Directory_and_Chronicle_1930 — Page 1060

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 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, uncomfortable atmosphere which becomes even more disagreeable as soon as the sun reappears. The main climatic feature, by no means a pleasant one, is 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. Malaria is rampant and claims numerous victims amongst the natives. Foreigners manage to recover by taking large quantities of quinine. During the summer, foreigners go to Chapa, a summer resort in Tonkin (Altitude: about 1,700 metres; distance from Laokay: 37 kilometres). Since the bridge over the Red River has been finished, a regular motor service is working between Chapa and Laokay: 2 companies (Veyrenc et Cie. and Marty et Cie.) maintain this service.

No Vice-Consul is actually stationed in Hokow. An "Agent Consulaire" only is maintained for the visas of passports of French citizens going to China.

DIRECTORY

Ho kow fên kwan

CHINESE MARITIME CUSTOMS (Branch

Office of Mengtsz Customs)

Assist.-in-charge—A. M. H. d'Ozou ville

Examiner-G. E. Caminiade

Assistant-in-charge-V. A. L. Paton Examiner-F. R. Mackendrick

FRENCH CONSULATE

Agent Consulaire-Monsieur Long

TENGYUEH (MOMEIN)

越 騰

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, 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 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