Directory_and_Chronicle_1915 — Page 1595

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 a population of 9,767 persons. The census of 1911 shows a total of 21,718 for the whole State. Of these some 300 are Chinese. The Europeans numbered 8 in Brunei 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 terra firma. At 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 Kinabulu 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 common 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 the Singapore market. The wild rubber tree, Jelutong (dyera costulata), is common, and is worked for export. Land suitable for cultivation of Para Rubber (hevea brasiliensis) is alienated by the Government 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 value of the cutch exported in 1912 was $262 216 against $228,361 in 1911. Coal is worked at Buang Tawar and at Raja Brooke's Brooketon Collieries.

His Highness Sir Charles Brooke also obtains oil at Buang Tawar. The export of oil down to the end of 1911 was returned at 13,680 gallons. This oil contains practically none of the higher oils and has a gravity of '988 at 83 degrees F., which means about 224 gallons to the ton. It is of asphalt base and contains no wax.

This oil is used to make up the Labuan roads-it might be used to mix with the coal alongside it for the supply of briquettes-and is said to contain various dyes, especially one of a pea- cock colour. The British Borneo Petroleum Syndicate is prospecting for oil in the Belait District, and the Acting British Resident (Mr. H. Chevallier) wrote hopefully in his report for 1912 of the probability of a payable oil-field being found.

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.

The natives are expert fishermen and the coast waters abound in excellent fish, which—with rice-form the staple diet of the people. The principal imports are piece goods, tobacco, kerosene, and sugar. The main exports are cutch, sago, and jungle produce of various kinds.

The lack of communications prevents the rapid expansion which the richness of the country deserves. River traffic is all that is at present possible. Thes Norddeutscher Lloyd steamers, which called at Labuan every other week, had monopoly of the North Borneo trade with Singapore.