Directory_and_Chronicle_1890 — Page 718

HAKODATE.

This, the most northerly of the treaty ports of Japan, is situated in the south of Yesso on the Straits of 'T'sugar, which divide that island from Hondo.

The port lies in latitude 41 deg. 47 min. 8 sec. N., and longitude 140 deg. 45 min. 34 sec. E., and the harbour is nearly land-locked. The town clusters at the foot and on the slope of a bold rock known to foreigners as Hakodate Head, 1,106 feet in height. The surrounding country is hilly, volcanie, and striking, but the town itself possesses few attractions. A destructive fire in December, 1879, led to great improvements and the widening of the streets. The foreign concession has never been built upon, the few foreign residents in the port having taken up their quarters in Japanese buildings. A row of fine temples, with lofty picturesque roois, occupying higher ground than the rest of the town, are the most conspicuous buildings. There are some Public Gardens at the eastern end of the town, which contain a small but interesting Museum. Waterworks for supplying the town with pure water were completed in 1889. The climate of Hakodate is healthy and bracing. The hottest month is August, but the thermometer then rarely rises above 90 degrees Fahr.; in the winter it sometimes sinks to 18 degrees. The mean temperature throughout the year is about 48 degrees. The population of Hakodate in 1888 was 53,036. The number of foreign residents in 1888 was 79, of whom 39 were Europeans and Americans, and 40 Chinese; there are 10 more Europeans in other parts of Yesso.

The foreign trade of the port is small and has never been important. The value of the imports in 1888 amounted to £691 as compared with £2,340 in 1887. The exports for 1888 amounted to £82,643, compared with £116,450 in 1887. The agricultural resources of Yesso have been to some extent developed under the auspices of the Kaitakushi or Colonization Department.

The rich pasture lands are well adapted for breeding cattle. In the valuable and extensive fisheries on the coast, however, the chief exports of the future from Hakodate are to be looked for. Increasing quantities of dried fish and seaweed are exported annually, mostly to China. The mineral resources of Yesso, said to be large, may also some day yield a valuable addition to the exports of this port. Hakodate is connected with the capital by telegraph. A railway from Otarunai to Sapporo, 22 miles long, was opened to public traffic on the 28th November, 1880, and has since been carried on to Poronai, where are some coal mines, the total length of the line being 56 miles.

DIRECTORY.

HOKKAIDO CHо ADMINISTRATION. Futatsuki Hikoshichi, acting Governor

KENCHO.

Takito Tamemoto, Chiji

Hoi Kimpo, chief secretary Terada Rioski, assist. do.

HAKODATE Koso IN (COURT OF APPEAL.) Nomura Isho, president

Haruki Yoshiakira, procurer general

HAKODATE SHISHIN SAIBANSHO (COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE)

Saito Kinpe, president

Nishimura Minoru, chief commissary

IMPERIAL CUSTOMS.

Noda Takao, superintendent

BRITISH CONSULATE.

Acting Consul-F. W. Playfair Constable-H. B. Lucas