Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 1615

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STATE OF NORTH BORNEO-LABUAN

LAHAD DATU

LOWER SEGAMA RUBBER ESTATES. LTD., THE-Lahad Datu, B.N.B.; Tel. Ad: Darvelbay, Lahad Datu; Codes: Broom- hall's Rubber, Mercury 2nd edn., A.B.C. 5th edn.

The New Darvel Bay (Borneo) Tobacco Plantations Ld., managing agents S. T. Bell, manager

U. P. Lynn, assistant

NEW DARVEL BAY (BORNEO) TOBACCO PLANTATIONS, LTD., Segama Estate and Hilir Estate-Postal Ad: Lahad Datu: Tel. Ad: Darvelbay, Lahad Datu; Codes: A.B.C. 5th edn., Mercury 2nd edn., and Broomhall's Rubber

C. R. Dealtry, general manager J. Ritchie, M.D., CH.B., D.PH.

R. J. Cockrill, A.S.A.A., local secy..

and accountant (on leave), E. B. Tuxford (acting)

George Ingate, A.M.I.M.E., engineer H. G. Skinner, manager

T. H. Keetel, J. C. Stoffers, F. V Peacock, J. C. Theobald, T. A. Judd, E. B. Tuxford and L. A. Rimbault, assistants

W. Mansfield & Co., Ld., Singapore, and Harrisons & Crosfield, Ld., Sandakan, agents

TENGANIPAH COCONUT

(Incorporated in Japan)

ESTATE, LTD.

K. B. McEvoy, estate manager

T. Enthian, bookkeeper

F. M. Jonas & Co., Ld., Kobe, manag-

ing agents

Harrisons & Crosfield (Borneo), Ld.,

Sandakan, agents

LABUAN

This, formerly 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 and 725 miles, or three days' steaming, from Singapore. 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 Bay finds a market in Labuan, and the volume of the trade is increasing. 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 750 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 1st, 1906, when the Colonial Office again resumed direct control, and Labuan was incorporated with the Straits Settlements in January, 1907. The population in 1923 was 5,972, of whom about 4,400 were Malays. The Chinese, who number about 1,500, are the chief traders, and most of the industries of the island are in their hands. The Europeans (21) include Government officials, the staff of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, and traders. The Labuan Coalfields Company, Ltd., ceased operations in March, 1911. The export in 1910 was over 92,000 tons. A company, styled the Labuan Exploration Company, has been formed in London with the object of prospecting for minerals in Labuan. This company now holds the lease of the coal mines. The revenue is chiefly derived from the farming out of licences to sell opium, tobacco, spirits and fish. It amounted in 1923 to $113,004, as compared with $95,642 for 1922, the expenditure in the respective years being $132,663 (excluding pensions) and $121,828. The value of foreign imports and exports (merchandise only) was as follows:-

Imports Exports

1922

$ 1,543,016

1923 $1,674,369

1,694,422

2,283,122

$3,237,438

$3,957,491