Having obtained the sanction of His Highness the Rajah, I, early in July, called out the Stunggang Malays to repair the road throught their Kampong. This was completed within two days. The prisoners assisted. All the bridges were opened up and remade. As the road runs entirely through marshy land it will require attention every few years.
His Highness the Rajah having kindly granted me leave to attend the races I left for Kuching on July 14th.
On the 10th August I learned from Simatan that one Goh Ang Jit a Lewchew Chinaman, living at Saragan, had met his death at the hands of Yu Choon, Choon Kooi and Su Hap. Yu Choon and Choon Koi were both arrested within a week of the assault, and forwarded to Kuching. Su Hap up to present has not been heard of. My report on this affair was sent to the Hon'ble the Resident. The case came before a special Jury in the Supreme Court when Yu Choon was found guilty of the manslaughter of Goh Ang Jit and Chook Kooi was found not guilty and was discharged.
Mr. Parnell, who came to audit the Station accounts, arrivede on 10th August per p.s. Adeh returning on the 11th August at 9 P.M. The p.s. Adeh returned at day-light that morning.
On the 24th to 29th August I visited the coast as fas Telok Snabang. Here one Jauh Ah Sin a Kheh Chinese and padi planter at Mempawa Sambas applied for a permit to plant ov er 10,000 coconuts at Tanjong Sakol, which is between Sungei Samunsam and Sungei Limo, quite uninhabited land. Ah Sin will not be able to commence clearing until end of next harvest, but I think he really means business. If granted the land he intends bringing over about 10 doors of Chinese for whose good behaviour he will be responsible. Further he was willing to place a deposit if I would issue a permint then and there, which would have reverted to the Government in the event of his not appearing before the end of the 3rd Chinese moon 1908. I have not granted the permit, but told Ah Sin I would do so on his arrival next year, if Government raised no objection. There is land in these parts for many more who really mean serious planting.
On the 28th August I paid a few hours visit to the Talang Talang islands. I understand that the turtles this year have not come up in such large numbers as they did last or even previous years. I am not surprised to hear this, and should imagine that probably in 25 years time, unless some precautions are taken, the turtles will come up in even lesser numbers. No provision whatsoever is made for keeping up the supply of young turtles, and this seems a great pity. I wonder that the lessees to further their own interests do not agree to ser apart a certain time each year for a close season - say any three weeks between 31st May and 30th September. A million eggs were collected last year. This number is smaller than what I thought the islands capable of producing.
The prisoners have been employed in raising the road across river and in opening up the old road to the Tobacco Estate to its original size 24 feet in width. Owing to careless and indifferent mowing the 'babas' had been allowed to grow up until the road measured scarcely 6 feet broad.
This is all I have to report to Your Highness on this occasion.
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