Directory_and_Chronicle_1894 — Page 604

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-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, but it appears likely that steps will soon be taken to that end. The foreign residents at present number about a score. The value of the whole trade of the port in 1892 was Tls. 2,100,932 as compared with Tls. 2,079,689 in 1891 and Tls. 2,9081,261 in 1890. A large export trade in pigs, poultry, eggs, and provisions is carried on with Hongkong.

AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN MISSION

DIRECTORY

Carl C. and Mrs. Jeremiasson (abst.) Dr. H. M. and Mrs. McCandliss (abst.) Rev. Frank P. and Mrs. Gilman

Rev. J. C. and Mrs. Melrose

Rev. A. E. Street

Rev. P. W. and Mrs. McClintock

Dr. Charles and Mrs. Terrill

Miss Jamieson

CONSULATES

GERMANY

Charged with German Interests - F.

S. Unwin

GREAT BRITAIN, Kiungchow

Acting Consul-E. H. Parker

Constable and Postmaster-D. S.

Heaysman

CUSTOMS-IMPerial MaritIME

Acting Commissioner-F. S. Unwin Assistant-C. E. Holworthy

Acting Tidesurveyor and Harbour

Master-C. J. Price

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Assistant Examiner-G. D. Sharnhorst Tidewaiters-J. Green, W. R. Comrie,

J. Walker, R. Henkel

PORTUGUESE CATHOLIC MISSION

Rev. José Manuel Diegues Rev. João Baptista Láo

Sum-bo.

SCHOMBURG & Co., A., Merchants and Com-

1 mission Agents

Ang. Schomburg

L. Jüdell (Pakhoi)

Oscar Noodt (Europe)

Agencies

Scottish Oriental Steamship Co., L. Nanshan Steamship Company

North China Insurance Co., Ld.

Canton Insurance Office, Limited

Deutsche Transport Versicherungs Ges.

Badische Schifffahrts Assec. Ges. Prussian National Insurance Co.

South British Insur. Co., New Zealand South British Insur. Co., N. Zealand