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.
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