HAKODATE—OTARU
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Hakodate is reached in 17 hours from Tokyo, via Aomori, between which place and Hakodate there is a very good steamship service, maintained by the Government Railways. From Hakodate all the principal points in Hokkaido can now be reached by rail, and there is also a Government Steamship service to Odomari, in Karafuto (Japanese Saghalien). The Hakodate Harbour Im- provement Works were completed in 1900, and a patent slip capable of taking vessels up to 1,500 tons was also finished. There is a dry dock to accommo- date ships up to 10,000 tons at ordinary spring tides, and at highest spring tides the dock is capable of receiving the largest battleships in the Japanese- Navy.
In August, 1907, half the city of Hakodate was destroyed by a fire. The number of houses destroyed in the conflagration was ascertained to be 8,977, rendering about 60,000 persons homeless. All the foreign residents with the exception of the American Consular Agent were burnt out, saving nothing, and the total loss was estimated at not less than 50,000,000 yen.
Another disastrous fire occurred on the evening of March 21, 1934 in the eastern section of the city during a terrific hurricane; Three-fifths of the city were completely burnt out within a few hours, and only the changed direction of the wind just before midnight saved the city from being entirely wiped out.
The loss of lives and property was estimated at nearly 2,000 deaths, 140,000 persons rendered homeless, 25,000 houses destroyed, and Yen 160,000,000 worth, of property.
As a result of these disastrous fires, a scheme is now in force by which a Municipal Subsidy is granted to encourage building with fireproof materials.
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OTARU
This pleasantly situated town, 157 miles north of Hakodate, is the prin- cipal of the open ports of Hokkaido being of easy access to the rich agricul- tural lands in the Island, and having convenient railway facilities to all the timber bearing areas. The agricultural resources have been considerably developed, and the rich pasture lands are well adapted for breeding cattle and horses. The exports are timber, mostly hardwood, beans peas, onions, potatoes and general produce. Otaru is a regular port of call of the principal steam- ship lines trading to the Far East. Extensive harbour improvements are now in course of construction which will give wharfage accommodation for steamers up to 7,000 tons. The population of Otaru, according to the last census in October, 1930, was 144,880. It is the third largest city in the island of Hok- kaido. There is a small foreign community engaged in the timber or ship- ping trade. The climate is healthy and bracing, with heavy snow during the winter which provides ample facilities for skiing and toboganning. The skiing season lasts from December to March. The waterworks, which supply pure water to the town, are situated in the surrounding hills within easy access to the city. The city possesses an efficient fire brigade which keeps in touch with any part of the town by means of automatic fire alarms. There is the largest and most up-to-date can-making factory supplying all the cans to the salmon and crab fishing areas in the northern waters.
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