Directory_and_Chronicle_1931 — Page 1656

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BRITISH NORTH BORNEO-LABUAN

CHEAH LOON GHEE & Co., LTD.-Jesselton,

British North Borneo

Proprietors of—

Bukit Padang

Jesselton

Rubber

Estate,

Harrisons & Crosfield (Borneo), Ltd.,

agents and secretaries

CHURCH OF England

Rev. C. J. Collis

HARRISONS & CROSFIELD (BORNEO), LTD.,

Merchants-Tel. Ad: Crosfield

G. B. Fleming, manager

J. Tainsh, assistant

RUBBER ESTATES AND OTHER PLANTATIONS, ETC. (See Classified Trade List, End of Directory)

District Officer-E. H. Cave

KUDAT

Harbour Master and Supervisor of Cus-

toms-E. H. Cave

Deputy Assistant District Officer-Chung

Fook Choi

CHURCH OF ENGLAND

Revs. Chin Pu Yun & Lai Chun Shang

RUBBER ESTATES AND OTHER PLANTATIONS, ETC. (See Classified Trade List, End of Directory)

TAWAO

COWIE HARBOUR COAL CO., LTD.-Work-

ings: Silimpopon River, Tawao

J. W. Russell, acting colliery manager

C. C. Tallack, mining assistant F. S. Egan, accountant

Harrisons & Crosfield (Borneo), Ld.,

Sandakan, agents

RUBBER ESTATES AND OTHER PLANTATIONS, ETC.-(See Classified Trade List, End of Directory)

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; about 2,750 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, becoming a separate settlement in 1912.

The coal mines worked by the Labuan Coalfields Co., Ltd., exported in 1910 was 9,200 tons. This company secured operations in March, 1911, and another company, styled the Labuan Exploration Co. was formed in London with the object of working these mines and prospecting for other minerals but its efforts were unsuccessful and their export of coal ceased many years ago. Revenue amounted in 1928 to $187,172 as