Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 930

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HOIHOW

town. Since the beginning of 1899 a free school has been conducted by the French Governnient for teaching the French language to the Chinese, and an officer from the Tonkin Medical Staff was detailed to this port for the purpose of giving the natives and others free attendance and medicine. The foreign residents in Hainan number about 60 including children. The net value of the trade of the port in 1931 was Hk. Tls. 15,730,486, as compared with Hk. Tls. 8,387,536, in 1930 Hk. Tls. 11,103,954 in 1929, and Hk. Tls. 9,378,368 in 1928. A large export trade in pigs, poultry, eggs, bullocks and provisions is carried on with Hongkong. There has been some talk among the natives of opening mines, constructing railways, and bringing out timber from the virgin forests of the interior. It has been noticed that some people are be- ginning to explore the island, and the Commissioner of Customs is of opinion that the searchlight of modern civilisation will reveal much that is of value to science as well as to commerce. "Perhaps," he added, "when this is accomplished it will be seen that this 'Island. of Palms' is not the least rich nor the least fertile of China's possessions." A Company with foreign capital has recently started to plant up jute and if the initial experiment is successful quite a large industry may develope. The island of Hainan is described as a terra incognita to the world.

There is no telegraphic communication with the mainland at present. The military wireless station, however, has been opened to the public, with limited places and certain restrictions, also one privately owned wircless station. A harbour light, and a light at Lainko (western entrance of the Hainan Straits) were opened in 1894; also one at Cape Cami on the lower tip of the peninsula in 1895. An Aga Lantern apparatus was installed on the West Fort close to the city at the commencement of 1916. The approach to the harbour badly needs dredging, but is not likely to be dredged until the native merchants of Hoihow develope a more public spirit, and conditions in China improve generally.

DIRECTORY

ASIATIC PETROLEUM Co. (SOUTH

CHINA), LTD.

CUSTOMS, CHINESE MARITIME

Commissioner-P. B. Joly (acting) Assists.-Hsieh Yu Chun, Luk Wing

Kue

Medical Officers J. Esserteau and

H. C. Chang

Tidesurveyor and Harbour Master→

R. E. McNeale

Boat Officer-R. Patterson

Examiners

A. C. G. Stewart and

H. A. Thalberg

Lights

Hoihow Harbour Light-A. X. Peroff

Lamko-A. G. I. Cowlam

Cape Cami-M. F. Van't Wout

FRENCH CONSULATE

Acting Consul for France

Esserteau

Director of the French Hospital

Dr. Esserteau

Dr.

h

司公車汽崖瓊

HAINAN MOTOR COMPANY, Authorized Ford Dealer-66, Bok Oy Road, Hoihow,

Hainan Island; Teleph. 43; Cable Ad: Hainanniotor

Leung Yin Tung, manager.

INTERNATIONAL SAVINGS SOCIETY, THE

Wing Lok Street; Cable Ad: Intersavin. Head Office: 7, Avenue Edward VII, Shanghai. (Agency

(Agency Controlled

Canton Branch).

Joseph Chan, agent

MISSIONS

會

老 長

AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN MISSION

At Hoihow

Rev. and Mrs. J. F. Steiner

Dr. and Mrs, N.. Bercovitz

Miss Grace Macdonald

Miss Caroline McCreery, R.N. Dr. and Mrs. H. F. Burkwall

by

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