HOIHOW (IN HAINAN)
Kiung-chau
口海 Hoi-hau
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, but 18 years passed to before there were any signs of foreign commerce. 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. 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. The town itself contains about 30,000 souls, and is governed by a Tsan-fu, or Lieutenant-Colonel; the population of Kiungchow 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' negotations, 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 Con- sulate was created. The foreign residents at present number about sixty-five. The net value of the trade of the port in 1907
Hk. Tls. 6,319,276.
was
A large export trade in pigs, poultry, eggs, bullocks and provisions is carried on with Hongkong. The memorable typhoon which on September 18th, 1906, played havoc with the shipping craft in Hongkong harbour had the effect of bringing trade at Hoihow to a standstill for several weeks, as two of the regular steamers were wrecked and a third disabled, and the annihilation of small craft led to ex- orbitant rates being demanded by those which later visited the port. 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 com- merce. "Perhaps" he adds, "when this is accomplished it will be seen that this 'Island of Palms' 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 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. Wireless telegraphy was inaugurated in April 1908, to operate across the Hainan Strait at Hoihow and Suwen, immediately opposite on the mainland. 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. The approach to the harbour badly needs dredging.