332 BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. 



Population. 



North Borneo is very thinly populated and its scattered 

 inhabitants include many different races. 



The West coast is principally peopled by a mixture of Ma- 

 lays, Bajaus and Ilanuns, whilst on the North and Kast coasts Ba- 

 jaus and Sulus are chiefly met with. The aborigines who resido 

 in the interior are called Dusuns or Ida'an. They are an agricul- 

 tural race, and generally peaceful. They grow tobacco and 

 cotton, as well as rice, tapioca, yams and indian corn, but only 

 cultivate sufficient for their own immediate use — the usual habit 

 of most natives of these parts, who fail to realize the importance 

 of providing for the future. They use a plough and harrow, and 

 in this respect are superior to the other natives of Borneo, 

 although the use of these implements is said to have been in- 

 troduced by the Chinese who — report tells us — at some remote 

 period thickly populated North Borneo. 



Labour. 



For purposes of labour, the native cannot be depended upon, 

 being naturally indolent and quite content so long as his own 

 immediate wants are satisfied, and these being simple, he finds 

 no difficulty in supplying them. Chinese at present supply the 

 labour market. Chinese, natives of India, and Arabs are to be 

 found trading in most of the rivers, and the first named are 

 settling in large numbers wherever stations have been opened 

 by the Company, more especially at Sandakan, which now 

 contains some 3,000. 



A rough estimate of the population gives the number as 

 150,000, but this is probably underrated, as it is being rapidly 

 increased by the influx of Chinese. The value of the Chinese 

 in a new country like this, is well known, and as a pioneer, his 

 assistance in making the Government known to the natives of 

 the interior, amongst whom he intrepidly ventures, alone or 

 with but one or two companions, speaking imperfectly if at all 

 their language, will be readily acknowledged by those who 

 have experienced it. 



