Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 1607

,

1504

STATE OF NORTH BORNEO

Rubber is now the largest industry in the country, having displaced tobaceo from the premier place; and coconut cultivation is becoming one of the features of the country, in which there are large areas still to be exploited. Cutch, which is extracted from mangrove bark, is being exported in rapidly increasing quantities. There are now many companies operating in North Borneo, the majority being engaged in rubber growing. Nearly 53,000 acres are under rubber cultivation. The rubber exported in 1923 was valued at £560,762, as against £310,365 in 1922. The export of copra was valued at £54,729 in 1923, as compared with £49,586 in 1922. The export of timber was valued at £185,627 in 1923, as against £170,411 in 1922. The value of other exports was: estate tobacco, £133,885; coal, £51,191; cutch, £37,297. The population of the town of Sandakan, the capital of the territory, according to the 1921 census, was 11,936 (as compared with 8,256 in 1911), composed of Europeans 99, Chinese 9,132, Javanese 550, Indians 165, Japanese 62, Malays 167, Filipinos 105, Sulus 391, natives of Borneo 1,149, and others 116. The British North Borneo State Railway has a total mileage of 127 miles. The main line runs for 56 miles through flat country to Beaufort. From Beaufort to Tenom it runs through 30 miles of the Padas Gorge, noted for its beautiful scenery; and thence on through undulating country to Melalap, the present terminus. A braneh line runs from Beaufort to the small port of Weston, a distance of about 20 miles. The railway is playing an important part in the develop- ment of the West Coast. Already there are 14 large rubber estates and numerous small holdings served by it, whilst the acreage under padi, sago and coconuts is steadily increasing. During the year 1923, the railway earried 166,889 passengers and 11,252 tons of goods. The total revenue for 1923 amounted to $246,959 as against $257,157 in 1922. Sandakan is distant about 1,000 miles from Singapore, 1,200 miles from Hong- `kong, 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 seven wireless installations in the country-at Jesselton, Sandakan, Kudat, Tawao, Lahad Datu, Silimpopon and Lamag. The State Bank of North Borneo was established in 1921 with its head office at Sandakan and a branch at Jesselton. lighthouse has been established at Batu Tinagat, near Tawao, and at Tanjong Trang, near Tambisan Island, on the East coast. An unattended light, also, has been placed on Taganac Island, near Sandakan.

A

The territory of North Borneo was acquired from the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu by cession for small annual payments in 1877, 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 eensus of 1921, was 257,804, as compared with 208,183 in 1911. This total included 442 Euro- peans, 197,058 natives of Borneo, 37,642 Chinese, and 20,146 natives of the Malay Ar- chipelago. The Company's authorised capital is £2,000,000, and the amount issued so far is £1,852,385. There is also a debenture issue. A dividend of 3 per cent. was declared in 1916, 4 per cent. in 1917, 4 per cent. in 1918, 5 per cent. in 1919, 3 per cent. in 1920, 3 per cent. in 1921, 3 per cent. in 1922, and 24 per cent. in 1923. The credit balance of the Revenue Aceount in 1923 was £145,915, against £141,741 in 1922. 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 W. H. Treaclier, C.M.G. 1887 W. M. Crocker (aeting) 1888 C. V. Creagh, C.M.G. 1895 L. P. Beaufort

1900 Hugh Clifford, G.C.M.G.

1901 E. W. Birch, C.M.G.

1904 E. P. Gueritz

1907 A. Cook (acting) 1907 E. P. Gueritz

1910 A. C. Pearson (acting) 1911 F. R. Ellis, C.M.G 1912 F. W. Fraser (aeting) 1912 J. Scott Mason

1912

1913

F. W. Fraser (acting)

1913 The Rt. Hon. SirWest Ridgeway,

G.C.B., etc.

1913 C. W. C. Parr

1915 A. C. Pearson, C.M.G.

1916) F. W. Fraser (acting)

1916 A. C. Pearson, C.M.G.

1921

19221 Maj.-Gen. Sir William Ryeroft, 1923

K.C.B., K.C.M.G.

1924 F. W. Fraser, C.B.E. (acting) 1924 Maj.-Gen. Sir William Rycroft,

K.C.B., K.C.M.G.