CO882-(2-3) — Page 586

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the resources of his State. I await a communication from the Bandabara on this matter; but, although his manner warmed very much towards the close of my interview with him, I am not sanguine that he will ask for British assistance and advice, at all events at present.

6. During the course of this trip, I visited the five principal places on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula, viz. :-Pabang, Tringanu, Kelantan, Patani, and Singora, all of which, with the exception of the first named, are usually regarded to be, in some degree, tributary to Siam,

7. Singora is almost exclusively Siamese, very little of the Malay element being found there. The population of Patani, on the other hand, appears, for the most part, to consist of Malays, though the Siamese have, I understand, always claimed authority over this State. Tringanu and Kelantan are entirely Malay, although nominally tributary to Siam, are only so in name. They certainly present triennially a "bungainas," or golden flower, to the Siamese Government, as a recognition of its authority; but this authority is only nominal, and I am informed that the Siamese Government scarcely recognises these States as tributary provinces. In all these States there is a small per- centage of Chinese.

8. As possibly the British Government may sooner or later be desirous to establish closer relations with these States, I have thought it advisable to furnish your Lordship with this information.

I have, &c.

(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVÕIS.

Enclosure in No. 7.

EXTRACT from the "STRAITS TIMES" of July 31, 1875.

HIB EXCELLENCY SIR WILLIAM JERVOIS' VISIT TO THE EAST COAST.-We are glad to find that his Excellency the Governor has recognised the necessity of not confining his attention to the Western States of the Malayan Peninsula, but has recently paid a visit to the Eastern States also. This, we believe, has not been done since Sir Harry Ord went to Pehang, Tringanu, and Kalantan in 1872, since when they have been practically lost sight of; for, if we except the trip of Sir Andrew Clarke to Pahang last year, the Governor has never kept up the acquaintance that was then established. Although these States are less known than those on the other side of the Peninsula, which have the advantage of lying in the direct line of traffic, yet the quiet and order which they have enjoyed for some time past have led to a degree of prosperity which, at the first glance, is surprising.

Whilst the Western States have had whole districts depopulated by the strife and disturbance which have stunted their prosperity, the Eastern States have gradually become more or less thickly populated. Kalantan, for example, which lies about mix miles from the mouth of the river of the same name, has a Malay population of 100,000 people in the town and neighbourhood, and this number does not include the women of the population. Large districts have everywhere been cleared, and the cultivation of paddy is carried on to a very great extent. Nor are they wanting in mineral resources. Gold, tin, and galens are to be found, but little worked. The great disadvantage under which they labour is in the absence of harbours, and in the fact that the coast is so exposed to the north-east monsoon that a landing is with the greatest difficulty effected during the time that it is the prevailing wind.

The Governor, attended by Mr. Swettenham and Lieutenant McCallum, R.E., left Johnston's Pier at 6 p.m. on the 12th instant in the Colonial steamer "Pluto." Her Majesty's ship "Thistle," Commander Stirling, R.N., accompanied his Excellency on this trip, but started earlier in the day. On the afternoon of the 13th instant the "Pluto" anchored off the Pahang River, and in the course of the evening a boat started for the village of Pahang, which some seven or eight miles from the mouth of the river, in order to inform the Bandahara of the arrival of the Governor and of his inten- tion to see him the following day. The Pabang River, which has a sandy bottom, is broad but shallow, with numerous shoals and sandbanks. Pahang was not reached till 1a.m., and the Bandabara, being very sick, could not then be seen. His brother, however, made his appearance, and said that, although the Bandahara was ill, he was very anxious to see the Governor, and that he wished to know when to expect him. On the following morning some Chiefs arrived from Pahang in order to escort the Governor

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up the river. About 10 a.m. his Excellency and suite started in the gig of the "Pluto," accompanied by Commander Stirling and some of the officers of Her Majesty's ship "Thistle." Upon reaching Pahang the Governor was received most cordially by the Bandahara, who was surrounded by many Chiefs and some 300 Malays, sitting in solemu conclave in and about the Balei or Council Hall, which is close to the landing stage of the village. The Bandahara, who is 41 years of age, looked very ill; he is very thin, and, from his description of the symptoms, seems to be suffering from diseased lungs. He expressed great gratification at seeing the Governor. After a good deal of compli- mentary conversation, many topics were discussed.

The Bandahara, on being asked respecting his relations with Salangore, expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the arrangements which had recently been made to meet considerable claims he had against Tunku Kudin for expenses incurred when assisting him in the war which that ruler was obliged to wage in Salangore against Rajah Mahdie and others. He also expressed himself with warmth respecting Tunku Kudin, and said that they would be friends till death. He said that he would afford assistance to the Government surveyors, who have recently ascended the Maur River with the intention of descending the Pabang River, both of which rivers take their rise near the same spot.

We are glad to find that his Excellency is obtaining further information regarding the topography of the Malay Peninsula, for without a complete map the country cannot be opened up.

The advantages to be derived from a good system of taxation, and means adopted for collecting the revenue, were then discussed with the Bandabara. At this time the Governor asked the Bandahara if he would not prefer speaking to him in private, and, on the Bandahara's assenting, his Excellency retired with him to an inner department, the concourse in the Balei remaining seated as before until they returned. It appears to us that this idea of opening up the resources of Pahang is an extremely good one. It has always been represented to be very rich; gold and tin has been worked for some time, and large quantities of gutta can be obtained. The Chinese in this State, now 1,000 in all, would rapidly increase in numbers were it once known that the British were taking an active interest in its welfare, Baron Maclay, the well-known Russian traveller in these parts, who started from Johore a few weeks since, left Pahang two days before the arrival of his Excellency en route for Quedah, After a mutual interchange of presents, the Bandahara, whose bearing during the interview was most friendly and cordial, accompanied bis Excellency some distance down the river.

The next point of call was Tringanu, one of the prettiest places on the coast of the Peninsula, which was reached on the morning of the 15th instant. Just before arrival the "Pluto passed through fleets of fishing boats, all engaged in their calling, and all belonging to this village. A large trade is carried on in gambier, coffee, pepper, paddy, gutta, tin, and galen. A Dutch barque, a large schooner, and several tongkangs, were found anchored off the town and inside the bar. The Sultan was saluted by Her Majesty's ship" Thistle." A message was sent to him that the Governor was coming to see him. The "Pluto" was soon boarded by two large bouts, each propelled by sixteen paddles, and containing certain high officials; the Sultan's Secretary assured the Governor that the Sultan was exceedingly glad to hear that his Excellency had come to him. The village of Tringanu contains some 5,000 inhabitants, and the population of the whole Stete amounts to 70,000, including 200 Chinese. Upon landing at the rude jetty in front of the village his Excellency was received by a salute and a guard of honour of some sixty spearmen, who, upon either side, escorted him in Indian file acros the sandy tract about 300 yards wide, which separates the river from the village itself. The Sultan received the Governor in the Council Hall, a very much larger building than that at Pahang. The Sultan, who is much paralised, especially in the right arm, is a very old man, 69 years of age, and has been on the throne since 1887. He has a son, the Yam Tuan Besar, 52 years old, and a great grandson 11 years old. An immense number of Chiefs and people assembled on all sides, the whole of them sitting down on the floor and ground according to custom. One of the most marked features of these Malay assemblies is the total silence which prevails around; nbt a soul speaks but in whisper, even during any temporary absence of their Sultan or Rajah; there is no bustling nor pushing, but everybody seems to be contented with the position that he may have taken up, although it may even be some distance off. The Governor was received most warmly by the Sultan, who extended every proof of hospitality and welcome. The boundaries on the western side of the State of Tringanu seem to be little known. The Sultan himself aid that there was a great extent of jungle in the interior, but that nobody had ever visited it, nor was it known where the Tringanu boundary ran, In connexion with this subject the Rajah of Kalantan subsequently stated that the State of

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