Directory_and_Chronicle_1919 — Page 1372

LABUAN

This, the smallest British Colony in Asia, was ceded to Great Britain by the Sultan of Brunei in 1846, and taken possession of in 1848. It is situated on the north-west coast of Borneo in latitude 5 deg. 16 min. N., and longitude 115 deg. 15 min. E. It has an area of 30 square miles, and is about six miles from the Borneo coast. Although Labuan possesses a fine port, has extensive coal deposits, and by situation seemed likely to become a depôt for the trade of the north coast of Borneo, it has only partially fulfilled the expectations formed of it. The produce of Brunei finds a market in Labuan, but the volume of the trade is small. There are sago mills on the island, where the raw material is converted into flour, for export chiefly to Singapore. These mills were erected by influential Chinese introduced by the Governor from Singapore; about 500 acres of rubber are planted, part in bearing, and principally owned by Chinese. Coconuts are being planted on the same land, There is regular

steamship communication with Singapore and Sandakan, as well as with the local ports. The Government was administered by the British North Borneo Company from 1890 until January 1, 1906, when the Colonial Office again resumed direct control, and Labuan was incorporated with the Straits Settlements in January, 1907. The population in 1914 was 6,746, of whom 4,603 were Malays. The Chinese, who number about 1,800, are the chief traders, and most of the industries of the island are in their hands. The Europeans (34) include Government officials, the staff of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, and traders. The Labuan Coalfields Company, Limited, are lessees of the coal mines in the island, but ceased operations in March, 1911. A new company was formed in 1918 but operations have not yet been commenced. The export in 1910 was over 92,000 tons. The revenue is chiefly derived from the farming out of licences to sell tobacco, spirits, and fish. It amounted in 1917 to $37,820, as compared with $40,904 for 1916, the expenditure in the respective years being $77,544 and $85,030. The value of imports and exports was as follows:-

Imports Exports

1916 $1,407,781

1917

1,540,757

1,206,667

1,260,687

DIRECTORY

RESIDENT'S OFFICE

Resident-G. E. Cator

Officer-in-Charge-E. Roberts Chief Clerk-K. P. Menon

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Treasurer-G. E. Cator

Chief Clerk-Gwee Jim Swee

POST OFFICE

Postmaster-G. E. Cator

Chief Clerk-A. L. Mowe

HARBOUR OFFICE

Harbourmaster and Pilot-Capt. J. K.

Webster

Boarding Officer and Clerk-Ahmat-

bin-usoff

Import and Export Clerk-Vacant

Papan Island Lightkeeper-A. Monteiro Kuruman Island Lightkeeper-J. Miles

DISTRICT AND POLICE COURTS

District Judge-G. E. Cator

Asst. District Judge, Magistrate of Police-

E. Roberts

COLONIAL MEDICAL DEPARTMENT Medical Officer--T. C. A. Cleverton, M.R.C.S.,

L.R.C.P.

LAND DEPARTMENT

Clerk-J. Packum Land Bailiff-vacant