Directory_and_Chronicle_1914 — Page 1114

1086

HOIHOW

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 1912 was Hk. Tls. 5,333,651, as compared with Hk. Tls. 5,415,280 in 1911, Hk. Tls. 6,704,543 in 1910, Tls. 7,566,666 in 1909, and Tls. 7,129,298 in 1908. A large export trade in pigs, poultry, eggs, bullocks and provisions is carried on with Hongkong. 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 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.

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 parts

with the other parts of the world is established through the line under Chinese administration, but the service is most wretchedly conducted, the line being more often interrupted than not. Wireless telegraphy was inaugurated in April, 1908, to operate across the Hainan Strait at Hoihow and Suwen, immediately opposite on the mainland, but is not in working order. A harbour light, as well as one at Lamko (western entrance of the Hainan Straits), were opened in 1894; also one at Cape Cami in 1895. The approach to the harbour badly needs dredging,

CONSULATES-

DIRECTORY

***✰✰Tai-peh-kwok Ling-82-kun

BELGIUM

Consul-Residing at Hongkong

FRANCE

Vice-Consul-A. Hauchecorne Medical Officer-Dr. Saugeair de

Puyberneau

Postmaster-Do Due In

Director, French School-J. Subira

GREAT BRITAIN (Kiungchow)

also in charge of

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, and UNITED STATES

INTERESTS

Acting Consul—A. G. Major Constable and Postal Agent-R.

R. Cuthbert

GERMANY

Consul-Dr. Merklinghaus (absent) Actg. do. Th. Metzelthin (residing

in Pakhoi)

官事領總利大義大

Tai I-tai-li Chung-ling-sz-kun

ITALY

Consul General-Commendatore Z.

Volpicelli (residing in Hongkong)

CUSTOMS, MARITIME

Acting Commissioner-S. J. Hanisch

Assistant-H. G. E. em Breen Medical Officer-Dr. A. E. Hutre Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master--

M. Hellstrand

Acting Boat Officer-R. S. Pike Chief Examiner- C. A. Swanstrom