Directory_and_Chronicle_1939 — Page 1510

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NEGRI SEMBILAN

The area of the State is approximately 2,580 square miles. It is bordered on the south by Malacca and Johore, on the north by Selangor, on the east by Pahang, and on the west by the Straits of Malacca.

The main mountain range of the Peninsula ends in Negri Sembilan, and the watershed between the East and West Coast in the southern part of the State is no longer mountainous. The highest mountain is Telapak Burok (3,915 feet).

There are no large rivers, and the State does not suffer from disastrous floods which sometimes cause such great loss in the larger river valleys of Malaya.

The climate is hot, moist and equable. The shade temperature has but a small annual range, and averages 81°F. It seldom rises above 92° or falls below 68°.

The average monthly rainfall throughout the year was 7.05 inches, the highest recorded being 15.51 inches at Rambau for the month of November, and the lowest

59 inches at Jeleh in August.

GOVERNMENT

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The supreme authority in the State is vested in the Yang Di-pertuan Besar and the Udang in Council.

The Council of the Yang Di-pertuan Besar and Undang which consisted of His Highness the Yang Di-pertuan Besar as President, the British Resident, the four Undang, or Ruling Chiefs of the four major divisions of Negri Sembilan, and the Tengku Besar of Sri Menanti formed the Upper Chamber. The Lower Chamber, or State Council, consisted of the British Resident as president, and eight Official, and seven Unofficial Members. Legislation is introduced into the State Council and if passed is submitted to His Highness and the Undang for confirmation or amendment, and assent is finally given by His Highness and the Undang.

Matters which concern only the Muhammadan religion or Malay custom are dealt with by the Upper Chamber and that Chamber can legislate on such matters by means of Orders in Council. The Upper Chamber also exercises the statutory executive powers vested in the former State Council.

For the purpose of the local government, the State is divided into five administra- tive districts, namely, Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Tampin, Jelebu and Port Dickson, in charge of officers responsible to the Resident. There are State Heads of Departments in charge of the Public Works, Medical, Police, Mines, Surveys, Agricultural and Forest Departments in the State.

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The principal towns and villages in each district are for local Government poses under the charge of Sanitary Boards over which the officer in charge of the district presides. The Boards include unofficial members nominated by the Resident. The work of these Boards is regulated by the Sanitary Boards Enactment Cap 137.

POPULATION

The estimated population is 264,742

RAILWAYS

The State is served by the FM.S. Railways with a total length of lines amounting to about 130 miles and 58 chains.

ROADS

The total length of metalled roads in the State at the end of the year was 553 miles 66 chains of which 427 miles were asphalted.

SHIPPING

The only port of any importance is Port Dickson. 503 steam or motor vessels entered this and other small ports of the State, with a total tonnage of 80,942 and cleared.

REVENUE

The revenue for 1937 was $11,425,313 and, the expenditure was $9,686,127. Imports in 1935 were valued at $9,222,079 and exports at $45,250,119.