Directory_and_Chronicle_1885 — Page 601

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SAIGON.

of Departments as official members and two unofficial members. The Colonial Council, some of the members of which are elected by the residents, consists of sixteen members, four of whom are natives. In the various arrondissements, moreover, councils have lately been introduced composed entirely of natives. The towns of Saigon and Cholon are ruled by Municipal Councils, the members of which bodies 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 a 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 buildings Government House is the most remarkable; several millions of francs have been spent upon its construction and decoration. The other prominent public buildings are the new "Direction de l'Interieur," the Treasury, the Post Office, the Land Office, 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 the 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. There are several rice-mills in Saigon and Cholon. There are also steam brick-yards in each town. Cholon is the granary of the colony, and its commercial activity is enormous. There is an iron floating dock, and a new one was completed at the Arsenal in August, 1881, but sunk on the 1st September following while being lowered to take in the transport Mytho. The population of Saigon may be estimated at about 40,000 inhabitants, chiefly Annamese and Chinese. The town of Cholon, principally inhabited by Chinese traders, is four miles distant from Saigon, and its population may be set down at 70,000. It is connected with Saigon by a steam tramway.

The M. M. steamers call twice a month at Saigon on their homeward and outward trips. Easy communication is afforded with the principal towns of the interior by subsidized mail steamers, and a railway to Mytho is almost com- pleted. All the principal towns of French Cochin-China possess telegraphic com- munication, and a sub-marine cable unites the colony with Singapore, Hongkong, Haiphong, &c. The postal organization of the colony is very complete and efficient. Correspondence can be sent daily to almost all parts of the country. The Journal Oficiel, which is also the Government Gazette, is published twice a week, Le Saigonnais appears twice a week, and Le Trompette is published weekly.

The foreign trade of Saigon, which is practically that of the whole colony, amounted in 1883 to a value of $28,224,872; the exports being $15,937,852, and the importe $12,237,020. Of the exports rice figures for $12,326,842 (8,648,243 piculs). The bulk of the trade is carried on with Hongkong and Singapore. Of the imports, $3,791,434 came from Singapore, $4,803,835 from Hongkong and China, and $1,808,324 from France. Cotton goods account for $1,767,979 of the importe, silk piece goods for $1,407,664, and opium for $371,050. Of the cotton goods only $4,515 were of French origin. In 1888, 524 vessels, aggregating 564,688 tons, cleared from the port, of which 239 vessels of 227,902 tons were British.

A new tariff has been proposed, which, if adopted, will destroy the freedom of the port. Hitherto the duties have been limited to spirits, arms, and ammunition, but under the new tariff nearly all imports will be subject to heavy duty; imports from France and Algeria, however, would get a rebate of 60 per cent. The export duty on rice and paddy by foreign ships would be 27 cents; to France and French colonies 18 cents, and to the latter by French ships 15 cents. Light dues are fixed at 10 cents, and the tonnage dues on foreign vessels at 40 cents, French vessels being exempt.