an average breadth of five miles. It is 1,000 miles from Singapore, 1,200 from Hong Kong, and 1,600 from Port Darwin. The headquarters of administration are at Jesselton. Other stations are at Labuk, Kotabelud, Tuaran, Tambunan, Kaningau, Tenom, Beaufort, Pensiangan, Lamag, Papar, Putatan, Ranau, Timbang Batu, Semporna Mempakul, Sipitang and Rundum.

General Description.

The greater part of the country is at present covered with jungle, but the soil is found to be well adapted for the growth of almost all tropical products, more particularly rubber, tobacco, coconuts, sugar, coffee, sago, tapioca, and pepper. The country is mountainous. The highest point yet discovered is Kinabalu, over 13,000 feet.

The inhabitants, who according to the Census taken in 1921 number about 257,804, are mainly Bruneis, Ilanuns, Bajaus, and Sulus on the coast, who subsist by fishing and trade; further back, the Dusuns cultivate yearly well-irrigated rice fields; and in the interior they plant tobacco and hill padi (rice), and hunt, clearing fresh jungle every year; the Muruts, another interior tribe, are very numerous and peaceable, occasionally varying more peaceful pursuits by head-hunting raids on a petty scale. There are Chinese settlements on the coast; they cultivate the flat areas, and carry on a considerable trade. There are 415 Europeans and 37,500 Chinese in the territory. Sandakan, the chief town, with suburbs, has a population of 12,000. There are several missions, including the Church of England, with stations at Kudat and Jesselton and Beaufort, and the Roman Catholic, with a church and school at Sandakan and four stations on the

West Coast. The former, which is supported by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts and the Church of England Community, has a stone church and two schools at Sandakan and one at Jesselton. The Basel Mission also has schools at Kudat, Beaufort and Papar, and at Sandakan and Tenom. A few Government vernacular schools have recently been opened.

History.

The State and town of Brunei appear to have been prosperous from a very early age. They were visited by Europeans in 1322, 1503, and 1520, but the first settlement in Borneo was made by the Dutch at Landak and Sukadana in 1608, and soon abandoned. Two English settlements were made about 1609, and abandoned in 1623. The Dutch factories were re-established in 1747 and 1776, but finally given up in 1790.

A British settlement was formed under the East India Company in 1762, at the island of Balambangan, which had een ceded by the Sultan of Sulu. This was attacked by pirates in 1775, and the staff was removed to Labuan, a small factory being at the same time established at Brunei. A second attempt in 1803 was made to establish a settlement on the former island, and in Marudu Bay, and on its failure the East India Company gave up its connection with Northern Borneo.

Sir James Brooke, in 1842, established the inde pendent State of Sarawak, which, as well as Brunei, is under the exclusive influence of Great Britain; and Labuan became a British Colony in 1846. Some Americans obtained extensive cessions in North Borneo in 1865 from the Sultan of Brunei, but they were never utilised. In 1872 a company, called the Labuan Trading Company, established itself in Sandakan, the business of which was later carried

on by its manager, Mr. W. C. Cowie. Finally, in 1877 and 1878, the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu ceded to a syndicate formed by Baron Overbeck and Mr. (now Sir Alfred) Dent the greater portion of the territory now known as the State of North Borneo. This syndicate's rights were acquired in 1881 by the British North Borneo Provisional Association, and transferred by that body in 1882 to the British North Borneo Company. Some further cessions have since been added to the Company's territory. The British Government assumed a formal protectorate over the territory by agreement with "The State of North Borneo," dated the 12th May, 1888. By this agreement the State is to continue to be administered by the Company as an independent State, under the protection of Her Majesty's Government, who may appoint consular officers, and shall conduct all foreign relations, but does not interfere in internal administration.

Climate.

The climate, though tropical, is equable; the temperature varies from 70° to 90°, but there is usually a light breeze. The annual rainfall is from 80 to 120 inches, according to situation. Industry.

The principal products of the country are estate rubber, timber, tobacco, coal, copra and cutch. The last decade has witnessed a rapid expansion of the rubber industry. The value of rubber exported in 1917 was 635,2887., in 1918, 670,767., in 1919, 782,0377., in 1920, 689,4037., and in 1921, 289,6347. The vast timber resources of the country form one of its principal assets, but until recently only the fringe of the forests was being worked. A Company was however tation with modern lumbering apparatus. Timber formed in 1920 for more adequate timber exploiis being exported in increasing quantities to China, Australia and England. At Sandakan two large sawmills have been working for some years, and a modern band sawmill has been recently installed. Tobacco was formerly the principal at 176,6187. in 1917, 49,449. in 1918, 230,122. in article of export. Exports of tobacco were valued 1919, 200,376. in 1920, and 149,9017. in 1921. The number of coconut plantations has rapidly increased, and exports of copra have risen considerably in value. Cutch, a tanning material obtained from the bark of certain trees, is manufactured at Sandakan. Agriculture is now beyond its primitive state, and certain of the more advanced tribes use the plough and harrow. There is a large trade in the collection of jungle produce. The hill lands are well adapted for the cultivation of tapioca, gambier, pepper and tea. Shipbuilding is increasing in Sandakan Bay.

The exports comprise also, sago, coffee, pepper, gutta-percha, indiarubber, rotan, firewood, salt fish, beeswax, edible birds' nests, camphor, resin (called damar), cattle, cutch, etc., sent almost entirely to Singapore and China; from Singapore part of these find their way to Europe.

The Chartered Company does not itself directly engage in trade.

The revenue is derived from import and export duties, stamps, and royalties, a poll tax, licences for the sale of opium, spirits, and tobacco; and from the sale and rent of forest lands, suburban lots, and town sites.

Development.

Sandakan on the East and Jesselton on the West are the principal ports. Both towns have developed rapidly, and are now supplied with

electric light and cold storage. Considerable sums have been spent by Government on reclamation, improvement of water supplies, etc., at both ports.

Minerals.

Excellent coal is being worked by the Cowie Harbour Coal Company, and coal is being supplied to vessels at the principal North Borneo ports. Sandakan is also rapidly becoming of importance as a coaling station for ocean liners. Gold in alluvial form is found in certain of the rivers on the East Coast.

Large deposits of iron ore have been discovered. Indications of the presence of petroleum occur in many parts of the State and prospecting work is being carried out by concessionary companies.

Currency and Banking.

The Company has a copper coinage of and 1 cent. pieces, a nickel coinage of 1 cent, 2 cent. and 5 cent. pieces, and it issues notes, expressed in dollars. A State Bank of North Borneo has been established with head office at Sandakan, and a branch office at Jesselton. There are agencies of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, the Chinese Commercial Bank, and the Bank of Taiwan. A State Bank is in process of

formation.

Money orders on North Borneo are issued in England, India, the Straits Settlements, Ceylon, Hong Kong, and elsewhere, and vice versa, and British postal orders came into use in the State during 1908.

Constitution.

The territory is administered by a Court of Directors in London, appointed under the Royal Charter, and a Governor and Civil Service appointed by them. There are five Residencies, viz., the Sandakan, West Coast, East Coast, Kudar and Interior Residencies.

On the completion of the Singapore-LabuanHong Kong cable in April, 1894, the mainland of Borneo was joined to Labuan by a cable covering a distance of about 10 miles to Mempakul.

There is a telegraph line from Mempakul where

the cable reaches land to Jesselton, whence messages are transmitted by radiotelegraphy to Kudat, Sandakan and Tawau-Sebatik. Branch telegraph lines establish communication with Lamag and Lahad Datu from Sandakan, and Beaufort and Tenom from Jesselton. majority of the smaller Government stations are in telephonic communication with one another and with the local centres of administration. Telephone exchanges are in operation at Jesselton, Sandakan and Kudat.

SHIPPING ENTERED AND CLEARED.

The

The appointment of the Governor is subject to the approval of the Secretary of State.

The law of the country is based on the Indian Penal, Criminal Procedure, and Civil Procedure Codes, with an adaptation in special instances of several of the Acts in force in the British Colonies, and an Imam's court, for the administration of Mohamedan law, with native courts for trials by local customs. There is a force of about 750 armed police under European officers.

Means of Communication.

5,438,897

7,398,128

The Straits Steamship Company run steamers every 10 days between Singapore and local ports. There is additional communication by steamer with Australia, Hong Kong, and Japan, and a local company runs a line along the coast and to adjacent islands. The Government have constructed a metre-gauge railway from Brunei Bay to Beaufort, 20 miles, and from Beaufort to Jesselton, 57 miles, and a line of 33 miles from Beaufort to Tenom, which will open up the interior. In all, the length of railway (including branches) completed is 120 miles. The principal coastal terminus is Jesselton, at which port there is a steel jetty where vessels up to 1,000 tons can load and discharge cargo. Over 600 miles of telegraph line are open, and wireless stations exist at Jesselton, Kudat, Sandakan and Tawau. Several riding roads already exist, and over 400 miles of bridle path have been constructed. Internal communication

List of Heads of Departments in the Civil Service
of North Borneo.

Governor, Major-General Sir William Rycroft,
K.C.B., K.C. M. G., $17,136.
Government Secretary, F. W. Fraser, C.B.E.,
$8,571 (with allowance).

Assistant Government Secretary, E. A. Pearson,
$4,920 (with allowance).
Judicial Commissioner, Capt. D. T. J. Sherlock,
M.B.E. (Military), $7,540 (with allowance).
Commandant Armed Constabulary, with local
rank of Lieut.-Colonel, C. H. Harington,
$7,200 (with allowance).

Resident, Sandakan, H. W. L. Bunbury, $7,200 (with allowance).

Resident, West Coast, G. C. Irving, $7,200 (with allowance).

Resident, Interior, G. C. Woolley, $7,200 (with allowance).

Resident, East Coast, J. Maxwell Hall (acting), $6,120 (with allowance).

Resident, Kudat, W. C. M. Weedon, $6,120 (with allowance).

Financial Commissioner, Chas. H. Dunn, $8,280 (with allowance).

Auditor, T. W. Rose (acting), $6,360.

Commissioner of Lands, W. W Smith, $7,200 (with allowance).

Chief Surveyor, E. A. Pavitt, $7,200 (with allowance).

Director of Railways and Works, Capt. J. W. Watson, $8,571.

General Manager of Railways, C. F. Ashton Pryke, $7,200.

Principal Medical Officer, Dr. P. A. Dingle, $8,571.

Protector of Labour, D. R. Maxwell, $5,880 (with allowance).

Superintendent of Immigrants, Capt. H. V.
Woon, $4,440 (with allowance).
Commissioner of Customs and Excise, M. M.
Clark, $7,200 (with allowance).
Inspector of Prisons, The Commandant.
Mycologist and Agricultural Adviser, E. Bateson,
$8,571.

Conservator of Forests and Director of Agricul-
ture, D. D. Wood, $8,571.
Postmaster General

Telegraphs, C. F. Newton Wade, $6,120 (with
and Superintendent of

allowance).

Nursing Sister, West Coast, Miss E. H. Rankin.
Executive Engineers, Public Works Department,
Capt. J. A. Houston, $5,400; C. Herbert,
$5,400; Capt. C. G. Wright, $4,740.
Assistant Engineers, Public Works Department,
E. R. Baker, $4,285; A. E. Crisp, $4,200;
W. A. Coveney, $3,696; E. B. Jackson, $3,564.
Superintendents of Police, Capt. C. H. C. Pearson,
$4,440; Capt. W. C. Cole-Adams, M.C., $3,540;
Capt. G. Summerfield, $3,180; Capt. A. Rice-
Oxley, D.F.C., $3,180.

Marine Surveyor, J. C. Graham, $4,920. Assistant Commissioner of Excise, A. R. Rivett, $6,120.

Assistant Commissioners of Customs, H. J. R.
Beckett, $5,400; E. W. Skinner, $4,080.
Chief District Treasurers, J. Cant, $4,440; A. J.
B. Broodbank, $4,680.

Assistant Postmaster General and Superintendent
of Telegraphs, H. A. Dabell, $3,858.
Assistant Auditor, K. B. Phillips, $4,260.
Legal Adviser, C. F. C. Macaskie, $4,920 (with
allowance).

Superintendent of Printing Office, R. G. L. Horton, $6,840.

Secretary to Finance Commissioner, V. M. Hill, $3,360.

Radio Operator, G. C. Fenton, $3,428.
Assistant Conservator of Forests, J. Logan.
Paymaster, W. Lake.
Assistant Settlement Officer, G. S. Tuxford.
Government Surveyors, R. C. Rose, T. J. H.
Speedy, N. Barnett, W. H. Grant, T. C.
Humphreys.

District Officers.

H. S. Arrindell, H. Myddelton, C. F. Skinner, G. F. C. Woollett, E. W. Morrell, G. N. Owen, H. M. Ince, C. D. Martyn, E. G. Grant, C. R. Smith.

Assistant District Officers.

W. A. Surfleet, S. G. Holmes, B. R. Cole-Adams, J. W. G. Hills, G. H. Vinen, A. N. M. Garry.

Cadets.

PALESTINE.

Palestine comprises four zones of country. On the west, along the shores of the Mediterranean, which are deficient here in good natural harbours, is a low plain, which varies from 15 to 20 miles in width at Gaza to about two miles at Acre, but which, at one place, the plain of Esdraelon, stretches for a considerable distance into the interior, and separates the high lands of Galilee from those of Samaria and Judea. From the coastal plain, the country rises into a plateau, intersected by deep valleys, which drops steeply to the east, to the third zone, which is formed by the great depression down which the River Jordan runs to the Dead Sea, and which is prolonged for another 100 miles to the Red Sea as the Wadi Araba. This depression reaches a depth below sea level of 2,600 feet in the deepest portion of the Dead Sea, the surface of which is about 1,300 feet below sea level, and which is 46 miles long with an average breadth of 8 miles. East of the Jordan valley the country rises again, and merges into the Syrian desert.

The climate of Palestine varies with the altitude: the coastal region is sub-tropical and humid; the elevated hilly zone is drier and more temperate; the Jordan Valley is hot and the rainfall slight; while, further east still, the neighbourhood of the desert makes its effect marked on both the temperature and the rainfall. The summer months are almost rainless. January and February are the wettest months, and the main rainfall occurs between November and April.

Water for domestic use is obtained in towns mostly from rock-cut cisterns in which rain water is collected, and in rural districts also from wells. Jerusalem has a piped water supply, pumped from a spring about 10 miles south of the town by an installation made by the Military Authorities soon after its occupation, and from Solomon's Pools, near Bethlehem, by an installation made by the Civil Administration.

Considerable progress has been made towards the eradication of malaria, formerly so prevalent, by Government distribution of quinine in villages, oiling of wells and cisterns, and drainage of swamps. The Government is assisted in antimalarial work by research and survey units attached to the Department of Health by the Joint Distribution Committee of America and the Rockefeller Institute of America.

Government.

Under Turkish rule, part of Palestine was in the Vilayet of Beirut and part in the independent Sanjak of Jerusalem. After its conquest in 19171918 by the British Forces, the country remained under British Military Administration until July 1st, 1920, when Sir Herbert Louis Samuel was appointed High Commissioner, and a Civil Administration set up.

Peace has not yet been concluded with Turkey but under the Treaty of Sèvres, signed on 10th August, 1920, Turkey renounced her sovereignty over Palestine and the administration of the country was entrusted to a Mandatory to be selected by the Principal Allied Powers. The Supreme Council had already selected His Britannic Majesty as Mandatory at San Remo on 25th April, 1920. The Mandatory was to be responsible for carrying into effect the terms of the Balfour Declaration of November 2nd, 1917, viz. His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of

:

that object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish Communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."

The terms of the mandate for Palestine were approved by the Council of the League of Nations on the 24th July, 1922.

The High Commissioner is assisted by an Advisory Council, composed of the heads of the principal Government Departments, and 10 “unofficial" members (four Moslems, three Christians, and three Jews), representing the various communities.

English, Arabic and Hebrew are the official languages of the country.

The Jewish population of Palestine have perfected their internal organisation by convening an elected Assembly, which elected a National Committee, to represent the Jewish population of Palestine in its dealings with the Administration.

The British Government and Palestine Administration recognise the Zionist Organisation, which in Palestine is represented by the Palestine Zionist Executive, as the Agency of the Jewish people in all matters pertaining to the upbuilding of the Jewish National Home.

The Supreme Moslem Sharia Council was constituted by order of the High Commissioner in December, 1921, to control and manage Moslem Awkaf and affairs in Palestine; it consists of a President (Rais-ul-Ulema), and four members elected by secondary electors, who again are elected by the inhabitants of the Liwa of Jerusalem (two members) and the Liwas of Nablus and Acre. It nominates, for approval by Government, the officers of the Sharia Courts, and controls the appointments and dismissals of Sharia and Wakf officers. It has established an orphanage in Jerusalem and a technical office to deal with the repair of sacred buildings, and has carried out extensive tree planting on Wakf land and in Moslem cemeteries.

Constitution.

On 1st September, 1922, a new constitution was promulgated to replace the existing arrangements. It provides for the appointment of a High Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief and an Executive Council.

Under this constitution a Legislative Council replaces the Advisory Council and will have authority to pass such Ordinances as may be necessary for the peace, order and good government of Palestine, provided (1) that no Ordinance shall restrict complete freedom of conscience and the free exercise of all forms of worship, save in so far as is required for the maintenance of public order and morals, or shall tend to discriminate in any way between the inhabitants of Palestine on the ground of race, religion or language; (2) that no Ordinance shall take effect until either the High Commissioner or His Majesty has asserted thereto; (3) that the High Commissioner may reserve any Ordinance for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure, and shall so reserve any Ordinance which concerns matters dealt with specifically by the provisions of the Mandate, and that His Majesty may disallow any Ordinance to which the High Commissioner may have assented within one year of the date of the High Commissioner's assent.

The Legislative Council consists, in addition to the High Commissioner, of 22 members, of whom

10 will be official members and 12 unofficial members. All the un-official members will be be elected, not less than two of them being Christians and two Jews, and the rest Moslems. The elected members are chosen by primary and secondary elections. Every male Palestinian citizen over 25 years of age is entitled to vote at the primary election, unless he has lost his civil rights or claims to be a foreign subject, or under foreign protection, or is otherwise disqualified. The number of secondary electors to be elected in each electoral area is determined on the basis that every 200 primary electors elect one secondary elector. If any village or quarter has between 150 and 200 primary electors, it is entitled to vote for one secondary elector; if it has between 350 and 400 primary electors it is entitled to vote for two secondary electors, and

so on.

Any person may be elected as a secondary elector provided he is on the register of primary electors for the district.

The secondary electors are then formed into twelve electoral colleges according to the religious community to which they belong; the number of colleges to be allotted to each religious community being proportioned to the number of secondary electors belonging to the several communities; and each electoral college elects one member of the Council.

Special provision is to be made for the government of territories comprised in the Mandated territory to the east of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to which certain Articles of the Mandate have been declared by the Council of the League of Nations to be inapplicable. A local Arab Administration has been formed under His Highness the Emir Abdullah ibn Hussein, G.B.E. (son of King Hussein of the Hejaz and brother of King Feisal of Iraq) assisted by a staff of Arab Advisers. The High Commissioner for Palestine is represented in Transjordan by Mr. H. St. John Philby, C.I.E., I.C.S., The official language is Arabic.

The eastern and southern boundaries of Transjordan are yet to be defined.

Area and Population.

The country is, at present, divided into four districts, administered by District Governors: Jerusalem-Jaffa, Northern Samaria and the Southern District.

Palestine, as administered by the Palestine Government, is about 9,000 square miles in extent, and includes only that part of historic Palestine which lies to the west of the Jordan. The population of this territory on October 23rd, 1922, was approximately 757,182, of which number onethird is located in 22 small towns and large villages.

There are 590,890 Moslems, 73,024 Christians, 83,794 Jews, some 7,028 Druzes, and 163 Samaritans, 265 Bahais, and the remainder are Sikhs, Hindus and Metawileh.

Palestine, east of the Jordan, known as TransJordania, is controlled by a separate administration under supervision of the High Commissioner for Palestine.

The chief town, Jerusalem, which had been in Moslem hands since 1244, and under Turkish rule since 1517, surrendered to General Allenby on December 9th, 1917. Its population is 62,578. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is visited annually by large numbers of Christian pilgrims, principally of the Orthodox and Coptic Churches.

The site of Solomon's Temple is occupied by the Mosque of Omar, which contains a relic of Muhammad and the reputed sacrificial stone of Abraham. Bethlehem, the scene of Christ's Nativity and the birthplace of King David, is five miles south of Jerusalem. The Church of the Nativity, at the east end of the present village, is said to be the oldest Christian church in existence.

The population figures for the other principal towns are: Jaffa, 47,709; Haifa, 24,634; Gaza, 17,480; Nazareth, 7,424; Nablus, 15,947; Safed, 8,761; Tiberias, 6,950; Hebron, 16,577; Ramleh, 7,312; Bethlehem, 6,658; Lydda, 8,103; Acre, 6,420.

The Jewish Colonies are grouped in four districts as follows: in Jerusalem-Jaffa District, 24; in Samaria, 15; in Lower Galilee, 24; in Upper Galilee, 10.

The total population of these settlements is about 15,200. Eighteen of them belong to the Jewish National Fund, which was established by the Zionist Organization for the purpose of acquiring lands to remain the national property of the Jewish people. The Palestine Land Development Company, also organised by the Zionist Organization, owns the lands of Tel-Adas, Kalandiah, and some lands on the Carmel, on the Kishon, at Jaffa, Jerusalem, Rehoboth, Gedera, etc. The other colonies were founded mostly by Baron Edmond de Rothschild. The total area of the Jewish Settlements is 652,652 dunams (44) dunams equals 1 acre).

The local affairs of the Jewish Colonies are controlled by Vaads or Councils elected by the male and female residents who own registered holdings or pay taxes.

Instruction.

The approximate number of children under 14 in Palestine is as follows:-Moslem, 110,000; Christian, 12,500; Jews, 12,000. The schools maintained by the Government number 313, and contain 19,000 children. The great majority of the pupils are Moslems. The extension of village education undertaken by the Government is being carried out, and 190 new schools have been opened since October, 1920. The Training Colleges for Teachers have been extended and the number of men students increased to 75 and of women to 50. Technical education is being carried out systematically in the villages and in some of the towns. A Law School has been opened in Jerusalem, and a School of Pharmacy is in process of organization.

The Christian and Jewish Communities provide, the former to a very large extent, and the latter almost entirely, for the education of their own children.

The Zionist Organization, through the Depart ment of Education attached to the Palestine Zionist Executive, controls 175 educational institutions in Palestine, with a staff of 504 teachers, and attended by about 18,000 pupils. These institutions include Gymnasia at Jerusalem and Jaffa, Teachers' Training Colleges (General, Orthodox, Women's and Kindergarten), Schools of Music in Jerusalem, Jaffa and Haifa, an Agricultural School, an Arts and Crafts Institute (Bezalel), Commercial Evening Classes, and a Technical College. The Christian schools maintained by various religious bodies number about 125, including one secondary school and one college; some 11,500 pupils are on their rolls.