Directory_and_Chronicle_1879 — Page 447

SAIGON.

421

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Hospital is a fine and handsome building, as are also the Arsenal, Barracks, and Artillery parc. Saigon has two public gardens, the Jardin de la Ville," which is maintained at the expense of the municipality, and the Botanical Garden. There is one large rice-mill in Saigon belonging to a European firm and two more in the town of Cholen, one of which belongs to a Chinese company. There are also two steam brick-yards, one in each town. Cholen is the granary of the colons and its commercial activity is enormous. A society called the "Nouvelle Espérane" has begun sugar-cane planting in the province of Giadinh, and it is believe that it will prove successful; a steam sugar-mill will shortly be erected on the plantation. Another society called the Société Agricole et Industrielle" is trying the cultivation of pepper, coffee, and tobacco on three different plantations. There is an iron floating dock an1 a new one is in course of construction. The population of Saigon may be estimated at about 20,000 inhabitants, chiefly Aunamese and Chinese. The town of Cholen, principally inhabited by Chinese traders, is three miles distant from Saigon, and its population may be set down at 50,000.

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The M. M. steamers call twice a month at Saigon on their homeward and outward trips. Easy communication is affordel with the principal towns of the interior by the steamers of the firm of Roque, called "Messageries de Cochinchine." Their steamers are large and commodious, and ply to and fro regularly with cargo, passengers, and mails, and they are subsidized by the Government. One of the Company's largest boats plies regularly once a week from Saigon to Punom-penh (capital of Cambodia) and vice versa, calling on her way at Mytho, Vinhlong, and Sadec. All the principal towns of French Cochin China possess telegraphic com- munication, and a sub marine cable unites the colony with Singapore, Hongkong, &c. The postal organization of the colony is very complete and efficient. Cor- respondence can be sent daily to almost all parts of the country. The Courrier de Saigon, which is also the Government Gazette, and is published fortnightly, is the only paper in the colony.

Saigon is a free port; with the exception of opium, arms, and alcohol, all goods are imported and exported free of duty. In 1872, the arrivals of junks in the port of Saigon (coasting trade) amounted to 4,067, and 603 European vessels with an agrre- gate tonnage of 284,140 tons frequented the port. The export of rice in 1872 reachei 3,948,961 piculs, but since then it has increased considerably, sometimes reaching upwar's of 5,00 1,000 piculs. In 1878 the export by foreign voin vessels was upwards of 4,000,000 picul. The value of the imports yearly is about 70,000,000 franes, and that of the exports a similar amouɛt.

DIRECTORY.

Colonial Government.

PRIVY COUNCIL.

President-H.E. the Governor

Governor-His Excellency Rear Admiral Official Members-Valière, Bigrel, Boyer,

Lafond

Chief of the Staff-Golfier

Aide-de-Camp-Le Bourguignon-Duperré Officers of Ordonnance-Lange, Louvel

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

Chief of the Cabinet-Bonnaire

Assist.

do.

-Cozic

Clerks-Lacombe, Jacquemain

Piquet, Poignand

Ordinary Members-G. Vinson, Léger,

Jame, A. Spooner Secretary-Bataille

Clerks Bouteiller, de Beaufort, de Chin-

champ

DIRECTION OF THE INTERIOR. Director-J. Piquet