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
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