Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 1104

HOIHOW (IN HAINAN)

Kiung-chau

口海 Hoi-hau

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 Lei-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 considerable impulse to trade. The town itself contains about 30,000 people; the population of Kiungchow is 50,000. The native mercantile population, though respectable, is by no means rich. No foreign settle- ment 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, the French School for Chinese, the French doctor's residence, the French Hospital, 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' negotiations, 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. The buildings of the German Consulate, at the extreme west of the suburb inhabited by foreigners, were .completed in 1914. 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 offic 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 Ĝerman Consulate was created. The foreign residents at present number about 107. The net value of the trade of the port in 1914 was Hk. Tls. 5,828,647 as compared with Hk. Tls. 6,619,135 in 1913, Hk. Tls. 5,333,651 in 1912, Tls. 5,415,280 in 1911, and Tls. 6,704,543 in 1910. 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 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 has since been dismantled. 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.