Directory_and_Chronicle_1940 — Page 1443

PENANG

Penang or Prince of Wales Island, as it was formerly called-is situated on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula in 5 deg. north latitude. With a strip of land on the opposite coast known as Province Wellesley, from which it is separated by a strait varying from two to 11 miles in width, it constitutes the second in importance of the three areas known as the "Straits Settlements." The island contains an area of about 110 square miles, being 15 miles long and eleven broad at its widest portion, while Province Wellesley extends for a distance of 45 miles along the coast, and has an average width of eight miles, containing 280 square miles. The chief town of Penang is George Town, but the name of the island (which signifies "Betel-nut Island ") has become so identified with the town that the specific designation has almost dropped out of use.

Penang was ceded to the famous Captain Francis Light for the East India Company in the year 1786 for an annual payment of $6,000 which was later increased to $10,000 to the Rajah of Kedah, a step which was followed, 13 years later, by the cession of Province Wellesley. In the year 1805 Penang was elevated to the rank of a presidency, its rising fortunes even then bidding fair to eclipse those of Malacca, while Singapore was as yet unknown as a settlement. In 1826 Singapore and Malacca were incorporated with Penang, and the three were designated by the title they still retain. But, as the fortunes of Singapore brightened, those of Penang declined, until the former quite overshadowed her older sister, and in 1826 the seat of government was transferred to Singapore.

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The Settlement of Penang is governed by a Resident Councillor and has four unofficial representatives in the Legislative Council, which sits at Singapore. An important department of its trade lies in the business transacted with the Dutch settlements in Sumatra; and recently it has become an emporium and port of shipment for the Malayan Rubber supplies. As it is now the railway terminus for the southern Siam Malay States and the port of disembarkation of passengers for Bangkok, its commercial importance is likely to develop considerably. It is a conven- ient coaling and man-of-war station, and is the seat of government for Province Wellesley, which must always be an important centre of British influence. Government in 1906 acquired the graving dock at Prye River in Province Wellesley, 250 feet in length and 50 feet broad at entrance also a slip for vessels 100 feet long. The Prai Dock, and Wharves were purchased in 1914 by the Federated Malay States Railway Department from the Colonial Government but have not been a great success owing to silting. New proposals for better wharfage facilities are now being discussed. George Town is built on a plain, at the back of which rises the hill, which, as Penangites 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.

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 March 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 83°, 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.