Add estimated profit ... $20.00 Dollars 60 00 This small profit is, further, only procurable at the sacrifice o a considerable portion of the Siam trade at present carried on at Singapore. The trade in cocoanut oil from Siam is nearly of the same value with the salt, and will disappear with it, because it is imported on the salt junks. 22. If the price of Siam salt is enhanced at Singapore by its being received into the Government monopoly, it may afford a fair opportunity for the Dutch Company (who I understand have some views of obtaining the salt monopoly of Java from the Government) to send salt to Rhio, and assume that superiority in the market which Singapore now possesses, owing to the better quality of Siam salt over that of Java, as 20 to 25, but which would then no longer exist, on account of the cheapness of the Java salt, which is stated to be deliverable at one of the Eastern ports on Java at 7 rupees per coyan of 27 piculs. 23. It becomes also a matter of consideration how far it would be politic to frame revenue regulations producing an uncertain profit, inadequate to the effect they would have of improving the commerce of the rival port within a few miles of Singapore which a monopoly on the part of government on salt and tobacco would in my opinion tend to produce. In this and several other instances, the parity between Singapore and Pinang does not exist. Rhio is a check to all attempts of raising a revenue by enhancing the price of merchandize that is the produce, manufacture and export of the Dutch ports, and consequently it behoves this government to use every means of preserving the present superiority of competition by enabling the merchants to sell at prices if not below, at least equal to their competitors. 27. My enquiries have extended to the subject of mast cutting for junks, and the following is the result: 30. Every large junk from Canton carries back to China 2 new masts cut and made in the neighbourhood. Four of these vessels have visited this year and the following is a statement of the prime cost and probable sale in China of the spars about to be carried away by them : 1st junk-1 Mainmast, 92 feet long, 9 feet circumference prime cost $400, probable sale $1,800. 1 Foremast, 72 feet length, 7 feet circumference; prime cost 200 dollars, probable sale 320 dollars. 2nd Junk-1 Mainmast, 96 feet length, 9 feet circumference; prime cost 450 dollars, probable sale 2,200 dollars. 1 Foremast, 80 feet length, 8 feet circumference; prime cost 250 dollars, probable sale 340 dollars. 3rd Junk-1 Mainmast, 94 feet length, 9 feet circumference; prime cost 440 dollars, probable sale 2,100 dollars. 1 Foremast, 78 feet length, 7 feet 8 inches circumference; prime cost 240 dollars, probable sale 330 dollars. 4th Junk-1 Mainmast, 88 feet in length, 8 feet 8 inches circumference; prime cost 400 dollars, probable sale 2,100 dollars. 31. Of the above 8 spars, six have been cut in islands and places without the jurisdiction of Singapore, but still on islands under the authority of His Highness the Sultan of Rhio, viz: Poolow Boolar and Soonghye Tring, the other two were cut on an island within the Singapore districts, which are said not to afford spars of sufficient magnitude. ; 32. It is thus evident that a duty levied can easily be evaded by a supply to be provided where our jurisdiction does not extend. 33. Having thus submitted all the information I have had it in my power to collect on the subject of revenue, I must crave the favorable consideration of the Honorable the Governor in Council. if the result does not correspond with their expectations, but, as I have considered it a sacred duty to display the truth, as attested by experience on the few points of reports, I with deference submit the final decision to their better judgment, whether the regulations at present in force (already before the Government) are not considered adequate to existing circumstances and the prosperity of Singapore as a commercial depôt and a young settlement, or whether it will be prudent and necessary to add thereto or extend them, -respectfully offering my own opinion that any material alteration in the present system is unnecessary, with reference to the original object of forming the establishment, and until the island is more cleared, agriculture more resorted to, and the population become more settled and identified with the soil. I have the honor to be, &c.. Singapore, 7th April, 1827. (Signed) John Prince, Resident Councillor. List of Public Servants and European Inhabitants residing at Singapore, March, 1827. Hon'ble John Prince, Esq., Resident Councillor. Edward Presgrave, Esq., Deputy Resident, Malay Translator. S. G. Bonham, Esq., Assistant Resident, in charge of the Police and Convicts. Revd. R. Burn; Chaplain. Captain W. Flint, R.N.; Assistant Master Attendant and Post Master. Captain C. E. Davis; Garrison Staff. Lieut. P. Jackson; Executive Officer. W. Montgomerie, M.D.; Residency Assistant Surgeon. Extra Covenanted Servant from Bencoolen. R. G. Perreau. Assistants attached to different officers. Resident's and Secretary's office. J. F. Burrows. W. Hewetson. J. D'Remedios. Accountant's and Pay Office. R. Winter. T. H. Bell. Police Office and Convict Department. W. Campbell. J. Salmon Bruce, Jas. R.; employ of Messrs Amstrong & Co. Dunman, W. DeSilva, Martinus; employ of Lieutenant Jackson. Ellis, John; employ of Messrs Johnston & Co. Freeze, Frederick. Fraser, James; employ of Messrs Maxwell & Co. George, W. R.; employ of Messrs Thomas & Co. Hansen, H. F. Hawthorn, D.; Ship Carpenter. Hay, A.; of the firm of Messrs Johnston & Co. Holloway, C. Lardner, Thomas; in Mr Temperton's employ. Loch, James; Editor of the Singapore Chronicle. Milton, S.; Missionary. Macdonald, William ; employ of Morgans, Hunter & Co. Moore, R.; employ of Messrs Maxwell & Co. Napier, W. Napier, R. Page, W.; employ of Morgans, Hunter & Co. Patton, W. P.; of the Firm of Messrs Morgans, Hunter & Co. Pelling, R. E.; employ of Messrs Guthrie & Clark. Read, C. R.; of the Firm of Johnston & Co. Ryan, C.; employ of Messrs Napier, Scott & Co. |