Directory_and_Chronicle_1911 — Page 1092

Agencies

Norddeutscher Lloyd

PAKHOI-HOIHOW

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.

1063

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

China Navigation Co., Limited

士機刺

SEQUEIRA & Co., Merchants and General

Commission Agents

Chun Cho Fun, agent

HOTHOW (IN HAINAN)

州瓊 Kiung-chau

口海 Hvi-han

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, but 18 years passed before there were any signs of foreign commerce. 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 creek 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. 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 considérable 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 is 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, the American Presbyterian Mission Hospital and doctor's residence, and the Customs Indoor Staff, the" French Post Office and the French School for Chinese, 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' negotations, and a consulate building was in 1899 erected to the south-west 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. In 1903 a German Consulate was created. The foreign residents at present number about sixty-five. The net value of the trade of the port in 1909 was 'Ils. 7,566,666, against Tls. 7,129,298, in 1908. A large export trade in pigs, poultry, eggs, bullocks and provisions is carried on with Hong- kong. There has been some talk among the natives of opening mines, constructing railways, and bringing out timber from the virgin forests of the interior. While all this may not be realised on any scale for some years to come, it has been noticed that foreigners are beginning to explore the island, and the Assistant Commissioner of Customs opines that the searchlight of modern civilisation will reveal much that is of value to science as well as to commerce. "Perhaps," he adds, "when this is accomplished it will be seen that this 'Island of Palms' is not the least rich nor the least fertile of China's possessions." The island of Hainan is described as a terra incognita to the world.