WUCHOW  , a treaty

port in the province of Kwang-si, China, opened to foreign trade in 1897, and situated on the left bank of the Si-kiang (West river) at its junction with the Fu or Kwei-Kiang (Cassia) river . It is 2 20111. above Canton, with which it is in navigable connexion for vessels drawing up to 8 ft. of water . In 1908 the value of the trade passing through the maritime customs amounted to £1,566,000, representing, how-ever, only a portion of the trade . Of this total, two-thirds were for imports, consisting principally of cotton and cotton goods, kerosene oil, woollens, &c . Sugar, various oils, hides and aniseed were the chief exports . The native population is estimated at 65,000 . At Shuihing the river flows for 5 M. through a deep gorge bordered by limestone cliffs 2000 ft. in height . Farther up the river threads its way through a series of rocky defiles, forming at intervals w,'_at seems an inland lake with no apparent outlet . During summer floods the water thus pent up by the gorges rises at Wuchow 50 or 6o ft . In consequence of the variation of river level, the principal offices and shops are built upon pontoons which are moored alongside the river-bank . The situation of Wuchow makes it the natural distributing centre between Kwei-chow, Kwang-si and Canton . Great things were therefore expected of it as a treaty port, but disorders in Kwangsi delayed the fulfilment of the hopes .

Trade, however, has improved, and a large native passenger

traffic has sprung up between it and Canton . It is connected with Hong Kong and Shanghai by telegraph .