The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP, n.] SINGAPORE TOWN AND EOAD. 121
During the year 1883, the total arrivals, including all the Straits Settle-
ments, amounted to 13,820. There is a shipping office at the port.
Climate.—The island of Singapore is hot, with but little variation of
temperature, the thermometer usually ranging from 70° .to 90° ; the total
rainfall is about 100 inches. The monsoons are little felt on the island,
but it is kept in a perpetual state of verdure by frequent showers. There
are no diseases nor ailments due to climatic causes against wliich special
precautions are necessary. For winds in the strait see page 2, also wind
charts.
Hospital.— -^ large hospital, built in 1882, has 50 beds, in tlie
seaman's wards, and 10 in the crtficers. The sailors' home accommodates 95.
Revenue.—The total amount of the revenue of the Straits Settlements,
from all sources for the year 1883, amounted to 559,000/. The
duty on the export of tin forms the largest item of the revenue.
Fopulatiou.—The population of the Straits Settlements in 1881,
amounted to 423,384; that of Singapore being 139,208 ; Penang, 90,951
Province Wellesley, 97,324; Malacca, 93,579 ; aud the Bindings, 2,322.
The population of Singapore consists of 2,769 Europeans ; 22,155
Malays ; 86,766 Chinese ; and 12,058 natives of India.
Comtnunicatioil. — There is weekly communication between
Singapore and England by the Messageries Maritime Company's mail
steam vessels, via Ceylon and Marseilles, not calling at Penang ; and by
the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam vessels, via Ceylon and
Brindisi, about 29 days. There is also regular communication by steam
vessels between Singapore, Calcutta, Batavia, and Hong Kong; to the
eastern ports of Australia by way of Torres straits monthly, and bi-
monthly via Galle ; and to Western Australia about once in two months.
There is also constant communication between the ports of the Straits
Settlements, and Bangkok, Saigon, and the principal ports of Borneo and
Sumatra.
Telegraph. — Singapore has telegraphic communication by submarine
cable with Madras via Penang ; Australia via Batavia; and Hong
Kong vik Saigon.
FORT CANNING.—Rising abruptly behind, and overlooking the
town of Singapore, is a hill 156 feet high, upon which formerly stood a
bungalow, the residence of the governor ; now, however, the crest of the
hill is covered by a large fort, named fort Canning, in honour of the late
Viceroy of India. Ifear the middle of the fort is a flagstaff, crossed with
two yards, which is used during the day to signal the arrival of vessels.
LIGHT.—A Jixed white light is exhibited from a flagstaff in fort
Canning, at an elevation of 256 feet above the level of the sea. It is
visible through an arc of 68°, between the bearings N.JsT.W. ^ W. and