LAPPA TRADE REPORT,FOR THE YEAR 1887.


　　THE region which at the present time carries on trade in Native bottoms with the Colony of Macao comprises the whole of the south-west coast of the Kwangtung province, apart of the West River, and the island of Hainan. This area includes 17 districts, falling in the prefectures of Kwongchow (廣州府), Shiuhing (肇慶府), Luichow (雷州府), Kochow (高州府),Limchow (亷州府), and Kiungchow (瓊州府).
　　VALUE OF THE TRADE.— The total value of the trade in round figures for the period April-December 1887 amounts to Hk.Tls. 5,000,000, To this result Kwongchow contributed56 per cent.; Shiuhing, 5 per cent.; Luichow, 14 per cent.; Kochow, 11 per cent.; Limchow,9 per cent.; and Kiungchow, 5 per cent.
　　SHIPPING.— The shipping consists of 4,185 junks inwards and 3,847 junks outwards, with a total tonnage of 570,752 tons. Of this figure, 85 per cent. fell to the share of Kwongchow,3 per cent. to Shiuhing, 5 per cent. to Luichow, 2 per cent. to Kochow, 2 per cent. to Limchow, and 3 per cent. to Kiungchow.
　　FOREIGN IMPORTS.—Of Opium, about 1,000 chests were shipped to the China coast with the cognizance of this office. The places which draw their supplies from Macao are the four-adjoining districts in Kwongchow, Yeungkong (陽江） in Shiuhing, Luichow, Kochw, Hainan, and Limchow. This last prefecture, which contains the Treaty port of Pakhoi, was up to July an important customer for the Foreign drug, but since that date fell off entirely, being, in all probability, supplied by steamers from Hongkong direct.
　　The distribution of Foreign textiles by junks does not appear to be an extensive one. The value of Cotton and Woollen Goods imported barely exceeds Hk.Tis. 160,000. The most important shipments were made to Chantsun (陳村) in Kwongchow, Yeungkong (陽江) in Shiuhing, and Kochow.
　　Among Sundries of Foreign origin, Raw Cotton and Yarn deserve to be specially mentioned. Of the latter, nearly Hk.Tls. 500,000 worth was taken, chiefly by Luichow, Kochow, and Yamchow; and of Raw Cotton, the same places absorbed a quantity valued at Hk.Tls. 215,000.Both articles were mainly of Indian production.
　　NATIVE IMPORTS.—The goods coming under this heading are all Native produce imported into Macao from the south-west coast by junks and steamers, and redistributed among the districts in the neighbourhood of the Colony. Exception, however, must be made of the one article of Salt Fish, which is prepared at Macao and is an important item of commerce, forming as it does 38 per cent. of the whole trade in Native Imports.
　　EXPORTS.—The chief elements constituting the Export trade to Macao are Tea, Silk, Sugar, Oil, and Straw Bag Mats. The Tea for which Macao is a market is produced along the Sanui River, bordering the districts of Sanning (新甯), Hoiping (海平), and Hokshan (鶴山). It is brought to the Colony unprepared, and is there fired and packed for exportation abroad. The Silks are all from the Shuntak (顺德) district, where the Silk industry (chiefly in the villages spread along the left bank of the West River) is extensively carried on. Nothing, however, is brought to Macao but Raw Silk and a large quantity of Cocoons for the local Silk filatures.
　　Sugar, Oil, and Mats are chiefly brought from the districts of Luichow (雷州), Kochow(高州） Yamchow (钦州), and Hainan.
　　There is also a considerable trade in Palm-leaf Fans, Eggs, and Pigs.
　　MACAO AND HONGKONG JUNK TRADE. Not included in the statistics is a steady traffic by junks' kept up between the two Colonies of Macao and Hongkong. The goods shipped from the former place are entirely of Native origin, while those brought over from Hongkong are mainly composed of Foreign Sundries.
　　                                                            EDM. FARAGÓ,
　　                                                                 Commissioner of Customs.
　　LAPPA, 15th February 1888.