Annual report / State of Brunei.

Date:
[1953]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report / State of Brunei. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in from Singapore and Hong Kong, but only very occasionally have any disputes arisen and these have all been settled easily, the solution usually being amicably solved by returning any dis¬ satisfied persons to the place of recruitment at the Company’s expense. During the year the Oil Company have undertaken a con¬ siderable exploration programme in their concessions out to sea. This work required very considerable expense and engineering skill. It is, as yet, too early to say whether or not any new oil¬ bearing sands have been established. The Revenue of the State has remained satisfactory during the year and again the State has been able to make very con¬ siderable increases in its reserves. The most difficult problem which Brunei has to face for some time to come is that of Staff. The Secondary Schools are not yet producing boys and girls with a sufficiently high standard to fill the professional, technical and clerical vacancies in the State Government Staff. It will probably be another 8 years before Brunei boys and girls (in any numbers) will be fully qualified professionally and technically. It is therefore necessary to recruit practically all our clerical and technical staff from Malaya and Hong Kong. This is proving no easy task as people are not prepared to come to Brunei to work unless paid very high wages, which, if agreed to would aggravate the problem which is also being faced by our neighbours. The increased interest in Athletics and Team games has been very noticeable of late. The Oilfields area has always been provided with sports facilities and has always produced keen and good results. Latterly much more attention is being paid to games and athletics in the Government Schools and Clubs elsewhere in the State, the consequent improvement in Team games such as football and hockey is very marked. Tennis is also now being encouraged by Government and facilities provided, so that those who hitherto could not afford to play now find it possible to get all the tennis they want (tennis balls provided) at about $5 a month. The standard is much higher
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