Directory_and_Chronicle_1879 — Page 466

SINGAPORE.

The town of Singapore, situated on the Southern shore of an island of the same name in lat. 1 deg. 16 min. N. and long. 103 deg. 53 min. E., is the seat of Govern- ment of the Colony known as the Straits Settlements, consisting of Singapore, Malacca, Penang, Province Wellesley, and a small strip of land opposite the Island of Pulo Dinding, Negotiations are, however, it is asserted, in progress whereby the latter cession will be cancelled.

The Island of Singapore is about 27 miles long by 14 wide, and is separated by a narrow strait about one to two miles wide from the territory of Johore, which occupies the Southern extremity of the Malay Peninsula. Originally taken possession of in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, it was until 1823 subordinate to our then settle- ment in Sumatra. In that year it became an appanage of the Indian Governinent, in which condition it remained until 1867, when it was placed under the Colonial Office in conjunction with the other Settlements above mentione I.

The town proper extends for about three miles along the South-Eastern shore of the Island spreading inland for a distance varying from half to three-quarters of a mile, though the residences of the upper class Europeans lie as a rule much further back, a circle with a radius of three and a half miles from the principal square including the majority. This portion of the island is entirely level, the highest hill of the island, indeed, about six miles from the South coast, only rising to a height of 530 feet. The country roads are well kept, and, thanks to the luxuriance of tropical vegetation, abound in shade. The streets, on the other hand, though wide and well metalled, are, as regards drains and gutters, a disgrace to the Municipality which has them in charge. Filth and obstructions of all sorts distinguish the native portion of the town, while as compared with nearly every other Eastern city in European hands, the architecture of the business quarters is singularly shabby and mediocre. The Govern- ment Offices and City Hall, however, are fine buildings.

The estimated population of Singapore in 1878 was about 125,000 of whom at least 90,000 are Chinese. For many years a most injudicious system of petting these latter prevailed on the part of the Government. Dirty coolies without any pretensions to education, manners, or even ability, were, on the strength of fortunes realized as spirit and opium farmers, even received at Government House, while the ultra tolera- tion shown to clan-fights and other disturbances on the part of the lowest classes, assisted by samsengs or professional fighting men, resulted in riots which induced frequent loss of life and destruction of property. Matters have changed in this respect since 1876, and the Chinese are being relegated to their proper place. The Klings and Malays-who constitute the other portions of the "Native" community- a very few Parsees, Arabs, &c. forming perhaps a sixtieth part of the whole-are as a rule peaceful and unambitious and give but little trouble. The European com- munity consists in the main of Euglish and Germans-some 550 of the former to 150 of the latter. A larg half-caste or Eurasian population occupies the place elsewhere taken by the Asio-Portuguese.

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The principal business quarter of Singapore is the Raffles Square with its adjacent quays and streets. The foreign stores are few in number but are fairly well supplied with necessaries, few of the luxuries, however, which are so prominent n Indian or Shanghai establishmen's finding place. A general want of enterprise, owing probably to the climate, is indeed a distinctive feature of Singapore life.

Singapore poss sses a handsome though small Protestant Cathedral (the Colonial Chaplain being Archdeacon of the Settlement), a neat Presbyterian Chapel (just opened), and several Catholic churches of roomy proportions. The principal

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