SELANGOR
599
the Klang River. 3.-Kwala Langat, an agricultural district, in which the Sultan resides. 4.-Kuala Selangor, containing the most important fisheries in the State 5.--Ulu Langat, an inland mining district on the borders of Sungie Ujong. 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 subdivided) receive instructions. The Police Force consists of a superintendent, two European inspectors, and 650 native non-commissioned officers and men, including 227 Sikhs.
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 were Chinese, 23,750 Malays, 3,592 Indians, 1,224 Sakeis (aboriginal tribes), 357 Europeans and Eurasians, and the remainder Arals, Singhalese, Bataks, &c. In 1899 the population was estimated at 150,000.
The principal industry of the State, and from which it derives the largest portion of its revenue, ís alluvial tin mining, on which a duty is charged.
In addition 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 grants of land have recently been made, on special terms, for the planting of sago, pepper, and gambier.
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, Sungie Ujong, and Pahang. A line of metre gauge railway, to connect Kwala Lumpor and Klang (a distance of 22 miles) was formally opened by Sir F. Weld on the 15th Sept., 1886, and an extension to Kwala Kubu was opened on the 6th October, 1894, and a branch line from Kwala Lumpor to Sungei Besi on the 28th February, 1895. Eighty-three miles of line were open for traffic at the end of 1898. The railway revenue for 1899 was $854,326, an increase of $120,418 over 1898.
In connection with the railway a line of telegraph has been erected and extended to Malacca via Sungie Ujong, where it is connected with the cables of the E. E., A. & C. Telegraph Co. There is also inland telegraphic communication between the principal towns. At the end of 1899 there were 321 miles of metalled and gravelled cart road.
The total value of the trade amounted to $18,008,000 imports and $20,894,000 exports in 1999 against a total of $26,825,000 in 1898.
DIRECTORY
GOVERNMENT
Sultan-His Highness ALLH EL DIN SULEIMAN SHAH
British Resident―J. P. RODGER, C.M.G. (absent)
Acting do.
--HUGH CLIFFORD, C.M.G.
COUNCIL OF STATE
H. H. The Sultan, president
The British Resident
The Secretary to Resident, Kwala Lumpur Raja Muda
Yeap Kuan Seng (Capt. China), K. Lumpur
Raja Hassan, Klang
Kaja Haji Bôt, Kwala Lumpur G. Cumming, Kwala Lumpur Saiyid Muchar
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