The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

cHAP.n.] SINGAPORE TOWN AND ROAD. 119
handsome blocks of buildings have been erected to the southward of the
spot, upon some land which was reclaimed &om the sea for that purpose.
These buildings very much improve the sea front of the town, and are
conspicuous as it is approached from the eastward.
Dalhousie obelisk stands a littte northward of the north point of the
river; close to the southward are two fine buildings, the one standing back
is the court house, and that nearer the sea, the town hall; the public
offices lie southward of these, and close to the bridge across the mouth of
the river.
On the north of Dalhousie obelisk, the esplanade extends along th«
sea front for the distance of a quarter of a mile, and the drive round it is
the fashionable resort of the European residents in the cool of the evening.
Behind the esplainade stands St. Andrew's church, one of the finest eccle-
siastical structm-es in India, built after the model of Netley Abbey ; the
church has a fine tower, surnlounted by a lofty spire, which is very con-
spicuous when viev^ed from seaward. To the right of the church is a very
large building, a museum and library, named the Baffles Institution ;
extending from which in the same direction are a number of handsome
detached houses, standing in gardens. Beyond this line of houses, is an
extensive native town, the greater part of which is hidden by the sandy
point, named Tanjong Bhu.
Observation spot.-^Fullerton battety, which formerly stood on
the southern point of the entrance to Singapore river, has been demolished.
It is important from being the position to which it has been customary
of late years to refer the meridian distances obtained in Her Majesty's
surveying and other vessels employed upon the station. The observation
spot, a square block of stone, situated close behind the master attendant's
office, still remains. It was considered to be in lat. 1° 17' 20" N., long.
103° 51' 18" E. : but from a telegraphic determination made by Lieutenant-
Commander Green, U. S. Navy,;in 1881-2, lat. 1° 17' 11" N"., and long.
103° 51' 15" E. has been adopted.
Landing.— ^Dredging operations are going on slowly in the river, to
admit of landing at all times. The landing pier outside the river (Johnston
pier) would admit of considerable improvement, as with the least ripple on,
embarking or disembarking there becomes a dangerous operation.
Strait Settlements.—Imports and Exports.—The free
port of Singapore, which ranks as the third port in the commerce of India,
was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Baffles, who had the sagacity to per-
ceive that from its central geographical position, on the direct route between
India and China, and but 40 or 50 miles out of the direct route between
Europe and China, it could not fail to become a place of great commercial
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