Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 1262

COCHIN-CHINA-SAIGON

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Following on irrigation works a great number of concessions have been granted, especially in 1899 and 1900, by the Colonial Council of Cochin-China, some to villagers, some to settlers. The fields granted to European settlers are only taxed according to their progress, commencing by one-fifth at the end of the fifth year, to which is added another one-fifth at the end of each of the following four years. The Conseil Supérieur, in November, 1900, adopted a scheme for the improvement of Saigon Harbour which involved an estimated expenditure of f10,394,000 (£415,760). A quay 1,091 metres (3,578 feet) long was constructed on the right bank of the river, and a series of warehouses 25 metres (82 feet) broad and 969 metres (3,178 feet) long was erected, thus making a total surface of 24,225 square metres (260,611 square feet). Railroads were built in front and at the back of the warehouses, and the line of railway leading thereto was connected with the Mytho and Cholon Railways. About 20 buoys were established on the left bank of the river in order that vessels might be moored on that side as well as on the right bank, and a bridge, level with the ground, was built in continuation of the street called rue d'Adran. A postal line of French steamers has been established between Bangkok and Singapore, with a subsidy from the Govern- ment of Indo-China. A big wireless plant was erected in 1923. There are six steel towers each 780 feet high, and 4 smaller ones, each 390 feet high. This plant, replete with the latest apparatus, is one of the most powerful in the world.

SAIGON

Saigon, the capital of Cochin-China, is situated on the Saigon river, a tributary of the Donnai, in lat. 10 deg. 50 min. N., and long. 104 deg 22 min. E. It is about 40 miles from Cape St. James and is accessible to the largest vessels. Since its occupation by the French the climate has undergone a very favourable change, owing to different sanitary works in the town, such as drains, the filling up of pools, marshes, etc. The town presents a fine appearance, the roads and thoroughfares being broad and regular. Amongst the public buildings the Government House is the most remarkable; several millions of francs have been spent upon its construction and decoration. The other prominent public buildings are the Palace of the Lieutenant-Governor, the handsome and imposing Post Office on the Place de la Cathédrale, the Custom House, the "Direction de l'Intérieur," the Treasury, the Land Office, Public Works Department, the Schools, the Supreme Court and the "Hotel de Ville" (Town Hall), the cost of which was over Francs 2,000,000. The Military Hospital is a fine and handsome building, as are also the Arsenal, Barracks, and Artillery Park. There is also a stately Gothic Cathedral of large proportions, in front of which has been erected the statue of Monseigneur Pigneau de Behaine, bishop of Adran, one of the first French missionaries who came to Cochin-China in the last century. A fine bronze statue of Gambetta stands in the "Jardin de la Ville." There are two other statues one of Francis Garnier on the Boulevard Bonnard in front of the theatre, and another, that of Amiral Rigault de Genouilly, on the Rond Point Rigault de Genouilly. Saigon has two public gardens, the "Jardin de la Ville," which is maintained at the expense of the Municipality, and the Botanic and Zoological Garden. The municipal theatre, which was inaugurated in 1900, is a remarkable building erected at a cost of over 2,000,000 fr. There is good docking accommodation. The Bassin de Radoub, capable of receiving the largest men-of-war, is one of the finest docks in the world, and there are two floating lifts, Two petroleum godowns built by the Government at a cost of $18,000 are situated at Rach Doï, on the banks of the Saigon River (half-way to the town). They are said to be large enough to receive over 400,000 cases. The agents of Messrs. Samuel & Co., of London, have built two petroleum tanks at Nhabé, at the point where the Saigon River flows into the Donnaï. The largest of these is estimated to receive 2,300 cubic metres (81,190 cubic feet) of oil. There are (without reckoning the troops) over 4,000 Europeans and over 60,000 Asiatics or natives.

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The M.M. steamers in normal times call twice a month at Saigon on their homeward and outward trips. Easy communication is afforded with the principal towns of the terri- tory either by subsidized mail steamers or railway. There is a railway with Mytho, Bien