Directory_and_Chronicle_1902 — Page 1251

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

698

BRITISH NORTH BORNEO

profitable industry, and the tobacco already raised obtains a ready sale at very high prices. Coffee-planting is being taken up, and gambier, cotton, Manila hemp, and sugar are receiving attention from Europeans, as well as from natives and Chinese. Cutch is extracted from mangrove bark and is being exported in increasing quantities. The population of the town of Sandakan, the capital of the territory, was 9,541 in 1901, of whom 101 were Europeans and 3,878 Chinese. On the west coast a short line of railway is being constructed, running inland from Brunei Bay to open up the interior of the country, and it is intended ultimately to carry it across the island to St. Lucia Bay. Sandakan is distant 1,000 miles from Singapore, 1,200 miles from Hongkong and 669 miles from Manila. It became connected telegraphically with Labuan on the 7th May, 1897, and was thus placed in communication with Europe, etc.

The territory of British North Borneo was acquired from the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu by cession for a small annual payment in 1879-80, and the British North Bornen Company was incorporated by Royal Charter on the 1st November, 1881. The area of the territory is 31,106 square miles, and the population is estimated at about 160,000, of whom about 200 are European. In May, 1888, a British Protectorate was established. The following officers have administered the Government of the Territory since its acquisition by the Company :--1881-1887, W. H. Treacher; 1887-1888, W. M. Crocker (acting); 1888-1891, C. V. Creagh, c.M.G.; 1891-1892, L. P. Beaufort (acting); 1892, C. V. Creagh, c.m.6; 1895, L. P. Beaufort: 1900, Hugh Clifford, c.M.G.; 1901, E. W. Birch, C.M...

LABUAN

This, the smallest British Colony in Asia, was ceded to Great Britain by the Sultan of Brunei in 1846, and taken possession of in 1848. It is situated on the north-west coast of Borneo in latitude 5 deg. 16 min. N., and longitude 115 deg. 15 min. E. It has an area of 30} square miles, and is about six miles from the Borneo coast. Although Labuan possesses a fine port, has extensive coal deposits, and by situation seemed likely to become a depôt for the trade of the north coast of Borneo, it has only partially fulfilled the expectations formed of it. The produce of Brunei finds a market in Labuan, but the volume of the trade is small. There are three sago manufactories on the island, where the raw material is converted into flour, for export chiefly to Singapore. The Government is now administered by the British North Borneo Company, having been handed over to it by the Imperial Government in 1889. The population in 1890 was 5,853, of whom 25 were Europeans and 17 Eurasians, the remainder being chiefly Chinese and Malays. The Chinese, who number over a thousand, are the chief traders, and most of the industries of the island are in their hands. There are over thirty Europeans now, including Government Officials, the staff of the Eastern Extension Telegraphi Company, the Coal Point mines and traders. The New Central Borneo Company are lessees of the Coal Mines in the island, and are developing a considerable trade in the coal, which is largely supplied to H.M's ships. The revenue is chiefly derived from the farming out of licences to sell tobacco, spirits, opium, and fish.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1902 — Page 1251

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