Directory_and_Chronicle_1881 — Page 288

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HOIHOW (IN HAINAN.)✓

The port of Ho how, officially known as K'iung-chow (the seat of the local govern- ment, and distant from its port about three and a half miles), was opened to foreign trade on the 1st April, 1876. A Vice-consul, who also acts for Germany, 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 trans- actions, vessels being compelled to anchor some 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. As regards health, Hoihow compares favourably with the other ports 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 qualified judges believe that Hoihow will before long vie with the Formosan The town itself contains about 12,000 souls, and is governed by ports in impor ance. a Tsan-fu, or Lieutenant-Colonel. The mercantile population, though respectable, is by no means rich. It numbers about 158 business houses (51 Cantonese, 39 Chao- chouese, 2 Fuhkienese, 10 Leichnoese, and 56 Hainanes) dealing chiefly in silk and cotton piece goods, medicines, opium, tobacco, sugar, oil cake, &c. The inhabitants are friendly to foreigners, and no disturbances have as yet interfered with amicable intercourse. The import of opium in 1879 amounted to 1,117 piculs, the value of the whole trade was Tls. 1,373,419 as compared with Tls. 1,215,056 in 1878.

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. Full reports upon the capabilities of the port have been made by H.B.M. Consul at Canton aud the Secretary of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce.

BRITISH CONSULATE.

KIUNGCHOW.

Consul A. Frater (absent)

Acting Consul—

Constable-Robert E. Bruce

DIRECTORY.

IMPERIAL MARITIME CUSTOMS.

Assistant in Charge-A. Lay

Assistants J. C. Johnston, E. A. Aldridge

Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master-J.

Poynter

Assistant Examiner-W. G. Harrison

Tidewaiters-G. W. Luce, C. Tonkin

AGENCIES.

Herton & Co., agents-

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

Corporation

Yangtsze Insurance Association Union Insurance Society of Canton Austrian Insurance Co. "Donau."

Second Colonial Sea and Fire Insu-

rance Co. of Batavia

North German Fire Insurance Co.

Scottish Imperial Fire and Life asu-

rance Company

Schomburg, A., agent—

North China Insurance Co.

MERCHANTS.

瑞昌洋行

Sui-chang-yeung-hong.

Herton & Co., commission merchants

Edward Herton

L. Jüdell

森寶洋行

Sum-bo-yang-hong.

Schomburg, A., merchant and commission

agent-