Directory_and_Chronicle_1894 — Page 790

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 Districts:-1. Kwala Lumpur, the central district where the Residency and principal Government Offices are situated, and which also contains the richest tin mines that have yet been developed. 2.-Kling, the principal port, situated about 14 miles from the mouth of the Klang River. 3.-Kula 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 jong. 6.-Ulu Selangor, a district adjoining Perak, containing much valuable mining land, as yet comparatively undeveloped.

Each district is under the charge of a European District Officer, from whom the Native Penghulus (in charge of the mukims into which each District is subdivi led) receive instructions. The law and procedure administered in the Courts are practically the same as those in the Colony of the Straits Settlements. 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 6:29 native non-commissioned officers and men, chiefly Malay.

The population of Selangor in 1884, when the first census was taken, was 46,568 According to the census taken in April, 1891, the total population of the State amounted to 81,592 persons, of whom 50,844 are Chinese, 23,750 Malays, 3,592 Indians, 1,224 Sarkeis (aboriginal tribes), 357 Europeans and Eurasians, and the remainder Japanese, Arabs, Singhalese, Bataks, &c. This return is supposed to be far below the

real number.

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 $12 per bhara (three piculs). The export in 1892 amounted to 208,164 piculs.

In auton to its mineral resources the State, however, possesses large tracts of land well adapted for agricultural purposes, and the recent 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, cocoa, 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 grans of land have recently been made, on special terms, for the planting of sago, pepper, and gambier.

The revenue, which has more than quadrupled during the last ten years, amounted in 1892 to $2,135,448 and the expenditure to $2,044,115.

The principal exports are tin, hides, garmwood, tapioca, canes, rattans, and gutta percha. The principal imports are opium, salt, salt-fish, rice, oil, tobacco, and tea. At the commencement of the year 1885, all duties were abolished, with the exception of those on tin, opium, and spirits.

There is frequent and regular communication, by means of coasting steamers, between the Straits Settlements and Selangor, and from Kwala Lumpor a system of cart and bridle roads extends to the boundaries of Perak, Sungi Ujong, and Pahang. A line of metre gauge railway, to connect Kwala Lumpor and Klang (a distance of 22 miles), has been constructed, and was form lly opened by Sir F. Weld on the 15th Sept., 1886. An extension of this line to Serendah, 24 miles north of Kwala Lumpor, has been completed, and will ultimately be carried on to Kwala Kubu, the principal inland town. The first sod of the extension was cut on the 25th August, 1889. Another extension is projected to Cheras, in the Ulu Langat district. connection with the railway a line of telegraph his ben erected between the same terminal stoties and extended to Malaea Sinzie Ujong, where it is connected with tables of the E. E., A. & C. Telegraph Co. There is also inland telegraphi; comma liation between Kwala Lumpor, Rawang, and Kwala Kubu, whence it is carried on to Rub in Pahang, este 'in, up to the Perak frontier at Tompong Malim and through Porak to Penang, Ator,raph line fron Rawan ;;ɔ Kv ili slingor has lately been completed, and Kwala Langat has been co. nected i Klang.

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