Directory_and_Chronicle_1919 — Page 485

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

YOKOHAMA

433

however, is hilly and pleasing, and

and on clear days the snow-crowned summit and graceful outlines of Fuji-san, a volcanic mountain 12,370 feet

12,370 feet high- celebrated in Japanese literature and depicted on

on innumerable native works of art is most distinctly visible, though some seventy-five miles distant. The native portion of Yokohama is compactly built of low houses with tiled roofs. The town is divided into two nearly equal parts, the western half being occupied by what was known, before the abolition of extra-territoriality, as the foreign settlement. Beyond the plain on which the town is built rises a sort of semi- circle of low hills called "The Bluff," which is thickly dotted with handsome foreign villas and dwelling-houses in various styles of architecture, all standing in pretty gardens. From these dwellings charming prospects are obtainable. Along the water front runs a good road called the Bund, on which, facing the water, stand many of the principal houses and hotels. The United Club is located here. The streets are fairly paved, curbed, and drained. The English Episcopal, the French Catholic and the Union Protestant Churches are handsome edifices, situated on the Bluff, where there are also well laid out public gardens. A fine cricket and recreation ground and a fairly good racecourse are situated about two miles from the Settlement. A good boating club also exists, which has provided facilities for deep-sea bathing. The Public Hall, containing a theatre and assembly rooms, built of brick, is situated at the top of Camp Hill, and was opened in 1885. The Municipal Offices, a fine brick structure, occupy a command- ing site near the Public Gardens. The railway station is also a creditable structure, being a well designed and commodious terminus. The town is now in the enjoyment of an excellent water supply, large waterworks having been completed in 1887. A new tram service from Yokohama (Sakuragi-cho) to Tokio (new station) runs every ten minutes, covering the distance in 45 minutes, express in 30 minutes. The harbour is much exposed, but two breakwaters, of an aggregate length of 12,000 feet, have been built and are so projected as to practically enclose the whole of the anchorage, leaving an entrance 650 feet wide between these extremities. An extensive scheme for improving the harbour and providing better facilities for trade has been carried out and large steamers can now go alongside the Customs piers to load or discharge The Yokohama Dock Company has now three dry docks of 515 ft., 481 ft., and 376 ft. docking length, 80 ft., 63 ft., and 50 ft., width of entrance, and 28 ft., 21.5 ft. and 26 ft. of water on the blocks respectively, and a mooring basin of 600 ft. by 100 ft. by 25 ft. Yokohama is well supplied with hotels. The Japan Gazette is now the only English daily newspaper published in Yokohama; others which were formerly published in the port are printed in Tokyo.

The Japanese population of Yokohama has grown considerably in the last ten years and is now about 397,574. According to investigations conducted by the Census Registration Department of the Yokohama Municipal Office, the total number of foreign residents in the city at the end of 1914 is put at 6,851, which, compared with the census taken at the end of the preceding year, shows a decrease of 1,702. This is attributed largely to the war, many having left to serve their country at the front. The importance of the foreign element in the port may be gauged by the fact that they pay nearly 40% of the entire amount of business and income taxes collected in Yokohama, though they have no voice in the control of local affairs.

The foreign trade of the port in 1917 was Imports Yen 287,267,699 and Exports Yen 667,065,145 compared with Imports Yen 209,736,683 and Exports Yen 497,653,158, in

Directory_and_Chronicle_1919 — Page 485

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