Evening star., 1927-03-01
PADANG HAS HOPE
OF BEING BIG PORT
Resources of Sumatra Bare
ly SCratched-Rich Coal
Deposits on Island.

"Padang, Sumatra. center of the re-
cent earthquake which shook the west
coast OF the island, is one Of the
ports that is booming with the devel-
opment of the resources Of Dutch
Last India says bulletin of the
National Geographic Society.
Sumatra's agricultural and min
efal resources have scarcely been
scratched" continues the bulletin.
But the recent interest of European
capitalists. Oriental business in
Eenuity. the importation of coolie
labor and the success OF the Dutch
In persuading the natives to work
nave already increased exports to a
point where 1t is hoped the ports of
Sumatra may rival those of Java.
Padang is the chief port of the
west coast, without competition to
the north or south for more than
zoo miles. Consequently, IL is the
gateway to the markets Of the world
Tor the coffee, coal. rubber, tobacco.
copra ana the numerous other prod.
ucts or the interior districts. Much Of
the hnest Java coffee is grown near
fadang and shipped from this port
to Java for export.
Rich i'm Coal Deposits.
The back door of Padang opens
INTO the Ombilin coal fields. covering
$4,000 acres, which are estimated to
contain more than 100000, 900 tons.
Ihe deposits were discovered in 1868.
but the government did not begin
operations until "a years later. Now
more than a third of a million tons
are mined annually. Gold and silver
mines in this vicinity are also WELD
ing pay ore.
"Padang still has many of the ear
marks Of a native village, despite its
growth. Native thatched huts are
scattered through the city. while here
ana there a Dutch villa, surrounded
by wide lawns, gives the landscape a
european touch. Usually wealthy
Dutch traders or government officials
occupy these beauty spots of Padang.
Many or the huts are Of the
famous horned roof variety. so.
called because the shape of the roof
curves up to two points like the horns
or q bullock. The traditional story
or the origin of this style Of architec.
ture is that while Sumatra and Java
were once at war so many men were
Killed In battle that the natives agreed
10 let two bullocks decide the dispute.
The Sumatran bullock was the vic.
tor and the bullock horns have since
been an emblem of triumph to the
Islanders. Some of the horns are
topped with metal which the natives
Keep polished to make them glisten
in the sunlight. Native bridge and
wagon tops also have the same pecu-
liar horn shape.
Padang Highlands Popular.
'The population of Padang has
been variously estimated at from 3S.-
900 to $1,000, including about 1000
Europeans. The foreigners find the
hot, sultry climate of the lowlying
city, and the swarms of mosquitoes
from nearby marshes unbearable at
times, and seek relief in Padang High
lands, some 5000 feet above the sea.
Fort de Kock, the principal refuge
in the highlands was primarily refuge
lished as a Dutch military garrison.
Now it is the playground of Padang.
having race course, club and hotel
and majestic scenery
THE natives of Padang and Pa
dang Highlands are mostly Menang-
kabos. The name means bullock
victros' and is said to signify supe.
riority over the Hindus of Java. The
men and women are fine physical
women is marred by the mutilatiOn of
their ears, pierced by holes from
which ornaments, sometimes as large
as the head are suspended. In ad-
dition, finger rings. bracelets, neck
laces. and other articles of jewelry
are worn in profusion. When at a
marriageable age. the young girls,
who have naturally good teeth, file
their front teeth down and the pro-
cess is repeated after marriage If they
wish to keep their husbands love.
"The development of the Menang
kabos from idlers to producers has
helped Padang in it's growth. Now
they display a cleverness in business
transactions often surprising that of
the Chinese, who have been trading in
the Indies for years"