Directory_and_Chronicle_1883 — Page 539

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

SINGAPORE.

The town of Singapore, situated on the southern shore of an island of the same name in lat. I 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, the Dindings, and a small strip of land opposite Pulo Dinding.

The Island of Singapore is about 27 miles long by 14 wide, and is separated by a narrow strait about one or 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 Suu.atra. 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 a rule, much further back, within a cir le with a radius of three-and-a half miles from the Cathedral. 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 vegetation, abound in shade. The town streets, on the other hand, though wide and well metalled, are, as regards architectural matters, drains, and gutters, no great credit 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 buildings of the business quarters are singularly shabby and mediocre. The Government Offices and City Hall, however, are fine buildings, while the settlement possesses a new and handsome Club, which compares favourably with any in the East.

The population of Singapore Island by the census taken in April, 1881 is 139,208, of whom 86,766 were Chinese and 22,114 Malays. The Klings, with a very few Parsees, Arabs, &c.-forming perhaps a sixtieth part of the whole population--are as rule peaceful and unambitious, and give but little trouble. The European com- munity consists in the main of English and Germans, and nu ubers, with 783 military, a total of 2,768. A large half-caste or Eurasian population, nu.nbering 3,094, occupies the place elsewhere taken by the Asio-Portuguese. The population of the Town of Singapore is 95,320.

The principal business quarter of Singapore is the Raffles Square with its adja- cent 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 in Hongkong or Shanghai establishments finding place. A general want of enterprise, owing probally to the climate, is indeed a distinctive feature o. Singapore life.

Singapore possess a handsome though small Protestant Catheral (1's name having been recently added to the title of the see of Labuan), a neat Presbyterian Chapel, and several Catholic chur hes of rooy proportions. The pigal schools are those of the Raffles Institute an 1 the Christian Brothers, a Conven' also provid- ing for the education of girls of the Roan Jatholi persuasion. Ths a country Club with a well built bungalow situated some three miles out of owa, at which