MALACCA
599
The climate of Malacen as to temperature is such as might be expected in a country not much more than 100 miles from the equator, lying along the sea shore-hot and moist. The thermometer in the shade ranges from 72 to 80
ranges from 72 to 80 Fahrenheit, seldom being so low as the first of these, and not often higher than the last. The range of the barometer is only from 29.8 to 30.3 inches. Notwithstanding constant heat, much moisture, and many swamps, the town at least is remarkable for its salubrity, and, with the exception of the early period of its occupation by the Portuguese, has always enjoyed this reputation.
Malacca offers numerous attractions to the ornithologist and entomologist, but it is less rich in mammals than many other tropical districts. Nine species of quadrumana, the tiger, black leopard, wild cat, several species of viverra (such as the musang and binturong), the elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, tapir, six species of deer, and two of the wild ox comprise a nearly complete list. Fair spors can be obtained by those fond of shooting, from tiger to quail. It is noteworthy that the existence of the tapir was unknown until 1816, although European intercourse dates back to some three centuries before. Tigers in the early days of Portuguese occupation were so plentiful that the want of inhabitants was seriously attributed to this cause. As with the birds and insects, so with the reptiles. The snakes, lizards, and crocodiles are, as a rule, those of the peninsula generally, the birds alone presenting a rather larger variety than those of other districts. Nor does the vegetation present any exclusive features, being that of the surrounding states. The coast line is poor in shells, and the absence of limestone accounts for the few species of land shells found within the district.
Beyond its interest to the sportsman or naturalist, Malaccca possesses no attrac- tions except to those who like to visit scenes famous in the annals of discovery for the bloody fights they have witnessed between the natives and the European nations who contended for their possession. Its population in 1891 amounted to 92,170 as compared with 93,579 in 1881, showing a decrease of 1,909. The population of the town was 16,503. A sum of $5,000 was provided in 1901 by the Governinent for a detailed sur- vey of the Malacca-Tampin Railway. The revenue for 1900 amounted to ; 406,366 and the expenditure to $423,725. The value of the imports in 1899 was $1,914,068 ; 1: 00, $2,322,086-an increase of : 407,968. The value of the exports in 1899 was $2,4,4,145 ; 1900, $2,787, 128. A total increase of $382,983.
DIRECTORY
(For Government Departments see under G.) : GOVERNMENT OFFICES
ANGLO-CHINESE DISPENSARY, 168, Heeren
Street
F. U. de Souza, manager
F. F. Nunis, dispenser Lu Chim Geng, cashier
CHINESE MALACCA CLUB, Tranquerah President-Ohg Chuan Guan Hon. Secretary-Yeo Swee Chok Hon. Treasurer-Lee Keng Hee Hon. Auditor-Beng Kong Seng
CHURCH OF "SACRED HEART," Tranquerah President - Rev. J. C. Bernandino Secretary-M. P. do Rozario Treasurer-Rev. J. C. Bernandino
CONVENT
Rev. Mother Sister Helene Eight Sisters
FRENCH ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION
Rt. Rev. Dr. E. Fée, Bishop of Malacca
(Singapore)
Rev. H. Rivet
RESIDENT COUNCILLOR'S OFFICE
Residt. Councillor- Hon. J. K. Birch Acting do. R. N. Bland Chief Clerk-A. A. Rodrigues Second Clerk-Tan Kim Bong Third Clerk-Soh Cheng Bun Fourth Clerk-S. Danker
CORONER'S DEPARTMENT
Coroners ---Superintendent of Police, Colonial Surgeon, District Officer North, District Officer South and the Magistrate Interpreter-Siau Ban Lee
COURT OF REQUESTS
Commissioner-C. G. Garrard Malay Interpreter-S, K. M. Ismail Chinese do. --Go Lye Quee
DISTRICT OFFICE, ALOR GAJAH
District Officer—C. F. Green Chief Clerk-E. Sta. Marin Second do. --J. Dorai
Third Clerk-Wee Boon Siang Forest Ranger-A. L. Klassan Digitized by Oogie
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