Directory_and_Chronicle_1880 — Page 424

Page 424 Page 424

HAKODATE.

This, the most northerly of the treaty ports of Japan, is situated in the south of Yesso on the Straits of Tsugar, which divide that island from Hondo. The port lies in latitude 41 deg. 47 min. 8 sec. N., and longitude 140 deg. 45 min. 34 sec. E., and the harbour is nearly land-locked. The surrounding country is hilly, volcanic, and picturesque, but the town itself possesses few attractions, and consists mainly of one long street of single-storied houses, the distinguishing feature of which is the roof made of thin wood shingle kept on by quantities of flat stones. The foreign concession has never been built upon, the few foreign residents in the port having taken up their quarters in Japanese buildings. A row of fine temples, with high picturesque roofs, occupying higher ground than the rest of the town, ar the most conspicuous buildings. The climate of Hakodate is healthy and bracing. The hottest monta is August, but the thermometer then rarely rises above 90 degrees Fabr.; iu the winter it sometimes sinks to 18 degres. The mean temperature throughout the year is about 48 degrees.

The foreign tra le of the port is small and has never been important. The foreign shipping is annually decreasing and the direct imports have fallen off largely. The imports for 1877 and 1878 were nil, compared with $27,308 in 1876. The exports for 1878 amounted to $688,940 compared with $441,655 in 1877 and $776,962 in 1876. The agricultural resources of Yesso are rapidly developing under the auspices of the Kaitakushi or Colonization Department. The rich pasture lands are well adapted for breeding cattle. In the valuable and extensive fisheries on the coasts, however, the chief exports of the future from Hakodate are to be looked for. Increasing quantities of dried fish are exported annually. The mineral resources of Yesso, said to be large, may also some day yield a valuable addition to the exports of this part. Hakodate is connected with the capital by telegraph. The population of the town is about 11,000. The number of foreign residents in 1878 was 72, of whom 35 were Chinese, 20 British, and the remainder German, Russian, American, French, and Danish.

Consulates.

DIRECTORY.

Insurances.

GREAT BRITAIN.

Consul-R. Eusden

Constable—T. B. Anthony

FRANCE.

Consular Agent-R. Eusden

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN MONARCHY.

Acting Consul-R. Eusden

DENMARK.

Consul-John H. Dūūs

Howell & Co., agents-

Chinese Insurance Co., Limited North China Insurance Company

Professions and Trades,

Blakiston, Marr & Co., merchants

T. W. Blakiston

Dūūs, John H., merchant

J H. Dūūs

E. H. Dūūs

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