1420
STATE OF NORTH BORNEO
rattans, gutta-percha, birds'-nests, seed pearls, bêche de mer, sharks' fins, camphor, tortoise-shell, beeswax, and other natural products, which are brought in from the interior, the neighbouring Sulu Archipelago, etc.
Coal is being worked in the S.E. of the territory. The Cowie Harbour Coal Mines at Silimpopon have extracted over 710,000 tons of coal since 1907. The coal is transported from the colliery to the shipping port of Sebattik and to Sandakan by means of lighters, which have been built in Borneo. The collieries have recently undergone a change in the plans for development, and the demand for supplies of coal is at present in excess of the mines' output. The output during 1919 was 75,642 tons, and sales amounted to 75,000 tons. An ample reserve of stock is maintained at Sebattik, where coal is loaded by mechanical plant at a rate of about 750 tons daily, and about 4,000 tons are stocked at Sandakan, which port can now accommodate vessels drawing up to 24/25 ft. of water, the coal wharf having been extended. The British Borneo and Burmah Petroleum Syndicate have acquired, under lease, a large tract of land on the west coast in the Klias Peninsula. They have also sunk wells in the Island of Mangalum. The Kuhara Company have commenced mining operations at Sequati.
Receipts in North Borneo amounted to £334,184 in 1919, as compared with £210,197 in 1913, the pre-war year. Expenditure was £178,591 in 1919, as compared with £115,545
in 1913.
Rubber is now the largest industry in the country, having displaced tobacco from the premier place; and coconut cultivation is becoming one of the features of the country, in which there are large areas still to be exploited. Cutch, which is extracted from Mangrove bark, is being exported in rapidly increasing quantities. There are now many companies operating in North Borneo, the majority being engaged in rubber growing. Upwards of 47,000 acres are under rubber cultivation. The rubber exported in 1919 was valued at £782,037, as against £670,767 in 1918. The export of copra was valued at £39,629 in 1919, as compared with £26,722 in 1918. The export of timber was valued at £127,045, as compared with £41,702 in 1918. The population of the town of Sandakan, the capital of the territory, was 8,256 in 1911, of whom 66 were Europeans and 5,942 Chinese. There are several sections of railway, totalling 125 miles, now open. The longest line runs from Jesselton to Melalap, 100 miles. The railway is playing an important part in the development of the country. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 314,517, against 299,201 in 1918; and 19,037 tons of freight were carried in 1919, against 15,499 in 1918. The gross earnings amounted to £26,913 in 1919. Sandakan is distant about 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. There are now four wireless installations in the country--at Jesselton, Sandakan, Kudat and Tawao. A lighthouse has been opened at Batu Tinagat, near Tawao.
The territory of North Borneo was acquired from the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu by cession for a small annual payment in 1877, 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 as ascertained by the census of 1911 was 208,183, as compared with 104,527 in 1901. The total included 355 Europeans 167,586 natives of Borneo, 26,002 Chinese, 5,510 natives of the Netherlands East Indies, 5,503 natives of the Sulu Archipelago, and 246 Japanese. The Company's authorised capital is £2,000,000, and the amount issued so far is £1,852,385. There is also a Debenture issue. A dividend of 3 per cent. was declared in 1916, 4 per cent. in 1917, 4 per cent. in 1918, and 5 per cent. in respect of 1919. The credit balance of the Revenue Account for the year ended December 31, 1919, was £182,111, against £161,758 in 1918. In May, 1888, a British Protectorate was established.
The following officers have administered the Government of the Territory since its acquisition by the Company:-
1881 W. H. Treacher
1887 W. M. Crocker (acting)
1888 C. V. Creagh, C.M.G.
1895 L. P. Beaufort
1900 Hugh Clifford, G.C.M.G. 1901 E. W. Birch, C.M.G. 1904 E. P. Gueritz
1907
A. Cook
A. Cook (acting)
1907 E. P. Gueritz
1910 A. C. Pearson (acting) 1911 F. R. Ellis, C.M.G
1912 F. W. Fraser (acting) 1912 J. Scott Mason 1912) 1913
F. W. Fraser (acting)
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