Directory_and_Chronicle_1906 — Page 1444

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MANILA

Plaza de Magallanes. The Observatory, admirably managed by the Jesuit Fathers, is well worthy of a visit. There is a good English Club and several American Clubs. Of the hotels the Metropole is the principal, but there is a dearth of good hotels, though plans are at present under way for building a colossal hotel to take the place of the Hotel Oriente which was sold in 1903 to the Philippine Government for offices. The city and its suburbs contain a population of 300,000 and are the seat of a con- siderable and yearly increasing commerce. The principal articles of export are hemp, sugar, tobacco, cigars, coffee, and indigo, while of the imports cotton goods form the chief item. The anchorage is distant some three miles from the shore. The river presents a scene of great animation, being crowded with native craft interspersed with vessels of foreign build. The hot season commences in March and continues until July. The rains

commence in August and continue to December, during which time the roads and streets get into a very bad condition. The maximum annual rainfall recorded is 114 inches and the minimum 84 inches. The maximum of the ther- mometer is about 92; a cool sea breeze sets in at night, reducing the heat to an endurable temperature for sleeping.

In 1880 special dues were imposed on the trade of the port for the construction of a new harbour, namely, 2 per cent. on imports, 1 per cent. on exports, tonnage dues, and a tax on fishing boats. Up to the time of the American occupation a large sum had been collected, but comparatively little progress had been made with the works. In 1900 a sum of one million gold dollars was voted for the work.

Electric Tramways run in the principal streets of the city, and a railway to Dagupan was opened to traffic throughout its entire length, 123 miles, on the 23rd November, 1892. The same company has also opened and is now working several branch lines. Tenders for the construction of other lines have been invited by the U.S. Government. There is also an electric railroad to Malabon; and electric lights have been placed in the public squares and walks, in business houses, and in the principal streets. Under American control, the roads and the sanitation of the city have been vastly improved. There are a marine arsenal, a patent slip at Cavite, on the opposite side of the Bay, and a marine railway on the Manila side

The city and its suburbs receive their drinking water by pipes leading from Santolan, on the river Pasig. The water is carried to fountains, distributed in con- venient places through the streets, and laid on to almost every house, both domestic and business. The telephone system extends throughout the city and out as far as Malabon. Manila possesses many educational and charitable institutions, among others the Royal and Pontifical University of St. Thomas, which is managed and maintained by the Dominican Fathers. In this there are schools of theology and church law, jurisprudence, notarial law, medicine, and pharmacy. The College of St. Thomas, which belongs to the Univer- sity, maintains forty free scholarships for Spanish boys, who may pursue both primary and advanced studies. The College of San Juan de Letran, also under the Dominicans, devotes itself to the education of natives, and this college, as well as the other, is provided with an abundance of select scientific materials and with good physical and chemical outfits and exhibits and museums of natural history and fine arts. The College of San José (St. Joseph) gives instruction in medicine and pharmacy. The Orphan Asylum of Cambobong, founded by the Ladies' Union at Manila in 1882, is in charge of the Augustinians and imparts elementary and advanced instruction and qualifies boys for clerical situations both in public and business offices. The Hospicio de San José, likewise under the care of the Augustinians and of the sisters of that order, gives to its inmates elementary instruction and teaches them household duties and other accomplishments suited to their sex. The St. Joseph's Home, founded in 1810, gives shelter to poor and demented children. The Hospital of San Juan de Dios, founded by the Brotherhood of Misericordia in 1595, and the Government civil hospital cares for whatever invalids present themselves. Another hospital was opened in 1905 by the sisters of St Paul and is known as the Hospital of St. Paul. The Hospital of San Lazaro, founded in 1578 by the Franciscan order, is for the care of leprous patients. The Manila Monté de Piedad and Savings Bank, organised in 1880, has several branches. There are four banks in Manila, the Banco Español Filipino, the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, the Hong- kong and Shanghai Bank, which has also a branch in Iloilo and the International Banking Corporation of New York. There are numerous social societies, American and Spanish, among which are the Manila Club, the Army and Navy Club, Spanish Casino, the German Union Casino, the Mariquina Gun Club, the Gun Club of San Juan del Monte, the Manila Jockey Club, the Manila Lawn Tennis Club, the Cycle Club of Manila, and two Theatres.