Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra13141884roya).pdf/378



North Borneo is very thinly populated and its scattered inhabitants include many different races.

The West coast is principally peopled by a mixture of Malays, Bajaus and Hanuns, whilst on the North and East coasts Bajaus and Sulus are chiefly met with. The aborigines who reside in the interior are called Dusuns or Ida'an. They are an agricultural race, and generally peaceful. They grow tobacco and cotton, as well as rice, tapioca, yams and indian corn, but only cultivate sufficient for their own immediate use—the usual habit. of most natives of these parts, who fail to realize the importance of providing for the future. They use a plough and harrow, aud in this respect are superior to the other natives of Borneo, although the use of these implements is said to have been introduced by the Chinese who—report tells us—at some remote period thickly populated North Borneo.

For purposes of labour, the native cannot be depended upon, being naturally indolent and quite content so long as his own immediate wants are satisfied, and these being simple, he finds no difficulty in supplying them. Chinese at present supply the labour market. Chinese, natives of India, and Arabs are to be found trading in most of the rivers, and the first named are settling in large numbers wherever stations have been opened by the Company, more especially at Sandakan, which now contains some 3,000.

A rough estimate of the population gives the number as 150,000, but this is probably underrated, as it is being rapidly increased by the influx of Chinese. The value of the Chinese in a new country like this, is well known, and as a pioneer, his assistance in making the Government known to the natives of the interior, amongst whom he intrepidly ventures, alone or with but one or two companions, speaking imperfectly if at all their language, will be readily acknowledged by those who have experienced it.