Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 1697

BORNEO

This island is one of the largest in the world. It extends from about i deg. N. to 4 deg. S. latitude, and from 109 deg, to 118° E. longitude. Its length is about 850 miles, its greatest breadth 600 miles, and its average breadth is estimated at 350 miles. Its vast interior consists of heavy forests, which teem with animal life, but are sparsely populated by man. The soil is fertile, and in some parts near the coast the land is marshy. It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1526, and they, as well as the Spaniards, Dutch, and English, formed settlements on different parts of the coast but none of these was long maintained. The Dutch claim sovereignty over the greater part of the south and west of the island, along the coast of which they maintain establish- ments; the territories of the British North Borneo Company, the Rajah of Sarawak and the Sultanate of Brunei (now administered by the British Government) extend over and along the north and north-eastern coast. The Native States are insignificant and in a backward condition. The total population of Borneo is roughly estimated at 3,000,000. The productions are many and varied, and the mineral resources believed to be great.

The Chinese, who have been settled in most Bornean towns for generations, conduct most of the trading operations. The country generally is in an undeveloped condition. The natives comprise Malays, Dyaks and other races of a kindred type. A British Protectorate exists over Sarawak and the territory of the British North Borneo Company..

SARAWAK

The territory of Sarawak comprises an area of about 50,000 square miles, with a population of about 475,000, composed of various races. It is situated on the north-west coast of the island of Borneo, is intersected by many rivers navigable for a considerable distance inland, and commands about 500 miles of coast line. The sovereignty of the district from Tanjong Datu to the entrance of the Samaharan river was obtained from the Sultan of Brunei in the year 1842 by Sir James Brooke, who became well known as Rajah Brooke of Sarawak. In 1861 a second cession was obtained, from the Sultan of Brunei, of all the rivers and land from the Samarahan river to Kedurong Point; in 1882 a third cession was obtained of 100 miles of coast line and all the country and rivers that lie between Kedurong Point and the Baram river, including about three miles of coast on the north-east side of the latter; and in 1885 another cession was obtained of the Trusan river, situated on the north of the mouth of the Brunei river. In 1888, a British Protectorate was established, and in 1890 the Rajah took possession of Limbang, which was approved of by H.M. Government in August, 1891. In 1905 the Lawas district was also added to the Sarawak territory. The present Rajah, H.H. Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, G.C.M.G., who was born 26th September, 1874, and was married on 27th February, 1911, to Hon. Sylvia Brett, succeeded his father H.H. Sir Charles Brooke in May, 1917.

The country produces gold, silver, antimony, quicksilver, coal, petroleum, gutta- percha, india-rubber, canes, rattans, camphor, beeswax, birds' nests, sago, pepper, and gambier. The principal towns are:-Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, situated on the Sarawak river, about 23 miles from its mouth, in latitude 1 deg. 33 min. N., longi- tude 110 deg. 20 min. E. Baram, the principal town and fort on the Baram river, is about 60 miles inland. Bintulu, situated at the mouth of the Bintulu river, is famous for its sago and bilian timber. Muka, a few miles up the river of that name, is also noted for its sago. Oya, which lies about 11⁄2 miles up the Oya river, and Matu, about five miles up the Matu river, are both noted for their sago. Sibu is situated -68 miles, Kanowit 100 miles, and Kapit 156 miles up the Rejang river. Rejang river.

Kabong