Directory_and_Chronicle_1895 — Page 803

SUNGEI UJONG AND JELEBU

This state, or two combined states, which is under British protection, is situated to the north-west of Malacca. Its area is about 660 square miles, and a range of hills in the north attain a height of about 3,800 feet, the slopes of which have been pronounced by Ceylon planters as most suitable for the cultivation of coffee, cocoa, &c. On the lower ground, nearer the coast, tapioca is successfully cultivated. Tin mining is carried on to a considerable extent. The river Linggi is the only considerable stream in the state, and was formerly navigable for upwards of 40 miles from its mouth. The principal town of Sungei Ujong is Seramban. The new port of Sungei Ujong was opened on the 1st September, 1884, at Pengkalan Kompas on the Linggi river, at a distance of about seven miles from the mouth of the river. Streets have been marked out and houses of considerable size are rapidly being erected. Port Dickson (district and port) lies south-west of Seremban, and promises to become of some importance. The harbour has from eleven to fifteen fathoms of water and is well sheltered. A railway connecting it with Seremban was opened in July, 1881. The line has greatly facilitated trade. There is a first-class road from Pengkalan Kompas to the Residency at Seremban, and thence on to Pantai, a distance altogether of about 31 miles, Pantai being 8 miles from the seat of Government and leading to the coffee estates on Bukit Berembun, which are in a flourishing state. To these, a distance of 13 miles, a cart road has been constructed. A cart road from Seremban to Setul, 9 miles distant, and extending to Bernang, 6 miles further on the Selangor border, has been made, and has opened up an extensive and rich tin mining district, which is being rapidly taken up by the Chinese, who are the real wealth producers of the country, as elsewhere in the native states. Communication with Malacca is kept up by subsidized steam-launches, and a cart road from the state to Lubok China in Malacca (five miles) was completed in 1885. The British Resident is the virtual ruler of the state. The revenue for 1893 was $388,976 and the expenditure $376,562. The population, according to the census taken in April, 1891, was:-Sungei Ujong, 17,167 Jelebu, 5,435. The Chinese form more than a third of the population and their numbers are steadily increasing.

DIRECTORY

COUNCIL OF STATE President-Datu Klana Petra (acting) Members--The Resident, Datu Bandar, Datu Muda Linggi, Haji Wahid Tuan Khadhi, Chin Woh, Lee Sam, Datu Penghulu of Jelebu

RESIDENCY

Officer in charge-R. N. Bland

Chief Clerk-

AUDIT OFFICE

State Auditor-C. C. Trotter Clerks S. da Silva, Swee Joo

COURTS

Judge-The Resident

Magistrate C. C. Trotter Clerk-D. G. Perera

Chinese Interpreter-Soh Swee Lin Tamil do. -C. Nagaratuam Malay do. -Mohamed Usof

CUSTOMS, Port Dickson Magistrate and Collr.--W. Willes Douglas Clerk to do. -H.de Silva, Port Dickson H.deSilva, Port Dickson Do. -Soh Swi Kee, Pasir Pangang

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Inspector of Schools-H. W. Bathurst

FINANCE O. FICE

Financial Officer--C. C. Trotter Cashier-M. McDonough

Audit Clerk-A. R. St. Maria Chief Clerk-S. de Silva

INDIAN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT Assistant Immigration Agent-W. L.

Braddon

LAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT W. R. Moothoosamy Pillay

Coll. of Land Revenue-H.W. Bathurst, B.A. Chief Clerk-M. da Silva

Second do. -Yap Swee Wat

House Assessment Collector-Pakir Sultan

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

Residency Surgeon-W. Leonard Braddon,

M.B., B.S. LON., F.R.C.S. ENG., L.S.A. Apothecary-J. C. Groth

Senr. Dresser and Vaccinator-J. C. A. Dias Dresser-R. T. Frankfort Chief Clerk-Tay Kim Guan