PENANG
1333
megs were at one time a most important branch of industry, but the blight, which simultaneously affected the whole Peninsula, destroyed it. Their cultivation has, how- ever, now been resumed, and Penang nutmegs stand high in the market. There is no agriculture properly so called. Pepper was at one period of its early history produced to the extent of three and a half million pounds annually; but the competition of other places, notably of Netherlands-India, proved fatal, and it is now only cultivated in smail patches, and is not classed as an article of export trade. Tapioca, Cocoanuts, Gutta, Rubber, Citronella and Cotton are also among the products cultivated.
The Perak-Penang railway has its terminus at Prai, which is connected with the town by a ferry service. The line is 317 mles in length and connects Penang with Port Dickson, and Singapore, and may subsequently be extended to connect with Burmah on the North and Siam on the East.
An extensive scheme for the improvement of Penang harbour has been receiving consideration.
The town possesses few attractions, and the public buildings are mediocre, with the exception of the Government Offices, a fine new block erected in 1889 near the jetty. St. George's Church is an unpretending edifice of 80 years standing centrally situated. There is also a Roman Catholic Church and several mission chapels, "The census of 1901 gave the total population of Penang and Province Wellesley as 218,207, as compared with 235,618 in 1891. The import and export trade of Penang represents about 24 per cent, of the total for the Straits Settle-
ments.
DIRECTORY
(For Government Depts. See under G.)
ADAMS & ALLAN, Advocates and Solicitors, Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States; Tel. Ad: Adallan
Arthur R. Adams, M.L.C. Geoffrey Norinan Saye
Wm Huxtable Thorne, A. W. de Har- ries asst. advocates and solicitors Victor Gordon Back, managing clerk
ADAMSON, GILFILLAN, & Co., LD., Merhts.-
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings
S. Gilfillan, director (London) Sir W. Adamson, C.M.G. do. K. T. Peake
Manager---John Mitchell,
H. R. Bell, signs per pro.
E. L. Watson
N. P, Walshe
L. E. Slowe
S, M, Harrison
A. E. Mellroy
A. F. Low
M. B. Munton
Agencies
do.
Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Company Pacific Mail Steamship Company Standard Oil Co, of New York. American Asiatic Steamship Co. Compania Transatlantica Line of S., Northern Steamship Company Asiatic Steam Navigation Co.
Rickmers Reismehlen Rhuderei and
Schiffbau
Chargeurs Reunis
Commercial Service Line of Steamers Straits Steamship Co., Ld.
The Scottish Union and National
Insurance Company
New Zealand Insurance Company China Fire Insurance Company, Ld. The Rahman Tin Co.. Ld.
The Rahman Hydraulic Tin Co., Ld. The Siamese Tin Syndicate, Ld. Fraser & Chalmers, Ld. Mining Ma-
chinery
The Bengal Iron and Steel Co., Ld. The Bengal Coal Co., Ld.
ALLAN & IRVING, Engineers, Iron and Brass Founders, Boilermakers, Ironmon- gers, Oil Merchants, Electrical Engineers, and Genl. Contractors-Works: No. 40, Weld Quay and Singora Lane; Store and Electrical Department: No. 31, Beach Street
ALLEN DENNYS & Co., Forwarding, In- surance, Estate and Commission Agents -No. 7, Union St.
A. Dennys, manager and partner Agencies
Penang Transhipping & Forwarding Co. The Continental Insurance Co. of
Mannheim (Marine)
The Property Insce. Co., London (Fire) The Tropical Timber and Trading Co.