HOIHOW (IN HAINAN)
Hoihow is the seaport of the city of Kiung-chow (the seat of government in the island of Hainan, and distant from its port about three and a-half miles) which was opened to foreign trade on the 1st April, 1876. The position of the port, though geographically favourable, is topographically unsuitable for the development of any extensive com- mercial transactions, vessels being compelled to anchor some two miles from the entrance of the creek, or branch of the main river upon which Hoihow is situated. The tides are extremely irregular, and the anchorage is liable to the visitation of very severe typhoons, being moreover entirely unprotected from the north. The width of the Hainan Straits, between Hoihow and the mainland-the Lien-chau peninsula-is about twelve miles. As regards health, Hoihow compares favourably with other parts of Hainan, though fever and ague are said to prevail to some extent. The port is badly supplied with water.
The approaches to the shore are extremely shallow, so that loading and unloading can only be carried on at certain states of the tide. Despite this disadvantage, however, the advent of foreign steamers has given a considerable impulse to trade, and Hoihow now almost vies with the Formosan ports in importance. The town itself contains about 12,000 souls, and is governed by a Tsan-tu, or Lieutenant-Colonel; the population of Kiungchow being 40,000. The mercantile population, though respectable, is by no means rich. No foreign settlement has as yet been formed, nor does it appear likely that any steps will be taken to that end. The foreign residents at present number about a dozen. The value of the whole trade of the port in 1891 was Tls. 2,079,689 as compared with Tls. 2,081,261 in 1890. A large export trade in pigs, eggs, and provisions. is carried on with Hongkong.
AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN MISSION
DIRECTORY
Rev. Carl C. and Mrs. Jeremiassen Dr. Henry M. and Mrs. McCandliss Rev. Frank P. Gilman
Rev. J. C. and Mrs. Melrose
Rev. A. E. Street
Rev. P. W. McClintock
CONSULATES
GERMANY
In charge J. Neumann
GREAT BRITAIN, Kiungchow
Acting Consul-M. F. A. Fraser Constable and Postmaster-D. S.
Heaysman
CUSTOMS-IMPERIAL MARITIME
Assistant in charge-J. Neumann Assistant-C. E. Holworthy Acting Tidesurveyor and Harbour
Master-C. J. Price
Assistant Examiner-G. D. Sharnhorst Tidewaiters-C. J. H. Halcombe, E. Shelton, W. R. Comrie, J. Walker, R. Henkel
Sui-chang
HERTON & Co., Merchants
Edward Herton
Agencies
Yangtsze Insurance Association, Ld. Assn. of Planters, Sandakan and Kudat
PORTUGUESE CATHOLIC MISSION
Rev. José Manuel Diegues
Rev. João Baptista Láo
毀森 Sum.bo.
SCHOMBURG & Co., A., Merchants and Com
mission Agents
Aug. Schomburg
L. Jüdell (Europe)
Oscar Noodt (Pakhoi)
Agencies
Scottish Oriental Steamship Co., Ld. China Navigation Company
Ocean Steamship Company North China Insurance Co., Ld. Canton Insurance Office, Limited Deutsche Transport Versicherungs Ges. Badische Schifffahrts Assec. Ges. Prussian National Insurance Co. Nanshan Steamship Company Stoomvaart Maatschappij "Phoenix" Association of Planters in Deli, Lang-
kat and Serdang
Java Agency Company, Limited