Page 98
Page 98
22
burning of coral or shells is as a rule better for building purposes, so the absence of rock limestone, if such turns out to be the case, does not matter. A lead mine was worked for some years on the side of Taimò Shán, but the working discontinued for some reason about 6 years ago. Galena was also found near Kowloon, and on the north side of "Lantao, and elsewhere. These workings should be examined by a mining expert, and the richness of the ore ascertained. The natives also speak of alluvial tin being found. Silver and lead were worked on the south of the island of Lantao within recent years, but without success financially, possibly due rather to Chinese official interference and bad management than to the absence of a paying richness in the ore. Expensive buildings were erected on the sea-shore, and machinery said to have cost 100,000 dollars im- ported and erected. Even when the speculation collapsed, the plant was valued at $30,000, all of which is said to have been abandoned. Only the foundations and cement floors of some of the buildings remain, and the brick chimney shaft of the smelting works.
I should say that on the Taimò Shán range gneiss syenite and trap rocks predomi- nate. Massive boulders of gneiss of a bluish grey or greenish colour are scattered over the mountain side and in the ravines. On the slopes in which the best pasturage is found there is a stiff yellow clay, with veins of quartz gravel.
Lantao Island is chiefly granite on the south face and trap rocks on the north, the latter being consequently much better covered with vegetation and trees. The smaller islands, such as Ch'eung-chau, Ping-chau, and Lamma seem to be almost entirely granite.
It will be understood that as only 12 days in all were spent in the exploration of the mainland and islands, no accurate or close geological survey was possible, the pre- dominating rocks were judged as much from the stone used in the paved footpaths, stream crossings, sea walls, and houses, as from the bed rocks on the hill sides, usually difficult of access. This geological description of the country is therefore of a very sketchy and imperfect character, and a closer and more careful examination by a professional geologist, or an expert in mineralogy, will doubtless bring to light much that has escaped my observation.
Appendix No. 3.
TABLE SHOWING THE DISTRIBUTION OF RACES.
No.
Division.
1
Shat'au
Punti
2
Sham Chun
Punti
Hakka
...
3
Shat'au Kok
Hakka
Punti
4
Ün-Long...
Punti
Hakka
5
Sheung Ü
Punti
Hakka
6
Kau Lung (Kowloon).
Punti
Hakka
7
Islands
Punti
Hakka
Tanka
Races.
No. of Villages.
Population.
Total Population in each Division.
5,000
5,000
20
12,900
1,180
26
14,080
14,080
54
8,530
1
70
55
8,600
8,600
49
::
20,980
10
2,040
59
23,020
23,020
::
::
122
182
82 2 22 * 5
60
10,210
10,660
20,870
20,870
5,830
32
9,200
15,030
15,030
5
9,150 4,460 110
43 13,720
Total
423
13,720
100,320
Page 98
Page 98
Page 98
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.