Directory_and_Chronicle_1902 — Page 856

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Sum-bo

PAKHOI-HOIHOW

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

mission Agents

Aug. Schomburg (Bremen) L. Jüdell

Agencies

Norddeutscher Lloyd Orient Line Douglas Steamship Co., Ld.

North China Insurance Company,

Limited

Canton Insurance Office, Limited, Deutsche Transport Vers. Ges., in Berlin

319

Badische Schiffahrts Assecuranz Ges.

Badische Rück und Mitvers. Ges.

Prussian National Insurance Co.

South British Insurance Company,

New Zealand

SCHOOL OF FRENCH LANGUAGE

Marcel Roudet, director

SEQUEIRA & Co., Merchants and General

Commission Agents

N. A. Sequeira

HOIHOW (IN HAINAN)

Kiung-chau

口海 Hoi-hau,

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 fiable 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 French have erected a handsome consulate, and a British consulate is also in course of erection. The net value of the trade for 1899 was Tls. 4,647,706, against Tls. 3,680,258 in 1898.

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. The town itself contains about 25,000 souls, and is governed by a Tsan-fu, or Lieutenant-Colonel; the population of Kiungchow being 41,000. The native mercan- tile population, though respectable, is by no means rich. No foreign settlement has as yet been formed, and with the exception of the Roman Catholic Orphanage, erected in 1895, and the American Presbyterian Mission Hospital and doctor's residence, the houses occupied by the foreign residents are Chinese converted into European habitations by alterations and improvements; H.B.M. Consulate obtained a site after fourteen years' negotiations, and a consulate building has now been erected to the S.W. of the Hospital. Towards the end of 1897 a piece

piece of land was granted and a French Consulate has been built on the Northern side of the river and facing Hoihow town. Since the beginning of 1899 a free school has been opened by the French Government for teaching the French language to the Chinese, and an officer from the Tonkin Medical Staff was detailed to this port for the purpose of giving the natives and others free attendance and medicine. The foreign residents at present number about sixty. The net value of the trade of the port in 1900 was Tls. 3,753,233, in 1899 Tls. 4,647,706, in 1898 Tls. 3,680,285, and in 1897 Tls. 3,300,239. A large export trade in pigs, poultry, eggs, and provisions is carried on with Hongkong. The postal service was at first conducted at the British Consulate only; when the Chinese Imperial Post was created, a branch of that service was also established at this port; in the beginning of 1900 a French Post Office was added. The public is therefore well provided for in that respect. Telegraphic communication with the other ports of the world is established through the line under Chinese administration, but the service is most wretchedly conducted, the line being more often interrupted than not. A harbour light, as well as one at Lamko (western entrance of the Hainan Straits) were opened in 1894; also one at Cape Cami in 1895.

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