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“...which trade passes to supply the requirements or distribute the pro-
ducts of a large area of the province of Kuangsi, as well as the adjacent
provinces of Kueichou and Yunnan. Situated on the threshold of the
province, on its most important waterway, at the head of navigation
for foreign steamers from Hong-Kong and Canton, it has inevitably
become the centre of a large transit pass trade. A certain amount of
this trade has disappeared from the Wuchow returns in consequence of
the opening of Nanning, but it is still considerable and capable of being
greatly expanded, as the quantities of goods arriving and leaving are
insignificant when the dimensions and resources of the area served are
taken into consideration. Kuangsi is a province rich in natural
resources, though, owing to want of capital and energy in its
inhabitants, these have been scarcely touched.
Imports.By far the most important of imports are cotton goods
and yarnthe import of Indian yarn being conspicuously the largest
in the...”
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“...of steam traffic
with Nanning and inland places, and partly to the reopening of the
San Ch'a Shan silver mines.
Kerosene oil.The total import of kerosene oil shows a decrease of
50,980 gallons in quantity but a rise in value of 1,977?. The American
product has continued to gain ground on that of Sumatra, the former
having risen from 157,020 gallons in 1907 to 442,705 gallons in 1908,
while the latter has fallen from 2,072,435 gallons in 1907 to 1,735,770
gallons in 1908. Both the Asiatic Petroleum Company and the
Standard Oil Company contemplate installing oil tanks in the port as
soon as the necessary arrangements with the Chinese authorities shall
have been made.
Indian opium.The import of Indian opium is all but extinct,
only 1 *20 piculs (1 '66 cwts.) having come in, all Patna.
Exports.A general decline appears in the export figures for 1908
as compared with those of 1907, but a part of the apparent decrease is
due to the extension of direct shipments from Nanning to Hong-Kong.
Nevertheless...”
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“...above Kueihsien by vessels of extremely shallow
draught. During the period of high water in the summer, steam
launches with junks in tow are able to ply at times even as far as Pose.
When the water falls the traffic in foreign vessels does not go above
Nanning and is confined to shallow-draught motor boats. During
1908, for the first time, two motor boats were kept on the Wuchow-
Nanning run continuously throughout the year, and it is unlikely,
after this successful experiment, that traffic will again be suspended
during the low water period. It is probable that now the value of the
motor boat for upper river traffic has been proved by experience, other
firms than the two at present in possession will place motor boats on
the Wuchow-Nanning run.
The hulls of these boats are built locally, but the engines of those at
present in use have all been imported from the United Kingdom.
A survey was made in the course of the year by the Customs Coast
Inspector from Shanghai with a party of foreigners...”
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“...banking, mining,
railway construction and steam navigation. If the capital is forth-
coming, there is certainly room enough in all these directions. The
greatest need of the province is improved communications, for though
it is well supplied with rivers, their upper waters are impeded with
shallows, rapids and rocks, and navigation is thereby rendered always
difficult and often impossible except to the smallest craft. A railway,
if well planned to connect the principal producing districts with Nanning
or Wuchow, the main outlets of the province, would be of immense
benefit to trade. But it will be time enough to comment on the present
projects when the}?- appear in more detail and with more immediate
prospect of materialising.
My thanks are due to Mr. George Banker for some useful notes with
which he has furnished me.
Table 1.Comparative Table of Principal Articles of Import from
Foreign Countries at the Port of Wuchow during the Years
1907-08.
Articles. 1907. 1908.
Cotton goods £ £...”
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