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NETHERLANDS-INDIA
1291'
tide, while the three existing screw-pile wharves, 85 metres long, have been lengthened and new coaling mechanical installations and other complementary works are in- course of construction.
Belawan (Deli). Belawan, the most important harbour of North East Sumatra--the- land of Sumatra tobacco and rubber-is situated on the Island of Belawan, which has- formed at the estuary of the Deli and Belawan Rivers. The harbour, originally con- structed by the Deli Railway Company, lies on the west side of the island, where the Idepth of the Belawan River is more than 7 metres. In the front of the mouth of this r river an extended bank has formed, in which there is a channel with originally a depth-
of little more than 13 feet at high water; this circumstance was the reason that hitherto only smaller vessels have been able to make use of the harbour. For the convenience of commerce there are at Belawan several landing stages and a harbour for lighters having ja water area of 2.75 hectares. With the large increase in the volume of traffic the need' arose for more loading, discharging and storage space. In order to supply this need as much as possible, the Government, in 1913, took over the harbour work? of the Deli Railway Company, thus facilitating the improvement of existing conditions, and further constructed a number of temporary and permanent godowns. At the present time the wharves have a total length of above 667 metres, 460 metres of which belong to the Govern- ment and 207 metres to private owners. Preparations for further extensions are being made. Inter alia it has been decided to try to deepen the channel at the mouth of the Belawan river sufficiently to render it navigable by ocean steamers. If this attempt should succeed-and the results obtained so far with a powerful suction-dredger warrant the anticipation that such will indeed be the case, Belawan will be developed into a well-equipped port which is bound to have a splendid future as an ocean harbour.
Sabang. The harbour of Sabang is in a spacious bay, accessible from the West, in the island of Poelo Weh, situated a little over 50 kilometres to the north of Kota Radja, the capital of the province of Acheen. The construction of the harbour, which serves principally as a coaling-station, dates from 1898. In the north-western portion of the bay are two coal wharves with a total length of 350 metres, alongside which ships of 9 metres draught can moor for loading and discharging coal. In 1905 electric conveyors were erected. To the south-west of the coal-wharves lies a floating 3,000 tons dry dock accommodating ships of 6 metres draught, while adjoining the dock is a quay specially intended for ships requiring minor repairs. In the northern part of the bay is a general commercial wharf, 90 metres long, with the requisite storage godowns adjacent..
Palembang. Palembang, which is situated on the Moesi River 90 kilometres from its mouth in the Banka Straits, is a tidal harbour; larger ships can only cross the bar at the mouth of the river, where the depth at high-water amounts to 6.3 metres, at flood-tide, but plans exist to improve the fairway. When there is no room available for ships at wharves, they remain at anchor in the stream, where they do not experience any difficulty from the strong current except during the rainy season (West Monsoon). They can load and discharge there on both sides by means of lighters which come alongside the ships. The first harbour works were constructed in 1894 and extended in 1909, the total cost being more than Fls. 500,000.
Makassar. The important harbour of Makassar, situated on the south-west point of Celebes, possesses roads well protected by a group of four coral islands. In the years 1902-1908 the building of a screw-pile wharf of 500 metres long and 10 metres broad, running approximately parallel with the shore, with six godowns, was completed after many troubles due to the bad soil at an expense of 1,500,000 guilders. The trade of Makassar, however, has advanced with such rapid strides that from time to time im- portant extensions have had to be made. At present a quay with a length of 1,340- metres has been built, where ships of 9 metres draught will be able to moor even at low tide. A lighter harbour has been made with a quay of about 600 metres and 26 short screw-pile wharves. The extension of godowns and sheds also keeps pace with that of the quays.
Island of Borneo
Pontianak.-Pontianak, which is situated at the junction of the small Kapœas River is the principal trading centre in the West Coast of Borneo Residency. There is a wharf 150 metres long, behind which there is a space of 800 square metres available for storage purpose. There is further a Customs examination shed with a floor space of about 500 square metres. The export of copra and coconut-oil is very considerable.
Bandjarmasin.- Bandjermasin is also a fairly important commercial centre. It lies on the Martapora River, a few kilometres above the junction of that river with the Barito River in the Residency of South and East Borneo. In addition to the screw-pile-