Directory_and_Chronicle_1913 — Page 1476

PAHANG JOHORE

ESTATES IN PAHANG

Gali Fain, 1,020 acres, Raub, Rubber Inverawe, 350 acres, Bentong, Rubber Karak, 2,000 acres, Bentong, Rubber Loke Yew, 2,272 acres, Pakan, Coconuts Pahang, 2,050 acres, Raub, Rubber Pramu. 590 acres, Kuantan. Rubber and

Coconut-

Raub, 731 acres, Raub, Rubber

1413

Sea View, 500 acres, Kuantan, Rubber and

Coconuts

Sungei Mas, 2,275 acres, Raub, Rubber Sungei Tanang, 400 acres, Tras, Rubber Tanah Puteh, 120 acres, Kuantan, Coconuts

and Rubber

JOHORE

This State occupies the southern portion of the Malayan Peninsula, and has an area of about 9,000 square miles. The State is ruled by a Sultan, who is independent, but under the protection of the British Government so far as external policy is concerned. The present Sultan, Ibrahim, was born in 1873, and succeeded his father, the late Sultan Abubakar, in 1895, being crowned on the 2nd of November of that year. Since 1910, the Sultan has had the services of an officer of the Straits or F.M.S. Civil Services as General Adviser, and other members of these services are seconded to control various departments, with the result that the government is now on a better footing and the finances materially improved. The country has made great progress in material pros- perity, and its orderly condition has attracted a good deal of European capital, invested in planting enterprises.

The revenue for 1911 amounted to $3,954,901 against $3,323,185 in 1910, and the expenditure to $3,469,571 in 1911 against $2,718,105 in 1910. Improved methods of collection and administration, and the expansion of agricultural industry, are the main factors in the increase of revenue. The expenditure for 1911 includes the repayment of 8500,000 of the capital sum lent by the Federated Malay States on account of the Johore State Railway. The public debt in now $11,168,578 representing capital outlay on the construction and equipment of the State Railway. The money was lent by the F.M.S. The railway, which connects Singapore with the F.M.S. system, was completed in 1909, and its construction has already given a great impetus to the opening up of this fertile State. Along its 120 miles, it provides access to the extensive areas of valuable forest land not conveniently reached by the natural waterways. In 1910, some 295 square miles of land adjoining the railway was leased for cultivation. The number of passengers carried in 1911 was 193,576 against 126,958 in 19 0. Freight showed an increase of 10,864 tons over the previous year. The expenditure on the railway in 1911 was 8388,091 and the earnings amounted to $328,899, there being a profit on the last quarter's working of $6,683. It is operated by the F.M.S. Railway Department, which now con- trols the whole of the railways in the Malay Peninsula.

Thirty-nine schools are maintained by the Government, and at two of these English is taught.

The Sultan maintains and commands a regiment of Malays, comprising 220 regulars and 300 volunteers, as well as a force of 65 Pathan artillerymen. The equipment, drill and discipline are excellent, and occasionally the force parades with the British garrison on field days at Singapore. A new barracks is under construction at Johore Bahru.

The capital is the town of Johore Bhâru, or new Johore, as distinguished from Johore Laina, or old Johore, the former seat of the Sultans of Johore, which was situated a few miles up the wide estuary of the Johore river. The new town is a flourishing little place on the nearest point of the mainland to Singapore island, and lying about 14 miles to the north-east of Singapore city, in 1' 26' N. It contains some 20,000 inhabitants, mostly Chinese. Amongst the Government buildings are the Istana, court and police stations, barracks, gaol, hospital, market, railway station A steam saw-mill, owned by Chinese, does a good business. A plentiful supply of water, by means of pipes from a stream in the hills about 12 miles distant, has been provided since March, 1890. Good roads are being made, and, to meet the requirements of the Padang district, a light railway was completed during

Digitized by Oogie

and a mosque.