VI.] FACTS ABOUT L ABU AN. 121 



but the establisliment of the North Borneo Company has consider- 

 ably affected it. There is little doubt that Sandakan will prove 

 the future market of the greater part of this district, even if it has 

 not already done so. Victoria Harbour is an excellent one, well 

 protected in both monsoons, but the heat of it is excessive. The 

 climate, at the period of the first occupation by the British, was 

 extremely unhealthy, but owing to the clearing of the jungle it has 

 now much improved. In spite of the destruction of the forests the 

 rainfall is still enormous. 



A large portion of the island is unfit for cultivation, and the 

 soil is, on the whole, extremely poor. The low and marshy ground 

 forming so large a proportion of the acreage is, nevertheless, well 

 suited for growing the sago palm, and rice is largely cultivated. 

 Coconuts are also grown, and a considerable quantity of the oil 

 exported, and lately a plantation of the West African oil palm has 

 been established on Daat Island off Victoria Harbour. A fine 

 specimen of this tree grows near the beach, in front of the town 

 battery. The value of the oil is £41 per ton, — about £8 higher 

 than the price obtained for coconut oil. Sago factories, where 

 the raw product as used by the natives is washed and dried into 

 the European commercial article, have been established for many 

 years. The flour thus obtained is sent to Singapore, and forms the 

 principal item in the list of exports. Over £30,000 worth leaves 

 the island annually. In 1881 the imports amounted to the value 

 of £182,113, the exports to £194,904. In 1884 both had decreased 

 enormously — the imports amounting only to £84,874, and the 

 exports to £85,741. In the same year the revenue exceeded the 

 expenditure, the former being £4589, the latter £4216. 



The Government is administered by a Governor appointed by 

 the Crown and a nominated Legislative Council ; but for the 

 present the post of Governor is unfilled, and his duties are taken 

 by the Acting Governor, Dr. Leys. The Legislative Council is 

 apparently permanently convened in the person — I use the singular 

 advisedly — of the Colonial Treasurer, the Captain of the Port, and 



