1662
STATE OF NORTH BORNEO
extracted from mangrove bark, is being exported in considerable quantities. There are now many companies operating in North Borneo, the majority being engaged in rubber growing. Over 117,000 acres are under rubber cultivation. The population of the town of Sandakan, the capital of the territory, according to the 1931 census, was 13,826 (as compared with 11,936 in 1921), composed of Europeans 111, Chinese 11,030, Javanese 562, Indians 193, Japanese 39, Malays 176, Philippine Islanders 248, natives of Borneo 1,356 and others 111. The British North Borneo State Railway has a total mileage of 127 miles. The main line runs for 56 miles through flat country to Beaufort. From Beaufort to Tenom it runs through 30 miles of the Padas Gorge, noted for its beautiful scenery; and thence on through undulating country to Melalap, the present terminus. A branch line runs from Beaufort to the small port of Weston, a distance of about 20 miles. The railway is playing an important part in the development of the West Coast. Already there are 14 large rubber estates and numerous small holdings served by it, whilst the acreage under padi, sago and coconuts is steadily increasing. San- dakan 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 five wireless installations in the country-at Jesselton, Sandakan, Kudat, Tawau and Lahad Datu. The State Bank of North Borneo was established in 1921 with its head office at Sandakan and a branch at Jesselton. A lighthouse has been established at Batu Tinagat, near Tawao, and at Tanjong Trang, near Tambisan Island, on the East coast. Unattended lights have been placed on Taganac Island, near Sandakan, Kalampunian Island, North Point, Kudat.
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 1931, was 270,223, as compared with 257,804 in 1921. This total included 340 Euro- peans, 205,218 natives of Borneo, 47,799 Chinese, and 11,494 natives of the Malay Archipelago. The Company's authorised capital is £2,000,000. A dividend of 3 per cent. was declared in 1916, 4 per cent. in 1917, 43 per cent. in 1918, 5 per cent. in 1919, 3 per cent. in 1920, 3 per cent. in 1921, 33 per cent. in 1922, 23 per cent. in 1923, nil in 1924, and 14% in 1929. The credit balance of the Revenue Account in 1930 was £16,565+ against £59,452 in 1929. 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 (O.A.G.) 1888 C. V. Creagh, C.M.G. 1895 L. P. Beaufort
1900 Hugh Clifford, C.M.G. 1901 E. W. Birch, c.M.G. 1904 E. P. Gueritz 1907 A. Cook (O.A.G.) 1907 E. P. Gueritz
1910 A. C. Pearson (O.A.G.)
1911 F. R. Ellis, C.M.G 1912 F. W. Fraser (O.A.G.) 1912 J. Scott Mason 1912)
1913
F. W. Fraser (O.A.G.)
1913 The Rt. Hon. SirWest Ridgeway, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., K.C.S.I.
1913 C. W. C. Parr
1915 A. C. Pearson
1915
1916
F. W. Fraser (O.A.G.) 1916 A. C. Pearson
1919 F. W. Fraser (O.A.G.) 1919 A. C. Pearson, C.M.G.
I
1922 H. W. L. Bunbury (O.A.G.) 1922 F. W. Fraser (O.A.G.) 1922 Maj. Gen. Sir William Rycroft,
K.C.B., K.C.M.G.
1924 F. W. Fraser, C.B.E. (O.A.G.) 1924 Maj.-Gen. Sir William Rycroft, 1925 K.C.B., K.C.M.G.
1925 F. W. Fraser, C.B.E. (O.A.G.) 1928) A. C. Pearson, C.M.G.
1926 F. W. Fraser, C.B.E. (O.A.G.) 1926)
J. L. Humphreys, C.B.E. 1927 J 1927 D. R. Maxwell (OA..G.) 1928 J. L. Humphreys, c.M.G., C.B.E 1928 D. R. Maxwell (O.A.G.) 1929 J. L. Humphreys, C.M.G., C.B.E. 1929 D. R. Maxwell (O.A.G.)
1930
1930 A. F. Richards
1930 C. F. C. Macaskie (O.A.G.) 1631 A. F. Richards
1931 D. R. Maxwell (O.A.G.) 1932 A. F. Richards