Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 1596

ZAMBOANGA

Zamboanga is located on the south-western extremity of Mindanao Island in latitude 6 deg. 55 min. north and longitude 122 deg. 5 min. east, being 512 nautical miles south of Manila. It has a population of about 30,798, and, in volume of business, takes fourth place among the open ports of the Philippines, coming after Manila, Iloilo and Cebu. It is situated in a country noted for copra, lumber and hemp production, has excellent shipping facilities, and is the ideal transhipping point for all products of southern Mindanao and Sulu. The harbour is partially protected by two small islands and is never visited by severe storms, as it is south of the typhoon belt. It has a good anchorage for steamers of any size, and the wharf will accommodate steamers drawing 25 feet. The climate is characterized by a remarkable evenness of temperature and a comparatively small rainfall which increases rapidly as one goes a few miles from Zamboanga in any direction.

Communication with other ports is assured by weekly nail steamers, occasional Army transports and despatch boats with Cebu and Manila, monthly steamers of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha with Australia, Manila and the China coast, and bi-weekly steamers of the Straits Steamship Company with Sandakan, Borneo, and Singapore. Tele- graphic communication with various parts of the Archipelago is secured by a wireless station connecting with cables and land lines.

Zamboanga was founded by the Spaniards in April, 1635, for the purpose of intercepting Moro corsair fleets which were accustomed to pass the Strait of Basilan from southern Mindanao to the Visayan Islands. The town was repeatedly attacked by the Moros- In 1646, it exchanged shots with a Dutch fleet and, in 1798, maintained an all-day bom. bardment with an English squadron. In 1872, for putting down a mutiny of prisoners, Zamboanga was granted by the Madrid Government the title "Loyal and Valiant Town." On May 10, 1899, the revolutionists attacked the Spanish garrison in Zam- boanga, which withdrew on May 24. The town was burned during the hostilities. Dur- ing the summer of 1899, the Republic of Zamboanga was in full control, but the town was finally surrendered to the American blockading squadron without bloodshed on November 16 of the same year.

Zamboanga is the capital of the province of the same name. The town, though small, is one of the most beautiful, not only of the Philippines but of the Far East. It is characterised by shady streets and possesses very fine parks and exquisite gardens. There is a drastic building ordinance in force which provides that all buildings erected in the central portion must be of reinforced concrete or other equally fire-proof material with an 8-inch firewall every 100 feet. Good roads extend along the coast in either direction from the town.

PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA

Governor-Florentino Saguin Treasurer-N, Valderrosa

DIRECTORY

Member, Prov. Board-Awkasa Sampang Secretary, Prov. Board-H. H. Cadavedo Judge, Court of First Instance - A.

Horrilleno

Aux. Judge for First Instance Court--

Luciano Ortiz

Provincial Fiscal-Manuel Blanco District Auditor-Lorenzo Celeste Do. Engineer-Jose Lozada

Do. Health Officer-E, D. Aguilar Collector of Customs-Marcelo Mendoza Div. Supt. of Schools-Rafael Aure (actg.)

Senators-Jose Alejandrino & Hadji Butu Representative--(vacant) Deputy Governors-Gabino P. Cuevas, Pascual T. Martinez, Delfin Ignacio, Tabujur Taupan, Manuel Berenguer, Capt. Paciano Tangco and Lt. E. F. Mesias (Lamitan Penal Colony)

DISTRICT ENGINEER'S OFFICE Division Engineer-Luis Novenario Actg. District do. -Jose Lozado Assist. Civil Engineer-M.T. Tubungbanu Junior do. -Sergio Palencia a Chief Clerk-Hilarion Cabrera