Directory_and_Chronicle_1886 — Page 642

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

This Colony-consisting of the island of Singapore, the province of Malacca, thə island of Penang, with Province Wellesley on the mainland, and the Dindings-was transferred from the control of the Indian Government to that of the Secretary of State for the Colonies by an Order in Council dated the 1st April, 1867. The estimated revenue of the colony for 1886 is $3,715,639, and the expenditure $3,698,600. The Loan of 1877, which has been reduced to £48,000, is the only liability of the Colony.

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 government of the Straits Settlements.

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 settlement 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 European lie, as a rule, much further back, within a circle 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 tropica! 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 handsome Club, which compares favourably with any in the East.

The population of Singapore Island according to the census taken in April, 1881, was 139,208, of whom 86,766 were Chinese and 22,114 Malays. The population was estimated in 1883 at 145,500 and has increased since then. The Klings with a very few Parsees, Arabs, &c.--forming perhaps a sixtieth part of the whole population- are as a rule peaceful and unambitious, and give but little trouble. The European community consists in the main of English and Germans, and numbers, with 783 military, a total of 2,768. A large half-caste or Eurasian population, numbering 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.