Directory_and_Chronicle_1904 — Page 1579

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MALACCA

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

Tan Chay Yan, manager Sut hiang Sock, agent

AN KIM SENG & Co., Merchants and Com-

mission Agents, Blacksmith Street Agency

Steamship "Rainbow"

ELEGRAPH COMPANY, LIMITED-EASTERN

EXTENSION, AUSTRALASIA And China

W. Brownridge, superintendent

P. E. Aviet, operator

VESTERHOUT BROS., Engineers, General Agents, Timber Merchants and Contrac-

tors, Office and Store, 21, Bemga Raya, Proprietors of Malacca Engine Works

A. W. Westerhout, managing proprietor

L. H. Velge, bookkeeper

H. Lopis, typewriter and clerk A. Rodrigues, cashier

T. de Souza, storekeeper B. Pereira, overseer

W. Raban, foreman of works Agencies

Negri Sembilan Government Malay Mining Co., Ltd.

Bersawa Gold Mining Co.. Ltd. Chindras Gold Mining Co., Ltd.

ZOBEL, E., Watchmaker and Jeweller

Beach Street

PENANG

Penang, or Prince of Wales Island, as it was formerly called, is situated on the rest 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 hree 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 as almost dropped out of use.

Penang was ceded to the famous Captain Light for the East India Company in the rear 1786 for an annual payment of $10,000 to the Rajah of Kedah, a step which was ollowed 13 years later by the cession of Province Wellesley. In the year 1805 Penang vas elevated to the rank of a presidency, its rising fortunes even then bidding fair to clipse 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

rincipal seat of government was transferred to Singapore.

The settlement of Penang is governed by a Resident Councillor, and has wo unofficial representatives in the Legislative Council, which sits at Singapore. An important department of its trade lies in the business transacted with he Dutch settlements in Sumatra. Penang will always remain of a certain mportance, although it is not likely to again assume the position in the com- nercial world it formerly held. It is a convenient coaling and man-of-war station, nd 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 eet long. George Town is built on a plain, at the back of which rises the hill which, 8 Penangites declare, renders life on the island more enjoyable than in any other >art of the Colony.

The formation of Penang is granitic, being covered in many places with a sharp and 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

re found in Penang.