Directory_and_Chronicle_1900 — Page 979

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ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL

MALACCA—PENANG

Manager-Rev H. Rivet, mis. apost. Head Master-W. Gray Teachers T. N. Gomes, H. D'Witt, Em. Pinto, Tan Tek Swee, M. Lazaroo, M. Lopis, L. Pinto, Rosario

ST. PETER'S CHURCH

Vicar-Rev. A. M. Esteves Assistant Vicar- Rev. J. F. da Silva Secretary-J. D. do Rozario Treasurer-Rev. J. F. da Silva Boys' School at Tranquerah

E. Dias, J. D'Witt, R. Hendricks Boys' School, Bandal Hiter

Č. D'Cruz, B. Rosario, teachers Girls' School, Bandah Tranquerah Sister St. Genevieve, teacher

TAN TEK GUAN, Estate of; Chop "Tiang Guan Hoh," Landowner and Planter, 39 and 41, Heeren Street

Tan Chay Yan, manager

Ong Boon Poh Tan Yam San Tan Hak Eng

Seeh Lian Seck, agent, Singapore

TAN KIM SENG & Co., Merchants and Com-

mission Agents, Blacksmith Street Agency

Steamship "Rainbow"

TELEGRAPH COMPANY, LIMITED-EASTERN

EXTENSION, AUSTRALASIA AND CHINA

R. Wolfe, superintendent P. E. Aviet, operator Tan Cheng Tiong, do. Tan Chim Sivi, clerk

PENANG

Penang, or Prince of Wales' Island, as it was formerly called, is situated on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula in 5 deg. north latitude. With the Dindings and a strip of land on the opposite coast known as Province Wellesley, from which it is separated by a Strait varying from 2 to 10 miles in width, it 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, containing 270 square miles, and about 200 more for the Dindings. The chief town of Penang is George Town, but the name of the island (which signifies “Betel-nut island") 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 1786 for an annual payment of $10,000 to the Rajah of Kedah, a step which was followed 13 years later by the cession of Province Wellesley. In the year 1805 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 1826 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 1837 the principal seat of government was transferred to Singapore.

The settlement of Penang is governed by a Resident Councillor, and has two unofficial representatives in the Legislative Council, which sits at Singapore. An important department of its trade lies in the business transacted with the Dutch settlements in Sumatra. Penang will always remain of a certain importance, although it is not likely to again assume the position in the com- mercial world it formerly held. It is a convenient coaling and man-of-war station, and is of yet greater necessity as the virtual seat of government for Province Wellesley, which must always be an important centre of British influence. The Tanjong Pagar Dock Co. have rented the graving dock at Prye River 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 more enjoyable than in any other part of the Colony.

The formation of Penang is granitic, being covered in many places with a sharp sand or stiff clay, the produce of the decomposition of the granite. Above this again comes a coat of vegetable mould of greater or less thickness. With the exception of a plain about three miles in depth, upon which stands the town and environs, the whole