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gave a most incomplete account of himself to the Magistrate, who sent him to the house of detention after remarking that steps would be taken to get him on board an American ship.
THE REBELLION IN BKILISH
NORTH BORNEO.
MAT SALLEH REPORTED TO BE SHOT.
.
The latest news from North Borneo is that Mat Salleh has been shot in one of his legs and, like the man who would be king in one of Kipling's stories, has consequently lost faith with the natives. The information that Mat Salleh had been wounded and was looked upon as a mere man and not a God was conveyed in a letter received on 17th January by a gentleman living in Hongkong. Inquiries on the steamer Deucalion failed to satisfactorily confirm the news, although the people on board had heard the interesting ramour. We hope it is true.
The Plover has been patrolling the coast near Labuan and an interesting rumour has been spread concerning her. It is said that forty men wereflanded to guard the coast and sentries were given instructions to allow no native boats to pass without being searched: One day a native boat containing four men was seen and the sentry called upon them to stop. The natives had not received an English educa- tion and they hurled back some words in Malay. The sentry of course did not understand a single word and he repeated his orders for the boat to stop. The men kept on pulling and of the Plover's men were ordered to fire on the boat. The consequence was that two of the natives were killed. We give this story for what it is worth. People who came from Borneo on 17th January had heard of it but were not able to vouch for its accuracy.
some
When the Deucalion left preparations were being made for an assault on Mat Salleh's forts at his headquarters, Paoga Yah, on the 11th
inst.
ANOTHER STATION CAPTURED. (Special to Singapore Free Press.)
Labnan, 1st January.
THE, HONGKONG WEEKLY FRESS AND
· [January 19, 1898.
of the troubles the North Borneo Government | keep the building structurally in a sound con- had with the Pangeran Shabandar, on the Padasdition, and althongh, it is to be regretted that Damit, from about October, 1888, to February, this necessitates a considerable expenditure, they 1889. On that occasion Governor Creagh applied feel bound to effect as speedily es possible all⠀
such repairs as the architects certily to be really for the help of Major Walker from Perak, or Capt. Newland, then Commander Joltore Forces, necessary. I am glad to be able to add that no but neither of these requests could be complied serious damage was done to the building by the with, although a Perak seven-pounder and a typhoons that wore in the vicinity of the colony couple of rocket tubes, with a small detachment last year. The Theatre receipts during the last few months have hardly been as large as was of Perak gunners under a Havildar, were lent to North Borneo. The leader of the expected, chiefly owing to the fact that one of the large travelling Companies that had booked native rebels on this last occasion appears to have been an escaped prisoner of the the Theatre for September and October last Kedian tribe, one Talleh, who seems to bave visited India instead of coming to China as made his way across country from Sandakan previously arranged. As, however, this Com- pany proposes coming to Hongkong shortly, the towards Branei, and to have raised a small force of natives, possibly Muruts from the Ulu receipts for the current year will in all proba Fadas, having conceived the idea of a raid on bility equal those of last, and I trust that we. Lambawang. Here there appears to have been shall be in a position to continue to shew a one official, Mr. Fraser, a cadet in the North balance to the credit of current account at the Borneo service, with perhaps a small guard of end of the present financial year without having three or four Sikhs. The station was probably to appeal to the public for subscriptions. With suddenly rushed, and the attack being in greatly these few remarks I beg to propose that the superior force and entirely unexpected, there report and accounts as presented be passed.
was no chance of successful resistance. Mr. Fra- ser made good his escape, fortunately, but one of the Sikh guard was killed during the attack. What money or property the raiders under Talleh may have got possession of is not stated. But it is not likely that the raiders will have been long undisturbed, as Mr. Fraser would have been able to proceed in a short time to Mempakol, and thence wire to Labuan for more assistance, in addition to the Dyaks he could pick up from the coast, of which he appears to have secured thirty, as well as eight police, who, however, would not all be Sikhs. The situation on the West Coast is so grave that, we hear from an authoritative source, Mr. Beaufort has proceeded from Sandakan to Labuan so as to be nearer the quarter where action is demanded. It is now quite certain that the usual British principle of -using handfuls of men for what may prove bigger jobs than was expected, does not always come off, though it pays far more often than it is reasonable to hope for, owing to the pluck of the leaders and the almost invariable fidelity and spirit of the men led.
A certain native named Talleh, a Kedian pri- soner, having escaped from custody at Sanda- kan, raised a small Bornean force in the interior, | SINGAPORE CHAMBER and advanced against Limbawang, a Govern- ment station on the Padas river.
This place Talleh attacked and captured on the 29th instant, one Sikh being killed during the fight.
Mr. F. W. Fraser, a North Borneo cadet who was in charge of the district, escaped.. He is now returning to Limbawang with a force of eight Police and thirty-five Dyaks.
It is not yet known whether Talleh is acting
under Mat Salleh's orders.
The Free Press has the following article in reference to the above
To the recent insurrectionary attacks on Gaya and Ambong, two stations on the coast of Province Keppel, in the jurisdiction of the British North Borneo Government, there is now, as our special telegram will show, to be added yet another attack upon and capture of an inland station in the north part of Province Dent, named Limbawang. Two considerations make this a serious affair for the North Borneo Gov- ernment. One is that it has occurred as the immediate sequel of a very serious repulse of a military police force, in the effort to storm a strong stockade and blockhouse held by Mat Salleh, the troublesome outlaw who is respon. sible for the Gaya and Ambong inbidents. An- other consideration is, that this later affair at Limbawang is not yet ascertained to have been directly associated with Mat Salleh's action, but is possibly an independent effort of another leader; this, therefore, all the more requiring strong steps on the part of the North Borneo Government to successfully indicate its authority, and strike a counterblow sufficiently definite in its results to quell any further revolt, so easy to propagate amongst the Bornean tribes, in default of any such action on the part of the Sandakan Government, The scene of this last reported episode is, as stated; at Limbawang, which is a district officer's station about thirty miles or so up the Padas River, an affluent of Brunei Bay. This place is therefore within easy reach of Labuan, and is not far from the scene
Mr. MODY seconded. Carried unanimously. This concluded the business.
The following is the report submitted: The last annual meeting was held on the 9th January, 1897.
COMMITTEE.
There have been no changes in the Com- mittes since the last meeting was held, and it Messrs. H. L. still consists of the Honourable J. J. Bell- Irving (Chairman), and Dalrymple, H. N. Mody, B. Layton, and M. A.
Siebs.
THE STATE OF THE BUILDING.
The building generally may at present be said to be substantially in a good state of repair, though the Committee hope to be in a position next year to have the exterior colour-washed, as it is beginning to shew signs of deterioration.
on
OF COM-new beams, joists, &c.
MERCE AND A GOLD CURRENCY.
A TWO SHILLING DOLLAR RECOMMENDED.
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE
"s
29 3
DAILY PRESS." SINGAPORE, 13th January. At a meeting of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce held to-day it was resolved that a two shilling gold dollar was desirable in the Straits. It was further resolved that the Go- vernment be requested to take the necessary steps to give effect to the resolution.
The annual overhaul revealed the necessity of rather extensive repairs to the roof and woodwork; the flat roof of the verandah the South side of the Theatre was discovered to be in a vory rotten condition with and had to be entirely renewed,
It was also found necessary to reconstruct the North-East turret roof, and considerable repair was necessitated to the other turret roofs, the dormer windows and to other parts of the roof generally. As in former years, the beams supporting the floors throughout the building were opened and carefully examined and all defective woodwork
was renewed.
During the twelve months from 1st July, engaged by the Rifle Brigade, Mr. Burton, 1896, to 30th June, 1897, the Theatre was Miss Elsie Adair, the Smoking Concert Club, the Amateur Dramatic Club, Japanese Jug-
An amendment asking for further enquiry to be made was defeated by seventeen votes to four-glers, Mr. Marks, Hudson's Surprise Party, the
teen.
THE CITY HALL,
"Rainbow" Minstrels, and Pollard's Liliputian Opera Company, and during the year the St. Andrew's Hall was put at the disposal of those engaged in charitable and educational objects, free of charge.
The annual meeting of shareholders in and
The total receipts from all sources were subscribers to the City Hall was held in the Library, City Hall, on 14th Jan. Hon. J. J. Bell-higher during the 12 months from July 1, 1896, the extensive repairs Irving presided, and there were also present to June 30, 1897, than they were- in the Messrs. H. L. Dalrymple, H. N. Mody, B. previous year, but
ceilings having to be 'met out of this year's Layton, N. A. Siebs, and H. L. Dennys required to the Theatre pillars and ball room (Secretary).
receipts, the expenditure during the year under review was greater than the receipts, and consequently the balance in the hands of the Treasurer on the 30th June, 1897, was some, what less than that, shewn in the previons account.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts, said:-- Gentlemen, with your permission, I will take the annual report and accounts as read. In proposing the adoption of the report there is but little to add with reference to the period covered by it, but you will observe that during. the twelve months over which the accounts extend the recipts were $972,07 in excess of those during the preceding twelve months, and that these extra receipts enabled the Treasurer to keep a balance to the credit of the City Hall in the current account with the Bank, although heavy expenses, amounting to $2,451.35, mainly incurred in 1896, had to be met out of last year's receipts. As the building gets older the cost of upkeep can hardly be expected to decrease, Such large gatherings are held in the City Hall, especially during the winter months, that the Committee cannot help feeling that it is of the first importance to do all that can be done to
I
THE LIBRARY.
A valuable theological work in 34 volumes, being the collected works of J, N. Darby, was presented by Dr. E. J. Eitel prior to his leavy- ing the colony; while 47 new books printed in sent to the Library by the Hongkong, consisting chiefly of religions tracts, were Government. The Belgian Consul, Dr. Doberck, Messrs. Williams and Norgate, Ednie Brown, E. Neidbart, F. D. Guedes,, N. A. Allen, and A. C. Hide hare also to be thanked for books mer years the proprietors of the Government and newspapers presented by them. As in for- Gazette, the China Mail, the Daily Press, und ́ the Hongkong Telegraph have been good enongh ́
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