Directory_and_Chronicle_1940 — Page 1468

C104

MALACCA

of considerable elevation being the Ophir of the Portuguese, which is just over the border in Johore territory, 4,187 feet above the level of the sea. It is called by the Malays "Gunong Ledang.

The mineral products of Malacca were at one time looked upon as offering valuable prospects. Gold to the extent of 1,500 ounces yearly was obtained in 1857-8, just outside the confines of the present territory, but the yield decreased to such an extent that it is no longer worked. Tin, about the same period, assumed considerable importance. The first mines were opened in 1793, but no great enterprise was displayed until 1848. when some 5,000 cwt. was the annual product. This increased until 1858, and a large number of Chinese were employed in the industry. The superior yield of the Native States, however, combined with the exhaustion of the surface workings, resulted in mining enterprise in Malacca being virtually abandoned. A little tin mining still goes on in the Jasin district, and gold may possibly exist in very small quantities.

The climate of Malacca as to temperature is such as might be expected in a country not much more than 100 miles from the equator, lying along the sea shore-hot and moist. The thermometer in the shade ranges from 72° to 88° Fahrenheit, seldom being so low as the first of these, and not often higher than the latter. The range of the barometer is only from 29.8 to 30.3 inches. Notwithstanding constant heat, much moisture, and many swamps, the town at least is remarkable for its salubrity, and, with the exception of the early period of its occupation by the Portuguese, has always enjoyed this reputation.

Malacca offers numerous attractions to the ornithologist and entomologist, but it is less rich in mammals than many other tropical districts. Nine species of quadrumana, the tiger, black leopard, wild cat, several species of viverrida (such as the musang and binturong), the elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, tapir, six species of deer, and two of the wild ox comprise a nearly complete list and, no doubt, at one time could be found, but no rhinoceros or elephant has been seen for many years, and wild oxen have not been heard of for over 30 years. Fair sport can be obtained by those fond of shooting, from tiger to snipe. It is noteworthy that the existence of the tapir was unknown until 1816, although European intercourse dates back to some three centuries before. Tigers in the early days of Portuguese occupation were so plentiful that the want of inhabitants was seriously attributed to this cause. As with the birds and insects, so with the reptiles. The snakes, lizards, and crocodiles are, as a rule, those of the peninsula generally, the birds alone presenting a rather larger variety than those of other districts. Nor does the vegetation present any exclusive features, being that of the surrounding States. The coast line is poor in shells, and the absence of limestone accounts for the few species of land shells found within the district.

Beyond its interest to the sportsman or naturalist, Malacca possesses no attrac tions except to those who like to visit scenes famous in the annals of discovery for the bloody fights they have witnessed between the natives and the European nations who contended for their possession. Its population in 191 was estimated at 186,711. There are

some 460 European residents in the Settlement, of whom at least three-

quarters are planters.

The trade is largely with Singapore and the Federated Malay States, but rubber is shipped fortnightly by Japanese mail steamers to Europe. The cultivation of tapioca was formerly the principal industry, but rubber is now extensively planted, several large companies having taken over a number of small estates. The cultiva- tion of tapioca and gambier is declining rapidly in favour of coconuts and rubber, there being 200,000 acres under rubber and 48,133 acres growing coconuts, pineapple and other fruits. The total value of foreign imports and exports of Malacca for the year 1937 were $6,364,850 & $2,158,012' respectively.

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