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COCHIN-CHINA-SAIGON
by the merchants and traders; formerly it was composed of French, foreigners, and Chinese, but in 1896 its constitution was altered and it is now an exclusively French body.
The population of Cochin-China by a recent census was 2,968,529, of whom 4,323 were French subjects (exclusive of the troops, which were put down at 3,536 men).
The British Consul in his report for 1901, says: "The export of rice was 632,000 tons, or 24,200 tons more than 1900. Export of broken rice and rice flour was 112,30Ų tons, making total export 744,300 tons. The surface of rice fields registered amounted in 1898 to 2,736,560 acres ; in 1900 it amounted to 2,911,211 acres, an increase of 174,65€ acres in two years. It is in the suburbs of Rachgia, Giadinh, Gocong, Mytho, Bentré and Soctrang that the rice fields have been regained from the forest. Following the irrigation works lately projected, a great number of concessions were granted in recent years, especially in 1899 and 1900, by the Colonial Council of Cochin-China, some to villages, some to settlers. The fields granted to European settlers are only taxed according to their progress, commencing by one-fifth at the end of the fifth year, t which is added another one-fifth at the end of each of the following four years. The Conseil Supérieur, in November, 1900, adopted the following works to improve Saigon Harbour:-1, A quay 1,091 metres (3,578 feet) long on the right bank of the river. This quay will permit the mooring of nine vessels of 120 metres (393, feet) long. 2. A series of warehouses 25 metres (82 feet) broad and 969 metres (3,178 feet) long, thus making a total surface of 24,225 square metres (260,611 square feet). 3. Railroads in front and at the back of the warehouses. The line of railway leading thereto will be connected with the Mytho and Cholon Railways. 4. About 20 buoys will be established on the left bank of the river, and vessels will be moored on that side as they are now on the right bank. 5. A bridge, level with the ground, will be built in continuation of the street called Rue d'Adran. The total expenses to be incurred for the improvements projected are estimated at f. 10,394,000 (₤415,760), A postal line of French steamers will be shortly established between Bangkok and Singapore, with a subsidy from the Government of Indo-China. Tonnage under the French flag in 1901 amounted to 588 vessels of 807,325 tons register. The British flag accounted for 121 vessels of 180,687 tons.
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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 10 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 Pala of the Lieutenant-Governor, the new and handsome Post Office on the Place de la Cathédrale, 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 Park. There is also a stately Gothic Cathedral of large proportions, in face of which was erected recently the statue of Monseigneur Piqueau de Behaine, bishop of Adran, one of the first French missionarie who came to Cochin-China in the last century. A fine bronze statue of Gambetta stands in the Boulevard Norodom. Saigon has two public gar dens, the Jardin de la Ville," which is maintained at the expense of the Municipality, and the Botanical Garden. The new municipal theatre which was inaugurated in 1900 is a remarkable monument, which has cost over 2,000,000 fr. There is good docking accommodation, the Bassin de Radaub being one of 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. Two new petroleum godowns have
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