Directory_and_Chronicle_1906 — Page 1010

寶森 Sum-bo

PAKHOI HOIHOW

SCHOMBURG & Co., A., Mers. & Comn. Agts.

Aug. Schomburg (Bremen)

L. Jüdell

E. Durlach

Agencies

"Norddeutscher Lloyd

Norddeutscher Lloyd Orient Line Douglas Steamship Co., Limited North China Insce. Co., Limited Canton Insurance Co., Limited Deutsche Transport Vers. Ges., in Berlin Badische Schiffahrts Assecuranz Ges. Badische Rück und Mitvers. Ges.

Prussian National Vers. Ges.

847

South British Insee. Co., New Zealand Deutscher Lloyd Transp. Vers. Act. Ges. London and Lancashire Fire Insce. Co. Asiatic Petroleum Co. Limited

SCHOOL OF FRENCH LANGUAGE

G. A. M. Chalamel, director, and 3

monitors (Chinese)

士機刺

SEQUEIRA & Co., Mers. & Gen. Comn. Agts.

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 creck 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. The town itself contains about 30,000 souls, and is governed by a Tsan-fu, or Lieutenant-Colonel; the population of Kiungchow being 50,000. 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 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. During 1903 a German Vice- consulate was created. The foreign residents at present number about sixty-five. The net value of the trade of the port in 1903 was Tls. 4,530,372 against Tls, 5,572,492, in 1902 and Tls. 4,429,866 in 1901. A large export trade in pigs, poultry, eggs, bullocks 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

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