Directory_and_Chronicle_1907 — Page 1235

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COCHIN-CHINA--SAIGON

The population of Cochin-China by the 1901 census was 2,968,529, of whom 4,323 were French (exclusive of the white troops, which were put down at 3,536 men). The trade with France in 1903 amounted to $95,013,344.

The export of rice in 1905 for the whole Colony of Indo-China was 625,750 tons, valued at £2,848,389, as compared with 950,355 tons valued at £4,326,751 tons in 1904. This large decline in the figures is doubtless attributable to the destruction of the greater portion of the rice-crop by floods in Cochin-China, the principal rice- growing territory. It is in the suburbs of Rachgia, Giadinh, Gocong, Mytho, Bentré and Soetrang that the rice fields have been regained from the forest. Following the irrigation works projected, a great number of concessions have been 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, to which is added another one-fifth at the end of each of the following four years. The Conseil Supérieur, in November, 1960, 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 lending 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 were estimated at f.10,394,000 (£415,760). Several of these improvements have been completed. A postal line of French steamers has been established between Bangkok and Singapore, with a subsidy from the Govern- ment of Indo-China.

SAIGON

The

Saigon, the capital of Cochin-China, is situated on the Saigon river, a

river, a tributary of the Donnai, in lat. 10 deg. 50 min. N., and long. 194 deg 22 min. E. It is about 40 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 the Government House is the most remarkable; several millions of franes have been spent upon its construction and decoration. The other prominent public buildings are the Palace of the Lieutenant-Governor, the handsome and imposing 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, the Supreme Court and the “Hotel de Ville," (Town Hall) the cost of which will be over Franes 2,000,000, 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 front of which has been erected the statue of Monseigneur Pigueau de Behaine, bishop of Adran, one of the first French missionaries who came to Cochin-China in the last century. A fine bronze statue of Gambetta stands in the Boulevard Norodom. There are two other Statues, one of Francis Garnier on the Boulevard Bonnard in front of the theatre, and another, that of Amiral Rigault de Genouilly, on the Rond Point Rigault de Genouilly, Saigon has two public gardens, the "Jardin de la Ville," which is maintained at the expense of the Municipality, and the Botanic Garden. The municipal theatre which WAS inaugurated in 1900 is a remarkable building erected at a cost over 2,000,000 fr. There is good docking acconumodation, the Bassin de Radoub being one of the finest docks in the world, capable of receiving the largest men-of-war, and there are two floating lifts. Saigon has two steam rice mills. Two new petroleum godowns built by the Government at a cost of $18,000 are situated at Rach Doï,(on the banks of