NATIVE BOATS. 131 



very good buildings, used as offices, shops, and 

 residences ; the most conspicuous of which, for 

 elegance, is the building used as offices and 

 warehouses by the firm of Rawson, Holds worth, 

 and Co. The river, at the lower part of the set- 

 tlement, always presents an animated scene, from 

 the arrival and departure of native boats, with 

 fruit, vegetables, and live stock, as well as from 

 the number of neat sampans plying for hire, or 

 attending upon the commanders of vessels, who 

 employ them, in this sultry climate, in pre- 

 ference to exposing their crews to a tropical sun : 

 many native boats lie waiting or delivering car- 

 goes of the various productions of the fertile 

 islands in the vicinity. At night, the flickering 

 and brilliant lights from the numerous boats 

 upon the river, make an animated appearance. 



Rains are frequent at Singapore throughout 

 the year, but more especially during the months 

 of November, December^ and January. The 

 principal buildings are constructed of bricks, 

 and roofed with red tiles ; but many of the Chi- 

 nese dwellings and shops are constructed of 

 wood. The roads in the town, and also in the 

 vicinity of the settlement, are excellent, being of 

 a mixture of sand with a clay iron ore, which 

 make very durable roads. The markets at Sin- 

 gapore are well supplied with all kinds of pro- 



K 2 



