Directory_and_Chronicle_1901 — Page 1002

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

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PENANG

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 plain about three miles in depth, upon which stands the town and environs, the whole of the island consists of hills with narrow valleys. No minerals of commercial value are found in Penang.

The influence of the regular monsoon is more distinctly felt at Penang than in the most easterly part of the Straits of Malacca, owing to the wideness of the latter to the west and vicinity to the Bay of Bengal. During the north-easterly monsoon, from November to March inclusive, clear settled weather prevails, and in the south-westerly, from April to October, the rains take place. But neither rain nor drought is of long continuance. The average heat of the year at the level of the sea is 80°, and at the height of 2,500 feet, the highest inhabited point, 70°, the annual range being about 20°. Where there is free ventilation, the climate is equal in salubrity to that of any other tropical one, but in a few close valleys wanting this advantage, the malaria is deemed poisonous, and such localities, few in number, are not inhabited by Europeans.

Of mammals, the principal species are monkeys, loris, wild pig, and two species of viverrida the musang and binturong, The ornithology calls for no special remarks. The island is a happy hunting ground for the entomologist, numerous fine species of lepidoptera frequenting the hills. The botany of Penang is perhaps better known than that of any part of the Peninsula, and, for the area involved, is particularly rich. Palms, bamboos, banana and other fruit-trees, and nutmegs clothe the hillsides, while ferns are also plentiful. The high land permits the cultivation of many flowers and other plants which will not thrive in the flat level lands of Singapore or Malacca.

As evinced by its name, the chief product of Penang is the betel-nut, which, with all kinds of fruit and nutmegs, is the only indigenous article of trade. Nutmegs were at one time a most important branch of industry, but the blight, which simultaneously affected the whole Peninsula, destroyed it. Their cultivation has, however, now been resumed, and Penang nutmegs stand high in the market. There is no agriculture properly so called. Pepper was at one period of its early history produced to the extent of three and a half million pounds annually; but the competition of other places, notably of Netherlands India, proved fatal, and it is now only cultivated in small patches, and is not classed as an article of export trade.

The Perak-Penang Railway is now in course of construction. The terminus for Penang is at Prai, which will be connected with the town by a ferry service. The line will be 317 miles in length and will connect Penang with Port Dickson, and may subsequently be extended to connect with Burmah on the North and Siam on the East.

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 jetty. St. George's Church is an unpretending edifice of 80 years' standing, centrally situated. There is also a Roman Catholic Church and several mission chapels. The census of 1891 gave the total population of Penang and Province Wellesley as 235,618 as compared with 190,597 in 1881. The population of Penang island was 123,886, that of George Town 85,000, and of Province Wellesley 108,117. The value of the imports (excluding treasure) in 1898 was $59,175,573 as against $50,650,792 in 1897, and that of exports $55,655,773 as against $48,703,837 in 1897. The revenue in 1899 amounted to $1,671,448.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1901 — Page 1002

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