BRUNEI
1403
(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 elimate 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 Company, Ltd. has its cutch factory, employing several hundreds of hands. The value of cutch exported in 1918 was $361,501 compared with $330,700 in 1917. Coal is worked at Buang Tawar and at Raja Brooke's Brooketon Collieries. In 1918, the Brooketon mines had a successful year. Here.29,565 tons of coal were raised, and sold at 30/4 per ton at Brooketon and 35/- per ton at Labuan.
În 1914, payable oil was found for the first time in the State of Belait, at a depth of 1,820 ft. At first the flow was 25 tons daily, but a week's pumping test reduced this to an average of 6 tons. Prospecting is still in progress.
Native industries- other than sago working are few. a certain vogue, and would be appreciated if it could be market. The women also weave silk cloths and sarongs.
Brunei silver-work enjoys expeditiously put on the
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, rice, kerosene and sugar. The main exports are cutch, sago and jungle produce of various kinds. Para rubber was exported for the first time in 1914-about 7,000 lbs. The value of rubber exports in 1918 was $174,868. Some Chinese have begun to plant pepper, a product for which Brunei was famous 150 years ago.
Roads are being made throughout the State to secure that rapid expansion which the richness of the country deserves.
DIRECTORY
Sultan-HIS HIGHNESS MOHAMED JAMALULALAM, C.M.G.
Ministers of State-PANGERAN BANDAHARA, PANGERAN PEMANCHA
BRITISH RESIDENT'S OFFICE
British Resident-G. E. Cator
Correspondence Clerk-Ibrahim bin Md.
Jahfar
POSTAL DEPARTMENT
Postal Clerk-Hassan bin H. A. Yahap
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
Dresser-Leong Ah Ng
TREASURY, CUSTOMS AND GOVERNMENT
MONOPOLIES
Treasury Clerk-Chin Fui Kong
COURTS
Judge-G. E. Cator Clerk-Leong Ah Ng
CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT *
Customs Clerk-Liew Thian Tai
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