Directory_and_Chronicle_1891 — Page 768

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

PENANG

Penang, or Prince of Wales' Island (the latter name having only been officially abandoned within the last few years) is an island situated on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula in 5 deg. North latitude and with a strip of land on the opposite coast known as Province Wellesley, from which it is separated by a strait varying from 2 tɔ 10 miles in width, constitutes the second in importance of the three governments known as the "Straits Settlements, The island contains an area of about 107 square miles, being 15 miles long and 9 broad at its widest portions, while Province Wellesley extends for a distance of 45 miles along the coast, and has an average width of 8 miles. The chief town of Penang is George Town, but the name of the island (which signifies "Betel nut islan") has become so identified with the town that the specific designation has almost dropped out of use.

Penang was ceded to the famous Captain Light for the East India Company in the year 1785 for an annual payment of $10,000 to the Rajah of Queda, a step which was followed 13 years later by the cession of Province Wellesley. In the year 1806, Penang was elevated to the rank of a presidency, its rising fortunes even then bidding fair to eclipse those of Malacca, while Singapore was as yet unknown as a settlement. In 1825 Singapore and Malacca were incorporated with Penang, and the three were designated by the title they still retain. But as the fortunes of Singapore brightened, those of Penang declined, until the former quite overshadowed her older sister, and in 1832 the principal seat of government was transferred to Singapore.

The settlement of Penang is governed by a Resident Councillor, but is in effect an appanage of Singapore, a resident merchant and a leading Province Wellesley planter representing it in the Singapore Council. An important department of its trade lies in the business transacted with the Dutch settlements in Sumatra, and much excitement was caused during the Acheen war by what its merchants deemed the undue restrictions placed on their trade by the Dutch authorities. Penang will always remain of certain importance, although it is not likely to again assume the position in the commercial world it formerly held It is much looked to as an emigration centre for the labour required by the Dutch planters at Acheen and elsewhere. It is a convenient coaling and man-of-war station, and is of yet greater necessity as the virtual scat of government as regards Province Wellesley, which must ere long be an important centre of British influence. The Prye River Dock Co. have a graving dock in Province Wellesley, 250 feet in length and 50 feet broad at entrance; also a slip for vessels 100 feet long. George Town is built on a plain, at the back of which rises the hill which, as Penangites declare, renders life on the island endurable. The town possesses few attractions, and the public buildings are mediocre, with the exception of the Government Offices, a fine new block erected in 1889 near the wharf. St. George's Church is an unpretending edifice centrally situated. There is also a Roman Catholic Church and several mission chapels. The census of 1881 gave 190,597 as the population, in which return, however, were included the population of Province Wellesley and the Dindings. The population is thus divided:-Europeans, 674; Armenians, 32; Jews, 32; Eurasians, 1,597; Chinese, 67,502; Arabs, 574; Tamils, 25,094; Malays, 84,724; and the rest of various races. The estimated population in 1885 was 244,000.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1891 — Page 768

Comments

Private Research Note