Directory_and_Chronicle_1886 — Page 553

NIIGATA.

Niigata is situated on the west coast of Japan, and in the southern part of the province of Echigo, at the mouth of the river Shinano-gawa. Though well located for trade it has yielded the most disappointing results of all the Treaty ports of Japan. Foreign goods find their way to Niigata in considerable quantities, but since the opening of the port no direct foreign trade has been developed there. Even the small coast trade carried on for a time in foreign bottoms soon ceased, and is now conducted in native steamers and other craft. Trade might, however, be attracted if the port could be rendered practicable for the admission of larger steamers.

The town, which is perhaps the cleanest and one of the best laid-ont iu Japan, covers an area of rather more oue square mile and consists of five parallel streets inter- sected by cross streets watered by canals which communicate with the river. It has been materially improved within the last few years by the widening of the canals and streets, the latter of which are now lighted with petroleum obtained in the district. New Law Courts, Post-office, and Schools have been built, and the town is connected by telegraph with Tokio and other cities of the Empire. A Government Hospital and a Medical School, as well as a large English school under English and American masters, have been established here. A handsome building for the local assembly was completed in 1884. A steam rice mill has been started and some fresh industries have been commenced. Niigata is still famed for the number and beauty of its women. The population of the town in 1885 was 40,185. The number of foreign residents in 1884 was 7, none of them being merchants.

The value of the imports in 1883 was Yen 2,026,482 and that of the exports Yen 1,955,998. The whole of the trade is carried on in native craft.

DIRECTORY.

KENCHO.

Shinozaki Goro, governor

Kondo Sachimoto, secretary

NATIONAL BANK.

(Niigata Daishi Kokuritsu Ginko).

Yagi Tomonawo, director

Shiroshi Hikojiro, manager

Nagaoka DAIROKUJIN KUKOKURITSU

GINKO.

Mishima Okujiro, director

Kishi Wukichi, manager

MURAKAMI DAISHICHIJIN ICKOKURITSU

GINKO.

Sato Denshiro, director

Awoyama Saichi, manager

SHIBATA DAI HIYAKU JINROKU KOKU- RITSU GINKO.

Ikaroshi Jiuzo, director

Tanabe Kuzo, manager

TAKADA DAI HIYAKU SANJINKU KOKU- RITSU GINKO.

Bruyeno Sadateru, director

Negeshi Iwawo, manager

NIIGATA BUSSAN KAISHA.

Sudzuki Chohachi, headman Fujita Bunji, director Sudzuki Chozo, do.

Sudzuki Sushiro, manager

NIPPON YUSAN KAISHA.

O. Nomura, agent

KOKUYETSU SHOKWAI.

Kagitomi Sansaku, headman Yamasaki Rikichi, manager

BRITISH CONSULATE.

J. J. Quin (Hakodate)