Directory_and_Chronicle_1884 — Page 290

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SAIGON.

The Government of French Cochin-China is administered by a civil Governor appointed from Paris, who is assisted by a Privy Council composed of all the Herde of Departments as official members and two unofficial members. The Coll Council, the inembers of which are elected by the residents, consists of sixteen members, four of whom are natives. In the various arrondissements, more ›rer, councils have lately been introduced composed entirely of natives. The tow. of Saigon and Cholen are ruled by Municipal Councils, the members of which 1 lie. are partly French and partly native. The Chamber of Commerce at Saigon is also an official body elected by the merchants and traders, and is composed of French, foreigners, and Chinese.

Saigon is situated about 40 miles from Cape St. James and is accessible to the largest vessels. Since its occupation by the French the climate has undergone very favourable change, owing to different sanitary works in the town, such as drains, the filling up of pools, marshes, &c. The town presents a fine appearance, the roads and thoroughfares being broad and regular. Amongst the public building Government House is the most remarkable; several millions of francs have been spent upon its construction and decoration. The other prominent public builling are the new "Direction de l'Interieur," the Treasury, the Post Office, the Land Ofë, Public Works Department, the Schools, and the Supreme Court. The Military Hospital is a fine and handsome building, as are also the Arsenal, Barracks, and Artillery parc.

A stately gothic Cathedral of large proportions, was opened on th 11th April, 1881. Saigon has two public gardens, the "Jardin de la Ville," which is maintained at the expense of the municipality, and the Botanical Garden. Ther are several rice-mills in Saigon and Cholen. There are also steam brick-yard- in each town Cholen is the granary of the colony and its commercial activity is enormous. Sugar-cane planting has been commenced in several provinces, but the success of this undertaking is as yet problematical. There is an iron floating doel, and a new one was completed at the Arsenal in August, 381, but sunk on the September following while being lowered to take in th transport tho. T population of Saigon may be estimated at about 40,000 inhabitants, chiefly Annam 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 70,000. It is connected with Saigon by a tramway.

The M. M. steamers call twice a month at Saigon on their homeward and outward trips, and another line of steamers from Marseilles has just been started to Saigon and Hongkong. Easy communication is afforded with the principal ton of the interior by subsidized mail steamers. All the principal towns of French Co.·hin- China possess telegraphic communication, and a sub-marine cable unites the colony with Singapore, Hongkong, &c. The postal organization of the colony is very complete and efficient. Correspondence can be sent daily to almost all parts of th country. The Journal Official, which is also the Government Gazette, is publi hed twice a week, and there is a paper called L'Indépendant de Saigon, which appears three

times a week.

The foreign trade of Saigon, which is practically that of the whole colony, amounted in 1882 to a value of $21,037,150; the exports being $11,802,415, and thi imports $9,224,785. Of the exports rice figures for $8,767,267 (6,075,810 piculs) Of the remainder, only $326,937 went to France, and $24,177 to other ports of Europe, the bulk of the trade being carried on with Hongkong and Singapore. Of the imports, $3,132,074 came from Singapore, $3,224,948 from Hongkong and China, an $1,334,432 from France. Cotton goods account for $1,685,904 of the imports, silt piece goods for $764,566, and opium for $516,572. Of the cotton gools only $2,129 were of French origin.

369 vessels entered the port in 1882, of which 334 were steamers (28,518 tone), and 35 sailing vessels (16,446 tons). These figures do not include the mail steater A nor vessels merely touching at the port without breaking bulk. The French flag " represented by 31 steamers and six sailing vessels, while the English flag represented by 203 steamers and 11 sailing vessels, and Germany sent 62 steamers,

552

Colonial Government.

SAIGON.

DIRECTORY.

Governor-His Excellency Charles Thom.

son

Aides-de-Comp-de Fésigny Officer of Ordnance-Follet

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

Chief of the Cabinet and Secretary of Em-

bassy A. Klobukowski

Private Secretary to the Governor-Dela-

velle

First Clerk-Passclègue Clerk-Jacquemain

Secretary Interpreter for the Annamite.

Language Potteaux

Clark, Embassy Ofice-Hebert

PRIVY COUNCIL. President-S.E. The Governor

Official Members-Outré, Rougon, Béliard,

Bert

| First Clerk-Douville

Clerks-do Gaillande, Roussin, Rembert, Mercier, Steinam, Legrand, de Montag-

|

nac

English Interpreter-Frank Cowie Interpreter for the Annamite language—Huc Commis. of Archives and Library-P. Clerc Fourth Office.

Chief-Caffort, p.i. Sub-Chief—N.

First Clerk-Leproux, p.i.

•

Clerks-Bourdin, Laforgue, Pourru, Paris- Sergent, O'Kelly, Buard, Piequet, Joy- eux, Javand

Immigration Office.

Chief-Morlet Clerk-

GOVERNMENT OFFICERS.

Colonel Commander of the Troops-Outré Lieut.-Col.—de Maussion-Miramond

Ordinary Members-G. Jame, Vinson, Mi-Chief of the Naval Station-Sagazan

chelot, Rivière Secretary-Laffont

Clerks Groleau, Leroy

£L

COLONIAL Ct INCIL. President-Blanchy Vice-President-Garcerie

Members Blancsubé (deputy at Paris), Cardi, Jouvet, Jourdau, Reynaud, G. Jame, K. Schroeder, and five Anna- mites

Interpreters Potteaux, Huc, Bollon DIRECTION OF the Interior. Director-E. Béliard Secretary-General-Drouhet

Clerk-Sestier

First Office.

Chief-Brisac Sub-Chief-Lacan, p.i.

First Clerks Garnier-Laroche, André Clerks-d'Auxais-Conrandy, Gougon, Roc-

ca, Féraud

Second Office,

Chief-Morin Sub-Chief-Pascal

First Clerk-Marus

Clerks-Hédouin, Chaix, Crestien, Limau,

Carrère, Ozoux, Laurent

Third Office.

Chief-Torcapel

Sub-Chief-Berre

Director of the Engineers-Sorel Director of the Marine Artillery-Mortier Director of the Gondarmerie-Meignau Director of Botanical Gardens-J. B. Pierre

(absent), Moquin-Tandon, acting

COMMISSION D'ASSISTANCE PUBLIQUE. The Attorney-General, The Mayor of Saigon, The Chief of the third Office, The Curate of Saigon, Guérin, and a surgeon

CONSEIL DE DEFENCE. President His Excellency the Governor Members-The General Commanding the Troops, Chief of the Naval Station, Chief Commissioner of Marine, Director of the Interior, Director of Artillery, Director of Engineers

ADMINISTRAtion of Marine. Commissioner Rougon, chief of the Ad-

ministrative servico

SECRETARIAT.

Gleizes, assist. commissioner

REVUES.

Masson, chief commissioner Sers, assistant commissioner