Directory_and_Chronicle_1885 — Page 591

BORNEO.

After Australia this island is the largest in the world. It extends from about 7 dog, N. to 4 deg. S. latitude, and from 109 deg. to 118 E. longitude. Its length is about 750 miles, its greatest breadth 600 miles, and its average breadth is estimated at 850 miles. Its vast interior consists of almost impenetrable forests, which teem with animal life, but are sparsely populated by man. The soil is fertile, and in some parts near the coast the land is marshy and well adapted for the cultivation of sago. It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1526, and they as well as the Spaniards, Dutch, and English formed settlements on different parts of the coast, but none of these were long maintained. The Dutch claim sovereignty over the greater part of the south and west of the island, along the coast of which they maintain establishments; the territories of the British North Borneo Company, the Sultan of Brunei, and the Hajah of Sarawak extend over and along the north and north-eastern coast. The lative states are insignificant and in a backward condition. The total population of Borneo is roughly estimated at 3,000 030. The productions are many and varied, and its mineral resources believed to be great. The Chinese, who have been settled in most Bornean towns for generations, conduct all the trading operations. The country generally is in an undeveloped condition. The natives are of the Malayan type, and are, as a rule, indolent and wanting in enterprise.

SARAWAK.

The territory of Sarawak comprises an area of about 40,000 square miles, with a population of about 280,000, composed of various races. It is situated on the north-west coast of the island of Borneo, is intersected by many rivers navigable for a considerable distance inland, and commands about 880 miles of coast line. The sovereignty of the district from Tanjong Datu to the entrance of the Sama- haran island was obtained from the Sultan of Brunei in the year 1842 by Sir James Brooke, who became well known as Rajah Brooke of Sarawak. In 1861, a second cession was obtained, from the Sultan of Brunei, of all the rivers and land from the Samarahan river to Kadurong point; and in 1882 a third cession was obtained of one hundred miles of coast line and all the country and rivers that lie between Kadurong point and the Baram river, including about three miles of coast on the north-east side of the latter. The present Rajah, H.H. Charles Johnson Brooke, is a nephew of Sir James Brooke, and was born 3rd June, 1829, succeeded 1868, married 1869. His heir-the Rajah Mudah-Charles Vyner Brooke, was born 26th September, 1874.

The country produces diamonds, gold, silver, antimony, quicksilver, coal, gutta- percha, india-rubber, canes, rattans, camphor, beeswax, birdenests, sago, pepper and gambier. The principal towns, are:-Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, situated on the Sarawak river, about 23 miles from its mouth, in latitude I deg. 32 min. N., longitude 110 deg. 28 min. E. (approximate). Claude Town, the principal town and fort in the Baram river, is about 60 miles inland. Bintulu, situate at the mouth of the Muka river, is famous for its sago. Oya, which lies about 14 miles up the Oya river; and Matu, about 5 miles up the Matu river, are both noted for their sago. Sibu is situated about 60 miles, Kanowit about 100 miles, and Kapit about 160 miles up the Rejang river. Rejang village, at the mouth of Rejang river, is noted for its Bilian (iron wood) works." Kabong is situated at the mouth of the Kalaka river. Saribas lies about 80 miles up the river of the same name, and has a tidal wave or bore. Simang- gang is about 60 miles up the Batang Lugar river, and also has a bore. Simunjan is situated about 18 miles up the Cadonă river, where the Government work a coal mine.