Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 1197

HAIPHONG

This is the shipping port for Hanoi, Hai-duong, and Namdinli, the commerci centres of Tonkin. It is situated in lat. 20 deg. 51 min. N., and long. 106 deg. 42 min. E. the two rivers Cua Cam and Song Tam Bac, which are connected by two or more channels creeks with that great river connecting Yunnan with the Tonkin Gulf, called the Song-ko The town of Haiphong is about sixteen and a half miles from the lighthouse. The ligh house at the entrance of the river Cua Cam on the island of Hon-Do is visible at a distand of about six miles. The entrance to the port is obstructed by two bars; the outer or sand, the inner one mud. Haiphong is accessible, however, by vessels drawing from to 18 feet. There is plenty of water in the river. Vessels anchor about a quarter of mile from the shore in froin 40 to 60 feet of water. The banks of the river are low an consist of alluvial mud, from which the present town has with great labour and expens been reclaimed.

Haiphong proper is situated on the Cua Cam and on both sides of the Song Tam Ba and is in the midst of an extensive rice swamp with low-lying swampy land all around it fe miles, having in the distance the monotony relieved by rugged ranges of low limeston hills, and beyond these to the northward, at a distance of some sixteen miles, is a rang of mountains, the loftiest, known as the Grand Summit, being about 5,000 feet high. Mos of the native buildings are wretchedly constructed of mud, bamboo, and matting, but well-built European town with broad boulevards, lighted by electricity, has sprun up and is fast assuming the aspect of a prosperous city. Industries are developing a cotton mill has produced yarn since 1900 and a cement factory has delivere cement and hydraulic lime since the end of 1901. There is a very pretty theatre built in 1900 by the Municipality. The Hôtel du Commerce is a large an handsome structure, its lofty mansard roof dominating every building in th town. There is a church attached to the Roman Catholic Mission. A sma dock and some fine wharves and godowns have been made. A Public Garden rather limited area with a bandstand in the centre has been neatly laid out a the end of the boulevard Paul Bert. The Cercle du Commerce, which is a well managed club, has its domicile in the boulevard Paul Bert. The racecourse is about mile from the town on the Do Son Road. There are several newspapers published in th town. The population of Haiphong is about 18,480, of whom less than 1,000 ar Europeans, about 5,500 Chinese, and 12,000 Annamites. A regular service of rive steamers is maintained between Hanoi and Haiphong by the Messageries Fluviales and Haiphong is connected by submarine cable with Saigon and Hongkong. Haiphon is becoming an important centre of the Tonkin railways.

DIRECTORY

MAIRIE DE HAIPHONG

Administration Maire-G. Dupuy

ADMINISTRATION MUNICIPALE

G. Dupuy, Administrateur-Maire

Romanetti, Administrateur-Délégué, chef

du Secrétariat

Nicoud, chef des Travaux Municipaux Groguiard, contrôleur des Contributions Chesneau, commissaire de Police Fabre, Payeur-receveur municipal

CONSEIL MUNICIPAL G. Dupuy, Adminstrateur-Maire

L. Paquin, ler. Adjoint

Conseillers Municipaux Porche Barière, Godelu, Girodolle, Dailly Martin Carou, Chéord, Fieschi, Gu Nguyer, Lun-Thu, Phom Inse Kink Nguyer Ngoc Phong

TRÉSORERIE

Payeur de le classe-Fabre

Commis-Dumas, détaché du service de

douanes

Porteur de contrates-Prost