MALACCA
1369
yield decreased to such an extent that it is no longer worked. Tin, about the same period, assumed considerable importance. The first mines were opened in 1793, but no great enterprise was displayed until 1848, when some 5,000 cwt. was the annual product. This increased until 1858, and a large number of Chinese were employed in the industry. The superior yield of the Native States, however, combined with the exhaustion of the surface workings, resulted in mining enterprise in Malacca being virtually abandoned, although both gold and tin probably still exist in workable quantities.
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 viverrida (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 1913 was estimated at 130,755.
The trade is almost entirely with Singapore and the Federated Malay States. The cultivation of tapioca was formerly the principal industry, but Rubber is now extensively planted, several large companies having taken over a number of small estates. The cultivation of tapioca and gambier is declining rapidly in favour of coconuts and rubber. The export of rubber in 1913 was 74,139 piculs, as compared with 42,362 piculs in 1912, the value of the export being increased from $10,353,914 in 1912, to $11,128,960. Coconuts fetched good prices in 1913, and 57,407 piculs of copra, of a value of $610,196, were exported during the year. The total value of the foreign imports and exports for 1912 and 1913 are given below:-
1913
Imports Exports
Total
1912 .$ 9,050,554 13,064,174
$ 9,718,160 13,495,956
.$22,114,728
$23,214,116
The revenue of the Settlement in 1913 was $1,893,396, an increase of $241,758
over 1912.
DIRECTORY
ADAMSON, GILFILLAN & Co., LTD., Mer- chants--London, Singapore, Penang and Malacca
H. Branson, assistant Agencies
Peninsular & Oriental Steam Nav. Co.
China Fire Insurance Co., Ld.
New Zealand Insurance Co, Ld. (Fire
and Marine)
Yangtze Insurance Association, Ld. Standard Life Assurance Co.
Excess Motor Insurance Co.
Page 1380Page 1381
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