On the 4th instant accompanied by Orang Kaya Baja I paid a visit to the Ulu Lundu. From the mouth of Rasau upwards I found crowds of Malays and Dyaks living in huts lining both banks of the main river and side streams for miles. All were in search of the illipe nut. By the end of the month the price for these nuts had risen to nearly $5.00 per pikul.
At Stungkor Orang Kaya Nyulim complained "that for two years now the Stingang Dyaks had farmed on the Stungkor side of Sungei Stuman which land really belongs to the Stungkor Dyaks. Now that Dyaks were living in the Rasau river the Stungkor Dyaks had very little land left for farming and could not afford to allow the Stingang people to encroach on their land." Many years back a previous Resident arranged that the Stingang Dyaks should not farm below the right bank of the Stuman and the Stungkor Dyaks should not farm above the left bank of the same stream. This arrangement seems perfectly fair as the Stingang Dyaks have almost an unlimited acreage of land to choose for farming on. I have sent for the Orang Kaya of Stingang who was away at Bau during the time I was up-river. I shall inform him "that I insist on his people adhering to that old order and that if they again encroach on the Stungkor Dyaks farming land they will be punished."
The Stungkor Dyaks have further asked if the fine for adultery could be increased. The present fine amongst the Land Dyaks here, of eight tempaian equal to four dollars, was many years ago quite sufficient to meet this offence. Nowadays it is wholly inadequate and acts more as an inducement to crime than as a determent.
Probate duty on the estate of Ong Tai Tion deceased of Messrs. Soon Hong Co. of Simatan amounted to $414.75.
In consequence of a letter received from the Hon'ble the Divisional Resident I left on sunday 22nd for Sampadi to inspect the building of a tongkang for Government by one Nandi. The tongkang which is nearly completed is in my opinion a most disgracefully built one, and has been put together in a very rough and ready fashion. I strongly recommend very careful examination of this boat before it is finally taken over by Government.
On the 22nd instant Messrs. H.H. Everett and E.F. Pumpin arrived from Santubong.
Mr. Pumpin who had letters of introduction from the Hon'ble the Divisional Resident came to inspect the soil in this district with a view to planting Ramie. On the Lundu side Mr. Pumpin inspected the soild at Skati, Simuning, Prundang, Simatan valley Seberis, Saraian, Selarat, Sebokoh and Timbaga were visited. The trip to Rasau was made per s.l. Saraktan. This is I believe the first time that a steamer of any kind has been so far up river. It is quite certain that a fairly large sized launch or steamer could, if it were necessary, easily get up as far as Rasau on a flood tide. The Chinese and Malay bandongs go some good two hours above Rasau as far as Stungkor.
Mr. Pumpin was very impressed with the land in the Simatan valley, particularly with that at Sebakoh and Timbaga. Here the soild is undoubtedly very rich. I do not think I am far wrong when I write and say "that it would be hard to find in Sarawak soil better than that which is to be found on the land lying between Lundu and the Poi Mountains." There is no doubt that this spot is one of the most fertile valleys in the country.
On the 21st Baling of Siling reported that one Lincha, a leper, had suddenly disappeared. He was last seen the previous evening at 6 p.m. by his daughter. All property in the hut which Lincha occupied was undisturbed. I ordered the Dyaks to make a thorough search for this man but up to the 29th no signs of him had been discovered. The Dyaks seem to think that Lincha had run away to the mountains in the hopes of finding relief from his terrible sickness. I am, however, of the opinion that Lincha knowing he was an outcast committed suicide to end his misery. He no doubt threw himself into the river and was devoured by the crocodiles.
I have nothing further to report to your Highness for this month.
F.F. Boult,
Resident 2nd Class.
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