Directory_and_Chronicle_1891 — Page 582

LAPPA

Lappa, also called by the Chinese Kung Pak, is an island, directly opposite the Inner Harbour of Macao, the distance across being from 14 to 14 miles. One of the stations of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs is located here, and another on an islet called Malowchow. Lappa is under the jurisdiction of the Heungshan Magistrate. It

possesses no features of interest beyond the fact that it is the principal Customs station in the neighbourhood of Macao.

關托拱 Kung Pak Kwun

IMPERIAL MARITIME CUSTOMS

DIRECTORY

Commissioner-Alfred E. Hippisley

Assistant-E. H. Grimani

Do. -S. von Fries

Do. -A. M. de Souza

Medical Officer-J. Gomes da Silva Tidesurveyor-T. N. Manners Assist. Tidesurveyor-L. A. Byworth

Boat Officer-D. Reid Examiner-L. Liedeke

Assistant Examiner-J. H. M. Noodt Tidewaiters-J. W. Scott, E. A. Ro- Roberts, T. H. England, J. W. Mur- back, W. C. Blake, J. Moorehouse, J. F. Rowsell, D. W. Watt, F. Ford, J. A. Costa, P Backhouse, W. L. Parker, A. Lee

HOIHOW (IN HAINAN).

Hoihow is the seaport of the city of Kiung-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 foreign 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 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-tu, 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 1889 was Tls. 2,295,949 as compared with Tls. 2,653,345 in 1888. A large export trade in pigs, eggs, and provisions is carried on with Hongkong.