CO882-(3-4) — Page 393

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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An European company in Singapore have obtained a concession of a tract of country in Salangore for the purpose of an agricultural venture. One of the partners has for some months been superintending the work in person, and I trust it may prove a

success.

if

The Resident's staff in Salangore, like that in Perak, is not all that could be desired; but I hope that improvements will be effected in this respect as vacancies occur, or, necessary, by a reorganisation of the departments.

I am glad to be able to inform you that the state of the Salangore police force con. tinues to be favourably reported upon by the Resident.

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*

*

·

The Sultan is, I believe, well contented with the peace and order now prevailing in Salangore. He fully appreciates the regular payment of his allowance, and recognises the benefit which bis country has derived from the advice of the British Resident in the intro- duction of a better system of financial and general administration. There are but few minor Chiefs in the State, and these are now for the most part employed as officers of the Government or are otherwise provided for..

SUNGEI UJONG.

The following figures show the total revenues received in Sungei Ujong since 1875. In that year they amounted to 866,474; in 1876 to 893,825; and in 1877 to 899,100. The estimate for the current year is $96,980, but I do not consider that so large an amount will be obtained, as the revenue for the six months ended the 30th June amounted to only $38,211.

The revenues in Sungei Ujong are for the most part farmed, and the present falling off appears to be due to two causes: one, the reduction in the price of tin, which has compelled several capitalists in Sungei Ujong to give up working their mines; and the other, arising from the fact that in 1877 some of the excise farms had been let at a price above their value, and this led to a considerable decrease in the amounts of the tenders when the farms where re-let for the present year..

It does not seem likely that the revenues of next will year show a further decrease, unless, as I have already stated, the price of tin should fall so low as to preclude the profitable working of the mines.

The expenditure during the same periods was as follows:-

1875 1876 1877

-

$ 68,736

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Although the information in my possession may not justify me in forecasting any immediate great results in Perak, Salangore, or Sungei Ujong, either in the speedy civilisation of the people, the influx of large numbers of iminigrants, or the introduction of foreign capital, I certainly do look forward to a continuance of the peace, order, and safety for life and property which now prevail; while I confidently trust that the per- manent good which the enjoyment of these long unknown blessings, and the lessons which can hardly fail to be learnt from good example and just government, will in due time have their effect.

I attach a table showing in a convenient form the revenue and expenditure of the three States since 1875.

I have, &c.

(Signed) WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.,

Included

in above.

Included

n above

Revenue

&c.

Expenditure

&c. Colonial Office.

Advanced by Straits Set-

tlements.

Paid on account of debts.*

&c.

PERAK.

Actual to

1875.

1876.

1877.

Estimate, 1878.

30 June 1876.

Debt to Government on 80 June 1878.

Balance in

hand on

30 June 1870.

About 970,000 About

About 319,871 178,043

828,970

158,667 Approximate

45,000

989,476 199,710 280,389

146,789

982,775

256,831

SALANGORE.

Revenue -

116,656

Expenditure

111,805

Advanced by Straits Set-In the two

191,174 45,218

tlements.

years.

Paid on account of debts to

46,188

54,888

198,476 294,858 959,680 $32,090 10,841

48,791

234,976

NI

88,189 83,916 Nil

47,915

$5,000

Not shown

Straits Settlements and

other creditors.

1

6,389

-t! |

SUNGEI UJONG.

Revenue

66,472

93,325 99,100

96,980

38,211

39

Expenditure

68,736

108,989

97,388

96,980

30,134

13,564

"Advanced by Straits Set-In the two

39,013

1,798

Nil

Nil

tlements.

year.

Paid on account of debts to

11,849

7,845

21,015

Kil

Ni

Straits Settlements alone.

C.O. 882

4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

103,989 97,338

The estimated expenditure for 1878 is $96,980. The actual expenditure for the first six months of the present year has amounted to $39,134, the difference between that sum and the revenue for the same period ($38,211) being covered by a balance of $1,869 brought forward from 1877.

The public works in Sungei Ujong, as in the other States, are only carried out in proportion as the revenue admits of the work being done.

The establishments are small (owing to the practice already referred to of farming the greater part of the revenues), and the police force, though efficient, is not a large one; but the allowances to Chiefs amount to a considerable sum in proportion to the total revenues of the State.

Had it not been for the disturbances which arose in 1875, Sungei Ujong would have been burdened by no debt. At present the Straits Government is the sole creditor, and some portion of the revenue of the State is yearly devoted to paying the interest (5 per cent.) on this debt, and to the refund of a portion of the principal.

It is a matter for consideration whether the farming of the revenues is the best and most satisfactory arrangement for Sungei Ujong. I propose to confer with the Resident on this question before the re-letting of the farms.

The Datu Klana of Sungei Ujong is highly satisfied with the present form of adıninis- tration. The other Chiefs of the State appear also to be contented. The States in the neighbourhood of Sungei Ujong are on friendly terms with her and with each other.

*

CONCLUSION.

•

The foregoing details show that the three States under our protection possess undoubted resources which have been very considerably developed under the Residential system.

Included

in above.

SIB,

E

1

• It is difficult without great trouble to give anything like accurate information on these points.

No. 5.

ROBINSON.

The RIGHT HON. SI M. E. HICKS BEACH, BART., to GOVERNOR SIR W C. F.

(No. 206.)

3

Downing Street, November 12, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 268 of the 10th of September, reporting on the financial condition and prospects of the protected Native States, Perak, Salangore, and Sungie Ujong.

I have read your report with much interest.

Governor Sir W. Robinson,

Straits Settlements.

I have, &c.

(Signed) M. E. HICKS BEACH.

• No. 4.

11

LONDON,

Printed by Guenen 1. Brno and Whatan BrợTTE#cons,

Pistons so the Queen's most Haveliant Majesty.

Fur Har Majesty's Stationary Offer.

[G_85/80/—6/79.]