Directory_and_Chronicle_1896 — Page 735

SAIGON

Saigon, the capital of Cochin-China, is situated on the Saigon river, a branch of the Donnai, in lat. 10 deg. 50 min. N., and long. 104 deg. 22 min. E. It is about 40 miles from Cape St. James and is accessible to the largest vessels. Since its occupation by the French the climate has undergone a very favourable change, owing to different sanitary works in the town, such as drains, the filling up of pools, marshes, &c. The town presents a fine appearance, the roads and thoroughfares being broad and regular. Amongst the public buildings Government House is the most remarkable; several millions of francs have been spent upon its construction and decoration. The other prominent public buildings are the new Palace of the Lieutenant-Governor, the new and handsome Post Office on the Place de la Cathedrale, the Custom House, the "Direction de l'Intérieur," the Treasury, the Land Office, Public Works Department, the Schools, and the Supreme Court. The Military Hospital is a fine and handsome building, as are also the Arsenal, Barracks, and Artillery Parc. There is also a stately Gothic Cathedral of large proportions. A fine bronze statue of Gambetta stands in the Boulevard Norodom. Saigon has two public gardens, the "Jardin de la Ville," which is maintained at the expense of the Municipality, and the Botanical Garden. There is good docking accommodation, the Bassin de Radaub being one the finest docks in the world, capable of receiving the largest men-of-war, and there are two floating lifts. There are two steam rice mills. The population of Saigon in 1891 was 19,000 (exclusive of the Naval and Military forces). The French population numbers 1,753 and other Europeans 207.

The M. M. steamers call twice a month at Saigon on their homeward and outward trips. Easy communication is afforded with the principal towns of the interior by subsidized mail steamers, and there is a railway to Mytho. All the principal towns of Cochin-China possess telegraphic communication, and a submarine cable unites the colony with Singapore, Hongkong, Haiphong, &c. The postal organization of the Colony is very complete and efficient. Correspondence can be sent daily to almost all parts of the country. The Journal Officiel is published twice a week, and there are usually one or two other journals published, but they frequently change their titles, and lead a spasmodic existence. The Gia-dinh-bao is the native issue of the Journal Officiel. Saigon is no longer a free port, heavy Customs dues having been imposed since July, 1887, with exemptions in favour of French goods and shipping. The tariff is based on the General Tariff of France. The export of rice in 1894 reached 9,114,265 piculs, as against 11,694,685 piculs in 1893.

DIRECTORY

GOUVERNEMENT GÉNÉRAL DE L'INDO-CHINE Gouverneur-Général--Armand ROUSSEAU (Senateur du Finistere)

MAISON MILITAIRE

Officier d'ordonnance-Lagarde, lieut. de

hussards

CABINET DU GOUVERNEUR-GÉNÉRAL Chef de Cabinet-Le Coz Secrétaire particulier-E. Rousseau Interprète du Gouvt.-Cheon, v-résident Archiviste-Bellauf

Bureau Militaire-Regis, chef Escadron

SECRETARIAT GÉNÉRAL DU GOUVERNEMENT GÉNÉRAL

Secrétaire Général-Foures

Chef de Cabinet-De Lalande-Chlan

CONTRÔLE FINANCIER

Directeur de Contrôle Picanon Chef de Bureau-Le Tulle

Commis-Rouvier, Vivier

CONSEIL SUPÉRIEUR DE L'INDO-CHINE Le Gouverneur-Général, président Le Commandant en chef des Troupes Le Commandant en chef de la Division

Navale de l'Indo-Chine

Le Lieut.-Gouverneur de la Cochinchine Le Résident Supérieur du Tonkin Le Résident Supérieur de l'Annam Le Résident Supérieur du Cambodge