210 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 



The system of administration varies with the condition 

 of the inhabitants. Thus the Ache " Government " is 

 such only in name except at certain of the coast towns, 

 and over a great portion of the centre of the island the 

 Dutch have no rule or authority whatsoever. In other 

 districts a species of suzerainty exists, the chiefs paying 

 tribute or acknowledging the Government, but ruling 

 their subjects without intervention. In others again the 

 Dutch have engrafted their administration firmly upon 

 the old communal native system, and rule much as they 

 do in Java. The most settled districts are Dili, Benkulen, 

 and the country between this town and Palembang, and 

 the highlands of Padang. 



11. Chief Towns. 



The four chief towns of Sumatra are Padang, Ache 

 (Kota Eaja), Benkulen, and Palembang. Padang is in 

 some ways the most important; it has about 16,000 

 inhabitants, and is a place of considerable trade, there 

 being many European merchants, with Arabs, Chinese, 

 Javanese, Battaks, and Mas islanders settled within its 

 limits. The town presents the aspect of a beautiful 

 park, and is situated on the right bank of the Padang 

 river, whose mouth is dominated by the picturesque 

 Apenberg. The port is inferior and exposed to westerly 

 weather. The country to the north is flat, with extensive 

 rice fields, and good roads shaded by avenues of trees 

 lead inland. Westward, at a distance of a few miles, the 

 hills begin, on ascending which the rich Padang plateau or 

 " bovenland " is reached, where the climate is well suited 

 for coffee cultivation. Here, at an elevation of about 

 3000 feet, are Port de Kock, the seat of the Eesident, 

 and the garrison ; and a few miles to the south, in the 



