Impressions of Kimanis from the coast
Published on: Saturday, August 08, 2020
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MAY 1, 1883
The visitor to North Borneo, steaming northward from Labuan will find himself, after passing Nosong Point, abreast of Kimanis, lying in the bight of the bay of that name, and the most southerly station of the North Borneo Company on the West Coast.
This pretty and flourishing little station will well repay a visit.
Passing over a bar, which at most seasons offers no difficulties, the visitor penetrates some four miles inland up the pictureque and winding Kimanis river until, on rounding a bend, he sees the station lying in a panorama before him, the white Residency nestling at the foot of a range of blue mountains, with a vista of coconut palms and Malay houses behind it.
These mountains are easy of access, being but a few hours paddling up the river. The station is backed by a range of low hills, from which a fine view can be enjoyed of the immense plain stretching away to Benoni and Papar.
The portion of this plain lying south of Benoni is forest land of a fine quality, and has an extent of about twenty to twenty-five square miles.
It may safely be predicted that a great future in sago and sugar cultivation lies before this district, the soil being suitable and ample water communication available.
Little padi is grown in the vicinity, but there is no limit to the amount that might be raised, while the coffee plant may be seen flourishing in one or two gardens on the banks of the river.
The staple exports are gutta-percha, India-rubber, bird’s nests, raw sago, etc., while the imports are chiefly rice, cloth, salt, and tobacco.
The flourishing state of the trade of this station may be seen by the figures for the first half of the year 1882, imports $18,008 against exports $16,552.
For the last half of the year the imports amounted to $27,641.
This trade is capable of development, and the construction of a road to Limbawan on the Padas river at a future date, will give a great impulse to it and bring in much trade at present passing into other channels.
The Malay and Dusun population are an orderly and peaceably disposed race, and crime may almost be said to be non-existent.
The climate is salubrious and cool, the heat of the day being tempered by a deliciously cool breeze at night and morning, from the cold mountain tops adjacent.
For beauty of scenery, and salubrity of climate, Kimanis will compare favourably with is compeers and is worthy of the attention of the intending planter immigrant.
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