tuB THoPtcAt AGmctit^isnmf. (jfwE i, ig§f 



i'liiiTn'rrrniii iiYfT'i"-^-- 



were exported therefrom last year. Profitable re- 

 turns have been secured from deep as well as shal- 

 low workings. Three engines bought from the com- 

 pany have sufficed to keep the mines quite dry. 

 Fresh mining land has been opened out near the 

 railway line, and in many other localities. European 

 tin mining enterprise in Selangor has yet a bright 

 future before it. The Rawang mines have been kept 

 thoroughly free of water, by a 42 horse power tur- 

 bine and are susceptible of large extension. The re- 

 sult of mming operations on Mr. Cameron's concess- 

 ion at Clu Kerling has not proved equally encourag- 

 ing, owing to the ground having been only partially 

 tested. Chinese miners have worked successfully on 

 the adjoining land. There is no reason why Euro- 

 peans, should not do well in the tin mining line pro- 

 vided local circumstances be duly taken into account. 



The Selangor railway from Kwala Lumpor to Bukit 

 Ivuda h.^s been so fruitful of controversy and difference 

 of opiuiou, that it is satisfactory to find the Acting 

 Assistant llesideut affirming its practical success so far 

 as local circumstances admitted. There is urgent need of 

 extending the Hue cithtr to Klang itself or to some point 

 opposite. The latter .site has the advantage from its 

 admitting of extension to the seaboard. The railway 

 taken altogether cost S7:il,473, or about $37,OOU per 

 mile. CoLsideriug the nature of the country traversed 

 and the hindrances in the way of constructing a rail- 

 way in an undeveloped country like Selangor, the 

 Engineer in charge may be congratulated on having so 

 creditably overcome these difficulties. 



Of six weather stations, Ulu Selangor heads the Hst 

 with a rainfall of nearly 286 inches last year. Kwala 

 Selangor standing at the bottom with 67'41 inches. 



The population of the State at the close of the year 

 may be estimated at 60,000. Chinese immigration has 

 helped materially to swell the number of inhabitants. 

 No fewer than 8,000 new arrivals under contract from 

 China entered Selangor in 1886. Chinese immigrants 

 not bound by contract totalled 5,000. The aboriginal 

 Sakei tribes "have been brought under control of the 

 district collectors, with such a marked improvement in 

 their condition generally, that they have increased in 

 number, owing, especially, to their immunity from 

 small pox. Not only Chinese coolies, but al?o Chinese 

 capitalists have set to work developing the mining re- 

 sources of Selaogor. They have .so little to complain of 

 there, that the Chinese Commissioners who recently 

 visited the State found their condition satisfactory. 

 With increased shipping facilities, the tide of Tamil 

 immigration continues so to swell that the number of 

 persons of that nationality already reaches one thousand 

 who earn a living as cooHes and bulloek drivers. 

 Messrs. Sword and Mullinghau<i have secured a three 

 years monopoly of the right to export tin ore from 

 Selangor. They have set to work smelting tin with 

 coal instead of charcoal, and anticipate great success 

 from the enterprise on the ecore of saving of expense.— 

 Straits Times, May -Ith. 



FLANTINU IN.t)USTRy IN THE CAEOLINES. 



{Translatedfpr the .■St/Vi//'? Timcf,U&y 11th.) 



The Comcycii in givifig particulars o! the hoisting of 

 the Spanish Hag in the Eastern Oarolius islands, so re- 

 cently a cause of trouble with Germany^ states that 

 ihe Commander of the man-of-war, charged with this 

 (Juiy^ has forwarded to the Minister for the Navy at 

 MaJrW* a despatch furnishing interefliug details of the 

 voyage, 'i'be first island group touched at was that of 

 Raur composed of l7 or 18 coral islets with 600 inhabi- 

 tants, the handeotflest throughout tho whole of the 

 OaroUnes, livimj on breadfruits, coconuts, and fish. 

 The only trade they carry on is in copra, in barter for 

 tools, tobacco, and cloth. The king of the group readily 

 Bubniitted to Spanish rule. 



The vessel then proceeded to Ifalik, a ^roup of 

 islets without any anchorage or inhabitants. Coconuts 

 abound on them. After caHing at other small islands, 

 she anchored off the Hogoliu group made up of eight 

 large islands and about two dozen smaller ones, the 

 former mountainouis and fertile, and abounding with 

 i^ater aad fruit tre^e- The iababiUutt; about 1^^000 



in number, are accounted downright savages, ugly and 

 uncleanly. They go about dressed in skins, only those 

 of high rank showiug off in cloth. Their practice of 

 smearing themselves with fishoil renders them dis- 

 agreeable at close quartars. Being both warlike and 

 cannibalistic, the}- are continually at strife with the 

 neighbouring islanders. In the island of Mohen, a 

 Methodist missionary nameil Logan is stationed. Native 

 teachers under his supervision are labouring in the 

 adjoining islands. The mission has been at work for 

 three years with appreciable results. With the aid of 

 Mr. Logan, no less than 16 chiefs were assembled 

 together. They all signed a treaty accepting Spanish 

 sovereignty. The man-of-war then proceaded to 

 Jamestown on Ascension or Ponape island. It is 

 the largest of the Carolines, and the most important 

 from a commercial standpoint- Ascension is moun- 

 tainous, abundantly watered,most fertile, and pictur- 

 esque. Breadfruit abound-, and is the staple food of 

 the inhabitants. The pine-apples grown there proved 

 to be of highly superior quality. Of poultry and 

 hogs, there is no lack. With hardly any tillage worth 

 the name, the inhabitants grow sweet potatoes, 

 sugar cane, and coffee. They are mild aud gentle iu 

 disposition. The people wear European dress with 

 neatness and elegance. The population muster from 

 4 to 5,000, mostly Methodists, residing chiefly on the 

 coast. They go about in the neighbouring waters in 

 neatly constructed canoes. The exports are copra, and 

 vegetable marble. Their civilisation is due to the 

 efforts of the American mission which has been estab- 

 lished among them for more than 30 years, under the 

 management of Mr. Dean. The weekday and Sunday 

 schools are numerously attended. The missionaries weild 

 great iutiuenoe over the natives, who are too few in number 

 to take full advantage of the fertility of the soil. About 

 half-a-dozen European firms do the trading. Some two 

 dozen Europeans, chieliy deserters or refugees, dwell 

 on the island. The Spanish flag after being hoisted, 

 was left in charge of a petty chief. On the island of 

 Tomen, some ruins are met with. They consist of 

 double walled square enclosures built up of basaltic 

 stones. The outer wall is 8 feet high by 16 inches thick. 

 It is as strong and as solid as ever, and can easily be 

 turned into a fort. On leaviag Ascension, the Spanish 

 mission proceeded to the Pinguelap group, where the 

 German flag had been former!}' hoisted. Four closely 

 adjoining islands form the group. About fifty inhabit- 

 ants dwelt there. The sandy soil supported abund- 

 ance of coconut trees. On the hoisting of the Spanish 

 flag, the islanders tendered their submission. The 

 natives are industrious after a fashion, by making hats 

 and other articles of pand anus leaves. Their civilisation 

 has reached the same height as on Asceusion. The 

 chief of Lela, the easternmost of the Caroline islands, 

 signed a treaty, and agreed to hoist the Spanish flag. 

 An American widow resides in Lela, where she carries 

 on trade. She is the only foreigner settled there. 

 The islanders are civilised, owing to missionary effort. 

 The island is fertile and beautiful. The schools there 

 aupplj masters for those in the Gilbert aud Marshall 

 Groups The man-of-war after visiting also the Uluti 

 Group, returned to her starting point. 



Tj;.^ EoL■LI^:(?,— We hear very good accounts of 

 Mcsers, Eichardson d' Kinruond's roller ; the large 

 quantity rolled with a moderata power to drive, 

 seems to be the great recommendation, 



Neihkkl.^nds Indian Hobiiculxubal Sogieis.— -Tho 

 " Ind.-Mercuur " hears that preparations are being 

 made to create under the superintendence of Mr. 

 E. J. Voute of Zeist an establishment to foBter 

 agricultural interests in India and in Holland by 

 way of mutual interchange of plants, &c. Accord- 

 ingly a proof station (probably in the district of 

 Mistengorg) will be founded in connection with the 

 existing establishment of Mr. Voute at Zeist (Hol- 

 land). The first effort to establish a horticultural 

 garden in India deserves general encouragement and 

 support. Tne Indian Establishment has in view to 

 experiment with artificial manure, aud the results 

 oi tb« iaine wiU be published. 



