1258
PENANG
As evinced by its name, the chief product of Penang is the betel-nut, which, with all kinds of fruit and nutmegs, is the only indigenous article of trade. Nutmegs were at one time a most important branch of industry, but the blight, which simultaneously affected the whole Peninsula, destroyed it. Their cultivation has, however, now been resumed, and Penang nutmegs stand high in the market. There is no agriculture properly so called. Pepper was at one period of its early history produced to the extent of three and a half million pounds annually; but the competition of other places, notably of Netherlands India, proved fatal, and it is now only cultivated in small patches, and is not classed as an article of export trade. Tapioca, Cocoanuts, Gutta, Rubber, Citronella and Cotton are also among the products cultivated.
The Perak-Penang Railway is now in course of construction. The terminus for Penang is at Prai, which will be connected with the town by a ferry service. The line will be 317 miles in lendth and will connect Penang with Port Dickson, and may subsequently be extended to connect with Burmah on the North and Siam on the East. An extensive scheme for the improvement of Penang harbour has been receiving consideration.
The town possesses few attractions, and the public buildings are mediocre, with the exception of the Government Offices, a fine new block erected in 1889 near the jetty. St. George's Church is an unpretending edifice of 80 years standing centrally situated. There is also a Roman Catholic Church and several mission chapels. The census of 1901 gave the total population of Penang and Province Wellesley as 248,207 as compared with 235,618 in 1891.
The aggregate trade of the port (including inter-Settlement trade) amounts to $193,490,300
(For Government Departments see under G.)
ADAMS & ALLAN, Advocates & Solicitors: Straits Settlements & Federated Malay States Tel. Ad. Adallan
Arthur R. Adams Murison Allan
Geoffrey Norman Saye asst. advo-
cate & solicitor
ADAMSON GILFILLAN, & Co., LD. Merchants
29, Church St., Ghant
S. Gilfillan (Europe)
W. Adamson,
do.
H. W. Wood,
do.
James Miller,
do.
John Mitchell, manager
D. Duncan signs per pro.
F. L. Tomlin
E. E. Sykes
C. Matthew
A. F. Low
J. H. Keer
N. P. Walsche
H. R. Bell
A. J. Reutens
Z. C. Aeria
Branch Houses:
Adamson, Gilfillan & Co., London Adamson, Gilfillan & Co., Singapore Agencies
Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Company W. Milburn & Co.'s Steamers Northern Pacific Steamship Company Commercial Service Line Spanish Strs. Rickmers Line of Steamers
Standard Oil Co. of N. Y. Steamers Marine & Gen. Mutual Life Ass. Soc. La Foncière Marine Insurance Co. New Zealand Insurance Company Marine Insurance Company, Limited Scottish Union & National Insurance China Fire Insurance Company, Ld. Chargeurs Reunis (French Line Strs.) Asiatic Steam Navigation Co. Northern Steamship Co. Ld. (Russian
Line Steamers)
American & Asiatic S. N. Co. The Rahman Tin C.., Ld.
The Rahman Hydraulic Tin Co., Ld. The Siamese Tin Syndicate, Ld.
ALLAN & IRVING, Engineers, Iron and Brass Founders, Boilermakers, Ironmon- gers, Oil Merchants, Electrical Engineers, and General Contractors: Works, No. 40 Weld Quay and Singora Lane; Store and Electrical Department, No. 31, Beach Street
J. G. Allan, manager and partner James Irving, partner
ALLAN RENNY, Consulting Engineer, Mar- ine Surveyor and Contractor, Office: Bedford, Scotland Road, Surveyor for Germanischer Lloyd, Bureau Veritas, Tel. Ad. Light
ALLEN DENNYS & Co., Forwarding and Commission Agents, No. 2, Bishop Street
A. Dennys, manager and partner
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