PENANG
1297
lepidoptera frequenting the hills. The botany of Penang is perhaps better known than that of any part of the Peninsula, and, for the area involved, is particularly rich. Palms, bamboos, banana and other fruit-trees, and nutmegs clothe the hillsides, while ferns are also plentiful. The high land permits of the cultivation of many flowers and other plants which will not thrive in the flat level lands of Singapore or Malacca.
As evinced by its name, the chief product of Penang is the betel-nut, which, with copra and all kinds of fruit and nutmegs, is the only indigenous article of trade. Nut- megs were at one time a most important branch of industry, but the blight, which simultaneously affected the whole Peninsula, destroyed it. Their cultivation has, how- ever, now been resumed, and Penang nutmegs stand high in the market. There is no agriculture properly so-called. Pepper was at one period of its early history produced to the extent of three and a half million pounds annually; but the competition of other places, notably of Netherlands-India, proved fatal, and it is now only cultivated in small patches, and is not classed as an article of export trade. Tapioca, coconuts, gutta, rubber and citronella are also among the products cultivated.
The Singapore-Penang railway has its terminus at Prai, which is connected with the island by a ferry service.
The town possesses few attractions, and the public buildings are mediocre, with the exception of the Government Offices, a fine block erected in 1889 near the jetty. St. George's Church is an unpretending edifice of 80 years' standing, centrally situated. There are also a Roman Catholic Church and several mission chapels. The Botanical Gardens and Waterfall are well worthy of a visit, and another place of interest at some distance from the town is the Chinese Temple at Ayer Itam. The census of 1921 gave the total population of Penang and Province Wellesley (including Dindings) as 304,335, compared with 278,003 in 1911.
During 1929 the number of merchant vessels entered and cleared at the port was 7,289, as against 7,170 in 1928, the tonnage being 13,230,732 and 12,703,149, respectively, Of these, 5,295 vessels with a tonnage of 8,181,147 were British. The number of all vessels entered and cleared was 21,002.
Imports Exports
Total
1928
.$142,955,396
1929 $154,326,913
197,280,353
202,280,806
.$340,235,749
$356,607,719
DIRECTORY
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
ANALYST'S DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT
Deputy Government Analyst--J. W.
Haddon, B.Sc. (Vict.), F.I.C.
AUDIT DEPARTMENT
Auditor-H, T. Hedley, A.S.A.A.
BANKRUPTCY OFFICE
Official Assignee and Assist. Registrar
of Companies-A. B. C. Ramsay Chief Clerk-P. A. Gregory 2nd Clerk-L. J. Massang
CHINESE PROTECTORATE
Protector of Chinese-S. M. Middle-
brook (acting)
Assist. Protector of Chinese-(vacant) Chief Clerk-Lim Ewe Lee Translator & Interpr.-Gee Kok Weng
CORONER'S DEPARTMENT
Coroner-E. Jago
Assist.-Protector of Chinese
Dist. Judge & 1st Magistrate, Penang Clerk-Cheah Ah Tok
DEPUTY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE Deputy Public Prosecutor
Ross (acting)
DISTRICT COURT
Dist. Judge-H. A. Forrer Assist. do. E. Jago
B. E.
Clerk of Court-M. Shunker Pillay
DISTRICT OFFICES
Balik Pulau
Collector of Land Revenue-C. W. A.
Sennett
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.