HOIHOW (IN HAINAN).
Hoihow is the seaport of the city of Kiung-chow (the seat of the local govern- ment, and distant from its port about three and a half miles) which was opened to foreign trade on the 1st April, 1876. A Consul, who also acts for Germany and the United States, represents British interests, and there is a branch of the Imperial Maritime Customs controlling the duties, &c., paid on foreign trade. The position of the port, though geographically favourable, is topographically unsuitable for the development of any extensive commercial transactions, vessels being compelled to anchor sonie two miles from the entrance of the creek, or branch of the main river upon which Hoihow is situated. The tides are extremely irregular, and the anchorage is liable to the visitation of very severe typhoons, being moreover entirely unprotected from the north. The width of the Hainan Straits, between Hoihow and the mainland-the Lien-chau peninsula-is about twelve miles. As regards health, Hoihow compares favourably with the other parts of Hainan, though fever and ague are said to prevail to some extent. The port is badly supplied with water.
The approaches to the shore are extremely shallow, so that loading and unloading can only be carried on at certain states of the tide. Despite this disadvantage, however, the advent of foreign steamers has given a considerable impulse to trade, and Hoihow now almost vies with the Formosan ports in importance. The town itself contains about 12,000 souls, and is governed by a Tsan-fu, or Lieutenant- Colonel. The mercantile population, though respectable, is by no means rich. No foreign settlement has as yet been formed, nor does it appear that any steps will be taken to that end for a considerable time. The foreign residents at present number less than a dozen. The value of the whole trade of the port was Tls. 3,017,876 as compared with Tls. 2,725,026 in 1885. A large export trade in pigs, eggs, and provisions has grown up with Hongkong.
DIRECTORY.
BRITISH CONSULATE, KIUNGCHOW.
Acting Consul—Oct. Johuson
Constable-D. S. Heaysman
Chinese Writer-Wu Tzu-ch'êng
GERMAN CONSULATE.
Consular Agent-Oct. Johnson
IMPERIAL MARITIME CUSTOMS.
Assistant in Charge-C. C. Clarke
Assistant and Medical Officer-J. H. Lowry
Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master-H.
C. Müller
Assistant Examiner-P. R. Dubarry Tidewaiters-F. J. Allshorn, G. A. Dissme- yer, T. H. En fand, C. Jörgensen, C. H. A. Kacker
Chinese Clerks --Wong Kum Ping, Un Yuk
Tai
MERCHANTS, &c.
Bruce, Rob. E., merchant, commission
agent, and auctioneer
昌瑞 Sui-chang.
Herton & Co., merchants
Edward Herton (Pakhoi)
Oscar Noodt, signs the firm
C. A. Soo (Pakhoi)
Sum-bo.
Schomburg & Co., A., merchants and com-
mission agents
Aug. Schomburg (Pakhoi) L. Jüdell