Directory_and_Chronicle_1922 — Page 1052

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HOKOW-TENGYUEH

subordinate to the Mengtsz Consulate and the Hokow Customs are under the control 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

Rieul, chef de gare

DIRECTORY

CHINESE TELEGRAPH ADMINISTRATION

Manager - Li Yu Ch'uan

CONSULATES

FRANCE

Vice-Consul-L. Troy (Mengtsz)

ITALY

Hokow-fên-kwan

CUSTOMS, CHINESE MARITIME (Branch

Office of Mengtsz Customs)

Assistant-in-Charge-J. P. Laucournet

is Examiner-J. P. Gleeson

Tidewaiters E. P. Laurente, P. H.

Oates

局政郵等一口河

POST OFFICE, CHINESE

Vice-Consul-L. Vaglio (Tehetsoven) |

Assistant-in-Charge-C. M. Ricard

TENGYUEH (MOMEIN)

Teng-yueh

The trade mart Tengyueh-situated near the south-western frontier of Yunnan, in lat. 24 deg. 45 min. N., and long. 98 deg. 30 min. E.-was opened to foreign trade under the Burmah Agreement of 1897 modifying the Convention of 1894 relative to Burmah and Thibet, and the Chinese Customs-house was opened on the 8th May, 1920. It is a walled town built in a rice valley and watered by the Tieh Shui river, a small tributary of the Tai Ping which flows into the Irrawaddy a few miles above Bhamo, which has been the principal emporium of Chinese trade in Upper Burmah for many years past. The distance from Tengyueh to Bhamo by road is some 140 miles, and little more than half that distance as the crow flies. There are two recognised trade routes known as the "old" and "new" roads the former via Nampoung and Man- wyne (where Margary was murdered), and the latter via Kulikha and Man-hsien. The "new" road ends some three miles above Man-hsien, and thence the journey to Tengyueh is made over the "old" tracks. Pack animals and porters constitute the only form of transport, and the time occupied on the trip is usually about eight days. Pack animals seldom travel during the rains (June to September), when through traffic is practically at a standstill, which means that, contrary to expectations, the construction of the