IN BORNEAN FORESTS [chap. 



the output of coal has become increasingly important. Coal abounds 

 in several localities in North Borneo, but at present only two mines 

 are worked in Sarawak, both by Government. One of these is 

 on the Sadong river ; its daily produce was calculated at ioo tons 

 reduced in 1900 to only 65 tons. The other is at Brooketon on 

 the Limbang river, in a district rented from the Sultan of Bruni. 

 It yielded 50 tons daily at one time, but for the last two years 

 it has been worked at a loss, producing 10,774 tons in 1899, and only 

 7,058 tons in 1900. Most of the Sadong coal is exported to Singa- 

 pore, whilst that of Brooketon goes to Labuan. Mineral oil has 

 also been found in some places in Sarawak, but it is only lately that 

 attempts have been made to obtain it. 



Kuching, which when I was first there consisted merely of the 

 Malay kampongs on the banks of the river, a Chinese bazaar, and 

 a few bungalows for Europeans, has now developed into a fine citv 

 with broad, well-kept streets, elegant villas, and public edifices. 

 Amongst the latter are the new museum, the Protestant and 

 Catholic churches, the mosque and several Chinese temples or 

 joss-houses, besides the Government buildings, the Court of Justice, 

 the prison, markets, hospital, dispensary, etc., etc. I do not 

 know whether at present Kuching is the most populous town in 

 Borneo, 1 but it is certainly the first city in Borneo so far as civilisa- 

 tion is concerned. The climate, considering its proximity to the 

 equator, is exceptionally mild and healthy, and above all uniform. 

 Rarely does the thermometer rise above 85 Fahr., and it never 

 descends below 67 . Intermittent and remittent fevers are not 

 wanting, it is true, and diarrhoea and dysentery are frequent, 

 but with simple hygienic precautions Europeans can live there 

 for a long time in good health. There are, however, in Sarawak 

 districts where malaria is far more frequent than in and around 

 Kuching, but usually it does not assume a malignant form. Other 

 diseases are not of frequent occurrence. 



In Borneo storms are common, with strong electric discharges, 

 particularly at the time of the change of the monsoons, but I have 

 never seen them accompanied by hail. 



The island is entirely beyond the range of typhoons, and also 

 beyond the influence of the plutonic forces which affect the adjacent 

 regions. Even earthquakes are rare and not severe. The only 

 signs of volcanic activity are thermal springs. In Borneo only one 

 small extinct volcano, the Melabu, of the nature of which there 

 can be no doubt, is known. It is in the Montrado district, in the 

 extreme west of the island, and according to a Dutch engineer, M. van 

 Schelle, who discovered it, is only about 230 feet high (Posewitz, 

 Borneo, p. 246). It has also been asserted that Kina Balu, the great 



1 The population is now about 12,000. 

 372 



