FOREIGN OFFICE. · foreign office. 1896. annual series.' no, 1702. diplomatio and consular reports on trade and finance. chin a. report for the year 1895 on tl:!e

FOREIGN OFFICE.

1896.

ANNUAL SERIES.'

NO, 1702.

DIPLOMATIO AND CONSULAR REPORTS ON TRADE AND FINANCE.

CHIN A.

REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1895

ON Tl:!E

TRADE OF KIUNGCHOW

REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS REPORT', Annual Series No. 1<1Gl.

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Jl:laJestg,

MAY, 1896.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR HER MA.,TESTY'S STATIONERY OFFIOJll,

BY HARRISON AND SONS, ST. MARTIN'S LANE, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HER MAJESTY.

And to be purchased, eitl1er directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE & SPOTT1SWOODE, EAST liAitn!:'iG Sl'REET, FLEET STREET, E.C., Bllii

32, ABINGDON STREET, ',VEsTmxsn:a, S.,V.; or JOHN :MENZIES & Co., 12, HANOVF.R STHERT, Em:-:nuaan, and

90 WEST NILE STREET, GLASGOW; or HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., Limiteil, lOJ, GRAFTCX Su:r:tT, Dtrl:Lil\',

189G. [C. 7919-70.J Price 011e Pnwy.

New Series of Reports.

REPORTS of the Annual Series have been issued from Her Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Officers at the following places, and may be obtained from the sources indicated on the title-page;-No. 1580. Smyrna 1581. Nice 1582. Soul 1583. Rio Grande do Sul 1584. Nagasaki , , 1585. Hakodate,, 1686. Fmnkfort,, 1587. Samoa 1588. Cherbourg .. 1589. Damascus,. 1590. New York •• 1591. Athens 1692. Baghdad , , 1593. Vienna 1594. Montevideo 1595. Swatow 1596. Foochow , , 1597. Tamsui 1698. Chungking 1599. Chefoo 1600. Tokio 1601. Bangkok • , 1602. Caracas 1603. Sofia 1604. Belgrade .. 1605. Shanghai .. 1606. Canton 1607. Meshecl 1608. Erzeroum,, 1609. Galatz 1610. Port Said . , 1611. The Hague 1612. Calais 1613. Newchwang 1614. Copenhagen 1615. Ode&sa 1616. Gothenburg 1617. Mannheim 1618. Old Calabar 1619. Pekin 1620. 'l'aganrog., 1621. Brindisi .. 1622. J eddah 1623. Hamburg,. 1624. Angora 1625. Buda-Pesth 1626. Beyrout , , 1627. Busbire . , 1628. Stettin 1629. Porto Rico 1630. Rotterdam 1631. Alexandria 1632. Tokio 1633. Tangier .. 1634. Oporto 1635. St. Petersburg 1636. Dantzig , , 1637. Macao 1638. Hiogo and Osaka 1639. Naples 1640. Kiungcbow

•"

Price. 2!d, Hd. Hd.

4d. Id. ld. 3d. ld.

l~d. Id. lc.l. 2d. lc.l.

Itd. 2i-d. Hd. Id. Id. lcl. Id.

Itd. ld

Hd. 2!d, 2!d, 2/id. Hd. Hd. ld. 2d.

!}d. l}d.

ld. ld. 1 cl. 2d. 2d.

Hd. 5d.

2!d. 2d.

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3d. I!d, Hd.

lc.l. 2d.

2}d. ld. 1d,

Hd. 2,td. Hd. Hd. 4d. 2d. ld. 6d.

lld, tcl.

No. 1641. Rome 1642. Beira 1643. St. Jago de Cuba •• 1644. Christiania 1646. Lisbon 1646. Brussels , • 1647. Vern Cruz,. 1648. Tunis 1649. Antwerp .. 1650. Tokio 1651. Honolulu .. 165:&. Stettin 1653. Bangkok 1654. Batoum 1655. Mexico 1656. Odessa 1657, Reunion 1658, 'I'okio 1659. 1\foranham 1660. Copenhagen 1661, Berlin 1662, Teheran 1663. Salonica 1664. Manila. 1665. Florence 1666. Dakar 1667. Havre 1668. Rouen 1669. Corfu 1670. Calais 'l.671. Tehran 1672. Barcelona., 1673. Amsterdam 1674. Bordeaux •• 1675. Warsaw 1676. Havana 1677. Berlin 1678. Beira 1679. Saigon 1680. Trebizond .• 1681. Vera Cruz,. 1682. Patras 1683. La Rochelle 1684. Madrid 1685. Belgrade , , 1686. Algiers 1687. Galveston •• 1688. New Orleans 1689. Suakin 1690. Pernambuco 1691. Guatemala 1692. Guayaquil.. 1693. Wenchow, • 1694. Pirreus 1695. Tokio 1696. Marseilles. , 1697. Manila 1698. Jerusalem .. 1699. Cherbourg 1700. Leghorn 1701. Boston

Price. lid, td.

4!d, 6d.

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5td. ld. 2d. 2d. !d. Id.

l!d, 2d. Id.

2!d. ld.

lld, ld.

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Hd. Hd. 2d. 5d.

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lld. ld. ld. 3d. 3d, ld, Id. ld, 2d.

!!d. Hd.

No. 1702.

Refei·ence to pi·evious Report, Annual Series No. 1461.

CHINA.

KIUNGCHOW.

Oonsul Johnson to the Marqiiis of Salisbury.

My Lord, Kinngchow, Mcmh 4, 1896. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith my 'l'rade Report for

1895. I have, &c.

(Signed) OCT. JOHNSON.

Report on the Tmcle of Kiungchow fm· the Yccw 1895.

Exchange Exports , • Imports •• Emigration Shipping., General .•

ABSTRACT of Contents.

Exchange.

PAGE

1 2 3 3 4 5

The value of the a1;ticles referred to in this report are all taken from the returns of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs in which-with the exception of treasure in dollars-they are expressed in Haikwan taels, and the sterling value of the latter has been taken at 3s. 2d., being the same as for 1894. A slight discrepancy will be found between the values for 1894 here given and those given in last year's report, which is accounted for by the different ways of including or excluding the re-exports. The Re-exports. difference is not important.

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2 . CHINA.

Total trade. The value of the total trade of the port, 378,441!., shows a falling-off of 110,000l. from 1804 when it stood at 488,456l., and this is accounted for principally by the decrease in the rice import. In 1894, in consequence of the failure of the crops on the island, there was an enormous demand for this article and other foocl-stuffa, and it is a matter for congratulation that it was not wanted in the year under review. In 1895 the value of the import was 27,7771. as compared with 109,231l. in 1894, a differ­ence of 81,4541. The plague also, which committed great ravages here during the spring, must be responsible for another consider­able part of the decrease. ]\faking, accordingly, due allowance for these two extraordiuary causes the trade of the year may be looked upon as average.

Pigs.

Egg~.

Sugar.

Betel nut.

Goa.t-skins.

Expo1·ts.

Pigs are of course, as always, the main export, and although the figures show a great decrease compared with 1894 it is prob­able that this is mainly clue to a considerable number having been shipped by junk to avoid the high steamer freights, and not appearing in the customs returns from which my figures are taken. The trade was greatly deranged by the plague, and the profits and losses have been very varying, but it is prob­able that the total number shipped was not very different from 1894. The average value of a pig at present is about 9 dol., equal, at 2s. 2d. to the dollar, to 19s. 6d. The average weight is about 150 lbs.

There has been an increase in the export of fowls, but the trade is said to have been conducted at a loss. This is clue to a great extent to the high freights charged, and also to the low prices obtaining in Hong-Kong.

Eggs show a decrease. The uncerLainty in the date of depar­ture of the steamers is said to be very injurious to this trade. The -eggs have often to lie some days in Hoihow after being brought from the country, and many thereby become unsaleable.

Sugar, both brown and white, shows a great falling~off attri­butable to the bad harvest. Dealers lost money at the beginning of the year in consequence of the war with Japan, in which country and in the northern ports of China this article finds a considerable market, but the trade improved afterwards.

The betel-nut harvest was good, and although the figures show a falling-off from last year it is probable that last year's export included nuts imported from Singapore, and re-exported as pro­duce of this island, which is celebrated for the superior quality of its nuts. This year the export was bona fide native produce and the trade was profitable.

Tentative inquiries were made with the idea of shipping goat­skins-the skins of the small black goats that abound in the island-but it was found to be the practice to cut them up with the flesh of the animal when it was sold for food ; they could not be bought separately as the flesh of the animal without the skin would be too insignificant.

KIUNGCHOW,

J11ipo1'1 s.

3

Cotton yarn from India agaiu heads the list and shows a satis- CtJUon y1un. factory increase. The even thickness of the thread is its principal recommendation to manufacturers and a further increase in the demand may be looked for. It is distributed in all the districts of' the island.

Cotton · piece-goods also show au improvement, while the C_Jtton falling-off in other kinds is too small to require commeut. There pteco-goods. is great danger that British goods of this class will suffer in future from ,T apanese competition.

The trade in woollens remains much as usual. This trade Woollone, appears to fluctuate considerably within small limits, but uo important improvement can be looked for, the climate being so hot that they are not wanted.

The returns show only the amount imported by steamer and Opium. this is larger than in 1894, the values being 23,702l. for the latter year and 27,3891. for 1895. By far the largest quantity of the drug is, however, imported by junk in order to evade the heavy customs and likin levies. The value of the import by steamers in 1886, the year before the Opium Convention came into force, was 171,lOOl., and it has diminished every year since then until the one under review, the value in 1894 being only 23,702l. The rit:ie in price of the Indian drug accounts partly for the small import in 1894, but practically the diminution is clue to the success with which smuggling junks evade the cruisers sent to protect the revenue. It is calculated that about 1,000 chests find their way to the island every year without paying the legal duty. Only two captures were made by the cruisers during the year amounting toget4e': to some 33 chests. The import of native opium is said to be on the increase in consequence of the rise in price of the Indian.

Kerosene and matches both show a slight increase. Of Kerosene e.nd kerosene the Sumatran oil shows the largest import, being nearly matches. double that of the American, while Russian is not much more than half the latter. Sumatra oil is rather more than 10 c. a tin cheaper than American, and is said to give just as bright a light. Of matches Japanese are by far the largest quantity, other kinds being practically nil.

Emigration.

The total number of emigrants that left in 1895 £or Singapore and Bangkok was 14,515 against 13,784 in 1894, 10,154 being for Singapore and 4,361 for Bangkok Of these by far the largest number was carried by the fine British steamers of the Scottish Oriental Company. The number returning by steamer is given as 3,756, but a great many return by junk and no doubt many via Hong-Kong.

Immigration from this port was prohibited at Singapore in l\fay and June on account of the plague, but probably all

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4 CHi.NA.

intending to go got there eventually. This is practically the only business of the port that is in the hands of foreigners, and it is at present done by the firm of A. Schomburg and Co.

Shipping.

A glance at Annex A will show that British shipping does not take a prominent, position at this port. The reason apparently is that there are no British ships available of the size required­about 500 or 600 tons. Practically, the whole of the cargo trade is done with Hong-Kong, and in this business British ships have no share. In the beginning of the year a French firm, which owns the French steamers calling in here on the voyage between Hong­Kong and Haiphong, chartered the Danish ships which ply between Hong-Kong, this port, and Pakhoi, and succeeded in getting rill of their German competitors, and thus monopolising the carrying trade. Freights were then raised so high that trade was considerably deranged and restricted as mentioned above. The German ships, however, chartered by the shippers who were trammelled by the high freights, put in an appearance again about October, and the .French firm's ships were more or less "boy­eotted." This led to ofncial interference in Pakhoi, and after considerable friction a 1nocliis vivendi has been arrived at, though relations for the present may still be considered strained.

British steamers are only engaged in the emigration business, but with the exception of a rare German competitor, they monopolise the whole of that trade.

The hulk that was brought down by the French firm above referred to in 1894 for the purpose of facilitating the shipment and discharge of cargo was sent away last July, never having been used as intended. It is said that the Chinese objected to paying duty on their goods for shipment before their ship was in port. Anyhow, the hulk has gone away, and is, I believe, at present in Hanoi.

•rr ,nsit No goods were brought down under transit pass from the passes. interior by foreigners, but a considerable quantity of galangal

from Hai-an, on the opposite side of the Straits, and sugar arrived in this way in native hands.

Building In spite of the fact that several building sites have been <mcmtions. obtained by foreigners, no building of European residential_type

has yet been erected. The Portuguese Mission have indeed set up a nondescript sort

of house which was originally intended for a nunnery, but not being required for that purpose, has been rented to a foreign firm, but this is the only building not of purely Chinese type that exists. The buildings referred to in Mr. Parker's report for 1893 as about to be built, are in the same condition still, and the site for a British Consulate therein alluded to has of necessity been rejected as unsuitable for building purposes. The Customs, who acquired valuable property about 1888, still occupy Chinese

KIUNGCHOW. 5

houses, al'l.d have apparently no immediate intention of building. Her Majesty's Government is still in search of a site. The American missionaries will probably be the first to build, having recently acquired land near the residence of Her Majesty's Consul.

General,

The bubonic plague made its appearance here about the end of February and lasted till June. It is said not to have been so virulent as that which ravaged Hong-Kong in 1894, but it was characterised by the same symptoms and accompanied by dead rats, &c., in the same way. Some 5,000 people are said to have lost their lives from this cause. It is curious that in the Pre­fectural city of Kiungchow, distant only about 3 miles, not a single case was reported.

In the autumn of the year some casei:i of grave robbing were discovered in the south-west suburb of Kiungchow, and rumours were got up that it was done at the instance of the missionaries, in order to obtain bones to make medicine. The attention of the authorities having been called to them, a proclamation was issued, but another case immediately occurred on some premises which had formerly been acquired by the missionaries, but on which they had not been allowed to build. An investigation was held, and the magistrate found that no bones had been stolen but only a jade armlet. Another proclamation was issued after this, and the matter subsided. I refer to this episode to point out how. easily a disturbance in which missionaries are embroiled may be raised. The missionaries who lately resided in Kiungchow have now all moved to the seapoi-t of Hciihow. -

In conclusion, I have to express my thanks to the Commis­sioner of Customs for his courtesy in placing the returns of his establishment at my disposal.

Annex A.-RETURN of all Shipping at the Port of Kiungchow during the Year 1895.

Nationality.

I Sniliag.

I Number of Tons. Veseele.

ENTERED,

Steam.

Numbor of Vessels. Tons.

Total.

Number of Vo11Bels. Tons.

Brltioh--... --1 ... ... 27 ~6 -27- 26,47-6 -Danish ... ... ... 141 60,587 141 60,587 Dutch ... ... .. . ... I 1 672 1 672 French ... • •.

1

1 . ... ••• i 75 55,650 75 55,650 German ... ... ... ... ' 71 60,285 71 50,285 Swedioh and N or-1 [

wcgian ... . .. _ ..• _ ... _ 1 _ __ 111 ___ 1 __ ...3!__1 _

Total ... ···1 ... ... · 1 316 194,440 316 194,HO ,, for the year preceding ... I 348

1 382 217,920 383 218,268

6 CHINA.

CLEARED.

I Sailing. ,-------,-----1-----------1-------,-----

Steam. Total.

Veaeele. VeBBele. Veesele. ·

~No.t.ionality. I I Number of Tona. Number of 1· Tona. Number of Tona

Brillih--.-.. ---... 1----.. --I---.. -. --l-----27-- -26,4_7_5 ___ 2_7 _ --26-,-47-5 -

~~~th ·:.: :::i ::: ::: I 14} 60,~~~ 14~ 60,m French ... • .. ' I 348 75 55,650 76 55,998 Gorman ••• ... 71 50,285 71 50,285 Swedieh and Nor-

wegio.n .. .

Total ... ... 11 for tbe year preceding ...

348 316

382

771

194,440

217,920

317

382

771

194,788

217,920

Annex B.-RETURN of Principal Articles of Export from Kiung­chow during the Years 1894--95.

Article,.

Sugar-White ••• .. . Brown .. .

Seeamum seede .. . Betel nuts .•• Groundnut cake, ••• Pigs... ... .. . Eggs... ... .. . Galanga! ... . .. Fowls, alive ... Silk, wild ... Other goods... • ••

Total ...

1894. 1895.

Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. ------1------1-----11---

... Tona ... 751

... " ... 6,245

... Lbs. ... 1,191,133 ,, ... 781,600

... Tons ... 1,140

... Number , .. 59,345 ..

... Tona ... 10,878,800

l,213 322,721 22,666

... Number •..

... Lbs.

£ £

9,997 624 6,929 51,093 3,685 27,485

6,971 1,471,066 7,543 6,477 423,866 4,857 4,550 1,185 6,04S

66,378 45,237 42,976 4,306 9,014,800 3,702 3,669 1,025 3,274 3,832 300,666 5,276 3,065 29,200 3,971

49,816 ••• 60,627 _________ , ______ , ____ _ 199,053 ... 171,678

RETURN of Principal Articles of Import to Kiungchow during the Years 1894-95.

1894. 1896.

• Articles.

------------- _ Quantity. ~~ Quantity. -1~·· Opium (principally Patna) Cotton-

Ynrn (all Indian) ... Shlrtings (moatly white) T--<lloths ••• ... Other kind• ... . ••

Woollen-Camlets .. . Long ells .. . Cloth, broad, ;.;;ediu~;

habit Other kinds

Rice and paddy ... Kerosene oil Matcllea .. . Other good1 .. .

Total , ..

£ £ ... Lbs. ... 39,866 23,702 43,!166 27,389

... Pieces ... ,, and

... • ,. Tone

... 1,655,600 20,899 10,628

499 1,637

110

... Gallons ...

... Gross

22,537 506,995 190,550

32,391 9,109 3,016 3,332

819 1,202

699 1,431

109,231 10,4~8 6,943

88,201

1,999,937 22,728 10,316

336 1,604

51

5,668 537,310 202,510

43,199 11,175 2,906 2,740

733 1,460

292 801

27,777 11,316 6,279

70,596 --------- ------:----· I 206,663 289,403

KIUNGCHOW. 7

Annex 0.-TABLE showing Tota1 Value of all Articles Exported from and Imported to Kiungchow to and from Foreign Countries during the Years 1894-95.

Exports. Country.

Imports.

1894. 1895. 1894. 1895. --------------- _____ , _____ ---£ £ I £ £

Hong-Kong .. .. 197,054 168,422 2-11,317 198,169 Singapore and Straits .• 1,610 2,664 .. 3,203 Cochin-China, Tonquin,

and Annam •• .. 140 139 46,502 4,873 Siam .. .. .. 249 453 .. ..

NoTE.-The exports to Hong,Kong arc probably, all except galangal and e. little sugar, for native consumption.

LONDON:

Priuted for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, BY HARRISON AND SONS,

Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty. (1250 5 I 96-H & S 2144)