` for paragraphs. The final corrected text will be output in HTML format, using `
` tags for paragraphs and `
` only when absolutely necessary.
The final answer is:
From the Straits Times, December 12th. THE CONFEDERATE CRUISERS.
From our to-day's shipping list it will be seen that there are no fewer than seventeen American merchant-men at present in our Harbour, and that they include some of the largest ships at present riding there. Having gross tonnage may be roughly set down at 12,000 tons. Some of these have been lying here now for upwards of three and most of them for at least nine months, at that period. And all this, at a time when there is no slackness in the freight market; but, on the contrary, an active demand for tonnage to all parts of the world. It is, indeed, to us a home picture—the only one we trust to have many years to come—of the wide spread evils of war in these dire days. But it is a picture quite unique in its nature; for the nation to which these sixteen ships belong has a navy perhaps second only to that of Great Britain, and the enemy with which she has to cope is but a schism from herself, possessed of no port that is not blockaded and downing not more than five or six vessels on the high seas; and yet there is no apathy and nothing to blame on the part of the United States Navy. The tactics with which the Federals have to combat are without precedent, and the means to enable them successfully to do so have not yet been devised.
From the Straits Times, December 12th. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
A careful perusal of Act XXVII of 1856 of the Legislative Council of India, relating to the Municipal Commissioners of the Settlement, strongly inclines us to think that the elections which have been hitherto held here in pursuance of it have been more or less illegal. Before going into a consideration of their provisions, however, it is better for us in the first place to lay before our readers the four sections of the Act upon which we intend to comment.
XI. At the time and place appointed for the election, the Sheriff or his Deputy shall attend with a closed box with an opening for the reception of voting tickets. Every voting ticket shall bear the signature of the voter and the names of the persons for whom he wishes to vote.
...
By the courtesy of the Resident Councillor here, we have received a copy of the Annual Report on the Administration of Province of British Burmah for the year 1862-63. The report is a very interesting one as it contains valuable, and of course at once reliable information as to the condition and progress of this portion of our Indian Empire.
The Forests, of course, are the great source of wealth in Burmah, and it appears that during the past year timber upon a very large scale has been cut, and this without detriment to the preservation of the Forests. The number cut by Government and licensed traders was 97,000.
There is little opportunity of improving agriculture among the indigenous people of British Burmah. The chief crop is rice, seriously damaged by Daly one crop being raised. The area of the three Divisions of the provinces Pegu, Tenasserim and Arakan is set down at a little over 90,000 square miles.
The condition of Revenue and Expenditure in Burmah is satisfactory. The gross receipts amount to about £910,000, while the expenditure is set down, exclusive of some small items which do not pass through the Chief Commissioner's office, at £830,000.
The chief sources of Revenue are: first, the land Revenue equal to £330,000, which is composed of the rents of land per annum, and also includes rents for tea and fisheries. The second important item of Revenue is Sayer equal to £251,000, which includes Sea fishery tax, Capitation tax, and forest revenue. The third item of Revenue is from Customs equal to £194,000, and the last important item is Abkaree or Opium and Spirit tax which brings in about £80,000.
From the Straits Times, December 13th. POLICE VACCINATION.
As would be seen from an announcement we made a few days ago, the Police Authorities here continue to extend as far as they can the advantages of vaccination. The credit of the introduction of this measure is due entirely, we believe, to the Chief Commissioner, Mr. Dumas, who has been most indefatigable in his exertions to inaugurate it on a permanent basis; and who has taken very great pains to obtain the best instruments and a regular supply of wholesome vaccine, independent of the local medical profession.
From the Straits Times, December 19th. VACCINATION BY THE POLICE.
It is exceedingly gratifying to know that at the present time, there is not an enemy in the state of Sarawak.
To the Editor of the Daily Times. DEAR SIR,—In a recent article on vaccination you have laid Mr. Dumas's movement open to criticism by attributing to the Medical Profession a spirit of opposition to his admirable movement. So matters remained until the beginning of the present year, when it leaked out that plans and men were being sent Home, first in the streams. The surface of the country is undulating and admirably adapted for cultivation, with apparently good soil and fine river communications both above and below the rapids.
From the Straits Times, December 19th. THE RIVER BRIDGE.
On 18 June last the Municipal Commissioners, much against the remonstrances of the community, resolved to erect a temporary foot bridge across the River between Bonham street and the Post Office landings and accepted the tender of an engineering firm to do the work for $3,900. This tender was accepted, if we remember, in August, and the contractors were to complete the Bridge within four months from the signing of the contract. Four months passed away, without any appearance of the work being carried through; and we were induced to hope that some after-arrangement had been made, whereby the Commissioners had dispensed with the useless undertaking.
From the Straits Times, December 19th. SARAWAK, BORNEO.
The last news from Sarawak brought by the steamer Rainbow on Saturday is of a very satisfactory character, owing to a large tribe of Kayans having made peace with the Dyaks of the Rejang. For generations there has been a continuous feud between these people, causing immense injury to that portion of the country by preventing trade being carried on with the natives of the east and rivers and stopping communication with the interior; besides depriving the state of many of the valuable products which the Kayan country is known to possess.
CORRESPONDENCE.
To the Editor of the Daily Times. S—Referring to the attempt made lately to get up a Joint Stock Dock Company, there can be no greater argument to show the necessity of greater convenience to repair vessels than to state what vessels are repairing in Singapore at the present time.
There are now two vessels in the Dock and four others waiting their turn to enter, the last one on the list having already been on the books fourteen days and will probably have to wait fourteen days longer before she gets in.
In addition to this, there is one vessel hewing down at New Harbour and five or six caulking down at Sandy Point, which should be encouragement for the Shareholders in the Tanjong Paggar Dock Company.
I am, Sir, Your obediently, ENQUIRER.
Singapore, 9th Dec. 1863.
Saturday, 12th December. The Sarawak steamer Rainbow from Sarawak has just arrived.
H. M. steamer Pearl, Capt. Hope, from Penang with dates to the 8th and Malacca the 10th instant arrived in the harbour yesterday evening.
H. I. S. steamer Echo, Captain Thentorien, from Saigon with dates to the 6th instant, arrived yesterday.