Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-08-30

to our dollar. The weather was war;
during the day, but with pleasar
nights. Farther in the interior the
say 1t is much cooler.
The entire island is very fertile. TIL
principal crops are sugar, rubber, ric,
copper, cocoanut and pineapples /
about the ratio named, although tea
in the last few years, is being exten
sively cultivated. The natives ge
about 81 month in the fields an,
about IS to Sc as house servants
The banking house of Batavia /
of considerable Importance, owing t,
the vast agricultural resources of tn,
island and the large volume Of busi
ness that must be carried on through
this port, necessitating an enormou.
amount of capital. The largest banI
in Batavia has capital of $50, OO6. 900
of which s2O,OOO,O 900 is paid up, with
a reserve capital of s2,4OO, 900, and
pays dividend of to Is per cent
The government bank, which issues
specie has a capital of S2,5OO,OOO and
several others are nearly as large. From
Batavia it is possible to traverse the
entire island of Java by rail, as they
have very good system of narrow
guage railroad. which branches in all
directions through the island and to
important seaport towns. After a very
pleasant and profitable two days spent
IN Batavia we started north for Sing
apore, a run of two nights and a day.
For over a third of the way we
Ikirted the eastern shores of Sumatra
sland, which is also controlled by the
Dutch government 1t appeared very
ow and fiat, and we were told that
he highest elevation was not over
90 feet. Copper, cocoanut, rice and
Obacco are the principal crops raised.
he island is also well stocked with
gers.
Arrival in Singapore.
We arrived in Singapore on March
l at a. m. We were taken at once
shore, where our party was divided
alf sightseeing in the city, the bal
nee taking train for a run of seven |
zen miles through the tropical island |
} Woodland. where we crossed by |
nall steamers to the mainland to |
ahore, a town of about 10000 popu-
.tion, the capital and home of the
Titan.
we had the pleasure of viewing the
terror of the palace and strolling
trough the grounds, which are quite
rye and nicely kept up. The palace
self is a large building, with several
mailer ones adjoining, highlydecorat-
with bright paint and gilt On our
turn to Singapore we had luncheon
the noted Raffles hotel, after which
e drove about the city Singapore is
e most modern of any city yet visit
!. They have several large depart
ent stores. very similar to our gen.
al stores. The streets were very clean
I'd attractive, of a red brown clay,
ID kept clean by being constantly
'ept and sprinkled. The city has a
pulation of 800, 900 and is called the
ossroads or halfway place of the
rid. 1t is claimed that 10000 vessels
me and go through this port yearly
Alive With Vessels.
The harbor of Singapore is simply
We with vessels. Looking from the
1re as far as the eye can see Is one
ge field of masts and smoke stacks,
lie in between the water is kept
ie by the small steamers that sup
the ships with provisions and
ter Without its shipping Singapore
lld be of no great Importance, as
industries and productions are of
lparatively little value. However,
ing the past year great strides have
n made in the rubber planting in
try over 275,0O0 acres were plant
last year, and this year about 30O,-
more will be planted. Singapore |
a very pleasant climate, although
s only eighty miles north of the |
ator. Its daily rains, no doubt have |
ch to do with tempering the heat |
experienced one which inspired |
lie one of our party to suggest that
Y change the name of Singapore to |
Iblepore. |
fter too short a stay in this COM
'cial city we started on our way
III. three days run to Rangoon, be
ty of 100000. Arriving on Mon pa
morning. April 4th, we made our IA
direct to Shwe Saigon pagoda the tb
( celebrated shrine of the Budd- p,
world and probably the oldest, sit
z established about coo b. c. wi
usands from all over India visit no
shrine every year, all bringing gifts Of
hat its wealth is enormous. II is nj,
the gems in the top are worth bnl
goo. II is built upon a terrace. go,
Il 10 feet high, 500 feet long and bo
feet wide. In shape the pagoda ths
nbles huge column or cone, ho,
I 1850 feet in circumference. tap rot
rapidly in a bell-iil<e figure 10 a wo
lar column, the entire height be- On
III feet This huge structure is -.
.osed Of masonry OF stone, brick
ement. and is gilded from base to
The column is bound at fire. d.
intervals with iron bands, from
! are suspended bells OF gold. sill :"
nd bronze. pre-
sho
The Great Pagoda. ana
great terraces upon which the up
Ia stands are reached by flights