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STATE OF NORTH BORNEO
1479
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. Nearly 53,000 acres are under rubber cultivation. The rubber exported in 1920 was valued at £689,307, as against £782,037 in 1919. The export of copra was valued at £41,002 in 1920, as compared with £39,629 in 1919. The export of timber was valued at £155,048, as compared with £127,045 in 1919. The population of the town of Sandakan, the capital of the territory, according to the 1921 census, was 11,936 (as compared with 8,256 in 1911), composed of Europeans 99, Chinese 9,132, Javanese 550, Indians 165, Japanese 62, Malays 167, Filipinos 105, Sulus 391, natives of Borneo 1,149, and others 116. 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 1920 was 358,033, against 314,517 in 1919; and 20,499 tons of freight were carried in 1920, against 19,037 in 1919. The gross earnings amounted to £35,233 in 1920. 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 small annual payments 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 1921 was 257,804, as compared with 208,183 in 1911. This total included 442 Euro- peans, 197,058 natives of Borneo, 37,642 Chinese, and 20,146 natives of the Malay Ar- chipelago. 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, 5 per cent. in 1919 and 3 per cent. in respect of 1920. The credit balance of the Revenue Account for the year ended December 31, 1920, was £226,806, against £182,111 in 1919 and £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, C.M.G. 1887 W. M. Crocker (acting) 1888 C. V. Creaghi, 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 (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)
1913 The Rt. Hon. SirWest Ridgeway,
G.C.B., etc.
1913 C. W. C. Parr
1915 A. C. Pearson, C.M.G.
1915) F. W. Fraser (acting)
1916 J
1921) A. C. Pearson, C.M.G.
DIRECTORY
Governor and Commander-in-Chief-A. C. PEARSON, C.M.G.
Private Secretary-G. Summerfield