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SARAWAK.
The territory of Sarawak comprises an area of about 40,000 square miles, with a population of about 280,000, composed of various races. It is situated on the Northwest coast of the island of Borneo, is intersected by many rivers navigable for a considerable distance inland, and commands about 380 miles of coast line. The sovereignty of the district from Tanjong Datu to the entraace of the Sama- haran island was obtained from the Sultan of Brunei in the year 1842 by Sir James Brooke, who became well known as Rajah Brooke of Sarawak. In 1861, a second cession was obtained, from the Sultan of Brunei, of all the rivers and land from the Samarahan river to Kadurong point; and in 1882 a third cession was obtained, of one hundred miles of coast line and all the country and rivers that lie between Kadurong point and the Baram river, including about three miles of coast on the north-east side of the latter. The present Rajah, H.H. Charles Johnson Brooke, is a nephew of Sir James Brooke, and was born 3rd June, 1829, succeeded 1868, married 1869. His heir-the Rajah Mudah-Charles Vyner Brooke, was born 26th September, 1874.
The country produces diamonds, gold, silver, antimony, quicksilver, coal, gutta- percha, india-rubber, canes, rattans, camphor, beeswax, birdsnests, sago, pepper and gambier.
The principal towns, are:-Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, situated on the Sarawak river, about 23 miles from its mouth, in latitude 1 deg. 32 min. N., longitude 110 deg. 28 min. E. (approximate) Claude Town, the principal town and fort in the Baram river, is about 60 miles inland. Bintulu, situate at the mouth of the Muka river, is famous for its sago. Oya, which lies about 1 miles up the Oya river; and Matu, about 5 miles up the Matu river, are both noted for their sago. Sibu is about 60 miles up the Rejang river. Kanowit is situated about 100 miles up the Rejang river; Kapit, about 160 miles up the Rejang river. Rejang Village, at the mouth of Rejang river, is noted for its Bilian (iron wood) works. Kabong is situated at the mouth of the Kalaka river. Saribas lies about 80 miles up the river of the same name, and has a tidal wave or bore. Simanggang is about 60 miles up the Batang Lugar river, and also has a bore. Simunjan is situated about 18 miles up the Cadona river, where the Government works a coal mine.
The revenue for 1881 was $237,752.26, and the expenditure $234,161.83. The value of the imports in 1881 was $1,788,720, as compared with $1,854,257 in 1880; that of the exports $1,878,188, as against $1,880,444 in 1880. The principal sources of revenue are the opium, gambling, arrack, and pawn farms, producing in 1880 $88,118.25, as against $91,797.06 in 1881.
Harbour, buoy, and light dues: Three cents per ton, payable on arrival, and chargeable to all vessels of 5 tons and upwards.
The taxes levied are:-Exemption Tax $2 per annum per man, payable by Malays. One dollar, or one pasu of rice per annum per door, payale by Sea Dyaks. Three dollars per annum for every family of Land Dyaks; young Lachelors paying $1.50. The total amount of Dyak and Malay revenue for the year 1880 was $49,880.65, as compared with $48,186.99 in 1381.
Import duties, which reached a total in 1881 of $24,760.19, are :-Java Tobacco, per basket, $2; Palembang Tobacco, per picul, $10; Chinese Tobacco, per case, $3; other Tobacco, per picu, $10, free in Sarawak proper; Salt, per koyan, $20; Gin, per case of 15 bottles, $1.20; Spirits, per dozen, 50 ats.
Export duties, which amou atel in 1881 to $27,929.03, are:--Beeswax, per picul, $2; Birdsnests (good), per cnty, 15 cents; Birdsnests (inferior) ad valorem, 5 per cent.; Camphor ad valorem, 5 per cent.; Canes, per 1,000, 50 cents; Rattans, per picul, 10 cents; Gutta Percha, per picul, $3; India-rubber, per picul, $3; Sago (raw), per koyan, $4; Sago Flour, ad valorem, 21 per cent.