shipment, such as wood oil, duck feathers, hides and leather, etc., while the most conspicuous import for the overland return trip was cotton yarn from Shangai mills. Stocks of imported goods were almost entirely exhausted, especially kerosene, gasolene, matches, cigarettes, printing paper, flour and iron products.

Pakhoi's trade by sea is almost entirely with Hongkong, and the drop in the value of the national dollar as compared with the Hongkong dollar discouraged imports of all kinds. In more normal times there would have been a counterbalancing effect on exports, but in 1939 this was less perceptible, especially during the months when exchange control restrictions were wholly or partly in force. Agriculturally, 1939 was not a good year, as uneven and untimely rainfall damaged rice and other food crops on the lower levels. Pakhoi's long-standing shortage of cargo-boats and inadequacy of terminal facilities were more severly felt than ever in the emergency conditions caused by hostilities. From time to time most of the trading population were obliged to evacuate under pressure of hostilities.