BRUNEI
The sovereignty of the Sultan of Brunei has been reduced to a wedge of territory of some 4,000 square miles, practically surrounded by Sarawak. With a coast line of 100 miles it embraces the Districts of Belait, Tutong, Brunei, Tamburong and Labu. There is only one town of any size. Brunei or Dar-ul Salam (city of peace), which has The census of 1911 shows a total of 21,718 for the
whole on of 9,767 persons.
State. Of these some 300 are Chinese. The Europeans numbered 8 in Brunei State, Town. The town itself is composed of houses built in the river on nibong piles. With the establishment of peace and order the natives are gradually learning the advantages of cultivation and are migrating to ferra firma. Ai Muara Damit (Brooketon) leased to Raja Brooke, and where there is a colliery, there is a settlement of 1,447 persons.
The land may be said to slope gradually from a backbone of mountains, of which Mount Mulu in Sarawak territory is the largest, towards the sea, It contains no noticeable peaks such as Kinabalu in British North Borneo, The bars at its river mouths and the rapids which occur within 30 miles and less of the sea prevent any but limited navigation. Launches drawing 5 or 6 feet can enter the Belait and Tutong Rivers except in the monsoon season. Steamers drawing 12 feet can at all times reach Brunei Town, situated some 12 miles from the river mouth at Muara, The climate is damp and warm. The annual rainfall exceeds 100 inches. No marked changes of temperature occur, in which respect the country resembles the Malay Peninsula. The nights are cool,
Petty wars, head-hunting raids, and the jealousy of the numerous chiefs, coupled with the existence of slavery, rendered agriculture impossible in the past. Since the appointment of a resident British official, the commor people have shown eagerness to take up land, and plant coconuts. The rivers are fringed with the nipah palm; the forests of the interior abound in rattans; there are large areas of the sago palm, which is industriously worked by the natives and sold to Chinese traders for export to thẹ Singapore market. The wild rubber tree, Jelutong (duera enstulata), is common, and is worked for export. Land suitable for cultivation of Para Rubber therea brasiliensis) is alienated by the Covernment at an extremely low rental, and several European Companies have taken out grants, and are actively proceeding with planting operations. At Brunei Town, the Island Trading Syndicate has its cutch factory, employing several hundreds of hands. The exports for the years 1995, 1909, and 1910 are as follows:-
Exported (cwts. of cutch)
Value ($128, 4d.)
1908
1909
1910
14,761
48,947
48,076
$69.576
$232,468
8228,361
Coal is worked on Berembang and at Raja Brooke's Brooketon Collieries. The figures for 1909 and 1910 are as follows:-
1909
1910
Cross output of coal from these collieries ... 19,479 tons
18,422 tons
Coal exported....
13,243
12,004
99
11
sold for bunkers
19
1,635
5,307
""
Native industries other than sago working-are few.
Brunei silver-work
enjoys a certain vogue, and would be appreciated if it could expeditiously be put on the market. The women also weave silk cloths and sarongs
Digitized by bogle
Page 1610Page 1611
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.