. Dent forms a 'Provisional
Association' pending grant of a Royal Charter, 1881, composed of
Sir Rutherford Alcock, A. Dent, R. B. Martin, Admiral Mayne, W. H.
Read. Sir Rutherford energetically advocates the scheme from
patriotic motives. The British North Borneo Company incorporated
by Royal Charter, 1st November, 1881; nominal capital two
millions, L20 shares. 33,030 shares issued. Powers and conditions
of the Charter. Flag.

CHAPTER VIII. PAGES 103-117.

Area of British North Borneo exceeds that of Ceylon; points of
similarity; styled 'The New Ceylon.' Joseph Hatton's book. Tobacco
planters attracted from Sumatra. Coast-line, harbours, stations.
Sandakan town and harbour; founded by Mr. Pryer. Destroyed by
fire. Formerly used as a blockade station by Germans trading with
Sulu. Capture of the blockade runner _Sultana_ by the Spaniards.
Rich virgin soil and fever. Owing to propinquity of Hongkong and
Singapore, North Borneo cannot become an emporium for eastern
trade. Its mineralogical resources not yet ascertained. Gold,
coal, and other minerals known to exist. Gold on the Segama river.
Rich in timber. 'Billian' or iron-wood; camphor. Timber Companies.
On board one of Her Majesty's ships billian proved three times as
durable as lignum vitae. Mangrove forests. Monotony of tropical
scenery. Trade--a list of exports. Edible birds'-nests.
Description of the great Gomanton birds'-nests caves. Mr
Bampfylde. Bats' Guano. Mode of collecting nests. Lady and Miss
Brassey visit the Madai caves, 1887. Beche-de-mer, shark fins,
cuttle fish. Position of Sandakan on the route between Australia
and China--importance as a possible naval station. Shipping.
Postal arrangements. Coinage. Currency. Banking. Probable cable
station.

CHAPTER IX. PAGES 117-127.

Importance of the territory as a field for the cultivation of the
fine tobacco used for 'wrappers.' Profits of Sumatra Tobacco
Companies. Climate and Soil. Rainfall. Seasons. Dr. Walker. The
sacred mountain, Kina-balu. Description of tobacco cultivation.
Chinese the most suitable labour for tobacco; difficulty in
procuring sufficient coolies. Count Geloes d'Elsloo. Coolies
protected by Government. Terms on which land can be acquired.
Tobacco export duty. Tobacco grown and universally consumed by the
natives. Fibre plants. Government experimental garden.
Sappan-wood. Cotton flock.

CHAPTE