172
Maxwell, and who has been acting as interpreter at Larut). This copy is now with Mr. Woods.
Statement made to me, 26th August, 1873.
(Signed) A. NEUBRONNER, Acting Interpreter.
Forwarded for the information of his Excellency the Governor in continuation of former information regarding affairs of Larut.
A. E. ANSON, Lieutenant-Governor.
(Signed)
173
Lieutenant-Governor, Penang, to Colonial Secretary.
(Telegraphic.)
December 13, 1874. Patterson found six row-boats attacking three traders at night, Dindings; pirates escaped. Nine wounded Malays brought Penang. People Perak coast starving, owing to pirates. One gun vessel insufficient. Eleven "Avon" sick. One row-boat taken Kedah.
Sir,
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
TUTTIICO. 882
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
September 9, 1873.
Sir,
Lieutenant-Governor's Office, Penang, December 11, 1873.
I have the honour to transmit a copy of an extract from a letter received by me from the Orang Kaya Mantri of Larut, the purport of which confirms the views expressed in my Report No. 1,180 of 4th instant.
I annex a copy of my reply.
1
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. E H. ANSON, Lieutenant-Governor. To the Honourable the Colonial Secretary,
Singapore.
Extract from Letter from the Orang Kaya Mantri, Larut, to Lieutenant-Governor, Penang,] dated December 7, 1873. (Translation.)
With regard to the Chinese who are disturbing Laroot, we inform our Friend that they have been worsted. We have attacked them, and driven them back nearly to the place where my people are posted by the tin mines.
We have found that these Chinese get assistance and supplies of food from the sea. We are very anxious for our Friend to assist us in this quarter (from the sea), in order that they may be prevented from getting any assistance of this kind, for we are now engaged in fighting with all our strength.
We hope our Friend will assist us in this quarter, for there are very many of our people's houses by the sea.
C. W. SNEYD KYNNERSLEY.
(After complimente.)
(Signed)
To Orang Kaya Mantri, Larut.
Penang, December 12, 1873.
I am in receipt of my Friend's letter of 7th December, 1873, and I am glad to bear that he has been successful against his enemies. At the same time, I must remind my Friend that he has not acted in accordance with the wishes I expressed to him that he should operate against the piratical villages on the sea coast in the first instance, and then proceed to deal with his affairs inland. Had my Friend done this, he would have prevented the people inland from receiving supplies from seaward, and would have greatly assisted this Government in suppressing the piracies, which have lately been so injurious to both this Settlement and my Friend's country.
I am afraid my Friend has allowed himself to be led in this matter by advisers who look more to the immediate profits to be derived from the tin mines than to the establish- ment of law and order and the suppression of piracy.
As my Friend has given no assistance in putting a stop to these piracies, it will be a matter for my consideration whether I shall not advise the Government to rescind the Order in Council prohibiting the exportation of arms, ammunition, &c., and to restrict the operations of Her Majesty's men-of-war to the high seas and the waters of this Settlement.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
A. E. H. ANSON, Lieutenant-Governor.
"Avon," Penang, December 13, 1873. In compliance with your orders of 3rd September, 1873, for this part of the station, inclosed in a letter to me from Commander Grant, Her Majesty's gun-vessel "Midge," dated 1st instant, I left this anchorage on the 2nd for a cruize to the southward, taking on board some stores and provisions for the police establishment at Dinding Island, at the request of the Lieutenant-Governor of Penang.
2. I steamed slowly down the coast, showing the flag, and anchored off Pulo Tallong. 3. I should wish to bring to your notice that I found here a large barn, with sleeping and cooking places for about sixty men, and a slip for hauling up long boats. There
were ten Chinamen here, employed making oars of the same kind as are used by the piratical row-boats. The interpreter informs me that these Chinese are of the same class and speak the same dialect as the pirates. One of them showed marks of many wounds, and none were anxious to enter into conversation. I am also informed by the Malay Pungulu of Police at the Dindings that he knows this place to be a resort for the pirates, and they are there now.
4. On the morning of the 3rd instant I weighed, and proceeded for the Dindings, and communicated with the European Inspector of Police, who stated he had information that three row-boats had passed through the Dindings Channel, and were lurking about the numerous creeks and up the Perak River. Wishing to keep them down in that place, I proceeded in the direction of Pulo Tallong, letting it be thought I was again returning to Penang. About dark I manned and armed three boats, giving them three days' provisions, and sending them in charge of Lieutenant J. T. F. Sulivan aud a Sub-Lieutenant, ordering them to keep a good look out for row-boats, and I would join them on the afternoon of the third day. I then shaped course for a bay on the north-west side of Dinding Island, where I anchored, to guard the outside passage.
5. On the 5th instant, I weighed and proceeded to meet boats, and reprovisioned them for three days more, and gave the first Lieutenant fresh instructions to move down the coast, examining all the creeks, and take up his position in the Dinding River, and to row night guard, communicating with the guard boat at the police station. I then steamed back to east anchorage.
6. On 9th instant, I weighed and proceeded to south entrance of Dindings, and exercised the men I had on board, firing at a rock from 20-pounder guns, practice very good; after which met the boats, and directed them to follow me, under sail, to the Island of Pulo Katta, entrance of channel leading to Perak River.
7. I then sent them, with more provisions, to look about the adjacent creeks, giving, the officer in charge his orders, and a signal as his recall, should he be required.
8. On the night of the 11th instant, at 8.20 P.M., I received information that six row- boats, containing fifty men each, were at the north entrance of the Dindings, and had robbed all the fishermen about there.
9. Immediately on the return of the boats at 8.30 P.M., steam being ready, I weighed anchor, and proceeded towards three trading boats anchored about four miles from us, who were warned to lay close to us, but did not take this advice. I observed these were being attacked by the pirates, so I hastened towards them, using caution, and showing no lights, and passing along the shore, the night being very dark. Coming up with them, I opened fire with great guns and small arms, the latter weapons taking effect, but the row- boats escaped in the darkness, making for Pulo Tallong through the Dinding Channel, on the shallow side.
10. I had the satisfaction of saving the lives of nine of the crews, whom I brought on board badly wounded, and also the greater part of the cargo, which was gladly purchased by the natives of the island, who are starving, owing to the pirates stopping all trade. I anchored close to the trading boats for the night.
11. The following morning (12th), thinking some of the piratical boats had made for the Sambilang Islands, I steamed all round them, expending some of the quarterly ammunition at marks in some of the little aandy spots where these pirates frequent when lying in wait for vessels passing. I returned to the police station to communicate with the Inspector,
[138]
2 Y