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THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — BORNEO (BRITISH)

BORNEO (BRITISH).

British North Borneo. — Governor. — A. C. Pearson, C.M.G.

British North Borneo occupies the northern part of the island of Borneo. The interior is mountainous, Mount Kina Balu being 13,455 feet high.

Area, about 31,106 square miles, with a coast-line of over 900 miles. Population (1911 census) 208,183, consisting mainly of Mohamedan settlers on the coast and aboriginal tribes inland. The Europeans numbered 355; Chinese, 26,002; Malays, 1,612; East Indians, 5,511; Sulus, 5,700. The number of natives cannot be more than approximately estimated, but is placed at about 170,000. The most numerous are the Dusuns, about 88,000 ; the Muruts, 25,300 ; and the Bajaus, 22,600. Chief towns, Sandakan (population 8,256), on the east coast, and Jesselton, on the west coast.

The territory is under the jurisdiction of the British North Borneo Company, being held under grants from the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu (Royal Charter in 1881). The territory is administered by a Governor (appointed with the approval of the Secretary of State) in Borneo, and a Court of Directors in London, appointed under the Charter. On May 12, 1888, the British Government proclaimed a formal protectorate over the State of North Borneo. In 1898 certain border lands were acquired from the Sultan of Brunei, and more recently certain inland territories have been occupied. For administrative purposes the whole country is divided into live Fesidencies, which are sub-divided into Districts. In December, 1904, an area of about 200 sauare miles was transferred to Sarawak in exchange for rights over coal mines on Brunei Bay.

There are Protestant and Catholic missions. The laws are based on the Indian Penal, Criminal, and Civil Procedure Codes, and local Ordinances. There is an Imam's Court for Mohamedan law. Native and Indian con- stabulary, 800 men under European officers.

Revenue Expenditure Imports i Exports J

WIS

(pre-war)

£

210,197 259,494 (534,538 863,115

£

234,413 254,088 522,649 865,561

£

249,587

170,045

500,933

1,014,142

£

280,480

170.6S5

624. 4S7

1,076,073

1918

£

803,063

191,895

761. 35S

1,019,094

£

334,184

230,317

925,235

1,453,990

1 Including treasure.

The revenue includes sums realised by land sales, and the expenditure includes sums spent on capital account.

Sources of revenue : Opium, birds' nests, court fees, stamp duties, licences, import and export duties, royalties, land sales, &c. No public debt

Most of the trade is carried on through Singapore and Hong Kong with Great Britain and the colonies. The chief products are timber, sago, rice, coconuts, gums, coffee, many fruits, nutmegs, cinnamon, pepper, gambier, gutta-percha, rubber, camphor, rattans, tapioca, sweet potatoes, and tobacco, which is being planted on a large scale. Coal, iron, gold, and mineral oil have been found. The exports comprise the products mentioned, with birds' nests, seed pearls, b6che.-de-mer, &c. Exports of leaf tobacco in 1916 were 177,235*. ; 1917, 172,603*. ; 1918, 42,140*.; 1919, 222,261*. Exports of Estate rubber in 1916, valued at 504,839* ; 1917, 634,564*. ; 1918, 670,236*.; 1919, 781,603*. ; of timber, which is the greatest natural resource of the country, 1916,