Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 1366

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PENANG

declare, renders life on the island more enjoyable than in any other part of the Colony. The construction of a Hill Railway by the F.M.S. Railways Department is completed and there is an excellent hotel at the top. A proposal to make a road up the Hill is under consideration.

The formation of Penang is granitic, being covered in many places with a sharp sand or stiff clay, the produce of the decomposition of the granite. Above this again comes a coat of vegetable mould of greater or lesser thickness. With the exception of a plain about three miles in depth, upon which stands the town and environs, the whole of the island consists of hills with narrow valleys. No minerals of commercial value are found in Penang.

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The influence of the regular monsoon is more distinctly felt at Penang than in the most easterly part of the Straits of Malacca, owing to the wideness of the latter to the west and vicinity to the Bay of Bengal. During the north-easterly monsoon, from November to Marcli inclusive, clear settled weather prevails, and in the south-westerly, from April to October, the rains take place. But neither rain nor drought is of long continuance. The average heat of the year at the level of the sea is 80°, and at the height of 2,500 feet, the highest inhabited point, 70°, the annual range being about 20°. Where there is free ventilation the climate is superior in salubrity to that of any other tropical one.

The

Of mammals, the principal species are monkeys, and two species of viverrida- the musang and binturong. The ornithology calls for no special remarks. island is a happy hunting ground for the entomologist, nuinerous fine species of 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 siniultaneously 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. There are many beautiful little beaches round the coast of the Island; the round trip by motor car takes about 2 hours and is well worth while. 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 7,299, 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

1929

$154,326,913

1928 $142,955,396

197,280,353

202,280,806

.$340,235,749

$356,607,719