Directory_and_Chronicle_1898 — Page 796

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

ANNAM

347

and the Messageries Maritimes find an anchorage here at all states of the tide and in all weathers. The Tourane River, which has its source in the mountains of the interior, empties itself into the Bay. It is navigable only for small boats and junks, by which the traffic with the provinces of Quang-nam and Quang-ngai is carried on. The town, which is well built, extends for a length of nearly two miles along the left bank of the river. It possesses many public buildings, including the French Residency, a fine Military Hospital, spacious and well ventilated Barracks, the Customs House, the Treasury, the Post Office, and the Municipal Offices, also a number of well appointed business establishments, amongst which may be mentioned the Bank de l'Indo-Chine, the Opium Farm, the Messageries Maritimes offices, the Gassier Hotel, the Courbet Hotel, etc. The Markets, built of brick and stone, are large and contain several hundred stalls. On the right bank of the river also there are a few buildings, which are included in the French concession. A silk filature has been established there. A quarter-of-an-hour's walk from this district is the village of My-khé, which has given its name to a magnificent beach much frequented by the European population. The trade of Tourane is considerable and several steamers a month arrive from Hongkong, taking full return cargoes of sugar, rattan, bamboo, areca nuts, silk, cassia, etc. The Messageries Maritimes and the Compagnie Nationale de Navigation have agencies at Tourane and the vessels of these Companies, together with those arriving from Hong- kong, give a total of about a dozen entering the port every month. Besides these vessels a large number of large sea-going junks from China, Hainan, and the ports of Annam, Tonkin, and Cochin-China carry on an active and considerable trade in the products of the country. Tea, coffee, and the mulberry tree are cultivated on a large scale in the neighbourhood and there are several plantations owned by Europeans. Less than an hour's journey by boat from the town are the Marble Mountains, an object of interest for travellers, who should not pass through Tourane without paying them a visit. The population of Tourane in 1897 was 4,650, of whom 100 were Europeans, 50 Chinese, and 4,500 Annamites.

QUINHON

Quinhon was opened to foreign trade upon the conclusion of the treaty between France and Annam, signed in March, 1874. It is situated on the coast of Annam in about lat. 13 deg. 54 min. N., long. 109 deg. 02 min. E. The entrance to the port is obstructed by a bar, which may be crossed, however, by any vessel with a draught not exceeding 16 to 16 feet. The chief articles of export are salt, silk, crapes, beans, arachide oil and cakes, sugar, etc. The population of the province is one million; that of the port 3,000, of whom about 20 are French civilians. The country is well cultivated, and the commercial prospects of the port are improving every year. A considerable trade is carried on, chiefly with Hongkong, Haiphong, Saigon, Singapore, and Bangkok. The trade is at present chiefly in the hands of the Chinese.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1898 — Page 796

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