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4. He further possesses an energy of character, coupled with tact and discrimination, which eminently qualify him for such a post; and he has besides had considerable experience of semi-civilized nations, having penetrated far into the regions of Southern Africa, where he travelled for upwards of two years, accompanied only by natives.
ō. I have learnt that Commander Murray's career in the Royal Navy reflected the highest credit on him; and I am aware that, during the Turkish and Cretan difficulty, when he was in command of Her Majesty's ship "Wizard," he earned the confidence of the First Lord of the Admiralty, and by his discretion was most successful in the adjustment of some delicate matters which, at the time, threatened considerable com- plications.
6. Should this appointment, therefore, be in conformity with the instructions which, as stated in your Lordship's despatch of the 5th March last, have been issued to my successor, I would strongly recommend, for your Lordship's favourable consideration, that Commander Murray should act as Assistant Resident at Sungie Ujong, with a salary of 7501. per annum, until the return of Captain Tatham from England.
No. 39.
I have, &c. (Signed)
A. CLARKE,
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
TILL CO.
882
3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
Governor Sir A. Clarke, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the Earl of Carnarvon.-(Received June 9.)
Government House, Singapore, May 3, 1875.
My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that, on the 17th February, 1 sent Mr. Skinner to make a visit to the native States between this and Penang, and report on the present condition of those States, and the feeling amongst the natives under the changes which have lately been introduced in their several administrations.
2. As Admiral Ryder had detailed Her Majesty's ship "Lapwing," Commander
Sir W. Wiseman, lately arrived from England, to gain a knowledge of the coast and the various rivers of this part of the Peninsula, I detailed, with the assent of the Commander- in-chief, Mr. Skinner to proceed in this vessel.
3. I now have the honour to inclose Mr. Skinner's report on the several places visited, and though no lengthened stay was made anywhere, still I think the report gives evidence of a generally satisfactory state of things, possibly the most noticeable being the difference in the behaviour of the Malays to that which used to characterize them, when occasionally visited by Europeans.
Sir,
Inclosure in No. 39.
I have, &c. (Signed) A. CLARKE.
Singapore, March 22, 1875.
I HAVE the honour to forward, for the information of his Excellency the Governor,
the following account of my recent visit in Her Majesty's ship "Lapwing" to the Malay States and rivers.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements.
I have, &c.
(Signed) ALLAN SKINNER.
I embarked on board Her Majesty's ship "Lapwing," Commander Sir W. Wiseman,
on the morning of the 17th February, and we proceeded at once to the River Muar, taking
a steam launch in tow. Anchored during the night about ten miles off the mouth of the river. Next morning stood in to a distance of about five miles. The " draws 11 feet, and could seldom approach nearer.
"Lapwing" Captain Wiseman taking his gig, as on all other occasions, and showing the flag in both Went away in the launch at 8 A.M.,
craft.
1
The river is not easy to find, but we found it at about 9 A.M., and crossed the bar in 6 feet of water, the tide then being about half flood. Inside the river the soundings rere about 4 fathoms. Of all the rivers we afterwards visited we found only one, the Klang, without a bar; and only three of the bars-at Lingie, Salangore, and Bernam— with sufficient depth even at high tide to admit the "Lapwing;" but there was always deep water inside the rivers.
• No. 18.
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