Directory_and_Chronicle_1922 — Page 1472

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

KELANTAN

1355

Mr. J. Scott Mason, the British Adviser, took over the supervision of affairs from Mr. W. A. Graham, the Siamese Commissioner, on July 15, 1909; and the most important happening since then was the determination in 1912 of the agreement between the Sul- tan and the Duff Development Company and the resumption by the Government of the powers conceded to the Company over nearly two-thirds of the State.

A new working agreement was entered into under which the Government of Kelantan undertook to pay to the Company a sum of £300,000 sterling and to grant to them certain rights.

Over thirty miles of the railway which is to connect the F.M.S. and Siamese systems is completed in Kelantan, southwards from Tumpat, and work on the extension northwards to the Siam border is in progress, opening up the State for planting and mining.

According to the census of 1921 the population is 309,293, as compared with 286,751. in 1911.

In 1909, the revenue amounted to $370,959 and the expenditure to $377,062. In 1920, the revenue had risen to $1,328,955 and the expenditure to $1,403,208. The public debt at the transference of the suzerainty was $150,000, upon which Siam charged 9 per cent. This debt was taken over by the F M.S., interest being reduced to 4 per cent. The debit balance of the State at the end of 1920 was $2,781,841. The value of the imports in 1920 was $5,679,510 against $3,876,679 in 1919, and of exports $6,592,642 against $5,467,424 in 1919. The principal imports were:-ironware, cotton piece goods, sarongs, silk piece goods, cycles and accessories, coal, woodenware, machinery, cement, earthen- ware, matches, kerosene, opium, tobacco, salt and woollen goods. The tonnage of steamers using Kelantan ports amounted to 98,191 in 1920 against 88,616 in 1919. There is regular steamship communication with Bangkok and Singapore. The first all- weather road was completed in 1916; it runs 26 miles from the capital to Pasir Puteh. The Trunk Road from Kota Bharu to Kuala Krai lacks a few bridges to make it usable in dry weather. There is now weekly connection by rail and steamer between Tumpat and Kuala Lebir, 60 miles up river. The line Pasir Mas to Rantau Panjang on the Siamese border has been opened for traffic, the service being twice daily. Kota Bharu is in direct telegraphic communication with Bangkok and Penang and possesses a telephone service. It is also connected by telephone with Tumpat, the port of Kelantan, and Pasir Puteh. A telegraph line connecting Kota Bharu with Kuala Krai has been completed.

About 360,232 acres were under cultivation in 1920. They comprised 157,325 acres devoted to padi, 68,280 to coconuts, and 88,899 to rubber. The export of rubber in 1920- was 2,242 tons, as compared with 2,077 tons in 1919. The export of copra was 58,135- piculs, compared with 84,244 piculs in 1919. The export of tin ore in 1920 amounted to 40.08 piculs, against 26 piculs in 1919.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1922 — Page 1472

Comments

Private Research Note