S
BORNEO.
After Australia this island is the largest in the world. It extends from about 7 deg. N. to 4 deg. S. latitude, and from 109 deg, to 118 E. longitude. Its length is about 750 miles, its greatest breadth 600 miles, and its average breadth is estimated at 350 miles. Its vast interior consists of almost impenetrable forests, which teem with animal life, but are sparsely populated by man. The soil is fertile, and in some parts near the coast the land is marshy and well adapted for the cultivation of sago. It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1526, and they as woll as the Spaniards, Dutch, and English formed settlements on different parts of the coast, but none of these were long maintained. The Dutch claim sovereignty over the greater part of the south and west of the island, along the coast of which they maintain establishments; the territories of the British North Borneo Company, the Sultan of Brunei, and the Rajah of Sarawak extend over and along the north and north-castern coast. The native states are insignificant and in a backward condition. The total population of Borneo is roughly estimated at 3,000,000. The productions are many and varied, and its mineral resources believed to be great. The Chinese, who have been settled in most Bornean towns for generations, conduct all the trading operations. The country generally is in an undeveloped condition. The natives are of the Malayan type, and are, as a rule, indolent and wanting in enterprise.
542
SARAWAK.
about 60 miles, Kanowit about 100 miles, and 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. Simang- is about 60 miles up the Batang Lugar river, and also has a bore. Simunjan gang is situated about 18 miles up the Cadona river, where the Government work a coal mine.
The revenue for 1881 was $237,752,26, and the expenditure $234,161.83. The value of the imports iu 1881 was $1,788,720, as compared with 81,854,257 in 1880; that of the exports $1,878,188, as against $1,880,441 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, aud 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, payable by Sea Dyaks. Three dollars per annum for every family of Land Dyaks; young bachelors paying $1.50. The total amount of Dyak and Malay revenue for the year 1880 was $19,880.65, as compared with $48,186.99 in 1881.
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 picul, $10, free in Sarawak proper; salt, per koyan, $20; gin, per case of 15 bottles, $1.20; spirits, per dozen, 50 cents.
Export duties, which amounted in 1881 to $27,929.03, are:-Beeswax, per picul, $2; birusnests (good), per catty, 15 cents; birdsnests (inferior) ad valorem, 5 por 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; sgo flour, ad valorem, 21 per cent.
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 north-west 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 sovereiguty of the district from Tanjong Datu to the entrance of the Sama baran 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 1832 a third cession was obtained of one hundred miles of coast line and all the country and rivors that lie between Kadurong point and the Baram river, including about three miles of coast on the north-east side of the latter. The prosent Rajah, H.H. Charles Johnson Brooke, is a nephew of Sir James Brooke, and was born 3rd June, 1829, succeeded 1368, 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, situatel on the Sarawak river, about 23 miles from its mouth, in latitude 1 deg. 32 min. N., longitude 110 deg. 28 miu. E. (approximate). Claudo Town, the principal town and fort in the Baram river, is about 60 miles iuland. Biutulu, situate at the mouth of the Muka river, is famous for its sago. Oya, which lies about 14 miles up the Oga river; and Matu, about 5 railssapp sh? Muu river, are both noted for their sago. Sibu is situated
GOVERNMENT.
DIRECTORY.
Rajah of Sarawak-His Highness Charles Brooke, Commander of the Crown of Italy
Private Secretary-Reginald Awdry Aide-de-camp-H. F. Deshon
SUPREME COUNCIL. President-His Highness The Rajab Member-Hon. F. R. O. Maxwell, Resi-
dent of Sarawak Proper
do.
do.
Datu Bandar, Haji Bua Hassan Datu Imam, Haji Metaim
do.
-Datu Tumonggong, Mahoma
Hasau
do. Abang Mahouad Kassim do. Tuan Haji Mahomad Aim Clerk-Charles S. Pearse
COUNCIL NEGRI, OR GENERAL COUNCIL. President-His Highness The Rajah Members The Divisional Residents, the Residents of Districts, the Principal Chiefs of each Residency, E. P. Hough- ton, M.D.
Chaplain-Venble. Archdeacon Mesney Clerk-Reginald Awdry
RESIDENCIES.
FIRST DIVISION, OR SARAWAK PROPER, comprising-Kuching, Paku, Sadong,
Lundu, and Simatan.
Resident 1st class-Hon. F. R. O. Max-
well
Magistrate-Reginald Awdry
Writers Choon Quee, Kin Chong, Peter
Middleton
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