Directory_and_Chronicle_1917 — Page 1623

1494

BRITISH NORTH BORNEO

the mines output. The output during 1915 amounted to 57,674 tons, and sales amounted to 60,400 tons. About 2,000 tons of coal are stocked at Sandakan, where the wharf is being extended into deeper water. An ample reserve of stock is maintained at Sebattik, where coal is loaded by mechanical plant at a rate of about 750 tons daily. The British Borneo and Burmah Petroleum Syndicate have acquired a large tract of land on the west coast in the Klias Peninsula, where they have located an oil-field. Following upon this discovery, they have taken upon lease 440 square miles of territory, and are now engaged in prospecting extensive areas and in developing property which affords every prospect of yielding oil in payable quantities. The Netherlands Colonial Petroleum Company and another wealthy and powerful Com- pany are now prospecting on the East and West Coasts and the Island of Mamgalam. The revenue of the Territory in 1915 amounted to £260,062, and the expenditure to £198,588, this latter sum including £66,983 in respect of immigration expenditure, proportion of salaries, subsidies to steamers and other expenditure estimated as chargeable to capital. In 1914, the revenue was £234,803, and the expenditure £163,282. Tobacco planting has become a great and profitable industry, and the tobacco already raised obtains a ready sale at good prices. Cutch, which is extracted from mangrove bark, is being exported in rapidly increasing quantities. Rubber is the latest and most popular industry; and coconut cultivation is becoming one of the features of the country in which there are large areas still to be exploited. There are now thirty companies operating in British North Borneo, the majority being engaged in rubber growing, while others are engaged in coconut and tobacco cultivation. There are upwards of 29,000 acres under rubber. The rubber exported in 1915 was valued at 1 274,422, against £190,252 in 1914. The export of copra was valued at £10,465 in 1915 against £17,630 in 1914. The value of tobacco was £273,322 against £220,768 in 1914. The export of timber was valued at £97,004 against £100,760 in 1914. The population of the town of Sandakan, the capital of the territory, was 8,256 in 1911, of whom 66 were Europeans and 5,942 Chinese. There are several sections of railway, totalling 120 miles, now open. The longest line runs from Jesselton to Melalop, 100 miles. The railway is playing an important part in the development of the Company. The number of passengers carried in 1914 was 181,037 against 197,208 in 1915; and 18,143 tons of freight were carried in 1914 against 18,330 tons in 1915. The gross earnings amounted to £23,281 in 1915. A sum of £77,000 was spent in 1913 in improving and strengthening the line, and further sums of £59,000 in 1914 and £34,576 in 1915. Sandakan is distant 1,000 miles from Singapore, 1,200 miles from Hongkong and 660 miles from Manila. It became connected telegraphically with Labuan on the 7th May, 1897, and was thus placed in communication with Europe, etc. There are now four wireless installations in the country, at Jesselton, Sandakan, Kudat and Tawao. A lighthonse has been opened at Batu Tinagat, near Tawao.

The territory of British North Borneo was acquired from the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu by cession for a small annual payment in 1879-80, and the British North Borneo Company was incorporated by Royal Charter on the 1st November, 1881. The area of the territory is 31,106 square miles, and the population as ascertained by the census of 1911 is 208,183 as compared with 104,527 in 1901. The total included 355 Europeans, 167,586 natives of Borneo, 26,002 Chinese, 5,510 natives of the Netherlands East Indies, 5,503 natives of the Sulu Archipelago, and 246 Japanese. The Company's authorised capital is £2,000,000, but the amount issued so far is £1,845,109. A dividend of 23 per cent, was declared in 1914 and of 3 per cent. in 1915. The credit balance of the Revenue Account for the year ended December 31, 1915, was £89,180 against £70,316 in 1914. In May, 1888, a British Protectorate was established. The following officers have administered the Government of the Territory since its acquisition by the Company:-1881-1887, W. H. Treacher; 1887-1888, W. M. Crocker (acting); 1888-1891, C. V. Creagh, C.M.G.; 1891-1892, L. P. Beaufort (acting); 1892, C. V. Creagh, C.M.G; 1895, L. P. Beaufort; 1900, Hugh Clifford, c.M.G.; 1901, E. W. Birch, c.M.G.; 1905, E. P. Gueritz; 1911, F. R. Ellis, C.M.G.; 1912, J. Scott Mason; 1912-3, A. C. Pearson (acting); 1913, C. W. C. Parr; 1915, A. C. Pearson; and 1915 F. W. Fraser (acting).