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No. 29.
Governor Sir A. Clarke, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the Earl of Carnarvon.—(Received May 10.)
Government House, April 6, 1875. My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship, that at the request of His Highness the Sultan Allie, of Johore, who usually resides at Malacca, but is at present on a visit to this place, I arranged for his having a meeting here with his Highness Abubaker, the Maharajab of Johore; aud that on the evening of the 4th instant a reconciliation was effected in this Government House between these two Chiefs, who had never met each other before, political differences arising in the time of the present Maharajah's father having hitherto kept them estranged.
2. The political value of this occurrence considered in its bearing on the future peace of the Peninsula, and more especially on the consolidation of the measures now taken for the establishment of order and regular Government in the Malay States, subject to British authority, can hardly be over-estimated, as the reconciliation between these two princes will remove a constant source of disquiet and irritation, which has hitherto been used by intriguing persons who, more especially in the smaller and semi-independent States near Malacca, took advantage of the attitude assumed by each Rajah and his adherents to keep alive a feeling of hostility and antagonism to any measures which tended to the organiza- tion of a properly recognized and responsible Government.
I have, &c.
Sir,
No. 30.
(Signed)
A. CLARKE
The Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir W. F. Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Downing Street, May 15, 1875. despatch of the 6th of April,* their Highnesses Sultan Allie of
I have, &c.
1 HAVE read, with satisfaction, Sir A. Clarke's reporting that a reconciliation had taken place between Johore, and Abubakar, the Maharajah of Johore.
No. 31.
(Signed)
CARNARVON.
The Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir A. Clarke, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Downing Street, May 17, 1875.
Sir,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir Andrew Clarke's despatch of the 18th of March,† relative to the proceedings he had taken with respect to the conces sion of certain mining rights granted by the Sultan of Salangore to the Count de Gelois and Mr. J. G. Davidson.
I do not observe anything in your predecessor's action in this matter which would be likely to compromise either the Imperial or the Colonial Government, or with respect to which I need withhold my general approval; but it may be well for me to say that, while I feel an interest in what would appear to be a promising attempt to extend British enter- prize in this territory, I am of opinion that it should be made known in very clear and express terms, that neither the Government of the Straits Settlements, nor Her Majesty's Government, can undertake any responsibility whatever for its success, nor give any relief or assistance in the event of its failure; and that, in advising the Sultan to do what appeared to be an enlightened act no obligation of any sort has been assumed.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
No. 32.
CARNARVON.
119
your attention to the paragraphs (Nos. 96 to 101 inclusive), respecting the existence of debt-slavery in that State. I think that it is desirable, with as little delay as is con- sistent with the necessary caution which must be observed in the new relations which exist with Perak, to obtain, if practicable, the abatement of a practice so cruel and impolitic as that described by Captain Speedy; and I should wish to be favoured with your early opinion as to the course to be adopted; and, meanwhile, that you should, if you consider it to be politic, address such a friendly representation to the Sultan as will pave the way towards further measures, will test bis own feelings in the matter, and will at the same time avoid alarming him as to any undue interference with him in the internal administra- tion of the State.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
No. 39.
CARNARVON.
Governor Sir A. Clarke, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the Earl of Carnarvon.-(Received June 7.) (No. 103.) My Lord,
Government House, Singapore, April 17, 1875, THE recent accession of territory in the south of Province Wellesley rendered it necessary that some alteration of system should be made to meet the requirements of the Service.
2. Besides the police and medical officers who were confined to the duties of their respective Departments, there was only one officer of Government in the Province, Mr. W. E. Maxwell, and he was charged exclusively with judicial duties as Magistrate and Commissioner of the Court of Requests.
3. I have thought it necessary under these circumstances to return to the system in force under the former Government, that is, giving to the Magistrate, who is the highest officer, and whose judicial duties were not sufficient to occupy the whole of his time, the charge of the Executive duties of the province, under the orders of the Lieutenant- Governor.
4. The facts of the case are so clearly set out in the letter of instructions sent to the Lieutenant-Governor at Penang, where the change was made, that it will perhaps be sufficient for me to send a copy of that letter to explain the reasons for the change and the nature of the duties entrusted to the officer whose title is Assistant Agent of Government in Province Wellesley.
5. The only immediate additional change rendered necessary was the appointment of an Assistant Collector of Land Bevenue, but this will cause little increase of expense, as the duties of Assistant Collector in Penang are performed by the Assistant Treasurer, the former Assistant Collector for the whole Settlement being transferred to the province on the same salary as before, while the Assistant Treasurer's salary has been raised from 2,184 to 2,400 dollars, or an increase of 216 dollars yearly, the salary of the Magistrate remaining as before at 3,276 dollars, with an allowance not exceeding 900 dollars a-year for travelling expenses.
6. The considerable increase to our territory on the south of the Krean, especially the large population and the valuable tin mines, have needed the presence of an English officer, and for some time Mr. Hewick, the Superintendent of Police in Province Wellesley, was detached for this service in addition to his other duties, but it was not found to work satisfactorily, and I have provisionally appointed Mr. Sinclair as an Assistant to the Age, with magisterial powers, to take charge of Salama and to collect the revenue. Mr. Minclair has had very considerable experience in Borneo as a Resident to his Highness Rajah Brooke, who speaks most favourably of him, and he is doing his work exceedingly well and with judgment.
7. After some months' trial, the advantages arising from the change, although not yet in full working order, are already apparent.
I have, &c. (Signed)
A. CLARKE,
Sir,
The Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir W. F. Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Downing Street, May 25, 1875.
I HAVE read, with much interest, Captain Speedy's Report on Larut, inclosed in
Sir A. Clarke's despatch dated the 6th of April last; and I feel it my duty to call + No. 26.
• No. 29.
No. 28.
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