PENANG
1265°
han that of any part of the Peninsula, and, for the area involved, is particularly rich. Palms, bamboos, banana and other fruit-trees, and nutmegs clothe the hillsides, while ferns are also plentiful. The high land permits of the cultivation of many flowers and
ther plants which will not thrive in the flat level lands of Singapore or Malacca.
As evinced by its name, the chief product of Penang is the betel-nut, which, with copra and all kinds of fruit and nutmegs, is the only indigenous article of trade. Nut- 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 griculture 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 small patches, and is not classed as an article of export trade. Tapioca, Coconuts, Gutta, Rubber and Citronella are also among the products cultivated.
The Singapore-Penang railway has its terminus at Prai, which is connected with the island by a ferry service.
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 are also a Roman Catholic Church and several mission chapels. The Botanical Gardens and Waterfall are well worthy of a visit, and another place_of interest at some distance from the town is the Chinese Temple at Ayer Itam. The census of 1911 gave the total population of Penang and Province Wellesley as 270,537 as compared with 248,207 in 1901. The estimated mean population of the Settlement in 1920 was 309,508 (Penang Island 154,086, Province Wellesley 142,710 and Dindings 12.712).
During 1920 the number of merchant vessels entered and cleared at the port was 3,852, as against 3,253 in 1919, the tonnage being 6,149,835, as against 4,009,126 in 1919. Of these, 2,984 with a tonnage of 4,601,655 were British. The number of all vessels en- tered and cleared was 22,368.
The value of foreign imports and exports at Penang (merchandise only) for the years 1919 and 1920 was as follows:-
Imports Exports
.....
....
Total
1919
1920
.$175,551,327
$251,650,253
159,036,561
211,798,836
$334,587,888
$463,449,089
DIRECTORY
(For Government Depts. see under G.)
ABDOOLCADER, H. H., Barrister-at-law, Advocate and Solicitor, S.S. & F.M.S. -32, Market Street; Teleph. 630; Tel. Ad: Abdoolcader; Codes: A.B.C. 5th edn., Butterworth's Legal and Broom- hall's
ADAMSON, GILFILLAN & Co., LTD. (Incor- porated in Gt Britain)-Tel.Ad: Gilfillan
R. T. Peake,
M. E. Plumpton,
director
do.
R. W. A. Gilfillan, do.
A. J C. Hart,
do.
F. L. Tomlin,
do.
Edith M. Miller,
do.
H. A. Low, manager
A. Knox Wilson, signs per pro. D. L. Adamson
do.
R. Addison
A. A. Baker
G. F. Blackett
T. W. Gowland R. C. Stiven
D. L. W. Batwell | V. Verity
Agencies
Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co. Prince Line, Ld.
Furness (Far East), Ld.
Compania Transatlantica Line of Strs. Chargeurs Reunis
Asiatic Steam Navigation Co.
New Zealand Insurance
(Fire and Marine)
China Fire Insurance Co., Ld.
Co., Ld.
Scottish Union and Nat. Insce. Co. Excess Insurance Co., Ld.
Marine Insurance Co., Ld.