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other. The other two were situated at a greater height, about 35 feet on the sides of the hills at about 30 yards on each side of it. The jungle, except close about the stockade had not been cleared. The path for some distance in front of the stockades had been obstructed by felled trees, brushwood, &c. The whole formed a most serious obstacle, and one that had the enemy offered any determined resistance would have been very difficult to attack, and could not have been taken without serious loss on our side. Fortunately a formal attack was rendered unnecessary by the gallantry, combined with calmness and judgment of Captain Channer, aided by a small party of his regiment, the 1st Goorkhas.

This officer when nearing the pass made a flank movement through the jungle, and coming suddenly and unexpectedly on the stockade on the left side (approaching from Paroe) of the pass he met a Malay outside it, and unobserved followed him into it, killing one man on the spot with his revolver. He was followed by two and imme diately after by more of the men of his reconnoitring party, which consisted of 25 Goorkhas. Five of the enemy were found dead on the spot, and a sixth, who wa wounded, is known to have died afterwards. I regret to say that on our side one Naik of the Goorkhas was killed, and one dangerously wounded in the neck. Captain Channer's party, immediately the stockade was evacuated, commenced a heavy fire on the other stockades which was returned by the enemy who, however, shortly fled, leaving traces of blood behind them on the road.

At Bandole Ulu and about a mile further on at Bandole a great many strong stockades were met with, but no further resistance was made by the enemy who, after retiring, appear, so far as I can learn, to have gone, led by Tunku Antar and Datu Muar, to Sree Menantee.

Several Malays from Jumpole were present, by order of their Datu, under a very old man of some distinction, who was killed. It is difficult to ascertain with any It degree of reliability the number of the enemy in the Bukit Patus stockades. appears that Tunku Antar and Datu Muar were at Bandole when the attack wa made.

It is a matter of surprise that the enemy should not, considering the great strength of many of their positions, have made some attempt at resistance. Had they done so the rear-attacking force would have been of immense service, as all the stockades, except those at Bukit Putus, were open to the rear.

I have directed that careful plans showing the positions, &c. of all the stockades be made on the way back to Rassa, and that a general plan of the road be also made for your information.

Lieutenant-Colonel Clay has not yet been able to furnish me with an official report of the military operations, but as soon as he has done so I will transmit them to you.

About six miles of the path from Paroc to Bandole is billy, and passes through thick high jungle, and frequently crosses a stream, the rocky and root-tangled bed of which here and there forms the path itself. The rest of the path, which, like that from Lookut to Rassa, only admits of persons passing along it in single file, is either through low scrub, high lallang grass (generally where clearings have been made and tin mines worked), or paddy fields, and here and there across rivulets and swamps.

I enclose a copy of a letter I have addressed to Lieutenant-Colonel Clay, which will indicate the further movements of the troops.

Although the Datu of Jumpole has been mixed up in the invasion of Sungie Ujong, I doubt whether it would be worth incurring the expense and delay which would be greatly augmented by the increased difficulties of transport, already so considerable, of moving troops to that State which is at so great a distance from Rassa, our base of operations. It will be sufficient to have shown that the British Government can do what the people of these interior States did not believe possible, to march troops through the Bukit Putus pass even when stockaded, and into the heart of any of them. The bealth and spirits of the troops are good. The Datu Klana has accompanied me and rendered much assistance. Captain Murray, who accompanied Lieutenant-Colonel Hill's party by Pantay, is also here, and will accompany the force by Gomanti and Datu Muar te Sri Menanti. Captain Stirling and the naval detachment will return to their ship immediately after reaching Sri Menanti, and I trust I may myself be able to accompany them down the Lingey River. The troops, or the greater part of them, will also probably be able to return to Rassa,

(Signed) A. E. H. Anson, Colopal.

SIB,

Sub-Enclosure in Enclosure 12.

COLONEL ANSON to Lieutenant-COLONEL CLAY.

Terraches, December 23, 1875.

I HAVE the honour to request that you will to-morrow advance a part of the force under your command to occupy the campong of Sree Menanti, where the residence of the Datu of the State is situated, and at the same time despatch another force round by Gumanti and the campong of the Datu of Moar to meet it at the same place, and as far as possible, at the same time.

The road to Sree Menanti by Gumanti and the Datoh Muar is stated to be double the length of the direct route, but more open and better for the advance of troops; it might, therefore, be well to advance the former force to Gumanti and the latter to Parrit, the first day, and to complete the march on the following day.

I have, &c. (Signed)

Lieutenant-Colonel Clay, Commanding Troops,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

SIB

No. 131.

A. E. H. ANSON, Colonel.

COLONIAL OFFICE to INDIA OFFICE.*

Downing Street, January 31, 1876.

I AM directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you, for the information of the Secretary of State for India, copies of the despatches as noted in the margin,† having reference to the military operations in the Malay States.

Lord Carnarvon desires me to take this opportunity of expressing his high sense of the services rendered by the military and naval forces during these operations, which be regrets to learn were attended with the loss of some valuable lives.

His Lordship is also happy to recognise the readiness with which the various depart- mental authorities have co-operated in carrying out such measures as the public service required.

(No. 25.)

No. 132.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

The EARL OF CARVARVON to GOVERNOR SI W. F. D. JERVOIS, X.C.M.G.

Downing Street, February 1, 1876.

SIR,

I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of the several despatches, noted in the margin, which I have received subsequent to yours No. 306 of the 4th December last,§ and mine of the 10th December, No. 218||, all bearing on the proceedings and operations in the Malay States.

2. I do not now propose to advert to any of the various questions of policy which have formed the subject of past correspondence, and which will have to be considered and decided hereafter. I think, however, that the time has come (now that military operations are, as I trust, brought to a satisfactory and successful close), when, apart

• Similar letters were addressed to the War Office and Admiralty.

No. 306, November 4, No. 897, November 16, No. 338, December 1 ; No. 384, December 2; No. 332 and 864, December 17; and No. 860, December 18.

No. 822, November 15, No. 327, November 16, No. 338, December 1; Nas, 336, 335, Desember 2 ; Nos. 395, 841, December 31 Nos. 862, 858, 384, December 17; and No. 860, Desember 18.

No. 64.

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