Directory_and_Chronicle_1937 — Page 1438

KELANTAN

This State lies on the Eastern Coast of the Malay Peninsula between latitudes 4 deg. 32 min. and 6 deg. 15 min. North and longitudes 101 deg. 19 min. and 102 deg. 37 min. East, with a coast line of 60 miles on the China Sea. It embraces an area of 5,750 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 1931 the population was 369,411 as compared with 309,300, in 1921.

4

L-

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, betulnut, 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 1910, the revenue amounted to $419,327 and the expenditure to $403,552. In 1934, the revenue had risen to $2,220,769 and the expenditure to $1,710,790. 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 1935 was $4,317,198. The value of the imports in 1935 was $5,453,893 against $5,571,181 in 1934. The principal imports were: Fish, rice, tobacco, cotton goods, provisions, sugar, benzine, petroleum, textiles, machinery, motor vehicles, cement, timbers and planks. The tonnage of the steamers using Kelantan ports was 213,000 in 1935 against 250,929 in 1934. There is regular steamship communication with Bangkok and Singapore. The State had at the end of 1935, 230 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 (except Sundays and Wednesdays) between Tumpat and Pahang, and the line to the Siamese border is open for traffic, a daily service between Tumpat and the Perlis boundary, inaking communication with Penang an easy matter. Kota Bharu is in direct tele- graphic communication with Kuala Lumpur, Haadyai and Trengganu: It is also connected by telegraph and telephone with the two chief ports, Tumpat and Bachok, and with Kuala Krai, Pasir Puteh Temangan, Sungai Nal and Pasir Mas.

;

DIRECTORY

GOVERNMENT/

!

Ruler-H.H. The Sultan Sir ISMAIL IBNI ALMERHUM SULTAN, MOHAMED, IV, K.C.M.G. British Adviser to the Govt. of Kelantan-Capt. A. C. Baker, M.C., M.C.S., B.A. (Oxon)

Assistant British Adviser to the Government of Kelantan J. S. Macpherson,

M.C.S., M.A., Edin, (acting).

:

: