MALACCA
1331
This increased until 1858, and a large number of Chinese were employed in the industry. The superior yield of the Native States, however, combined with the exhaustion of the surface washings, resulted in mining enterprise in Malacca being virtually abandoned, although both gold and tin probably still exist in workable quantities.
The climate of Malacca às to temperature is such as might be expected in a country not much more than 100 miles from the equator, lying along the sea shore-hot and moist. The thermometer in the shade ranges from 72° to 80° Fahrenheit, seldom being so low as the first of these, and not often higher than the last. The range of the barometer is only from 29.8 to 30.3 inches. Notwithstanding constant heat, much moisture, and many swamps, the town at least is remarkable for its salubrity, and, with the exception of the early period of its occupation by the Portuguese, has always enjoyed this reputation.
Malacca offers numerous attractions to the ornithologist and entomologist, but it is less rich in mammals than many other tropical districts. Nine species of quadrumana, the tiger, black leopard, wild cat, several species of viverrida (such as the musang and binturong), the elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, tapir, six species of deer, and two of the wild ox comprise a nearly complete list. Fair sport can be obtained by those fond of shooting, from tiger to quail. It is noteworthy that the existence of the tapir was unknown until 1816, although European intercourse dates back to some three centuries before. Tigers in the early days of Portuguese occupation were so plentiful that the want of inhabitants was seriously attributed to this cause. As with the birds and insects, so with the reptiles. The snakes, lizards, and crocodiles are, as a rule, those of the peninsula generally, the birds alone presenting a rather larger variety than those of other districts. Nor does the vegetation present any exclusive features, being that of the surrounding States. The coast line is poor in shells, and the absence of limestone accounts for the few species of land shells found within the district.
Beyond its interest to the sportsman or naturalist, Malacca possesses no attrac- tions except to those who like to visit scenes famous in the annals of discovery for the bloody fights they have witnessed between the natives and the European nations who contended for their possession. Its population in 1901 amounted to 945,870.
The trade is almost entirely with Singapore and the Federated Malay States. The cultivation of tapioca has hitherto been the principal industry, an area of about 40,000 acres being under tapioca cultivation, but Rubber is now extensively planted and several large Companies have been floated to buy up small estates.
The con- struction of a railway has had considerable influence on the cultivation of tapioca, asmuch as the demand for pigs (which are largely fed on tapioca refuse) has risen owing to the increased facilities for sending them to the Federated Malay States.
DIRECTORY
(For Govt. Departments See under (7.)
ADAMSON, GILFILLAN & Co., LD., Merch-
ants
II. Branson, assistant
Teck Hin, clerk
Ismail,
Agencies
do.
China Fire Insurance Co., Lal.
New Zealand Insurance Co., Ld.
(Fire & Marine)
Yangtsze Insurance Association, Ld. Standard Life Assurance Co. Sungei Bharu Rubber Estate, Ld. Kelemak Rubber Estate, Ld. Cheng Rubber Co., Ld.
Java Investment, Loan & Agency, Ld.
Massey-Harris Agricultural Machinery
and Implements
Martell's Brandy
A. & B. Mackay's Liqueur Whisky Duminy's Champagne
Tree Brand Cement Morse's Distemper Eternit Roofing Slates
CHURCH OF THE "ASSUMPTION OF THE
VIRGIN MARY"-Banda Praya
CHURCH OF "SACRED HEART"-Tranquerah President-Rev. A. M. Coroado (actg.)
CONVENT OF THE HOLY INFANT JESUS
The Lady Superior Sr. St. Clotilde
CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Banda-Hilir
Superioress-Rev. Mother H.Conceição Sisters-H. Rozario, C. McBean, F. Victor, J. Cordein, J. Marçal, A. Rodrigues, E. Luz