Directory_and_Chronicle_1886 — Page 372

HOIHOW (IN HAINAN).

Hoihow is the seaport of the city of Kiung chow (the seat of the local govern. ment, and distant from its port about three and a half miles) which was opened to for ign trade on the 1st April, 1876. A Consul, who also acts for Germany and the United States, 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 transactions, vessels being compelled to anchor some two miles from the entrance of the creek, or branch of the main river upon which Hoilow 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. The width of the Hainan Straits, between Hoihow and the mainland-the Lien-chau penit sula-is about twelve miles. As regards health, Hoihow compares favourably with the other parts 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 Hoihow now almost vies with the Formosan ports in importance. The town itself contains about 12,000 souls, and is governed by a Tsan-fu, or Lieutenant- Colonel. The mercantile population, though respectable, .is by no means rich. It numbers al out 160 business houses, dealing chiefly in silk and cotton piece goods, medicines, opium, tobacco, sugar, oil cakes, &c. The inhabitants are not unfriendly to foreigners, and no actual disturbances have as yet interfered with amicable intercourse, but the natives at a distance from the town have shown themselves hostile to ship- wrecked mariners who have been cast on the coast. The import of opium in 1884 amounted to 1,166 piculs as against 878 piculs in 1883, and the value of the whole trade was Tls. 2,449,955 as compared with Tis. 2,042,385 in 1883. A large export trade in pigs, eggs, and provisions has grown up with Hongkong.

No foreign settlement has as yet being formed, nor does it appear that any steps will be taken to that end for a considerable time. The foreign residents at present number less than a dozen,

DIRECTORY.

KIUNGCHOW.

BRITISH CONSULATF.

Officiating Consul—T. Watters Constable-T. Windsor

Chinese Writer--Wu Tzu-ch'êng

GERMAN CONSULATE.

Consular Agent-T. Waiters

IMPERIAL MARITIME CUSTOMS. Acting Commissioner-J. Twinem Assistant

Aldridge

and Medical Officer-E. A.

Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master—H.

C. Müller

Assistant Examiner-P. R. Dubarry Tidewaiters-G. A. Dissmeyer, F. J. All-

shorn, E. Momsen

MERCHANTS, &c.

Tung-t'ai.

Avetoom & Co., merchants and com-

mission agents

John Leon Avetoom

Bruce, Rob. E., merchant, commission

agent, and auctioneer

Sui-chang.

Herton & Co., merchants

Edward Herton (Pakhoi)

Oscar Noodt, signs the firm