Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Ernest Woodford Birch

2009-02-03T00:34:19Z

Andrew Kidman:

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir Ernest Woodford Birch
| honorific-suffix = [[Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George|KCMG]] [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]
| image =
| image_size =
| order =8th [[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start =1904
| term_end =1910
| predecessor =Sir [[John Pickersgill Rodger]]
| successor =[[Henry Conway Belfield]]
| birth_date =April 1857
| birth_place =[[Ceylon]]
| death_date =1929
| death_place =
| spouse =[[Margaret Niven]]
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languages spoken =[[English]]
| signature =
}}

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[Indian Civil Service|ICS]]''', '''[[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]''', '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George|KCMG]]'''<ref>Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908</ref> was the eighth British resident of [[Perak]]. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

==Family==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]].<ref>Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908</ref> In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest had two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Kling]], [[Malacca]], when his son was only seven years old. His other son, Patrick followed his footstep served the [[Indian Civil Service]].<ref>Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908</ref> Sir Ernest died in 1929.

==Education==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterward served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies were interrupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the [[Straits Settlements Civil Service]].

==Career and Contributions==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was confirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]] the Protector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was transferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], in spite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.<ref>Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908</ref>

For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Government, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of Martin Lister, he was confirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognized by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.<ref>Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908</ref>

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. He became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of North Borneo|governor]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He traveled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the [[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganized the administration in Perak, and established various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]

Ernest Woodford Birch

2008-07-08T04:13:30Z

Andrew Kidman:

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir Ernest Woodford Birch
| honorific-suffix = [[Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George|KCMG]] [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]
| image =
| image_size =
| order =8th [[List of British Residents of Perak |British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start =1904
| term_end =1910
| predecessor =Sir [[John Pickersgill Rodger]]
| successor =[[Henry Conway Belfield]]
| birth_date =April 1857
| birth_place =[[Ceylon]]
| death_date =1929
| death_place =
| spouse =[[Margaret Niven]]
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =[[English]]
| signature =
}}

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[Indian Civil Service|ICS]]''', '''[[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]''', '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George|KCMG]]''' was the eighth British resident of [[Perak]]. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

==Family==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]]. In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest had two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Kling]], [[Malacca]], when his son was only seven years old. His other son, Patrick followed his footstep served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. Sir Ernest died in 1929.

==Education==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterwards served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies were interrupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the [[Straits Settlements Civil Service]].

==Career and Contributions==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was confirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]] the Protector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was transferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], in spite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.

For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Govenrnment, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of Martin Lister, he was confirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognised by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. He became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of Labuan]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He travelled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the [[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganised the administration in Perak, and established various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]

William George Maxwell

2008-07-06T05:39:08Z

Andrew Kidman:

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir William George Maxwell
| honorific-suffix = [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]
| image =George maxwell.jpg
| caption =
| order =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start =1909
| term_end =1915
| deputy =
| predecessor =none, post created
| successor =[[Littleton Edward Pipe-Wolferstan]]
| order2 =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start2 =1918
| term_end2 =1919
| deputy2 =
| predecessor2 =[[G.A. Hall]]
| successor2 =[[Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur]]
| order3 =[[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start3 =1919
| term_end3 =1921
| deputy3 =
| predecessor3 =Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]
| successor3 =Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]
| birth_date =1871
| birth_place =[[Singapore]]
| death_date = 1959
| death_place =
| spouse = Lady Evelyn Maxwell
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =
| signature =
}}

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]''', '''[[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]''' was born in 1871 in [[Singapore]] and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

==Contributions and Honours==
On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir". In order to remember his contributions in Perak, [[Maxwell Hill]] in [[Taiping, Perak|Taiping]] was named after him.

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, George}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

Ernest Woodford Birch

2008-07-05T03:43:51Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Family */

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir Ernest Woodford Birch
| honorific-suffix = [[Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George|KCMG]] [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]
| image =
| image_size =
| order =8th [[List of British Residents of Perak |British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start =1904
| term_end =1910
| predecessor =Sir [[John Pickersgill Rodger]]
| successor =[[Henry Conway Belfield]]
| birth_date3 =April 1857
| birth_place =[[Ceylon]]
| death_date =1929
| death_place =
| spouse =[[Margaret Niven]]
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =[[English]]
| signature =
}}

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[Indian Civil Service|ICS]]''', '''[[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]''', '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George|KCMG]]''' was the eighth British resident of [[Perak]]. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

==Family==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]]. In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest had two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Kling]], [[Malacca]], when his son was only seven years old. His other son, Patrick followed his footstep served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. Sir Ernest died in 1929.

==Education==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterwards served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies were interrupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the [[Straits Settlements Civil Service]].

==Career and Contributions==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was confirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]] the Protector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was transferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], in spite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.

For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Govenrnment, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of Martin Lister, he was confirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognised by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. He became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of Labuan]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He travelled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the [[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganised the administration in Perak, and established various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]

Ernest Woodford Birch

2008-07-05T03:41:59Z

Andrew Kidman:

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir Ernest Woodford Birch
| honorific-suffix = [[Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George|KCMG]] [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]
| image =
| image_size =
| order =8th [[List of British Residents of Perak |British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start =1904
| term_end =1910
| predecessor =Sir [[John Pickersgill Rodger]]
| successor =[[Henry Conway Belfield]]
| birth_date3 =April 1857
| birth_place =[[Ceylon]]
| death_date =1929
| death_place =
| spouse =[[Margaret Niven]]
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =[[English]]
| signature =
}}

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[Indian Civil Service|ICS]]''', '''[[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]''', '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George|KCMG]]''' was the eighth British resident of [[Perak]]. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

==Family==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]]. In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest have two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Kling]], [[Malacca]], when he was seven. His other son, Patrick was served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. Sir Ernest died in 1929.

==Education==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterwards served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies were interrupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the [[Straits Settlements Civil Service]].

==Career and Contributions==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was confirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]] the Protector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was transferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], in spite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.

For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Govenrnment, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of Martin Lister, he was confirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognised by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. He became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of Labuan]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He travelled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the [[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganised the administration in Perak, and established various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]

William George Maxwell

2008-07-04T05:58:11Z

Andrew Kidman:

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir William George Maxwell
| honorific-suffix = [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]
| image =George maxwell.jpg
| caption =
| order =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start =1909
| term_end =1915
| deputy =
| predecessor =none, post created
| successor =[[Littleton Edward Pipe-Wolferstan]]
| order2 =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start2 =1918
| term_end2 =1919
| deputy2 =
| predecessor2 =[[G.A. Hall]]
| successor2 =[[Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur]]
| order3 =[[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start3 =1919
| term_end3 =1921
| deputy3 =
| predecessor3 =Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]
| successor3 =Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]
| birth_date =1871
| birth_place =[[Singapore]]
| death_date = 1959
| death_place =
| spouse =
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =
| signature =
}}

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]''', '''[[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]''' was born in 1871 in [[Singapore]] and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

==Contributions and Honours==
On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir". In order to remember his contributions in Perak, [[Maxwell Hill]] in [[Taiping, Perak|Taiping]] was named after him.

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, George}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

William George Maxwell

2008-07-04T05:50:51Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Career */

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir William George Maxwell
| honorific-suffix = '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]'''
| image =George maxwell.jpg
| caption =
| order =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start =1909
| term_end =1915
| deputy =
| predecessor =none, post created
| successor =[[Littleton Edward Pipe-Wolferstan]]
| order2 =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start2 =1918
| term_end2 =1919
| deputy2 =
| predecessor2 =[[G.A. Hall]]
| successor2 =[[Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur]]
| order3 =[[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start3 =1919
| term_end3 =1921
| deputy3 =
| predecessor3 =Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]
| successor3 =Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]
| birth_date =1871
| birth_place =[[Singapore]]
| death_date = 1959
| death_place =
| spouse =
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =
| signature =
}}

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]''' was born in 1871 in [[Singapore]] and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

==Contributions and Honours==
On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir". In order to remember his contributions in Perak, [[Maxwell Hill]] in [[Taiping, Perak|Taiping]] was named after him.

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, George}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

William George Maxwell

2008-07-01T05:10:11Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Sources and references */

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir William George Maxwell
| honorific-suffix = '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]'''
| image =George maxwell.jpg
| caption =
| order =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start =1909
| term_end =1915
| deputy =
| predecessor =none, post created
| successor =[[Littleton Edward Pipe-Wolferstan]]
| order2 =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start2 =1918
| term_end2 =1919
| deputy2 =
| predecessor2 =[[G.A. Hall]]
| successor2 =[[Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur]]
| order3 =[[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start3 =1919
| term_end3 =1921
| deputy3 =
| predecessor3 =Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]
| successor3 =Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]
| birth_date =1871
| birth_place =[[Singapore]]
| death_date = 1959
| death_place =
| spouse =
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =
| signature =
}}

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]''' was born in 1871 in [[Singapore]] and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir".

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, George}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

William George Maxwell

2008-06-27T07:47:57Z

Andrew Kidman:

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir William George Maxwell
| honorific-suffix = '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]'''
| image =George maxwell.jpg
| caption =
| order =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start =1909
| term_end =1915
| deputy =
| predecessor =none, post created
| successor =[[Littleton Edward Pipe-Wolferstan]]
| order2 =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start2 =1918
| term_end2 =1919
| deputy2 =
| predecessor2 =[[G.A. Hall]]
| successor2 =[[Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur]]
| order3 =[[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start3 =1919
| term_end3 =1921
| deputy3 =
| predecessor3 =Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]
| successor3 =Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]
| birth_date =1871
| birth_place =[[Singapore]]
| death_date = 1959
| death_place =
| spouse =
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =
| signature =
}}

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]''' was born in 1871 in [[Singapore]] and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir".

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, William}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

William George Maxwell

2008-06-27T07:46:04Z

Andrew Kidman:

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir William George Maxwell
| image =George maxwell.jpg
| caption =
| order =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start =1909
| term_end =1915
| deputy =
| predecessor =none, post created
| successor =[[Littleton Edward Pipe-Wolferstan]]
| order2 =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start2 =1918
| term_end2 =1919
| deputy2 =
| predecessor2 =[[G.A. Hall]]
| successor2 =[[Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur]]
| order3 =[[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start3 =1919
| term_end3 =1921
| deputy3 =
| predecessor3 =Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]
| successor3 =Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]
| birth_date =1871
| birth_place =[[Singapore]]
| death_date = 1959
| death_place =
| spouse =
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =
| signature =
}}

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]''' was born in 1871 in [[Singapore]] and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir".

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, William}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

William George Maxwell

2008-06-27T07:28:50Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Sources and references */

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir William George Maxwell
| image =George maxwell.jpg
| caption =
| order =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start =1909
| term_end =1915
| deputy =
| predecessor =none, post created
| successor =[[Littleton Edward Pipe-Wolferstan]]
| order2 =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start2 =1918
| term_end2 =1919
| deputy2 =
| predecessor2 =[[G.A. Hall]]
| successor2 =[[Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur]]
| order3 =[[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start3 =1919
| term_end3 =1921
| deputy3 =
| predecessor3 =Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]
| successor3 =Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]
| birth_date =1871
| birth_place =
| death_date = 1959
| death_place =
| spouse =
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =
| signature =
}}

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]''' was born in 1871 and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir".

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, William}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

William George Maxwell

2008-06-27T07:19:08Z

Andrew Kidman:

{{Infobox President
| name =Sir William George Maxwell
| image =George maxwell.jpg
| caption =
| order =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start =1909
| term_end =1915
| deputy =
| predecessor =none, post created
| successor =[[Littleton Edward Pipe-Wolferstan]]
| order2 =[[British Adviser for Kedah]]
| term_start2 =1918
| term_end2 =1919
| deputy2 =
| predecessor2 =[[G.A. Hall]]
| successor2 =[[Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur]]
| order3 =[[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]
| term_start3 =1919
| term_end3 =1921
| deputy3 =
| predecessor3 =Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]
| successor3 =Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]
| birth_date =1871
| birth_place =
| death_date = 1959
| death_place =
| spouse =
| religion =[[Christianity|Christian]]
| constituency =
| party =
| languagesspoken =
| signature =
}}

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]''' was born in 1871 and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir".

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, William}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

William George Maxwell

2008-06-27T07:02:19Z

Andrew Kidman:

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]''' was born in 1871 and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir".

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, William}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

William George Maxwell

2008-06-27T07:00:53Z

Andrew Kidman:

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' '''[[KBE]]''' was born in 1871 and died in 1959. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]]. Sir George was a British naturalist and colonial admistator in [[British Malaya]] and [[Straits Settlements]]. His father W.E. Maxwell was a famous colonial officer in British Malaya, who holded the post as British High Commissioners in Malaya and Governor of Straits Settlements.

==Career==
Sir George entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley (Perak). He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906). On [[9 July]] [[1909]], the [[Bangkok Agreement]], which was ratified by the British and Siamese, effectively delivered [[Kedah]] to the British and Sir George was appointted as British Adviser of Kedah (1909 - 1915) and (1918 - 1919). He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926).

On [[29 November]] [[1929]], he opened the [[Sultan Idris Training College]] in Perak and making it the highest institution of learning exclusively for the Malays at that time. He was knighted with [[KBE]] in 1924 and carried the title "Sir".

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, William}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

William George Maxwell

2008-06-26T07:14:10Z

Andrew Kidman: ←Created page with ''''Sir William George Maxwell''' was born in 1871. He was the eldest son of William Edward Maxwell and Lilias Grant Mackay. He entered the service of th...'

'''Sir William George Maxwell''' was born in 1871. He was the eldest son of [[William Edward Maxwell]] and [[Lilias Grant Mackay]].

He entered the service of the Perak Government as a junior officer in 1891. Since that time he has been Assistant District Magistrate and Registrar of Courts in Kinta Valley. He was also the Assistant Secretary to the Government of Perak, Acting Collector of Land Revenue in Larut, Registrar of Titles and Warden of Mines in Northern Perak and Acting Senior Magistrate for [[Selangor]], [[Negeri Sembilan]], and [[Perak]]. In 1904, he was transferred to the Civil Service of [[Straits Settlements]] and has been Acting Commissioner of the Court of Requests in [[Singapore]].

Sir William also posted as the District Officer of Dinding, [[Perak]], Solicitor General (1906), He was also the British Resident of Perak (1919 - 1921) and Chief Secretary of [[Federated Malay States]] (1921 - 1926). He was knighted in 1924 carried the title "Sir".

== Sources and references ==

*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm WorldStatesmen - Malaysia]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jandjroots/Mackay/d0007/g0000027.html#I6326 Maxwell family tree]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir [[Reginald George Watson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List_of_British_Residents_of_Perak|British Resident of Perak]]|years=1919 – 1921}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir [[William James Parke Hume]]}}
{{end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, William}}
[[category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}
[[ms:J.W.W. Birch]]

Ernest Woodford Birch

2008-03-29T12:32:53Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Career and Contributions */

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[Indian Civil Service|ICS]]''', '''[[CMG]]''', '''[[KCMG]]''' was the seventh British resident of [[Perak]]. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

=='''Family'''==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]]. In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest have two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Kling]], [[Malacca]], when he was seven. His other son, Patrick was served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. Sir Ernest died in 1929.

=='''Education'''==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterwards served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies was interupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the [[Straits Settlements Civil Service]].

=='''Career and Contributions'''==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was comfirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]] the Protector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was tranferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], inspite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.

For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Govenrnment, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of Martin Lister, he was comfirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognised by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. He became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of Labuan]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He travelled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the [[List of British Residents of Perak|British Resident of Perak]]. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganised the admnistration in Perak, and establihed various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{UK-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

Ernest Woodford Birch

2008-03-29T12:30:50Z

Andrew Kidman:

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[Indian Civil Service|ICS]]''', '''[[CMG]]''', '''[[KCMG]]''' was the seventh British resident of [[Perak]]. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

=='''Family'''==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]]. In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest have two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Kling]], [[Malacca]], when he was seven. His other son, Patrick was served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. Sir Ernest died in 1929.

=='''Education'''==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterwards served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies was interupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the [[Straits Settlements Civil Service]].

=='''Career and Contributions'''==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was comfirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]] the Protector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was tranferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], inspite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.

For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Govenrnment, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of Martin Lister, he was comfirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognised by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. He became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of Labuan]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He travelled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the Biritsh Resident of Perak. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganised the admnistration in Perak, and establihed various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{UK-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

Ernest Woodford Birch

2008-03-29T12:29:56Z

Andrew Kidman:

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[Indian Civil Service|ICS]]''', '''[[CMG]]''', '''[[KCMG]]''' was the seventh British resident of [[Perak]]. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

=='''Family'''==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]]. In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest have two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Kling]], [[Malacca]], when he was seven. His other son, Patrick was served the Indian Civil Service. Sir Ernest died in 1929.

=='''Education'''==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterwards served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies was interupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the [[Straits Settlements Service]].

=='''Career and Contributions'''==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was comfirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]] the Protector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was tranferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], inspite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.

For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Govenrnment, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of Martin Lister, he was comfirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognised by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. He became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of Labuan]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He travelled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the Biritsh Resident of Perak. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganised the admnistration in Perak, and establihed various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{UK-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

Ernest Woodford Birch

2008-03-29T05:22:07Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Career and Contributions */

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[CMG]]''', '''[[KCMG]]''' was the seventh British resident of [[Perak]]. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

=='''Family'''==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]]. In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest have two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Kling]], [[Malacca]], when he was seven. His other son, Patrick was served the Indian Civil Service. Sir Ernest died in 1929.

=='''Education'''==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterwards served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies was interupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the Straits Settlements Service.

=='''Career and Contributions'''==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was comfirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]] the Protector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was tranferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], inspite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.

For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Govenrnment, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of Martin Lister, he was comfirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognised by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. He became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of Labuan]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He travelled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the Biritsh Resident of Perak. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganised the admnistration in Perak, and establihed various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{UK-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

Ernest Woodford Birch

2008-03-29T04:41:44Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Family */

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[CMG]]''', '''[[KCMG]]''' was the seventh British resident of Perak. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

=='''Family'''==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]]. In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest have two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Kling]], [[Malacca]], when he was seven. His other son, Patrick was served the Indian Civil Service. Sir Ernest died in 1929.

=='''Education'''==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterwards served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies was interupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the Straits Settlements Service.

=='''Career and Contributions'''==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885 he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was comfirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]]m the Portector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was tranferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], inspite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.

For eight months in 1892 he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Govenrnment, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of martin Lister, he was comfirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the [[Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti]], who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognised by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenur grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. he became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of Labuan]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He travelled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace.

In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the Biritsh Resident of Perak. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganised the admnistration in Perak, and establihed various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{UK-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

Ernest Woodford Birch

2008-03-29T04:39:44Z

Andrew Kidman: ←Created page with ''''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''CMG''', '''KCMG''' was the seventh British resident of Perak. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[Ja...'

'''Sir Ernest Woodford Birch''', '''[[CMG]]''', '''[[KCMG]]''' was the seventh British resident of Perak. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of [[James Wheeler Woodford Birch]]. He was born in [[Ceylon]] in April 1857.

=='''Family'''==
At the age of ten, he was sent to [[England]] to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, [[Hertford]]. In 1882, he married [[Margaret Niven]] the eldest daughter of Mr. [[Lawrence Niven]], the then Director of the [[Singapore Botanical Gardens]]. Sir Ernest have two sons and four daughters, but in 1890, he had the inexpressible sorrow of losing their eldest son by drowning at [[Tanjung Keling]], [[Malacca]], when he was seven. His other son, Patrick was served the Indian Civil Service. Sir Ernest died in 1929.

=='''Education'''==
Sir Ernest was educated at [[Hertford Grammar School]], [[Sidney College]], [[Bath]], [[Elstree School]] and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterwards served the [[Indian Civil Service]]. His studies was interupted when his father was murdered in [[Pasir Salak]]. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the [[Colonial Office]] at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the Straits Settlements Service.

=='''Career and Contributions'''==
Upon his arrival in [[Singapore]], he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the [[Colonial Office]] enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.

In 1881, he was incharged of the Land Office at [[Malacca]] for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at [[Singapore]]. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885 he made his first official visit to [[Cocos Islands]] and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was comfirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire the murderous attack on Mr [[W.A. Pickering]]m the Portector of Chinese.

In January 1888, Sir Ernest was tranferred to [[Malacca]] in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir [[William Maxwell]]. He was also the District Officer at [[Alor Gajah]] and [[Jasin]], inspite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir [[William Maxwell]] to investigate the land system in [[Selangor]], and he made two reports upon it.

For eight months in 1892 he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into [[Perak]] and in urging forward the [[Kerian]] irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir [[Frank Swettenham]] on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.

During his office as the Acting British Resident, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for [[2 November]] [[1895]] the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Govenrnment, and in February 1897, he went to [[Negeri Sembilan]] to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Mr [[Martin Lister]] and upon the death of martin Lister, he was comfirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the [[Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti]], who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognised by them as the constitutional head of [[Negeri Sembilan]]. During his short administration, [[Negeri Sembilan]]'s revenur grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.

In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by [[Queen Victoria]] at [[Windsor]] with the [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]. he became the principal representative of the [[British North Borneo Company]] and posted as the [[Governor of Labuan]] in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in [[North Borneo]]. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He travelled over the whole territory in [[North Borneo]], and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace.

In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to [[England]], and in February 1904, he was appointed as the Biritsh Resident of Perak. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganised the admnistration in Perak, and establihed various clubs and introduced many sports to the state.

==References==
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malay_states.htm World Statesmen]
* Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, Ernest Woodford}}
[[Category:1857 births]]
[[Category:1929 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Perak]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
{{UK-gov-bio-stub}}
{{UK-bio-stub}}
{{Malaysia-bio-stub}}
{{Singapore-bio-stub}}

Straits-Dollar

2008-01-03T08:17:27Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Straits Settlements government issues (1899 - 1942) */

The '''Straits dollar''' was the currency used in the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonies and protectorates in [[Malaya]] and [[Borneo]], including the [[Straits Settlements]] until [[1939]].

==History==
In the early nineteenth century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the [[Spanish dollar]], including issues both from Spain and from the Spanish colonies, most significantly [[Mexico]]. Locally issued coinages included the [[Kelantan keping|Kelantan]] and [[Trengganu keping]], and the [[Penang dollar]].

In 1837, the [[Indian rupee]] was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of [[India]]. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar, with the dollar equal to the Spanish dollar or [[Mexican peso]]. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.

From 1898, the Straits dollar was issued by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency and private banks were prevented from issuing notes. Its value depreciated over the next eight years and was then pegged at two [[shilling]]s four [[pence]] [[Pound sterling|sterling]] in 1906.

The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the [[Malayan dollar]] in 1939.

==Coins==
The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in [[1845]] were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were introduced in 1903. As a consequence of the depreciation in the dollar's value, the silver content of the coinage was reduced from 1907. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

==Banknotes==
The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollars notes in 1898, followed by 50 and 100 dollars in 1901 and 1 dollar in 1906. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and [[1920]]. 1000 dollars notes were issued in 1930 but during the 1930s only 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were issued.

===Straits Settlements government issues (1899 - 1942)===

'''[[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] ([[1837]] - [[1901]])'''

The Government of [[Straits Settlements]], was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on [[31 August]] [[1898]]. These notes, although dated [[1 September]] [[1898]], were not issued to the public until [[1 May]] [[1899]]. Both the [[Standard Chartered Bank|Chartered Bank]] and [[Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank]] continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely exchangeable with the [[Mexican dollar]] or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

'''[[King Edward VII of the United Kingdom|King Edward VII]] ([[1901]] - [[1910]])'''

[[Edward VII of the United Kingdom|King Edward]] ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated [[1 February]] [[1901]] were printed by [[De La Rue|Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]] of [[London]].

In [[1903]], a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the [[Straits Settlements]], and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by [[1904]]. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this Straits dollar and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

During the change over period, fear of a shortage of coin led to the introduction of the one-dollar note, fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver. To effect this, the [[British sovereign coin|British gold sovereign]] was for the first time declared legal tender, and the Straits dollar was given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling. This dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, so that to a very large extent it replaced the need for the silver coin.

By the end of 1906, the currency circulation had risen to $21,866,142, while that of the private banks had fallen to $1,329,052 (20th Century Impressions of British Malaya p.138). The one-dollar notes, which were dated 1 September 1906, were printed by the [[London]] firm of [[De La Rue|Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. A five-dollar and a ten-dollar none both dated [[8 June]] [[1909]], were printed [[De La Rue|Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]].

'''[[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] ([[1910]] - [[1936]])'''

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In [[1915]], it was decided to make a complete change in the design of the 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by [[De La Rue|Thomas de la Rue]]. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

'''[[Edward VIII of the United Kingdom|King Edward VIII]] ([[1936]])'''

No special issue of notes was made during this brief reign.

'''[[George VI of the United Kingdom|King George VI]] ([[1936]] - [[1952]])

In September 1933, Sir [[Basil Blackett]] was appointed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] to lead a commission to consider the participation of the various [[Malay States]], including [[Brunei]], in the profits and liabilities of the [[Straits Settlements]] currency. The Blackett Report recommended that the sole power of issuing currency for the area should be entrusted to a pan-Malayan Currency Commission. This recommendation wa adopted by the [[Government of the Straits Settlements]], the [[Federated Malay States]], [[Unfederated Malay States]] and [[Brunei]]. Legislation was enacted by the Straits Settlements Currency Ordinance (No. 23) of 1938, and ratified by the various states during 1939.

Out of 27,000,000 one dollar notes and 5,600,000 five dollar notes of the same series despatched to Malaya before the Japanese invasion; 25,800,000 one dollar notes and 5,000,000 five dollar notes actually arrived. Of the remainder, 700,000 one dollar notes and 500,000 five dollar notes were seized by the Germans when one of their raiders captured the [[SS Automedon]]; and further 500,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were lost when the carrying ship, the [[SS Eumanes]], was sunk.

None of these notes were ever put into circulation by the Straits Settlement Government, so that at the time of Japanese invasion they were still held in treasury vaults in [[Singapore]] and [[Penang]].

When [[Penang]] was evacuated in December 1941, 600,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were abandoned in the treasury, where they fell into the hands of the Japanese. In [[Singapore]], 4,200,000 one dollar and 1,000,000 five dollar notes were destroyed, and 21,000,000 one dollar notes and 3,900,000 five dollar notes shipped to [[India]] for safety.

When [[United Kingdom|British]] forces reoccupied [[Singapore]] in September 1945, they found all the abandoned notes of this series, except for the one bundle of one thousand of the notes captured in [[Penang]], in the vaults of the Japanese sub-treasury.

All stocks were destroyed in 1946, as it was feared that the notes from the captured ship might have been handed over by the Germans to their Japanese allies, and were being hoarded in bulk, ready to be passed into circulation when the notes became current. There are no evidence that these notes ever reached [[Malaya]]. All the notes were signed by L.G. Corney, the Chairman of the [[Board of the Commissioners of Currency]].

===British Military Administration in Malaya (1945 - 1946)===
[[United Kingdom|British]] forces landed at [[Penang]] on [[3 September]] [[1945]] and at [[Singapore]] on [[5 September]] [[1945]] and gradually reoccupied the whole [[Malaya]]. Until [[1 April]] [[1946]], the country's finances were administrated by the department of the Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Army Pay Corps, and currency was put into circulation against payment in sterling by the [[War Office]] to the account of the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]].

It was decided that no value whatever should be accorded the Japanese [[banana money]] then in circulation, as it had been estimated that during the three and a half years occupation the Japanese had issued a minimum of 4,000 million dollars worth of currency against a normal 1941 circulation of about 220 million (Donnison p.223). The pay service made available currency notes from 1 cent to 10,000 dollars which had been printed in [[UK|Britain]] either before, or during, the occupation but had not previously been sent to [[Malaya]]. In addition, the 1940 ten dollars note issued by the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]] and the old [[Straits Settlements]] notes, with the exception of denominations of 1,000 or 10,000 dollars and 10 and 25 cents, were declared legal tender. These old notes were gradually withdrawn, however, as the new issue became adequate for the country's needs.

The notes of this series from 1 cent to 10 dollars were dated [[1 July]] [[1941]], those of 50, 100 and 1,000 dollars [[1 January]] [[1942]], while the 10,000 dollars notes were signed and dated on the day of their issue. The Chairman for the Currency Board was H. Weisberg. The emergency issues of 1 cent with [[King George VI]] as the portrait was issued on [[15 August]] [[1940]], designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] (F.M.S.) in Kuala Lumpur with the controlled serial number. On [[1 September]] [[1940]], also an emergency issues of 25 cents was designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] with [[King George VI]] as the portrait. On [[1 July]] [[1941]], a set of new regular issues, with the denomination of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents was printed by [[De La Rue|Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]], [[London]] with the portrait of [[King George VI]]. Also on the same date of [[1 July]] [[1941]], the 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were engraved and printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], [[London]], and the higher denomination of 50, 100, 1000 and 10,000 dollars notes were printed by [[Bradbury Wilkinson|Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.]], [[Surrey]], [[London]].

===Civil Administration===

Civil administration was restored on the [[1 April]] [[1946]]; and from the same date the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]], was reconstituted bt the authority or Ordinance No.4 of 1946 in [[Singapore]] and Ordinance No.5 of 1946 in the [[Malayan Union]]. The Board continued to operate in the same way as before the [[Japanese occupation of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak|Japanese occupation]].

All notes bearing dates prior to [[1 July]] [[1941]], were demonetized on [[31 August]] [[1948]].

The Currency Ordinance No. 44 of 1952 of the [[Crown Colony of Singapore]], No. 33 of 1951 of the [[Federation of Malaya]], No. 10 of 1951 of the [[British North Borneo]] and No. 1 of 1951 of the [[Crown Colony of Sarawak]] implemented an agreement between those governments and the [[State of Brunei]] for the establishment of a [[Board of Commissioners of Currency]] to be the sole issuing authority in [[Malaya]] and [[British Borneo]]. This agreement became effective on [[1 January]] [[1952]]. The Board consisted of five members:

# Financial Secretary of [[Singapore]]
# Minister of Finance for the [[Federation of Malaya]]
# Governor of [[Sarawak]]
# Governor of [[British North Borneo]]
# British Resident of [[Brunei]]

and two further appointed by agreement of the participating governments. The Chairman was the Financial Secretary of [[Singapore]].

==References==
{{refbegin}}
* Emerson, Rupert, 1964,Malaysia A Study in Direct and Indirect Rule, Macmillan Company
* Shaw, William, 1971, Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970), Museum Department of States of Malaya
{{refend}}

==See also==
{{Standard numismatics external links
| world_coin_gallery_1_url = Malaysia
| world_coin_gallery_1_name = Malaysia
| banknote_world_1_url = straits_settlements
| banknote_world_1_name = Straits Settlements
| dollarization_1_url = asia
| dollarization_1_name = Asia
| gfd_1_url =
| gfd_1_name =
| gfd_data_1_url = 4020
| gfd_data_1_name = Singapore Dollar
| show_gfd_excel = Y
}}

{{dollar}}

[[Category:Obsolete currencies in Malaysian history]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]

[[hu:Malaka-szorosi dollár]]
[[zh:叻币]]

Malaya- und Britisch-Borneo-Dollar

2007-05-08T13:16:55Z

Andrew Kidman: /* 1959 Series */

The '''Malaya and British Borneo dollar''' was the [[currency]] of [[Malaya]], [[Singapore]], [[Sarawak]], [[British North Borneo]] and [[Brunei]] from [[1953]] to [[1967]]. Malaya continued to use this currency after independence in [[1957]] and the formation of [[Malaysia]] in [[1963]], as did Singapore after its independence in [[1965]].

==History==

The Malayan and British Borneo dollar was issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo. It was subdivided into 100 ''cents'' and replaced the [[Sarawak dollar]], [[British North Borneo dollar]] and [[Malayan dollar]] (also used in [[Singapore]] and [[Brunei]]) at par. Like its predecessor, it was pegged at one dollar to 2 [[shilling]]s 4 [[pence]] [[sterling]].

In 1967, the Malaya and British Borneo dollar was replaced by three new currencies: the [[Malaysian ringgit]], the [[Singapore dollar]] and the [[Brunei dollar]], all at par. The Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo, was finally wound up in [[1979]].

When the [[pound sterling]] was devalued in November 1967, existing Malaya and British Borneo dollar banknotes (pegged at 2s. 4d.) lost 15% of their value, but continued to be legal tender until 1969, at the reduced value of 85 Malaysian cents per old dollar. Notes issued in the new currencies were not devalued. This led to a general strike, or [[hartal]], and riots in [[Penang]].

The symbol of the Malaya and British Borneo dollar was [[Dollar sign|$]].

Throughout its lifetime, the Malayan and British North Bornean dollar had remained pegged with the [[British pound]] at 2s. 4d. ($60 = £7).

==Coins==
Coins were available in 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

==Banknotes==
===1953 Series===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
! Denomination !! Dominant Color !! Front !! Back !! Printed Date
|-
| $1 || blue ||rowspan=7| [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]] ||rowspan=5| [[State emblem of Malaysia|State emblems]] of the then 16 states ||rowspan=7| [[March 21]], [[1953]]
|-
| $5 || green
|-
| $10 || red
|-
| $50 || blue
|-
| $100 || violet and brown
|-
| $1,000 || violet ||
|-
| $10,000 || green ||
|}
All this notes bear the date [[21 March]] [[1953]], and signed by W.C. Taylor, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioner of Currency. The 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], the 50 and 100 dollars notes were printed by [[Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.]] and the 1,000 and 10,000 dollars notes were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. As a safeguard against forgery, a broken security thread and the watermark of a lion's head were incorporated in the paper before printing.

===1959 Series===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
! Denomination !! Dominant Color !! Front !! Back !! Printed Date
|-
| $1 || blue || Sailing boat || Sailing boat and [[State emblem of Malaysia|State emblems]] of the then 5 states || [[March 1]], [[1959]]
|-
| $10 || red || Farmer plowing with ox || [[State emblem of Malaysia|State emblems]] of the then 5 states || [[March 1]], [[1961]]
|}
'''First Type of $1 Note'''

Although these notes bear the date [[1 March]] [[1959]], they were not released to the public until [[1 June]] [[1959]]. They were printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], on paper that corporated a broken gold security thread on the right and a [[Malayan tiger]]'s head watermark in centre.

'''Second Type of $1 Note'''

It was exactly similar in design and bore the same date, but the colour varied slightly from the first issue. By the [[Malaya]] and [[British Borneo]] Currency Agreement of [[1960]], which came into force on [[1 January]] [[1961]], the [[Federation of Malaya]]was given increased representation on the Currency Board. it was agreed that the Federation should nominate two members, one of whom would be the Chairman; and the other four participating governments. The [[Federation of Malaya]] and [[Singapore]] representatives had 3 votes each, and each of the other members had one vote. Under the new agreement, the powers previously exercised by the [[British]] [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] were vested in the newly constituted Board.

The next note, although it was dated [[1 march]] [[1961]], but not put into circulation until [[28 August]] [[1961]]. It was printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]],and for the first time incorporated 2 security threads; one the normal broken gold thread slightly to the right of centre of the note, and the other a line of unbroken metallic thread closer to the right hand edge. the two security threads were set about 1¼ inches apart from each other.

Note that this coloring theme still live on in today's three successor currencies.

==References==
*{{cite book | title=Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues to 1960 |edition=8th ed. | author=Albert Pick | editor=Neil Shafer, George S. Cuhaj, Colin R. Bruce II (editors) | publisher=Krause Publications | year=1996 | id=ISBN 0-87341-469-1 }}
*{{cite book | title=2004 Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1901-present |edition= 31st ed. | editor=Chester L. Krause, Cliffor Mischler, Colin R. Bruce II, et al. (editors) | publisher=Krause Publications | year=2003 | id=ISBN 0-87349-593-4 }}

==External links==
*[http://www.globalfinancialdata.com/gh/GHC_Histories.xls Global Financial Data currency histories table]
*[http://users.erols.com/kurrency/asia.htm Tables of modern monetary history: Asia]

{{n-start}}
{{n-before|currency=[[Sarawak dollar|Sarawak dollar (post-WWII)]]|reason=creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Sarawak]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
{{n-currency|rowspan=4|location=[[Malaysia]]|start=[[1963]]|end=[[1967]]|note=formation of the Federation}}
{{n-after|rowspan=3|currency=[[Malaysian ringgit]]|location=[[Malaysia]]|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}

{{n-before|currency=[[British North Borneo dollar|British North Borneo dollar (post-WWII)]]|reason=creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}
{{n-currency|location=[[British North Borneo]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
|-

{{n-before|rowspan=3|currency=[[Malayan dollar|Malayan dollar (post-WWII)]]|reason=creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Malaya]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
|-

{{n-currency|location=[[Singapore]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
{{n-after|currency=[[Singapore dollar]]|location=[[Singapore]]|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds|reason=Independence}}

{{n-currency|colspan=2|location=[[Brunei]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1967]]}}
{{n-after|currency=[[Brunei dollar]]|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds|reason=Currency Agreement}}
{{n-end}}

{{dollar}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]

Malaya- und Britisch-Borneo-Dollar

2007-05-08T13:11:05Z

Andrew Kidman: /* 1959 Series */

The '''Malaya and British Borneo dollar''' was the [[currency]] of [[Malaya]], [[Singapore]], [[Sarawak]], [[British North Borneo]] and [[Brunei]] from [[1953]] to [[1967]]. Malaya continued to use this currency after independence in [[1957]] and the formation of [[Malaysia]] in [[1963]], as did Singapore after its independence in [[1965]].

==History==

The Malayan and British Borneo dollar was issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo. It was subdivided into 100 ''cents'' and replaced the [[Sarawak dollar]], [[British North Borneo dollar]] and [[Malayan dollar]] (also used in [[Singapore]] and [[Brunei]]) at par. Like its predecessor, it was pegged at one dollar to 2 [[shilling]]s 4 [[pence]] [[sterling]].

In 1967, the Malaya and British Borneo dollar was replaced by three new currencies: the [[Malaysian ringgit]], the [[Singapore dollar]] and the [[Brunei dollar]], all at par. The Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo, was finally wound up in [[1979]].

When the [[pound sterling]] was devalued in November 1967, existing Malaya and British Borneo dollar banknotes (pegged at 2s. 4d.) lost 15% of their value, but continued to be legal tender until 1969, at the reduced value of 85 Malaysian cents per old dollar. Notes issued in the new currencies were not devalued. This led to a general strike, or [[hartal]], and riots in [[Penang]].

The symbol of the Malaya and British Borneo dollar was [[Dollar sign|$]].

Throughout its lifetime, the Malayan and British North Bornean dollar had remained pegged with the [[British pound]] at 2s. 4d. ($60 = £7).

==Coins==
Coins were available in 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

==Banknotes==
===1953 Series===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
! Denomination !! Dominant Color !! Front !! Back !! Printed Date
|-
| $1 || blue ||rowspan=7| [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]] ||rowspan=5| [[State emblem of Malaysia|State emblems]] of the then 16 states ||rowspan=7| [[March 21]], [[1953]]
|-
| $5 || green
|-
| $10 || red
|-
| $50 || blue
|-
| $100 || violet and brown
|-
| $1,000 || violet ||
|-
| $10,000 || green ||
|}
All this notes bear the date [[21 March]] [[1953]], and signed by W.C. Taylor, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioner of Currency. The 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], the 50 and 100 dollars notes were printed by [[Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.]] and the 1,000 and 10,000 dollars notes were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. As a safeguard against forgery, a broken security thread and the watermark of a lion's head were incorporated in the paper before printing.

===1959 Series===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
! Denomination !! Dominant Color !! Front !! Back !! Printed Date
|-
| $1 || blue || Sailing boat || Sailing boat and [[State emblem of Malaysia|State emblems]] of the then 5 states || [[March 1]], [[1959]]
|-
| $10 || red || Farmer plowing with ox || [[State emblem of Malaysia|State emblems]] of the then 5 states || [[March 1]], [[1961]]
|}
'''First Type of $1 Note'''
Although these notes bear the date [[1 March]] [[1959]], they were not released to the public until [[1 June]] [[1959]]. They were printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], on paper that corporated a broken gold security thread on the right and a [[Malayan tiger]]'s head watermark in centre.

'''Second Type of $1 Note'''
It was exactly similar in design and bore the same date, but the colour varied slightly from the first issue. By the [[Malaya]] and [[British Borneo]] Currency Agreement of [[1960]], which came into force on [[1 January]] [[1961]], the [[Federation of Malaya]]was given increased representation on the Currency Board. it was agreed that the Federation should nominate two members, one of whom would be the Chairman; and the other four participating governments. The [[Federation of Malaya]] and [[Singapore]] representatives had 3 votes each, and each of the other members had one vote. Under the new agreement, the powers previously exercised by the [[British]] [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] were vested in the newly constituted Board.

Note that this coloring theme still live on in today's three successor currencies.

==References==
*{{cite book | title=Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues to 1960 |edition=8th ed. | author=Albert Pick | editor=Neil Shafer, George S. Cuhaj, Colin R. Bruce II (editors) | publisher=Krause Publications | year=1996 | id=ISBN 0-87341-469-1 }}
*{{cite book | title=2004 Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1901-present |edition= 31st ed. | editor=Chester L. Krause, Cliffor Mischler, Colin R. Bruce II, et al. (editors) | publisher=Krause Publications | year=2003 | id=ISBN 0-87349-593-4 }}

==External links==
*[http://www.globalfinancialdata.com/gh/GHC_Histories.xls Global Financial Data currency histories table]
*[http://users.erols.com/kurrency/asia.htm Tables of modern monetary history: Asia]

{{n-start}}
{{n-before|currency=[[Sarawak dollar|Sarawak dollar (post-WWII)]]|reason=creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Sarawak]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
{{n-currency|rowspan=4|location=[[Malaysia]]|start=[[1963]]|end=[[1967]]|note=formation of the Federation}}
{{n-after|rowspan=3|currency=[[Malaysian ringgit]]|location=[[Malaysia]]|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}

{{n-before|currency=[[British North Borneo dollar|British North Borneo dollar (post-WWII)]]|reason=creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}
{{n-currency|location=[[British North Borneo]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
|-

{{n-before|rowspan=3|currency=[[Malayan dollar|Malayan dollar (post-WWII)]]|reason=creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Malaya]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
|-

{{n-currency|location=[[Singapore]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
{{n-after|currency=[[Singapore dollar]]|location=[[Singapore]]|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds|reason=Independence}}

{{n-currency|colspan=2|location=[[Brunei]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1967]]}}
{{n-after|currency=[[Brunei dollar]]|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds|reason=Currency Agreement}}
{{n-end}}

{{dollar}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]

Malaya- und Britisch-Borneo-Dollar

2007-05-08T12:59:34Z

Andrew Kidman: /* 1953 Series */

The '''Malaya and British Borneo dollar''' was the [[currency]] of [[Malaya]], [[Singapore]], [[Sarawak]], [[British North Borneo]] and [[Brunei]] from [[1953]] to [[1967]]. Malaya continued to use this currency after independence in [[1957]] and the formation of [[Malaysia]] in [[1963]], as did Singapore after its independence in [[1965]].

==History==

The Malayan and British Borneo dollar was issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo. It was subdivided into 100 ''cents'' and replaced the [[Sarawak dollar]], [[British North Borneo dollar]] and [[Malayan dollar]] (also used in [[Singapore]] and [[Brunei]]) at par. Like its predecessor, it was pegged at one dollar to 2 [[shilling]]s 4 [[pence]] [[sterling]].

In 1967, the Malaya and British Borneo dollar was replaced by three new currencies: the [[Malaysian ringgit]], the [[Singapore dollar]] and the [[Brunei dollar]], all at par. The Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo, was finally wound up in [[1979]].

When the [[pound sterling]] was devalued in November 1967, existing Malaya and British Borneo dollar banknotes (pegged at 2s. 4d.) lost 15% of their value, but continued to be legal tender until 1969, at the reduced value of 85 Malaysian cents per old dollar. Notes issued in the new currencies were not devalued. This led to a general strike, or [[hartal]], and riots in [[Penang]].

The symbol of the Malaya and British Borneo dollar was [[Dollar sign|$]].

Throughout its lifetime, the Malayan and British North Bornean dollar had remained pegged with the [[British pound]] at 2s. 4d. ($60 = £7).

==Coins==
Coins were available in 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

==Banknotes==
===1953 Series===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
! Denomination !! Dominant Color !! Front !! Back !! Printed Date
|-
| $1 || blue ||rowspan=7| [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]] ||rowspan=5| [[State emblem of Malaysia|State emblems]] of the then 16 states ||rowspan=7| [[March 21]], [[1953]]
|-
| $5 || green
|-
| $10 || red
|-
| $50 || blue
|-
| $100 || violet and brown
|-
| $1,000 || violet ||
|-
| $10,000 || green ||
|}
All this notes bear the date [[21 March]] [[1953]], and signed by W.C. Taylor, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioner of Currency. The 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], the 50 and 100 dollars notes were printed by [[Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.]] and the 1,000 and 10,000 dollars notes were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. As a safeguard against forgery, a broken security thread and the watermark of a lion's head were incorporated in the paper before printing.

===1959 Series===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
! Denomination !! Dominant Color !! Front !! Back !! Printed Date
|-
| $1 || blue || Sailing boat || Sailing boat and [[State emblem of Malaysia|State emblems]] of the then 5 states || [[March 1]], [[1959]]
|-
| $10 || red || Farmer plowing with ox || [[State emblem of Malaysia|State emblems]] of the then 5 states || [[March 1]], [[1961]]
|}

Note that this coloring theme still live on in today's three successor currencies.

==References==
*{{cite book | title=Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues to 1960 |edition=8th ed. | author=Albert Pick | editor=Neil Shafer, George S. Cuhaj, Colin R. Bruce II (editors) | publisher=Krause Publications | year=1996 | id=ISBN 0-87341-469-1 }}
*{{cite book | title=2004 Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1901-present |edition= 31st ed. | editor=Chester L. Krause, Cliffor Mischler, Colin R. Bruce II, et al. (editors) | publisher=Krause Publications | year=2003 | id=ISBN 0-87349-593-4 }}

==External links==
*[http://www.globalfinancialdata.com/gh/GHC_Histories.xls Global Financial Data currency histories table]
*[http://users.erols.com/kurrency/asia.htm Tables of modern monetary history: Asia]

{{n-start}}
{{n-before|currency=[[Sarawak dollar|Sarawak dollar (post-WWII)]]|reason=creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Sarawak]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
{{n-currency|rowspan=4|location=[[Malaysia]]|start=[[1963]]|end=[[1967]]|note=formation of the Federation}}
{{n-after|rowspan=3|currency=[[Malaysian ringgit]]|location=[[Malaysia]]|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}

{{n-before|currency=[[British North Borneo dollar|British North Borneo dollar (post-WWII)]]|reason=creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}
{{n-currency|location=[[British North Borneo]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
|-

{{n-before|rowspan=3|currency=[[Malayan dollar|Malayan dollar (post-WWII)]]|reason=creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Malaya]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
|-

{{n-currency|location=[[Singapore]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1963]]}}
{{n-after|currency=[[Singapore dollar]]|location=[[Singapore]]|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds|reason=Independence}}

{{n-currency|colspan=2|location=[[Brunei]]|start=[[1953]]|end=[[1967]]}}
{{n-after|currency=[[Brunei dollar]]|ratio=at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds|reason=Currency Agreement}}
{{n-end}}

{{dollar}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-30T14:34:50Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Civil Administration */

The '''Straits dollar''' was the currency used in the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonies and protectorates in [[Malaya]] and [[Borneo]], including the [[Straits Settlements]] until [[1939]].

==History==
In the early nineteenth century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the [[Spanish dollar]], including issues both from Spain and from the Spanish colonies, most significantly [[Mexico]]. Locally issued coinages included the [[Kelantan keping|Kelantan]] and [[Trengganu keping]], and the [[Penang dollar]].

In 1837, the [[Indian rupee]] was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of [[India]]. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar, with the dollar equal to the Spanish dollar or [[Mexican peso]]. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.

From 1898, the Straits dollar was issued by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency and private banks were prevented from issuing notes. Its value depreciated over the next eight years and was then pegged at two [[shilling]]s four [[pence]] [[Pound sterling|sterling]] in 1906.

The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the [[Malayan dollar]] in 1939.

==Coins==
The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in [[1845]] were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were introduced in 1903. As a consequence of the depreciation in the dollar's value, the silver content of the coinage was reduced from 1907. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

==Banknotes==
The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollars notes in 1898, followed by 50 and 100 dollars in 1901 and 1 dollar in 1906. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and [[1920]]. 1000 dollars notes were issued in 1930 but during the 1930s only 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were issued.

===Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942)===

'''[[Queen Victoria]] ([[1837]] - [[1901]])'''

The Government of [[Straits Settlements]], was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to public until 1 May 1899. Both the [[Chartered Bank]] and [[Hong Long and Shanghai Bank]] continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely convertible into [[Mexican dollar]] or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

'''[[King Edward VII]] ([[1901]] - [[1910]])'''

[[King Edward]] ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]] of [[London]].

In [[1903]] a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the [[Straits Settlements]], and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by [[1904]]. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this [[Staits dollar]] and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

During the change over period, fear of a shortage of coin led to the introduction of one dollar note, fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver. To effect this the [[British gold sovereign]] was for the first time declared legal tender, and the [[Straits dollar]] was given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling. This dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, so that to a very large extent it replaced the need for the silver coin.

By the end of 1906 the government note issue had risen to $21,866,142 while that of the private banks had fallen to $1,329,052 (20th Century Impressions of British Malaya p.138) The one dollar notes, which were dated 1 September 1906, were printed by the [[London]] firm of [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. A five-dollar and a ten-dollar none both dated 8 June 1909, were printed [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]].

'''[[King George V]] ([[1910]] - [[1936]])'''

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In [[1915]], it was decided to make a complete change in the design of hte 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue]]. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

'''[[King Edward VIII]] ([[1936]])'''

No special issue of notes was made during this brief reign.

'''[[King George VI]] ([[1936]] - [[1952]])

In September 1933, Sir [[Basil Blackett]] was appointed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] to lead a commission to consider the participation of the various [[Malay States]], including [[Brunei]], in the profits and liabilities of the [[Straits Settlements]] currency. The Blackett Report recommended that the sole power of issuing currency for the area should be entrusted to a pan-Malayan Currency Commission. This recommendation wa adopted by the [[Government of the Straits Settlements]], the [[Federated Malay States]], [[Unfederated Malay States]] and [[Brunei]]. Legislation was enacted by the Straits Settlements Currency Ordinance (No. 23) of 1938, and ratified by the various states during 1939.

Out of 27,000,000 one dollar notes and 5,600,000 five dollar notes of the same series despatched to Malaya before the Japanese invasion; 25,800,000 one dollar notes and 5,000,000 five dollar notes actually arrived. Of the remainder, 700,000 one dollar notes and 500,000 five dollar notes were seized by the Germans when one of their raiders captured the [[SS Automedon]]; and further 500,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were lost when the carrying ship, the [[SS Eumanes]], was sunk.

None of these notes were ever put into circulation by the Straits Settlement Government, so that at the time of Japanese invasion thay were still held in treasury vaults in [[Singapore]] and [[Penang]].

When [[Penang]] was evacuated in December 1941, 600,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were abandoned in the treasury, where they fell into the hands of the Japanese. In [[Singapore]], 4,200,000 one dollar and 1,000,000 five dollar notes were destroyed, and 21,000,000 one dollar notes and 3,900,000 five dollar notes shipped ti [[India]] for safety.

When [[United Kingdom|British]] foces reoccupied [[Singapore]] in September 1945, they found found all the abandoned notes of this series, except for the one bundle of one thousand of the notes captured in [[Penang]], in the vaults of the Japanese sub-tresury.

All stocks were destroyed in 1946, as it was feared that the notes from the captured ship might have been handed over bythe Germans to their Japanese allies, and were being hoarded in bulk, ready to be passed into circulation when the notes became current. There are no evidence that these notes ever reached [[Malaya]]. All the notes were signed by L.G. Corney, the Chairman of the [[Board of the Commissioners of Currency]].

==='''British Military Administration in Malaya ([[1945]] - [[1946]])'''===

[[British]] forces landed at [[Penang]] on 3 September 1945 and at [[Singapore]] on 5 September 1945; gradually thereafter reoccupied the whole [[Malaya]]. Until 1 April 1946, the country's finances were administrated by the depatment of the Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Army Pay Corps, and currency was put into circulation against payment in sterling by the [[War Office]] to the account of the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]].

It was decided that no value whatever should be accorded the Japanese 'banana' miney then in circulation, as it had been estimated that during the 3½ years occupation the Japanese had issued a minimum of 4,000 million dollars worth of currency against a normal 1941 circulation of about 220 million (Donnison p.223). The pay service made available currency notes from 1 cent to 10,000 dollars which had been printed in [[Britain]] either before, or during, the occupation but had not previously been sent to [[Malaya]]. In addition, the 1940 ten dollars note issued by the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]] and the old [[Straits Settlements]] notes, with the exception of denominations of 1,000 or 10,000 dollars and 10 and 25 cents, were declared legal tender. These old notes were gradually withdrawn, however, as the new issue became adequate for the country's needs.

The notes of this series from 1 cent to 10 dollars were dated 1 July 1941, those of 50, 100 and 1,000 dollars 1 January 1942, while the 10,000 dollars notes were signed and dated on the day of their issue. The Chairman for the Currency Board was H. Weisberg. The emergency issues of 1 cent with [[King George VI]] as the potrait was issued on 15 August 1940, designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] (F.M.S.) in Kuala Lumpur with the controlled serial number. On 1 September 1940, also an emergency issues of 25 cents was designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] with [[King George VI]] as the potrait. On 1 July 1941, a set of new regular issues, with the denomination of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents was printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]], [[London]] with the potrait of [[King George VI]]. Also on the same date of 1 July 1941, the 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were engraved and printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], [[London]], and the higher denomination of 50, 100, 1000 and 10,000 dollars notes were printed by [[Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.]], [[Surrey]], [[London]].

===Civil Administration===

Civil administration was restored on the [[1 April]] [[1946]]; and from the smae date the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]], was reconstituted bt the authority or Ordinance No.4 of 1946 in [[Singapore]] and Ordinance No.5 of 1946 in the [[Malayan Union]]. The Board continued to operate in the same way as before the [[Japanese Occupation]].

All notes bearing dates prior to [[1 July]] [[1941]], were demonetized on [[31 August]] [[1948]].

The Currency Ordinance No.44 of 1952 of the [[Crown Colony of Singapore]], No.33 of 1951 of the [[Federation of Malaya]], No.10 of 1951 of the [[British North Borneo]] and No.1 of 1951 of the [[Crown Colony of Sarawak]] implemented an agreement between those governments an the [[Sates of Brunei]] for the establishment of a [[Board of Commissioners of Currency]] to be the sole issuing authority in [[Malaya]] and [[British Borneo]]. This agreement became effective on [[1 January]] 1952. The Board consisted of five members:

1. Financial Secretary of [[Singapore]]

2. Minister of Finance for the [[Federation of Malaya]]

3. Governor of [[Sarawak]]

4. Governor of [[British North Borneo]]

5. British Resident of [[Brunei]]

and two further appointed by agreement of the participating goverments. The Chairman was the Financial Secretary of [[Singapore]].

==Exchange Value of the Straits Dollar==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Year
| Sterling Exchange Rate
|-
| 1888
|$0.03
|-
|1889
|$0.03
|-
|1890
|$4.03
|-
|1891
|$2.28
|-
|1892
|$10.03
|-
|1893
|$6.35
|-
|1894
|$1.02
|-
|1895
|$1.52
|-
|1896
|$0.19
|-
|1897
|$11.51
|-
|1898
|$11.01
|-
|1899
|$11.34
|-
|1900
|$0.02
|-
|1901
|$11.01
|-
|1902
|$8.51
|-
|1903
|$9.01
|-
|1904
|$10.51
|-
|1905
|$0.02
|-
|1906 - 1936
|$4.02
|}

==References==
Emerson, Rupert, 1964,Malaysia A Study in Direct and Indirect Rule, Macmillan Company

Shaw, William, 1971, Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970), Museum Department of States of Malaya

{{dollar}}
{{Malaysia-stub}}
{{Singapore-stub}}
{{Brunei-stub}}
{{Money-unit-stub}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]

[[hu:Malaka-szorosi dollár]]

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-30T14:32:44Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Civil Administration */

The '''Straits dollar''' was the currency used in the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonies and protectorates in [[Malaya]] and [[Borneo]], including the [[Straits Settlements]] until [[1939]].

==History==
In the early nineteenth century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the [[Spanish dollar]], including issues both from Spain and from the Spanish colonies, most significantly [[Mexico]]. Locally issued coinages included the [[Kelantan keping|Kelantan]] and [[Trengganu keping]], and the [[Penang dollar]].

In 1837, the [[Indian rupee]] was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of [[India]]. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar, with the dollar equal to the Spanish dollar or [[Mexican peso]]. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.

From 1898, the Straits dollar was issued by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency and private banks were prevented from issuing notes. Its value depreciated over the next eight years and was then pegged at two [[shilling]]s four [[pence]] [[Pound sterling|sterling]] in 1906.

The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the [[Malayan dollar]] in 1939.

==Coins==
The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in [[1845]] were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were introduced in 1903. As a consequence of the depreciation in the dollar's value, the silver content of the coinage was reduced from 1907. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

==Banknotes==
The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollars notes in 1898, followed by 50 and 100 dollars in 1901 and 1 dollar in 1906. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and [[1920]]. 1000 dollars notes were issued in 1930 but during the 1930s only 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were issued.

===Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942)===

'''[[Queen Victoria]] ([[1837]] - [[1901]])'''

The Government of [[Straits Settlements]], was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to public until 1 May 1899. Both the [[Chartered Bank]] and [[Hong Long and Shanghai Bank]] continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely convertible into [[Mexican dollar]] or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

'''[[King Edward VII]] ([[1901]] - [[1910]])'''

[[King Edward]] ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]] of [[London]].

In [[1903]] a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the [[Straits Settlements]], and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by [[1904]]. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this [[Staits dollar]] and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

During the change over period, fear of a shortage of coin led to the introduction of one dollar note, fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver. To effect this the [[British gold sovereign]] was for the first time declared legal tender, and the [[Straits dollar]] was given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling. This dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, so that to a very large extent it replaced the need for the silver coin.

By the end of 1906 the government note issue had risen to $21,866,142 while that of the private banks had fallen to $1,329,052 (20th Century Impressions of British Malaya p.138) The one dollar notes, which were dated 1 September 1906, were printed by the [[London]] firm of [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. A five-dollar and a ten-dollar none both dated 8 June 1909, were printed [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]].

'''[[King George V]] ([[1910]] - [[1936]])'''

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In [[1915]], it was decided to make a complete change in the design of hte 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue]]. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

'''[[King Edward VIII]] ([[1936]])'''

No special issue of notes was made during this brief reign.

'''[[King George VI]] ([[1936]] - [[1952]])

In September 1933, Sir [[Basil Blackett]] was appointed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] to lead a commission to consider the participation of the various [[Malay States]], including [[Brunei]], in the profits and liabilities of the [[Straits Settlements]] currency. The Blackett Report recommended that the sole power of issuing currency for the area should be entrusted to a pan-Malayan Currency Commission. This recommendation wa adopted by the [[Government of the Straits Settlements]], the [[Federated Malay States]], [[Unfederated Malay States]] and [[Brunei]]. Legislation was enacted by the Straits Settlements Currency Ordinance (No. 23) of 1938, and ratified by the various states during 1939.

Out of 27,000,000 one dollar notes and 5,600,000 five dollar notes of the same series despatched to Malaya before the Japanese invasion; 25,800,000 one dollar notes and 5,000,000 five dollar notes actually arrived. Of the remainder, 700,000 one dollar notes and 500,000 five dollar notes were seized by the Germans when one of their raiders captured the [[SS Automedon]]; and further 500,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were lost when the carrying ship, the [[SS Eumanes]], was sunk.

None of these notes were ever put into circulation by the Straits Settlement Government, so that at the time of Japanese invasion thay were still held in treasury vaults in [[Singapore]] and [[Penang]].

When [[Penang]] was evacuated in December 1941, 600,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were abandoned in the treasury, where they fell into the hands of the Japanese. In [[Singapore]], 4,200,000 one dollar and 1,000,000 five dollar notes were destroyed, and 21,000,000 one dollar notes and 3,900,000 five dollar notes shipped ti [[India]] for safety.

When [[United Kingdom|British]] foces reoccupied [[Singapore]] in September 1945, they found found all the abandoned notes of this series, except for the one bundle of one thousand of the notes captured in [[Penang]], in the vaults of the Japanese sub-tresury.

All stocks were destroyed in 1946, as it was feared that the notes from the captured ship might have been handed over bythe Germans to their Japanese allies, and were being hoarded in bulk, ready to be passed into circulation when the notes became current. There are no evidence that these notes ever reached [[Malaya]]. All the notes were signed by L.G. Corney, the Chairman of the [[Board of the Commissioners of Currency]].

==='''British Military Administration in Malaya ([[1945]] - [[1946]])'''===

[[British]] forces landed at [[Penang]] on 3 September 1945 and at [[Singapore]] on 5 September 1945; gradually thereafter reoccupied the whole [[Malaya]]. Until 1 April 1946, the country's finances were administrated by the depatment of the Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Army Pay Corps, and currency was put into circulation against payment in sterling by the [[War Office]] to the account of the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]].

It was decided that no value whatever should be accorded the Japanese 'banana' miney then in circulation, as it had been estimated that during the 3½ years occupation the Japanese had issued a minimum of 4,000 million dollars worth of currency against a normal 1941 circulation of about 220 million (Donnison p.223). The pay service made available currency notes from 1 cent to 10,000 dollars which had been printed in [[Britain]] either before, or during, the occupation but had not previously been sent to [[Malaya]]. In addition, the 1940 ten dollars note issued by the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]] and the old [[Straits Settlements]] notes, with the exception of denominations of 1,000 or 10,000 dollars and 10 and 25 cents, were declared legal tender. These old notes were gradually withdrawn, however, as the new issue became adequate for the country's needs.

The notes of this series from 1 cent to 10 dollars were dated 1 July 1941, those of 50, 100 and 1,000 dollars 1 January 1942, while the 10,000 dollars notes were signed and dated on the day of their issue. The Chairman for the Currency Board was H. Weisberg. The emergency issues of 1 cent with [[King George VI]] as the potrait was issued on 15 August 1940, designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] (F.M.S.) in Kuala Lumpur with the controlled serial number. On 1 September 1940, also an emergency issues of 25 cents was designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] with [[King George VI]] as the potrait. On 1 July 1941, a set of new regular issues, with the denomination of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents was printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]], [[London]] with the potrait of [[King George VI]]. Also on the same date of 1 July 1941, the 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were engraved and printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], [[London]], and the higher denomination of 50, 100, 1000 and 10,000 dollars notes were printed by [[Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.]], [[Surrey]], [[London]].

===Civil Administration===

Civil administration was restored on the [[1 April]] [[1946]]; and from the smae date the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]], was reconstituted bt the authority or Ordinance No.4 of 1946 in [[Singapore]] and Ordinance No.5 of 1946 in the [[Malayan Union]]. The Board continued to operate in the same way as before the [[Japanese Occupation]].

All notes bearing dates prior to [[1 July]] [[1941]], were demonetized on [[31 August]] [[1948]].

The Currency Ordinance No.44 of 1952 of the [[Crown Colony of Singapore]], No.33 of 1951 of the [[Federation of Malaya]], No.10 of 1951 of the [[British North Borneo]] and No.1 of 1951 of the [[Crown Colony of Sarawak]] implemented an agreement between those governments an the [[Sates of Brunei]] for the establishment of a [[Board of Commissioners of Currency]] to be the sole issuing authority in [[Malaya]] and [[British Borneo]]. This agreement became effective on [[1 January]] 1952. The Board consisted of five members:
1. Secretary of [[Singapore]]
2. Minister of Finance for the [[Federation of Malaya]]
3. Governor of [[Sarawak]]
4. Governor of [[British North Borneo]]
5. British Resident of [[Brunei]]

==Exchange Value of the Straits Dollar==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Year
| Sterling Exchange Rate
|-
| 1888
|$0.03
|-
|1889
|$0.03
|-
|1890
|$4.03
|-
|1891
|$2.28
|-
|1892
|$10.03
|-
|1893
|$6.35
|-
|1894
|$1.02
|-
|1895
|$1.52
|-
|1896
|$0.19
|-
|1897
|$11.51
|-
|1898
|$11.01
|-
|1899
|$11.34
|-
|1900
|$0.02
|-
|1901
|$11.01
|-
|1902
|$8.51
|-
|1903
|$9.01
|-
|1904
|$10.51
|-
|1905
|$0.02
|-
|1906 - 1936
|$4.02
|}

==References==
Emerson, Rupert, 1964,Malaysia A Study in Direct and Indirect Rule, Macmillan Company

Shaw, William, 1971, Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970), Museum Department of States of Malaya

{{dollar}}
{{Malaysia-stub}}
{{Singapore-stub}}
{{Brunei-stub}}
{{Money-unit-stub}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]

[[hu:Malaka-szorosi dollár]]

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-30T14:25:31Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Civil Administration */

The '''Straits dollar''' was the currency used in the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonies and protectorates in [[Malaya]] and [[Borneo]], including the [[Straits Settlements]] until [[1939]].

==History==
In the early nineteenth century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the [[Spanish dollar]], including issues both from Spain and from the Spanish colonies, most significantly [[Mexico]]. Locally issued coinages included the [[Kelantan keping|Kelantan]] and [[Trengganu keping]], and the [[Penang dollar]].

In 1837, the [[Indian rupee]] was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of [[India]]. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar, with the dollar equal to the Spanish dollar or [[Mexican peso]]. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.

From 1898, the Straits dollar was issued by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency and private banks were prevented from issuing notes. Its value depreciated over the next eight years and was then pegged at two [[shilling]]s four [[pence]] [[Pound sterling|sterling]] in 1906.

The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the [[Malayan dollar]] in 1939.

==Coins==
The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in [[1845]] were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were introduced in 1903. As a consequence of the depreciation in the dollar's value, the silver content of the coinage was reduced from 1907. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

==Banknotes==
The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollars notes in 1898, followed by 50 and 100 dollars in 1901 and 1 dollar in 1906. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and [[1920]]. 1000 dollars notes were issued in 1930 but during the 1930s only 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were issued.

===Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942)===

'''[[Queen Victoria]] ([[1837]] - [[1901]])'''

The Government of [[Straits Settlements]], was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to public until 1 May 1899. Both the [[Chartered Bank]] and [[Hong Long and Shanghai Bank]] continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely convertible into [[Mexican dollar]] or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

'''[[King Edward VII]] ([[1901]] - [[1910]])'''

[[King Edward]] ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]] of [[London]].

In [[1903]] a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the [[Straits Settlements]], and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by [[1904]]. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this [[Staits dollar]] and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

During the change over period, fear of a shortage of coin led to the introduction of one dollar note, fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver. To effect this the [[British gold sovereign]] was for the first time declared legal tender, and the [[Straits dollar]] was given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling. This dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, so that to a very large extent it replaced the need for the silver coin.

By the end of 1906 the government note issue had risen to $21,866,142 while that of the private banks had fallen to $1,329,052 (20th Century Impressions of British Malaya p.138) The one dollar notes, which were dated 1 September 1906, were printed by the [[London]] firm of [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. A five-dollar and a ten-dollar none both dated 8 June 1909, were printed [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]].

'''[[King George V]] ([[1910]] - [[1936]])'''

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In [[1915]], it was decided to make a complete change in the design of hte 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue]]. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

'''[[King Edward VIII]] ([[1936]])'''

No special issue of notes was made during this brief reign.

'''[[King George VI]] ([[1936]] - [[1952]])

In September 1933, Sir [[Basil Blackett]] was appointed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] to lead a commission to consider the participation of the various [[Malay States]], including [[Brunei]], in the profits and liabilities of the [[Straits Settlements]] currency. The Blackett Report recommended that the sole power of issuing currency for the area should be entrusted to a pan-Malayan Currency Commission. This recommendation wa adopted by the [[Government of the Straits Settlements]], the [[Federated Malay States]], [[Unfederated Malay States]] and [[Brunei]]. Legislation was enacted by the Straits Settlements Currency Ordinance (No. 23) of 1938, and ratified by the various states during 1939.

Out of 27,000,000 one dollar notes and 5,600,000 five dollar notes of the same series despatched to Malaya before the Japanese invasion; 25,800,000 one dollar notes and 5,000,000 five dollar notes actually arrived. Of the remainder, 700,000 one dollar notes and 500,000 five dollar notes were seized by the Germans when one of their raiders captured the [[SS Automedon]]; and further 500,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were lost when the carrying ship, the [[SS Eumanes]], was sunk.

None of these notes were ever put into circulation by the Straits Settlement Government, so that at the time of Japanese invasion thay were still held in treasury vaults in [[Singapore]] and [[Penang]].

When [[Penang]] was evacuated in December 1941, 600,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were abandoned in the treasury, where they fell into the hands of the Japanese. In [[Singapore]], 4,200,000 one dollar and 1,000,000 five dollar notes were destroyed, and 21,000,000 one dollar notes and 3,900,000 five dollar notes shipped ti [[India]] for safety.

When [[United Kingdom|British]] foces reoccupied [[Singapore]] in September 1945, they found found all the abandoned notes of this series, except for the one bundle of one thousand of the notes captured in [[Penang]], in the vaults of the Japanese sub-tresury.

All stocks were destroyed in 1946, as it was feared that the notes from the captured ship might have been handed over bythe Germans to their Japanese allies, and were being hoarded in bulk, ready to be passed into circulation when the notes became current. There are no evidence that these notes ever reached [[Malaya]]. All the notes were signed by L.G. Corney, the Chairman of the [[Board of the Commissioners of Currency]].

==='''British Military Administration in Malaya ([[1945]] - [[1946]])'''===

[[British]] forces landed at [[Penang]] on 3 September 1945 and at [[Singapore]] on 5 September 1945; gradually thereafter reoccupied the whole [[Malaya]]. Until 1 April 1946, the country's finances were administrated by the depatment of the Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Army Pay Corps, and currency was put into circulation against payment in sterling by the [[War Office]] to the account of the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]].

It was decided that no value whatever should be accorded the Japanese 'banana' miney then in circulation, as it had been estimated that during the 3½ years occupation the Japanese had issued a minimum of 4,000 million dollars worth of currency against a normal 1941 circulation of about 220 million (Donnison p.223). The pay service made available currency notes from 1 cent to 10,000 dollars which had been printed in [[Britain]] either before, or during, the occupation but had not previously been sent to [[Malaya]]. In addition, the 1940 ten dollars note issued by the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]] and the old [[Straits Settlements]] notes, with the exception of denominations of 1,000 or 10,000 dollars and 10 and 25 cents, were declared legal tender. These old notes were gradually withdrawn, however, as the new issue became adequate for the country's needs.

The notes of this series from 1 cent to 10 dollars were dated 1 July 1941, those of 50, 100 and 1,000 dollars 1 January 1942, while the 10,000 dollars notes were signed and dated on the day of their issue. The Chairman for the Currency Board was H. Weisberg. The emergency issues of 1 cent with [[King George VI]] as the potrait was issued on 15 August 1940, designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] (F.M.S.) in Kuala Lumpur with the controlled serial number. On 1 September 1940, also an emergency issues of 25 cents was designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] with [[King George VI]] as the potrait. On 1 July 1941, a set of new regular issues, with the denomination of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents was printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]], [[London]] with the potrait of [[King George VI]]. Also on the same date of 1 July 1941, the 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were engraved and printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], [[London]], and the higher denomination of 50, 100, 1000 and 10,000 dollars notes were printed by [[Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.]], [[Surrey]], [[London]].

===Civil Administration===

Civil administration was restored on the [[1 April]] [[1946]]; and from the smae date the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]], was reconstituted bt the authority or Ordinance No.4 of 1946 in [[Singapore]] and Ordinance No.5 of 1946 in the [[Malayan Union]]. The Board continued to operate in the same way as before the [[Japanese Occupation]].

All notes bearing dates prior to [[1 July]] [[1941]], were demonetized on [[31 August]] [[1948]].

==Exchange Value of the Straits Dollar==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Year
| Sterling Exchange Rate
|-
| 1888
|$0.03
|-
|1889
|$0.03
|-
|1890
|$4.03
|-
|1891
|$2.28
|-
|1892
|$10.03
|-
|1893
|$6.35
|-
|1894
|$1.02
|-
|1895
|$1.52
|-
|1896
|$0.19
|-
|1897
|$11.51
|-
|1898
|$11.01
|-
|1899
|$11.34
|-
|1900
|$0.02
|-
|1901
|$11.01
|-
|1902
|$8.51
|-
|1903
|$9.01
|-
|1904
|$10.51
|-
|1905
|$0.02
|-
|1906 - 1936
|$4.02
|}

==References==
Emerson, Rupert, 1964,Malaysia A Study in Direct and Indirect Rule, Macmillan Company

Shaw, William, 1971, Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970), Museum Department of States of Malaya

{{dollar}}
{{Malaysia-stub}}
{{Singapore-stub}}
{{Brunei-stub}}
{{Money-unit-stub}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]

[[hu:Malaka-szorosi dollár]]

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-30T14:21:13Z

Andrew Kidman: /* '''British Military Administration in Malaya (1945 - 1946)''' */

The '''Straits dollar''' was the currency used in the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonies and protectorates in [[Malaya]] and [[Borneo]], including the [[Straits Settlements]] until [[1939]].

==History==
In the early nineteenth century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the [[Spanish dollar]], including issues both from Spain and from the Spanish colonies, most significantly [[Mexico]]. Locally issued coinages included the [[Kelantan keping|Kelantan]] and [[Trengganu keping]], and the [[Penang dollar]].

In 1837, the [[Indian rupee]] was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of [[India]]. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar, with the dollar equal to the Spanish dollar or [[Mexican peso]]. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.

From 1898, the Straits dollar was issued by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency and private banks were prevented from issuing notes. Its value depreciated over the next eight years and was then pegged at two [[shilling]]s four [[pence]] [[Pound sterling|sterling]] in 1906.

The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the [[Malayan dollar]] in 1939.

==Coins==
The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in [[1845]] were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were introduced in 1903. As a consequence of the depreciation in the dollar's value, the silver content of the coinage was reduced from 1907. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

==Banknotes==
The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollars notes in 1898, followed by 50 and 100 dollars in 1901 and 1 dollar in 1906. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and [[1920]]. 1000 dollars notes were issued in 1930 but during the 1930s only 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were issued.

===Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942)===

'''[[Queen Victoria]] ([[1837]] - [[1901]])'''

The Government of [[Straits Settlements]], was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to public until 1 May 1899. Both the [[Chartered Bank]] and [[Hong Long and Shanghai Bank]] continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely convertible into [[Mexican dollar]] or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

'''[[King Edward VII]] ([[1901]] - [[1910]])'''

[[King Edward]] ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]] of [[London]].

In [[1903]] a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the [[Straits Settlements]], and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by [[1904]]. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this [[Staits dollar]] and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

During the change over period, fear of a shortage of coin led to the introduction of one dollar note, fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver. To effect this the [[British gold sovereign]] was for the first time declared legal tender, and the [[Straits dollar]] was given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling. This dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, so that to a very large extent it replaced the need for the silver coin.

By the end of 1906 the government note issue had risen to $21,866,142 while that of the private banks had fallen to $1,329,052 (20th Century Impressions of British Malaya p.138) The one dollar notes, which were dated 1 September 1906, were printed by the [[London]] firm of [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. A five-dollar and a ten-dollar none both dated 8 June 1909, were printed [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]].

'''[[King George V]] ([[1910]] - [[1936]])'''

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In [[1915]], it was decided to make a complete change in the design of hte 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue]]. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

'''[[King Edward VIII]] ([[1936]])'''

No special issue of notes was made during this brief reign.

'''[[King George VI]] ([[1936]] - [[1952]])

In September 1933, Sir [[Basil Blackett]] was appointed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] to lead a commission to consider the participation of the various [[Malay States]], including [[Brunei]], in the profits and liabilities of the [[Straits Settlements]] currency. The Blackett Report recommended that the sole power of issuing currency for the area should be entrusted to a pan-Malayan Currency Commission. This recommendation wa adopted by the [[Government of the Straits Settlements]], the [[Federated Malay States]], [[Unfederated Malay States]] and [[Brunei]]. Legislation was enacted by the Straits Settlements Currency Ordinance (No. 23) of 1938, and ratified by the various states during 1939.

Out of 27,000,000 one dollar notes and 5,600,000 five dollar notes of the same series despatched to Malaya before the Japanese invasion; 25,800,000 one dollar notes and 5,000,000 five dollar notes actually arrived. Of the remainder, 700,000 one dollar notes and 500,000 five dollar notes were seized by the Germans when one of their raiders captured the [[SS Automedon]]; and further 500,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were lost when the carrying ship, the [[SS Eumanes]], was sunk.

None of these notes were ever put into circulation by the Straits Settlement Government, so that at the time of Japanese invasion thay were still held in treasury vaults in [[Singapore]] and [[Penang]].

When [[Penang]] was evacuated in December 1941, 600,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were abandoned in the treasury, where they fell into the hands of the Japanese. In [[Singapore]], 4,200,000 one dollar and 1,000,000 five dollar notes were destroyed, and 21,000,000 one dollar notes and 3,900,000 five dollar notes shipped ti [[India]] for safety.

When [[United Kingdom|British]] foces reoccupied [[Singapore]] in September 1945, they found found all the abandoned notes of this series, except for the one bundle of one thousand of the notes captured in [[Penang]], in the vaults of the Japanese sub-tresury.

All stocks were destroyed in 1946, as it was feared that the notes from the captured ship might have been handed over bythe Germans to their Japanese allies, and were being hoarded in bulk, ready to be passed into circulation when the notes became current. There are no evidence that these notes ever reached [[Malaya]]. All the notes were signed by L.G. Corney, the Chairman of the [[Board of the Commissioners of Currency]].

==='''British Military Administration in Malaya ([[1945]] - [[1946]])'''===

[[British]] forces landed at [[Penang]] on 3 September 1945 and at [[Singapore]] on 5 September 1945; gradually thereafter reoccupied the whole [[Malaya]]. Until 1 April 1946, the country's finances were administrated by the depatment of the Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Army Pay Corps, and currency was put into circulation against payment in sterling by the [[War Office]] to the account of the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]].

It was decided that no value whatever should be accorded the Japanese 'banana' miney then in circulation, as it had been estimated that during the 3½ years occupation the Japanese had issued a minimum of 4,000 million dollars worth of currency against a normal 1941 circulation of about 220 million (Donnison p.223). The pay service made available currency notes from 1 cent to 10,000 dollars which had been printed in [[Britain]] either before, or during, the occupation but had not previously been sent to [[Malaya]]. In addition, the 1940 ten dollars note issued by the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]] and the old [[Straits Settlements]] notes, with the exception of denominations of 1,000 or 10,000 dollars and 10 and 25 cents, were declared legal tender. These old notes were gradually withdrawn, however, as the new issue became adequate for the country's needs.

The notes of this series from 1 cent to 10 dollars were dated 1 July 1941, those of 50, 100 and 1,000 dollars 1 January 1942, while the 10,000 dollars notes were signed and dated on the day of their issue. The Chairman for the Currency Board was H. Weisberg. The emergency issues of 1 cent with [[King George VI]] as the potrait was issued on 15 August 1940, designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] (F.M.S.) in Kuala Lumpur with the controlled serial number. On 1 September 1940, also an emergency issues of 25 cents was designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] with [[King George VI]] as the potrait. On 1 July 1941, a set of new regular issues, with the denomination of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents was printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]], [[London]] with the potrait of [[King George VI]]. Also on the same date of 1 July 1941, the 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were engraved and printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], [[London]], and the higher denomination of 50, 100, 1000 and 10,000 dollars notes were printed by [[Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.]], [[Surrey]], [[London]].

===Civil Administration===

Civil administration was restored on the 1 April 1946; and from the smae date the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]], was reconstituted bt the authority or Ordinance No.4 of 1946 in [[Singapore]] and Ordinance No.5 of 1946 in the [[Malayan Union]]. The Board continued to operate in the same way as before the [[Japanese Occupation]].

==Exchange Value of the Straits Dollar==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Year
| Sterling Exchange Rate
|-
| 1888
|$0.03
|-
|1889
|$0.03
|-
|1890
|$4.03
|-
|1891
|$2.28
|-
|1892
|$10.03
|-
|1893
|$6.35
|-
|1894
|$1.02
|-
|1895
|$1.52
|-
|1896
|$0.19
|-
|1897
|$11.51
|-
|1898
|$11.01
|-
|1899
|$11.34
|-
|1900
|$0.02
|-
|1901
|$11.01
|-
|1902
|$8.51
|-
|1903
|$9.01
|-
|1904
|$10.51
|-
|1905
|$0.02
|-
|1906 - 1936
|$4.02
|}

==References==
Emerson, Rupert, 1964,Malaysia A Study in Direct and Indirect Rule, Macmillan Company

Shaw, William, 1971, Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970), Museum Department of States of Malaya

{{dollar}}
{{Malaysia-stub}}
{{Singapore-stub}}
{{Brunei-stub}}
{{Money-unit-stub}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]

[[hu:Malaka-szorosi dollár]]

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-30T14:16:59Z

Andrew Kidman: /* '''British Military Administration in Malaya (1945 - 1946)''' */

The '''Straits dollar''' was the currency used in the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonies and protectorates in [[Malaya]] and [[Borneo]], including the [[Straits Settlements]] until [[1939]].

==History==
In the early nineteenth century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the [[Spanish dollar]], including issues both from Spain and from the Spanish colonies, most significantly [[Mexico]]. Locally issued coinages included the [[Kelantan keping|Kelantan]] and [[Trengganu keping]], and the [[Penang dollar]].

In 1837, the [[Indian rupee]] was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of [[India]]. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar, with the dollar equal to the Spanish dollar or [[Mexican peso]]. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.

From 1898, the Straits dollar was issued by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency and private banks were prevented from issuing notes. Its value depreciated over the next eight years and was then pegged at two [[shilling]]s four [[pence]] [[Pound sterling|sterling]] in 1906.

The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the [[Malayan dollar]] in 1939.

==Coins==
The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in [[1845]] were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were introduced in 1903. As a consequence of the depreciation in the dollar's value, the silver content of the coinage was reduced from 1907. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

==Banknotes==
The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollars notes in 1898, followed by 50 and 100 dollars in 1901 and 1 dollar in 1906. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and [[1920]]. 1000 dollars notes were issued in 1930 but during the 1930s only 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were issued.

===Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942)===

'''[[Queen Victoria]] ([[1837]] - [[1901]])'''

The Government of [[Straits Settlements]], was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to public until 1 May 1899. Both the [[Chartered Bank]] and [[Hong Long and Shanghai Bank]] continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely convertible into [[Mexican dollar]] or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

'''[[King Edward VII]] ([[1901]] - [[1910]])'''

[[King Edward]] ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]] of [[London]].

In [[1903]] a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the [[Straits Settlements]], and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by [[1904]]. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this [[Staits dollar]] and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

During the change over period, fear of a shortage of coin led to the introduction of one dollar note, fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver. To effect this the [[British gold sovereign]] was for the first time declared legal tender, and the [[Straits dollar]] was given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling. This dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, so that to a very large extent it replaced the need for the silver coin.

By the end of 1906 the government note issue had risen to $21,866,142 while that of the private banks had fallen to $1,329,052 (20th Century Impressions of British Malaya p.138) The one dollar notes, which were dated 1 September 1906, were printed by the [[London]] firm of [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. A five-dollar and a ten-dollar none both dated 8 June 1909, were printed [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]].

'''[[King George V]] ([[1910]] - [[1936]])'''

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In [[1915]], it was decided to make a complete change in the design of hte 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue]]. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

'''[[King Edward VIII]] ([[1936]])'''

No special issue of notes was made during this brief reign.

'''[[King George VI]] ([[1936]] - [[1952]])

In September 1933, Sir [[Basil Blackett]] was appointed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] to lead a commission to consider the participation of the various [[Malay States]], including [[Brunei]], in the profits and liabilities of the [[Straits Settlements]] currency. The Blackett Report recommended that the sole power of issuing currency for the area should be entrusted to a pan-Malayan Currency Commission. This recommendation wa adopted by the [[Government of the Straits Settlements]], the [[Federated Malay States]], [[Unfederated Malay States]] and [[Brunei]]. Legislation was enacted by the Straits Settlements Currency Ordinance (No. 23) of 1938, and ratified by the various states during 1939.

Out of 27,000,000 one dollar notes and 5,600,000 five dollar notes of the same series despatched to Malaya before the Japanese invasion; 25,800,000 one dollar notes and 5,000,000 five dollar notes actually arrived. Of the remainder, 700,000 one dollar notes and 500,000 five dollar notes were seized by the Germans when one of their raiders captured the [[SS Automedon]]; and further 500,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were lost when the carrying ship, the [[SS Eumanes]], was sunk.

None of these notes were ever put into circulation by the Straits Settlement Government, so that at the time of Japanese invasion thay were still held in treasury vaults in [[Singapore]] and [[Penang]].

When [[Penang]] was evacuated in December 1941, 600,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were abandoned in the treasury, where they fell into the hands of the Japanese. In [[Singapore]], 4,200,000 one dollar and 1,000,000 five dollar notes were destroyed, and 21,000,000 one dollar notes and 3,900,000 five dollar notes shipped ti [[India]] for safety.

When [[United Kingdom|British]] foces reoccupied [[Singapore]] in September 1945, they found found all the abandoned notes of this series, except for the one bundle of one thousand of the notes captured in [[Penang]], in the vaults of the Japanese sub-tresury.

All stocks were destroyed in 1946, as it was feared that the notes from the captured ship might have been handed over bythe Germans to their Japanese allies, and were being hoarded in bulk, ready to be passed into circulation when the notes became current. There are no evidence that these notes ever reached [[Malaya]]. All the notes were signed by L.G. Corney, the Chairman of the [[Board of the Commissioners of Currency]].

==='''British Military Administration in Malaya ([[1945]] - [[1946]])'''===

[[British]] forces landed at [[Penang]] on 3 September 1945 and at [[Singapore]] on 5 September 1945; gradually thereafter reoccupied the whole [[Malaya]]. Until 1 April 1946, the country's finances were administrated by the depatment of the Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Army Pay Corps, and currency was put into circulation against payment in sterling by the [[War Office]] to the account of the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]].

It was decided that no value whatever should be accorded the Japanese 'banana' miney then in circulation, as it had been estimated that during the 3½ years occupation the Japanese had issued a minimum of 4,000 million dollars worth of currency against a normal 1941 circulation of about 220 million (Donnison p.223). The pay service made available currency notes from 1 cent to 10,000 dollars which had been printed in [[Britain]] either before, or during, the occupation but had not previously been sent to [[Malaya]]. In addition, the 1940 ten dollars note issued by the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]] and the old [[Straits Settlements]] notes, with the exception of denominations of 1,000 or 10,000 dollars and 10 and 25 cents, were declared legal tender. These old notes were gradually withdrawn, however, as the new issue became adequate for the country's needs.

The notes of this series from 1 cent to 10 dollars were dated 1 July 1941, those of 50, 100 and 1,000 dollars 1 January 1942, while the 10,000 dollars notes were signed and dated on the day of their issue. The Chairman for the Currency Board was H. Weisberg. The emergency issues of 1 cent with [[King George VI]] as the potrait was issued on 15 August 1940, designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] (F.M.S.) in Kuala Lumpur with the controlled serial number. On 1 September 1940, also an emergency issues of 25 cents was designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] with [[King George VI]] as the potrait. On 1 July 1941, a set of new regular issues, with the denomination of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents was printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]], [[London]] with the potrait of [[King George VI]]. Also on the same date of 1 July 1941, the 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were engraved and printed by [[Waterlow & Sons Ltd.]], [[London]], and the higher denomination of 50, 100, 1000 and 10,000 dollars notes were printed by [[Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.]], [[Surrey]], [[London]].

==Exchange Value of the Straits Dollar==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Year
| Sterling Exchange Rate
|-
| 1888
|$0.03
|-
|1889
|$0.03
|-
|1890
|$4.03
|-
|1891
|$2.28
|-
|1892
|$10.03
|-
|1893
|$6.35
|-
|1894
|$1.02
|-
|1895
|$1.52
|-
|1896
|$0.19
|-
|1897
|$11.51
|-
|1898
|$11.01
|-
|1899
|$11.34
|-
|1900
|$0.02
|-
|1901
|$11.01
|-
|1902
|$8.51
|-
|1903
|$9.01
|-
|1904
|$10.51
|-
|1905
|$0.02
|-
|1906 - 1936
|$4.02
|}

==References==
Emerson, Rupert, 1964,Malaysia A Study in Direct and Indirect Rule, Macmillan Company

Shaw, William, 1971, Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970), Museum Department of States of Malaya

{{dollar}}
{{Malaysia-stub}}
{{Singapore-stub}}
{{Brunei-stub}}
{{Money-unit-stub}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]

[[hu:Malaka-szorosi dollár]]

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-30T14:12:38Z

Andrew Kidman: /* '''British Military Administration in Malaya (1945 - 1946)''' */

The '''Straits dollar''' was the currency used in the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonies and protectorates in [[Malaya]] and [[Borneo]], including the [[Straits Settlements]] until [[1939]].

==History==
In the early nineteenth century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the [[Spanish dollar]], including issues both from Spain and from the Spanish colonies, most significantly [[Mexico]]. Locally issued coinages included the [[Kelantan keping|Kelantan]] and [[Trengganu keping]], and the [[Penang dollar]].

In 1837, the [[Indian rupee]] was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of [[India]]. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar, with the dollar equal to the Spanish dollar or [[Mexican peso]]. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.

From 1898, the Straits dollar was issued by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency and private banks were prevented from issuing notes. Its value depreciated over the next eight years and was then pegged at two [[shilling]]s four [[pence]] [[Pound sterling|sterling]] in 1906.

The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the [[Malayan dollar]] in 1939.

==Coins==
The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in [[1845]] were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were introduced in 1903. As a consequence of the depreciation in the dollar's value, the silver content of the coinage was reduced from 1907. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

==Banknotes==
The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollars notes in 1898, followed by 50 and 100 dollars in 1901 and 1 dollar in 1906. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and [[1920]]. 1000 dollars notes were issued in 1930 but during the 1930s only 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were issued.

===Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942)===

'''[[Queen Victoria]] ([[1837]] - [[1901]])'''

The Government of [[Straits Settlements]], was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to public until 1 May 1899. Both the [[Chartered Bank]] and [[Hong Long and Shanghai Bank]] continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely convertible into [[Mexican dollar]] or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

'''[[King Edward VII]] ([[1901]] - [[1910]])'''

[[King Edward]] ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]] of [[London]].

In [[1903]] a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the [[Straits Settlements]], and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by [[1904]]. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this [[Staits dollar]] and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

During the change over period, fear of a shortage of coin led to the introduction of one dollar note, fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver. To effect this the [[British gold sovereign]] was for the first time declared legal tender, and the [[Straits dollar]] was given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling. This dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, so that to a very large extent it replaced the need for the silver coin.

By the end of 1906 the government note issue had risen to $21,866,142 while that of the private banks had fallen to $1,329,052 (20th Century Impressions of British Malaya p.138) The one dollar notes, which were dated 1 September 1906, were printed by the [[London]] firm of [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. A five-dollar and a ten-dollar none both dated 8 June 1909, were printed [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]].

'''[[King George V]] ([[1910]] - [[1936]])'''

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In [[1915]], it was decided to make a complete change in the design of hte 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue]]. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

'''[[King Edward VIII]] ([[1936]])'''

No special issue of notes was made during this brief reign.

'''[[King George VI]] ([[1936]] - [[1952]])

In September 1933, Sir [[Basil Blackett]] was appointed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] to lead a commission to consider the participation of the various [[Malay States]], including [[Brunei]], in the profits and liabilities of the [[Straits Settlements]] currency. The Blackett Report recommended that the sole power of issuing currency for the area should be entrusted to a pan-Malayan Currency Commission. This recommendation wa adopted by the [[Government of the Straits Settlements]], the [[Federated Malay States]], [[Unfederated Malay States]] and [[Brunei]]. Legislation was enacted by the Straits Settlements Currency Ordinance (No. 23) of 1938, and ratified by the various states during 1939.

Out of 27,000,000 one dollar notes and 5,600,000 five dollar notes of the same series despatched to Malaya before the Japanese invasion; 25,800,000 one dollar notes and 5,000,000 five dollar notes actually arrived. Of the remainder, 700,000 one dollar notes and 500,000 five dollar notes were seized by the Germans when one of their raiders captured the [[SS Automedon]]; and further 500,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were lost when the carrying ship, the [[SS Eumanes]], was sunk.

None of these notes were ever put into circulation by the Straits Settlement Government, so that at the time of Japanese invasion thay were still held in treasury vaults in [[Singapore]] and [[Penang]].

When [[Penang]] was evacuated in December 1941, 600,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were abandoned in the treasury, where they fell into the hands of the Japanese. In [[Singapore]], 4,200,000 one dollar and 1,000,000 five dollar notes were destroyed, and 21,000,000 one dollar notes and 3,900,000 five dollar notes shipped ti [[India]] for safety.

When [[United Kingdom|British]] foces reoccupied [[Singapore]] in September 1945, they found found all the abandoned notes of this series, except for the one bundle of one thousand of the notes captured in [[Penang]], in the vaults of the Japanese sub-tresury.

All stocks were destroyed in 1946, as it was feared that the notes from the captured ship might have been handed over bythe Germans to their Japanese allies, and were being hoarded in bulk, ready to be passed into circulation when the notes became current. There are no evidence that these notes ever reached [[Malaya]]. All the notes were signed by L.G. Corney, the Chairman of the [[Board of the Commissioners of Currency]].

==='''British Military Administration in Malaya ([[1945]] - [[1946]])'''===

[[British]] forces landed at [[Penang]] on 3 September 1945 and at [[Singapore]] on 5 September 1945; gradually thereafter reoccupied the whole [[Malaya]]. Until 1 April 1946, the country's finances were administrated by the depatment of the Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Army Pay Corps, and currency was put into circulation against payment in sterling by the [[War Office]] to the account of the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]].

It was decided that no value whatever should be accorded the Japanese 'banana' miney then in circulation, as it had been estimated that during the 3½ years occupation the Japanese had issued a minimum of 4,000 million dollars worth of currency against a normal 1941 circulation of about 220 million (Donnison p.223). The pay service made available currency notes from 1 cent to 10,000 dollars which had been printed in [[Britain]] either before, or during, the occupation but had not previously been sent to [[Malaya]]. In addition, the 1940 ten dollars note issued by the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]] and the old [[Straits Settlements]] notes, with the exception of denominations of 1,000 or 10,000 dollars and 10 and 25 cents, were declared legal tender. These old notes were gradually withdrawn, however, as the new issue became adequate for the country's needs.

The notes of this series from 1 cent to 10 dollars were dated 1 July 1941, those of 50, 100 and 1,000 dollars 1 January 1942, while the 10,000 dollars notes were signed and dated on the day of their issue. The Chairman for the Currency Board was H. Weisberg. The emergency issues of 1 cent with [[King George VI]] as the potrait was issued on 15 August 1940, designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] (F.M.S.) in Kuala Lumpur with the controlled serial number. On 1 September 1940, also an emergency issues of 25 cents was designed and printed by the [[Survey Department]] with [[King George VI]] as the potrait. On 1 July 1941, a set of new regular issues, with the denomination of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents was printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]], [[London]] with the potrait of [[King George VI]].

==Exchange Value of the Straits Dollar==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Year
| Sterling Exchange Rate
|-
| 1888
|$0.03
|-
|1889
|$0.03
|-
|1890
|$4.03
|-
|1891
|$2.28
|-
|1892
|$10.03
|-
|1893
|$6.35
|-
|1894
|$1.02
|-
|1895
|$1.52
|-
|1896
|$0.19
|-
|1897
|$11.51
|-
|1898
|$11.01
|-
|1899
|$11.34
|-
|1900
|$0.02
|-
|1901
|$11.01
|-
|1902
|$8.51
|-
|1903
|$9.01
|-
|1904
|$10.51
|-
|1905
|$0.02
|-
|1906 - 1936
|$4.02
|}

==References==
Emerson, Rupert, 1964,Malaysia A Study in Direct and Indirect Rule, Macmillan Company

Shaw, William, 1971, Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970), Museum Department of States of Malaya

{{dollar}}
{{Malaysia-stub}}
{{Singapore-stub}}
{{Brunei-stub}}
{{Money-unit-stub}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]

[[hu:Malaka-szorosi dollár]]

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-30T14:03:23Z

Andrew Kidman: /* '''British Military Administration in Malaya (1945 - 1946)''' */

The '''Straits dollar''' was the currency used in the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonies and protectorates in [[Malaya]] and [[Borneo]], including the [[Straits Settlements]] until [[1939]].

==History==
In the early nineteenth century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the [[Spanish dollar]], including issues both from Spain and from the Spanish colonies, most significantly [[Mexico]]. Locally issued coinages included the [[Kelantan keping|Kelantan]] and [[Trengganu keping]], and the [[Penang dollar]].

In 1837, the [[Indian rupee]] was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of [[India]]. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar, with the dollar equal to the Spanish dollar or [[Mexican peso]]. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.

From 1898, the Straits dollar was issued by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency and private banks were prevented from issuing notes. Its value depreciated over the next eight years and was then pegged at two [[shilling]]s four [[pence]] [[Pound sterling|sterling]] in 1906.

The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the [[Malayan dollar]] in 1939.

==Coins==
The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in [[1845]] were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were introduced in 1903. As a consequence of the depreciation in the dollar's value, the silver content of the coinage was reduced from 1907. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

==Banknotes==
The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollars notes in 1898, followed by 50 and 100 dollars in 1901 and 1 dollar in 1906. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and [[1920]]. 1000 dollars notes were issued in 1930 but during the 1930s only 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were issued.

===Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942)===

'''[[Queen Victoria]] ([[1837]] - [[1901]])'''

The Government of [[Straits Settlements]], was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to public until 1 May 1899. Both the [[Chartered Bank]] and [[Hong Long and Shanghai Bank]] continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely convertible into [[Mexican dollar]] or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

'''[[King Edward VII]] ([[1901]] - [[1910]])'''

[[King Edward]] ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]] of [[London]].

In [[1903]] a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the [[Straits Settlements]], and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by [[1904]]. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this [[Staits dollar]] and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

During the change over period, fear of a shortage of coin led to the introduction of one dollar note, fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver. To effect this the [[British gold sovereign]] was for the first time declared legal tender, and the [[Straits dollar]] was given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling. This dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, so that to a very large extent it replaced the need for the silver coin.

By the end of 1906 the government note issue had risen to $21,866,142 while that of the private banks had fallen to $1,329,052 (20th Century Impressions of British Malaya p.138) The one dollar notes, which were dated 1 September 1906, were printed by the [[London]] firm of [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. A five-dollar and a ten-dollar none both dated 8 June 1909, were printed [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]].

'''[[King George V]] ([[1910]] - [[1936]])'''

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In [[1915]], it was decided to make a complete change in the design of hte 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue]]. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

'''[[King Edward VIII]] ([[1936]])'''

No special issue of notes was made during this brief reign.

'''[[King George VI]] ([[1936]] - [[1952]])

In September 1933, Sir [[Basil Blackett]] was appointed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] to lead a commission to consider the participation of the various [[Malay States]], including [[Brunei]], in the profits and liabilities of the [[Straits Settlements]] currency. The Blackett Report recommended that the sole power of issuing currency for the area should be entrusted to a pan-Malayan Currency Commission. This recommendation wa adopted by the [[Government of the Straits Settlements]], the [[Federated Malay States]], [[Unfederated Malay States]] and [[Brunei]]. Legislation was enacted by the Straits Settlements Currency Ordinance (No. 23) of 1938, and ratified by the various states during 1939.

Out of 27,000,000 one dollar notes and 5,600,000 five dollar notes of the same series despatched to Malaya before the Japanese invasion; 25,800,000 one dollar notes and 5,000,000 five dollar notes actually arrived. Of the remainder, 700,000 one dollar notes and 500,000 five dollar notes were seized by the Germans when one of their raiders captured the [[SS Automedon]]; and further 500,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were lost when the carrying ship, the [[SS Eumanes]], was sunk.

None of these notes were ever put into circulation by the Straits Settlement Government, so that at the time of Japanese invasion thay were still held in treasury vaults in [[Singapore]] and [[Penang]].

When [[Penang]] was evacuated in December 1941, 600,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were abandoned in the treasury, where they fell into the hands of the Japanese. In [[Singapore]], 4,200,000 one dollar and 1,000,000 five dollar notes were destroyed, and 21,000,000 one dollar notes and 3,900,000 five dollar notes shipped ti [[India]] for safety.

When [[United Kingdom|British]] foces reoccupied [[Singapore]] in September 1945, they found found all the abandoned notes of this series, except for the one bundle of one thousand of the notes captured in [[Penang]], in the vaults of the Japanese sub-tresury.

All stocks were destroyed in 1946, as it was feared that the notes from the captured ship might have been handed over bythe Germans to their Japanese allies, and were being hoarded in bulk, ready to be passed into circulation when the notes became current. There are no evidence that these notes ever reached [[Malaya]]. All the notes were signed by L.G. Corney, the Chairman of the [[Board of the Commissioners of Currency]].

==='''British Military Administration in Malaya ([[1945]] - [[1946]])'''===

[[British]] forces landed at [[Penang]] on 3 September 1945 and at [[Singapore]] on 5 September 1945; gradually thereafter reoccupied the whole [[Malaya]]. Until 1 April 1946, the country's finances were administrated by the depatment of the Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Army Pay Corps, and currency was put into circulation against payment in sterling by the [[War Office]] to the account of the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]].

It was decided that no value whatever should be accorded the Japanese 'banana' miney then in circulation, as it had been estimated that during the 3½ years occupation the Japanese had issued a minimum of 4,000 million dollars worth of currency against a normal 1941 circulation of about 220 million (Donnison p.223). The pay service made available currency notes from 1 cent to 10,000 dollars which had been printed in [[Britain]] either before, or during, the occupation but had not previously been sent to [[Malaya]]. In addition, the 1940 ten dollars note issued by the [[Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya]] and the old [[Straits Settlements]] notes, with the exception of denominations of 1,000 or 10,000 dollars and 10 and 25 cents, were declared legal tender. These old notes were gradually withdrawn, however, as the new issue became adequate for the country's needs.

==Exchange Value of the Straits Dollar==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Year
| Sterling Exchange Rate
|-
| 1888
|$0.03
|-
|1889
|$0.03
|-
|1890
|$4.03
|-
|1891
|$2.28
|-
|1892
|$10.03
|-
|1893
|$6.35
|-
|1894
|$1.02
|-
|1895
|$1.52
|-
|1896
|$0.19
|-
|1897
|$11.51
|-
|1898
|$11.01
|-
|1899
|$11.34
|-
|1900
|$0.02
|-
|1901
|$11.01
|-
|1902
|$8.51
|-
|1903
|$9.01
|-
|1904
|$10.51
|-
|1905
|$0.02
|-
|1906 - 1936
|$4.02
|}

==References==
Emerson, Rupert, 1964,Malaysia A Study in Direct and Indirect Rule, Macmillan Company

Shaw, William, 1971, Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970), Museum Department of States of Malaya

{{dollar}}
{{Malaysia-stub}}
{{Singapore-stub}}
{{Brunei-stub}}
{{Money-unit-stub}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]

[[hu:Malaka-szorosi dollár]]

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-30T13:54:34Z

Andrew Kidman: /* '''British Military Administration in Malaya (1945 - 1946)''' */

The '''Straits dollar''' was the currency used in the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonies and protectorates in [[Malaya]] and [[Borneo]], including the [[Straits Settlements]] until [[1939]].

==History==
In the early nineteenth century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the [[Spanish dollar]], including issues both from Spain and from the Spanish colonies, most significantly [[Mexico]]. Locally issued coinages included the [[Kelantan keping|Kelantan]] and [[Trengganu keping]], and the [[Penang dollar]].

In 1837, the [[Indian rupee]] was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of [[India]]. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar, with the dollar equal to the Spanish dollar or [[Mexican peso]]. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.

From 1898, the Straits dollar was issued by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency and private banks were prevented from issuing notes. Its value depreciated over the next eight years and was then pegged at two [[shilling]]s four [[pence]] [[Pound sterling|sterling]] in 1906.

The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the [[Malayan dollar]] in 1939.

==Coins==
The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in [[1845]] were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were introduced in 1903. As a consequence of the depreciation in the dollar's value, the silver content of the coinage was reduced from 1907. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

==Banknotes==
The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollars notes in 1898, followed by 50 and 100 dollars in 1901 and 1 dollar in 1906. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and [[1920]]. 1000 dollars notes were issued in 1930 but during the 1930s only 1, 5 and 10 dollars notes were issued.

===Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942)===

'''[[Queen Victoria]] ([[1837]] - [[1901]])'''

The Government of [[Straits Settlements]], was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to public until 1 May 1899. Both the [[Chartered Bank]] and [[Hong Long and Shanghai Bank]] continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely convertible into [[Mexican dollar]] or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

'''[[King Edward VII]] ([[1901]] - [[1910]])'''

[[King Edward]] ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]] of [[London]].

In [[1903]] a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the [[Straits Settlements]], and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by [[1904]]. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this [[Staits dollar]] and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

During the change over period, fear of a shortage of coin led to the introduction of one dollar note, fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver. To effect this the [[British gold sovereign]] was for the first time declared legal tender, and the [[Straits dollar]] was given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling. This dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, so that to a very large extent it replaced the need for the silver coin.

By the end of 1906 the government note issue had risen to $21,866,142 while that of the private banks had fallen to $1,329,052 (20th Century Impressions of British Malaya p.138) The one dollar notes, which were dated 1 September 1906, were printed by the [[London]] firm of [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]]. A five-dollar and a ten-dollar none both dated 8 June 1909, were printed [[Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.]].

'''[[King George V]] ([[1910]] - [[1936]])'''

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In [[1915]], it was decided to make a complete change in the design of hte 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by [[Thomas de la Rue]]. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

'''[[King Edward VIII]] ([[1936]])'''

No special issue of notes was made during this brief reign.

'''[[King George VI]] ([[1936]] - [[1952]])

In September 1933, Sir [[Basil Blackett]] was appointed by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] to lead a commission to consider the participation of the various [[Malay States]], including [[Brunei]], in the profits and liabilities of the [[Straits Settlements]] currency. The Blackett Report recommended that the sole power of issuing currency for the area should be entrusted to a pan-Malayan Currency Commission. This recommendation wa adopted by the [[Government of the Straits Settlements]], the [[Federated Malay States]], [[Unfederated Malay States]] and [[Brunei]]. Legislation was enacted by the Straits Settlements Currency Ordinance (No. 23) of 1938, and ratified by the various states during 1939.

Out of 27,000,000 one dollar notes and 5,600,000 five dollar notes of the same series despatched to Malaya before the Japanese invasion; 25,800,000 one dollar notes and 5,000,000 five dollar notes actually arrived. Of the remainder, 700,000 one dollar notes and 500,000 five dollar notes were seized by the Germans when one of their raiders captured the [[SS Automedon]]; and further 500,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were lost when the carrying ship, the [[SS Eumanes]], was sunk.

None of these notes were ever put into circulation by the Straits Settlement Government, so that at the time of Japanese invasion thay were still held in treasury vaults in [[Singapore]] and [[Penang]].

When [[Penang]] was evacuated in December 1941, 600,000 one dollar notes and 100,000 five dollar notes were abandoned in the treasury, where they fell into the hands of the Japanese. In [[Singapore]], 4,200,000 one dollar and 1,000,000 five dollar notes were destroyed, and 21,000,000 one dollar notes and 3,900,000 five dollar notes shipped ti [[India]] for safety.

When [[United Kingdom|British]] foces reoccupied [[Singapore]] in September 1945, they found found all the abandoned notes of this series, except for the one bundle of one thousand of the notes captured in [[Penang]], in the vaults of the Japanese sub-tresury.

All stocks were destroyed in 1946, as it was feared that the notes from the captured ship might have been handed over bythe Germans to their Japanese allies, and were being hoarded in bulk, ready to be passed into circulation when the notes became current. There are no evidence that these notes ever reached [[Malaya]]. All the notes were signed by L.G. Corney, the Chairman of the [[Board of the Commissioners of Currency]].

==='''British Military Administration in Malaya ([[1945]] - [[1946]])'''===

[[British]] forces landed at [[Penang]] on 3 September 1945 and at [[Singapore]] on 5 September 1945; gradually thereafter reoccupied the whole [[Malaya]]. Until 1 April 1946, the country's finances were administrated by the depatment of the Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Army Pay Corps, and currency was put into circulation against payment in sterling by the [[War Office]] to the account of the Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya.

==Exchange Value of the Straits Dollar==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Year
| Sterling Exchange Rate
|-
| 1888
|$0.03
|-
|1889
|$0.03
|-
|1890
|$4.03
|-
|1891
|$2.28
|-
|1892
|$10.03
|-
|1893
|$6.35
|-
|1894
|$1.02
|-
|1895
|$1.52
|-
|1896
|$0.19
|-
|1897
|$11.51
|-
|1898
|$11.01
|-
|1899
|$11.34
|-
|1900
|$0.02
|-
|1901
|$11.01
|-
|1902
|$8.51
|-
|1903
|$9.01
|-
|1904
|$10.51
|-
|1905
|$0.02
|-
|1906 - 1936
|$4.02
|}

==References==
Emerson, Rupert, 1964,Malaysia A Study in Direct and Indirect Rule, Macmillan Company

Shaw, William, 1971, Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970), Museum Department of States of Malaya

{{dollar}}
{{Malaysia-stub}}
{{Singapore-stub}}
{{Brunei-stub}}
{{Money-unit-stub}}

[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:Economic history of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Modern obsolete currencies]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:British Malaya]]
[[Category:British North Borneo]]
[[Category:Economy of Brunei]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sarawak]]

[[hu:Malaka-szorosi dollár]]

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-30T04:57:17Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Exchange Value of the Straits Dollar */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-29T14:29:07Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-29T14:25:35Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-29T14:16:44Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-29T14:11:37Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-29T11:31:55Z

Andrew Kidman: /* King George V (1910 - 1936) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-29T11:31:02Z

Andrew Kidman: /* King Edward VII (1901 - 1910) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-29T11:29:47Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-29T11:29:16Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-29T11:28:24Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Straits Settlements Government Issues (1899 - 1942) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-28T13:18:25Z

Andrew Kidman: /* King George V (1910 - 1936) */

Straits-Dollar

2007-04-28T13:17:59Z

Andrew Kidman: /* Banknotes */