ASIA: CHINA. 387 



The total is approximately $2,000,000 gold. 



There are some two or three hundred paper firms in this district. 

 The most important are: Wong Loh Chih, Yu Yue Chum, Chee 

 Mau Shum, Tien Fuh Chai, Ching Shing, Ching Wo Teh, Tien 

 Shing Fuh, Chow Tung Tai, Shin Chun Yung, and Yew Ching. All 

 are of Hankau, with extensive connection in the interior. 



There are no publications worth speaking of. The Hankau 

 Daily News (Chinese) has a circulation of about 1,000 copies. When 

 the embargo which the Government recently imposed is removed, 

 there is a likelihood of the other important cities publishing papers, 

 as some of them have plants and are only waiting the removal of the 

 prohibition. The provincial colleges sometimes reprint important 

 publications, but to a very limited extent. The lithographic estab- 

 lishments turn out probably 20,000 Chinese books per year. There 

 are about twelve lithographic firms. Every important shop in China 

 does its own printing, each issuing its own wooden-block adver- 

 tisements, etc. 



There are about 8,000 fireworks factories, 13,000 shoe shops, and 

 3,000 shops engaged in making images and sacrificial offerings. 



It is probable that the consumption will increase in proportion 

 to the growth in the population. No other nationality than Chinese 

 is engaged in the paper trade. As a rule, foreigners import paper 

 for personal use from their own countries. Norwegian paper (sized) 

 is being introduced to a limited extent among foreigners. 



WATER POWER AND FUEL. 



There are no data as to water power. Many small streams are 

 used by the Chinese. As to fuel, there is plenty of bituminous coal. 

 Price per ton in gold laid down at Hankau is $1.75 to $4.90. This 

 refers to the higher grades suitable for boiler use. Wood can be 

 had in abundance at a cost of $3.40 gold per ton at Hankau. Both 

 wood and coal are products of Hunan province, where they can be 

 procured at reduced prices. These fuels can be transported by 

 water ways several months in the year. 



RAW MATERIAL AND WAGES. 



The raw materials for paper comprise bamboo and rice straw 

 unlimited; also hemp, the yearly product of which is about 10,000 

 tons ; cotton, with a product of about 8,000 tons ; rags, about 15 tons. 



Bamboo costs from $2.50 to $3.25 gold per ton; rice straw, $1.80 

 to $2.50 per ton at place of production. When laid down at Han- 

 kau, the former will cost $2.75 to $3.50 per ton, and the latter $2.50 

 to $2.70. Hemp costs $90 to $100 per ton; cotton, $160 to $180 per 

 ton; and rags, $10 to $12 per ton. 



