HOIHOW
909
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. The town itself contains about 30,000 souls, and is governed by a Tsan-fu, or Lieutenant-Colonel : the population of Kiungehow being 50,000. The native mercan- tile population, though respectable, is by no means rich. No foreign settlement has as yet been formed, and with the exception of the Roman Catholic Orphanage, erected in 1895, and the American Presbyterian Mission Hospital and doctor's residence, the houses occupied by the foreign residents are Chinese converted into European habitations by alterations and improvements ; H.B.M. Consulate obtained a site after fourteen years' negotiations, and a consulate building has now been erected to the S.W. of the Hospital. Towards the end of 1897 a piece of land was granted and a French Consulate has been built on the Northern side of the river and facing Hoihow town. Since the beginning of 1899 a free school has been opened by the French Government for teaching the French language to the Chinese, and an officer from the Tonkin Medical Staff was detailed to this port for the purpose of giving the natives and others free attendance and medicine. During 1903 a German Consulate was created. The foreign residents at present number about sixty-five. The net value of the trade of the port in 1995 was Tls. 6,876,804, against Tls. 5,018.603 in 1904, and Tls. 4,530,372 in 1903. A large export trade in pigs, poultry, eggs, bullocks and provisions is carried on with Hongkong. There has been some talk among the natives of opening mines, constructing railways, and bringing out timber from the virgin forests of the interior. While all this may not be realised on any scale for some years to come, it has been noticed that foreigners are beginning to explore the island, and the assistant commissioner of Customs opines that the searchlight of modern civilisation will reveal much that is of value to science as well as to commerce. “Perhaps" he adds, "when this to accomplished it will be seen that this 'Island of Pahms' is not the least rich nor the least fertile of China's possessions. The island of Hainan is described as a terra incognita to the world.
The postal service was at first conducted at the British Consulate only; when the Chinese Imperial Post was created, a branch of that service was also established at this port. In the beginning of 1900 a French Post Office was added; the public is therefore well provided for in that respect. Telegraphic communication with the other ports
ports of the world is established through the line under Chinese administration, but the service is most wretchedly conducted the line being more often interrupted than not. A harbour light, as well as one at Lamko (western entrance of the Hainan Straits), were opened in 1894; also one at Cape Cami in 1895.
CONSULATES-
DIRECTORY
✰✰✰ Tai-peh-kwok Ling-82-kun
BELGIUM
Consul for Hongkong, Macao and South China--(residing in Hongkong)
FRANCE
Vice-Consul—J. J. Beauvais
Medical Officer-Dr. Delay
Postmaster-Subira
Director, French School-Laborie
GERMANY
Consul--H. Von Varchmin (residing
at Pakhoi)
Secretary-A. B. Jarzembowski
GREAT BRITAIN (Kiungchow)
also
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, Consulate
Acting Consul–V. L. Savage
Constable and Postal Agent-W. F.
Canning
官事
總利大義大
Tai I-tai-li Chung-ling-sz-kun
ITALY
Consul-Chev. Z. Volpicelli (residing Digitized in Hongkong) (absent)