PROVINCES DE L'ANNAM
TOURANE
The port of Tourane is situated about forty miles to the south-east of Hué, the capital of Anuam, but on account of the Thuan-an Bar it is accessible by sea for large craft during only six months of the year-from the end of March to the end of September. From Huê to Tourane there is a very comfortable railway along the sea shore or passing through the mountains and woods, for a distance of sixty-eight miles. There is also a very picturesque road passing over the Nuages range of hills which is practicable for horse and foot traffic and for rickshaws. The extensive bay of Tourane is surrounded by hills and affords anchorage to the largest vessels. The Government transports and the steamers of the Messageries Maritimes and the Chargeurs Réunis find an anchorage here at all states of the tide, and in all weathers. The Tourane River, which rises in the small mountains of the interior, empties itself into the Bay. It is navigable only for small boats and junks, by which the traffic with the provinces of Quang-nam and Quang-ngai is carried on. The town, which is well built, extends for a length of nearly two miles along the left bank of the river. It possesses many public buildings, including the French Residency, a fine Military Hospital, spacious and well-ventilated Barracks, the Custom-house, the Treasury, the Post Office, and the Municipal Offices, also a number of well-appointed business establishments, amongst which may be mentioned the Bank de l'Indo-chine, the Messageries Maritimes Offices, the Morim Hotel, etc. The Markets, built of brick and stone, are large and contain several hundred stalls. On the right bank of the river also there are a few buildings which are included in the French concession. A silk filature has been established there. A quarter of an hour's walk from this district is the village of My-khế, which has given its name to a magnificent beach much frequented by the European popula- tion. The trade of Tourane is considerable, and several steamers a month arrive from Hongkong, taking full return cargoes of sugar, rattan, bamboo, areca nuts, silk, cassia, etc. The Messageries Maritimes and the Compagnie Chargeurs Réunis have agencies at Tourane, and the vessels of these Companies, together with those arriving from Hongkong, give a total of about a dozen entering the port every month. Besides these vessels a large number of large sea-going junks from China, Hainan, and the ports of Annam, Tonkin, and Cochin-China carry on an active and considerable trade in the products of the country, Tea, coffee, and the mulberry tree are cultivated on a large scale in the neighbourhood and there are several plantations owned by Europeans. Less than an hour's journey by boat from the town are the Marble Mountains, an object of interest for travellers, who should not pass through Tourane without paying them a visit. The population of Tourane is about 4,650, of whom 100 are European, 350 Chinese, and 4,500 Annamites.
DIRECTORY
VILLE DE TOURANE
Létang, Administrateur de 2e classe, Maire Haudebert, Commis de 2e classe, Secrétaire
GARDE INDIGENE
Mizon, Garde principal de 2e classe
ENREGISTREMENT
Santony, Receveur, Receveur de 5e classe Dugenet, Commis de l'Enregistrement
COMMISSION MUNICPALE
Letang, Resident Maire, President Breteuil, Avocnt, Vice President
VOIRIE DE TOURANE
Duval, Conducteur des Travaux Publics,
charge du Section
TRESORERIE
Fabre, Payeur de lère cl. de Trésorerie
de l'Indo-chine