Directory_and_Chronicle_1890 — Page 661

KOBE (HYOGO,.

249

which possesses a large bronze Buddha, is worth a visit; and there is a monument to the Japanese hero Kiyomori, erected in 1286, in a grove of trees in the vicinity of the temple, which claims some attention from its historic associations. In connection with the Imperial Shipbuilding Yard at Hyogo is a Patent Slip, which will accommodate vessels up to 2,000 tons. Its total length is 900 feet; length above water, 300 feet; breadth, 38 feet; declivity, 1 in 20. The slip is worked by hydraulic power. The population of the town of Hyogo in January, 1886, was 27,720. The population of the prefecture in 1888 was 1,516,640.

Kobe is connected with Osaka by rail, the distance between being twenty miles. This line, which has been extended to Kyoto (the ancient capital of Japan), a distance of 27 miles from Osaka, was formally opened to traffic by the Mikado on the 5th February, 1877. It has since been extended to Nagoya, and thence by degrees to Yokohama and Tokyo, and is now known as the Tokaido Railway. It was opened through its entire length (376 miles) in July, 1889. The connection of Osaka with Kobe by rail has naturally tended to centralise trade at the latter port. Among the exports, tea, rice, camphor, copper, and vegetable wax, take the lead. The value of the foreign import trade for 1888 was £4,433,444; that of the exports £2,863,804. In 1887, the value of the imports was £3,095,408, and that of the exports £2,070,225. The quantity of tea shipped from Kobe-Hyogo in 1888 was 18,090,740lbs., compared with 18,669,782lbs. in 1887. The whole of this went to the United States of America and Canada. Shipbuilding is an important industry of the port, and a goodly number of iron and wooden screw steamers are annually laid down here.

DIRECTORY.

Consulates.

GREAT BRITAIN.-9.

Consul-Jos. H. Longford

HAWAII.-7.

Consul-S. Endicott

ITALY.-5.

Assistant and pro-Consul-R. de B. Layard In charge of Interests-R. von Krencki

Constable John Faichney

FRANCE.

Vice-Consul-P. H. de Lucy-Fossarieu

Assistant—A. Michel

Interpreter-Hara Hissao

CHINA.--Yama.

Consul-Chien Nien Hsien

(H.G.M's. Consul)

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.-9.

Acting Consul-J. H. Longford (H.B.M.

Consul)

GERMAN EMPIRE.-5.

Consul-R. von Kreneki

Secretary and Interpreter-Hsü Kwang

Kwoon

|

Interpreter—

Secretary-H. Lotz

Japanese Interpreter-Yang Chin Ting

BELGIUM.-118.

Consul-W. F. K. Fearon

SWITZERLAND.-5.

Acting Vice-Consul―R.

Amtsdiener-R. Bernhardt

Linguist-M. Asahina

UNITED STATES.-15.

Consul-Enoch J. Smithers

von

Vice-Consul- Krencki

Marshal-

(H.G.M's. Consul)

HOLLAND.-91.

Interpreter--

Consul-Chas, Braess

SPAIN.-9.

In charge of Interests-J. H. Longford

(H.B.M. Consul)

DENMARK.-91.

Consul-Chas. Braess

PORTUGAL.

Shimoyama te dore, 22.

Vice Consul-V. E. Braga

RUSSIA.-5.

In charge of Interests-R. von Krencki

(H.G.M's. Consul)