William Temple Hornaday in his book Two Years in the Jungle ... gives a very good description of the government house in Sadong where Francis Farrington took up residence in 1909.
"The government house stands a hundred yards above the confluence of the two rivers, and I was surprised at finding it so well-built, roomy and comfortable. It was built to accommodate such of the government officers as might have occasion to visit this locality in the discharge of their duties. As usual the house stands on posts six feet high, and the space underneath is quite well adapted to such work as skinning and skeletonizing animals. It contains two suites of rooms, and a latticed verandah in front of each sleeping apartment, which is a capital place for keeping pet monkeys and orang-utans.
At the front of the house the steps lead up to a spacious audience room, from the door of which there is a fine view of several miles directly down the Sadong, here a mighty river half a mile wide. The house is used as a police station by a detachment of half a dozen men, whose duties consist mainly of striking the hours on a deep-toned gong which hangs in the verandah.
... The grounds in front of the house are tastefully laid out, and quite filled with flowering and curious plants from the surrounding jungle, all of which seem to thrive without care.
The virgin jungle comes up to within a hundred yards of the house at the back, and the Malay kampong nestles at its edge."
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Report from Sadong May 1909
Mr. H.B. Crocker handed to me the affairs of this district on 26th ultimo and returned to Kuching the following morning per s.l. Young Harry, en-route to take up his appointment in Upper Sarawak.
On the 8th I left for Tabekang to collect the Land Dyak Revenue. I spent two nights at Gedong and one at Peradai on my way up. At the former place there were a good many debt court cases requiring attention.
Whilst at Tabekang I received word from Mr. Crocker who was at Munggo Babi, that he would be at Lanchang on the 15th: I walked over to Lanchang that day spending the night there and returned to Tabekang the next mourning. Mr. Crocker being pressed for time, at his request I heard, at Tabekang, the case of Dari Tua of Tarat Lanchang vs. Dabong of Sigaung - Plaintiff charged defendant with setting tukak and reported that one of his people, Ganun by name, had been wounded by same, I dismissed the case and fined Dari for bringing a false charge against defendant.
The Dyaks were very slow in paying their tax, owing to the difficulty they had in exchanging old dollars for new ones. Like the natives in other parts of the country they fail to understant why they should part with the heavy dollar for a light one.
The fines imposed on the Simunjan Dyaks in connection with the recent disturbances have all been paid in.
There have been the usual number of petty cases at the Mines, illicut gambling being the chief offence. To try and put a stop to this the gambling farmer has erected special premises for playing. I have issued a notice stating that no gambling will be allowed at the Mines except in these quarters. At first the coolies boycotted the farmer at the instigation of the mandors who were making quite a nice little profit by allowing the coolies to gamble illicitly. It was only natural that the number of cases should for a time considerably increase. There have been no cases of illicit gambling reported for a fortnight.
The pressure of water down at Simunjam is very poor indeed, whilst at the Mines it is all that can be desired. Air-valves which I obtained from Mr. Grove are being placed at various intervals along the pipe line so that it will now be quite easy to flush the pipes out. This is what is really required as a lot of matter has collected in them. When the line has been thoroughly cleaned the pressure should be greatly increased.
Mr. May, General Manager of the Sarawak Collieries, arrived per s.l. Young Harry on 24th. He returned to Brooketon by the s.l. Alice Lorraine which called in here on 27th at 3:30 p.m. and left again at 5:30 p.m.
The Police Barracks at the Mines have been completed. This work was done by contract, Government supplying all the material.
The prisoners have been employed in the annual white-washing of Government buildings and in the general up-keep of the station.
During the month 5 steamers and 18 sailing vessels cleared out with coal.
The trade returns for the month ast as under:-
Exports Imports
$20,672.75 $13,434.00
F.F. Boult
Resident of Sadong
On the 8th I left for Tabekang to collect the Land Dyak Revenue. I spent two nights at Gedong and one at Peradai on my way up. At the former place there were a good many debt court cases requiring attention.
Whilst at Tabekang I received word from Mr. Crocker who was at Munggo Babi, that he would be at Lanchang on the 15th: I walked over to Lanchang that day spending the night there and returned to Tabekang the next mourning. Mr. Crocker being pressed for time, at his request I heard, at Tabekang, the case of Dari Tua of Tarat Lanchang vs. Dabong of Sigaung - Plaintiff charged defendant with setting tukak and reported that one of his people, Ganun by name, had been wounded by same, I dismissed the case and fined Dari for bringing a false charge against defendant.
The Dyaks were very slow in paying their tax, owing to the difficulty they had in exchanging old dollars for new ones. Like the natives in other parts of the country they fail to understant why they should part with the heavy dollar for a light one.
The fines imposed on the Simunjan Dyaks in connection with the recent disturbances have all been paid in.
There have been the usual number of petty cases at the Mines, illicut gambling being the chief offence. To try and put a stop to this the gambling farmer has erected special premises for playing. I have issued a notice stating that no gambling will be allowed at the Mines except in these quarters. At first the coolies boycotted the farmer at the instigation of the mandors who were making quite a nice little profit by allowing the coolies to gamble illicitly. It was only natural that the number of cases should for a time considerably increase. There have been no cases of illicit gambling reported for a fortnight.
The pressure of water down at Simunjam is very poor indeed, whilst at the Mines it is all that can be desired. Air-valves which I obtained from Mr. Grove are being placed at various intervals along the pipe line so that it will now be quite easy to flush the pipes out. This is what is really required as a lot of matter has collected in them. When the line has been thoroughly cleaned the pressure should be greatly increased.
Mr. May, General Manager of the Sarawak Collieries, arrived per s.l. Young Harry on 24th. He returned to Brooketon by the s.l. Alice Lorraine which called in here on 27th at 3:30 p.m. and left again at 5:30 p.m.
The Police Barracks at the Mines have been completed. This work was done by contract, Government supplying all the material.
The prisoners have been employed in the annual white-washing of Government buildings and in the general up-keep of the station.
During the month 5 steamers and 18 sailing vessels cleared out with coal.
The trade returns for the month ast as under:-
Exports Imports
$20,672.75 $13,434.00
F.F. Boult
Resident of Sadong
Sarawak Gazette June 1, 1909
Mr. Boult arrived from Sadong on the 29th by s.s. Sarawak. He is returning to Sadong in a say or two.
Sarawak Gazette May 1, 1909
Mr. H.B. Crocker arrived by boat from Sadong and Mr. boult by schooner from Matu on the 21st ultimo. The former has since gone to take up his duties in Upper Sarawak, while the latter has proceeded to Sadong where he is to be stationed.
Sarawak Gazette April 16, 1909
The Government Gazette of this date notifies the following appointments by his Highness The Rajah:-
Mr. H.R.A. Day to be Resident, 1st Class, Kuching; Mr. D.A. Owen to relieve Mr. Lewis in Kuching; Mr. H.L. Owen to be Resident of Bintulu; Mr. A.B. Ward to be Resident of Simanggang; Mr. F.A, W. Page-Turner to do duty in upper Rejang; Mr. F. F. Boult to be Resident of Sadong; Mr. T.S. King to do duty at Lawas; Mr. C.E. A. Ermen to do duty at Mukah and Oya; Mr. W.F, de V.Skrine to do duty at Simanggang.
Mr. H.R.A. Day to be Resident, 1st Class, Kuching; Mr. D.A. Owen to relieve Mr. Lewis in Kuching; Mr. H.L. Owen to be Resident of Bintulu; Mr. A.B. Ward to be Resident of Simanggang; Mr. F.A, W. Page-Turner to do duty in upper Rejang; Mr. F. F. Boult to be Resident of Sadong; Mr. T.S. King to do duty at Lawas; Mr. C.E. A. Ermen to do duty at Mukah and Oya; Mr. W.F, de V.Skrine to do duty at Simanggang.
Sarawak Gazetter March 16, 1909
S.S. Alice Lorraine sailed for Lundu on the 10th instant to pick up Mr. F.F. Boult, Resident Lundu. She then was to continue her voyage to Matu where Mr. Boult temporarily relieves Mr. MacPhee who comes to Kuching.
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Report from Lundu January 1909
The chief event of the month was the visit of His Highness The Rajah Muda to this station at Chinese New Year. Leaving Santubong shortly before noon on 20th His Highness took the route via the lobahs to Rombongan which place was reached at 4 P.M. Here the Young Harry anchored. The launch went through the Rombongan lobah at the top of a spring tide quite easily. Lundu was reached at 2.15 P.M. the following afternoon. After spending three nights here His Highness returned to Kuching on 24th at 5.30 A.M. A halt for a couple of hours was made at Rombongan. Here one's creature comforts were most handsomely provided for. This was very necessary after walking a good ten miles along the shore in the blazing sun. Leaving the Young Harry to follow at the right state of the tide His Highness proceeded to Kuching in his motor boat. The return journey occupied 14 1/2 hours. This constitutes a record from Lundu to Kuching or vice versa via the lobahs. Had not the pilot missed his way in a rain storm this time could easily have been lessened by two hours. Just as all hope of ever getting to Kuching that same evening was being abandoned and the none too pleasant experience of a night in the lobahs, without food or curtains, contemplated, lobah Kara came into view. Kuching was reached at a few minutes before 8 o'clock that night. His Highness throughout this trip was accompanied by Mr. J.R. Barnes and myself.
With an advance in the prices of pepper and gutta jelutong the trade prospects for 1909 are bright. Many natives are now away in the jungle collecting the latter.
Concerning the reported smuggling of gun-powder into this district I went fully into the matter whilst in Simatan. It is true that this article is smuggled in both over the border and by the sea, but the amount concerned is exceedingly small. Island boats calling at Tulok Milano or Tulok Srabang will occasionally exchange a charge or two of powder for fruit and vegetables. These people are I understand, allowed by the Dutch Authorities to carry a small amount of powder for the purpose of self-protection. I have thought it advisable to slightly increase the sale of powder to bona fide owners of gardens and plantations. It must be taken into consideration that these people have very many enemies to contend with. The wild pigs, monkeys, squirrels, etc., do an enormous amount of damage to their crops. This should have the effect of stopping all smuggling without resorting to stringent methods. Powder is far harder to obtain over the border than it is in Sarawak.
By His Highness the Rajah Muda's order the Sebuyow Dyaks were told to cease all beating of gongs and feasting. They were carrying on in the sam ridiculous fashion as the Dyaks of Sadong and around Kuching. So infatuated had they become with their continual feasting that they appeared to be quite oblivious of the fact that their paddi farms require attention. To put a stop to this absurd nonsense I thought they would be better occupied by doing some really useful work.They have since been turned out and have repaired all the bridges from Skambal to Siah of which there are some 14, five of them being good long ones. The Dyaks received the usual daily allowance which it is customary to pay them when called upon to do Government work.
There has been a good deal of sickness about during the month, no doubt largely aggravated by the abnormally dry weather which has been so prevalent of late.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class.
With an advance in the prices of pepper and gutta jelutong the trade prospects for 1909 are bright. Many natives are now away in the jungle collecting the latter.
Concerning the reported smuggling of gun-powder into this district I went fully into the matter whilst in Simatan. It is true that this article is smuggled in both over the border and by the sea, but the amount concerned is exceedingly small. Island boats calling at Tulok Milano or Tulok Srabang will occasionally exchange a charge or two of powder for fruit and vegetables. These people are I understand, allowed by the Dutch Authorities to carry a small amount of powder for the purpose of self-protection. I have thought it advisable to slightly increase the sale of powder to bona fide owners of gardens and plantations. It must be taken into consideration that these people have very many enemies to contend with. The wild pigs, monkeys, squirrels, etc., do an enormous amount of damage to their crops. This should have the effect of stopping all smuggling without resorting to stringent methods. Powder is far harder to obtain over the border than it is in Sarawak.
By His Highness the Rajah Muda's order the Sebuyow Dyaks were told to cease all beating of gongs and feasting. They were carrying on in the sam ridiculous fashion as the Dyaks of Sadong and around Kuching. So infatuated had they become with their continual feasting that they appeared to be quite oblivious of the fact that their paddi farms require attention. To put a stop to this absurd nonsense I thought they would be better occupied by doing some really useful work.They have since been turned out and have repaired all the bridges from Skambal to Siah of which there are some 14, five of them being good long ones. The Dyaks received the usual daily allowance which it is customary to pay them when called upon to do Government work.
There has been a good deal of sickness about during the month, no doubt largely aggravated by the abnormally dry weather which has been so prevalent of late.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class.
Report from Lundu November 1908
Up to the prsent no arrests have yet been made in connection with the death of Ooi Ah Cha, a Lew-chew of Skati, who between 9 and 10 P.M. on the 31st October, was murdered by his two coolies Chong Shin and Keah Chin assisted by three other Lew-chews. This matter has already been fully reported elsewhere.
Much disappointment was felt owing to His Highness the Rajah Muda being unavoidably prevented from visiting this station, as he had previously arranged to do, abouth the 9th.
I was away at Simatan from the 18th to 21st. Here a well for Officers drinking water has been sunk and it will be kept under lock and key. Formerly water for use at the bungalow was drawn from kampong wells, not always desirable spots from where to et drinking water. On the last two occasions when visiting this place I and my coolies were taken ill, this I attributed to the water, so decided that it was quite time Government had a good well of it's own.
A few Malays were anxious to have a big tubah fishing in the Skambal river and the Dyaks stated they would be pleased to participate in this ceremony and provide their share of the tubah, at the same time they very wisely pointed out that the tubah would destroy all the oysters. As this delicacy is quite one of the features of Lundu and much in request by visitors both Europeans and natives the tubah fishing was not allowed.
Natives and Chinese I am glad to notice are this year farming on a much larger scale than they have done for the last two or three seasons. With the splendid facilities afforded for irrigation on Tanjong Puron opposite the Court House one wonders what there is, beyond their lack of energy, to prevent these people from raising two crops of padi a year. If the in habitants would produce sufficient rice for their own consumption much of the inconveniences caused by the landas, when rice is sometimes as much as 50 cents per gantang, would disappear. Even in the fine monsoon the price is never lower than 3 to 31/2 gantangs a dollar and that for second quality only.
The sea up to middle of the month was quite calm, but after that date the weather becae very rough and stormy.
At 7 P.M. on the 28th I left for Kuching with a police squad taking with me the remainder of the old Straits dollars from the Treasury here.
F.F. Boult,
Resident 2nd Class.
Much disappointment was felt owing to His Highness the Rajah Muda being unavoidably prevented from visiting this station, as he had previously arranged to do, abouth the 9th.
I was away at Simatan from the 18th to 21st. Here a well for Officers drinking water has been sunk and it will be kept under lock and key. Formerly water for use at the bungalow was drawn from kampong wells, not always desirable spots from where to et drinking water. On the last two occasions when visiting this place I and my coolies were taken ill, this I attributed to the water, so decided that it was quite time Government had a good well of it's own.
A few Malays were anxious to have a big tubah fishing in the Skambal river and the Dyaks stated they would be pleased to participate in this ceremony and provide their share of the tubah, at the same time they very wisely pointed out that the tubah would destroy all the oysters. As this delicacy is quite one of the features of Lundu and much in request by visitors both Europeans and natives the tubah fishing was not allowed.
Natives and Chinese I am glad to notice are this year farming on a much larger scale than they have done for the last two or three seasons. With the splendid facilities afforded for irrigation on Tanjong Puron opposite the Court House one wonders what there is, beyond their lack of energy, to prevent these people from raising two crops of padi a year. If the in habitants would produce sufficient rice for their own consumption much of the inconveniences caused by the landas, when rice is sometimes as much as 50 cents per gantang, would disappear. Even in the fine monsoon the price is never lower than 3 to 31/2 gantangs a dollar and that for second quality only.
The sea up to middle of the month was quite calm, but after that date the weather becae very rough and stormy.
At 7 P.M. on the 28th I left for Kuching with a police squad taking with me the remainder of the old Straits dollars from the Treasury here.
F.F. Boult,
Resident 2nd Class.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Report from Lundu September & October 1908
The Malays and Dyaks of Siling all turned out early in September and remade the road which runs through their Kampong. The Dyaks also erected a substantial bridge over Sungei Siling.
On 5th September I left for Ulu Passir spending the night at Beawak and returning to Lundu the next day. The Dyaks had one or two complaints to lodge, all of which have been reported in the official diary. These natives of Passir are without exaggeration quite the dirtiest and filthiest people it has ever been my lot to come across.
From the 11th to 15th September I was away along coast, and I visited the Ulu Sampadi and Ulu Rambungan where I inspected all the gambier gardens. At the latter place I was informed that it is very many years since any European Officer had passed through that district. Both at Rambungan and Sampadi there is abundance of land for those who wish to plant on a large scale.
During the month of September no less than three coconut plantations were seriously damaged by fire, Nacodah Ahmat of Rambungan and Awang Bujang of Bandang Lundu each having some 700 plants, averaging from 6 to 10 years, destroyed Nacodah Ahmat's case is still sub judice but the one of Aw. Bujang vs. Lamit and others has been dismissed as it was conclusively proved that defendants had given full and sufficient notice to plaintiff that they intended to burn their clearing. Plaintiff himself was present the day his estate caught fire, which was entirely due to his own negligence. At the same time Malays and Chinese, more particularly the latter, are far too callous in the matter of burning off their clearings and as often as not fail to give due warning to their neighbours that they are about to have a burn.
One Soon Lee, a Chinaman of Settuh, who has rented Inche Bakar's cocoanut plantation at Puloh Sampadian complains that large boats often stop off the island, the occupants of which he strongly suspects of stealing his cocoanuts. One night he had over 500 gathered cocoanuts stolen. Soon Lee further reports that on the 23rd August a schooner owned by Tuanku S'mail, a Puloh man, anchored off Sampadian and took on board as many as 14 passengers, persons living on the main-land at Rambungan and Settuh, several of whom were Cutch Coy debtors. I have issued a warrant for Tuanku S'mail's arrest and I hope it will not be long ere he visits Sarawak again.
Many of the bandong men here have complained of the treatment that they have received at the hands of one or two of the Customs' Officials at Santubong. This matter was duly reported to the Superintendent of Customs and I have since learnt from him that the two men implicated have been sentenced to six months imprisonment.
At 3.30 P.M. on 25th September the ss. Alice Lorraine arrived from Kuching. I received orders to proceed to Sadong to temporarily relieve Mr. Crocker. After handing over to the Court Writer I left at daylight on the 26th September for Kuching via Simatan. The s.s. Alice Lorraine brought $2,500 Straits dollars and returned with $2,500 old ones, also 25 head of Simatan cattle.
At about midnight on 4th October Goi Soo Chuan the Court Writer was awakened by a noise coming from his kitchen, on getting up to see he found same was alight. Fortunately the night was calm so the fire was quickly extinguished. Soo Chuan says he distinctly saw someone disappear into the darkness but was quite unable to recognize who it was. He therefore suspects this was the work of an incendiary. The Native Officer and Corporal Sohn Singh both examined the kitchen and are of the opinion that the fire originated from the outside.
There have been an unusual number of petty thefts reported these last two months and many of the Hokkien Chinese have been caused annoyance by finding in front of their shops of a morning large baskets of rubbish. Some also have had bricks on planks placed against their doors, all of which open inwards, so that the chances are that when the door is opened some one will receive a nasty blow. As shops owned by Khehs and Leochews have been left unmolested the conclusion is obvious. There has of late been quite an influx of Kheh Chinese into this bazaar; many of the new arrivals I feel sure are bad characters, no doubt the general depression in trade causes these undesirables to flitter about from one district to another in search of ill-gotten gains.
I am glad to be able to report that the engkabang tree, the fruit of which was such a godsend early in the year, it is very heavily in flower again this season. It is sincerely to be hoped that a large crop of nuts will follow and that natives will seize the opportunity of gathering them; and at the same time refrain from adulterationj. Although no cases of the kind are brought before thi scourt I have good grounds for knowing that some traders did resort to this seemingly smart practice. The people have been duly warned and anyone being proved to have committed such an offence will receive a very sharp lesson, as such methods of trading cannot be conducive to the prosperity of the country.
The Hon'ble the Resident and Mr. Crocker arrived at 2.30 P.M. on 8th October per s.s. Alice Lorraine from Kuching, returning in the same steamer the next morning at 11 A.M.
The s.l. La Fee arrived from Kuching on 14th october, Mr. E.L. Grove and myself were passengers by her; she returned to Kuchingh on 15th October at 8 A.M. Mr. Grove taking passage by her.
Each of the following days were observed as public holidays, when all Government Offices and school were closed - His Highness the Rajah Muda's birthday, September 26th, Her Highness the Ranee's birthday, October 9th, and Hari Raya, October 27th.
Three prisoners in October were forwarded to Kuching to complete their sentences. Those left here have been employed in the general up-keep of the station.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class.
On 5th September I left for Ulu Passir spending the night at Beawak and returning to Lundu the next day. The Dyaks had one or two complaints to lodge, all of which have been reported in the official diary. These natives of Passir are without exaggeration quite the dirtiest and filthiest people it has ever been my lot to come across.
From the 11th to 15th September I was away along coast, and I visited the Ulu Sampadi and Ulu Rambungan where I inspected all the gambier gardens. At the latter place I was informed that it is very many years since any European Officer had passed through that district. Both at Rambungan and Sampadi there is abundance of land for those who wish to plant on a large scale.
During the month of September no less than three coconut plantations were seriously damaged by fire, Nacodah Ahmat of Rambungan and Awang Bujang of Bandang Lundu each having some 700 plants, averaging from 6 to 10 years, destroyed Nacodah Ahmat's case is still sub judice but the one of Aw. Bujang vs. Lamit and others has been dismissed as it was conclusively proved that defendants had given full and sufficient notice to plaintiff that they intended to burn their clearing. Plaintiff himself was present the day his estate caught fire, which was entirely due to his own negligence. At the same time Malays and Chinese, more particularly the latter, are far too callous in the matter of burning off their clearings and as often as not fail to give due warning to their neighbours that they are about to have a burn.
One Soon Lee, a Chinaman of Settuh, who has rented Inche Bakar's cocoanut plantation at Puloh Sampadian complains that large boats often stop off the island, the occupants of which he strongly suspects of stealing his cocoanuts. One night he had over 500 gathered cocoanuts stolen. Soon Lee further reports that on the 23rd August a schooner owned by Tuanku S'mail, a Puloh man, anchored off Sampadian and took on board as many as 14 passengers, persons living on the main-land at Rambungan and Settuh, several of whom were Cutch Coy debtors. I have issued a warrant for Tuanku S'mail's arrest and I hope it will not be long ere he visits Sarawak again.
Many of the bandong men here have complained of the treatment that they have received at the hands of one or two of the Customs' Officials at Santubong. This matter was duly reported to the Superintendent of Customs and I have since learnt from him that the two men implicated have been sentenced to six months imprisonment.
At 3.30 P.M. on 25th September the ss. Alice Lorraine arrived from Kuching. I received orders to proceed to Sadong to temporarily relieve Mr. Crocker. After handing over to the Court Writer I left at daylight on the 26th September for Kuching via Simatan. The s.s. Alice Lorraine brought $2,500 Straits dollars and returned with $2,500 old ones, also 25 head of Simatan cattle.
At about midnight on 4th October Goi Soo Chuan the Court Writer was awakened by a noise coming from his kitchen, on getting up to see he found same was alight. Fortunately the night was calm so the fire was quickly extinguished. Soo Chuan says he distinctly saw someone disappear into the darkness but was quite unable to recognize who it was. He therefore suspects this was the work of an incendiary. The Native Officer and Corporal Sohn Singh both examined the kitchen and are of the opinion that the fire originated from the outside.
There have been an unusual number of petty thefts reported these last two months and many of the Hokkien Chinese have been caused annoyance by finding in front of their shops of a morning large baskets of rubbish. Some also have had bricks on planks placed against their doors, all of which open inwards, so that the chances are that when the door is opened some one will receive a nasty blow. As shops owned by Khehs and Leochews have been left unmolested the conclusion is obvious. There has of late been quite an influx of Kheh Chinese into this bazaar; many of the new arrivals I feel sure are bad characters, no doubt the general depression in trade causes these undesirables to flitter about from one district to another in search of ill-gotten gains.
I am glad to be able to report that the engkabang tree, the fruit of which was such a godsend early in the year, it is very heavily in flower again this season. It is sincerely to be hoped that a large crop of nuts will follow and that natives will seize the opportunity of gathering them; and at the same time refrain from adulterationj. Although no cases of the kind are brought before thi scourt I have good grounds for knowing that some traders did resort to this seemingly smart practice. The people have been duly warned and anyone being proved to have committed such an offence will receive a very sharp lesson, as such methods of trading cannot be conducive to the prosperity of the country.
The Hon'ble the Resident and Mr. Crocker arrived at 2.30 P.M. on 8th October per s.s. Alice Lorraine from Kuching, returning in the same steamer the next morning at 11 A.M.
The s.l. La Fee arrived from Kuching on 14th october, Mr. E.L. Grove and myself were passengers by her; she returned to Kuchingh on 15th October at 8 A.M. Mr. Grove taking passage by her.
Each of the following days were observed as public holidays, when all Government Offices and school were closed - His Highness the Rajah Muda's birthday, September 26th, Her Highness the Ranee's birthday, October 9th, and Hari Raya, October 27th.
Three prisoners in October were forwarded to Kuching to complete their sentences. Those left here have been employed in the general up-keep of the station.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class.
Friday, January 4, 2019
The Sarawak Gazette Oct. 16, 1908
Mr. F.F. Boult who has been on temporary duty at Sadong returned to Lundu in s.l. La Fee to resume charge of that Station on the 14th instant. Mr. Grove also went for a trip to Lundu and back, the La Fee returning the following day.
Report from Lundu August 1908
Corporal 57 Sohn Singh arrived from Headquarters on 5th to take Corporal Wan Ali's place and on 11th P.C. 126 Rom Singh also arrived. The latter returned to Headquarters the next day, as owing to the present police routine it is not convenient to have Sikhs stationed here. Although they are very estimable men, at the same timer they are quite incompetent to assist in fatigue duties which it has always been customary for the Malay police here to perform.
The marriage of Yioh Joo Guan to Marina Hugh of Stunggang by civil contract on 10th October 1907 has by order of the Hon'ble the Resident 1st Division been declared invalid and Yioh Joo Guan has been fined $50 for obtaining a Civil Marriage Certificate under false pretences.
The Venerable Archdeacon Sharp was in the district from 12th to 14th looking into the affairs of the S.P.G. Mission.
I regret to report the death of the young short horn bull, which Mr. Staples brought last May. He was killed by a tree falling on him and breaking his back. Another bull will therefore be required for the herd.
I received advoice from the Treasury that the 24 head of Simatan cattle shipped to Kuching last May fetched $720. Might I suggest that another time the cattle be put up to auction. It is not, I think, unlikely that if disposed of in this way they would realise a higher figure.
A very successful tubah fishing under the management of O.K. Baja took place at Stungkor on 11th. The water was just right and the weather conditions perfect. The boats numbered about 150. Those present were mostly Sebuyow Dyaks.
Three Malay bandongs belonging to Lundu got into a huge shoal of fish (ikan simpirik) off Tanjong Sirik on the 18th. Over 100 pikuls were caught. Unfortunately they reached the bazaar late that evening so a good deal of the fish was wasted, there being no time for salting. Such a large haul, I am informed, constitutes a record for Lundu.
Accompanied by Abang Ahmat, the Native Officer, I was away from 19th to 22nd visiting coast as far as Tulok Milano. At Simatan things were quiet, natives were all away clearing their farms. The bungalow and cowshed have been releaf attapped. At Tulok Srabang I found collected some 15 Malay fishing bandongs from Santubong which were on their way to Tulok Limo, Sambas, to fish.
His Highness the Rajah having ordered that the floor of the Court House be cemented, I took the opportunity of engaging masons who were working on the Chinese Temple to do the work. This is now finished and has been thoroughly done.
On Sunday, 30th, I went overland from Timalan to Ulu Stunggang. This walk takes about two hours over a batang path. The soil at Stunggang struck me as very fertile. It is here that Lim Swee has settled. She some years back was granted leavbe to work the bilian in this river. She states that she has dropped a considerable number of dollars over the business. The bilian is so far inland that it can only be floated out when there are exceptionally heavy freshes and high tides. I saw a great deal of splendid bilian lying about in the jungle ready for exportation. Lim Swee's pepper garde of over 2,000 vines is quite one of the best I have seen in the country. The vines which for six months received no attention, were at the end of that time still in a fine and healthy state.
The prisoners have for the greater part of the month been employed on the orange estate.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class
The marriage of Yioh Joo Guan to Marina Hugh of Stunggang by civil contract on 10th October 1907 has by order of the Hon'ble the Resident 1st Division been declared invalid and Yioh Joo Guan has been fined $50 for obtaining a Civil Marriage Certificate under false pretences.
The Venerable Archdeacon Sharp was in the district from 12th to 14th looking into the affairs of the S.P.G. Mission.
I regret to report the death of the young short horn bull, which Mr. Staples brought last May. He was killed by a tree falling on him and breaking his back. Another bull will therefore be required for the herd.
I received advoice from the Treasury that the 24 head of Simatan cattle shipped to Kuching last May fetched $720. Might I suggest that another time the cattle be put up to auction. It is not, I think, unlikely that if disposed of in this way they would realise a higher figure.
A very successful tubah fishing under the management of O.K. Baja took place at Stungkor on 11th. The water was just right and the weather conditions perfect. The boats numbered about 150. Those present were mostly Sebuyow Dyaks.
Three Malay bandongs belonging to Lundu got into a huge shoal of fish (ikan simpirik) off Tanjong Sirik on the 18th. Over 100 pikuls were caught. Unfortunately they reached the bazaar late that evening so a good deal of the fish was wasted, there being no time for salting. Such a large haul, I am informed, constitutes a record for Lundu.
Accompanied by Abang Ahmat, the Native Officer, I was away from 19th to 22nd visiting coast as far as Tulok Milano. At Simatan things were quiet, natives were all away clearing their farms. The bungalow and cowshed have been releaf attapped. At Tulok Srabang I found collected some 15 Malay fishing bandongs from Santubong which were on their way to Tulok Limo, Sambas, to fish.
His Highness the Rajah having ordered that the floor of the Court House be cemented, I took the opportunity of engaging masons who were working on the Chinese Temple to do the work. This is now finished and has been thoroughly done.
On Sunday, 30th, I went overland from Timalan to Ulu Stunggang. This walk takes about two hours over a batang path. The soil at Stunggang struck me as very fertile. It is here that Lim Swee has settled. She some years back was granted leavbe to work the bilian in this river. She states that she has dropped a considerable number of dollars over the business. The bilian is so far inland that it can only be floated out when there are exceptionally heavy freshes and high tides. I saw a great deal of splendid bilian lying about in the jungle ready for exportation. Lim Swee's pepper garde of over 2,000 vines is quite one of the best I have seen in the country. The vines which for six months received no attention, were at the end of that time still in a fine and healthy state.
The prisoners have for the greater part of the month been employed on the orange estate.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class
The Sarawak Gazette October 1, 1908
Mr. Boult arrived by s.s. Alice Lorraine from Lundu on the 27th ulto. and left on the 29th for Sadong to do temporary duty there.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Report from Lundu, July 1908
Nothing of importance has occurred during the month.
The Dyak Revennue is coming in and the pepper vine tax has practically all been paid. This latter shows a slight increase over last year's receipts. Since payment of tax a good many gardens have been abandoned.
The amount of illegal tender presented at the Treasury here considerably increases the work of the clerk and police; Natives and Chinese never for one moment dream of sorting their coins before hand. There must be a large percentage of foreign copper in circulation throughout this district.
Simatan was visited from 2nd to 4th and Rembungan from 27th to 29th. At Tembungan I made enquiries into the raid on Joon Hin's house at Sungei Jaban. With regard to this matter I have communicated with the Hon'ble the Resident.
Finding that Orang Kaya Petor of the Slakow Dyaks was unable to properly execute the affairs of his large and scattered district, Dangor of Jangkoh and Lanang of Berdaun were each raised to the rank of Pengara. They will act as Orang Kaya Petor's deputies at their respective Kampongs. This should be of the greatest assistance and convenience to Orang Kaya Petor and the Slakow Dyaks generally. The new Pengara received their Surat Kuasa from Kuching.
The prisoners have been chiefly enganged in clearing the land for the new orange estate. The seedlings for same are thriving well. It remains to be seen whether the site chosen is a suitable one for planting oranges.
The long bridge over Sungei Lundu has been strengthened. This bridge was built over 15 years ago by the late Haji Usop. It bids fair to last a number of years yet.
At end of the month I was obliged to return Corporal 89 Wan Ali to headquarters owing to insubordination and intemperance.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class
The Dyak Revennue is coming in and the pepper vine tax has practically all been paid. This latter shows a slight increase over last year's receipts. Since payment of tax a good many gardens have been abandoned.
The amount of illegal tender presented at the Treasury here considerably increases the work of the clerk and police; Natives and Chinese never for one moment dream of sorting their coins before hand. There must be a large percentage of foreign copper in circulation throughout this district.
Simatan was visited from 2nd to 4th and Rembungan from 27th to 29th. At Tembungan I made enquiries into the raid on Joon Hin's house at Sungei Jaban. With regard to this matter I have communicated with the Hon'ble the Resident.
Finding that Orang Kaya Petor of the Slakow Dyaks was unable to properly execute the affairs of his large and scattered district, Dangor of Jangkoh and Lanang of Berdaun were each raised to the rank of Pengara. They will act as Orang Kaya Petor's deputies at their respective Kampongs. This should be of the greatest assistance and convenience to Orang Kaya Petor and the Slakow Dyaks generally. The new Pengara received their Surat Kuasa from Kuching.
The prisoners have been chiefly enganged in clearing the land for the new orange estate. The seedlings for same are thriving well. It remains to be seen whether the site chosen is a suitable one for planting oranges.
The long bridge over Sungei Lundu has been strengthened. This bridge was built over 15 years ago by the late Haji Usop. It bids fair to last a number of years yet.
At end of the month I was obliged to return Corporal 89 Wan Ali to headquarters owing to insubordination and intemperance.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class
The Sarawak Gazette, July 16, 1908
Vanishing Borneana
"All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances." Thus spake our immortal Countryman, and in all ages poets, moralists and the like have loved to dwell upon everchanging character of life, it's bevity and it's uncertainties. The same theme runs through our most sacred hymns and the element of changefulness is a constant factor in the experience of all: so much so that it would seem that the quality of life necessarily implies change. Nevertheless, it is not the intention of the writer to pose as a moralist but rather prosaically to consider some aspects of this subject as it relates to Sarawak.
We do not need to turn to the literature - now obsolete though scarely forty years old - on Sarawak to learn that within recent times more than one Sarawak tribe has gradually vanished altogether. Such is the case with the Lundu Dayaks, the Long Utan of the Tinjar and the Srus of the Kalaka River - these latter people are not quite extinct. The causes for this senile decay amongst such tribes are probably complicated and we will say no more about it other than that it has nothing whatever to do with European influence. Who can tell us where are the people who carved the stones in Upper Sarawak and at Santubong or what was the fate of those industrious workers in iron who bequeathed to us those large quantities of slag still to be found at Santubong.
Tis supposed that once this region was visited by Hindus and that thus did the Land Dayaks acquire the smatterings of Hinduism that they now possess: however this may be no descendants of such people now remain to us.
We are tols too that centuries ago the enterprising Celestials anticipated Messrs. the Borneo Company Limited in Upper Sarawak and, having filled their pockets, they too disappeared.
Malay tradition has much to tell us of certain heroes of old who performed many wondrous feats worthy to be remembered for ever in history: but how little do we really know concerning the founders of this colony, and of Sarawak in "pre-European" times!
And, again, of the peoples who still remain, how many are here to stay: is it possible, for example, that the Land Dayaks can persist and will the Milanos (includingt Siduans etc.) be able to keep up with their more vigorous neighbours when competition makes the sthe struggle for existence keen and deadly?
Fashions also change. All of us know that the radical Sea Dayaks has very few customs which he can really count his own: how that he borrows other people's tatu patterns, their decorative art and their clothing. People who know them tell us that hat fashions among Saribas ladies are periodically changed much as in the gay cities of Europe: and the Dayaks dandy of today decks himself out in a costume very different from that of the swell of fifty years ago.
As for the rising generation of our Islam friends they love to wear a tuan's clothes and to play his games: the 'main raga' - how many of us have ever witnessed this characteristic Malay game - has entirely given place to football, hockey and the like.
The same processes are at work amongst tribes who in some respects are rather conservative. It is prophesied that a generation hence there will not be left a single Bayoh (the witch doctor - we had thought him a permanent institution amongst Milanos!) to the Milanos of the Oya district: and for a very trivial reason - it takes up too much time forsooth! - the Milano mothers are abandoning the practice of pressing their heads of their female children. At one time these same people were wont to weave their own cloth but nowadays the material itself is rarely met with. For centuries apparently they have worked sago and have employed a very odd-looking tool, the Pemalo - of considerable interest being probably a derivative of a stone adze - but within quite recent years this has been dropped in favour of an entirely different tool, the Parut. Not many generations ago they lived in big fine houses, tall and strong like those of the Kayans: today their homes are much like those of the Malays.
Ad exception to this rule is presented by those conservative people, the Kayans, who, I am told, take some pride in preserving their tribal customs and peculiarities: but it is noteworthy that in Sarawak they do not more than hold their own and perhaps their conservatism will be sorely tried in the future.
Having thus briefly indicated sone of the numerous processes of change taking place on every side one may enquire to what extent they are desirable. Whether it be worth while to artificially prolong the life of a tribe in the last throes of decay must be question for individual opinion, but at any rate it would seem that in a country where the struggle for existence is so mild as in Sarawak the tribe which dies off must indeed be a poor one and in the long run the country is the richer when a superior tribe takes it's place.
As for changing customs, however it may appeal to our sentiment, we should remember that progress - a vexed question full of pitfalls - necessarily implies change. And turning to a lighter side of the subject, the mere fact that on a festive occasion a Malay boy will make use of his tuan's brown boots does not necessarilyimply that the present day Malay is a degenerate person, as, given the opportunity, his grandfather would doubtlessly have done exactly the same: and for that matter we are ourselves as much the slaves of fashion, particularly at a certain period of our lives, as are the Malayan gallants.
In one respect at least these changing scenes offer to us opportunities which should not be missed. When, as frequently happens, an interesting custom dating back from antiquity is evidently fast disappearing it is surely fitting that it should find some place in our records lest oblivion overtake it entirely: and it were well that a vanishing tribe, providing perhaps an important link in a chain of evidence concerning the relationships of the people of Sarawak, should have it's annals written in the story of the earth's people. This is the demand of Ethnology and of History and already the data are rapidly leaving us.
Exactly similar processes are in evidence in the animate nature around us. When we go to the top of the hill and carefully scan the lowlands around us, it is usually easy to distinguish between primitive virgin jungle and secondary jungle - that which appears sonme years after a clearing has been made - and the amount of destruction which has been taken place is much greater than one would have supposed. Now, the trees of the secondary growth include but a few representatives of the original jungle and these are mostly of an inferior type, so that, as everybody knows, some of the valuable timber trees are in such areas exterminated. Another result of the Dayaks extravagant method of padi farming is that not a few of the more local elements of the flora must be exterminated before ever they are known to science. The same story has been told in well nigh every other country and usually the cry has been raised when it is too late. We may mention the oft quoted case of St. Helena: this island was once densely clothed with a luxuriant forest, rich in Ebony and other valuable woodsa: today, partly on account of goats, the greatest of all foes to trees, the island is comparatively speaking barren and forbidding.
It is but poor compensation that following the clearings many kinds of foreign plants appeat: so much is this the case that, as I believe, the majority of the wayside plants of Kuching are foreigners. Such are the South American "Lantana Camara" (bunga missi); that pretty little passion flower, also South American; that noxious weed Mimosa pudica, the sensitive plant: and the handsome blue flowered Thunbergia which strangles every tree over which it climbs.
Again, the exit of the jungle is accompanied by a rapid annihilation of certaib forms of animal life. With the rise of the pepper and gambier gardens in this neighbourhood a host of handsome butterflies and insects have been destroyed and in absence of their feeding ground they are lost to this part for ever. It is fortunate that the valuableinsect collections of the Sarawak Museum were formed at a time when primary jungle was to be found at the outskirts of this town: today it would be quite impossible to acquire such a collection.
Many animals, it is true, survive and multiply rapidly, but these are often pests inasmuch as they dwell in our homes or eat up our field crops; and to make matters worse animals (clothes moths for example) of like nature come from other parts of the tropics. Now, though this tale of woe may not appeal much to the utilitarian, nevertheless it has a serious aspect, particularly in relation to diseases. It is common knowledge that some of the most terrible scourges of manking are caused by the presence within the system of extremely minute animals (or plants) and that these same creatures are brought to us by means of certain hosts (e.g. mosquitoes) which we have with us here: such being the case it would be possible for a tick-carried parasite, brought from other countries, to effect great havoc amongst the Sarawak herds which are already somewhat troubled with ticks of bad reputation: and we may mention that amongst the mosquitoes which remain to us - the innocent jungle lovers have largely gone - we have at least half a dozen kinds which can carry the filaria parasite and others concerned with malaria, and if a case of yellow fever should be brought here - it is prophesied that the opening of the Panama canal will result in introducing this disease from America into Asia - it might spread far and wide, as we are well stocked wth the mosquito host. In concluding these rambling remarks on a subject somewhat wide I would crave the pardon of readers who think I have made too melancholy a case: my intention was merely to call attention to the fact that things of scientific interest will soon be gone for ever and that now is the time to collect the data.
J.H.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Report from Lundu, June, 1908
I was away with Dr. Foxworthy in the neighbourhood of Gunong Poe from the 2nd to the 4th. I will not enter into details of this trip as I hope we shall have the pleasure of hearing fron Dr. Foxworthy re his researches in the woods and forests of this country.
The 3rd being His Highness and the Rajah's birthday the usual public holiday was observed; the school and all Government Offices were closed.
On the 8th a sergeant and four (4) privates of H.N.M. force passed through here on their way to Kuching. They returned on the 14th and left immediately for Sambas having in custody a Chinese prisoner who was being extradited to Dutch territory.
I was absent from Lundu from 9th to 13th visiting coast as far as Tulok Milano. The population here, although small, is steadily increasing; more people arrive annually from the Dutch Islands and settle in this part. The banana estates have multiplied considerably since last year.
Several Chinese have had their planting permits cancelled. These people had done nothing to the land allotted them, but were simply holding on to same with the intention of selling it. They were informed a permit to open a garden was not a grant for land. The land was only lent them by Government to be cultivated.
I sent the Native Officer, Abang Ahmat, to the coast to erect some boundary marks and also to find out what land along the shore between Rembungan and Sampadi rivers was unoccupied. He tells me there are only about 400 fathoms left.
One Kian Seng has been fined $20 for carelessly allowing his shop house to catch fire on night of 21st May. Had not a Chinaman, who was returning home late that night and who noticed flames issuing out of Kian Seng's upper windows, raised the alarm. I fear a very serious fire would have resulted.
Since the above I have ordered the bazaar people to take certain precautions to guard against fire. Four wells will be sunk in front of the main bazaar, steps and buckets will always be in readiness to be used only in cases of fire.
The reports of theft of pepper have been numerous. As usual it is hard to trace the culprit.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class
The 3rd being His Highness and the Rajah's birthday the usual public holiday was observed; the school and all Government Offices were closed.
On the 8th a sergeant and four (4) privates of H.N.M. force passed through here on their way to Kuching. They returned on the 14th and left immediately for Sambas having in custody a Chinese prisoner who was being extradited to Dutch territory.
I was absent from Lundu from 9th to 13th visiting coast as far as Tulok Milano. The population here, although small, is steadily increasing; more people arrive annually from the Dutch Islands and settle in this part. The banana estates have multiplied considerably since last year.
Several Chinese have had their planting permits cancelled. These people had done nothing to the land allotted them, but were simply holding on to same with the intention of selling it. They were informed a permit to open a garden was not a grant for land. The land was only lent them by Government to be cultivated.
I sent the Native Officer, Abang Ahmat, to the coast to erect some boundary marks and also to find out what land along the shore between Rembungan and Sampadi rivers was unoccupied. He tells me there are only about 400 fathoms left.
One Kian Seng has been fined $20 for carelessly allowing his shop house to catch fire on night of 21st May. Had not a Chinaman, who was returning home late that night and who noticed flames issuing out of Kian Seng's upper windows, raised the alarm. I fear a very serious fire would have resulted.
Since the above I have ordered the bazaar people to take certain precautions to guard against fire. Four wells will be sunk in front of the main bazaar, steps and buckets will always be in readiness to be used only in cases of fire.
The reports of theft of pepper have been numerous. As usual it is hard to trace the culprit.
F.F. Boult
Resident 2nd Class
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