Directory_and_Chronicle_1890 — Page 511

HOIHOW (IN HAINAN).

Hoihow is the seaport of the cit of K.ung-chow (the seat of government in the island of Hainan, and distant from its port about three and a half miles) which was opened to for igu trade on the 1st April, 1876. The position of the port, though geographically favourable, is topographically unsuitable for the development of any extensive com- mercial transactions, 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, The width of the Hainan Straits, between Hoihow and the mainland-the Lien-chau peninsula 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 aud 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 population of Kiungchow being 40,000. The mercantile population, though respectable, is by no means rich. No foreign settlement has as yet been formed, nor does it appear likely that any steps will be taken to that end. The foreign residents at present number less than a dozen. The value of the whole trade of the port in 1888 was Tls. 2,653,345 as compared with Tls. 2,940,932 in 1887. A large export trade in pig, eggs, and provisions has grown up with Hongkong.

DIRECTORY.

BRITISH CONSULATE, KIUNGCHOW.

Acting Consul-Oct. Johnson Constable-D. S. Heaysman Chinese Writer-Wu Tzu-ch'êng

FRENCH CONSULATE.

Vice-Consul-Camille Gauthier (Pakhoi)

GERMAN VICE-CONSULATE.

in charge-Oct. Johnson Clerk-Lee Asik

IMPERIAL MARITIME CUSTOMS. Assistant in Charge-J. Neumann Assistant and Medical Officer-W. Kirk Acting Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master-

T. H. Kingsley

Assistant Examiner A. W. Leach

Tidewaiters-W. Keeble, J. T. Cotton, T.

H. England, C.H. A. Kacker

IMPERIAL CHINESE TELEGRAPHS,

P. C. Madsen, engineer

MERCHANTS, &c.

O'Toole & Co., commission merchants

P. Fitz O'Toole

Sum-bo.

Schomburg & Co., A., merchants and com-

mission agents

Aug. Schomburg (Pakhoi) L. Jüdell

Oscar Noodt