972
POINSARD & VEYRET
MENGTSZ AND YUNNANFU-HOKOW
M. Gossart, general manager, Yunnan
District and High Tongkin Region
STANDARD OIL Co. oF NEW YORK Homer E. van der Werken
* * *
SUBIRA FRÈRES, Import et Export-Tel. Ad: Subira; Codes: A.B.C. 5th edn., Bentley's
Agencies
International Savings Society Assurance Franco-Asiatique La Fonciére Incardie
UNION COMMERCIALE INDO-CHINOISE
T'ang Li Kung, manager
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
W, P. Watkins, M.A., B.A.S.
YUNNAN POSTAL DISTRICT-Head Office:
Yunnanfu; Tel. Ad: Postos
Postal Commissioner-L. D. Henry District Accountant-M. J. C. Ricard Inland Control--Yü Siang-lin Accountancy-Hwong Kia Teh Secretary-Li Po-chi
General Supervisor-Hsu Nan Sheng Mengtsz First Class Postmaster-
Kwok Wai-nam
·
Hokow First Class Postmaster - A.
P. Bory
Tengyueh First Class Postmaster-
Tye Pao-hua
Szemao Second Class Postmaster-
Cheng Hsiang-lun
YUNNANFU CLUB (Cercle de Yunnanfu)
Hon. Presidents-H. E. Sly, A.
Bodard, M. S. Myers
President-G. Bocher
Hon. Treas. and Secy.-N. Travers Librarian-B. Subira, Homer E.
van der Werken, M. Kalos
HOKOW
Hokow was opened to foreign trade by the Supplementary Convention between China and France of 20th June, 1895. By the terms of the agreement France was to establish a Vice-Consulate and China a Customs House at Hokow, these stipulations being carried out in August, 1896, and July, 1897, respectively. The Vice-Consulate is subordinate to the Meugtsz Consulate and the Hokow Customs are under the control of the Mengtsz. Commissioner, and the value of the trade is not separately stated in the Mengtsz Customs returns.
Hokow is picturesquely situated on the left bank of the Red River at its confluence with the Nanĥsi River-commonly called the Namti-and lies immediately opposite Laokay, an important garrison town in Tonkin. The native town has a population of about 4,000, mostly living in bamboo houses and thatched huts; some good semi- foreign style buildings have, however, been built during the last few years. An iron railway bridge across the Nanhsi River was completed in 1902, and connects Hokow and Laokay. Hokow is about 420 li by land from Mengtsz; which can be reached after a train journey of about 8 hours through magnificent country.
The climate is very unhealthy and new residents soon feel its undermining effects In summer, when it does not rain, it is hot and trying, whereas rain is accompanied by a damp, mildewy, uncomfortable atmosphere which becomes even more disagreeable as soon as the sun reappears. The main climatic feature, by no means a pleasant one, is what is generally known by the French as "Le Crachin," a thin, fever-carrying drizzle,
"a which falls in winter and spring. The thick, tropical vegetation is kept moist, and a light and extremely dangerous mist overhangs everything. The dreaded Hokow Fever is rampant and claims numerous victims amongst the natives. Foreigners. manage to recover by swallowing large quantities of quinine.