Directory_and_Chronicle_1881 — Page 474

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

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. 35 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.

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 Government, in which condition it remained until 1867, when it was placed under the Colonial Office in conjunction with the other Settlements above mentioned.

'The town proper extends for about four 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 majority of the residences of the upper class Europeans lie, as rule, much further back, within a circle with a radius of three-and-a half miles from the Ca hedral. This portion of the settlement is almost entirely level, the highest hill in the island, indeed, about six miles from the South coast, only rising to a height of 500 feet. The country roads are well kept, and, thanks to the luxuriance of tropical wegetation, abound in shade. The streets, on the other hand, though wide and well metalled, are, as regards architectural matters, drains, and gutters, a disgrace to the Municipality which has them in charge. Filth and obstructions of all sorts dis- tinguish the nat.ve portion of the town, while as compared with nearly every other Eastern city in European hands, the buildings of the business quarters are singularly shabby and mediocre. The Government Offices and City Hall, however, are fine buildings, while the last twelve months have witnessed the opening of a handsome Club, which compares favourably with any in the East.

The estimated population of Singapore in 1878 was about 125,000, of whom at least 90,000 where Chinese. The Klings and Malays who chiefly constitute the other portions of the "Native" community-a very few Parsees, Arabs, &c., forming

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