950
HOIHOW
the former German Consulate, at the extreme west of the suburb inhabited by foreign- ers, 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 officer from the Tonkin Medical Staff was detailed to this port for the purpose of giving the natives and others free attendance and medicine. The foreign residents at present number about 90. The net value of the trade of the port in 1919 was Hk. Tls. 5,716,094, as compared with Hk. Tls. 4,542,675 in 1918, Hk. Tls. 5,917,004 in 1917, Hk. Tls. 6,117,887 in 1916, and Hk. Tls. 6,243,512 in 1915. 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 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.
66
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, and a light at Lamko (western entrance of the Hainan Straits) were opened in 1894; also one at Cape Cami in 1895. An Aga Lantern apparatus was installed on the West Fort close to the city at the commencement of 1916. The approach to the harbour badly needs dredging.
DIRECTORY
ASIATIC PETROLEUM Co. (SOUTH CHINA),
LTD.
A. H. Watling, manager
CONSULATES
ZEUEŁ Tai-peh-kwok Ling-ezkun
BELGIUM
Consul-Residing at Hongkong
FRANCE
Vice-Consulate-Dr. J. G Mouillac,
in charge
Medical Officer-Dr. Mouillac Postmaster-Pham Ba Trung Director, French School-J. Subira
GREAT BRITAIN (Kiungchow), also in
charge of United States interests
Consul-C. D. Smith
Postal Agent-C. S. I. Boland
CUSTOMS, CHINESE MARITIME
Acting Commissioner-T. A. M. Castle Assistant-T. C. Germain
Medical Officer-Dr. J. G. Mouillac Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master
-A. K. Tellefsen
Boat Officer-W. B. Carine Chief Examiner-W. Atkins Asst. Examiner A. F. Gabb Tide waiters-M. Yagi, R. J. Redd Lights
Hoihow Harb. Light-T. Daly
Lamko Light--W. Andersen
Cape Cami Light-J. Mattson
Relieving Lightk'pr.-G. Broomfield
地孖 Ma-ti
MARTY, A. R., Merchant, Commission_and
Shipping Agent
C. Berthelot
POST OFFICE, CHINESE
Postmaster-Ed. Sterpin
POST OFFICE, FRENCH
堂主天
Tien-tsu-tong
ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION
Rev. Léauté
Rev. J. Grégoire
STANDARD OIL CO. OF NEW YORK,
J. H. Bulmer, manager
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.