HOIHOW
953
With the exception of the Roman Catholic Orphanage, erected in 1895, the American Presbyterian Mission Hospital and doctor's residence, and the Customs Indoor Staff, the French Post Office, the French School for Chinese, the French doctor's residence, the French Hospital, 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 14 years' negotiations, and a Consulate
Consulate building was erected in 1899 to the south-west 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. The buildings of the former German Consulate, at the extreme west of the suburb inhabited by foreigners, were com- pleted in 1914, but are already falling to ruin owing to the use, it is said, of salt water in the reinforced concrete construction. 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. The foreign residents in Hainan number about 98. The net value of the trade of the port in 1921 was Hk. Tls. 7,491,672, as compared with Hk. Tls. 5,822,072 in 1020, Hk. Tls. 5,716,094 in 1919, Hk. Tls. 4,542,675 in 1918 A large export trade in pigs, poultry, eggs, and Hk. Tls. 5,917,004 in 1917.
There has been some
bullocks and provisions is carried on with Hongkong. 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 Commissioner of Customs opinion 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 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. Telegraphic communication with the other parts 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, but has since been dismantled. A harbour light, and a light at Lamko (western entrance of the Hainan Straits) were opened in 1894; also one at Cape Cami in 1895. An Aga Lantern apparatus was installed on the West Fort close to the city at the commencement of 1916. The approach to the harbour badly needs dredging, but is not likely to be dredged until the native merchants of Hoihow develop a little public spirit, which is highly improbable with Pu Ch'iam, and Ch'inglan harbours taking most of the junk traffic with Singapore.
會老長
AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN MISSION
At Hoihow
Dr. and Mrs. MacCandliss
Rev. and Mrs. Brogden
Miss MacDonald
At Kiungchow
"Paxton" Boys' School
Rev. and Mrs. Tappan Rev. and Mrs. Melrose "Pitkin " Girls' School
Miss Chapin Miss Skinner
At Nodoa
Dr. and Mrs. Salisbury
DIRECTORY
Rev. and Mrs. Steiner
Mrs. M. R. Melrose
Rev. Leverett
At Kachek
Rev. and Mrs. Campbell Dr. and Mrs. Whelpley Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Miss Schaeffer
Rev. Stinson
Commissioner for Foreign Affairs -Col.
Sin Chieh San
ASIATIC PETROLEUM CO. (SOUTH China),
LTD.
P. Drummond, manager