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BRITISH NORTH BORNEO
During the last few years eight companies representing subscribed capital of some £450,000 have been formed for the purpose of turning jungles into rubber estates, the company has guaranteed dividends during the non-productive period of the estates. The population of the town of Sandakan, the capital of the territory, was 9,541 in 1901, of whom 101 were Europeans and 3,878 Chinese. There are several sections of railway totalling about 120 miles now open. The longest line runs from Jesselton to Tenom, 98 miles, which was built at a cost of $25,714 per mile. The railway is playing an important part in the development of the Company. Sandakan is distant 1,000 miles from Singapore, 1,200 miles from Hongkong and 660 miles from Manila. It became connected telegraphically with Labuan on the 7th May, 1897, and was thus placed in communication with Europe, etc.
The territory of British North Borneo was acquired from the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu by cession for a small annual payment in 1879-80, and the British North Borneo Company was incorporated by Royal Charter on the 1st November, 1881. The area of the Territory is 31,106 square miles, and the population is estimated at about 200,000, of whom about 200 are European. The Company's revenue including receipts in London has grown from £66,581 in 1901 to £145,815 in 1907, while the expenditure has increased from £52,384 to £92,907. The Company's authorised capital is £2,000,000, but the amount subscribed is so far less than £1,500,000. The Company has raised £475,300 in debentures and bonds, at 5 per cent. In May, 1888, a British Protectorate was established. The following officers have administered the Government of the Territory since its acquisit- ion by the Company :-1881-1887, W. H. Treacher; 1887-1888, W. M. Crocker (acting); 1888-1891, C. V. Creagh, C.M.G.; 1891-1892, L. P. Beaufort (acting); 1892, C. V. Creagh C.M.G; 1895, L. P. Beaufort; 1900, Hugh Clifford, c.M.G.; 1901, E. W. Birch, c.M.G.; 1904 E. P. Gueritz.
DIRECTORY
BRITISH NORTH BORNEO COMPANY
Incorporated by Royal Charter, 1st November, 1881 Governor and Commander-in-chief-E. P. GUERITZ
Court of DIRECTORS, LONDON
Sir Charles J. Jessel, Bart, Chairman
Major Genl. Sir A. É. Turner, K.C.B. vice-
chairman
Vice-Admiral Sir B. F. Clark, K.C.B. Sir Edward Dent
Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone
J. A. Maitland
Sir J. West Ridegeway, G.C.M.G., K.C.B.,
K.C.S.I.
F. C. Stoof
Managing Director-William C. Cowie Secretary-Harington G. Forbes
SANDAKAN
GOVERNMENT SECRETARY'S OFFICE
Secretary-A. C. Pearson
Chief Clerk-S. A. Rahman
Clerk-M. A. Cannu
Malay Writer and 2nd Clerk-Md. Ali Learner-Chan Lang Hoi
AUDIT OFFICE
Auditor-J. W. Wilson Act. do.-B. McEnroe
Clerks-Ho Eng Seng, Md. Walli Malay do.-Abdullah bin Awang
Magistrate's Court
District Magistrate-A. W. Routledge Clerk of Court-Chan Fai Ting
PROTECTORATE
Protector of Chinese--W, H. Penney
TREASURY
Finance Commissioner-J. W. Wilson (act.) Senior Dis. Treas.-C. P. Vankinschot (act.). Cashier-M. Ponsonby
Clerks K. Kang Chin, F. T. S. Philippe
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Superintendent-Alex. Johnston, M.I.M.E. F'man of Works & Draughtsman-J. A.
Pinto
Clerk-L. Fok hoi
F. C. Stoof
Secretary-Harington G. Forbes
Offices-37, Threadneedle Street, London
LAND AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT Commissioner of Lands--H. Walker Chief Clerk-
Second do. -S. A. Pillay Third do. -Ng Shim Chung Draughtsman-Pong Chu On
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