YUENSAN
69
are commercially represented at present. It is called Gensan by the Japanese and Wonsan by the Coreans, and under that name is thus described by Mr. Aston:-
The town extends for a mile along the southern shore of the bay, and consists of about two thousand houses with a population of perhaps 15,000 inhabitants. One main street of some ten to twelve feet in width winds through from end to end and into this open numerous narrow and crooked alleys." Near each end of the town is an open space where a market, chiefly for agricultural produce, is held about six times a month. The houses are mean and dirty, and the town presents a poverty-stricken appearance. The harbour is a good one, being spacious, easy of access, well sheltered, with excellent holding ground, and convenient depth of water. January is the coldest month, and one corner of the harbour-that before the native town-is sometimes frozen over, but the part used by shipping is never covered with ice of such a thickness as to interfere with navigation. The native town is increasing in size and extending in the direction of the foreign Settlements. The Japanese have a nice clean looking Settlement, consisting of about a hundred houses built in semi-European style and a really fine Consulate, of foreign design, containing at least forty rooms and offices. The Chinese Settlement is a healthy tract of land, situated northwest of the Custom House. The Imperial Consulate stands in the middle of the Settlement, and the houses are built in Anglo-Chinese style, of brick and wood. The Chinese merchants are carrying on an extensive business, especially in cotton yarns, silks, and the export of gold. In 1892 there were 783 foreign residents, of whom 705 were Japanese and 63 Chinese. The population of the native city was in the same year estimated at 15,000. The country around Yuensan is under cultivation, and the soil is very rich. Within a short distance of the port are mines producing copper and other minerals, and gold is found amongst the neighbouring mountains. The cattle at this port, as nearly all over the country, are very fine and plentiful, and can be bought at very low rates; they are used as beasts of burden and for agricultural purposes. A telegraph line from hence to Seoul was opened in July, 1891. The trade is carried on by regular lines of steamers running to Japan, Shanghai, and Vladivostock. The net value of the trade in 1892 was $1,579,203 as compared with $1,343,787 in 1891. The exports consist chiefly of hides, beans, gold-dust, dried fish, and skins. The imports consist chiefly of cotton and silk manufactured goods, metals, and dyes.
館會華中
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (CHINESE)
President-Yuen Chong
DIRECTORY
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (JAPANESE)
President-G. Ota
Vice-President-K. Kato
Secretary-C. Ashihama
CHINESE MERCHANTS
Heih Chong Chang & Co.
Wang Pao Kong, manager
Hung Shing Kung & Co. Yang King Ann
Te Hsing Lung & Co.
Yü Shih Pin, manager
Tung Fung Tại ở Co.
Low York Poo, manager
Agents for-On Tai Insurance Co.
Yuen Chong & Co.
Ying Tsze Ping, manager
Yung Teeng Li & Co.
Liu Ko Pin, manager
門衙府事理山元鮮朝剳駐清大
CONSULATE-CHINA
Acting-Consul-Woo Chung Yen
Secretary-Koh Kah Liu
Corean Interpreter-Pak Hung Yung
CONSULATE JAPAN
Acting Consul—T. J. Nakagawa Chancelier and Engh. Intpr.-Y. Ohki Chancelier-Accountant-S. Iwamatsu
Do.
Do.
-S. Nakamura
-M. Ishiyama
Inspector of Police-F. Matsudaira
CUSTOMS
Acting Commissioner J. F. Oiesen Assistant-W. Grundmann
Do. G. Miyasaki
Do.
-Kuan Chong-in
Clerk-Ko Yung-hun
Medical Officer-W. B. McGill
Examiner J. Knott
Tidewaiter-P. E. Mannheimer