Directory_and_Chronicle_1887 — Page 713

SELANGOR.

The protected native state of Selangor, containing a total area of about 3,000 square miles, lies on the western coast of the Malay Peninsula, and is bounded by the protected native states of Perak on the north, and Sungie Ujong on the south, extending inland to the mountains in the centre of the peninsula, which divide it from Pahang and Jelebu.

The Government consists of the Sultan, advised by the British Resident, who is directly responsible to the Governor of the Straits Settlements, and assisted by the State Council. The State is divided into the following six Collectorates:-1. Kwala Lumpor, the central district where the Residency and principal Government Office are situated, and which also contains the richest tin mines that have yet been developed. 2. Klang, the principal port, situated about 14 miles from the mouth of the Klang River. 3.-Kwala Langat, an agricultural district, in which the Sultan resides. 4.-Kwala Selangor, containing the most important fisheries in the State. 5.-Ulu Langat, an inland mining district on the borders of Sungie Ujong. 6.- Ulu Selangor, a district adjoining Perak, containing much valuable mining land, as yet comparatively undeveloped.

Each Collectorate is under the charge of an European Collector and Magistrate, from whom the Native Penghulus (in charge of the districts into which each Collec- torate is subdivided) receive their instructions. The law and procedure administered in the Courts are practically the same as those in the Colony of the Straits Settle- ments, and the powers of a Collector and Magistrate are almost identical with those of a Magistrate and Commissioner of the Court of Requests in the Colony. The decisions of the Magistrates are subject to revision by the Resident, and again by the Sultan in Council. The Police Force consists of a superintendent, two European inspectors, and 305 native non-commissioned officers and men, chiefly Malay.

According to a census taken during the year 1884 the total population of the State amounted to 46,568 persons, distributed among the various districts as follows:- K. Lumpor-82 Europeans, 4,454 Malays, 23,827 Chinese, 330 Indians, 123 Sakeis (Aboriginal Tribes), total 28,823. Klang-10 Europeans, 2,702 Malays, 643 Chinese, 25 Indians, 76 Sakeis, total 3,456. K. Langat-1 European, 2,819 Malays, 264 Chinese, 14 Indians, 100 Sakeis, total 3,198. U. Langat-1 European, 1,808 Malays, 1,675 Chinese, 211 Sakeis, total 3,695. K. Selangor-2 Europeans, 3,343 Malays, 227 Chinese, total 3,572. U. Selangor-4 Europeans, 1,971 Malays, 1,600 Chinese, 249 Sakeis, total 3,824.

The principal industry of the State, and from which it derives the largest portion of its revenue, is alluvial tin mining, on which a duty is charged of $3 per picul. The export in 1885 amounted to 82,901 piculs.

In addition to its mineral resources, the State, however, possesses large tracts of land well adapted for agricultural purposes, and the reccut removal of restrictions on the free importation of Indian coolies into the Protected Native States renders it possible for European planters to obtain cheap labour and to open estates on a large scale. Small plantations of Coffee, Cacao, and Pepper have already been successfully commenced, and Rice, Sugar, and other products of the Peninsula under native cultivation, are doing well in various parts of the State, and to encourage pioneer planters, large grants of land have recently been made, on special terms, for the planting of Sago, Pepper, and Gambier.