Directory_and_Chronicle_1880 — Page 474

SINGAPORE.

459

Singapore offers but few points of salient interest to visitors, the Botanical Gardens at Tanglin and the Raffles Library and Museum being its only show places. Few, however, are unimpressed with its wealth of vegetation-of a certain sort. The jungle, crowded with kompas, betel, and cocoanut trees, here and there relieved by durians, mangoes, and mangostins, is grandly beautiful. But flowers flourish to only a limited degree. Orchids indeed about.d, but their blossoms soon fade, while a few gorgeous flowering plants but poorly make up for the absence of roses, gera- niums, honeysuckle, and all the vast variety which we associate with a well kept garden at home.

Food in Singapore is indifferent. Fowls, ducks, and eggs form the staple of animal food, one or two butchers supplying mutton or beef if bespoken. Neither can, however, be recommended. The choice of vegetables is equally limited. Fruits, however, are abundant, such as pines, bananas, mangostins, and the usual variety of tropical growth. The much vaunted and much abused durian-the odour of which resembles a combination of asafoetida, rotten cheese, sugar, bad eggs, and cinnamon -is seldom tolerated at the tables of foreigners.

Owing to the long distances, horses and carriages are in universal demand, and numerous back gharries or palanquins on wheels, a shade better than the old London cab, are to be seen at almost every corner. The syces or drivers, however, are, like the boatmen of the port, a most extortionate set and require vigorous regulation on the part of the Government.

DIRECTORY.

Colonial Government.

Governor, Vice-Admiral and Commander- in-Chief-His Excellency Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson, K.C.M.G. Colonial Sec.-Hon. Cecil C. Smith Assist. Colonial Secretary-A. M. Skinner Assistant Colonial Secretary for Native

States-F. A. Swtteuham

Lieut.-Governor of Penang-Hon. Major-

General A. E. H. Auson, C.M.G. Resident Councillor of Malacca—Hon. C.

J. Irving

Chief Justice, and Commissary of Vice- Admiralty Court-His Honour Sir T. Sidgreaves, Knight

Puisne Judge--T. T. Ford

do.

Wood

Attorney General-Hon. T. Braddell Solicitor General--D. Logan Treasurer, Commissioner of Stamps, and Accountant General Supreme Court- Hon. W. W. Willans Auditor General Hon. E. A. Irving Colonial Engineer, Surveyor Gen., and Comptroller of Convicts-Hon. Major J. F. A. McNair, R.A., C.M.G.

Deputy Colonial Engineer, Penang-Capt.

J. H. Satterthwaite, R.E. Inspector General of Police, Straits Settle-

ments-Major S. Dunlop, R.A. Sup. of Police, Singapore-R. W. Maxwel

Penang-Hon. H. Plunket

do.

do. Malacca-E. Hayward Master Attendant-Henry Ellis Harbour Master, Penang-T. A. Fox,

R.N.R.

Postmaster General-H. Trotter

Prin. Med. Officer T. J. Rowell, M.D. Colonial Surgeons-A. F. Anderson, M.D.,

M. F. Simon, M.D.

Do. at Penang-F. K. Hampshire, M.B. Do. at Province Wellesley-J. H. McClos-

key

Registrar-General and Coroner of Singapore

A. W. V. Cousins Senior Magistrate, Singapore-R.S. O'Con-

ner

Inspector of Schools, Straits Settlements--

vacant

Protector of Chinese W. A. Pickering Assistant do. -N. B. Dennys, Ph. D.

Do. do., Penang-E. Karl

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