Directory_and_Chronicle_1908 — Page 1258

PROVINCES DE L'ANNAM

TOURANE

The port of Tourane is situated about forty miles to the south-east of Hué, the capital of Annam, but on account of the Thuan-an Bar it is accessible by sea for large craft during only six months of the year, from the end of March to the end of September. The land route from Hué, about sixty-eight miles in length, passes over the Nunges range of hills and is an easy road for horse and foot traffic. The extensive bay of Tourane is surrounded by hills and affords anchorage to the largest vessels. The Government transports and the steamers of the Compagnie Nationale de Navigation and the Messageries Maritimes find an anchorage here at all states of the tide and in all weathers. The Tourane River, which has its source in the mountains of the interior, empties itself into the Bay. It is navigable only for small boats and junks, by which the traffic with the provinces of Quang-nam and Quang-ngai is carried on. The town, which is well built, extends for a length of nearly two miles along the left bank of the river. It possesses many public buildings, including the French Residency, a fine Military Hospital, spacious and well ventilated Barracks, the Custom-house, the Treasury, the Post Office, and the Municipal Offices, also a number of well appointed business establishments, amongst which may be mentioned the Bank de l'Indo-Chine, the Opium Farm, the Messageries Maritimes Offices, the Gassier Hotel, the Courbet Hotel, etc. The Markets, built of brick and stone, are large and contain several hundred stalls. On the right bank of the river also there are a few buildings, which are included in the French concession. A silk filature has been established there. A -quarter-of-an-hour's walk from this district is the village of My-klé, which has given its name to a magnificent beach much frequented by the European population. The trade of Tourane is considerable and several steamers a month arrive froin Hongkong, taking full return cargoes of sugar, rattan, bamboo, areca nuts, silk, cassia, etc. The Messageries Maritimes and the Compagnie Nationale de Navigation have agencies at Tourane and the vessels of these Companies, together with those arriving from Hong- kong, give a total of about a dozen entering the port every month. Besides these vessels a large number of large sen-going junks from China, Hainan, and the ports of Annam, Tonkin, and Cochin-China carry on an active and considerable trade in the products of the country. Tea, coffee, and the mulberry tree are cultivated on a large scale in the neighbourhood and there are several plantations owned by Europeans. Less than an hour's journey by boat from the town are the Marble Mountains, an object of interest for travellers, who should not pass through Tourane without paying them a visit. The population of Tourane is about 4,650, of whom 100 are Europeans, 50 Chinese, and 4,500 Annamites.

QUINHON

Quinhon was opened to foreign trade upon the conclusion of the Treaty between France and Annam, signed in March, 1874. It is situated on the coast of Annam in about lat. 13 deg. 54 min. N., long. 109 deg. 02 min. E. The entrance to the port is obstructed by a bar, which may be crossed, however, by any vessel with a draught not exceeding 16 to 16 feet. The chief articles of export are salt, silk, crapes, beans, arachide oil and cakes, sugar, etc. The population of the province is one million; that of the port 3,000, of whom about 20 are French civilians. The country is well cultivated, and the commercial prospects of the port are improving every year. A considerable trade is carried on, chiefly with Hongkong, Haiphong, Saigon, Singapore, and Bangkok. The trade is at present chiefly in the hands of the Chinese.

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