Extract from a letter from the Superintendent of the Botanical
Gardens, dated 14th September, 1886.
I have the honour to report that on the 26th July, when engaged in Forestry Inspections I discovered on the western side of Mount Davis 95 good-sized trees with all their lower branches cut off, and the latter lying on the ground. I also found that during the last twelve months a large number of trees in that locality had been treated in the same manner. These I have subsequently had counted and found that the number is 1,389. This seems to have been done under a regular system of cutting in patches, one succeeding another. I have had the locality carefully watched since I made the discovery, but no one has ventured to remove any of the parts of the trees which have been left to dry preparatory to their being carried away.
I believe the trees on Mount Davis have been cut by people living in mat-sheds near Kennedy Town. I have the names of three men who are strongly suspected; one of them lives in a mat-shed and is employed burning rice chaff for which a considerable quantity of fuel is required.
179.
Minute by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.
The Acting Captain Superintendent of Police is requested to report what cha- racter the Squatters at Kennedy Town bear as far as the Police know.
14th September, 1886.
(Signed),
W. H. MARSH.
Minute by the Acting Captain Superintendent of Police.
A
Since the question of Squatters. was before the Sanitary Board at a late meeting, I have made inquiries concerning the character of those located in Kennedy Town and find that this place is inhabited by a very doubtful class of Chinese. number of men from this Village attacked and robbed Messrs. Howard & Co.'s Com- pradore at Praya West on the 14tb ultimo. These men were armed with swords. (See Police Court case, No. 9,212.)
Several robberies had been committed at Praya West, previous to this case, but none since. This gang of robbers were living in the village for about 9 months.
The women of the village appear to work hard feeding pigs.
Some of the men are employed in making tooth-powder, but the greater number wander about the City in search of plunder.
15th September, 1886.
(Signed),
T. C. DEMPSTER, Major,
Actg. Capt. Supt. of Police.