HOKOW
Hokow was opened to foreign trade by the Supplementary Convention between China and France of 20th June, 1895. By the terms of the agreement France was to establish a Vice-Consulate and China a Customs House at Hokow, these stipulations being carried out in August, 1896, and July, 1897, respectively. The Vice-Consulate is 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 Nanti-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, uncomfortable atmosphere which becomes even more disagreeable as soon as the sun reappears. The main climatic feature, by no means a pleasant one, is what is generally known by the French as "Le Crachin," a thin, fever-carrying drizzle, which falls in winter and spring. The thick, tropical vegetation is kept moist, and a light and extremely dangerous mist overhangs everything. The dreaded Hokow Fever is rampant and claims numerous victims amongst the natives. Foreigners manage to recover by taking large quantities of quinine.
DIRECTORY
CHINESE MARITIME CUSTOMS, (Branch
關分口河 Hokow-fên-kwan
Office of Mengtsz Customs)
Assistant-in-charge-H. D. Ebey
Examiner-B. J. Green
Pishihchai-(Sub-office).
Assistant-in-charge-R. C. P. Rouse Exaininer-F. R. MacKendrick
FRENCH CONSULATE
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 Burmalı and Thibet, and the Chinese Customs-house was opened on the 8th May, 1902. 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 froin Tengyueh to Bhiamo by road is some 140 miles, and little more than half that distance as the crow flies. There are two recognised trado 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
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