THE NEGRI SEMBILAN
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Under the later scheme of confederation, brought into force in 1895, by which Sungei Ujong and Jelebu were brought in, there are five districts, viz., Seremban, the Coast, Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, and Tampin. Seremban is the head office, where the Resident and heads of departments reside. Heads of departments are for the whole State, and thus a double staff is saved, as had two States remained alone it would have been necessary, as the Negri Sembilan developed, to make further appointments of European officers. The political affinity of the States is undoubted, and the same tribal and customary laws exist in both, together with the system of the election of the chiefs. The population of the Negri Sembilan at the 1911 census was 130,199, of whom 69,745 were Malays, 40,843 Chinese, and 18,248 Indians.
The estimated population at the end of 1913 was 137,887, of whom 461 were Europeans.
Sungei Ujong and Jelebu have together an area of about 1,200 square miles, and a range of hills in the north attain a height of about 3,800 feet, the slopes of which have been pronounced by Ceylon planters as most suitable for the cultivation of coffee, cocoa, and other tropical products. On the lower ground, nearer the coast, tapioca is success- fully cultivated, but during the past year or two, tapioca as well as coffee and coconut cultivation have been abandoned to a considerable extent in favour of rubber. Tin mining is carried on to a considerable extent. The river Linggi is the only consider- able stream in the State, and was formerly navigable for upwards of 40 miles from its mouth. The principal town of Sungei Ujong is Seremban. The port of Sungei Ujong was opened on the 1st September, 1884, at Pengkalan Kompas on the Linggi river, at a distance of about seven miles from the mouth of the river, and a well laid-out town has sprung up. Port Dickson (district and port) lies south-west of Seremban, and promises to become of some importance. The harbour has from eleven to fifteen fathoms of water and is well sheltered. A railway connecting it with Seremban was opened in July, 1891, and has greatly facilitated trade. The State is now traversed by the F.M.S. railway system, and the road system is a subject of favourable comment by all who visit the country.
The revenue of the State in 1913 was $3,071,799 against $2,838,602 in 1912, and the expenditure $2,681,529 against $1,962,354 in 1912. The balance of assets to the credit of the State amounts to $2,738,162. Imports in 1913 were valued at $6,399,896 against $5,668,658 in 1912, and exports at $13,360,780 against $14,878,024 in 1912. These figures, however, are no true index of the total trade of the State, as much of the merchandise produced and consumed in the State is imported via Selangor.
Rubber leads in agricultural produce, with 140 estates and a planted area of 85,806 acres. The output in 1913 was 3,340 tons. To rice 32,000 acres were devoted, to coconuts 20,595, and to gambier 3,500. The total acreage of mining land was 19,911, the output of tin being 31,658 piculs against 29,070 in 1912, the value of the 1913 output being returned as $3,152,248. Of wolfram 2,196 piculs were produced in 1913, and 50 ounces of gold.
DIRECTORY
THE STATE COUNCIL
H. H. TUNKU MUHAMMAD, C.M.G., bin a Merhom Tunku Autah, Yang-di-Per-tua
Pesar of Negri Sembilan (President)
The British Resident
Tunku Muda Chik
The Dato' Klana of Sungei Ujong
The Dato' Bandar of Sungei Ujong
The Dato' Penghulu of Jelebu
The Dato' Johol
The Dato' Rembau
The Dato' Muda of Linggi
Clerk of Council-The Secretary to Resident
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