CO882-(3-4) — Page 161

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

ساسنا

Reference :-

C.O.

882

94

route. In case of emergency therefore, a re-inforcement could readily be sent to Qualla Kangsa trom Penang.

If your Lordship approves of the course which I have recommended, respecting the appointment of Yusuf as Regent, the Resident will, at Qualla Kangsa, be near him, Rajah Yusuf, at present, resides at Senggang, only a short distance from Qualla Kangsa, and I have no doubt that he would live in the immediate vicinity of the Resident, if requested to do so.

29. In reply to the last paragraph of your Lordship's Despatch, I do not think that it would be desirable to appoint Captain Speedy to the post of Resident of Perak.

No doubt, during the period in which that officer has held the post of Assistant Resident in Laroot, considerable success has attended the British intervention in the affairs of that District, but appreciating as I do Captain Speedy's services there, I do not think that it would be correct to infer that the qualifications which he has shewn himself to possess are any guarantee for success in the very difficult position of British Resident in Perak, a State almost wholly peopled by Malays, whilst in Laroot the population is, with little exception, Chinese.

Nor would it be advisable that the Resident of l'erak, to whose personal influence with the Chiefs and people any measure of success which may attend the Residential system must, in a great measure, be attributable, should reside anywhere but in some central position in that State, which would be in immediate proximity to the chief native authority and the seat of the central Government of the country.

30. Whilst Captain Speedy does not, in my judgment, possess the necessary and exceptional qualifications to ensure a reasonable probability of success in the post of Resident of Perak, I consider that Mr. Davidson, who is now acting in that capacity, possesses these qualifications in an unusual degree. He has a peculiar gift in winning the confidence and gaining influence with the Malay race.

His administration of affairs

in Salangore was very successful, and during his short residence in Perak, he has succeeded, to a great extent, in pacifying the hitherto disaffected districts near Qualla Kangsa. The Malays of Perak have already become accustomed to him, and it would have a very bad effect in our relations with them, if he were, without any good reason, removed.

The

In my opinion, and this opinion unanimously shared by my Executive Council, Mr. Davidson is the best man, by far, that could be selected as Resident of Perak. objection that has been raised to him as Resident in Salangore, on account of his having had a pecuniary interest in the affairs of that State, before he was appointed to the post, does not apply in any way whatever to his holding the position of Resident in Perak.

I trust your Lordship will consider it advisable to retain the services of Mr. Davidson in a post which he has already given evidence of special ability and qualifications to fill with success.

I have, &c.

(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,

&c.

&c. Colonial Office.

&c.

95

No. 73.

GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF

(No. 300.) MF LORD,

CARNARVON,

(Received September 25, 1876.)

Government House, Singapore, August 19, 1876. IN paragraph 27 of my Despatch to your Lordship, No. 297, of this date, I stated that the proposed Seikh guard in Perak should be under the superintendence of an officer who can speak Hindustani, and who can understand their habits and pre- judices; also, that he should be able to speak Malay.

2. I beg to recommend to your Lordship that Mr. J. E. Hewick, at present Assistant Superintendent of Police in Province Wellesley, should be selected for this appointment. Mr. Hewick, before entering the service of the Straits Settlements, spent several years in India, where he acquired the Hindustani language and obtained a knowledge of the habits and customs of the natives of India. Mr. Hewick is not a military man by profession, but he has all the bearing and attributes of one. The appointment which

he now holds is indeed of a semi-military character, the police of these Settlements, as your Lordship is aware, being armed and drilled.

During the time Mr. Hewick has held his present appointment he has shown himself to be a very energetic, active, and efficient police officer, and his services as such have been much appreciated by the community of Province Wellesley. He is a man of good physique, a great desideratum for the post for which I now recommend him. He speaks, reads, and writes Malay well, and has much tact, judgment, and ability in dealing with Malays. Altogether he possesses exceptional qualifications for the office of Superintendent of the Resident's police force. I feel that a better selection could not be made, and I trust that your Lordship will approve of his being appointed to that post.

3. I recommend that the salary of the appointment should be 83,276 per annum, and under the circumstances of the case, I trust that the transfer of Mr. Hewick from Province Wellesley to Perak will in no way affect his pension.

4. As I am anxious to make arrangements as early as possible for the organization of the Resident's police force, with a view to the removal of the troops from Perak, I would feel obliged if your Lordship will inform me by telegram, whether your Lordship approves of the appointment of Mr. Hewick.

I have, &c. (Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,

&c. Colonial Office.

&c.

&c.

No. 74.

3

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO.

GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.Ü.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF

(No. 299)

MY LORD,

CARNARVON.

(Received September 25, 1876.)

Government House, Singapore, August 19, 1876.

In reference to paragraphs 3 and 4 of your Lordship's Despatch, No. 122, of the 16th May last, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that the prisoners Se Gondah and Ngah Ahmat, who were condemned for the murder of Mr. Birch, but whose sentences were commuted to penal servitude for life, have been lodged in the Laroot Jail.

2. In this jail a strict system of discipline is maintained and bard labour is enforced. The severe sentence which the prisoners have to undergo is well known throughout Perak, and will, doubtless, have a most salutary effect.

(Signed)

The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,

I have, &c.

WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF

Telegraphic.

CARNARVON.

(Received September 25, 1876.)

16th September. Your Despatch, No. 192,† received. The want of money for the purpose of opening communications, organizing and arming a force of police, and for payment of arrears is now the principal difficulty.

I think the withdrawal of troops from the native states might be managed in about

six months, supposing 25,000l. advanced by Imperial Government.

I can arrange to dispense with Indian battery of artillery at once, if one of its officers can be retained here a few months.

Reply to my Despatch, No. 196, about States near Malacca solicited.‡

&c.

No. 72.

&c. Colonial Office.

&c.

• No. 76 of Eastern No 17 »

• No. 71.

↑ No. 64.

+ No. 57.