Directory_and_Chronicle_1920 — Page 1008

HOKOW

Hokow was opened to foreign trade by the Supplementary Convention between China and France of 20th June, 1895. By the terms of the agreement France was to establish a Vice-Consulate and China a Customs House at Hokow, these stipulations being carried out in August, 1896, and July, 1897, respectively. The Vice-Consulate is subordinate to the Mengtsz Consulate and the Hokow Customs are under the controll of the Mengtsz Commissioner, and the value of the trade is not separately stated in the Mengtsz Customs returns.

Hokow is picturesquely situated on the left bank of the Red River at its confluence with the Nanhsi River commonly called the Namti-and lies immediately opposite Laokay, an important garrison town in Tonkin. The native town has a population of about 4,000, mostly living in bamboo houses and thatched huts; some good semi- foreign style buildings have, however, been built during the last few years. An iron railway bridge across the Nanhsi River, was completed in 1902, and connects Hokow and Laokay. Hokow is about 420 li by land from Mengtsz, which can be reached after a train journey of about 8 hours through magnificent country.

The climate is very unhealthy and new residents soon feel its undermining effects. In summer, when it does not rain, it is hot and trying, whereas rain is accompanied by a damp, mildewy, uncomfortable atmosphere which becomes even more disagreeable as soon as the sun re-appears. The main climatic feature, by no means a pleasant one, is- what is generally known by the French as "Le Crachin." This is a thin, fever-carrying drizzle, which falls continuously for weeks in winter and spring. The thick, tropical vegetation is kept moist and a light and extremely dangerous mist overhangs every- thing. The dreaded Hokow Fever is rampant and claims numerous victims amongst the natives. Foreigners manage to recover by swallowing large quantities of quinine, which has a detrimental and sometimes lasting effect on the system.

CHEMINS DE FER DU YUNNAN Piovano, chef de gare

DIRECTORY

CHINESE TELEGRAPH ADMINISTRATION

Manager-Li Yu Ch'uan

CONSULATES

FRANCE

Vice-Consul-Ch. Dupont (Laokay)

ITALY

Vice-Consul-Ch. Dupont, agent

consulaire (Laokay)

Hokow-fên-kwan

CUSTOMS, CHINESE MARITIME (Branch

Office of Meugtsz Customs)

Assistant in Charge-W. E. Annett

Asst. Examiners-A. Komaroff, J. A.

Seck Tidewaiters

Laurente

G. Lamport, E. P..

Surgeon-Dr. Faucheraud

局政郵等一口河

POST OFFICE, CHINESE

Assistant in Charge-E. Bousquié