COCE
642
COCHIN-CHINA-SAIGON
The export of rice in 1902 was 801,500 tons, or, 169,500 tons more than in 1901. Export of broken rice and rice flour was 150,000 tons, making the total export 951,5 tons. The surface of rice fields registered amounted in 1898 to 2,736,560 acres ; in 1902 it amounted to 2,960,212 acres. It is in the suburbs of Rachgia, Giadinh, Gocong, Mytho, Bentré and Soctrang that the rice fields have been regained from the forest. Following the irrigation works projected, a great number of concessions were granted in recent years, especially in 1899 and 1900, by the Colonial Council of Cochin-China, some to villages, some to settlers. The fields granted to European settlers are only taxed according to their progress, commencing by one-fifth at the end of the fifth year, to which is added another one-fifth at the end of each of the following four years. The Conseil Supérieur, in November, 1900, adopted the following works to improve Saigon Harbour:-1. A quay 1,091 metres (3,578 feet) long on the right bank of the river. This quay will permit the mooring of nine vessels of 120 metres (393 feet) long. 2. A series of warehouses 25 metres (82 feet) broad and 969 metres (3,178 feet) long, thus making a total surface of 24,225 square metres (260,611 square feet). 3. Railroads in front and at the back of the warehouses. The line of railway leading thereto will he connected with the Mytho and Cholon Railways. 4. About 20 buoys will be established on the left bank of the river, and vessels will be moored on that side as they are now on the right bank. 5. A bridge, level with the ground, will be built in continuation of the street called Rue d'Adran. The total expenses to be incurred for the improvements projected are estimated at f. 10,394,000 (£415,760). A postal line of French steamers has been established between Bangkok and Singapore, with a subsidy from the Government of Indo-China. The total shipping in the year 1902 amounted to 728 vessels of 998,619 tons register. The British flag accounted for 134 vessels of 209,929 tons.
SAIGON
The
Saigon, the capital of Cochin-China, is situated on the Saigon river, a tributary of the Donnai, in lat. 10 deg. 50 min. N., and long. 104 deg 22 min. E. It is about 40 miles from Cape St. James and is accessible to the largest vessels. Since its occupation by the French the climate has undergone a very favourable change, owing to different sanitary works in the town, such as drains, the filling up of pools, marshes, &c. The town presents a fine appearance, the roads and thoroughfares being broad and regular. Amongst the public buildings the Government House is the most remarkable; several millions of francs have been spent upon its construction and decoration. The other prominent public buildings are the new Palace of the Lieutenant-Governor, the new and handsome Post Office on the Place de la Cathédrale, the Custom House, the "Direction de l'Intérieur," the Treasury, the Land Office, Public Works Department, the Schools, and the Supreme Court. Military Hospital is a fine and handsome building, as are also the Arsenal, Barracks, and Artillery Park. There is also a stately Gothic Cathedral of large proportions, in front of which was erected recently the statue of Monseigneur Pigueau de Behaine, bishop of Adran, one of the first French missionaries who came to Cochin-China in the last century. A fine bronze statue of Gambetta stands in the Boulevard Norodom. There are two other Statues one of Francis Garnier on the Boulevard Bonnard in front of the theatre, and another, that of Amiral Rigault de Genouilly on the Rond point Rigault de Genouilly. Saigon has two public gardens, the "Jardin de la Ville," which is maintained at the expense of the Municipality, and the Botanical Garden. The new municipal theatre which was inaugurated in 1900 is a remarkable monument, which has cost over 2,000,000 fr. There is good docking accommodation, the Bassin de Radoub being one of the finest docks in the world, capable of receiving the largest men-of-war, and there are two floating lifts. There are two steam rice mills. Two new petroleum godowns have been erected by the Government at Rach Doï, on the banks of Saigon River (half way to the town), at a cost of $18,000. They are said to be large enough to receive over 400,000 cases. The agents of Messrs. Samuel and Co., of London, have built two petroleum tanks at Nhabé at the point where the Saigon River flows into the Donnaï.'