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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
882
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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No. 75.
GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF
CARNARVON,
(Received Septeinher 25, 1876.)
(Private and Confidential.) MY DEAR MFADE,
•
Government House, Singapore,
August 19, 1876.
WITH reference to my private note to you of 22/7/76, and to paragraphs 29 and 30 of my Despatch, No. 297, which goes by this mail, I wish to refer to some points relating to the appointment of Resident and Assistant Residents in Perak, which cannot well be discussed in the public Despatch.
I should be very glad if Captain Speedy possessed qualifications which would enable me to recommend him for the appointment of Resident at l'erak, for we should thus be able to economise in salaries, and appoint an Assistant Resident in Larut on a lower scale of pay than that which Captain Speedy receives.
In a case of this importance, however, the main point is to get the best man for the place, and there is no doubt whatever that Mr. Davidson is that man. Besides his intimate knowledge of the Malay character and judicious mode of dealing with Malays, his legal training, his economical tendencies, and general aptitude for the conduct of business, are all qualities which tend to make him a good "Resident."
Captain Speedy is altogether an inferior order of being. He has apparently a delight in dressing himself in a gorgeous leopard skin, with a grand turban on his head, and still further exciting the curiosity of the natives by playing on the bagpipes, an instru- ment on which he performs with much facility. If you have seen his elephantine frame, you will be able to judge of the figure which he would present under these conditions.
As regards the success of his administration in Larut, there is really very little to be said so far as he is concerned.
The real history of his being employed as Assistant Resident in Larut was, that being the employ of the Mantri of Larut at the time of our intervention in January 1874, it was considered necessary, as it were, to buy him up. And it is to be observed that the fact of his having been in the Mantri's employ is not a qualification in favour of his being Resident in Perak.
When the quarrels of the Chinese in Larut ceased, their rivalry took the turn of com- petition in tin mining, and an excellent subordinate named Marples was appointed treasurer, &c., and really took the lion's share of the work. The administration in Larut has been certainly anything but economical, and at my request Mr. Davidson is now engaged with the assistance of Mr. W. Maxwell in going into matters there with a view of reducing expenditure. I lately also sent Douglas to Larut to look into these matters, and he entirely corroborates the view as to Captain Speedy's want of economy in administering affairs there.
for
1,500l. a year is a great deal too much for the Assistant Resident in Larut. Eventually I think 750 per annum will suffice. I have proposed 1,000l. per annum Mr. W. Maxwell as locum tenens, for he was the best man I could select for the place, and he could not have been induced to take it for a less sum. He will, however, be going on leave early next year, and if Captain Speedy does not return, the salary may then be reduced to the lower figure.
Captan Speedy is certainly an expensive article at 1,5001. a year, and it would be advantageous if he were to take it into his head not to return here. I am told that through his wife he is very comfortably off, and that there is no necessity for him to do so.
Believe me, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
No. 76.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(No. 225.)
SIR,
Downing Street, September 26, 1876.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 272, of the 30th of July,† reporting the circumstance attending the surrender of the Maharajah Lela and others.
97
I have inuch pleasure in expressing my satisfaction and approval of the ability and skill with which those negociations have been conducted by you, and I should wish you to convey to the Maharajah of Johore a suitable acknowledgment 'on the part of Her Majesty's Government for the assistance rendered by him.
I have had subsequent telegraphic communications from you as to the arrangements to be made for the trial of various accused persons, with respect to whom I understand you to be still making inquiries, and I need hardly add that I await with anxiety your next reports on this important subject.
Governor Sir W. Jervois,
&c. &c.
SIR,
ke.
No. 77.
I have, &c. (Signed)
CARNARVON,
CROWN AGENTS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received, September 29, 1×76.)
Downing Street, September 28, 1876. WITH reference to your letter of the 27th June last, authorising the Crown Agents to borrow from the Bank of England on account of the Government of the Straits Settlements the sum of 55,0007., I have to state that the amount so borrowed becomes due on Saturday next the 30th instant, and that a further sum is required for that Government, of 5,000l. to pay for subsidiary coinage and other liabilities.
At the present time, the Crown Agents have a balance of 25,0001. belonging to the Government of Natal, beyond the wants of that Colony, which amount might be lent to the Straits Settlements at the rate of 1 per cent. till required, the Bank of England at present charging 2 per cent.
The Crown Agents should be authorised to borrow, say for three months, from the Bank of England, a sum not exceeding 60,0004., of which they would avail themselves to the extent of 35,000Z., so long as Natal does not require the amount referred to in the last paragraph, and the balance from time to time as necessary.
Hon. R. H. Meade,
&c.
&c. Colonial Office.
No. 78.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. C. SARGEAUNT,
COLONIAL OFFICE to CROWN AGENTS.
GENTLEMEN,
Downing Street, September 28, 1876. In reply to your letter of this day's date, Carnarvon to state that he approves of your proceeding as you propose with reference am directed by the Earl of to the renewal of the temporary loan incurred by you on behalf of the Straits Settle- ments; and I am to authorise you to borrow from the Bank of England, for three months, any sums not exceeding in the aggregate 60,0007.
No. 79.
I am,
&c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF
(Telegraphic.) ¡September 22nd.
CARNARVON.
(Received September 29, 1876.)
How many soldiers' wives will accompany 3rd Buffs to this station? Accommodation married men very limited. If Buffs only to be here short time not desirable build more.
GOVERNOR,
Singapore,
• No. 71.
↑ No. 65.
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