CO882-(8-9) — Page 2

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The State has grown largely towards the north and east by acquisitions from Brunei, and now comprises about 41,000 square miles. As a result of the occupation of the Trusan and Limbang districts in 1884 and 1890 Sarawak territory now surrounds all that is left of Brunei. Sarawak's independence of Brunei was recog- nised by Great Britain in 1863, and it was placed under British protection in 1888.

Labuan is a small island lying about 30 miles north-east of Brunei town. It was ceded to Great Britain by the Sultan in 1846 in connec- tion with operations against the Borneo pirates, and was occupied two years later, Sir James Brooke becoming the first Governor.

Until 1889 it was governed as a Crown Colony. At the end of that year, the financial position being unsatisfactory, the administration was entrusted to the British North Borneo Com- pany, whose Principal Representative is given His a commission as Governor of Labuan. appointment is subject to the approval of His Majesty's Government."

Up till 1889 the Governor of Labuan was Consul-General for Borneo. Since that date the Governor of the Straits Settlements has been Consul-General, and there has been a Consul for Brunei and Sarawak who resides at Labuan.

The remains of the Sultanate of Brunei now lie as two enclaves in Sarawak territory. Con- stant cessions to Sarawak and the Company have reduced the Sultanate to very small proportions. All that is now left is the town and unimportant river of Brunei, the districts of Blait or Belait, Tutong, and Bukit Sawat to the south-west, the Tamburong and Laboh districts to the east, now cut off from the rest by the Sarawak occupation of the Limbang, Muara Besar and Muara Damit to the north and north-east, between Brunei Town and the sea, and Limau Manis, at the head of the Brunei river.

Muara Damit, or Brooketon, is only nominally under Brunei control, as Rajah Brooke, who has coal mines there, seems to have assumed the administration, and in the other districts the Sultan's power appears to be very small, espec ially as the revenues have, as a rule, been pledged for years to come.

Brunei is theoretically governed by its Sultan, with the advice of five Ministers (Wazire), the Pengiraast Bendahara, Temenggong, Di Gadong, Pemancha, and Shabandar.

The Bendahara is Prime Minister and is responsible for internal administration.

• For further details na to Labuan see Appendix.

The

↑ The word "Pengiran "may be translated “ Chief.”

In this memorandum the latter word is used for the sake of convenience to include the nobles who, ander the varions names of Mantri, Dato, Rajah, &c., appear

as taking part in the Balma's councils.

POL.

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Temenggong conducts expeditions and superin- tends executions. The Di Gadong is Treasurer and the Pemancha appears to be little more than his deputy. The functions of the Shah.

bandar are those of a Minister of Commerce.

At present the Sultan is said to be about 80 years old, and the Bendahara is not much younger.

The office of Temenggong has been vacant since the last holder became Sultan in 1885; and that of Di Gadong since 189% or 1899, when the last holder died.

The Shahbandar lives at Brooketon, and takes no part in the government. The Pemancha, also an old man, lives in the Belait district and does not concern himself with the government.

In 1847 the Sultan agreed not to cede territory. without the consent of Great Britain. and in 1888 a treaty was signed in which the foreign relations of Brunei were placed under the control of Her Majesty's Government.

For the last 20 years the main question con- nected with Brunei has been that of the Limbang, The Limbang district lies to the south and south- east of the town of Brunei, the Limbang river entering the men within a few miles of the town. The creek on which Brunei stands, and which is called the Brunei River, is said to be an old mouth of the Limbang. Some 20 miles north- east of the Limbang is the mouth of the Trumm River, the centre of a distrios maquined by Rajsh Brooks in 1885; the upper waters of the 17 come within a mile or two of those of the Lim- bang. Between the lower waders of theen two rivers lion a tract of country, watered--by Tamburong and Laboh rivers, which is, na-ahors stated, still under the rule of the Sultan of Brunei,

Owing to its position and to the furvility the district, which exports large quantiti sago, • the Limbong country is of importance to Bruni that—such

Limbang is Brunei,” or “Limahang an of Brunei," appour in manigwevery Malay on the subject.

The greater part of the district, while under the rule of Brunei, was partly in

("kuripan "†) of the

tulin” (ie., hereditary private family of the late Sultan

ware other smaller china holding

the district, but they are seldom

nama sudaneta to

importanon

• The trade which was fasarly with Labano huo

been diverted to Encking simen the minnas by damwak.

** kuripan,"

↑ ▲ olieť holding a district as

** tillafiuina enzylote contret over Ha revenue.