CO882-(3-4) — Page 402

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLC.O. 882

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

Duties of Treasurer and Col. lectors.

Expendi.

ture.

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He also asked for and received Klang, when there was no urgency in the matter. moneys to be expended on one account, and then actually expended them on another. I think this should not be allowed in future, as it is easy to conceive into what confusion he brought the treasurer's accounts by such action. Moreover, the habit of paying When Collectors act in away revenue is one that by all means should be put a stop to. this manner, unless in cases of real urgency fully explained, the matter should be reported to the Resident, who should call on the officer concerned for an explanation, and, unless quite satisfactory, warn him that the use of public moneys not yet placed at his disposal for purposes of expenditure is a highly objectionable practice and cannot be permitted.

16. The only other remark I have to offer with regard to the collection of the revenues

is that I would suggest the treasurer be directed to give more of his time to the personal supervision of the collection of revenue, in his capacity as Collector.

He has a very intelligent and well-paid chief clerk, a good deal of whose time is at present spent in, I fancy, rather unnecessary work, and it is possible that if the Collector at Klang did as I propose, this clerk would not be necessary.

If the Collectors at all these stations, Klang, Selangor, and Langat, devoted their attention to the personal collection of the revenue, I think money would be saved the State, and benefit would accrue from the change. I should even be inclined to recom- mend the appointment of a working officer to reside at Langat (Bukit Jugra) on a considerably smaller salary, say $100 a month, instead of stationing there one bolding a semi-political position, which may take his mind from the real business of the post. Looking to the easy and speedy communication (4 hours) between Klang and Bukit Jugra, I feel sure the Resident can conduct all his relations with the Sultan personally without the need for, or assistance of, any other officer. I believe the Resident will agree with me in this view.

17. I attach tables giving the actual revenues of the three districts, Klang, Selangor, and Langat for the year 1877, which show the revenue received monthly under each considerable heading.

I also attach comparative statements of the estimated and actual revenues. From these tables it will be seen that the revenues of

Klang during the year amounted to

Selangor Langat

""

"

11

>

10

Total

$177,197 11

$31,442 93 $18,233 17

$226,853 21

a considerable sum, all things considered, and satisfactory as being in excess of the revenue received in any former year.

The actual revenue did not equal the estimates, there appearing a deficit of $14,960 48. The falling off was almost entirely on the tin duty, and is accounted for by the fact that, owing to the fall in price of the metal, the duty was during the year reduced, the reduction being from th (equal to about 85 60), and the "chukei paier" of 84, with the $2 a bhara allowed to the Captain China and Datu Dagang, i.e., $11 60 in all, to 89 60. This 89 60 was early in 1878 again reduced to $7 50 a bhara.

I am myself, however, rather inclined to think the estimate was drawn with too sanguine expectations.

The non-payment by the farmer at Kwala Lumpor at half the amount due for his farm, and a refund of 9 per cent. of principal of the State debt instead of 6 per cent. as estimated for, accounted for the balance.

In many other small items the estimates were exceeded. The statements to which I have already referred show the estimates of the stations in detail, and afford the readiest comparison.

that

It will also be noted that the revenues of Langat cover a period of 13 months; should in future be avoided, and both revenue and expenditure confined to 12 months, from 1st January to 31st December. The presence of and cents in the accounts leads to confusion, and might with advantage be done away with.

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The expenditure for the year 1877 in the three districts was as follows:

Klang, including Burnam

Selangor

Langat

$191,121 96

-

$7,758 13 $33,211 54

·

#232,091 63

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The difference between this sum and the revenue was covered by a considerable balance brought forward from 1876, which left the State with a credit balance of The total estimated expenditure was $227,751, $2,091 42 on the 1st of January 1878. which include a large sum for public works, but as the actual revenue was seen to be falling short of the estimates, the expenditure on that item was kept down to avoid a

deficit.

The total amount expended during the year was $4,340 in excess of the estimates, chiefly under the following heads:

The establishments show an expenditure of about $1,500 in excess of the estimates, which appears to have been incurred by the appointment of a Punghulu to the district of Kanching, whose salary was not provided for in the estimates.

This

Two men had for some years been allowed by Tunku dia Udin to levy a small tax on the tin produced in this district, and to devote the proceeds to their own use. tax was abolished in 1877 and an allowance made to each man in lieu of it. The present arrangement was proposed by the Resident, who obtained the sanction of the Government to his suggestion.

The item "allowances " was slightly exceeded, from the fact that a larger sum was received and paid to the Captain China and Datu Dagang than had been anticipated in framing the estimates.

Public Works.-The estimate for the Collector's quarters at Langat was exceeded, but a considerable sum was saved on the whole vote by curtailing the expenditure on the Kwala Lumpor road, and by the non-construction of the Collector's quarters at Selangor, for which a sum of $500 had been placed on the estimates.

Police.-$1,400 was saved on this item, as the cost of clothing the force was less than had been expected.

Marine. This vote was exceeded by $1,900, as I understand, for repairs to and stores for the steam launch "Rosebud." I found a bill for marine stores, amounting to 863,398, so I imagine the stores then purchased must have lasted more than a year's

time

I am not aware whether authority was specially asked for to exceed this vote. "Transport."

The $1,560 spent on this item in excess of the estimates is due almost entirely to payments on account of the Viceroy's travelling expenses to Kedah, Singapore, &c. during the year.

"Miscellaneous."-A sum of $1,300 in excess of the estimates was expended under this head. It is accounted for by purchase of stationery and office furniture, and by furnishing accommodation to Rajas and their followers visiting Klang.

State Debts.- The payments under this item exceeded the estimates by $3,721, accounted for by, as I have already stated, a refund of principal at the rate of 9% instead of 6%, and also by paying off debts under $500. ' I have thus, I believe, dealt with all the items of expenditure differing in any material degree in the sums actually expended on them from the amounts placed against them in the estimates, and I have as far as possible accounted for the discrepancies.

It only remains, then, to make some general remarks.

Out-stations. I visited the out-stations, Langat, Selangor, and Birnam, and also the great mining centre, Kwala Lumpor.

I took an opportunity afforded me of inspecting, in company with the Resident, the fort and chief police station when the men were paraded, also the gaol and hospital.

22. Langat. I have already offered some suggestions regarding Langat; the place seems thriving, the Sultan has built himself a good house, has others in contemplation, and is at present engaged in making, at his own expense, a good road from his istana

at Bukit Jugra to the landing place near the Collector's quarters.

The Sultan appears well satisfied with the prospects of his country, and the present order of affairs. Personally he is, as he has always been since I knew him, most anxious to adopt the advice of Her Majesty's Government, with full confidence in its efficiency.

23. Selangor. The revenues of this station show a gradual but satisfactory yearly increase. They are collected by an officer stationed at Bukit Selangor, who, as in the case of Langat, forwards the moneys he receives to Klang, and pays the expenses of his establishment, police, &c. out of the monthly sums remitted from head-quarters for that purpose. The general appearance of this station is not encouraging, the landing place and Chinese village in its immediate neighbourhood are in a filthy state, and the place has, I fear, been neglected.

The Collector, who has for some twelve months' time been in charge of Selangor, did not possess the qualifications or training necessary for a satisfactory discharge of his duties. I am told that he did not visit the collecting office or village on occasion for

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