898
MENGTSZ AND YUNNANFU-HOKOW
ENGLISH METHODIST
· PENTECOSTAL
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
V. de L. Parker, B.A., secretary Mrs. V. de L. Parker
NANYANG BROTHERS TABACCO Co., LTD.
(Yunnanfu Branch)
STANDARD OIL CO. OF NEW YORK
R. van der Werken, representative
雅壁徐
SUBIRA FRÈRES, Import and Export-Tel.
Ad: Subira; Codes: A.B.C. 5th edn., and Bentley's
Agencies
International Savings Society Assurance Franco-Asiatique
La Fonciére Incendie
Wilson's Trade Service Bureau- Tel. Ad: Wilson, Yunnanfu; Code: Bentley's
Alfred Wilson, sole proprietor
YUNNAN POSTAL DISTRICT Head Office:
Yunnanfu; Tel. Ad: Postos
Postal Commr.-E. A. L. Chaudoin District Accountant-E. Toussaint Inland Control-Hwang Kia Teh Accountancy-Tsang Yuk Ming Secretary Wu Chih
General Supervisor-Lin Pu-ying Mengtsz
First Class Postmaster-Lin Pu-jen Hokow
First Class Postmaster-Fêng Te-kuei Tengyueh
First Class Postmaster-Tye Pao-hua Szemao
Second Class Postmaster Ma Shou-
shan
YUNNANFU CLUB (Cercle de Yunnanfu)
President-Cordier
Committee-Durand (hon. secretary),
Jansen, Henry and Green
YUNNANFU WIRELESS STATION Chs. Astoin, ingénieur
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 Mengtsz 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 Nanhsi 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, 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, 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 taking large quantities of quinine.