Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 1404

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MALACCA

and that it was the cradle of Anglo-Chinese study attest its former importance. Its area is embraced by boundaries some 42 miles in length, with a breadth of from 8 to 25 miles. It is governed by a Resident in subordination to Singapore.

The geological formation of the territory of Malacca consists chiefly of granite rocks overlaid in several places by the red cellular clay iron-stone called by geologists laterite. Many of the low plains are alluvial, the soil composed of decayed vegetable mould interlaced with sand. The metallic ores are iron, gold, and tin. The surface generally is undulating, consisting of low round ridges and narrow valleys, the only mountain of considerable elevation being the Ledang of the Malays, and the Ophir of the Portuguese, 4,400 feet above the level of the sea, or less than one-half the height of the principal mountains of the volcanic islands of Java, Bali and Lomboc, or those of the partially volcanic neighbouring island of Sumatra.

The mineral products of Malacca were at one time looked upon as offering valuable prospects. Gold to the extent of 1,500 ounces yearly was obtained in 1857-8, but the 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 manimals 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 varietythan 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 1914 was estimated at 134,225.

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 1914 was 133,555 piculs, as compared with 74,139 piculs in 1913, the value of the export being increased from $11,128,960 in 1913 to $14,643,900 in 1914. Coconuts fetched lower prices in 1914, and 57,593 piculs of copra, of a value of $476,943, were exported during the year, against 57,407 piculs of a value of $810,196 in 1913. The total value of the foreign imports and exports for 1913 and 1914 are given below:-

Imports Exports

Total....

1913

1914

.$ 9,718,160 13,495,956

$10,221,912 16,609,137

$23,214,116 $26,831,049

The revenue of the Settlement in 1914 was $1,636,698, a decrease of $256,698 on the

year 1913.