Directory_and_Chronicle_1931 — Page 1503

KELANTAN

This State lies on the Eastern Coast of the Malay Peninsula between latitudes 4 deg. 35 min. and 6 deg. 15 min. North and longitudes 101 deg. 22 min. and 102 deg. 37 min. East, with a coast line of 60 miles on the China Sea. It embraces an area of 5,713 square miles. Southern Kelantan is mountainous but Northern Kelantan is a rich alluvial plain, drained by the Kelantan and Golok Rivers and their tributaries.

According to the Census of 1921 the population was 309,300 as compared with 286,751 in 1911. It is now estimated at 330,000.

Kota Bharu, six miles up the Kelantan River, is the capital, and the chief port is Tumpat at its mouth. His Highness the Sultan resides at Kota Bharu which is the capital and administrative headquarters of the State.

The chief exports are copra, rubber, betelnut, poultry, cattle, dried fish and silk textiles. The climate is healthier than in other parts of the Peninsula, there being a distinct cold season from October to February. The temperature seldom exceeds 90 deg. and sometimes falls to 62 deg., while the average rainfall is about 120 inches a year.

Mr. J. Scott Mason, as British Adviser, took over the supervision of affairs from Mr. W. A. Graham, the Siamese Commissioner, on July 15th, 1909.

In 1909, the revenue amounted to $370,959 and the expenditure to $377,062. In 1929, the revenue had risen to $2,481,139 and the expenditure to $2,215,771. 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. Government, interest being reduced to 4 per cent. The debit balance of the State at the end of 1929 was $3,088,734. The value of the imports in 1929 was $7,572,954 against $7,356,769 in 1928, and of the exports $7,983,889 against $6,213,236 in 1928. The principal imports were:-Fish, rice, benzine, petroleum, textiles, machinery, motor vehicles, cement, timbers and planks. The tonnage of the steamers using Kelantan ports was 144,384 in 1929 against 148,151 in 1928. There is regular Steamship communication with Bangkok and Singapore. The State had at the end of 1929, 170 miles of road open to wheeled traffic, the two main roads being those from Kota Bharu to Kuala Krai (45 miles) and to Pasir Puteh (26 miles). The latter has been extended to give connection to Kuala Besut in the State of Trengganu. There is daily connection by rail between Tumpat and Kuala Gris (81 miles) and the section between Pahang and Gua Musang, 63 miles up the river and the line to the Siamese border is open for traffic, a daily service between Tumpat and the Kedah boundary, making communication with Penang an easy matter. The direct line from Kuala Lipis (Pahang) has now crossed the Southern boundary of the State and is being opened for traffic as far as Kuala Gris but there is still a gap of some 50 miles, on which construction work is proceeding, between Gua Musang and Manek Urai. Kota Bharu is in direct telegraphic communication with Haad-Yai. It is also connected by telegraph and telephone with the two chief ports Tumpat, and Bachok, and with Kuala Krai and Pasir Puteh.

About 476,589 acres were under cultivation in 1929. They comprised 180,176 acres devoted to padi, 5,655 to coconuts, and 89,213 to rubber. The export of rubber in 1929 was 8,043 tons, as compared with 5,853 tons in 1928. The export of copra was 122,187 piculs, compared with 150,414 piculs in 1928.

DIRECTORY

GOVERNMENT

Ruler-H.H. the Sultan Sir ISMAIL IBNI ALMERHUM SULTAN MOHAMED IV, K.C.M.G. British Adviser to the Government of Kelantan-A. S. Haynes, M.C.s. (acting) Assistant British Adviser to the Government of Kelantan--L. Forbes, M.C.S.