Directory_and_Chronicle_1909 — Page 1476

MALACCA

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The climate of Malacca 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° 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 sport 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, Malacca 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 1901 amounted to 945,870.

The revenue, which is a gradually improving one, was $707,880, in 1906, and am- ounted in 1907 to 89, 539, 992. The trade is almost entirely with Singapore and the Federated Malay States. The cultivation of tapioca is the principal industry, an area of about 40,000 acres being under tapioca cultivation. The construction of a railway has had considerable influence on the cultivation of tapioca inasmuch as the demand for pigs (which are largely fed on tapioca refuse) has risen owing to the in creased facilities for sending them to the Federated Malay States.

DIRECTORY

(For Government Departments see under G.)

CHINESE MALACCA CLUB, Tranquerah

President-Chan Kang Sui Vice President--Beng Kong Seng Hon. Secretary-Poh Kim Theong Hon. Asst. Secretary-Chi Boon Cheng Hon. Treasurer-Chan Geoh Kum Hon. Auditor-Chan Koon Cheng

CHURCH OF THE "ASSUMPTION OF THE

VIRGIN MARY," Banda Praya

Acting President-Rev. R. E. S. Affonso Treasurer-Rev. J. F. da Silva Secretary-Rev. F. W. Dias

CHURCH OF "SACRED HEART," Tranquerah

President-Rev.A. M. dos Santos(actg.)| Secretary--D. Pereira

Treasurer-Rev. J. F. da Silva

CONVENT OF THE HOLY INFANT JESUS The lady superior Sr. St. Clotilde

Nine Sisters

CONVENT OF THE Sacred Heart of Jesus

Banda-Hilir

Superioress-Rev. Mother H. Conceiçeo Sisters-H. Rozario, C. McBean, F. Victor, J. Cordein, J. Marçal, A.Didier

FRENCH ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION

St. Francis Church

Rev. P. Ruaudel, vicar

Rev. Max de Souza, assistant St Mary's Church (Ayer Salak)

Rev. H. Duvelle, vicar

JASIN RECREATION CLUB, Jasin President-N. K. Bair

Hon. Scretary-Lim Kim Seng Committee-A. Miller, V. Dias