Directory_and_Chronicle_1890 — Page 827

SINGAPORE.

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steadily increasing. The Klings, with a very few Parsees, Arabs, &c.-forming perhaps a sixtieth part of the whole population -are as a rule peaceful and unambi tious, and give but little trouble. The European community consists in the main of English and Germans, and then numbered, with the military, 2,769. It has since increased somewhat. 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 about 97,000.

Singapore possesses a handsome though small Protestant Cathedral with a tower and spire 204 feet high, a neat Presbyterian Church, and several Roman Catholic churches of roomy proportions. The principal schools are those of the Raffles Institute, the Christian Brothers, and the Anglo-Chinese School; the Raffles Girls' School and the Convent also providing for the education of girls of the Protestant and Roman Catholic persuasions. There is a country Club with a well built bungalow situated some three miles out of town, at which dances and amateur theatricals are frequently given. The German community have a similar institution. The Raffles Library and Museum, moved in October, 1887, into the new building erected for them, are creditable and well kept institutions, the Museum having made very fair progress since its inception. The Library contains over 16,000 volumes, chiefly of standard modern literature, and includes the valuable philological collection of the late Mr. Logan.

Singapore boasts several hotels, but they are not equal to those in ports of similar importance. The Press is represented by the Straits Times and Singapore Free Press (daily), weekly issues of both; the Straits Advocate, the Law Journal, and the Government Gazette, all published weekly. There are also a Chinese daily paper called the Lat Pau, a Malay paper styled the Jasai Peranakhan, and one or two papers in Tamil.

Singapore is well off for Docks. The Tanjong Pagar Company's premises lie about a mile to the westward of the town, a fine wharf affording berthage for a large number 01 vessels at one time with sufficient water alongside for vessels of the heaviest draught,... and protected by a breakwater from the swell from the roads and from the strength of the tides. There are commodious godowns erected on the wharf for the storage: of goods. Coal sheds capable of storing 50,000 tons of the mineral adjoin the godowns, while hand carts on rails essentially aid the labour of unloading vessels. The usual accompaniments are also to be found-two docks, one a graving doek 450 feet. in length, a machine shop, boiler and masting shear, &c. The New Harbour Dock Company's premises, situated about three miles further West, include two docks of 415 and 450 feet in length respectively, with sheds, workshops, &c., as at Tanjong Pagar.

The climate of Singapore is remarkable for its salubrity, and the island has been described by medical writers as the "paradise of children," infantile diseases. seldom being at all malignant. Despite its proximity to the Equator, under normal circumstances a daily rainfall tempers the heat so thoroughly that many sleep beneath blankets. Droughts, however, have been experienced of from one to three months. The island is not exempt from the animal pests which usually infest intra-tropical locations. Tigers are occasionally seen; wild pigs, deer, and monkeys inhabit much of the jungle surrounding the country residences; while the much dreaded cobra has been killed. in most of the compounds. The existence of the hamadryad has also been demon- strated, though this fierce reptile is fortunately but very seldom met with. It should be added that specimens of the formidable python, up to 24 feet in length, are found in the jungle, and that alligators and sharks inhabit the still waters of the coast.

Singapore offers but few points of salient interest to visitors, the Botanical Gardens at Tanglin, the Waterworks in Thomson Road, and the RafflesLibrary and Museum being its only show places. Tramways, which were opened in the middle of 1886, now run along the main thoroughfares, and gharries and jinrickshas also furniseh means of conveyance. A railway across the island is in project. It will probably be constructed by the Colonial Government.