PENANG
1349
The island is a happy hunting ground for the entomologist, numerous fine species of lepidoptera frequenting the hills. The botany of Penang is perhaps better known than that of any part of the Peninsula, and, for the area involved, is particularly rich. Palms, bamboos, banana and other fruit-trees, and nutmegs clothe the hillsides, while ferns are also plentiful. The high land permits the cultivation of many flowers and other plants which will not thrive in the flat level lands of Singapore or Malacca.
copra
As evinced by its name, the chief product of Penang is the betel-nut, which, with and all kinds of fruit and nutmegs, is the only indigenous article of trade. Nut- megs were at one time a most important branch of industry, but the blight, which simultaneously affected the whole Peninsula, destroyed it. Their cultivation has, how- ever, 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, Coconuts, Gutta, Rubber and Citronella are also among the products cultivated.
The total value of the foreign imports and exports for 1912 and 1913 are given below:-
Imports Exports
Total
*
1912 $136,081,695
119,008,836
.$255,090,531
1913
$142,354,022
117,466,386
$259,820,408
The Perak-Penang railway has its terminus at Prai, which is connected with the town by a ferry service. The line is 317 miles in length and connects Penang with Port Dickson and Singapore, and is being extended on the North into the neighbouring Malay State of Kedah.
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 1911 gave the total population of Penang and Province Wellesley as 270,537, as compared with 248,207 in 1901.
DIRECTORY
(For Government Depts. See under G.)
ADAMS & ALLAN, Advocates and Solicitors, Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States-Tel. Ad: Adallan
Arthur R. Adams, M.L.C. Geoffrey Norinan Saye William Huxtable Thorne
Assistant Advocates and Solicitors-
J. Crabb Watt, A. W. de W. Harries, L. I. L. Thornton
Victor Gordon Back, managing clerk
ADAMSON, GILFILLAN & Co., LTD.—Bank
Buildings
S. Gilfillan, director
Sir W. Adamson, C.M.G.
H. W. Wood
R. T. Peake
(London)
do.
do.
do.
M. E. Plumpton (Singapore)
A. J. Campbell Hart, ingr. (London) F. L. Tomlin (Singapore) H. A. Low (Penang)
C. Cunradi, signs per pro. P. Carmichael
W. A. Fell
C. R. A. Goatly, incorp. acct. C. B. Hadden
H. W. Moxon
L. E. Slowe
T. H. Stone
N. P. Walshe
Agencies
Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co. Straits Steamship Co., Ltd. Russian Volunteer Fleet
American Asiatic Steamship Co.
Compania Transatlantica Line of Strs.
Rickmers Reis. Rhederei & Schiffbau Chargeurs Reunis
Asiatic Steam Navigation Co. Pacific Mail S.S. Co.
New Zealand Insurance Co., Ltd.
(Fire & Marine)
China Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.
The Scottish Union and Nat. Ins. Co. The Excess Insurance Co., Ltd.
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