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JVii ilnecdotal l>i$torp / r, i

or Oia Cimcs

In Singapore . . .

(Witi) portraits and Illustrations)

FROM

The Foundation of the Settlement under the Honourable the
East India Company, on February 6th, 1819,

TO THE

Transfer to the Colonial Office as part of the Colonial
Possessions of the Crown on April ist, 1867,

CHARLES BURTON BUCKI FY

In Two Volumes-Volume 11.

[^ii rigbts r(0(rb(b.|

Singapore :
Printed by Fraser & Neave, Limited.

1902.

CHAPTER XXXI

1844.

ALMOST every issue of the weekly paper contained accounts of
several deaths by timers, and the " Ti^er Club" was frequently
mentioned. The Club killed a lar^e one three miles from town on
a gambier plantation about New Year's day. A week after, one of
the Native Infantry was killed by a ti^er, and the party went out
and wounded it, but it escaped in tlie thick jungle. A day or two
after, they disturbed another tiger and two cubs. The Tiger Club
gave a reward of $100 to a Chinaman who caught a tiger in a pit
where it was shot. Two men in the plantation had been killed by
tigers.

Gang robberies were very freqnent in the town, large gangs of
Chinese attacking shops. The following is an account of such rob-
beries in one paper, and it is only one of many : — " On the night of
the 17th January, a most daring robbery was perpetrated in the town
by a gang of Chinese. About 10 o'clock a band of between 60 and
60 Chinese armed with muskets, pistols, swords, spears and shields
attacked the shop of a money-changer named Mohamed Abdulkader,
on Boat Quay. He was sleeping in the verandah outside his shop
which was locked, and was awakened by the Chinese beating some
rattan shields; then they lighted three or four paper matches and
broke open the shop, which they immediately plundered. The robbers
wounded two Klings near the shop, and then carried away five bags of
money and gold. One of the constables, who (a European, presum-
ably) was going his round with a peon at the time, came on the
Chinese while plundering the shop. They immediately knocked the
peon down, and fired several blank cartridges at the constable, who,
thereupon went to procure assistance, but by the time he succeeded
in collecting the guardians of the night and returned to the spot, the
robbers could not be overtaken.

*' Another robbery took place about two o'clock on the morning of
the 23rd January. About forty Chinese attacked the house of a Kling
writer named Aiidry Narrain (adjoining the Hindoo Temple) which they
broke open, und about ten of them armed with swords and axes en-
tered the room where the owner was, and, whilst some by threatening
signs kept him quiet, others broke open three boxes from which they
took $130, and 34 buncals of gold, which they carried off. One of the
inmates of the house was severely wounded on the head and body.
The robbers had their faces blackened so that they could not be identi-
fied, and they preserved a strict silence. They were two or three
peons on the spot, but though they sprung their rattles, no efficient
force came till after the robbers had gone away."

408 Ant^cdotal Hufory of Singapore

The first Chinese Hospital or Poor House had been built from the
proceeds of the Grovernment Pork Farm, which had been imposed for
that express purpose. The building was finislied in 1834, but the Govern-
ment used it as a Convict Jail, because the Convict lines, that had
been commenced before the Poor House, were not finished, and not
sufficiently large to contain all the convicts ; and the poor were put
in an attap bungalow run up for the occasion, to which exception
was made. Complaints were also made of the number of sick Chinese
who came from the plantations in Rhio and other Dutch places, to
take advantage of the hospital, which was not intended for them.

This year saw the commencement of the present Tan Tock Seng's
Hospital. The Free Press of the year wrote of it thus, beginning on
the 25th January : — " We are glad to learn that there is now every
chance of a suitable hospital for the reception of diseased and aged
Chinese paupers being erected, and what is still more gratifying, chiefly
through the means of the Chinese themselves. Cham Chan Sang, ii
Chinese merchant, who died a few days a^o, has by his will bequeathed
$2,000 to the hospital, and we understand that a short time ago another
wealthy Chinese merchant, Tan Tock Seng, presented $o,00() towards
this object. We have no doubt that we shall hear of their example being
generally followed by their fellow-countrymen in the Settlemnnt, so
that sufficient funds will speedily be obtained. A number of diseased
Chinese, lepers and others, frequent almost every street in town,
presenting a spectacle which is rarely to be met with, even in towns
under a pagan G-<»vernment, and which is truly disgraceful in a
civilised and Christian country, especially one under the government
of En«:lishmen.

" A public meeting of the inhabitants was held on Saturday last to
take into consideration a letter which had been received by the (xovernor
from the Bengal Government. 'J'liis letter is an answer to one from
the Governor, enclosing the draft of an Act for the suppression of
mendicity and loathsome exposure at Singapore, and relative to the
erection of the hospital, for which purpose Tan Tock Seng had offered
$5,0t>0. The Deputy-Governor seems to have got the idea that it is
merely to please the fastidious " European, and quasi F]uropeans," that
the hospital is to be erected, and he therefore thinks that the ('hinese,
who are almost the only parries who would be benefited by the hospital,
ought not to be made to pay for its support, but that the whole
community ought to be taxed for it. We believe that the Chinese
would have had no objection that the funds required should he
raised by a pork farm, and this tax would have pressed very lightly
upon them.

"The monthly expenditure of the hospital mitrht, we understand, be
calculated at from §450 to SoOO per month, say $6,000 per annum. This
sum the Bengal Government seem to think must he raised by means of a
new tax or rate, and it was one of the objects of the meeting to show that
such a measure would be nnnecessarv. From (jfficial documents it was
shewn that there existed a large surplus both on the general revenue
and in the Assessment fund, and it appeared to the meeting that,
before a new tax was imposed upon the inhabitants, the funds arising
from those already existing ought to be exhausted.

18-14 409

"The recommendation of the meeting that the proposed Pauper
Hospital and the European Seamen's Hospital should be under one roof
would be advantageous in many ways. We sincerely trust that nothing
may happen to mar or hinder establishment of the hospital. It has
long been required; and, so far back as 1829, called from the Grand
Jury a very strong representation .''

Rkjioldtions op a Public Meeting held at Singapore, on Saturday,

THE 3rd February, 1844.

Tan Took Seng in the Chair.

A letter from the Under Secretary to the Government of Bengal
to Colonel Butterworth, c.b., Governor to Prince of Wales' Island,
Singapore and Malacca, No. 1244, dated at Fort William, 18th December,
1843, having been read by the Chairman —

1st. It was proposed by E. J. Gilman, seconded by Tan Kim Seng,
and unanimously carried: — That it appears to this meeting that the
Government of Bengal is under a misconception in supposing that the
proposed erection of a Pauper Hospital for the reception of the Chinese is
to "please the European ^nd quasi European," portion of the inhabitants,
and that the Chinese are indifferent on the subject : that on the contrary
it is the opinion of this meeting that the Chinese are, as a body, most
anxious that the same should be carried into effect.

2nd. It was proposed by C. Spottisvvoode, seconded by T. O. Crane,
and unanimously carried : — That it is the opinion of this meeting that
the erection of a Pauper Hospital is absolutely necessary, and that the
funds for the support of the same should be provided from the
General Revenues of the island.

3rd. Proposed by W. Napier, seconded by Syed Omar and
unanimously carried: — That it is the opinion of this meeting, that,
with reference to the last published Official Statement of the Revenue
and Expenditure of this island, any further tax for the purpose of
supporting a Pauper Hospital is unnecessary.

4th. Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by M. F. Davidson,
and . unanimously carried: — That on its being decided that a Pauper
Hospital be built, it is desirable that the Executive Government do
take measure for the prevention of the importation of sick paupers
into the island.

5th. Proposed by C. A. Dyce, seconded by J. Guthrie and
unanimously carried ; — That funds having been provided for the
erection of a European Hospital, it is the opinion of this meeting
that it would be expedient and desirable to unite the proposed Pauper
and European Hospitals under one roof, as in that event the funds
would be amply sufficient to erect a large, convenient, and sightly
building, divided into distinct establishments, for Europeans, Chinese,
and other Natives of Asia.

6th. Proposed by W. R. George, seconded by W. H. Read, and
unanimously carried :— That the proceedings of this meeting be forwarded
to the Hon'ble the Governor, with a request that the local Government
will afford their countenance and support to the same.

7th. Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by T. Smith and
carried . unanimously : — That a petition to the Supreme Government

410 Anecdotal History of Singapore

embodying the foregoing resolutions be drawn up in English and
Chinese, and signed by the inhabitants, and that it be thereafter
sent to the Honourable the Governor for transmission to Bengal/'

On Monday morning, the 25th July, 1844, the foundation stone of the
new Pauper Hospital at Pearl's Hill was laid in the presence of the Hon'ble
Thomas Church, Resident Councillor, Tan Tock Seng, by whose
munificence the funds for the building had been supplied, and a
number of other gentlemen. A brass plate vvas deposited beneath
the foundation stone, on which was engraved the following inscrip-
tion : —

The Foundation Stone

The Chinese Pauper Hospital

Singapore,

was laid on the XXVth May, MDCCCXLIV,

duiing the Government of

The Hon'ble Colonel W. J. Butterworth, c.b..

Grovemor of Prince of Wales' Island, Singapore

and MalHcca.

The Hon'ble T. Church, Esquire,

being Resident Councillor at Singapore.

The funds for the erection of this building were

furnishca bj the humane liberality of

Tan Tock Seng, Esq.. J.P.,

Chinese Merchant in Singapore.

It was the wish of several brethren of the Mvstic craft that
the ceromony of layin<if the foundation of the building, which was to
be appropriated to those purposes of charity and benevolence which
are recognised by Masons as among the fundamental articles of their
constitution, should be performed with Masonic honours, but it was
unfortunately found to be too late to make the necessary arrange-
ments.

The foundation stone of the European Seamen's Hospital was
also laid at this time on the same hill. The two buildings, still
standing, were designed by Mr J. T. Thomson, the Government
Surveyor, and were said to be very handsome edifices, adding much
to the appearance of the town. The Government hnd been slow to
recognize the necessity for providing a hospital, and as the first
introduction of anything like one was due to private enterprise, it was
not thought to be astonishing that it was left to generous minded
individuals to do what they could to alleviate the necessities of the sick
poor.

As the Chinese who flocked into the Settlement were mostly of
a poor class, it followed as a matter of necessity that some of them
would at some time or other be thrown on the charity of the public.
Men in failing health, exposed to all the vicissitudes of the climate,
soon became helpless and unable to earn their living; while others,
from neglect of superficial scratches or slight wounds, soon suflFered
by their abrasions becoming sloughing ulcers, and they became street
mendicants^ to the annoyance of the general public. On this account

1844. 411

Tan Tock Sen^, a generous-hearted and philanthropic Chinese gentle-
man, built the hospital at his own expense, and his son Tan Kim
Chinjr added to its accommodation. The Government provided only
medicines and medical attendance. The dieting was met by contribu-
tions and subscriptions from all classes of society. The management of
the financial department was in the hands of a Committee, Hoo Ah
Kay, Whampoa, being the Treasurer, and Seah Eu Chin looking after
the food supply.

The paper in November, 1852, contained the following paragraph
about the Pauper Hospital : — *' For some time past the patients admitted
into Tan Tock Seng^s Hospital have been far more numerous than
there are any means of accommodating, and the consequence has been
a great overcrowding, so that the diseases of the patients instead
of being alleviated have in fact been aggravated by their reception
into the Hospital. The Committee of management have for some time
past been fully alive to the inadequacy of the accommodation and
most anxious for its increase, and indeed had procured plans from
Mr. Thomson, the Architect of the original building, for its
enlargement, but the want of funds has hitherto prevented them from
making the additions required. Under these circumstances, some of the
principal Chinese residents met the Officiating Governor yesterday, for
the purpose of considering what steps should be taken; when the
difficulty was solved by 'J'an Kim Ching, the son of the founder
of the Hospital, offering to defray the entire cost of the additions,
estimated at two thousands dollars, provided Mr. Thomson's plan
was adopted. This act of liberality on the part of Tan Kim Ching
thus removes the main difficulty, and his generous example has been
followed by others of his countrymen increasing the monthly subscrip-
tions, so as to allow of the benefits of thb Hospital being materially
extended. The monthly income of the Hoi^pital, however, will still
be inadequate to meet its requirements, and we therefore trust many
others will be induced to contribute towards its maintenance and
thus ;iS8ist in conferring a great boon on their helpless fellow-creatures
who must otherwise be left to perish in their misery."

Here (wrote Dr. Rowell in 1885) one would wish to inscribe in
letters of gold not only the names of the Founder, his son, and of the
Treasurer and Purveyor as given above, but, chief of all, of that early
Committee of management, the names of Colonel Macpherson, Resident
Councillor, Thos. Dunman, Commissioner of Police, and Mr. R. C.
Woods; not that there were not others, but these were the most
prominent. But for them, the Poor Fund would have dwindled away
as a lump of ice in the sun at a very early stage of its existence, as
it did when they passed away from the scene of their labours. Mr.
Dunman knew how to put the "screw" on in the shajie of "fees for
processions/' "fees for permission to carry fowling pieces on sporting
expeditions/* in fact, he was a sturdy beggar for helpless beggars, and
when he enterrd the doors of Chinese Towkays with a subscription
paper, it was not for nothing; he was not to be refused. In his
private diary arc frequent entries such as " Received thtough Inspected
Cox from the pawnbrokers' shops a subscription of $60 to Tan Tock
Seng's Hcspital/'

412 Anecdotal History of Singapore

The following inscription was engraved on stone and fixed at
the hospital gate : —

THIS HOSPITAL

FOR THE

DISEASED OF ALL COUNTRIES

WAS BUILT A.D. 1814

AT THK COST OP

SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS

WHOLLY DEFKATKD BY

TAN TOOK SENG.

THE WINGS WERE ADDED
AND LARGE IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED

AT THE COST OF

THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS

WHOLLY DEFRAYED BY

TAN KIM CHING.
SON OF THE FOUNDER.

This tablet is erected by the Committee of Management, 1854.
The paper in September, 1857, contained the following passages
in an article about the hospitals: — "The Indian Government (on
account of the expenses of the Mutiny) have ordered all public
works, not absolutely necessary, to be stopped. We hope this will
prevent the liospitals being scattered as proposed at distances apart
from each other, so that more medical officers would be necessary.
The European Hospital, it is said, is to be erected on the Race
Course, while Tan Tock Seng's Hospital is to be situated on the
ground lately bought by Government on Balestier's plantation. In
the case of Balestier's plantation is it very well ascertained that the
locality is perfectly salubrious ? [Quito prophetic words.] If the
Government is quite determined that the Hospitals shall be removed
from their present positions [Pearl's Hill], we would suggest that tl\e
Singapore Institution [Raffles] and the ground attached to it would
be much better adapted for Hospitals than the places at present
intended. It is easy of access from the harbour and the town, and
sufficient room for both; the Trustees would probably be willing to
listen to a proposal to transfer the schools to another site, and to
concur in requesting the Legislature to give the requisite power to do so."

This arose from the buildings for the Hospital on Pearl's Hill
being wanted after the Mutiny for military purposes and, together
with the European Seamen's Hospital, being converted into the present
Ordnance and Commissariat Offices. The present Chinese Hospital was
then built on a swamp on Balestier plain, bordering on Serangoon road,
which was given for the purpose by Government, in place of that
erected by Tan Tock Seng, and the tablet was removed to the new
hospital, were it remains.

The new Government building was much larger than the building
at Pearl's Hill. As the Settlement grew larger and richer, the poor
also increased. Three blocks of brick buildings forming three sides of
a square were put up for the sick, while the fourth side facing the
road was for the adminstrative requirements. Some have thought
that the building on Serangoon road was at first intended for Indian
troope, and never occupied by them. But it seems more likely^ so

1844. 413

far as can be gathered from old papers, that they were built
specially for the hospital. Hut even these buildings soon proved
insufficient; there were -some 400 paupers crowed into them in a
very short time after they were occupied.

Looking at the hospital, at the present time, it is impossible to
realise what it was tlien^ Dr. Rose, the then Head of the medical
department, never took a stranger visiting Singapore near the place.
He felt thoroughly ashamed of it. His representations to remove
difficulties in the way, to improve the state of the wards, their floors,
their drains, to relieve their overcrowded state, were all of little avail.
The low ground prevented proper drainage. The food supply was
limited, a fixed quantity without reference to the numbers in hospital
was issued daily ; the fund could not do otherwise, so that when the
hospital population was large, the share failing to each was propor-
tionatf»ly small. Many a time did good old Mr. Dunman send for them
a hand-cart load of slaughtered fighting cocks picked np in a raid on
cock-fighters. T.in Kim Seng sent them once a year (Chinese New
Year) a ration of pork and a few cents each. The average death
rate was about two a day.

Notwithstanding the frequent urgent representations by those who
were in charge, the then Government took no steps to alter or improve
its conditi(m. In fact, the time were bad, for the "Transfer" was
being agitated. The Government of India did not care to interest
themselves in this question, but left it for the new Government to settle;
and even when the transfer took place, the first Governor was un-
popular, and the expenditure incurred for Imperial purposes was too
large to allow the question of comfort and better accommodation
for paupers to be considered. Dr. Randell was the first to take
the bull by the horns. He was at that time Acting Assistant Colonial
Surgeon, and finding no hopes of anything likely to be done to improve
the hospital, he took it upon himself to calculate what number could
be kept there with the likelihood of deriving benefit by treatment,
allotting what he considered the least safe superficial space for each
patient. Then, keeping those who were most in need of treatment, he
turned all the others out, and further admissions were regulated, either
by the urgency of the case, or by vacancies in the wards.

The large number of mendicants thus thrown on the public, forced
the Government to take the first steps toward increasing the accommoda-
tion, and the erection of a ward outside the hospital enclosure was
decided on. Commission after coRjmission was nominated to consider
what was to be done, and a poor rate was proposed, as the Poor Fund
was gradually disappearing.

As times became better, and the revenues increased, ward after
ward was put up, and Mr. Tan Beng Swee built a tile-roofed ward
at his own expense; eventually the Government granted votes for the
maintenance of the hospital ot\ a more liberal basis. Afterwards under
the careful management of Dr. Kowell, P.C.M.O., it became a well
organised hospital and a pride to the Settlement. The whole place
was a model of a poor-house and Infirmary combined.

The Lepers, who were located in a miserable, dirty shed, had a
decent place in a detached ward, and from time to time were sent t^

414 Anecdotal History of Singapore

the Leper Asylum at Palau Jerajak at Penang. On the whole, too
much praise cannot be accorded to all those who helped to bring about
the happy change, and it was said in 1884 that it had become as much
a contrast to what it was in 1862, as a palace is to a pig-sty.

But statistics have again and again proved that the removal f^om
the high airy site on Pearl's Hill to the water-logged ground on
Serangoon Road has been the cause of serious and frequently fatal ill-
ness among the patients. From time to time some of the Committee
have tried to find a scheme to move the hospital to some healthy site, and
the matter came to a head about 1898 when the disease of beri-beri
took* a hold of the place and caused very fatal consecjuences. Again a
determined effort was made to induce the Government to face the evil,
and to sell the present site and rebuild the hospital elsewhere. The matter
was referred to London, an<l an attempt is now being made, in 1902,
to overcome the evil by the erection of a novel kind of experimental
but very expensive ward, with an iron frame, and sides of very perish-
able material that can be quickly removed and burnt. The fact will
remain to the end of time, or of the present hospital, that the Govern-
ment took over the original building of Tan Tock Seng, for a purpose
that might certainly have been accomplished equally well in another spot,
and allowed the hospital to remain in a swamp, which should have been
the last place to be chosen for the purpose. By some strange fatnlity,
the opinion of the then Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Joseph Rose, was over-
ruled in selecting the site, and the result has been most unfortunate.
Statistics shewed clearly that the germs of disease were so rampant in
the hospital, that those wlio came in for treatment for one complaint
died in the hospital from another disease they contracted in it.

Now to take the case of the P^uropean Seamen's hospital. For a
long while after the occupation of Singapore, there was no Govern-
ment Hospital for the sick seamen of vessels lying in the harbour.
The only hospital on shore for sick seamen then, was one established
by Dr. Martin, situated where the Singapore Dispensary now stands in
the Square. It was started a few years before 1840, in which year
Dr. Robert Little arrived and joined Dr. Martin. 'J'he charge was $1
a day, but wlien the Government opened a hospital and charged one
rupee (45 cents) the private hospital was driven out of the field; and
as soon as it was quite discontinued, the Government charged one
dollar.

The Government opened a place as the "European Seamen's
Hospital.'' Accounts are very confusing as to the locality of the first
hospital for this need, but it was afterwards built on Pearl's Hill at
the same time as Tan Tock Seng's Hospital. There it remained till
the Indian Mutiny occurred, and the construction of Fort Canning was
decided on. Temporary accommodation was then found in Armenian
Street for the European Seamen's Hospital, and finally, about 1861, the
new buildings in Bukit Timah Road were occupied.

Referring to the time when the authorities were looking for
European barracks, and it was proposed to place them in Balestier
road, on the plateau near where the Quarantine Camp now stands, but
which was rejected because of the vicinity of the swampy race-course
on one side and the low land of Balestier's plantation on the other^

1844. 415

Dr. Hose once remarked that though the site was condemned for the
soldiers, it seemed to be thought good enough for the sick, for they
placed a hospital on each of the objectionable grounds, viz., ihe Seamen^s
Hospital on the Race Course, and the new Pauper Hospital on Bales-
tier plain. And, as if to make matters worse, a Lunatic Asylum was
placed on one side of the hospital, while on the other side were the
cattle sheds (Kandang Kerbau) of the Public Works, and a crowded
filthy native locality.

In building the new hospital, provision was made also for a Police
Ward for members of the Police force and for injuries, accidental or
homicidal, amongst natives. These two hospitals constituted two bhcks
running parallel to each other: and a small bungalow was run up
between the Police Ward and the Lunatic Asylum for the reception of
Officers.

However, everyone concerned tried to do his best to make the
insufficient accommodation that was provided as comfortable as means
and the surroundings permitted, and the name of the Institution was
quietly changed to "The General Hospital," which was largely used
both by H. M. Ships and mercantile marine : in fact, there was often
a pressure for room, and Sir Harry Ord was considering the advis-
ability of building a third block, when a long expected event brought
about unlocked for relief, l^he opening of the Suez Canal revolutionized
the trade of the port, and instead of having a large number of English
vessels in harbour for weeks, waiting for cargo. Canal steamers sprang
up, remaining only a few hours in port. The floating population
thereby decreased, and consequently there were fewer patients seeking
admission into the hospital. But in June, 1873, cholera, in an epidemic
form, broke out it Kampong Kapor and the Lunatic Asylum. The
patients of the General Hospital were hastily removed to the buildings
at the Sepoy Lines left vacant by the removal of the Indian native
regiment, but temporarily occupied by the Police. The hospital on
Bukit Timah Road was reserved for a Cholera Hospital, which had to
be supplemented by a temporary structure on the Race Course Plain.
At the outbreak of this epidemic. Dr. Randell, the then Principal Civil
Medical Officer, was on sick leave in England, and the removal was
effected by Drs. Anderson and Hampshire, Dr. Randell returned about
August, when cholera was declining. He at once made up his mind
not to return to the old place, and strong representations were made
to the then Governor, Sir H. Ord; but, though he quite agreed with
the P. C. M. O., he felt (as he was about resigning office) that the
initiation of the change should be left to his successor. Sir Andrew
Clarke. One of the first public places visited by the new Governor, was
the old hospital ; and the following day, he went to the Sepoy Lines,
and decided that the hospital was not to revert to its old quarters at
Kandang Kerbau : and, to have good grounds on which to base a
statement to the Secretary of State, a Commission was appointed to
report on the advisability of the removal; and who can say how many
quires of paper, and how much valuable time, was spent in arriving
at a conclusion?

The revenues of the Settlement were progressing, the new Governor
was a favourite after Sir H. Ord, and things worked smoothly ; there

416 Anecdotal Uvttory of 8ifiga}Hpre

was no dissenting voic? in Council, so plans for a new hospital were
made and submitted to the Secretary of State; but, as is well known,
Government is never in a hurry, so it took months before the Secretary
of State had leisure to look at the plans, and even then, only disap-
prove of them as being too large, too expensive, &c., &c., and saggrestinfif
alterations. Fresh plans were* made and re-submitted, which were
eventually approved of. All these steps took time, but at last the
present hospital was put in hand and was completed and occupied in
August. 1882. The Kuropean Hospital (which was on a very much
better site than that of the Tan Tock Seng's Hospital on Serangoon
Road) was rebuilt at the Sepoy Lines on rising ground in a healthy
place; but Tan Tock Seng's Hospital (which is only for the poor)
remains in the swamps, and continues to claim its victims there to thiR
day, in 1902.

The time of the receipt of letters by the overland route, at this
period, was still very uncertain. In one week in February, for example,
instalments for three mails came in, and in the very reverse order to
that in which they ought to have been received. On a Tuesday, a
portion of a mail posted in England in December, arrived by way of
Calcutta ; on the next day, a part of the November mail arrived by
way of China; and four days leter, the brig Sea Horse from Bombay
brought the October mail. So that the mail, not unusually, took over
four months to reacih here, which was lonj^er than an average
passage by a sailing vessed round the Cape. It was proposed to get
the P. & O. service established to Singapore, and that " Pulo Labuan,
near Borneo," should be made a point of call for British men-of war
to coal on the voyage between Singapore and Hongkong when
conveying the mails from lieie. The Sea Uor.se brought forty convicts
from Bombay under an armed guard, being part of a famous robber
gang known as the Bunder Gang.

The Races were held in March, on Tuesday, ITiursday and
Saturday^ the same days of the week as at the present time, but they
took place in the morning. The evening before each race day a
dinner was held at the Race Stand open to all members

The steamer Roi/al Sovereign made a few trips to Malacca and
Penang, but it was an unprofitable venture, and the natives did not
appreciate the superioi-ity of steam over sailing vessels. The fares were
$12 to Malacca and *:S0 to Penang; and $2 and $5 for deck passages.
Mr. Whampoa provided the meals, for which an extra charge was made.
The steamer had been sent here in 184:3 in the hope of forming a
Company to purchase her. Syme & Co. were the agents of the steamer.

The following is an account, in a private letter, of a voyage overland
via Calcutta, -at this time, which was very different from the experiences
of the present day : — ^' I left Calcutta for Europe by the steamer
Hindfjstan. She is a splendid vessel, and everything from Calcutta to
Sonthampton went on smoothly, the table was good, we had good wines,
aud everything in first rate style, even the passage across the desert down
the Nile and on the canal, was comfortable. We had English coachmen
to drive us through the desert, the stations attended by English women,
clean and well provid<»d. I took my passage back at Malta, and paid
for myself and native servant to Alexandria £24.10. I have nothing

1844 417

o complain of on board the Cheat Liverpool, I was comfortable, and
he table and wines were good. I paid at Alexandria, for myself and
ervant, £25 to Suez besides £2 for extra baggage ; you cannot imagine
LOW bad was our scanty and miserable food. The transit was equally
lad, we were driven by Arabs, of which they know nothing, and the
onsequence was, that s^me of the vans were capsized, some of the
sidies had black eyes, and not a little burning, and I was once obliged
o walk four miles, as the horses would not start. For economy^s sake
he stations are now managed by Arabs, and these people have such
, tendency to dirtiness, that the rooms and everything else were swim-
aing in their element. We had nothing but Irish stew all the way.
^t Suez, I found the Hindostan, and you will hardly believe that I
ras again obliged to submit to the greatest imposition ; the purser made
ae pay down for my passage and for native servant, from Suez to
Calcutta, the exhorbitant sum of £172, and this for a miserable dark
abin, rejected by every other passenger, without light and air, a
ingle berth, and a sofa half under the berth, and only about
ight inches lower, and only fit for a child or any one that had lost
lis legs. The fare was indifferent; the claret sour; the sherry muddy
tnd bad, brandy and gin the worst that could be had. The passengers
jeing more than there were seats for in the saloon, about ten or
welve of them were cast upon the deck, where their meals arrived
generally cold ; in any other part of the world, the captain or purser
hould in duty bound, apologize for it, and should have said 'Gentle-
nen, there is not room for the whole of you in the saloon, therefore,
f you wish, some of the gentlemen below will take it by turns, and
rou will go down.' This would have smoothed our feelings. I am
confident you would not like much the overland route.''

In May, a Hindoo festival took place, which the Free Presn
lescribed as follows: — '^On Thursday last the Hindoo festival called
^hurruck Poojah was celebrated in the usual manner, to the disgust
md serious annoyance, we doubt not, of all right-thinking persons.
The horrible ceremony of swinging round a high pole suspended by a
look inserted in the back, was performed by two men, not only with
he sanction of Government, but on a piece of ground at the race
jourse allowed by the authorities for the purpose. We think that
government is blameable and altogether in the wrong in permitting
his or any other cruel and disgusting native rite to be practised in
hese Settlements. There may be some appearance of reason in saying
hat in Hindostan the Hindoos ought to be allowed to practise their
•ites and ceremonies without molestation or hinderance, and that it
night be dangerous and impolitic to forbid them. But even this
argument, untenable as we deem it, and which in India, in the case
)f Suttee, a practice regarded by Hindoos as of the most sacred and
paramount nature, has been successfully disregarded, does not apply
with any great force here, since the Hindoos are mere foreigners in
ihese Settlements, which may be looked upon as founded and settled
oj Europeans and therefore to be governed according to their laws
md customs. Not only is the practice which we condemn, abhorrent
to the feelings of Europeans, but we are afraid that it produces any-
thing but a good effect on other classes of Asiatics who crowd to

418 Artpcdotal History of Singapore

witness it. On Thursday evening, the number of Chinese much exceeded
the Hindoos or any other class. The practice is alike unchristian aod
inhuman^ and we therefore trust that this is the hist time that it will
be permitted to pollute the island. In the eveninj^, after dark^ the
Hindoos came alon^ the Beach Road at Kampong Glam in procession
with lighted torches making a great noise. It is surprising that
serious accidents did not occur."

In June, the presentment of the Grand Jury contained the sugges-
tion that the verandahs shouM bo kept clear of obstructions. The
paper said it was very desirable, but could only be done by an Act of
the Legislative Council, except in those cases where proprietors of
houses had exceeded their limits and constructed their verandahs on
the public property, in which cases Government could impose such
conditions as might be necessary.

H. M. S. Samarnug arrived in Singapore in July, with her Captain
wounded in an attack by pirates, the account of which shows how
serious the piratical attacks were in those days. The Free Press de-
scribed it as follows: — *'H. M. Surveying Ship Saviarang, Sir E.
Belcher, k.c.b., arrived on the 2n(l instant from Borneo. We under-
stand that Sir Edward, while employed in the ship^s boats making
scientific observations off the coast of Gilolo, a considerable island
lying East of the Northern limit of Celebes, was attacked by a large
party of Illanoon pirates, consisting of ten prahus, with about sixtv
men in each. The boats of the ship had silenced several of the prahus
which were afterwards taken possession of and destroyed, when a shot
from one of them struck Sir F^dward Belcher, passing through one
thigh and lodging in the other, and knocking him overboard. Sir
Edward was, we understand, in the act of directing a rocket against
one of the prahus, when the shot reached him, and is the only one of
the party who was seriously hurt, but it was not until considerable
execution had been done among the piratical force, that the party
returned to the ship, which innnediately bore up for Singapore. The
sliot wliich struck Sir p]dward, when cut out, was found to be an iron
swivel ball, of more than an inch in diameter; but he is progressing
favourably, and will, no doubt, be able to tnke part in the operations
which the Admiral will, we trust, ere long, direct to be pursued against
the pirates in that quarter of the Archipelago, whose repeated outrages
against Europeans we have recorded of late ''

An effort was made at this time to improve the town, and the

following notice was issued by the Supreme Court. It referred to a

very lar*re numbcjr of houses in Teluk Ayer Street, Pckin Street,

Market Street, Circular lload, Boat Quay, and neighbouring streets, and

the notice, although very closely printed, filled nearly a column of the

paper. In Chinchew Street, for example, it named thirty-seven houses : —

NOTICE.

Whereas, it having on the 15th of June last past, been presented to the
Judges of Her Majesty's Court of Judicata rn of Prince of Wales' Island, Singapore
and Malacca Kitting as a Court of Oyer and Ti^rininer and General Gaol
Delivery at Singapore by the Grand Inquest th»^n and there assembled, that
the several houses or buildings, situated in several streets hereinafter mentioned
in the town of Singapore, marked and numbered over the doi)r or entrance ol
the said several houses or buildings, respectively, are public nuisances by reason

1844. 419

of tlie very decayed aud unsafe condition of the said several houses or
buildings, and whereas, it being desirable that the public nuisances should be
speedily removed and abated, notice is hereby given to the several and respective
proprietors, tenants, sub-tenants, occupiers or holders of the aforesaid several
nouses or buildings, as above specified, must be pulled down within the space of
three months, from the date hereof, or legal proceedings will be instituted with
the view of abating the said public nuisances."

Then followed the particulars of the streets and houses.

In August, a public meeting was held to establish a Library, to
be kept in the Singapore Institution. Mr. J. C. Smith was the first
Secretary and Librarian, and Mr. W. H. Read, Treasurer. The
following were the first shareholders, who each contributed j|30. The
monthly subscription was •$2.50. The rules, &c., will be found printed
in the Free Press of the 15th August: —

Almeida, Joaquim Dyce, C. A. McMicking, G.

Bain, Gr. Fraser, L. Martin, M. J.

Butterworth, Col. George, W. R. Middleton, A.

Blundell, Wm. Gilraan, E. J. Myrtle, J.

Caldwell, H. C. Guthrie, James Napier, W.

Church, Thos. Harrison, C. H. Purvis, John

Crane, T. O. B. Ker, Thos. B. Read, W. H.

Cumming, J. Little, Dr. Saul, R. P.

Davidson, M. F. Logan, A. Sorabjee, Frommurze

Drysdale, J. C. Logan, J. R. Stevenson, Captain

Dunman, Thos. McEwen, Robert

The following is an account of the first sale of horses from
Sydney : — " On Tuesday, the 20th August, the recent importation of
horses and sheep from Sydney was sold by public auction. The sheep
were first put up in lots of five, and went off briskly at $4.60 to ?5
each, which was considered a good price. As the time approached
for the sale of horses *' TattersalFs " became rather crowded with
Europeans, Jews, Parsees, Arabs, and the various tribes of settlers,
which presented an animated scene. The result of the sale was very
satisfactory, the highest bid was $350, and the lowest $100, making an
average of $211 each for 11 horses. Some Sydney potatoes were also
sold at $2.30 per picul. We believe that the importation of these
horses, Ac, was, in some degree, experimental, and from the satisfactory
result of the sales we may expect to see it repeated. We have no
doubt that a small annual importation of horses, and a larger one of
sheep, potatoes, &c., would always take, and there are, no doubt, other
products of New South Wales which might also find a market here.
The present importation has been made by Messrs. Boyd & Co., of
Sydney, and we believe that various articles of Straits and other
Eastern produce will be taken as a return. Although, perhaps, it
may not be possible to make the whole of the returns in produce, yet
a part of them might, we daresay, be very profitably made in sugar,
spices, &c. Some gambier has also been taken, for the purpose of
tanning, but we understand that the high price of labour in New South
Wales forms a bar to the establishment of any extensive manufacture
there, it being found more profitable to send the articles home in an
unmanufactured state; and thus hides instead of being tanned and
converted into leather on the spot, are sent to England as they

420 Anecdotal EiHory of Singapore

come off the cattle^ with the addition of salt to preserve them from
decay. We have no doubt that a considerable outlet for Colonial
produce may be found in Chiua^ the Straits, and Continental India,
and an increased intercourse could not fail of beings mutually
advantageous/'

There was a dearth of bricks in the Settlement at this time, as
there was so much building going on. The paper wrote as follows : —
*'We may notice the high price of bricks in the Settlement. We
believe they are at present $18 per laksa, whereas a few months ago
they were only $10 or $12. We believe this arises from a monopoly
of the article having been secured, it is said, in anticipation of the
wholesale destruction of the wooden houses in town, which, it was
thought, would follow on the presentment of the Grand Jury. This
expectation turns out to be fallacious, as it is discovered that only
those houses which are really dangerous to the public can be ranked
as nuisances, and, as such, are indictable, and, of these, we believe,
the number is not large. It is very much to be regretted that the
advance should have happened at this juncture, as it will enhance the
cost of the two hospitals very considerably, to the public loss in one
case, and, in the other, to that of the humane individual at whose cost
it is erecting, Tan Took Seng." Bricks in 1902, are selling at $50 to
$140 a laksa.

In September Captain Faber, of the Madras Engineers, the newly
appointed Superintending Engineer, arrived from Madras. Mount
Faber was called after him. He was the gallant oflHcer who, on being
told that he had built a bridge over the river so low that the tongkangs
could not pass under it at high tide, had the bottom of the river
dredged under the bridge to float them through. Some of his archi-
tectural and engineering failures are alluded to further on in the year
1846. One of his gallant successors spent many vain efforts and no
little of Mr. Tan Beng Swee's money in endeavouring to make water
run up hill, when the first fruitless attempt was made to bring water
into the town.

From time to time, attempts continued to be made to make plant-
ing pay on the island, and about this time sugar was being cultivated
on a large scale at Serangoon on Balestier Plain and elsewhere, as
was said in the last chapter; the paper wrote on the subject in
October, as follows: — "In Singapore, the cultivation of sugar has been
prosecuted *by two enterprising and persevering gentlemen, Messrs.
Balestier and Montgomerie, who have successfully established the fitnpss
of the soil and climate of Sini^^apore for sugar culture. The cultivation
is rapidly extending, and large tracts of ground are being brouorht
under the operation of the husbandman. The system of contracts with
the Chinese has, by experience, been found to be the best plan of
proceeding. By it not only is a better cane produced, but the crop is
more abundant. The plan is this; the ground is cleared, planted, and
the whole management of it undertaken by the Chinese, who bring
the crop to maturity and cut it down. It is carted from the ground
by the manufacturer to the mill, and the Chinese are allowed at a
certain rate upon the out-turn. The sum at present given is about $1 .50
per picol. An acre of cane produces from thirty to forty piculs of

1844. 421

sugar. The quality of the sugar, which is as material a point as the
quantity, is first rate, consisting of a fine strong grain excellently
adapted for the purposes of the sugar refiner.

^' There is much land on the island well suited for the growth of
the sugar-cane, and were parties encouraged, by a relaxation of the
heavy duties, against which Singapore planters will now have to
contend, to embark in the cultivation, Singapore could annually send
home a very large supply of sugar to the home market. We may
here take the opportunity of remarking that very erroneous and
unfavourable ideas have been formed as to the adaptation of Singa-
pore for agriculture. This, no doubt, may have in part arisen from
some inferior soils having been at first selected for planting operations,
and the result of the cultivation of which has been rather discouraging.
It is admitted that the climate of Singapore is admirably suited for
most kinds of tropical cultivation and the quality of the soil is, there-
fore, the essential point of enquiry. On this head, it might be suflScient
for answer to instance the beautiful plantations of different kinds of
fruit and spice trees which are to be found in the neighbourhood of
the town. Whether the capabilities of the soil are to be availed of to
any great extent will depend, in a great measure, on the amount of
encouragement and protection which Straits agriculture may experience
from Government/' Subsequent experience taught a different lesson,
as the plantations entirely failed. Mr. Balestier, the American Consul,
had his plantation where Balestier Plain is now, and Dr. Montgomerie
on the other side of the Kallang stream where Woodsville is now. It
was called Kallang Dale, and Mr. R. C. Woods changed the name to
Woodsville after he built the large house there.

On 18th September the following notification was issued by
Government. It is inserted here because the matter has come to the
front several times since : —

"Authentic intelligence having been received, that a naturalized British
subject, but of Gbinese origin, had incun-ed some risk of seizure, and persecu-
tion by the Chinese authorities, in consequence of his appearing at one of the
Ports in China lately thrown open to British shipping as supercargo of a
British vessel — and as the cases of the same kind are likely to occur from the
growing trade in British ships between the Ports in China and the Straits
Settlements, it is hereby notified, with a view to protect persons so situated,
that the Besident Councillors at Penan^, Singapore, and Malacca, will be pr^
pared to furnish a certificate when required, intimating that they are naturahzed
British subjects. This document will be lodged with the Consul at the first
Port the vessel may touch in China.*'

A letter from Mr. John Crawfurd at this time said that it was
not improbable that a Royal establishment might be formed in the
island of "Labuwan" off the Borneo river, for a steam station for
coal. A notice was issued by the Police that shoals of sharks, of
immense size, had been seen, and a great number caught in the roads
in a few days in the middle of September, and warning sailors against
bathing in the sea.

The following is the first reference we have met with to the
possible annexation of the Native States :— " We consider the sugges-
tion to acquire some of the neighbouring Native States for the
purposes of agriculture as worthy of attention. There is no doubt
that the change from the Native to the British rule would be very

422 Anecdotal Hutory of Singapore

beneficial to the States themselves, as at present they are in a condi-
tion very little removed from downright barbarism. Their rajahs are
in jjfeneral grossly ignorant and of the most puerile and depraved
habits ; when not engaged in some petty warfare with a neighbour,
their whole time is spent in cock-fighting and gambling. Their
subjects^ insecure in their possessions, and without a motive to exertion,
give way unrestrainedly to the indolence so congenial to a Malay, and
with the exception of the scanty fields of paddy, which is to supply
their food, and a few cocoanuts, which surround their villages, the
soil is uncultivated. The only sign of activity displayed is in the
working of the tin mines in some of these states, and these are carried
on bv Chinese from the British Settlements. Were these states to he
under English Government, we might expect to see them exhibiting m
the course of a few years, a very different appearance from what they
do at present. Their soil would be made to yield thoso rich and
abundant crops for which nature intended it, and their mineral wealth
would be fully developed. A large and comparatively wealthy popula-
tion would cause a large demand for the manufactures of England,
and she would, in return, receive those supplies of sugar which she so
much requires, besides an abundance of other tropical productions."
All which has since been exemplified in the Protected Native States.

1845, 423

CHAPTER XXXII.

1845.

ON Saturday, the 18tli January, a public meeting was held, having
been called, as usual in those days, on a requisition to the Sheriff,
Captain Faber and all the community attended. Mr. Thomas McMicking
was the Chairman. The first part of the proceedings related to the
Land Question, about which the Government had proposed to make
more stringent regulations, to which the planters took exception. The
next subject was the expenditure of the assessment fund, which Mr.
W. H. Read brought forward, showing that the money was not
properly applied, the Government paying out of the assessment funds
for public works that properly pertained to Government alone. The
following is the report of the latter part of the meeting, the rest of
the report being too long to reproduce : —

'^ Mr. Read concluded by moving : — That the Hon^ble the Governor
be requested to allow the assessment funds to be controlled by a
Committee of three persons — one appointed by the Government, and
two by the assessed. Mr. Lewis Fraser seconded the motion.

Considerable discussion ensued on the terms of the motion, and
two amendments were brought forward, one by Mr. Dyce, to the effect
that the assessment fund should be controlled by a committee of con-
servancy to be chosen by the payers of assessment exceeding a certain
amount — the executive being still vested in the Government; — and the
other by Dr. Little to the effect that the Governor-General of India
in Council be memoralized to allow the assessment to be managed by
the rate-payers. The three propositions were put to the vote, when
Mr. Read's motion was carried by a large majority.

Mr. M. F. Davidson then, after a f«w appropriate observations, in
which he remarked that it was not for the purpose of supplying an
additional sitting Magistrate or Assessing Officer that the inhabitants
agreed to the assessment being raised to 10 per cent., but in order
that an increased efficiency of the Police might be secured by an
improved and thorough superintendence, moved : — That it is the
opinion of this meeting that the Deputy Superintendent of Police
cannot effectively perform the duties of his situation, and at the
same time those of a sitting Magistrate, and that the Government
be requested to make such arrantjements as will relieve him of all
duties foreign to his office as Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Mr. Alexander Guthrie seconded the motion, which was carried
nem con.

Mr. R. Bain proposed, seconded by Mr. Davidson : — That the
Local Authorities be requested to alter the present foot-bridge over
the river near Syed Omar's godowns [where Elgin Bridge is now]

424 Anecdotal History of Singaporo

into a Carriage Bridge with as little delay as practicable^ which
the meeting unanimously agreed to.

On the motion of Mr. Guthrie, seconded by Mr. Crane, tbe
following gentlemen, viz., M. P. Davidson, W. H. Kead and C.
Spottiswoode, were appointed a Committee to address tbe Governor
on the three last resolutions, and to procure, so far as practicable,
their being carried into effect.

The meeting was held at noon, in Mr. Read's house. There was
no public building that could be used for the purpose in those days.

In January, the Chamber of Commerce addressed a long letter
to Government on the subject of the copper currency which was in
a very deranged condition as the Government had no copper
coinage for the Straits at that time, and the change for a dollar
consisted of all kinds of tokens which the merchants imported from
England.

Sugar planting in the jungle in those days was not unattended
with danger. Gang robberies were not unfrequent, and the follow-
ing is an account of an attack on one of the planters: — ^"On
Saturday morning, the 15th March, about half-past two o'clock, the
house of Monsieur Beauroganl, a French gentleman, who is forming
a sugar plantation in Pyah Lebar district, and who resides on the
spot, was attacked by a gang of about thirty Chinamen, who were
headed by two Malays. They weiv provided with fire-arms, and fired
sevfu times, woun<ling M. Beauregard, and six of his labourers
slightly, but they did not succeed in getting possession of the house,
beinij driven back by il. Beauregard, who fortunately had a good
supply of tire-arm* which he used with such success that, after he
had tired six shots, the robbers retreated, carrying with them their
dead and wounded. From the great quantity of blood which was
afterwards observed upon the ground, it is conjectured that four or
tive men, at least, must either have been killed or desperately
wounded. Two Chinese servants had their swords taken from them
by the assiulants, but they were not hurt, which, with other suspicious
circumsranoes. renders it extremelv pn.Uuible that thev were in the
counsels of the ir*ing. As soon as information was conveved to the.
Po'.ice OtHoe. Mr. Dunman. Deputy Superintendent, and a large
Ivdy of pe^nis, proceeded to the spot, where they arrived during
the forei:o-::i. They searched the jungle in tbe neighbourhood with-
out tiiuiir.g any traces of the g:ui>», although 120 men were employed
in the search the whole vlay. The houses at the pii-atical village at
Siglap were likewise soarclied, as well as all boats leaving the
ne:*::;lvi:rh> -d. but without success. *' The coolness and courage with
wh:i:h Monsieur Beauregaril wirhsiovnl such a large boviy of men is
deserving of the highes: praise, anvi shows that, with resolution and
a good supply o: aru:s. a sirgle Kuropean need not despair of
bearing cf a gar.c of Chinav.ier., though thirty limes his number,
if only in :r.e a'.rr: in ti:r.e. At the sjinie time we must observe
:ha: if :: is wishe-i ihi: E:;rv''}v:ins ^houUl se;:'e in the island as
cul::v:»:or<, means n:us: be taken by an imprv^voxl system of Police
:o give ihem >?n2e sec;;r::y of life and prv^perty. At pros<»ni there
ii no su^cien: Police in the country j>art5 ; there are a few

1845. 425

Thannahs here and there, but it can scarcely be expected that two
or three Klings should boldly face a large gang of thirty or forty
reckless Chinamen, and we do not therefore blame the men so much
as the system. There ought to be European constables with an
adequate force stationed at some central place in the cultivated
districts, whose special duty it ought to be to act as a night
patrol, going in different directions in their beat in parties of four
and five, and provided with the means of summoning others to
their aid in the event of their falling in with any gang of evil-
doers/'

It was in this year that the Peninsular and Oriental Company
made the first contract for the conveyance of the mails to China
via Ceylon. The contract was for 140 hours from Ceylon to Penang,
and 45 hours from there to Singapore, and 170 hours from there
to Hongkong. The steamers were to remain 48 hours here. The
service was once a month. The first mail steamer, the Lady Mary
Wood, arrived on the 4th August, having been eight days from
Galie. She brought the mails from London of 24th June, having
taken 41 days. The paper spoke of this matter as follows: — *^The
arrival of the first direct Overland Mail for the Straits and China
is an event of some importance, and deserving of special notice at
our hands. It is a further addition to the great lines of steam-
packets by which Great Britain is brought into such close contact
with her more distant Colonial possessions. The American and West
Indian Colonies have long had regular lines of steamers between
them and the Mother Country, and now in the East it only . wants an
extension of the chain to Australia to render it complete. This we
believe will not be long withheld, the growing importance of the
Australian Colonies, and the advantages resulting to Government
itself from quick and regular communications with distant posses-
sions, will speedily bring about the accomplishment of this line. It
seems almost certain that Singapore will be the station where the
junction of the Australian line with the Indian one will take place,
so that with the Dutch monthly steamer and perhaps the Manila
one in addition, Singapore bids fair to become a steam-packet station
of considerable importance.

The number of letters carried by the succeeding steamer, the
Brnganza^ from Europe was 652, and newspapers 673; total number
of covers 1,325. The number taken by the Lady Mary Wood on her
return voyage homewards on 1st September, was : —

Europe 3,989

Penang ... ... ... 165

Ceylon ... ... ... 74

Bombay ... ... ... 242

Madras ... ... ... 281

Aden ... ... ... 6

Total amount of covers ... 4,757

The passage money was £160, including transit through Egypt
and steward^s fees.

42S Anecdotal History of Singapore

There was a good deal of excitement in the Square because
the prepaid letters by the first homeward mail were all left behind!
and the following appeared in the paper: — '^ We regret to notice
that a great number of letters sent to the Post Office and intended
for despatch to Europe by the steamer Lady Mary Hood, although
sent to the Post Office a few minutes before two o^clock (the
advertised latest hour), were not forwarded to their destination^ but
returned to the senders The letters in question were sent by two
commercial houses whose comnnmications and correspondence were
extensive, and who throui^hout the day were dispatching letters to
the Post Office so soon as they were sealed, in order that the
Post Oflfice servants mit^ht experience as little inconvenience as pos-
sible. In the instance of these letters some excuse is raised which
is not withal very reasonable. The whole of the "rejected addresses"
were epistles to foreign countries, and as such, had to undergo
various entries in sundry books of the Singapore Post Office to
ensure the certainty of reaching tlieir destination. Although in
good time, that is, several minutes before the advertised hour of
closing the mails, the letters were returned ; because, as alleged,
there was no time to perform all the manipulations necessary in
the instance of foreign letters. But a still worse casualty occurred :
the whole of the prepaid letters were forgotten I They had been
placed in a very snug corner, but were overlooked.

The Chamber of Commerce addressed the Governor very warmly
upon the subject, and Mr. William Scott and Mr. Cuppage, who
were in charge of the Post Office, got a good deal of warm
language. The merchants made legal protests against the Post Office
authorities, holding them liable for any loss that might ensue, but
they were only waste paper, as the Indian Postal Act exempted
them from responsibility. The paper said shortly afterwards that
the energy of the Chamber had worked wonders. The forgotten
letters were sent on by the steamer Fire Qiieen to Calcutta some
days after, to go from there by any opportunity. Spottiswoode &
Connolly were the first Agents of the P. & O. Company.

The Lady Mary Wood was built in 1842, her gross tonnage was
556, and the horse power 250, she was, of course, a paddle wheel
steamer.

The following statement in the Free Presn for March shows
what the native trade by junks was at that period : — " Below
we give a statement of the number of junks which have
arrived this season up to the 24th instant, greatly exceeding
the arrivals last year at the same time. The arrival of immigrants
has also been very large, being at the 19th instant, 6,883, of whom
1,168 have come by s(|uare-rigged vessels, a new feature in the
history of Chinese immigration, and 5,715 by junks. The number of
immigrants last year was about 1,600, and the year before 7,000,
but judging from the number who have already arrived, we may
anticipate that this season they will not fall much short of 9,000 or
10,000. They are chiefly dispersed through the Straits Settlements
and the neighbouring Dutch one at Khio. In the Straits there will
be an increased demand for labour for the sugar estates, which

1845.

427

will absorb some of the surplus, and we understand that the culti-
vation of gambier is being carried on in Johore rather extensively
by the Singapore gambier planters. We do not know what number
go to Rhio, but we should think that it cannot be on the increase,
as we are informed most of the gambier and pepper plantations in
the vicinity of Rhio have already been, or will soon be, exhausted
and abandoned. The distance from the town at which operations
will consequently have to be carried on, by increasing the cost of
carriage, etc., will, no doubt, lessen the profits of the cultivation
and tend in some measure to check it."

Arrivals of Chinese and Cochin-Chinet<e junks during the present
season from 2nd JPtxemher to 24-fh March,

Number. Tons.

From China. -«

Whence.

'^Canton
Shanghai
Amoy
Kongmoon
Hongkong
Honghoy
Chonglim
Chowan
Macao
Swathow
Tywan

LEagling

From Cochin- C Long Loy . . .
China. \C. China Proper

1
1

737

1,150

1,300

150

loo

1,700

325

800

700

174

125

7,323

355

500

8,178

In the same month, the paper spoke of the mouth of the river,
which is still attracting attention : " The entrance to the river un-
doubtedly requires to be deepened, but how is it to be done ? If
we are not mistaken, the present Assistant Resident tried his hand
at it, but after having broken in pieces a large stone at the
entrance of the river, a famous historical relic, and one of the very
few of which Singapore could boast, he abandoned the task." This
is the famous stone that has been already spoken of at page 89.

The Free Prnss of 27th March contained the following remarks
upon the expedition to Borneo : — " H. M. steamer Driver, of which
we some we**ks a^o announced the departure for Borneo with a
political mission on board, returned into the roads last Saturday
morning, having effected the passage over from Sarawak in 48 hours.
The mission, which consists of Captain Bethune of the Royal Navy,
whose general and scientific attainments are well known, associated
with Mr. Brooke, visited Borneo Proper, and, as we have been
informed, met with the most favourable reception from the native
rulers of that place, who have long been desirous to secure the

428 Anecdotal Eidory of Singapore

friendship and alliance of the British Government. Everything pro-
ceeded to the satisfaction of the mission^ while the island of Labuan
and the adjacent waters were carefully surveyed with a view to the
advantage of forming an establishment there under the British crown,
but what the ultimate determination on this head may be, or whether
another locality will be finally chosen, has not transpired. Of Labuan
we ourselves know only the geographical position, and a few other
particulars which are, we believe, pretty generally known, but there
is no island on the coast of Borneo of which we have received any
information which appears to equal Labuan in the advantages it
offers for a Settlement, not the least of its recommendations being
that it yields excellent coals, of which a specimen has been brought
over in the Driver, In connection with the affairs of Borneo, we
ought not to omit to mention that Mr. Brooke has been appointed
by Her Majesty's Ministers the Confidential Agent of the British
Government in Borneo. What powers this designation includes we
are not yet aware, but it will be a source of gratification to all
those who feel an interest in the progress of civilization and improve-
ment in these countries, to find that gentleman occupying a situation
which will enable him to advance the great objects which he has
all along had in view in his enterprising career on the Coast of
Borneo — namely, the welfare of the inhabitants, by extinguishing
piracy ; the consequent security of property ; and the extension of
our commerce on principles which would secure the friendship and
gratitude of the natives. There is no person of whom we have
heard who possesses in the same degree as Mr. Brooke that union
of qualities which fit a man to be at the head of a movement in
this part of the world which has these great and important objects
in view.'*

The Races were held in March, on two days in the afternoon.
A " four-in-hand elub (ponies) '' turned out with a drag, as a
novelty. Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane was here, in his flag-
ship the Agincourty and there was a large party from his vessel at
the races. The Chamber of Commerce tried to induce him to allow
one of the men-of-war to carry mails between Singapore and Ceylon
for a few months until the P. & O. was properly established.
The following was an account of the result : —

"His Excellency Sir T. Cochrane, in replying to the Hon'ble
the Governor's letter forwarding the request of the Chamber^ says
that it will at all times afford him the highest gratification to render
himself or the squadron under his command useful in forwarding the
views and wishes of so respectable a body of gentlemen, and to find
that he and the squadron have been made in any manner instru-
mental in promoting their interests or prosperity, and he therefore
greatly regrets that on the present occasion he is unable to comply
with their request. There are. His Excellency observes, only three
large steamships under his command, one of which is stationed in
India, another in China, and the third in the Straits of Malacca
and Java Sea for the express purpose of protecting the commerce of
the Straits Settlements, and the numerous vessels that trade to the
Indian Archipelago; and one of the chief objects of his Excellency's

1845. 429

present visit to Singapore is to ascertain how Her Majesty's ships
dedicated to the important duties of the Straits can best render their
services to the commerce of their country ; on which subject he looks
forward to the Chamber affording him any suggestions which they
may be able to offer.

"The Admiral is fully alive to the great inconvenience to which
our Eastern and Northern correspondence is at present exposed, an
inconvenience, he remarks, felt still more severely at Hongkong than
in the Straits from its more remote position, and he would most
willingly give his best endeavours to remove it, but he would not,
under any circumstances, feel himself justified (without orders from
home) in appropriating a steam-ship-of-war to Post Office duties, entail-
ing a heavy expense, uncompensated by the profits on passengers and
cargo available to a private steam-ship/'

On the 7th April, the Rev. Edward White, m.a., the Residency
Chaplain, died very suddenly at the age of 52 years. He was much
respected in the place. The tombstone in the old church yard says
that it was erected by the congregation of which he was in charge
for eight years, and the tablet in the Cathedral has been noticed
on page 298. It was a military funeral, and the service was read
by Mr. Thomas Church. Mr. White died in Coleman Street. He
was succeeded by Mr. Moule, who came from Calcutta, and com-
menced duty on Sunday, the 18th May.

The F^'ee Press in June contained the following paragraph. The
foolish action of the Government in condoning the mischievous and
vexatious actions of Opium and Spirit Farmers (in order to keep
them in good humour and maintain the revenue) continues to this
day : — " On Friday the Spirit Farmer was charged before Captain
Adam Cuppage, 27th Madras Native Infantry, Stipendiary Magistrate,
and Messrs. John Purvis and James Guthrie, Magistrates, at the
Police Office, by W. H. Miles, keeper of the Union Hotel, with
having sold him spurious or adulterated Brandy. The Brandy was
produced and was admitted by the Farmer to be the article that
he had sold to Mr. Miles. Several respectable dealers were called
who gave it as their opinion that the stnfF was not Brandy at all,
and Mr. John Steel stated that it appeared to him to be a com-
pound of Arrack, burnt Sugar and Tobacco ! The Farmer in defence
said that he bought the Brandy from Mr. Purvis in bottle and emptied
it into a cask. Mr. Purvis sent for a muster of Brandy of the
same quality he had sold to the Farmer as second quality Brandy,
which was found to be a wholesome spirit and quite different from
the Farmer's compound. The Magistrates then fined the Farmer
fi«. 1,000. We are informed this is the third conviction of the
Spirit Farmer for selling adulterated liquor, but that on the two
former occasions the fines, fe. 1,000 in each case, were remitted
by the Authority in whose discretion the exacting of it or otherwise,
is placed. This has no doubt tended to make tbe Farmer confident
in following his evil practises, but we trust that for the protection
of the public, the fine will be exacted to the last pie."

In July in the next year the following appeared in the paper, on the
same subject, and is quoted here on account of the remarks by Mr. Church,

430 Anecdotal History of Singapore

the Resident Councillor : — " On Monday an action was tried in the Court
of Judicature before the Hon. the Resident Councillor at the instance of a
respectable l^hinese merchant named Ang Ah, against some peons of the
Opium Farmer, who under pretence of searcliing his person for illicit
Opium, had seized hold of hitn on the street, and were dra^rgin^ him away
by his tail to the Opium Farmer's OfBce, when he was with some difficulty
rescued from their hands by Mr. Frommurzee Sorabjee who was passing at
the time, and who compelled them to take Ang Ah to the Police. The
peons alleged that they found in Ang Ah's purse a small box containing
some Opium valued atSsucoos; — Ang Ah on the other hand asserted
that while some of the peons seized him behind, he caught the hands of
one of them in front who was endeavouring to convey the Opium into his
purse. The case was heard at the instance of the Planner by the Sitting
Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, who after hearing the
evidence for the charge, dismissed the Complaint, and thereupon Ang Ah
brought an action against the peons to recover damages for the assault
which they had committed upon him. After evidence had been given
of the assault and for the defence the Hon. the Resident Councillor gave
judgment for the Plaintiff, awarding §65 as damages. His Honor
remarked that though it certainly was necessary that the Revenue should
be protected it was also necessary, perhaps more so, that the public
should be protected. Large powers were given to the Revenue peons
under the Acts regulating the Farms, which it was necessary they should
exercise with caution, and it had been proved that they had not done so in
the present case, but on the contrary, had been proved to have committed
a very gross assault upon a most respectable individual. The assault we
have reason to believe was promj)te(l by a wish to annoy Ang Ah, because
he has recently become renter of the Opium Farm lately established
in Johore by the Tomoongong, whose Chinese settlers daily increase,
to the serious detriment of the Singapore Revenue Farmers ; who
between immigration and the suppression of gambling, experience a
daily diminution of their receipts. Indeed we hear that the decrease
in the sale of Opium and Spirits amounts to so much as clearly 100
dollars per diem respectively."

During this year, the Bukit Timah road was roughly opened up
beyond Bukit Timah as far as Kranji. In May, Ellenborough Market was
being built. Tan Tock Seng was making preparations for commencing
the erection of the Ellenborough Buildings. The Seamen's Hospital on
Pearl's Hill was completed. The following is taken from the paper
in May : — " The preparations for removing the signal station from
Blakan Mati towards Tulloh Blangah Hill are advancing rapidly to
completion, the latter having been cleared, a convenient road to the top
constructed, and huts for the accommodation of the convicts erected.
It is a very good station, commanding an extensive prospect seaward
as well as landward, and would form a desirable site for a bungalow.
One of the reasons, and, if we mistake not, the chief one, assigned
by medical men for the unhealthiness of Blakan Mati, was its being
covered with pine-apples, the miasma arising from the decaying leaves
of which was thought to be of a very injurious nature, yet the same
cause is likely to render the Tulloh Blangah station as unhealthy,
since the range along which the road runs, and till within a short

1845. 431

distance of the site of the intended flacy-staff, is thickly planted with
young pine-apples ! We dare say the Tomoongong, who is the pro-
prietor of the ground, would be easily induced to substitute some
less obnoxious cultivation, were the reasons for objecting to the cul-
tivation of pine-apples on that spot explained to him."

In July, the Government advertised that the hill would, in future,
be named Mount Faber, which called forth the following remonstrance
in a letter to the Free Pre><s : —

" In the first place, who is the * 'orrid cockney ' who changed the
pretty and appropriate Malay name of the Hill ? and why> having
done so, call it after one who, although he is the Superintending
Engineer in the Straits, is not, and most probably never will be,
much known to the good folks of this Settlement? Have we not
sundry Governors and others high in office, from Sir T S. Raffles
down to our most worthy Resident Councillor himself who are
deserving of the ' honour and glory ' ? Or is it because the present
nominee has constructed a stupidly narrow road to the top of the
Bukit — two persons meeting can barely pass each other — that so much
renown is bestowed upon him ? ''

An artist named Beverhaus visited Singapore during this year,
and painted several portraits which are still to be seen. Among
others one of Mr. Whampoa

The rate of postage via Marseilles on overland letters at that
time was 28. 2d. for a letter not exceeding a quarter of an ounce.
The newspaper rate was 5r£.

The gambier plantations in Singapore were becoming so thick,
that the Chinese be<(an to open up gardens in Johore, which have
since grown to such a large extent. In June, the followini; was
written about them : — *' For some time past, it has been known
that a considerable immigration of Chinese gambier and pepper
planters from Singapore to the opposite country of Johore has been
going on. From a memorandum made by a gentleman who lately
visited the different points in Johore where the planters have set-
tled, it appears that, within the last six months, 52 plantations
have been commenced : — 20 on the Sakodie river, 12 on the Sungei
Malayu, 15 on the Sungei Danga, and 5 at Sungei Tambroh.
There are about 500 people in all engaged in these plantati(»ns,
and it is thought, and with probability, that the immigration will
increase as the gambier and pepper plantations on this island wear
out, which, from their age, many of them are fast doiuir. At Rhio,
also, it is understood that most of the gambier and pepper
plantations are nearly exhausted, so that the planters will be
obligfed to seek for new localities, which they will probably find
in Johore.

At the end of August a public meeting was held on a requisition
made to the Sheriff to consider entering into arrangements to obtain
regular supplies of ice, and a committee of James Stephen, Lewis
Fraser, and VV. H. Read was appointed to see the Governor on the
subject. As the Ice committee at Hongkong had arranged to have
two vessels of Ice yearly sent from America, it was suggested that
Singapore could compass one ship load.

432 Anecdotal History of Singapore

The following letter in the paper in September, is the first
mention of a country bungalow at Changhi : — " As the Changhi hut
is now becoming the fashionable resort for pic-nic parties, I wish the
Superintendent of Roads would take a ride down some morning to
see the holy state of the roc'ids between Arthur's Cottage and the
river at Changhi ; in fact 'tis almost unsafe for a conveyance to go
there until it is repaired."

The following is taken from the Free Press of November: — "We
are glad to learn that some intentions are entertained of forming a
Company for making a dry Dock at Singapore, but we have not
yet heard any particulars, nor how far the affair has progressed to
a bearing. We understand, however, that the proposed site is in New
Harbour, on Pulo Brani or some other island in that locality. New
Harbour presents many advantages for a place of this kind, being
smooth as an inland lake, and having a rise and fall of tide of
about 12 feet. The undertaking, we should think, cannot fail to be
profitable to the projectors. With so many steamers which already,
and ere long will, arrive at our port monthly, and which will all, at
times, have to encounter rough weather and adverse monsoons, a dry
dock into which they can go and refit is almost indispensable. We
shall, in all likelihood, before the lapse of another year, have steamers
arriving here monthly from the following places : — Ceylon,
Calcutta, Hongkong, Australia, Batavia and Manila Indeed, steamers
at present arrive from all these places except the two last, and,
being generally vessels of a large size, there would be great diflS-
culty in repairing one of them with the present means for the pur-
pose in the Straits. A steamer, owing to her paddle boxes, cannot
be hauled down upon the beach, and even for large sailing-vessels
it is a very objectionable operation, exposing them to the risk of
receiving much injury. Her Majesty's vessels, likewise, have at present
no other place than Trincomalee to which they can go to repair,
and a dry dock at Singapore would be peculiarly advantageous to
them. They could come down from China, go into dock, refit, and
be back at their station in a very short space of time. All these
things considered, the scheme wears a most promising appearance^
both of advantage to the public, and of remuneration to the under-
takers — and it will therefore give us much pleasure to have it
in our power on an early occasion to record that it has been
commenced, or that active measures are in progress for its being

so."

In January, 1846, it was mentioned again, and we publish the
whole account, as it is interesting as compared with what has since
been accomplished by our Dock Companies : — " Some weeks ago, we
noticed that a proposal had been originated for constructing a Dry
Dock at Singapore, and we are now happy to announce that the
project has assumed such a practicable bearing as to enable us to
lay a sketch of the details before our readers. The place pitched
upon for a site is Pulo Brani, in New Harbour, almost directly
opposite to the Tomoongong's House, a spot selected some time ago
by Mr. C. Prinsep as a suitable location for a Patent Slip, but which,
we believe, he has most readily ceded to the superior claims of the

1845. 433

Dry Dock. The situation has been carefully surveyed by practical
persons, and is the most suitable and convenient in every respect
in the neighbourhood of Singapore.

**It is proposed to construct a Dock of the following dimensions,
by which it will be capable of accommodating vessels of the largest
class : —

Length ... ... ... ... 300 feet.

Width ... ... ... ... 68 „

„ at Gate ... ... ... 48 „

Depth ... ... ... ... lb y,

** It will be approached by a canal 70 feet in width, and extend-
ing 280 feet from the dock gate. As the ground is soft, vessels
will be able to lie in the canal for a tide if necessary. At the
proposed entrance of the canal, there is a perpendicular bank run-
ning in a semi-circular form across the small bay in the centre of
which the dock will stand ; close to this bank the depth of water
is 3i fathoms, and at a short distance there will be placed mooring
buoys, attached to which 8 or 10 vessels may lie in security free
from tlie current. It is proposed to construct the masonry of the
most substantial description. The bottom of the dock will consist of
large logs of timber of the hardest description which can be pro-
cured, 120 feet long by 40 inches in diameter. It is proposed
to build the dock on the same principle as that pursued in erect-
ing the new Liverpool Graving Docks, with the exception of the
gates, which will not be hung, but be one solid mass — which is
considered a better plan than the others, being more easily worked,
more durable, and less costly. As the rise and fall of water is only
1 1 feet, a small steam-engine will be required to pump the additional
3 or 4 feet out of the dock when necessary, but this, at the
utmost, will not cost above £100 sterling. It is calculated that the
dock would be so far ready in eight months after commencement,
as to be available for the reception of sailing vessels, and would be
entirely completed in twelve months.

" With regard to the financial part of the scheme, the following
is a rough estimate of the probable cost and of the returns likely
to be derived ; and the latter, we believe, will be allowed by all
our readers conversant with the subject to be a very moderate
calculation.

"Cost op Construction and Annual Charges.

"A dry dock complete, with steam-engine, buoys, gate,
capstans, posts, chains, counting-house, &c., it is estimated will
not cost more than ... ... . . ... ... $ 80,000

Interest on |80,000 @ 10 per cent, per annum ... §8,000

Annual repairs ... ... ... .. ... 1,000

Clerks* salaries, $140 per month; Watchmen, $10 ... 1,800

$ 10,800

434 Anecdotal History of Singapore

Receipts.
Entrance fee on 30 vessels a year @ 8100 each ... 9 3,000

Bemain in dock 2 days each after the first 24 hours^

60 @ 540 ... ... ... 2,400

Two Large Bombay Ships, entrance S200 ... 400

Remain in dock 4 days each or 8 days @ S60 .. 480
Two P. & 0. Co. steamers, China line, require docking

every three months, 8 @ ??500 ... ... ... ... 4,000

Two P. & 0. Co. steamers, Australian line, require

docking every three months, 8 @ 5-^00 . 4,000

Two Dutch steamers will brincr in yearly entrance fee 1,(00

Two H. C. steamers will bring in yearly entrance fee ... 1,0<'0

Twenty-one steamers in dock, one day each @ S80 1,680

H. il. steamers and men-of-war, yearly, say 1,500

$19,460

Excess of income . . • § 8,660

or above lOJ per cent, clear annual profit, no doubt increasing in
after years.''

In September, the following was written : — " The Committee of
Government employes nominated by his Honour the Governor to
report on the proposal for the formation of a Dry Dock, have
submitted a report to the local Government, which has been trans-
mitted by the Governor to the merchants at whose instance the
Committee was organised. In this report, is is stated that the
Committee have fixed on a spot at Pulo Brani, which they recom-
mend to be made the site of the proposed work, and which site
they state 'whether for ease of construction or facility of approach
at all times, may probably vie with any in the 'world.' Four
estimates for the construction of the Dock had been submitted to
the Committee, viz. : —

No. 1 of Wood 14 feet water, to cost ... § 76,290.28

No. 2 „ Brick U „ „ „ ... 89,735.22

No. 3 „ Wood 18 „ „ ,, ... 87,658.52

No. 4 „ Stone & Brick 18 „ „ „ ... 105,9o3.86

The last is the estimate which the Committee recommend for
adoption, and tliey state that the estimate seems to possess such a
degree of correctness as would allow the arrangements to be pro-
ceeded with, without any great chance of the actual cost beiut,'
found to differ very widely from it. They have recommended the
lar<:o size, as its adoption would probably lead to the P. & O.
Company taking a considerable interest in the undertaking on account
of the number of steamers they will have ere long plpng in these

seas "

It was in tliis year that the Ksplnnade was enclosed, as appears

from a passage in tlio paper; the sea-wall was not yet built:

"We understand that it is in cotJtcni])lati()n to enclose, with posts
and chains, the whole of the space fronting the sea called Esplanade.
This will be a decided improvement, and will secure pedestrians

1845. 435

within the enclosure from the danger attendant on the present
not infrequent use of this open spot as a ra<^e ground/'

The following account of the introduction of Freemasonry into
the Straits was published in a Madras Review in March of this year,
and is interesting to the large number of the craft in Singapore : —

** In 1809, a warrant of constitution was first received in Penang
from the M. W. G M. the Duke of Athol, though Lodges of instruc-
tion had been held for three or four years previously, during which
period two applications for charters had miscarried, it was supposed
by capture by the French of the vessels the letters were sent in,
with whom we were at that time at war. By this warrant of con-
stitution the worthy Brother T. W. Court, was appointed Master, and
Bros. A. B. Bone and S. Stewart, Wardens. The Lodge met with
only partial success, and never at aiiy time liumbered above fifteen
members. The high rate of fees (three hundred and fifty dollars for
the three degrees), and the exclusive spirit with which the Lodge whs
conducted, will readily count for its want of success ; and though
there were several worthy and very zealous Brethren connected with
it, it gradually sunk into decay, and became finally extinct in 1819.

** In 1821, Brigadier O^Halloran, commanding the troops in Penang,
assisted by Bros. R. B. Smith and P. Ogilvie, obtained a warrant
from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bengal, and established a military
Lodge designated " Humanity with Courage,'* and in a short space of
time Masonry became so popular in Penang, that almost every civilian
of respectability was ranged beneath its banners; but in 1825, Bro.
W. Stewart, an eminent Mason, commanding the barque Lallah Rookh,
of Liverpool, visited the Lodge, and pointed out its irregular and
unconstitutional proceedings, in making civilians in a military Lodge.
The result was an application, through Bro. Stewart, to the United
Grand Lodge of England, which was graciously and favourably
received by the M. W. the G. Master, H. R. H. the Duke of Sussex,
who renewed the warrant of the Atholl Lodge (Neptune, No. 344),
and confirmed the proceedings of the military Ti(»d*2u. directing all
its members to be admitted on the register of tht* Grand Lodge.
The craft after this continued to prosper, under the vigorous manage-
ment of Colonel Sale, of the Madras Army (brother of the illustrious
hero of Jellalabad), but after his return to the Coromandel Coast,
in 1828, it fell into great disrepute, owing to the improper proceed-
ings and intemperate conduct of the Brother who was elected hi?
successor. The zealous and unwearied exertions of several eminent
Brethren who afterwards presided in the Lodge, among whom may
be named the late Bros. T. M. Ward, J. P. Grant, J. Wallace, G.
Pinnock, of the Madras Army, Bro. A. B. Kerr, now of that service,
and J. C. Smith, of Singapore, failed to meet with that success their
abilities and distinguished conduct, as Masters of the Lodge, deserved.
The odium of the past misconduct of a few appears to have been
indelible, and at the time I am now writing, and owing to these causes,
and the diminished commercial importance of the Settlement, with
the consequent great reduction in the number of its European inhabitants,
Neptune Lodge is again extinct, and little hope can reasonably be
entertained of its ever being revived.

436 Anecdotal History of Singapore

^^ In 1843, the Lodge voted a silver vase to Bro. J. C. Smith, as
a mark of its hijj^h esteem of his character and services during the
fifteen years he had been connected with it ; and at the same meeting
a special vote of thanks was tendered to the late Bro. F. Dunnett,
then about to proceed to China : and those only who knew him and
loved him as a man and a Mason can sufficiently understand the high
claims of this most excellent Brother to this distinction. Honoured
be his memory ! for Masonry and friendship will very seldom meet
with one so worthy of such laudation.

"In 1844, an absurd attempt was made to constitute the then
decaying Lodge into a Provincial Grand Lodge, in order to preserve
the fading honour of the notable P. G. Master of Sumatra, who by
some species of ingenious sophistry, peculiar to himself, has managed
to claim Penang as a portion of hiif province, *' the Rising Sun "
in Sumatra having set beneath the Masonic horizon for more than
twenty years, and his only other Lodge, in the moon, being beyond
the reach of human ken. This ridiculous attempt was very properly and
effectually resisted by the worthy Bro. R. W. Stonehewer, then pre-
siding as Master of No. 293, and the late Bro. W. Anderson, who
ably supported him in protecting an unfortunate but honourable
section of our ancient and honourable Fraternity from being decorated
with the loathsome trappings of a corpse, and rendered the object of
contumely and contempt to the Craft in ijeneral. The worthy P. G.
Master, deputed a Master Mason, who had systematically withheld his
support from this declining Lodge, to take upon himself the office of
D. G. Master, or in the event of his being disposed to display a magni-
ficient self-abnegation of the appointment, to nominate any other
equally deserving Brother ho might select for this exalted office. So
much for the legality of the contemplated proceedings of this Provincial
Grand Master. The attempt was met with the scorn and contempt it
so richly merited; for verily the purple of Sumatra is at discount in
the Malacca Straits, however much it may be esteemed at the Board
of General Purposes, Grand Festivals and other high places in the
metropolis of the Craft and of the world.

" The vase voted to Bro. J. C. Smith was sent to Bro. T. 0. Crane,
for the purpose of being presented to him at Singapore, with a request
that he would assemble as many Brethren as he could to be present
on the occasion; and Bro. Crane having then, in a very appropriate
speech, expressed his regret that he had not an opportunity of doing
it in a Lodge after the proceedings of the day were over, the practic-
ability of establishing a Lodge in Singapore was discussed, and Bros.
Smith and Crane were requested to draw up the necessary petition to
the United Grand Lodge of England for a warrant of constitution.
This was eventually obtained through the kind instrumentality of Bros.
D. Davidson and H. B. Webb. Bros J. C. Smith, C. A. Dyce, and T. 0.
Crane were appointed the first Master and Wardens of Zetland Lodge,
No. 74-8. Some unavoidable delay occurred in the receipt of the warrant,
and the Lodge was not regularly constituted until the 8th Decem-
ber last, when that interesting ceremony was performed by Bros.
R. Taylor, P. M. of Social Friendship, 326. He went down from
Malacca for this purpose, and the new Master and Wardens were

J 845. 437

then installed in due and ancient form. Zetland Lodge has been
fitted up in a manner which does the highest credit t-o its members,
and few stations in India, as I said before, can boast of a Masonic
temple so creditable to themselves and the Craft. In four months
there have been upwards of twenty initiations, and from the well-
known respectability and indefatigable zeal of the officers and members
of the Lodge, a permanent and most satisfactory career of success
and usefulness may very reasonably be calculated upon. Zetland
Lodge has voted a handsome Past Mjister's jewel to Bro. R. Taylor,
in acknowledgment of his zeal and services.

"List of the Officsra of Zetland Lodge, No. 748, established in
Singapore, December 8th, 1845 : — W. Bro. J. C. Smith, K.H.C., K.I.
and M. W. Master; Bros. C. A. Dyce, S.W.; T. 0. Crane, J.W. ;
J. B. Cumming, Sec. and Actg. Treas. ; T. Smith, R.A., S.D. ; W.
Gibb, J.D.; J. Craig, I,G. ; W. Rainford, Tyler.''

On the 8th December, the first Masonic Lodge called Zetland was
opened. The following account was given in the paper: —

"Pursuant to the Warrant of Constitution lately received from
the Grand Lodge of England [dated February, 1845], 'Zetland Lodge,
No. 748/ was opened in due form on Monday evening last, the
Worshipful Master and Officers being installed and invested with
their respective badges. There appears to be every prospect of this
Lodge meeting with great success from the number of members
already belonging to it, as well as from the numerous list of re-
spectable candidates for legitimate admission to the mysteries and
privileges of the ancient and honourable fraternity .''

The Lodge was held in a house in Armenian Street. Mr. Wm.
Napier was the first brother initiated, Mr. W. H. Read was the
second, at the first meeting of the Lodge; and Mr. J. D. Vaiighan
at a meeting in the January following.

The following list of the Officers and Members was in the Directory
at the commencement of 1846 : —

W. Bro. J. C. Smvth Worshipful Master.

Bro. C. A. Dyce, M.M. Senior Warden.

„ T. 0. Crane, M.M Junior Warden.

„ J. B. Cumming, M.M. Secretary and Treasurer.

„ T. Smith, R. A. .. Senior Deacon.

„ W. Gibb, M.M Junior Deacon

J. D. Scott, M.M. Inner Guard.

W. Rainford, M.M. . . . Tyler.

Members: — E. A. Q. Apel, J. D. Booth, J. Chimmo, J. Craig, S. F.
Cumming, C. J. J. Curteis, G. S. Darby, D. Davidson, T. Dunman,
B. B. Keane, L. Fraser, W. S. Lawson, J. Myrtle, W. Napier, W. H.
Read, W. Rodyk, W. Scott, J. Simson, J. Thomson, E. J. White and
R. W. Wiber.

The Singajpore Free Press had then been established ten years,
and the following was written about it. In Mr. Horace St. John's
Indian Archipela^jo, he said: — "The year 1835 is distinguished in
the history of Singapore as that in which the Free Press was estab-
lished. It is among the ablest and most influential journals in the
£ast, conducted with remarkable vigour, and animated always by the

>9
99

438 Anecdotal History of Singapore

spirit of genuine liberality. It has made, indeed, a European repu-
tation — among all, I mean, who turn their attention to the politics,
commerce, or social progress of the British Settlements in that remote
quarter of the world/' Another writer said in that year: — "The
Singapore Free Preitft is the most noted paper in the East. The
central position from which it in published enables it to command the
best intelligonce from China, Australia and the Islands, for which
reason a collection ol the late numbers is the most acceptable present
in an Indian port. Its liberal and rational views, just and moderate
arguments, and the total absence of any little party spirit or prejudice,
give it higher claims on our esteem, and render it* decidedly one of
the first British Colonial Journals."

On the loth July, appeared the first number of the Straits Timeti.
It had been advertised as a new Journal to be issued on the morning
of Tuesday, the 1 5th July, and to be continued weekly. The printing
material had been ordered from Kngland by Mr. Marterius Thaddeus
Apcar, of Apcar and Stephens, of Singapore, with the intention of
starting a newspaper with Mr, Edwards as Editor; but he had died,
and then the firm of Apcar and Stephens suspended payment, and
Mr. Gilbert McMicking was the Assignee of their estate. Mr. Oatchick
Moses, to oblige Mr. Apcar, took over the printing material, and Mr.
R. C. Woods came from Bombay looking for employment, having
been obliged to leave there, and started the paper as Editor. It was
not a financial success at first, and Mr. Moses, after a year or so,
gave up his connection w^th it, letting the price he had paid to Mr.
Apcar go against the deficiency, Jind Mr. Woods carried it on. It
consisted of eight folio pages, the subscription was $1.75 a month, or
$10 a year. The following is the commencement and some passages
from the opening article : —

"Good morning to you, kind reader! So you expect from us
some declaration of our * intentions,' and the course we intend pursuing in
the management of the Straits Tivifs ? Like a candidate for other
honours than those we now seek, we proceed to declare our senti-
ments, whilst we aver the honourableness of our intentions. We have
mounted our Pefjasus, which is a quiet and well-disposed animal, such
indeed as a gentleman of a certain age (like ourselves) ought to ride.
We desire to travel smoothly along, and therefore pray the 'powers
that 1m»/ to keep the road of pul)lic economy in an efficient state;
never allowing the ruts to get too deep, nor placing obstructions in
the middle of the way, because our Ppcjasus is apt to shy, it might
kick, or <lo even greater violence. VVe have said our quadruped
possesses a good disposition, may it not be crahhed. What Tristam
Shandy said of his Neddy, so say we of ours : — ^ It is, if you recollect,
n quiet beast, he has scarce a hair or lineament of the ass about him.'
We have gone astride on him frequently 'to canter it away from the
cares and solicitudes of life' — now jogging, trotting, galloping; now
'going it' with the Heetness of an Arab. The heau ideal of a good-
tempered animal, our Peffusus will be found to prick his ears and laugh or
neigh as modestly as Aunt (bleary — but no more. We promise that its
past training will not altogether be lost upon it, and, in the disinterested
sympathy of our hearts, Nvish ourselves a pleasant ride of it."

1845. 439

In the middle of November, it turned into an issue twice a week,
on Wednesdays and Saturdays, of four folio pages; but in January,
1849, it returned to its former mode of publication iand appeared once
a week only, on Wednesdays.

There was some correspondence in the newspaper about the
keeping of St. Andrew's Day, which led to a Ball and Supper at
the New Public Rooms (no doubt, including the new theatre) at
which Messrs. Charles Carnie, C. A. Dyce, Lewis Fraser, Alexander
Guthrie, Dr. Robert Little, R. McEwen, William Napier, Archibald
and Charles Spottiswoode, and J. Stephen were the Stewards. The
paper remarked that the Raffles Club, which had existed in the
early days from 1825 to 1835, ought to be revived, as tbey used to
have very animated festivities on the anniversary of the Settlement
and other annual celebrations.

On the 25th November the Theatre which had been built by
Subscription at the Assembly Rooms at the foot of Fort Canning, was
opened with a comedy and a farce. The prices were $2 and $1,
and the performance began at 8 o'clock There is no description of
the building, but the paper said that the . stage was larger than
that at the old theatre, which was in Dutrenquoy's Hotel, the Drop
Scene, painted by one of the Amateurs, most likely Mr. Charles
Dyce, was a view of Singapore from Sandy Point. There was an
Amateur Orchestra, which was hij^hly praised.

The following passages are part of an account of the progress
of Singapore in the year 1845, which was written at the close of
the year: —

"A new importance has been attached to Singapore during the
past year from its having become the focus where steamers from
different places periodically congregate with news from Europe and
various quarters of the Far East. During the present year, these
ramifications are likely to be increased by lines to Australasia and
Manila. The Calcutta line, thout^h for the present apparently sus-
pended, will not, in all probability, be long unoccupied either by
the Peninsular and Oriental Navigation Company or some other
association, who will not fail to derive a handsome profit from it.
The discovery of extensive beds of good coal in Borneo, adapted
for the use of steamers, is of much importance, and will greatly
facilitate the perfecting of the arrangements for steam navigation in
this quarter of the world. Though nothing definite has transpired as
to the results of Capt. Bethune's recent mission to Borneo, there is
every reason to believe that during the present year a British
Settlement will be formed in Borneo.

It is a subject of much congratulation to find, on casting a
glance over our columns for the past year, that there exists almost
no record of any cases of piracy in our harbour similar to those
which, a year or two ago, were so frequent in occurrence and so
detrimental to our native trade. This change has been brought
about by the activity of Her Majesty^s and the East India
Company^s vessels of war, which have always been on the alert,
and is, no doubt, also greatly due to the terrible lessons read to
the pirates of Borneo during the past and the preceding years by

440 Anecdotal History of Singapore

His Excellency the Admiral, the Hon. Capt. Keppel, Sir E. Belcher,
&c. The native traders may now resort to our port, even though
unarmed like the Cochin-Chinese, with very little dread of violence
by the way.

"The local Authorities having discovered that slave-dealing existed
to a considerable extent in some of the neighbouring States, accom-
pained by circumstances of much cruelty, have exerted themselves
with much success in rescuintj the unfortunate victims of it, and
endeavouring to suppress the traffic.

" The recent visit of the H C. steam-vessel Phlegethon to Cochin-
Cliina has manifested the favourable disposition of the English and
Cochin-Chinese Governments towards each other, and may have the
tendency to encourage the resort of Cochin-Chinese trading vessels to
this port, an event which the suppressing of piracy, from which the
unarmed Cochin-Chinese traders who ventured to come to Singapore
used to suffer so severely, may help to promote.

"In regard to more purely local subjects, the Post Office has been
improved to meet the enlarged demands upon it, consequent on the
extension of the overland steam arranirements to this port. It is still
susceptible of much improvement, which will, no doubt, be effected
during the present year. Renewed efforts are being made by the local
Authorities and the mercantile body to procure the erection of a light-house
at the South entrance of Singapore Straits. The heavy loss of property,
even during the past year, attributable in a great measure to the want of
such a conspicuous guide by day as well as by night, is an unanswer-
able argument both for its necessity and speedy erection.

"A majority of the Chamber of Commerce have declared an opinion
in favour of the introduction of an Insolvent law into the Settle-
ment — an opinion which is acquiesced in by the great majority of
traders, European and Nativ^e. Unless, however, the Indian Law Com-
missioners are prepared with their general scheme of an Insolvent law
for India, there is no probability of an Insolvent law being introduced
into the Straits during the present year, as the existing Insolvent law
in operation at the Presidencies is acknowledged to be defective, and
the Supreme Government would therefore, we presume, be unwilling to
sanction its application to the Straits, since the amended scheme for
the whole of India will probably be ready in the course of a year
or two.

" A considerable number of local improvements have been effected
during the past year, the chief of which mjiy be indicated as the ex-
tension of the roads in the interior. The line known as the Kranjie
road, extending from Bukit Timah to the Old Straits, about 8 miles in
length, was completed during the past year, and is now very exten-
sively used by the gambier and pepper cultivators on the line for con-
veying their wares to town, instead, as heretofore, of transporting
them round by the Straits in large boats. A similar line of road
has been commenced from within a short distance of Singapore to a
different part of the Old Straits, which promises to be a most useful
as well as an exceedingly picturesque road. This road is the first
the construction of which has been commenced by private contractors
in terms of the permission accorded by the Supreme Government

1845. 441

some months ago. The contractors and labourers are all Chinese,
and they are found to make the roads much more quickly, as well
as cheaply, than has ever been effected by means of convict labour.
The funds from which these roads are to be constructed are
those derived from the sale of the Government lands, and we sup-
pose that provisions have been, or will be, made from this source
for keeping these and the other country roads in repair, otherwise
they will soon become comparatively useless. It is hopeless to look
to the assessments for this purpose, as they are found barely
adequate to keep up the present avowedly inefficient Police force
and effect the imperfect cleansing of the town. Besides, it does
not seem at all fair to tax the inhabitants of the town for keeping
up the roads in the country, and, therefore, until the increase and
extension of cultivation allow of the levy of an assessment adequate
for the purpose, which may perhaps be about 20 or 30 years
hence, the roads ought to be kept up out of the proceeds of the
land sales, which the making of roads is calculated greatly to
promote.

"Improvements in town also proceed apace. Many — or we may
say with truth, most — of the old wooden houses which in the
beginning of the year gave such a ruinous and decaying look to
the town, have now been replaced by handsome and substantial
looking brick houses, and, ere many months more have passed, the
principal streets bid fair to shew nothing but brick edifices, con-
fining the wooden erections to the poorer parts of the town. The
Seamen's Hospital has been finished and opened for the reception of
patients; and Tock Seng's Hospital is approaching completion. A
large space of ground, heretofore a swamp overflowed by the tide,
and known to older residents by the name of Kampong Malacca,
has been partially filled up and laid out into building lots, which
will, no doubt, be exposed to sale during this year. A commodious
public market [Ellen borough Market] is being constructed in this
quarter, and 1'an Tock 8eng is far advanced with the erection of
an extensive range of shops on a uniform plan and with more pre-
tensions to architectural beauty than the general run of such hontiques.
This quarter is to bear the name of '' p]llenborough Buildings!''
The improvements on Government Hill, comprehending the enlarge-
ment of the burying ground, are now nearly completed, and will
add much to the beauty of this part of Singapore. A want of
sufficient drainage is still apparent in many places in and near town,
and there are one or two noisome swamps in town the fillin*; up of
which with wholesome earth would greatly conduce to the comfort
and health of the inhabitants.

"The trade of the Settlement during the past year must, on the
whole, be pronounced to have been prosperous; but it has been the
quiet, monotonous prosperity of steady, moderate, or even low prices,
with little of the excitement of speculation, or large losses balanced
by large profits, which has so often prevailed in former years. The
story told by the shop-keepers and small native dealers is that they
have to encounter much rivalry for small profits, but at the same
time their profits have been tolerably certain, affording, with judicious

442 Anecdotal History of Singapore

management, a fair price for tlieir labonr and a fair return for their
capital^ which is generally of a very limited nature.

"The importing merchants and extensive native dealers give nearly
the same report as regards their trade; the more sanguine and speculative
will pronounce 1845 to have been a bad year, while the plodding and
steady will probably admit it to have been " not so bad/' Its
characteristic may be said to have been low prices and want of
speculation.

"It would be at best a delicate task to enter upon the moral
statistics of the Settlement, and in this place it would not be much
use as the changes which one year can effect must be very slight
indeed. We may notice, however, that the Library has been in
operation for some time past, and that, scanty as are its stores, the
increasing: number of those wishingr to avail themselves of its
benefits, augurs well for the intellectual and moral habits of the Euro-
pean portion of the community. It may, indeed, be remarked that
here, as in other parts of India, an evident change is taking place
in the general tone of society — a change which the diminishing^
number of old stagers deplore and exclaim against, while the recent
arrivals from Europe are somewhat surprised and pleased to find
here so little difference from the tone of good society among the
middle classes at home. The regular and rapid intercourse now
maintained with the Mother Country, by tending to keep alive home
feelings and affections, and the constant supply of new intellectual
food which every mail brinies, keeping the sojourner in India almost
on a par with those at home as regards the literature and science
of the passing day, must contribute materially to bring about this
alteration.'^

1846. 443

CHAPTER XXXIII

1846.

IN March, a fire broke out in Market Street, at ten o'clock at
^^g^^'f just behind the Square. The Pob'ce ^ongs were beaten
and the bell of St. Andrew's Church was rung. There was no
water to be got for some time, and a deal of thievincr went on. A
general store of Ching Wan & Co. was burned down, also a godown
of Chin Sing & Co., full of rattans, but as there was no wind, the tire
was then stopped. The necessity of some organization like a Fire
Brigade was again prominently discussed, but it was not formed.

The following is an account of a Hoey riot in March, which
caused a good deal of talk at the time: — "On Tuesday last, the
town of Singapore was comparatively in a state of siege, in conse-
quence of some apprehensions on the part of the authorities that
disturbances would arise on that day : indulgence in such fears, if
not in a great measure the working spirit of the commotion, contri-
buted greatly to extend it, by causing alarm in the breasts of the
quiet, loyal, and well disposed. The Head of the Hoeys, a secret
and powerful society of Chinese, expired about eighteen days ago,
and an application was made last week to the Magistrates to grant
permission to bury the body with due form, procession, and the
outward display usual on the occasion of the funeral of the chief of
the order, 'j^e Magistrates consented to allow a procession to be
formed, provided the number of followers did not exceed one hundred,
and with the condition that the procession would pass through the
direct line of road to the burial ground. 'JMie Heads of the Hoey
acquiesced in the arrangement. Early on Tuesday morning, the
whole Police force was mustered, and was chiefly located near the
Chinese Temple at Roc h or, outside the town. About 10 o'clock
a.m., information was received at the Police Office that several
thousands of Chinese were assembled in front of the temple at
Rochor, where the body of the deceased was placed, and that the
whole of them were resolved on passing through the town, staying
in such streets of it as they thought proper, to perform ceremonies, and
alleging that they had receiv^ed permission from the Resident Councillor
to proceed the way they listed ; a sanction neither applied for, nor
likely to be granted. Captain Adam Cuppago, 27th Madras Native
Infantry, who was Assistant Resident, and Mr. Dunman, Deputy Superin-
tendent of Police, proceeded to Rochor, expecting that by confront-
ing the procession at the place where it was forbidden to go, they
would effectually deter the rabble from entering the town. As soon as
the men with banners in advance of the procession diverged into the
road leading to Kampong Glam, the Police Magistrates told them to

L-'

4AA Anecdotal History of Singapore

halt; they did so. In the meantime a parley was attempted. Captain
Cuppage remained on the bridge at Rochor, where a party of Police
peons was stationed, and Mr. Dunman, accompanied by a Chinese
interpreter, proceeded to the front of the temple. Mr. Dunman
addressed the chiefs of the Hoey and remonstrated with them on their
want of faitli in coUectinij together nearly six tliousand persons instead
of one hnndred to follow the body to the grave : they, in reply, declared
themselves nnable to restrict the nnmbers or control them Mr.
Dunman was about to return to consult with Captain Cuppage when a
Chinese cooly called out ^^ Pah-pah, '^ meaning ''beat.'' Mr. Dunman
seized him by the throat, and dragt/ed him away and gave him in
charge to Captain Cuppage. The latter delivered him over to the
constables to convey to the Thannah, but on the way a rescue was
effected. As soon as the cooly was seized, the mob commenced
beating the Chinese interpreter with the iron instruments they place
on their hands, and also jumped upon him. Mr. Dunman returned to
the assistance of the interpreter; with the butt end of a musket he
drove off the people that were maltreating the interpreter, and brought
the latter away in triumph ; an act of humanity and gallantry that can-
not be too loudly praised. The rescue of the cooly gave an impulse
to the mass; the procession moved on, each member of the Hoey
declaring that he would proceed along Kampong Glam. The order
for the advance was hailed with a general shout, and on they
went.

''Information was sent to the civil authorities stating to what
length the Chinese had gone, and that the civil force was incapable
of controlling the mass of people which was now fast increasing,
threatening the town with pillage and destruction. An express was
despatched for the troops, who were soon in readiness, and arrived
in time to prevent the procession passing near the Court House and
up Hill Street. The avenues thus being closed, the Chinese turned
down Coleman Street into South Bridge Koad, thence over the bridge
to the burial ground beyond the Cantonment By the judicious placing
of the troops at the avenues leading to South Bridge Road, the pro-
cession was prevented from passing into the town, and, by stopping
the lines of communication, any addition to the number of followers
was prevented. ''

Long letters were written to the paper about the necessity of
putting down the secret societies, and the peace of the town was
considerably disturbed for a fortnight, when the Hoeys finally made
terms with each other. The following proclamation was issued in
Chinese, and posted up through the town and on the temples: —

"To the Chinese living in Singapore this notice is given, and
they are to conform strictly thereto. The practice of assembling in
large numbers and proceeding along the public roads with flags, music,
or arms of any description is forbidden, and, if attempted, will be at
their peril. No processions will be allowed having any connection,
with illegal societies of any description, and should this order be in-
fringed, all guilty persons will be considered as disturbers of public
peace, and if, on being duly warned, they fail to disperse, will ba
treated as such.^'

1846. 445

The following account of the attack on the house of Mr.
Thomas Hewetson on Mount Elizabeth^ appeared in the paper
in April. Mr. Hewetson was a clerk to the Magistrates, and the
event is still remembered in Singapore, although the particulars are
forgotten : —

'' On the nit^ht of the 30th March, a most daring and successful
gang robbery was perpetrated in the house of Mr. T. Hewetson,
about two miles from town. The house is situated on an eminence in his
plantation, which is completely surrounded by a large hedge. It
appears that a gang of 200 Chinese proceeded to Mr. Hewetson's a
little after midnight, and after taking the most deliberate precautions
by posting sentinels at the entrance into the plantation from the
public road, the main body proceeded to the house, where they over-
powered the watchman and other persons near the premises, beating and
dispersing them. They then surrounded the house, which is a bunga-
low built of wood upon high posts. Mr. Hewetson, who had not
long retired to rest, heard, between half-past 12 and 1 o'clock, a
great noise under the house, stamping of feet and clashing of sticks,
and his men calling out " China, China.'' This continued for about
8 or 10 minutes before the (Chinese came up to the back verandah
of the house, where they commenced battering at the door opening
into the verandah, which was secured by a strong wooden bar.
While they were trying to break in, Mr. Hewetson fired through the
door, and continued doing so as fast as he could load, which kept
them in check for about 20 minutes. They then succeeded in making
an opening in the door of about one inch and a half by six inches,
through which they thrust their spears, endeavouring to enlarge the
opening, Mr. Hewetson at the same time firing through upon the
robbers. In about ten minutes more the door was almost shattered to
pieces, when Mr. Hewet^^on retired with his family to a loft in the top
of the house to which access is had by a trap door. The Chinese,
being undisturbed, soon broke the outer door, and at once proceeding
to the door of a small room in which Mr. Hewetson kept his
money and plate, &c., they quickly forced it and broke open a
number of boxes, almeirahs, &c., from which they abstracted about
400 dollars, silver spoons, clothes, a box containing a number of
papers, &c., &c. Having thus effected their purpose, they immediately
left the house, being saluted by a parting shot of slugs from a blun-
derbuss, and would appear to have immediately separated, as Mr.
Gilbert Angus, who lives about half a mile from the spot, and had
been awakened by the shots and screams of the female members of
Mr. Hewetson's family, on going up with some of his men, met about
15 armed with sticks coming from Mr. Hewjetson's who, on his calling
on them to stop, prepared to attack him, on which he fired a pistol,
which appeared to drop one of them, and, drawing his sword rushed
under their guard and endeavoured to cut some of them down. He
was, however, immediately assailed by all the number, and receiving
some severe blows on his head, shoulders, and hands, he was stunned,
and dropped his sword, on which the men immediately made off. This
was the only resistance, independent of that offered by Mr, Hewetson
and his people, which they encountered, although it was near two

446 Anecdotal History of 8ingaport

o'clock before they left the house, as the Police did not arrive
until some time afterwards.

'' They would appear to have proceeded with their attack with the
utmost coolness and confidence. The room in which Mr. Hewetson stood
when firing through the door was lighted by a lamp, which enabled
the robbers to watch his movements. There were traces of blood in
the verandah and on the ground, so that some persons must have
been wounded, but to what extent is of course unknown. We are
informed that the Klings, Malays, Javanese and other Natives resid-
ing in a circuit to the North West and South of Mr. Hewetson's
were aware at 11 o'clock p.m., that something was in the wind, as
they state that they heard the concerted signals made by the
Chinese for assembling. '^

Three Chinese were convicted of being concerned in the gang-
robbery, and the Recorder sentenced them to transportation to
Bombay for fourteen years, and, in passing sentence, dwelt at length
on the dangerous and unlawful nature of the secret societies with
which it had been proved the prisoners were connected.

The house was the first built on Mount Elizabeth, near the top of
the hill at the right hand side of the road. There is an attap bungalow
* still on the site, which is quite closely surrounded by tile-roofed
houses.

In conse'quence of the Chinese riots, a proposal was made to
establish a Volunteer Force, but it was not realised for nearly ten
years afterwards.

At the Assizes in April, the Grand Jury in their presentment
complained of the state of the Police, and of the continuance of
certain nuisances in the town, such as the swamp in front of the goal,
and the broken down foot-bridge. It would have attracted no particu-
lar notice but for the extraordinary behaviour of the Governor, Colonel
Butterworth, who, as was usual in those days, sat on the Bench, as
one of the Judges, with the Recorder, Sir William Norris. The
Governor complained of the Grand Jury having spoken of the Police
as disgraceful, and of other matters as unfair on the part of Govern-
ment, lost his temper, threw the blame of any delay or shortcomings
on the Bengal Government, and went into a long tirade on the subject
of his own devotion, zeal and energy for the welfare of the Settlements.
It was an explosion which caused a great deal of talk, and was spoken
of as an ''extraordinary performance, which, for the sake of the
dignity of the Bench, as well as of public functionaries, it was hoped
we ne'er may look upon its like again."

The following extract from the Free pTtf,st< is interesting as the
recommencement of the gambling farm argument : —

** On the 29th April, Charles Cashin, formerly a police constable,
was found guilty of having received bribes from the keepers of
gambling shops, to connive at their existence, and on the 1st instant,
was brought up to receive sentence. The Hon'ble the Recorder, in
passing sentence, said that it had been fully proved that the prisoner
had been guilty of a gross neglect of duty. It appeared that he was
well acquainted with the extensive gambling which was carried on, he
knew of it, and ought to have informed against it that it might have

1846. 447

been put down, instead of which he received a bribe to sanction its
continuance. The Court must therefore pass sentence upon him. It
has been asserted by the public journals that it was impossible to
put down gambling : his Lordship could not agree with them ; he did
not see the impossibility; he thought it could be put a stop to if
the police did their duty. It was only through the corruption of the
police that such sinks of iniquity were permitted to exist. If the
constables were honest men, the evil would be put a stop to, but
he must declare his opinion that not only the prisoner but all the
constables had been guilty of receiving bribes for conniving at this
system. (The prisoner here interrupted his Lordship and said that
for three years past all the constables liad received $20 each monthly,
from the keepers of the gambling shops, that the evidence against
him was all false, and that the constable who had brouirht the charge
against him had himself received bribes. It was a conspiracy against
him to deprive him of his situation, and get it for another person.)
The Recorder then proceeded to say that he believed they were all
implicated, and that if they did their duty, gambling might be put
down. If the constables had any honesty they would come forward
and confess their fault, and he was sure their doing so would be in
their favour, if they resolved on pursuing a better course in future.
The prisoner Charles Cashin was then sentenced to be imprisoned for
eighteen months, and to pay a fine of 1,000 dollars, and to be further
imprisoned until the fine was paid.

Some of the constables present then came forward and represented
that they felt much hurt at his Lordship^s observations regarding them.
They denied their guilt, and said that they had endeavoured to put
down the gambling shops, but that an order had been issued forbidding
them to interfere with them ! His Lordship said he thought there must be
some mistake, he could not think how such an extraordinary order
could have been ^iven, but even if it had, it was their duty to dis-
regard it, and to enforce the law. The constables explained that the
order was verbal.

Mr. Dunman, Deputy Superintendent of Police, was then sent for,
and admitted that such an order had been given. It was not given
by him, but by Major Low, the former Superintendent of Police.
Previously, orders had been given to the police to put down the
gambling shops, and to stimulate them to do their duty and to counteract
the effect of the bribery on the part of the keepers of the gambling
shops, the police had been promised half of whatever money was
found upon the table. They had accordingly gone to work, but it was
found that the whole time of the police was engrossed by it to the
total neglect of their other duties, and it was therefore found necessary
to annul the order. In reply to an observation from the Recorder, Mr.
Dunman said he considered it impossible to put down the gambling
shops. They had communications with the neighbouring houses so
that the persons engaged could always make their escape, but he
thought the most insuperable obstacle was in the power which the
keepers of the gambling shops possessed of corrupting the police. The
Recorder observed that that was the very thing he thought ought to
be remedied; the police ought to be honest. Mr. Dunman said with a

446 Anecdotal History of Singaport

o'clock before they left tlie bouse, as the Police did not arrive
until some time afterwards.

'' They would appear to have proceeded with their nttack with the
utmost coolness and confidence. The room in which Mr. Hewetson stood
when firing through the door was lighted by a lamp, which enabled
the robbers to watch his movements. There were traces of blood in
the verandah and on the ground, so that some persons must have
been wounded, but to what extent is of course unknown. We are
informed that the Klings, Malays, JavHiiese and other Natives resid-
ing in a circuit to the North West and South of Mr. Hewetson's
were aware at 11 o'clock p.m., that something was in the wind, as
they state that they heard the concerted signals made by the
Chinese for assembling."

The house was the first built on Mount Elizabeth, near the top of
the hill at the right hand side of the road. There is an attap bungalow
still on the site, which is quite closely surrounded by tile-roofed
houses.

In consc'quence of the Chinese riots, a proposal was made to
establish a Volunteer Force, but it was not realised for nearly ten
years afterwards.

At the Assizes in April, the Grand Jury in their presentment
complained of the state of the Police, and of the continuance of
certain nuisances in the town, such as the sw^amp in front of the goal,
and the broken down foot-bridge. It would have attracted no particu-
lar notice but for the extraordinary behaviour of the Governor, Colonel
Butterworth, who, as was usual in those days, sat on the Bench, as
one of the Judges, with the Recorder, Sir William Norris. The
Governor complained of the Grand Jury having spoken of the Police
as disgracfful, and of other matters as unfair on the part of Govern-
ment, lost his temper, threw the blame of any delay or shortcomings
on the Bengal Government, and went into a long tirade on the subject
of his own devotion, zeal and energy for the welfare of the Settlements.
It was an explosion which caused a great deal of talk, and was spoken
of as an "extraordinary performance, which, for the sake of the
dignity of the Bench, as well as of public functionaries, it was hoped
we ne'er may look upon its like again."

The following extract from the Free I\ef<f< is interesting as the
recommencement of the gambling farm argument: —

** On the 29th April, Charles Cashin, formerly a police constable,
was found guilty of having received bribes from the keepers of
gambling shops, to connive at their existence, and on the 1st instant,
was brought up to receive sentence. The Hon'ble the Bt corder, in
passing sentence, said that it had been fully j)roved that the prisoner
had been guilty of a gross neglect of duty. It appeared that he was
well acquainted with the extensive gambling which was carried on, he
knew of it, and ought to have informed against it that it might have

1846. 447

been put down^ instead of which he received a bribe to sanction its
continuance. The Court must therefore pass sentence upon him. It
has been asserted by the public journals that it was impossible to
put down gambling ; his Lordship could not agree with them ; he did
not see the impossibility; he thought it could be put a stop to if
the police did their duty. It was only through the corruption of the
police that such sinks of iniquity were permitted to exist. If the
constables were honest men, the evil would be put a stop to, but
he must declare his opinion that not only the prisoner but all the
constables had been guilty of receiving bribes for conniving at this
system. (The prisoner here interrupted his Lordship and said that
for three years past all the constables liad received $20 each monthly,
from the keepers of the gambling shops, that the evidence against
him was all false, and that the constable who had broui,'ht the charge
against him had himself received bribes. It was a conspiracy against
him to deprive him of his situation, and get it for another person.)
The Recorder then proceeded to say that he believed they were all
implicated, and that if they did their duty, gambling might be put
down. If the constables had any honesty they would come forward
and confess their fault, and he was sure their doing so would be in
their favour, if they resolved on pursuing a better course in future.
The prisoner Charles Cashin was then sentenced to be imprisoned for
eighteen months, and to pay a fine of 1,000 dollars, and to be further
imprisoned until the fine was paid.

Some of the constables present then came forward and represented
that they felt much hurt at his Lordship's observations regarding them.
They denied their guilt, and said that they had endeavoured to put
down the gambling shops, but that an order had been issued forbidding
them to interfere with them ! His Lordship said he thought there must be
some mistake, he could not think how such an extraordinary order
could have been given, but even if it had, it was their duty to dis-
regard it, and to enforce the law. The constables explained that the
order was verbal.

Mr. Dunman, Deputy Superintendent of Police, was then sent for,
and admitted that such an order had been given. It was not given
by him, but by Major Low, the former Superintendent of Police.
Previously, orders had been given to the police to put down the
gambling shops, and to stimulate them to do their duty and to counteract
the effect of the bribery on the part of the keepers of the gambling
shops, the police had been promised lialf of whatever money was
found upon the table. They had accordingly gone to work, but it was
found that the whole time of the police was engrossed by it to the
total neglect of their other duties, and it was therefore found necessary
to annul the order. In reply to an observation from the Recorder, Mr.
Dunman said he considered it impossible to put down the gambling
shops. They had communications with the neighbouring houses so
that the persons engaged could always make their escape, but he
thought the most insuperable obstacle was in the power which the
keepers of the gambling shops possessed of corrupting the police. The
Recorder observed that that was the very thing he thought ought to
be remedied; the police ought to be honest. Mr. Dunman said with a

446 Anecdotal History of Singapore

o^clock before they left the house, as the Police did not arrive
until some time afterwards.

'^ They would appear to have proceeded with their nttack with the
utmost coolness and confidence. The room in which Mr. Hewetson stood
when firing through the door was lighted by a lamp, which enabled
the robbers to watch his movements. There were traces of blood in
the verandah and on the gi'ound, so that some persons must have
been wounded, but to what extent is of course unknown. We are
informed that the Klings, Malays, JavHnese and other Natives resid-
ing in a circuit to the North West and South of Mr. Hewetson's
were aware at 11 o'clock p.m., that something was in the wind, as
they state that they heard the concerted signals made hy the
Chinese for assembling. '^

Three Chinese were convicted of being concerned in the gang-
robbery, and the Recorder sentenced them to transportation to
Bombay for fourt^^en years, and, in passing sentence, dwelt at length
on the dangerous and unlawful nature of the secret societies with
which it had been proved the prisoners were connected.

In conse'quence of the Chinese riots, a proposal was made to
establish a Volunteer Force, but it was not realised for nearly ten
years afterwards.

At the Assizes in April, the Grand Juiy in their presentment
complained of the state of the Police, and of the continuance of
certain nuisances in the town, such as the swamp in front of the goal,
and the broken down foot-bridge. It would have attracted no particu-
lar notice but for the extraordinary behaviour of the Governor, Colonel
Butterworth, who, as was usual in those days, sat on the Bench, as
one of the Judges, with the Recorder, Sir William Norris. The
Governor complained of the Grand Jury having spoken of the Police
as disgraceful, and of other matters as unfair on the part of Govern-
ment, lost his temper, threw the blame of any delay or shortcomings
on the Bengal Government, and went into a long tirade on the subject
of his own devotion, zeal and energy for the welfare of the Settlements.
It was an explosion which caused a great deal of talk, and was spoken
of as an "extraordinary performance, which, for the sake of the
dignity of the Bench, as well as of public functionaries, it was hoped
we ne'er may look upon its like again."

The following extract from the Free l^re«t< is interesting as the
recommencement of the gambling farm argument: —

** On the 29th April, Charles Cashin, formerly a police constable,
was found guilty of having received bribes from the keepers of
gambling shops, to connive at their existence, and on the 1st instant,
was brought up to receive sentence. The Hon'ble the Btcorder, in
passing sentence, said that it had been fully proved that the prisoner
had been guilty of a gross neglect of duty. It appeared that he was
well acquainted with the extensive gambling which was carried on, he
knew of it, and ought to have informed against it that it might have

1846. 447

been put down, instead of which he received a bribe to sanction its
continaance. The Court must therefore pass sentence upon him. It
has been asserted by the public journals that it was impossible to
put down gambling ; his Lordship could not agree with them ; ho did
not see the impossibility; he thought it could be put a stop to if
the police did their duty. It was only through the corruption of the
police that such sinks of iniquity were permitted to exist. If the
constables were honest men, the evil would be put a stop to, but
he must declare his opinion that not only the prisoner but all the
constables had been guilty of receiving bribes for conniving at this
system. (The prisoner here interrupted his Lordship and said that
for three years past all the constHblet^ liad received $20 each monthly,
from the keepers of the gambling shops, that the evidence against
him was all false, and that the constable who had brouirht tho charge
against him had himself received bribes. It was a conspiracy against
him to deprive him of his situation, and get it for another person.)
The Recorder then proceeded to say that he believed they were all
implicated, and that if they did their duty, gambling might be put
down. If the constables had any honesty they would come forward
and confess their fault, and he was sure their doing so would be in
their favour, if they resolved on pursuing a better course in future.
The prisoner Charles Cashin was then sentenced to be imprisoned for
eighteen months, and to pay a fine of 1,000 dollars, and to be further
imprisoned until the fine was paid.

Some of the constables present then came forward and represented
that they felt much hurt at his Lordship^s observations regarding them.
They denied their guilt, and said that they had endeavoured to put
down the gambling shops, but that an order had been issued forbidding
them to interfere with them ! His Lordship said he thought there must be
some mistake, he could not think how such an extraordinary order
could have been «:iven, but even if it had, it was their duty to dis-
regard it, and to enforce the law. The constables explained that the
order was verbal.

Mr. Dunman, Deputy Superintendent of Police, was then sent for,
and admitted that such an order had been given. It was not given
by him, but by Major Low, the former Superintendent of Police.
Previously, orders had been given to the police to put down the
gambling shops, and to stimulate them to do their duty and to counteract
the effect of the bribery on the part of the keepers of the gambling
shops, the police had been promised half of whatever money was
found upon the table. They had accordingly gone to work, but it was
found that the whole time of the police was engrossed by it to the
total neglect of their other duties, and it was therefore found necessary
to annul the order. In reply to an observation from the Recorder, Mr.
Dunman said he considered it impossible to put down the gambling
shops. They had communications with the neighbouring houses so
that the persons engaged could always make their escape, but he
thought the most insuperable obstacle was in the power which the
keepers of the gambling shops possessed of corrupting the police. The
Recorder observed that that was the very thing he thought ought to
be remedied ; the police ought to be honest. Mr. Dunman said with a

446 Anecdotal History of Singapore

o'clock before they left the liouse, as the Police did not arriye
until some time afterwards.

'* Tliey would appear to have proceeded with their Httack with the
utmost coolness and confidence. The room in which Mr. Hewetson stood
when firing through the door was lighted by a Iwmp, which enabled
the robbers to watch his movements. There were traces of blood in
the verandah and on the ground, so that some persons must have
been wounded, but to what extent is of course unknown. We are
informed that the Klings, Malays, Javanese and other Natives resid-
ing in a circuit to the North West and South of Mr. Hewetson's
were aware at 11 o'clock p.m., that something was in the wind, as
they state that thvy heard tlie concerted signals made by the
Chinese for assembling."

In conse'quence of tlie Chinese riots, a proposal was made to
establish a Volunteer Force, but it was not realised for nearly ten
years afterwards.

At the Assizes in April, the Grand Juiy in their presentment
complained of the state of the Police, and of the continuance of
certain nuisances in the town, such as the swamp in front of the goal,
and the broken down foot-bridge. It would have attracted no particu-
lar notice but for the extraordinary behaviour of the Governor, Colonel
Butterworth, who, as was usual in those days, sat on the Bench, as
one of the Judges, with the Recorder, ISir William Norris. The
Governor complained of the Grand Jury having spoken of the Police
as dinyracffnly and of other matters as unfair on the part of Govern-
ment, lost his temper, threw the blame of any delay or shortcomings
on the Bengal Government, and went into a long tirade on the subject
of his own devotion, zeal and energy for the welfare of the Settlements.
It was an explosion which caused a great deal of talk, and was spoken
of as an "extraordinary performance, which, for the sake of the
dignity of the Bench, as well as of public functionaries, it was hoped
we ne'er may look upon its like again."

The following extract from the Free Fre,st< is interesting as the
recommencement of the gambling farm argument : —

** On the 29th April, Charles Cashin, formerly a police constable,
was found guilty of having received bribes from the keepers of
gambling shops, to connive at their exi.stence, and on the 1st instant,
was brought up to receive sentence. 'J'he Hon'ble the Btcorder, in

[)assing sentence, said that it had been fully proved that the prisoner
lad been guilty of a gross neglect of duty. It appeared that he was
well acquainted with the extensive gambling which was carried on, he
knew of it, and ought to have informed against it that it might have

1846. 447

been put down, instead of wbich he received a bribe to sanction its
continuance. The Court must therefore pass sentence upon him. It
has been asserted by the public journals that it was impossible to
put down gambling ; his Lordship could not agree with them ; he did
not see the impossibility; he thought it could be put a stop to if
the poHce did their duty. It was only through the corruption of the
police that such sinks of iniquity were permitted to exist. If the
constables were honest men, the evil would be put a stop to, but
he must declare his opinion that not only the prisoner but all the
constables had been guilty of receiving bribes for conniving at this
system. (The prisoner here interrupted his Lordship and said that
for three years past all the constables had received $20 each monthly,
from the keepers of the gambling shops, that the evidence against
him was all false, and that the constable who had brouirht the charge
against him had himself received bribes. It was a conspiracy against
him to deprive him of his situation, and get it for another person.)
The Recorder then proceeded to say that he believed they were all
implicated, and that if they did their duty, gambling might be put
down. If the constables had any honesty they would come forward
and confess their fault, and he was sure their doing so would be in
their favour, if they resolved on pursuing a better course in future.
The prisoner Charles Cashin was then sentenced to be imprisoned for
eighteen months, and to pay a fine of 1,000 dollars, and to be further
imprisoned until the fine was paid.

Some of the constables present then came forward and represented
that they felt much hurt at his Lordship's observations regarding them.
They denied their guilt, and said that they had endeavoured to put
down the gambling shops, but that an order had been issued forbidding
them to interfere with them ! His Lordship said he thought there must be
some mistake, he could not think how such an extraordinary order
could have been piven, but even if it had, it was their duty to dis-
regard it, and to enforce the law. The constables explained that the
order was verbal.

448 Anecdotal History of Singapore

native police it was impossible, where could you get an honest native
of the grade of a policeman ? The police were in the regular pay of
the keepers of the gambling sliops, and it could not be prevented with
the large means of bribery which the gambling shops in Singapore,
one hundred and ninety-one in number, afforded/'

It appears from the following passage that gambling was permitted
at the Chinese New Year : —

"The active measures taken against the gambling shops in conse-
quence of tlie Recorder's remarks, have had a most serious effect upon
the Revenue Farms, the Opium and Spirit Farms especially, the renters
of which have experienced a very large decrease in their sales. Such
an effect was to be anticipated, and perhaps a knowledge of this has
been the cause of the leniency with which the gambling shops have
heretofore been treated. It is well known that it is at the instance of
the Opium and Spirit Farmers, that the fortnight's license for open
gambling at the Chinese New Year is granted by those in authority.
Would it not be better to have a gambling farm at once, than all these
miserable shifts and inconsistencies, apparent disapprobation, and virtual
countenance ?"

In July, a suggestion was again made to establish a Savings Bank,
which Sir Benjamin Mulkin had advocated in 1833. There was some
correspondence on the subject, but nothing was done.

There is a tablet in St. Andrew's Cathedral to Captain Maitland,
R.N., as is said on page 298. The following is an extract from a
lengthy report in the Free Press of his services : —

" We regret having to announce the death of William Maitland,
Esq., Commander, r n., at the early age of 44. Captain Maitland, who
has commanded H. M. steamer Spiteful on the Indian Station for the
last three years, was a nephew of the late Earl of Lauderdale, and
also of the late Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland, entered the Royal
Navy at an early a^e, and during the earlier part of his career served
for several years in the West Indies, where he was actively employed
against the pirates. In 1841, when 1st Lieutenant of the Benhow, he
distinguished himself in the operations on the coast of Syria, and for
his services there received his promotion as Commander. In December,
1842, Captain Maitland commissioned the steamer Spiteful, and arrived
on the Indian Station in August, 1843. Since his arrival in the East
he has been actively employed in various parts of the Station — in
China, in India, and in the Archipelago. During the late war, in the
Punjaub, the Spiteful was employed in conveying troops to various
points, and only a month or two ago, in Borneo, Captain Maitland's
duties were laborious and incessant. The flag of Rear-Admiral Sir J.
T. Cochrane, was hoisted on board the Spiteful during the ascent of
the river Bruni and the attack on the capital, and it is supposed that
the fatigue which Captain Maitland underwent on this occasion may
have assisted in bringing on the attack which carried him off. The
Spiteful came up here from Borneo with despatches, and on the news
being received of the wreck of the Frederick IV., a few days after the
steamer's arrival, she immediately proceeded to the spot to render
assistance. The exposure and fatigue which Captain Maithmd here
underwent brought on a return of bilious remittent fever, under which

1846. 449

he had suffered severely about two years previously ; the attack was of
a most severe uature, and althoutrh at one time he rallied, and hopes
were entertained of his recovery, these proved fallacious, and he sunk
under the strength of the disease, having expired on board his vessel
in the roads at midnight on Monday, 11th August/*

The proceedings of the English (xovernment and Mr. Brooke in
Borneo, were attracting considerable attention in Europe at this time,
the recent volumes of Captain Keppel — " The Narrative of the Expedi-
tion to Borneo of H M. S. Dido'' — having placed the whole subject
in a clearer and more distinct light than formerly, and shown what
were the precise objects which the English Government, or rather its
agent, Mr. Brooke, had in viev/. The Dutch journals were filled with
violent denunciations of the faithlessness of England, which was accused,
in the negotiations regarding Labuan, &c., of having violated the treaty
of 1824, and they called for an instant vindication of the rights of
Holland; the English journals, on the other hand, generally upheld the
necessity of' our occupying Labuan, though some of them sided with
the Dutch in their interpretation of the treaty of 1824, but contended
that it did not apply to that part of Borneo to which our operations were
confined ; the French journals held the balance and arbitrated between
the two parties. The subject was discussed in a lively and acute manner
in the French periodical, the tievuf^. des Deux Mondes^ of 15tli May.

It appears from a remark in the newspaper in June, that the
neighbourhood of Mount Elizabeth was notorious for tigers at this time.
The police peons making their rounds in Orchard Road one Sunday
night, disturbed a tiger close to the road at Mr. Hewetson's gate, the
pre.sent entrance to Mount Elizabeth.

It was in that year that the fire- wells were made near the Square,
which were adopted as a precautionary measure in consequence of the
frequency of fires, and the total absence of water at low tide. They
were filled up twenty years ago. They were large wells in the centre of
the roads, several in the Square and Malacca Street, covered by square
plank flap-doors, which lay level with the road.

In Java, at this time, slavery was still openly recognised, and in the
Java Courtint adverti.sements of men, women and children for sale were
mixed up with sales of horses, wine, Ac. The Frae Prrss printed some
<»f these advertisements as an example ; the following is one of them : —
To be sold "by private contract; a family of very good slaves consistinj^
of seven persons ; other intormation will hi* given by

VoUTE (fe GUERIN.

Voute & Guerin will, at tlie auction, on Monday, 11th instant, at Rijswijk,
sell on account of the estate of the late Mrs. Petel the following slaves, viz. : —

Dantong, aged 48 years, cowherd.

Pelo, otherwise Constantie, ay:ed 37 years, washerman.

Malativ€y aged 17^^ years, lady's maid.

Mochamat, aged 14J years, house-))oy.

Antionetta, aged 13i years, lady's maid : and

Selana, aged 2-4 jrears ;
together with an entirely new Brussells-wa^^on.

On Tuesday, the 81st August, the iSword of Honour, which the
late Saltan of Johore carried with him on state occasions, and which
was often seen at Government House on the Queen's birthday, was
presented to the Tumoongong. The following inscription is on the

450 Anpcdotal History of Singapart

sword: — Presented in the year 1846 to the Tunioonfrong of Johorc
Sree MaharRJalj, by Lt.-Col. Butterworth. c.B., Governor of Prince
of Wales' Island, Singapore and MHlac(.-H, as a testimony of the \\\^
estimation in which the services of the Sree Maharajnh in the suppres-
sion of pirncy are held by the Government of India. The following
account of the ceremony was written at the time. Government House
was then whore Port Canning barracks are now: — ** In consequence of
the assistance rendered by the Tnmoontrong of Singapore in the sup-
pression of piracy, the Indian (ifjvernment determined upon presenting
His Hi.'hness with a Sword His Honour the Governor, being desirous
of fulfillintr the wishes of the Supreme (lovernment in the most public
manner, invited nearly the whole of the community to be present at the
interesting ceremony which took place on Tufsday last at the Govern-
ment House. For the convenience of the public generally, several tents
were pitched on Government Hill, and preparations made on the most
liberal scale. The nativH^s seemed to consider it a holiday, and at an
early hour Chinese, Malays, Javanese, Chuliahs, Hindoos, &c., &c., were
seen swarming into the town from all quarters, and long before the
appointed hour Governm(Mit Hill presented a very animated scene.
Guns were taken from the Battery and placed near the House, two
companies of the 27th M. N. I. accompanied by all the Officers and the
band, were in attendance.

*'At two o'clock, His Highness left the Oourt House, accompanied
by the Resident Councillor, the Sultan of Johore, the Sultan of Lingin,
luauku Jaffar, Major Carthew, &c., and on arriving at the foot of the
hill proceeded in the Governor's carriage until he reached the guard
of honour, when he ali^rhted and walked to the Government House, a
.«ialute being fired. After a short interval, during which His Highness
was in troll need, with his friends, to some of the ladies, the Governor
handed him to the verandah, the sword being placed on a table, and
opposite the numerous followers of the Tutnoongong were arranged. An-
other salute was fired on presenting the sword. The Tumoongong was
evidently delighted with the attention of the Governor in inviting the
ladies, and such a numerous company of gentlemen — including the officers
of H. N. M. steamer M^rapij the Military, and Foreign Consuls, &c. — to
meet him. Shortly after the ceremony, His Highness left with the
same honours as on his arrival. About 3 o'clock the guests, amounting
to 9(>, sat down to a splendid tiffin at the hospitable table of the
Governor, who spoke as follows : —

*'*It is almost superfluous to mention the purpose for which we are
assembled here this morning, and more so to enter into details of the
rapine and murders formerly committed in these seas by formidable bodies
of what are justly termed the enemies of all mankind — pirates — now for
the most part subdued and dispersed by the gallantry of our Navy,
ever first and foremost to meet danger and difficulty in every shape.
"'Happily, for some time past, piracy has been rarely heard of in
the vicinity of our own shores, and when isolated cases have occurred,
the perpetrators have generally been apprehended, through the exertions
of the local authorities, and the able and willing assistance afforded by
the neighbouring chieftains of Pahang, Tringanu and Lintrin, but UDre
especially by the powerful aid of His Highness Sree Maharajah, tluj

1846 451

rumoongong of Johore, to whom I am directed to present this sword,
m testimony of the estimation in which his services in the suppression
of piracy are held by the Government of India.

" ' 1 congratulate you, Sree Maharajah, on the high compliment that has
been paid to you, and I can assure you that I experience the most deep
and heartfelt satisfaction in being called upon to present you with this
token of the esteem of our most just and ever generous Government.

'* * Let me say a word or two, to one and all of the AlHlayan and
Chinese people here assembled. The sole desire of the Government of
India is, that you should live in peace and haj)piness, enjoying the
benefit of the traffic which is carried on with all parts of the Eastern
Archipelago; but this is impossible if piracy prevail, and I would
therefore urge you to exert yourselves to discover and give informa-
tion of the haunts of these enemies of ail mankind, these pirates, if
any still there be located at Singapore, assuring yonrs(»lves in so doing
of the protection and reward of Government/

'* To which the Tumoongong replied ' Colonel Butterworth, in laying
at your feet my sincere thanks for the high distinguished honour which
you have conferred upon me, I am much pleased that my conduct
should have met with the approbation of Government, and that my
humble exertions should have been conducive to the welfare of this
community. Highly do I value this splendid testimonial of your
approbation, with pride shall I wear it, and as an heir-loom it will be
handed down to my posterity. My gratitude for the good wishes
which you have now uttered, it is difficult for me to express, and the
kind consideration which you have always shown towards nie is engraven
on my heart; with pleasure have I witnessed the zeal with which you
have carried out so many public improvements, and with admiration
will future ages view these splendid monuments of your fostering
care over all classes of this community. You govern wisely ; may you
govern long, and may He who rules the destinies of Mahometans and
Christians watch over and aid you in all your wise and good works.' ''

The total receipts of Singapore for the official year 1845-46,
exclusive of military and convicts, which it was considered should be
debited to India, amounted to Rs. 530,000, and the disbursements to
fi«. 253,500. The latter included one-third of the (lovernor's and
Recorder's salaries and of the expenses of the Colonial steamers, the
other two-thirds being considered as debited to Penang and Malacca.
The result of the year was an excess of revenue in Singapore alone of
Hb. 276,492, or about $140,000. The excise farms produced «« 425.000,
being H«. 2,500 increase over that of the previous year.

It was in this year that the Oriental Bank started. Mr. Cargill
and Mr. Scrymgeour arrived in Singapore on the 8th February, to
establish the Branch. The head-quarters of the Bank were then at
Bombay, and branches had already been opened at Calcutta, Ceylon,
and Hongkong. The following circular was issued in Singapore, and
business began on the 1st May : —

ORIENTAL BANK.

Arrangements having been made towards estalliBhiug a Brunch of the
Oriental Bank in this place, the Office will bo open for Lrontaal business on the 1st
proximo, in the meantime proposals to transact business will be entei-tained.

452 Aupcdofal History of Sivgaporp

EXCHANGE.

The Bank di-awH as followR : —

On the Union Bank of Lrmdon from <»n«' day sij^ht fixed to hix monthn sij^ht
fixed.

On the National Bank of Scotland and Vvranohes at one day night.

On the Branches of the Provincial Bank of Ireland at one day sight fixed.

And on Bombay, Calcutta. Colombo, and China at any term.

The Bank undertakes to remit ni(»ney to (rreat Britain by each Overland
Mail, free of charge, for Constituents, at the <'nrrent Exchange, payable in
any town where there is a Bank or Banker.

The Bank has also on hand Bank «»f England Post Bills in convenient
sums for parties proceeding to Europe.

INTEREST ALLOWED.

On Fixed Deposits for three months certain, repayable on thirty days'
r.otice. three per cent, per annutu.

Ditto, for six months with ninety djiys' notice, four per cent, per annum.

On CuiTent Deposits or Floating Accounts, no int«»re8t is allowed, and no
commission charged.

INTEREST CHARGED.

On Loans and Ciish Credits
For 2 months on Deposit of Gcxuls and other securities. 11 per c«nt. per annum.
For 3 m<mths on Deposit of Gr«>od8 and other securities. 12 per cent, per annum.

DISCOUNT.

On Local Bills and Promissory Not-es.
for I, 2, and 3 months — 10. II and 12 per cent, per annum.
The rates of advances on Goods au«l other securities, an<l })iirticular rules
.13 to cuiTent and other a<"counts. can at all times be as<'ertained on application
at the OflRce.

Wm. ANDERSON.
Tvferim Manager,

Sin{fa)}(>re Branch.
Coiuniercial Square, 21>if ApriJ, I84«)

In October, the roof of the covered laniiiiiij place which was
being erected in the river, where tlie landing steps are now near the
front of the Government Offices, gave way and seriously injured several
workmen. The pillars were too thin and the roof came down with a
rush. The paper in speaking of it said of the engineer in charge : —

'' Captain Faher has hitherto been rather unfortunate in his
architectural and engineering undertakings in Singapore. Fir.st,
Faber^s Bridge could not bo made to maintain its proper position until
after several attempts; next, the walls of the new market, after it was
finished, were found to be cracking most alarmingly in several places,
owing to the ends of the building proving too heavy in comparison to
the sides, and, from the treacherous nature of the soil, which had not
been sufficiently guarded against, beginning to sink very fast. The
pediments, which were of an ornamental character, were therefore
obliged to be removed, and the building now pre.^^ents, when viewed
from either end, a bald and meagre appearance. The next undertaking
of any moment was the landing place, which lias proved equally, or
more, unlucky. The new gaol, we hope, will afford (^aptain Faber an
opportunity of redeeming his reputation.

The paper in November contained the following paragraph : —

" We have much pleasure in noticing that a place for bathing is
likely to be fenced in from the harbour in front of the Esplanade^

1846. 453

where the Singaporeans will be enabled to enjoy the delightful
recreation of sea bathing. A meeting was held on Friday last to
discuss the subject, and consult about the necessary arrangements,
when a managing committee was appointed to carry out the views
of the subscribers. We wish the project all success, and trust it
will receive all the support that our comumnity can give it.'' 'J'he
proposal was never carried out, but sometimes on moonlight nights as
late as 1870, a few young people used to go and swim* off the centre
of the Esplanade.

In November, a meeting was held of gentlemen favourable to
the establishment of a Scotch Church at Singapore. The meeting took
place in Little, Cursetjee & (^o.'s godowns, and the following is an
account of what took place : —

*'A meeting of the Scotch Presbyterians was held on Friday,
the 27th November, for the purpose of taking steps for forming a
Presbyterian Congregation in Singapore and procuring a Clergyman
of that denomination to settle amongst them ; G. G. Nicol, Esq., being
in the Chair. The meeting, which was pretty numerous, was of the
most satisfactory nature. The following are the resolutions which
were come to : —

" 1st. — Proposed by Mr. Stephen and seconded by Mr. Fraser : — That
for the sake of unanimity the minority accede to the wishes of the
majority as to the proper plan for securing the services of a Pres-
byterian Clergyman.

"2nd. — Proposed by Mr. McEwen and seconded by Dr. Little: —
That the London Missionary Society be requested to select a Clergy-
man for the European population of Singapore, on the understanding
that one from any of the Evangelical denominations of Scotch Pres-
byterians will be cordially received without reference to his particular
views in regard to Church Government.

"3rd. — Proposed by Mr. Thomson and seconded by Mr. Duff: —
That the fallowing be appointed a Committee to carry out the views
embodied in the previous resolution, with powers to convene another
meeting to report their proceedings : Messrs. Nicol, W. Scott,
Robert McEwen and A. Logan.

" 4th. — Proposed by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Logan : —
That the Chairman be requested to intimate to the Revd. Mr. Moule
that the present movement has not by any means originated in any
feeling of personal dissatisfaction with him, and that nothing but a
preference for a Clergyman of their own denomination would induce
the meeting to take the present step.

"Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the meeting
dissolved.

"The Committee, we understand, have taken stops to accomplish
the duties confided to them, and, after the departure of the P]urope
mails, will commence ascertaining the extent of funds which will be
available for the furtherance of the scheme. There can be no doubt
that those who are in ability to do so, will subscribe liberally ; and we
should think that it will be very gratifying to those old Singaporeans
who are Presbyterians, who have retired from the Settlement with com-
petencies, to have it in their power to assist in securing for their

454 Anecdotal Huttnry of Singapore

countrymen who have yet to passi a long period in the place, the aid
and comfort which a clergyman of their own persuasion imparts, and
the absenct' of which must have often been to them a source of regret.
Shouhl it be necessary to appeal to the community generally, the large
contributions made by the Presbyterians towards the erection of St.
Andrew^^ will, no doubt, be a motive with their brethren of the Church
of Enj^land to the exercise of a similar liberality in purse and feeling.*'
In !)(»ceml)er, Captain Rodney Mundy, r.n., carried ont a brief
netrotiation with the Sultan «>f Brunei, and the following? treaty was
madt* for the e(\ssioii of Labuan ; the island was formally taken posses-
sion of on tlie 24th December: —

*• 1. Pear*', fri^'ndship. juid yocxl undorsttinding shall subeisr for ever between
Her Majettty the Queen of (jreat Britain and Ireland, and his Highness the
Sultan of HoriMM), and their respeetive heirH and successors.

*• 2. His HighneHs the Sult^in hereby eedea in full sovereignty and property
to Her MajeHty the Queen f>f (rreat Britain and Ireland, her heir^ and succes-
sorb, for ever, the iuland of Iia)nian and its dependencies, the islets adjacent.

*' 3. The Government of Her Majesty . the Queen of Great Britain and
Ireland hereby engage, in consideration of the cession above specitied, to use
its beat eiid«.'avourK to suppresH pinicy and to prottnit lawful commeroe. and
the Sultan of Borneo and his uiinisterM promise to afford every assistance to
the British autlionties.

•' Done and eoncluded at Bnme the 18th (Lay of December. 1846.

••^Signed) THE 8ULT.AN OMAR ALLI.
[ „ ) G. RODNEY MUNDY."

There is a copy in the Library of ('a])tain ii, Rodney Mundy^B
book, publi.sluMJ by Murray in 184S, called " A Nan^ative of Events in
Borneo and the Celebes from the Journals of Sir James Brooke, and
An Account of the Cruise of H. M. S. fsis.'* He died as Admiral of the
Fleet on the retired list about 1884. The book contains a picture of the
signing of the treaty of 18th December. Captain Mundy was sixteen
months in command of the squadron in the Straits and on the Coast of
Borneo. His book contains a good deal about Captain Keppel and the
Dido, which he says (page lOO) made the quickest run on record from
the Straits to Kn^land. He speaks of the kindness he met with from
Mr. W. H. Head and Dr. Oxiey, and of Captain Charles Morgan
Elliot having remained two months with him at Sarawak, having taken
over his observatory and all the apparatus oi a man of science (page
335). There ai'e a number of pictures in the two volumes.

'J'he tree Pret*f< every year contained a long account of the annual
examination of the Raffles Institution School, this year occupying
nearly half of the matter in one issue. In 1840 it was conducted by
the clergy and a gentlenum from Sir Thomas Cochrane's flagship, the
Aifinamrty and some of the boys' papers are printed, of which the
following is one, which will annise some of our readers now, as the
same ** author^' gave two lectures in 1878, which were printed, entitled
"Singapore Thirty Years Ago" which contained very much more
interesting and useful information than Mr. George Norris's first
attempt thirty-five years l)efore at describing the Settlements : —

"Singapore is a small island to the south of the Malayan
Peninsula, and it is separated from it by a narrow strait. The
principal productions of this island are nutmegs, gambier and sago.
There are many Chinese here and one-fourth of them are said to be

1846. 455

3ber8. Lar^e junks come from China once a year to Singapore for
3 purpose of trade. Many of the Cliinese are employed as carpenters,
is island was discovered by Sir T. S. RaflSes, late Governor of
ncoolen, and bought for a sum of money from the Malays. It is
w a flourishing seaport, but since the war with China, Singapore
s declined a little in commerce.''

It was in this year that a long-remembered practical joke took
ice. 'I'he Editor of the newly established Straits Times boasted that

had the earliest information of every possible event, which was not
3 opinion of the community. One day lie announced in his pnper
it he had received certain information from a Calcutta Opium clipper
lich passed through without anchoring, about the result of the recent
ium sale; but as the Captain of the vessel had requested him to
ep it secret he could not reveal it to the public until after the arrival

the next clipper. Now the opium market was worth watching in
Dse days, and the movements of vessels carrying it either from
nnbay or Calcutta were pretty well known, and the clipper that
ssed through could not possibly have had the news of the sale,

she had left Calcutta l(m«4 before it took place. Two days afler-
irds, the Antnloppi, Captain Dumaresque, from Bombay, passed throngh,
vinj» left Bombay before the news of the sale could have reached
ere. So, as a number of merchants were looking at her, it was
ggested to sell the Editor, and the joke bein^ appreciated, a note
IS drawn up purporting to be written by the Captain of the Antelnpe
th the result of the sale, &c., &c., and signed P. Dumaresk. The
ices given were three hundre<l rupees over the probable sale prices,
d the captain's name was spelt wrong, but the editor did not stop

consider this. A sampan boy was called for, and his part of the
fiy explained to him ; so he jumped into the water (there was no sea
ill then) gave his clothes a squeeze, and ran to the Editoi-^s godown.
3 opened the letter, gave five dollars to the boy (who bolted at once)
shed to the printing press, and announced to the astonished Square
at he had been placed through the kindness of Captain Dumaresque

posses.sion of the result, &c., &c. The sampan boy ran back to the
kers, who added a few more dollars to his stoi-e and sent him away

Pulo Damar, his home, for a fortnight. In the meantime the con-
initors sent round the Square to tell all likely to be interested about
e joke, so that no false speculation should take place, and when
e famous slip came out all were prepared. The Editor, furious,
serted the following para<jrraph in the Straits Times, which made
e joke all the better, and the writer went to see the "forged
>te/' and to earn the fifty dollars if he could recognise the writing,
it he didn't ! The Editor soon learnt all about it, and did not
ise another lauirh against himself by trying to hang anybody, and
)came quieter afterwards.

"The late Opium Sale. — In a postscript to our last issue, we
serted what purported to be an account of the fourth Calcutta Opium
lie, addressed to us with the signature of Captain P. Dumaresque,
te of the AnU'lope. In our anxiety to maintain the character of
ir ioarna] for early intelligence, we gave insertion to the postcript
hioh was received by us at an early hour : having experienced

4o(^ Antolntal Uiistory of Singaptfn

kind t'avuur> :it tin* liaiHU of tliu (Nniiiiianderis of American vesseU,
we wero li*»l t«» lu'liovi* tlint I ho note in (iiiestion was genuine. We
s!iubst»<|uently shewed tho letter of Captain Uiimaresque to Mr.
Balestior, tlie American Consnl, who at once pronounced the docn-
uieiit to he a fni-iferv. From thij* circumstance tho note appeared tu
be a h<»ax, apparently written hv some one in Singapore for the
purpose not only *»f d«*eeivinir us, hut also misleading' tlie publi*'.
Tlie affair, altliou»;h perpt*trated as a hoax, is a much more seriou?
matter tlian the writer in lii> iirni>rance and ailrontery suspected,
and, undi'r the old law, if proved against him would have subjected
Iiiui t<» what he dl'^erved — the gallows. In the present state of
the Uiw, thf author of a fory-ery is liable to transportation for life,
an aiiioimt nt' punishment richly tleservod.

*' We have endeavoured to trace tho note in question to the
source whence it cmauMttMl, without, at present success; but we do
not yet despair of di>coverinir th«» sc«»undroI wlio villainously suggested
the hoax. 'W* facilitati' the entpiiry, we hereby offer a reward of
fifty dftllttt'f^-, payable on convu'tion of the party; for the informa-
tion of ti»e puldic, as well as to aid in the detection of the offender
we also notify that the forvred note is open for inspection at our office.
We are led to adopt the abovt* course, not only on account of the
unoruiity of the (»ffence connnitted, but also in justice not merely
lo Captain Duinaresque, but all Commanders of American Clippers
from whom wi^ have invariably rec<MV<Ml every kindness, and a prompti-
tude in onvi'viny: iufonnarion worthv of the nrentleman-like conduct
and spirit of the worthy iromnianders n\' American Opium Clippers,''

The j)ractical joker was Mr. W. H. Road; reference to it will
i)e found at ])jtge l^It) of his liiile honk ''Play and Politics"

In this year was publishe<l in London Captain tho Hon. Henry
Keppel's "Narrative of the Ivxpedition to l^jrneo of H. M. S. Didv
for tlu» su])pression of piracy ; with extnicts from the Journal of
James Brooke, Ks(j.. of Sarawak." Tlu' book is in the Library.
Tho Mvr Prrss \u\d lonu: cxtrncts from it, and spoke very highly
of it.

In this \eai" also a small boi»k of :M2 |)ages was published in
lioadeiihall Street, London, by Madden and ^[alcc»lm, called Trade and
Travel in the Far Kast or Recollections of 21 years passed in Java^
Singapore, Australin and China. It was written by (Tordon Forbes
Davidson. There is no copy i]i the Library. He was in business for
a time in Singap<)re, but not much is known of him, he lived where
the Bethesda now stands in !h-as Hassali Road, and was lame, one leg
being short. There is an advertisement in the Free Press on 18th
February, 1840, tliat he had started business as Davidson & Co., as a
merchant and general agent. IL^ left England, the book tells us, in
1823 for Java, and came to Sinirajiore for the first time in July, 1826;
and speaks of it as being in a lovely situatio]i, an<l of great prosperity,
but he was of opinion that the trnde had reached its maxinuim and
tliat the town had attained its highest point of importance and pro-
sperity, and as its being a beautiful and healthy town, but over-built.
Mis misgivings as to the trade arose from the recent establishment of
Hongkong, and the opening of the China ports, which he thought

1846. 457

would divert the trade that came to Singapore, in the same way as
the establishment of Singapore had very much injured Peuang, giving
to the streets there a deserted appearance which he thought they would
never recover. His views, which events have proved to be unfounded,
have from time to time been expressed by others, and the volume of
trade and the value of property have been thought to have reached
their highest, but still its prosperity continues to grow. The book
speaks about Captain Keppel in the Dido and Sir James Brooke,
then Mr. James Brooke, putting down the pirates in Borneo, and
of the recent discovery of coal there. Also of heavy losses to the
European merchants in Singapore by the unlimited credit given to
the Chinese traders, and of an attempt, frequently suggested since,
but not practicable, of insisting on a cash system. He wrote highly
of the healthy climate of the place, saying that the European
residents of sixteen and twenty years standing spoke volumes for it,
and that during eighteen years in this part of the world he had
never known any endemic disease to prevail, and that the cemetery
was filled by the death of people from India, who came for health,
and would have died six monjbhs sooner, had they not come to
breathe the pure air of Singapore. The greater part of the book con-
tains descriptions of Java, China and Australia.

In this year was published the first Directory. It was compiled
by Mr. R. C. Woods, who had come from Bombay in 1845, and
had started the Straits Tirnetf. There are only one or two copies
of it. The part relating to Singapore took a few pages, and the
greater part of it was a General Directory of the Habitable Globe,
and an Epitome of the Universe, as the title page expressed it,
and a reprint of a few of the Indian Acts in force in the Straits
and Government regulations. Directories of the place continued to
be published yearly from that time.

In this year the firm of A. L. Johnston & Co., consisted of
A. L. Johnston, James Cunison Drysdale and W. H. Head, Mr. Robert
Bain was a clerk and became a partner in 1848, as well as Mr.
Michie Forbes Davidson. Mr. Bain left the firm in 1857. On 1st
January, 1863, Mr. Robert Banlay Read became a partner, Mr. M. F.
Davidson leaving the firm, and some time afterwards joining Boustead
& Co.

458 Ayiecdutal History of Sinyaporf^

CHAPTER XXXIV

1847.

IN January, Sir Colin Canipbell issued instructions for some officers
of Artillery to proceed to Singapore to enrol Malays to go to
Hongkong to he attached to the company of gun lascars of the Royal
Artillery there.

Efforts were frequently made to promote agriculture, and in this
year an attempt was made to establish sugar cultivation in Malacca, as
appears from the following passage in the newspaper: — *'Most satis-
factory tidings, we are glad to say, have been received regarding the
prop(»sed establishment of an association for the cultivation and manufac-
ture of sugar at Malacca. The plan has been taken up with much
spirit in England. The names of the Karl of Hare wood, Lord George
Bentinclc, Lord Howard de Walden, Sir VVilloughby Cotton and others,
who have interested themselves in the scheme, give a guarantee for the
stability of the undertaking. We have seen the printed prospectus,
from which it appears that the " Malacca Sugar Company '' is to have
a capital of £50U,U00, divided into I0,0i)0 shares of £50 each. 1,000
shares are to be reserved for the Straits. It is proposed to com-
mence the manufacture in the first instance by purchasing cane from
the Chinese cultivators, and we believe that a gentleman may be
expected to arrive in the course of two or three months hence from
England, to have the necessary works erected. Four thousand acres
of land on the Lingy river have been procured from Government,
which will be cultivated by the company. The soil, we understand,
is of the most fertile description and has been approved of by
several experienced planters who have viewed it. A deposit of £1
per share will be made when the company is organized, which it is
calculated will enable them to proceed so far as to manufacture 100
tons of sugar weekly. Not more than two calls of £2 each will be
made afterwards, for carrying on the cultivation and manufacture of
sugar, and this, it is estimated, will enable the company to produce
50.000 tons annually. From the cheapness and abundance of labour
and other favourable circumstances, it is thought that the cost of
production and manufacture will be so low that a profit on the
outlay will secure splendid dividends at little more than half the
present price of the article, thus holding out the hope of being
able to afford to the consumers of this important necessary of life,
the prospect of a large reduction in price. This is important news,
and we trust that the company will prosper, not only for its own
sake, but for the benefit its success will confer on the poor con-
sumer at home, as well as on the Settlement of Malacca, and in-
directly on the other Straits Settlements.'' It did not prove success-
ful, however; any more than the large plantations in Singapore.

It was said in 1884, when a number of very serious cases of
hydrophobia occurred, that it had been unknown in Singapore unti]

1847. 456

that time, but an account of a death from hydrophohia appears in
the F'p^e Press of February, 1847; it was the case of a Chinaman
who had been bitten four months before, and died in the hospital.
Two months afterwards, a boy died in the Pauper Hospital, one
month after being bitten. In consequence of these cases, the follow-
ing notice was issued by the Magistrates on 15th April: —

In consequence of the great increast? of pariah clogs and several cases of
hjdix)phobia having occuiT^d within a very short peiiod : — Notice is hereby given,
that ail dogs found straying in the Streets and Roads on the first three days
^»f each month (Sundays excepted) will he destroyed, without further notice.

The Free Press of 11th February contained the following para-
graph : — '*It having l)een ascertained that VVhampoa, the younger,
wiiose name is known far and wide in these eastern parts, and is
familiar to not a few even in distant Europe, was about to leave
this by the next steamer on a visit to his native country, a few
of his friends, anion t^st the Kuropean mercantile community chiefly,
resolved to show their respect and esteem for him by entertaining
him at dinner. The dinner accordingly caine olf on Monday evt-ning
at the London Hotel, when about 20 sat down, C. Carnie, Esq., in
tlie Chair, and W. S. Duncan, Esq., Croupier. The health of their
guests having been given, VVhampoa returned thanks in a most neat
and feelinir manner in English; and on the health of Kim Seng, one
of our most respected Cliinese merchants, who was also present, being
drank, Kim Seng replied in a clever and humorous speech in Malay
which delighted all present. A number of other toasts were also
given, and the evening was spent in much harmony and merriment."

"On the morning of Saturday, the 6th February, 1847, the foun-
dation stone of the new gaol (afterwards the Civil Jail, within the
walls of the Criminal Prison) was laid by the architect, Captain Faber,
Saperintending Engineer, in presence of their Honours the Governor
and the Resident Councillor. Below the stone was deposited the
following inscription engraved on a brass plate : —

Tliis Foundation Stone

H M. Jail at Singapore,

Was laid by Captain Fabek, Madras Engineers,

Superintending Engineer, Straits Settlements,

On the t^th Fehruary, 1847—

The 27th Anniversary of the Formation

Of a British Settlement

On this Island.

The Hon'ble Colonel W. J. Buttekwokth, c.b.,

Being Governor of Prince <»f Wales* Island,

Singapore and Malacca,

and

The Honble T. Chuech,

Resident Councillor at Singapore-

VICTORIA,
Queen of Great Britain and Irelan«l.

The Right Hon'ble Lord Harding e. a.<'.B..
Governor- General of British India

God Savk the Queen

460

Anecdotal Huftory of ^^ingapon

111 a bottle, likewise placed below the stone, the following statistical

information relative to the Settlements, written on parchment, was

enclosed : —

The Trade for the year 1.S45-4H of Prince of Wales* Island, Singapore and
Malacoii, agj^jregated the sum of Company h ffn. 52,11^0.685 in Merchandize, and
Company's ife. 9,7<»5,061 in BuUion and Treasure; making a grand total of
Rs. Hl.T^^i.T^G (exclusive of the trade between the three iSettlements) as follows.—

Imports. Exports. Total.

P. W. Island Hx. t).6U.794. .. 6,528.452 = 13,143,246

Singapore 26,616.448 .. 21,162,987 = 47,779,435

Malacca 509,872 .. 364,193 = 874.065

Gmnd Total Company's Hi*. 61,796,746

The Revenue and charges f»>r the year lb45-46 of Prince of Wales' Island
Singapore and Malacca including Civil, Militaiy, Marine. Judicial, Convicts, &c.,
Ac., were as follows : —

Charges

P. W. Island Co.'s Rs. 402,783.15.11

Singapore .. ,. 497,186.14. 5

Malacca „ , 231,158.12. 5

Revenue.
P.W. Island Co.'s
Singapore
Malacca

Rs. 1,131,12910.9

Rs. 185.443. 2. 9
„ 530,04<J. 15. 7
64,408. 9.11

*♦

Rs. 779.892.12.3

Total deficit at the thret* Settlements R». 351,236.14.6

N. B. 4 Company European Artillery. 1 Company Uolundauze, 1 Regl.
Native Infantry, 2,234 Convicts, 1 steamer and 4 gun-boats.**

On the 12th February there was a large fire in Kampong Glam,
of which the following is an account : — " About one o'clock in the
afternoon it was discovered that a fire had broken out near the old
Thannah at Kampong Glam. Exertions were used as soon as
possible to suppress it, but the wind being very high at the
time, and the attap and wooden houses amongst which it originated
unfortunately oJBfering every facility to its progress, it rapidly in-
creased, and the flames soon extended across the road to the range
of houses formerly belonging to the Sultan. In order to prevent
the fire communicating to the houses of the Europeans on the Beach
Road, it was resolved to pull down a number of attap houses imme-
diately adjoining the bungalow occupied by Mr, Gilbert McMicking
and this was immediately set about ; but the wind shifting, the attap
houses were soon in a blaze, and the kitchen in Mr. McMicking's
compound caught the fire and then a bungalow situated in the adjoining
compound belonging to Mr. William Wemyss Ker. The whole of this
range of houses at this time seemed to be in very great danger,
the heat and smoke rendering it almost impossible to work with
effect. The excitement was general, and the occupants prepared for
a move by packing up their plate and valuables. The heat of the
houses was almost unsupportable and their destruction seemed certain^

1847. 461

but the wind fortunately abated and the engines were got to
work in the compound where the fire was already in progress. Mr.
Dutronquoy of the London Hotel and a party of French sailors
mounted the roof of Mr. McMicking's bungalow, and by great exer-
tions in throwing water on the tiles saved the building, and the
fire was prevented from spreading; further alon*^ this range. Another
party of Europeans, headed by a number of the Magistrates, by
great activity, and at considerable risk, succeeded, by pulling down
houses, in saving Kampang Jawa from entire destruction. The Police
engine was in this quarter, but could not be worked owing to the
scarcity of water, and the flames extended so far across the road as
to render it difiicult to prevent the engine being destroyed by them.
About half -past five p m. the fire was confined to a range of buildings
belonging to Syed Omar, which were not entirely gutted before mid-
night. The number of houses destroyed is estimated at about 27H,
consisting of brick, wooden, and attap tenements. The value of these
buildings was very considerable, and the quantity of property in them
destroyed by the fire was very large, the amount being roughly esti-
mated at from 80 to 90,000 dollars. The Grovernor and Resident
C'ouncillor were early on the spot, and were active in their efforts to
render every assistance, by directing the demolition of houses where
it was considered necessary. The former indeed exposed himself to
considerable risk, having been at one time nearly surrounded by the
burning houses, from which position the smoke and flames made escape
a matter of diflSculty. One European at considerable hazard went
into a house and brought out a cask of gunpowder which was safely
deposited on the beach."

In February, a general order was issued by Governor Butterworth,
by instructions from the Governor-General of India, throughout the
Three Settlements, to the following effect: —

" 1. — The Governor-General is pleased to direct that all public
works carried on by order of the Govern m(Mit, whether under the
direction of its own officers or through the agency of contractors, shall
be discontinued on the Sunday.

2, — Cases of urgent necessity, in which delay would be detrimental
to the Public Service, are to be considered as cases of exception, and
all such cases will be immediately reported to the Military Board for
their special orders, and for the information of the Government. The
oflRcer in charge of the work will act on his own discretion, where delay
in waiting for the sanction of the Board would be attended with in-
jurious consequences.

3. — ^The cessation of work on the Sunday shall be an understood
condition in all future contracts for Public Works, whether an express
provision to that effect be inserted in the deed of contract or not. No
claim therefore of addition to the amount of the contract on account of
the suspension of labour on Sundays shall be admitted in reference to
any engagements executed subsequently to the date of this notification.

4. — An order to this effect has been enforced, since January, 1848,
by the Bombay Government, and the Governor-General has much satis-
faction in extending the rule which it enjoins to the other Presidencies
subordinate to the Government of India.*'

462 Anecdotal History of Singapore

In May, Sir William Norris, the Recorder, left the Straits, and
Sir (.'hristopher Rawlin>oii was appointed in his place. In the same
month, Mr. J^imes Bp»okt^ n'ceived tle-ipj*Tches from the English Govern-
ment appointing hini H. I>. M/s (.'ornnii^sioner and Consul-General to
the Independent States of Huriieo. He left Singapore, under a salute,
by the E. I. Co.'s >teanier iV* //i'v/n for Sarawak and Brunei. The Free
/'r^^xK spoke of tlie ap[K>inlnient as fallows : — "This appointment, besides
the advantages which our interests in these parts may expect to derive
from the experience and ability of Mr. Brooke, is satisfactory as
marking that the British (iovernment are not disposed to give way to
the extnivagant and unjust pretensions of the Dutch ; but that, on the
contrary, it is inten<le<l to maintain our ri^ht to an equal footing
in the Archipelago, and to all the commercial and political advan-
tages which may arise from the exercise of a legitimate iufiuence.
We liope that Mr. Brooke V appointment is only the first of a series of
measures for effecting such a desirable end.''

On the 0th July, Mr. Brooke went on a visit to England in the
P. & 0. Mail from Singapore. Before he left, he presented over one
hundred volumes to the Singapore Lil)rary.

A meeting was <*alled on the 20th May, in Mr. Carnie's office, for
the purpose of making preliminary arrangements for periodical assem-
blies; and the paper, iu giving notice of it, said: — "The proposal for
these assem])lies luis our warmest wishes for its ultimate success, pro-
mising as it does to supply a defect in our social system in Singapore —
that of the want of any means of periodically bringing together the
members of its snuiU society on a friendly and social footing. The
plan, we hope, will meet with the countenance of those who, from
position, are entitled to take the lead in Society, and who, no doubt,
feel gratified ^vhenever they have an opp(n*tuuity of lending their aid to the
promotion of a social and harmonious feeling in the different members of
community. It mav be added that extravatrance will be eschewed in all
things, so that subscribers will have no reason to fear that, in lending
themselves to the plan, they will be led into expenses not compatible
with a prudent economy.'^ It was decided at the meeting that a
ball should be given every two months.

T\w following passHge in tlie Fr^.n Pnifs referred to matters which
did not come to any successfiil result; but the future of Borneo and
the Native States was then becoming recognised : —

'* Nearly every mail from home brings intellijjence of the in-
creasing interest which the Vnr East is exciting, and of the
measures which are being projected for making her resources, natural
and commercial, available through the capital and enterprize of Europe.
Some months ago we had the '* Malacca Sugar Company '^ projected,
with a large proprietary and capital, to carry on the manufacture
of the cane. Then we had the appointment of a Consul-General and
lyommissioncr to Borneo, followed up by a Commercial and Political
Troaty with the Sultan of Borneo, while last mail brought us the
intelligence of the Government having at length resolved to proceed
in earnest with the settlement of Labuan, Mr. Brooke having been ap-
pointed Governor of that place, and other offices being spoken of.
We have heard that there is yet a further Association being organised

1847. 468

in Bnglaiid for carrying on operations in this part <>f the world
on a large scale. The title of this body is, or is proposed to be, " The
Company of the Eastern Archipelago/' which proposes to go to work
with a capital of £500,000. From what we can learn, Borneo is the
contemplated field of operations, and it is probable that they will begin
with purchasing the Antimony Monopoly. There can be little doubt
that such a (Company will find an ample scope for its enterprize,
whether it is confined to Borneo, or embraces the wider range of countries
which its title would seem to point out. Borneo, no doubt, alone
offers the most varied objects to which the capitalist might direct
his attention when in search of means for profitable investment.
Her soil in some parts is admirably fitted for every species of
tropical cultivation, whether we look to the rearing of spices, or
wish to follow the less tedious cultivation of grain In other parts,
her soil teems with mineral wealth — diamonds, gold, &c. — not omitt-
ing what now-a-days holds no mean place amongst minerals — coal,
which is found abundant and good in various parts of Borneo. The
forests of Borneo also abound in many valuable natural productions,
which an active commerce would, no doubt, briny; to light in abundance.
If the Company should desire to extend their views to other places,
the Malay Peninsula offers an ample field in its capacity for cul-
tivation, its extensive deposits of gold, tin and coal, and its
numerous other resources, many of which, np to the present time,
have been but imperfectly, or not at all, explored. In short, it only
requires that capitalists should deviate a little from the beaten path
of buying and selling, and make use of the influence and opportuni-
ties which their wealth would give them to find in the Malay
Archipelago almost unbounded stores of the most valuable articles of
commerce ready to be called forth by an intelligent and prudent search
for them/'

At this time, there were very serious riots and much loss of life
in the Dutch residency of Rhio between the Chinese Societies Quan
Tek Hoe and Tan Tae Hoe, and the latter getting the worst of it
fitted out expeditions from Singai»ore. Enquiry was made, and
Constable Simonides, accompanied by a small party of peons, left
Singapore for the purpose of making a tour of observation in the
jungle. He gradually shaped his course towards Selitar, but so totally
was he left without guide or any means of ascertaining his way in the
jnngle of Singapore, as it was then, that five days elapsed before the
spot aimed at was reached. On arriving at a large haugsal on the Neo
Yang Kwan, a branch of the Selitar river, the party stopped there
under pretence of being tired and wishing to rest themselves. Quietly
looking about them, they found in the river on whicdi this hangsnl was
situated, six large boats, each armed with two lellaa, while a large
collection of other kinds of arms was observed in one of the boars,
and there were also noticed traces of warlike stores in the house. The
owner of the plantation immediately made his appearence, and was at
once taken into custody by the constable, who threatened to shoot liim if
he made the least resistance or gave the least nlnrm. The house was
then searched in his presence, and there were t«»uud in it five brass
lellas (cannons) one of them about five feet long and of proportionate

•464 Anecdotal History of Singapore

bore, while t-Iie other two were each about four feet in length;
five iron hdlas^ twelve matchlocks, several muskets, about four dozens
of iron-pointed spears and triant^les, battle axes, knives, long sharp-
pointed poles, shields, &c.; a considerable quantity of gunpowder in
barrels, and a numl)er of priming cannisters. The owner of the house,
Neo Liang Qiian, in explanation of his having so many of these articles
in his possession, stated that they had been brought shortly before by
some oF his friends from Rhio in his boats, in wliich they had taken
refuge, the boats being then at Rhio for gambier. This explanation
did not seem at all satisfactory to the constable, who brought the man
away to;^'ether with as many of the munitions of war as his party
could carry. Subsequently three of the iron guns were recognised as
beinyf the property of the Y'am Tuan of Rhio, by whom it appears
they had been lent to (vhinese of the Quan Toek Hoe, who wen*
apprehensive of being attacked by the other party. It appeared
that Neo Liang Quan was originally an inhabitant of Rhio, which
he left many years ago on account of debt, and settled in Singapore,
where he would appear to have prospered, being the owner of a
number of valuable plantations, but was a person of very doubtful
character who had been in prison for two years in Rhio.

[t was then discovered that a Chinese expedition had left
Singapore shortly before in two divisions, one party of boats leaving
the Old Straits by the Changie entrance and making for that part
(»f Battani Island at the entrance to the Straits of Rhio, while the
other party emeiged from the Old Straits by the Tanjong Goul
entrance. Proceeding in this manner, they easily arrived at the scene
of the intended operations, a small strait separating the island of Grallat
or Gallang from the island of Gampang. This the two squadrons
investe<l at opposite ends, and then swept rapidly inwards, destroying
evervthiuir before them, until the two parties met each other. Their
plans were laid with the greatest skill, and the effect was most
complete. They took the inhabitants of the different hangaah or kampongb
most completely bv surprise, affording time neither for defence nor
escape. 'Fhe inhabitants were given to the sword, while everything
in the different knmpongs was destroyed, the houses and their furniture
being bnrnt, and all the trees, pepper vines and gambier plants
cut up and laid waste. Twenty-eight baiigsals or plantations were
thns treated in the course of one night, upwards of one hundred
persons having been killed; their bodies having been found, in
nearly every case, deprived of the heads, and shockingly mangled
and disfigured.

In September, the Bengal Government authorised the construction
of a wall along the front of the Esplanade to prevent the sea encroaching.
There were very frequent complaints of the stare of the roads, the
(irand Jury at nearly every Assizes presenting them as very badly
kept-np, and the following squib was put in the Free Preim by a
local wit : —

GRAND STEEPLE CHASE

For a purse of Fifty Dolbirs

A<l<led to rt ^">weoi)8t4ikes of Sin eacli

C)u Tuesday, the l«>th Inat., 4 p.m.

1847. 465

The Course is from Coleman's Bridge along New Bridge Road over the
nnfinished Falier's Bridge and along Sonth Canal Street into iJpper Macao Street,
passing over the Buffalo Carts and through or over the Palanquins in Macivo or
George Street, into South Canal Road, over the sand bank and brick heaps past
Messrs. Purvis & Guthrie's godowns, into Market Street over the crockery and
crates of earthenware, thi-ough Malacca Sti*eet into Commerical Squai-o, over
the logs of timber at Messrs. Sjme & Co's., thence into Battery Road over the
hills of the red earth and granite at Messrs. Eraser's and ditches and timber at
Messrs. Middleton^s into Boat Quay, past W. S. Duncan's and from that to
the winning post at Bain's Bridge along Boat Quay.

The roads must have been sufficently bad even in the town,
for Dr. Charles Curties, a private practitioner in High Street, in
Singapore for many years, was driving one night along the road
near Rochor Police Station, which the paper called " one of the
principal roads of the town," and there was such a hole where the
side of the road had fallen in, that the pony and buggy were thrown
into the canal, the pony killed, and Dr. Curties injured.

During this year two Petitions were sent to the Houses of
Parliament. One was regarding an Indian Act (No. III. of 1847)
which took the appointment of the Police Officers out of the hands
of the Court of Judicature and Quarter Sessions, and gave it to the
Crown ; and, secondly, asking that the Municipal funds should bo
placed under the management of a Committee chosen by tlie rate-
payers, which had always been the case, but was rendered doubtful,
in the opinion of the Recorder, Sir W. Norris, by another Act.
The petition which was sent to Mr. John Crawfurd for presentation
to Parliament, was as follows: —

"Unto the Honourable the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses in
Parliament assembled.

The Humble Petition of the undersigned, merchants and others,
inhabitants of Singapore,

Respectfully Sheweth,

"That on the 19th day of February last an Act was passed by
the Legislative Council of India being No III. of 1847, entitled "An
Act to provide for the appointment of Constables and Peace Officers,
at the Settlements in the Straits.^'

"That on the draft of this Act being published for general
information in October, 1846, Your Petitioners considering that it
was unnecessary and uncalled for, and that if passed into law it would
tend to impair the respectability and usefulness of the Magistrates, by
stripping them of powers and functions wherewith they had been in-
vested by the Crown; and that the public safety and comfort would
also be diminished by the efficiency of the Police force being impaired
through the operation of the said Act, addressed a respectful
Memorial to the Right Hon'ble the Governor-General of India in
Council praying that the said draft Act might not become law; of
which memorial and the documents appended thereto, copies are
hereunto annexed.

''That, nevertheless, the said Act was in due time passed, and has
now been in operation for some months, and your Petitioners from what
they have observed of its eJBfects upon the Police force, are still more
impressed than before with a conviction of its tendency to impair the

466 Anecdotal Uidory of Singapore

efficiency of the Police, as well as to diminish the authority of the
Magistracy.

^*That your Petitioners would most respectfully suggest, that not
only ought the entire appointment and management of the Police force
to be vested in Her Majesty's Court of Judicature of Prince of Wales*
Island, Singapore and Malacca in its General and Quarter Sessions of
the Peace, as it wjis previous to the passing of the said Act No. III. of
1847, but that the Assessment funds which are raised for the payment
of the Police force and for other strictly municipal purposes ought to
be managed by a Committee of the rate-pa^'ers or other popularly
elected body ; and your Petitioners consider that the powers of manage-
ment given to the Governor of Bengal, or his nominee, by Act No.
XII. of 1839, by virtue of which the said Assessment is levied, are
very objectionable, as confiding to one person the exclusive manage-
ment of funds raised for municipal purposes, and over which tLe
payers have no control.

*'Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that it may please your
Honourable House to adopt measures for repealing the said Act, No.
III. of 1847 : And also that the funds raised from the inhabitants
of the Straits Settlements for the payment of the Police and other
municipal purposes, may be placed under the management of a Com-
mittee chosen from the payers, or some other popularly elected body
acting in conjunction with the executive officers of Government in
the Straits. (Signed by 215 persons.)''

The other Petition, which was of great length, referred to the
conduct of the Dutch Government in throwing all the hindrances
and restrictions it could in the way of British trade with the Dutch
possessions; an infringement of the provisions of the Treaty of 1824,
which had perpetually been made a subject of complaint in Singapore
since it was concluded. A memorial was sent at the same time to
Lord Palmerston, and the following passages taken from it show the
nature of the grievance : —

'* That frequent complaints have been heretofore made regarding
the conduct of the Authorities of the Netherlands Indian Government
in respect to British Trade in the Eastern Archipelago, by which,
in various ways, the provisions of the 'Jreaty of the 17th March,
1824, which fixed the respective rights of the Governments of Great
Britain and Holland, and of their subjects in the Eastern Seas, have
been violated, and British subjects and trade deprived of those
advantages guaranteed to them by the said Treaty.

"That, notwithstanding the many remonstrances and representa-
tions made by the British Government to that of Holland, on the
subject of these violations of the Treaty of 1824, and by your
Lordship in particular so lately as 1841, your memorialists regret
that they have to complain of further acts on the part of the
Netherlands Indian Government by which British Commerce is seriously
impeded in the Indian Archipelago, and that freedom and equality
of trade with the native powers, provided for by the Treaty, completely
prevented, as regards British subjects.

"That your Memorialists, without entering into any lengthened
specification of these acts of the Netherlands Indian Government, by

1847. 467

which they appear to be aiming at establisliing an exclusiv^o dominion
and monopoly of trade in the Indian Archipelago, would respectfully
request your Lordship's attention to the copy of a Petition which has
been addressed by the mercantile body in Singapore to the House of
Commons, and to the other documents which are annexed to this Memorial,
from which it appears that British trade has been completely excluded
from all ports but one of the large and important Island of Celebes,
the effect of which is to deprive British subjects of the liberty of
trading with one of the richest parts, as regards valuable articles of
commerce, of the Archipelago, and the natives of which have ever
shewn the strongest desire to cultivate a commercial intercourse with
the subjects of Her Majesty.

"That, through the proceedings of the Dutch Authorities in the
Eastern Seas, the trade of British subjects has been and now is
impeded and hampered, and prevented from attaining that extent,
and being of that profitable nature, which the desire of the natives
for English manufactures, and their increasing conmiercial enterprize
and ability to furnish valuable articles of produce in exchange,
would, without doubt, insure, were no obstacles to interpose to that
freedom and liberty of trade which the I., II., ILI., and IV. articles
of the Treaty of 1824 were intended to secure."

The first number of the Journal of the Indian Archijyelayo and
Eastern Asia was published in June. It was the first attempt to
promote a literally or scientific periodical in the British Settlements in
the Far East; such works as the Malacca Gladner, formerly published
in Malacca, had missionary purposes for their chief end; and any
notices of neighbouring countries, or their inhabitants, languages, &c.,
were made subsidiary to their main design. The Chinese Reposifary
partook in a large measure of the same character. The Dutch had
scientific periodicals in Java, but very few English, even of the residents
in Java, could read Dutch. The Straits newspapers had, in a large
measure, supplied the want. The Singapore Chronicle had many valuable
contributions on the history of the Archipelago, written by Crawfurd,
Dalton, Medhurst, and others, a portion of which were (as has been
said) collected by Moor; while the Free Press had many similar
papers. Such articles, however, find a more nppropriato and lasting
place in the pages of a volume, which is in a handier form than the
sheets of a newspaper. There is a note in the Journal which says that
the publication did not nearly repay its cost, but this was to be
expected in the small community of Singapore where it is easy to
borrow a copy which some one else has paid for. But Mr. James
Richardson Logan, like Mr. William Napier in regard to the Free
Press y or Mr. Moor, or others after him, did not look for any
pecuniary return, and was contented to bear the loss for the sake of
the advantage to the Settlement. It may be useful here, as it is
not easy to ascertain it elsewhere, to state how many volumes were
published and the years. It was published in monthly or occasional
numbers, as opportunity offered, and in bound volumes at the close
of each year. Being edited by J. R. Logan who wrote very lengthy
papers in it, it became known as Logan's Journal, which is the
name used throughout this book for brevity's sake.

408 Anecdotal llidory of Singapore

Vol.

Ykaic.

18t7

1848

1849

1850

1851

1852

1853

1854

1855

New Series

1856

1858

429 pages and Index.

848 ;, and Appendix, 62 pages.

766 „ and two App. 16 and 48 pages.

767

740

699

378

504

528 „ and Appendix, 48 pages.

317 „ and Appendix, 151 pages.

458 „

It lias been proposed several times to publish an Index to the
volumes, bub it has not been carried out. In the Journal of the
Straitff Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society for December, 1886, No.
18, there is an Index by Dr. Dennys to the headings of the various
articles only; it does not index the names of the authors or any of
tho contents of the articles. The last named Journal was commenced
in 187? and has continued in a spasmodic way until the present
time, as the matter available for such a publication is necessarily of a
limited character.

It must have been somewhere about this time that a French
Scientific Expedition, so called, was sent out from France. There is
nothincr in the book to fix the date except that Louis Philippe lost
his throne after it was written. Nothing would be known of this
expedition in Singapore but for the publication of a book in 1855, by
James Blackwood, London, called " Six months among the Malays and
a year in China ^' by an author, described as the Physician to the
Scientific Mission sent by France to China, and author of " Romance
of Travel.'^ It would not bo noticed here, except that it contains
200 paires about Malacca, Singapore, and Penang, with such ridiculous
traveller's storie:-, and ex agge, rations, that there is nothing to be
learned from it. There is probably only the one copy in the place
on which these remarks are founded. The true object of this
*' Scientific Expedition^' creeps out on page 201, after the preliminary
chapters about the Straits. It says " On repairing to China, Mr. de
Legrene received a special order from II. M. King Louis Philippe to
select from the Malay Archipelago some beautiful perfumed oasis,
bathed by tho waters of the Indian Ocean, upon which it would be
possible to found an establishment; the old King having an extreme
desire that France should not be destitute of a spice island, but
possess a pearl in the magnificent treasures of Oceania, the mo.st
precious of which were under the respective dominion of England,
Holland and Spain."

The way the expedition tried to carry out the King's wish
wjis to let a young lieutenjint and two cabin boys go away up a
river at the island of Basilan. They get into a row, reason unknown
but may be surmised, and two of the Frenchmen were killed. The
man-of-war afterwards bombarded the island, and the author says
that they destroyed everything, left not a single blade of grass on the

1847. 469

spoty and burnt houses and boats. He winds up by saying that the
return of the sailors on board was not the least interesting part of
the affair, for they dressed and conducted themselves in a inanuor
befitting a carnival, some carrying krisses, bucklers, and, on their
bayonets, horns or other pai-t of the buffaloes they had killed/' This
was the only result of King Louis Philippe's ambition in the neitrh-
bourhood of the Straits.

It is worthy of notice, however, that the French official, at the
end of his three chapters on the three Settlements of the Straits,
says: — ^'It must be confessed that the English people, who have ever
been the guardians of freedom, and who have never employed any
other than legal means for the establishment and maintenance of their
rights and institutions, are, of all other nations, the most staunch
protectors of human liberty in the present day/' For which plain truth,
as exemplified in the Straits, he may be forgiven his wonderful
account of a great dinner at Mr. Balestier's modest house on Balestier
Plain, which he describes as containing five immense rooms, lighted
with wax candles contained in glass vessels (they were no doubt
cocoanut oil lights in tumblers hanging inside inverted glass globes),
and all the rarities and curiosities of India and China beinfj contained
in a long gallery (probably five glass-fronted almeirahs, which passed
to Mr. Woods's house at Serangoon, close by) and a vast library,
composed of valuable books in every European languaj^e, and of its
being a fairy palace of the east, with Asiatic luxury all round, a soft
perfumed atmosphere, and a young Chinese domestic in each corner
employed in working very large fans ! Then there is a ridiculous
description of a visit to Whampoa's house close by, where the author
passed the night ; and these are fair samples of the contents of the book.
Certainly some wonderful accounts of the place have appeared in books
long since forgotten. Accidentally, while writing this very chapter, we
came across a book, published in America, by a globe-trotter who
spent three days in the place, and he says that Singapore was
founded by Sir Stamford Raffles, ^*who married the daughter of the
Saltan of Johore.''

470 Anecdotal Hifftory of Singapore

CHAPTER XXXV

1848.

AT this time, encouraged by their success in the expedition to
Illiio, mentioned on page 464, another reguhir Chinese expedition
of over a Imndred mon started from Singapore on a marauding foray.
Their pretended errand was to collect gntta percha on some of the
islands in the Straits. They cleared out at the proper office and
received the usual pass, and bent their course to Muar in the
Peninsula, wh<'re they made an attack upon a kampong, but were re-
pulsed. They then crossed over to Sink in Sumatra and tried their
luck, but were again unsuccessful, heing driven awjiy. Thence they
came down to a small ishiiul, I^ulo Burn, south of Pulo Supang, to
the southward of the Carimons, wliere they again experienced dis-
comfiture in their attempts to pbmder sonu» houses, some of their party
being killed and others wounded. The Malays who were in the houses
also suffered, but not so severelv as the Clnnese. While near this
island, they attacked a Malay boat, the crew of which, five in
number, they put to death, nnd taking out the rice, &c., they
scuttled the boat. After their la.st repulse, tliey appear to liave
thought that the fates were against them, for, after burying their
dead on a small island on their route, they returned to Singapore
as (Mupty-handed as when they left. They then re.^olved to try their
fortune on land, in Singapore tow^n; and, on the morning of tlie
22nd May, a large detaclnnent of the gang, about forty or fifty in
number, attacked a house in Kampong Glam inhabited by Malays;
and, after forcing open the door by an extempore battering-ram, and
wounding some of the inmates, who thereupon all fled, they plundered
it, carrying off about thirty or forty dollars and other property,
'liieir ill-luck still, however, attended them, as, the alarm having
V)een raised, they were followed by the mounted patrol, which ha'd
been lately established, the police being provided with some ponies for
the purpose, who chased them along the Changie Road, wounded
some of them, and recovered all the stolen property and some of
their weapons, which in their flight they threw away.

In the month of February, there was much excitement one day
in the Square by a report that a largo body of Chinese had landed
from boats and attacked Mr. W. W. Ker^s house at Bukit Chermin,
in New Harbour, where he lived. But it turned out to be a false
report. A number of Chinese who had been^in Singapore delivering
gambier, &c., were returning to their plantation at Sungei Jurong,
in two largo tonglcangs with a goodly provision of pork, rice, &c.,
intended for the celebration of the Chinese New Year. When in
the narrow strait at Batu Blayer, they met two other large boats

1848. 471

with Chinese who were proceeding to Singapore. A number of Malay
fishing boats were also in the strait, and in the confusion of the
large boats meeting and passing in such a narrow passage, one of
them got entangled in the fishing apparatus belonging to a Malay
boat. One of the Malays in the boat struck a Chinaman, upon
which a great clamour was raised by the latter, which induced some
Malays, who apprehended an attack, to set off to Teluk Blangah
with the intention of procuring assistance. The Chinamen, alarmed at
this, resolved to appeal to Mr. Ker for protection. They accordingly
brought their boats to anchor at the foot of the hill on which the
house stood, and two of them ascended to the house, but were
informed that Mr. Ker was in town. It would appear that they
resolved on waiting his return, and that tlie servants left in charge
of the house, alarmed by seeing so many persons collected near the
house, beat a gong and gave the alarm. This speedily brought a
number of the Tumongong's followers, by whom the Chinese were
surrounded and taken into custody. Their story was, in some measure,
corroborated by Eu Chin and other respectable residents in Singapore,
and ultimately all were released.

A subscription was made in the Square to put wooden railings
round the enclosure. Copper cents were very scarce, and were
retailed at 82 to 85 for a dollar. The Chinese sent in petitions to
Government on the subject, as it made things dear for the poorer
classes.

At the beginning of this year, the closing of the P. & 0. Mails
was first signalled from the Government Hill [now Fort Canning] flag-
staff — the red ensign being used for the Europe mail, and the yellow
flag for China, and a gun was fired when the steamer arrived during
the ni<;ht. By the contract, the mail steamer had to wait in Singapore
forty-eight hours. The first time the yellow flag was used, a report
got about that a plague had broken out on board one of the Arab
pilgrim ships, which caused alarm in the town among the natives for
a few hours, from a belief that that signal was made to warn people
of it.

It had been customary to allow gambling at the Chinese New
Year, or at any rate not to interfere with it, and contributions were
made by the Chinese for charitable purposes as a sort of considera-
tion for allowing a violation of the law. Objections were made in
the Square to its being permitted any longer and it was stopped.
The firing of crackers was also objected to. The following is a trans-
lation of a Chinese placard that was posted about the town in con-
sequence : —

We think that it is now more tlian twenty years since Singapore was estab-
lished; and annually the firing of crackers during the Chinese New Year was
allowed. But this year the constables on no account will allow gambling, or
even the firing of crackers. We wish to ascertain why during the Kling and
Malay New lear firing of crackers is allowed. Is it because we Chinese are not
equal to the Klings or Malays? If there are any intelligent Chinese amongst
us, they would have gone to the police and remonstrated about last night's affair,
and also we can join in a body and put a stop to all business in the market,
which will be but proper. But if that cannot be done, do not bid at all at the
sale of the Farms this year. If any one shall bid he shall be reckoned worse
than a dog.

472 Anecdotal History of Singapore

Tho above was only one of a number of objectionable placards
of a similar nature, which were issued, some of great length, and all
having for their object to show that the Chinese were oppressed by
tho police. The following was part of another placard : —

The island of Singapore contains a great number of Chinese; some are
shop-keepers, others are working-men ; some of them rich and some arc poor peo-
ple, all of one nation. All the other natives together are not so numerous.
The police watch the Chinese only; no otlier nation is watched. Kling amnse-
ments are not interfered with; Die Malays play, fire crackers, and shoot and
are not interfered with. The Police do not interfere nor apprehend them. The
Chinese have a feast once a year; they have amusements, fire crackers and gam-
ble, and are taken up. Chinese selling articles in the street (which they bear
on the shoulder) are seized by the peons by their bajus, beaten, and knocked
down, and then confined in the ThanaJis; they are seized as thieves. When they
are taken to tlie police, sentence is pronounced without the case being inquired
into. People carryiuij night Soil, <fcc., are fined one or half a rupee. These are
jungle people, how can they bear such a rule ?

Formerly, at Malacca and Pulo Pinanij, there were many C/hinese and nobody
interfered with them.

Singapore is a new place. When it was first opened the Chinese could work
and do what they liked, then it was well, and at that time Mr. Bonham was here and
had a great name which was known in Europe and till now lie i*etains his name.

The state of the island was very disturbed at this time, and
murders were frequent. In one week in January, there were four,
near the town. The grand jury in their presentment attributed the
grave nature of the crimes at that time to the combination which
existed among the Chinese secret societies, and suggested that strong
parties of not less than twenty well-armed men, the most active and
intelligent of the police, should be detached for the special purpose of
patrolling the island.

The following are extracts from a forcible statement drawn up by
Mr. John Crawfurd and presented to the members of Parliament to
enable them to judge of the question raised in the petition from Singa-
pore regarding the police, which was sent home the year before: —

'*Tlie industry of the inhabitants of Singapore has created the
whole fund from which tho whole revenues are levied. This is made
evident enough when the fact is adverted to, that eight-and-twenty
years ago the island, which has now 50,000 inhabitants, was a jungle,
with 150 Malay fishermen, imbued with a strong propensity to piracy,
and no wealth at all, unless it were a little plunder. At tho present
time, the entire revenues may be safely estimated at not less than
£50,000 per annum, being equal to a pound sterling a head^ which
is equal to about five-fold the ratio of taxation yielded by the popula-
tion of Bengal.

^*Tho revenues are divided into two branches, althoagh the divi-
sion be, in reality, little better than arbitrary — the General and the
Police ; or taxes, and rates. The first consists of excise on wine, spirits,
and opium; of quit-rents; of tho produce of the sale of wild lands;
of fees and fines; of postages, &c., The second is a percentage on
the rental of houses. Tho general revenue amounted in 1845-46, in
round numbers, to £14,000, and the local one to £7,000; making a
total of £21,000 — a sum which, if expended with a just economy, onght
to be adequate to every purpose of Government in a small sea-girt
island, with a population for the most part concentrated in one spoi.

1848. 473

" From this statement it is plain enough that, whether the police
force is paid wholly out of the police revenue, or partly from the
police and partly from the general revenue, it must, in any case,
bo paid out of the produce of the industry of the inhabitants — a
fund wholly created within the short period of twenty-eight years.
I cannot see, then, with what show of reason it can be said that
the Executive Government pays the police, simply because it is the
mere instrument of disbursement.

"Singapore is not, like Hindustan, a country conquered, or one
received by inheritance from a despotic Government. On the contrary,
it is strictly a Colony planted in a desert, the oflEspring of British
enterprise and capital — just as nmch as were New England or New
York. The constitution of society in it, moreover, differs wholly from
anything found in Hindustan, the practices followed in which have
been, notwithstanding, quoted as precedents.

"If, indeed, experience had shown that the administration of the
police of Singapore was most advantageously lodged in the hands
of the Executive, expediency might be pleaded in its favour. The
very reverse, however, has proved to have been the case; for it has
been the corruption and inefficacy of the police, so managed for
many years, that has raised the whole question. I cannot but think
that what holds good every were else, must hold good also in
Singapore — that the administration of mere local affairs must, from
its very nature, be best conducted by those who are in a position
to underetand it best, and who have the most immediate interest in
conducting it efficiently and economically. These are, assuredly, the
inhabitants of each locality, and not the Executive Government, which
has abundance of other and larger matters on its hands. But it is
not theoretically alone that I came to this conclusion. It is with me
the result of a personal experience, gained on the very spot itself.

"The practice with respect to the colonies under the manage-
ment of the Crown has, of late years, certainly been rather to extend
than to curtail the privileges of the inhabitants; and it is to bo
hoped that the East India Company will f(*ol disposed to follow a
course which, by conciliating the people, secures harmony, strengthens
the hands oif the local Government, and consequently contributes
largely to facilitate the conduct of the administration. I trust,
therefore, that the home authorities will refuse their approbation to
this Act of the Indian Government, abrogating the very small in-
stalment of rights conferred by Royal Charter on the inhabitants of
Singapore; of rights, it must not be forgotten, exercised by parties
selected and named by the Indian Government itself.

"In so far as concerns the framing of laws for Singapore and
our other Malayan Settlements, the Supreme Government is in a
very difEerent position from that in which it stands on the continent
in India, where there is ever at its disposition, men of first-rate
talent, and long and varied experience in every department of
administration. Respecting the Malayan Settlements, on the contrary,
the Governor-General in Council can obtain no information from
parties on the spot; for, in reality, less is known of them in Bengal
than in England, because there is less intercourse.

474 Anecdotal llistory of Singapore

In legislating, therefore, for the Malayan Settlements, the Supreme
Government must depend wholly on the degree of knowledge and
enlightenment which may happen to be possessed by the local
Governor, with the jissistance, at each of the three Settlements, of
a kind of Assessor, under the name of a Resident Councillor, but
without Deliberative Councils, or a legal adviser, which are so ably
supplied in every other part of India. The local Governor, then, who
may happen to be, and most probably is, a Military or Civil Officer
of the Indian service, without anv knowledg-e of the lansruasres,
manners, and character of the great majority of the inhabitants of
the Settlements over which he presides, and with a natural bias
in favour of his own authority, is the only party from whom the
materials for legislation are procurable. He, accordingly, transmits
the crude drafts of Regulations for the Settlements to the Supremo
Government. On the sole confidential recommendation, then, of such
a party, laws are passed, as in the instance now under considera-
tion, repugnant to the feelings and interests of the community at
large, and in despite of their earnest and respectful remonstrances."

'{'his statement of Mr. John Crawfnrd was, possibly, the commence-
ment of the state of feelinirs which led, twenty years afterwards, to
the Transfer of the Settlements from India to the Colonial Office as
a Crown Colony. The Free Press in commenting upon it, thus remarked
upon the grievance which eventually became the casus belli with the
Bengal Government : —

"How correct these observations are, will, we believe, be admitted
by all unprejudiced persons having any acquaintance with the actual
condition of matters in the Straits Settlements, although probably they
will be questioned by those who are the objects of them. Too many
instances, unfortunately, exist of the ignorance of the Supreme Govern-
ment of the real condition of the Straits Settlements, to make their
denial of the truth of Mr. Crawfurd's statements of much value; and
it is to be hoped that, instead of attempting to palliate or conceal
their ignorance, tiiey will take the more manly and honest course of
admitting it, and earnestly casting about for the means of effecting a
change for the time to come, and procuring the information which
they are so lamentably deficient in, and the want of which has betrayed
them into so many blunders and acts of injustice.

'^That our accusations against the Indian Government of neglect
and incompetence in the administration of the Straits Settlements
are not mere vague assertions founded on prejudice and misconcep-
tion, we shall prove by adducing evidence from their own acts. For
this purpose, it is not necessary to take a very long retrospect. The
legislation and administration of the past year or two are quite
sufficient to compel the admission of every impartial mind that the
Indian Government is either very ignorant of, or unpardonably inat-
tentive to, the real interests and well-being of the Straits Settlements.

'^Tho Act for the Regulation of the Copper Currency of the
Straits Settlements affords an illustration of the ignorance of obstinacy
of the Supreme Government. In this Act they were not content with
making the necessary provisions for introducing tlie new coinage, but
by an ill-judged prohibition they put an entire stop to the circulation

1848, 475

of a currency which had been rendered necessary by their own long
continued neglect, and "which had for many years been the only one
available for local purposes. This was found well adapted for many
purposes, although an authorised coinage of a cent and its fractional
parts was desirable as a legal standard of value, and for the use
of those who did not require so minute a coin as the doit. All
that was desirable would have been attained by making the cent and
its fractional parts the legal tender, leaving it optional to receive or
reject the doit as suited the convenience of the people. But this
course was not pursued, the doit being totally prohibited, and the
consequence of this prohibition is that, at the present moment, the
poor experience a loss to the extent of at least 40 per cent, on their
means of livelihood, by being compelled, in purchasing their daily
food, to pay a quarter of a cent for what they used to obtain for
the sixth or seventh of a cent.

"The Act to allow of the reception of the transported convicts
of Hongkong into the Straits Settlements, is another instance of the
most complete ignorance on the part of the Supreme Government
of the Straits Settlements, or if that is disclaimed, of the most wanton
tampering with the safety and welfare of the inhabitants. We believe
the plea of ignorance will not avail the Indian Government in this
instance, as the Straits Executive officers, much to their credit, most
earnestly remonstrated against the measure, pointing out the grave
objections which existed to it in the nature of the population and
other circumstances. That their estimate of the characters likely to
be introduced was just, is but too well confirmed by the catastrophe
which it is our painful duty to record in another column as having
befallen the General Wood, which was conveying ninety-two of tliese
Hongkong convicts to undergo their sentences at Pennng. We may
be sure that these persons, when in the Settlements, would not have
been found a whit less evilly disposed, or less anxious for their escape,
than what they were on boar<l sliip; and the peculiar facilities sur-
r.'unding them would have led to attempts, renewed until successful.
In Singapore they are surrounded by their countrymen, all linked
together by the oaths and bonds of the secret societies to wliich, nearly
to a man, the Chinese here belong:. These criminals also belontr to
the same societies, and once beyond the walls of the convict gaol,
what more easy for them than to gain protection and assistance from
their countrymen ? The many plantations in the jungles of Singapore,
as well as on the opposite coast of Johore, tenanted solely by Chinese,
afford admirable places of refuge, at all times open to them. Thus
the Chinese convict has every inducement to escape in the succour
and assistance he is sure to find when once he has broken away —
facilities which do not at all exist to the Indian convict. Can anything
be conceived more stupid than to make such places as these the
stations for Chinese convicts ?

''The recent draft Act for the amendment of the existing Assess-
ment Act betrays also the supreme contempt for the wishes of the
inhabitants of the Settlements, which characterises many other Acts
of the Indian Government. The conununities of the Straits have
expressed their desire to be allowed to participate in the adminis-

476 Anecdotal History of Singapore

tnitioii of the funds raised for municipal purposes. So far, however,
from the Indian Government complying with this most reasonable request,
they propose the miserable expedient of a Committee of persons to
be nominated by the Chief Authority, who, of course, will take care
to select only those perfectly compliant in all things ; and even against
the proceedings of such a Committee, fettered and bound as they would
be, the Chief Authority may appeal to Bengal, and have them disallowed.

"Other instances might be adduced to shew that the Straits
Settlements do not receive from the Supremo Government that atten-
tion which is required for their proper management, and for the
woll-buini( and comfort of the inhabitants. We do not cherish any
hope that changes for the better will be made during the few years
which have to elapse before the expiry of the present Charter of the
Kast India Company, but it may be of use to give the subject pro-
minence now with the view of its attracting attention when the time
shall arrive for making ])rovisions for the future government of our
Indian possessio:is."

A short paragraph in the Free Press of the 10th February gave
the key note to the story of the tragedy of the General Wood, It
said, **'J'he General Wood left this on Srd January for Ponang, with
ninety -two convicts on board; there was no military guard with
theiii. She had not arrived at Penang up to the latest dates. It
is hoped she may be kept out by baffling winds/'

The community of Singapore had protested against convicts being
sent from Hongkong to Singapore, and it is a remarkable thing
that on the 27th January, there had been a long article in the
newspaper arguing again the reasons against it. Such as that the
Chinese on Singapore composed 40,000 of the whole population of
00,000; that a vast majority of these belonged to the lowest class;
in:iny lived in the interior of the island, hardly accessible to the police;
and that convicts from Hongkong would be of very much the
same class, active and dangerous, and sure to open communica-
tion with the Chinese outside the Jail. This article was afterwards
referred to in the London Daily News of 26th April, which spoke of
the tragedy of the General Wood as a tale of piracy and murder, which
the Oriental Seas alone could furnish. On the 2nd January, shortly
after midnight, the British ship General Wood, belonging to Jardine,
Matheson & Co, of Hongkong, of 740 tons, left Singapore for Penang
and Bombay. She had come from Hongkong taking Chinese con-
victs from there to Bombay. She remained in Singapore from 23rd
November to 2nd January, for vessels took their time in those days,
and, after taking in a few transported convicts from Singapore,
went on her way. In Singapore the convicts were loosed from their
handcuffs and leg irons, and were employed in hoisting in cargo
and other work. At night they were secured. It was pointed out
to the chief officer that they seemed to try to ascertain the position
of the ship's arms, &c., but he made light of it. Early in the morning
of the 20th February three of the passengers landed in a native prahu,
and the story went all round Singapore that the convicts had risen on
the crew the night after the vessel left Singapore, and, after sailing
about for twenty days, had wrecked her off Pulo Laut, North Natunas.

1848. 477

Thero were three passengers on board — Lieutenant Seymour, of the
Indian Cavalry, and his wife, a daughter of Mr. W. R. George, and
Mr. Andrew Farquhar, a grandson of Colonel Farquhar, who had all
three gone on board at Singapore as passengers to Bombay. The
Captain and the three European mates were all murdered. Lieut.
Seymour was cut over the knee and thrown overboard, but he got
hold of a rope and held on for some hours and eventually clambered
on board. Mr. Farquhar tried to get on deck, but was attacked and
jumped overboard, and held on to the rudder until the morning.
At daybreak he tried to get on deck, but was struck with a cutlass
on the hands and fell back again to the rudder, and after some
hours he was allowed to come on deck. Nineteen lascar sailors were
murdered, and three native passengers and several servants. A
European sailor on board working his passage from Hongkong to
Bombay in the ship, was fearfully beaten over the head, and afterwards
went down in the vessel. Mrs. Seymour's ayah jumped overboard
and was drowned.

The following account of the tragedy appeared in the Free Press,
as well as a long letter from Lieut. Seymour, one of the three
passengers : —

"The vessel sailed on the morning of the 2nd January, and
after 6 p.m., came to an anchor to the eastward of the Carimons.
Four of the Chinese convicts, who were employed to cook for the
rest, eight who were sick, and a Malay and Chinese sent on board
at Singapore, also convicts, had not the chain passed through their
leg-irons as the others had. The key by which the chain was
secured was in posssesion of the sepoy who kept watch over them
at the main hatch. Two lascars were placed in the main hatchway,
one on the forecastle and another on the poop. The havildar stated
that two sepoys were keeping guard over the convicts on the main,
and one on the after-hatchway. The lascars on watch had no arms.
The syrang stated that it was drizzling and ho went to sleep under
the fore-castle on the port side. About I o'clock am. he heard the
Chinese calling out, and he got up and ran forward. He met the
sepoy from the after-hatchway running forward, and asked him what
was the matter, and was told the Chinese had got on deck. He
met the second officer at the main-hatchway, who ran forward, and
he saw no more of him. It was very dark and he could find no
weapon in the hurry of the moment. The Chinese made a rush
forward and secured all the ship's arms. There were about nine
muskets in the third officer's cabin, six boarding pikes on a rack
between the stanchions of the poop rail, and a box containing cut-
lasses, bayonets, tomahawks and pistols, under the starboard poop
ladder which were immediately seized by the convicts, A number of
the crew got into the rigging, and many of them, including some
native passengers, were murdered. The manner in which some of
these were put to death is said to have been atrociously cruel, being
tied to the mast, and literally cut to pieces by the convicts with
savage exaltation. The Captain, after displaying an utter want of
presence of mind, tried to cut away one of the boats, but being
onsuccessfal hang on by a rope for some time and was then drowned.

478 Anecdotal Uiatory of Singajyore

T\w first and second Officers also, after receiving a number of
WDinids, jumped into the sea and were drowned. Others were thrown
over, or themselves jumped over, some being drowned and others
ultimately saved. After tlic convicts had ^ot possession of the vessel
they litiflited up the deck with cups filled with oil and cotton.
At day-light tlio^e of the crew who had taken refuge in the rigging
were induced to come down on the promise, conveyed to them
through two Chinese belonging to- the crew, that the convicts would
not harm them. They compelled the gunner's mate to brinj^ up the
ammunition and loaded all the muskets. A brig was lying at anchor
at the distance <>f about a (piarter of a mile, but she had no coiu-
nninieation with the (rcnera! Wood. At day-light about eighteen or
nineteen lascars wer(* missing, three Chuliah passengers, and two of
the servants. 'J'he convicts ordered the lascars to loose the sails and
get the ship iimb'r weigh. The .syrang being told to heave up the
anchor, intended to make a long job of it in hope of attracting
the notice ot the brig, but the convicts abused and threatened him,
savin<r that a steamer would be sent after them, and he was delay-
ing in order to get them secured again, 'i^hey then slipped the
chain and the shi]) got uiuler weigh. One of the Chinese lascars
said he knew tlu* way back to China, and directed the ship^s course,
the gunner being made to trim sails and one of the seacunnies to
steer. He took tliem through Durian Straits. About noon they passed
a Dutch banpie at about a mile's distance, which shewed its ensign,
nnule a >ignal, but the convicts would not allow any flag to be
hoi.sted in ruturn. The ship anchored near a small island, and a
number oF the Chinese landed, taking four of the crew. While they
Wen* cm shore a large junk hove in sight and the" ship was got
under weigh to speak her. The people who had gone ashore pulled
out and boarded her. It seems the convicts tried to persuade the
people in the junk to convey them to China, but they refused, as
they were bound to Singapore. On the island they asked a Malay
if he knew the way to Cochin-China. On the 19th, they hove to
near another island and some of them landed and brought back
some fowls and eocoanuts. They took a lascar as interpreter, but
kept a vigilant watch over him to prevent his communicating un-
observed with the people of tlio island. On the 21st, about 9 a.m.,
they struck upon a reef about a mile and a half from land. The
sea at the thne was quite smooth and a moderate breeze blowing.
The long boat was hoisted out and the cutters lowered. The greater
number of the convicts, ])assengers, and crew went to the island
(Salaout) in the boats, about sixteen lascars and fifteen convicts being
left on the ship to await the return of the boats. The water rose
rapidly in the vessel, and at about 1 p.m. she slid off the rocks
and went down in deep water. The gunner, syrangs, first tindal
and lascars saved themselves in a small China boat and reached the
shore about 8 p.m. ; the rest left on the ship were supposed to have
been drowned. The long boat and cutters also reached the shore
in safety. The Chinese proposed killing the passengers, but were
dissuaded from it by some of the lascars. The passengers gob safely
on shore, and found refuge in a Malay hut. The lascars made a

1848. 479

rash into the jungle. Tlio next morning they found the long boat
gone and some of the Chinese left, who were secured by the Dutch
and Malays on the island. They were then taken to Sedanow or
Boony;ooran, where the passengers and crew received every attention
from the Datoh Kaya, and were at last sent to Singapore where
they arrived on Saturday the 19th February.

Messrs. Jno. Purvis & Co., the agents in Singapore for Jardine
Matheson & Co., Jisked the Govt^rnment to send the E. I. Co.'s
steamer Aurkland to search for the convicts who had escaped in
the ship's boats, and to endeavour to save her hull and cargo, and
through the intervention of Mr. Church and Ccaptain McQuhae of
H. M. S. Dsedaliut, the Plihgethon was sent. In April, news came
from Bangkok that Chinese, supposed to be some of the escajied
convicts, cast-away there on an island named Pulo Ubi, had been
seen by a vessel named the Celerity, and the Fhle(jetho:i went there
to search. On the 26th April the trial of the nineteen men sent
by the Orang Kaya took place. A temporary gallery was put up
in the Court for the accommodation of ladies, many of whom, includ-
ing Mrs. Butterworth and Mrs. Chiirch were present. The Judges
were Col. Butterworth, Sir Christopher Rawlinson (the Kecorder), and
Mr. Church. It lasted four days; the jury found all the prisoners
guilty, but on the first count of the indictment only, which was for
piracy simply, the other counts being for murder and piracy with
violence. The following remarks then took place : —

The Recorder: — Then you find all the prisoners fjuilty of taking
possession of the ship by violence ?

Foreman: — No, my Lord; we find them guilty on the fir.<it count
only.

The Recorder : — Then you mean to say by your verdict that the
prisoners at the bar used no violence in taking possession of the
ship ?

Foreman : — Yes, my Lord.

His Lordship desired to know if the jury entertained especial
grounds for recommending some of the prisoners to the merciful con-
sideration of the Court; the foreman stated that he had not been
instructed as to the reasons, but some of the jury desired especial
recommendations. His Lordship said that if the jury were satisfied
there was but little or conflicting evidence on which to convict,
they ought to have acquitted such of the prisoners.

The jury, while finding all the prisoners guilty, recommended a
number to mercy and three of the prisoners "particularly to mercy."
On which the 'Recorder remarked that the jury had taken a most
lenient view of their case. They, the jury, as judges of the evidence,
had arrived at the conclusion (he knew not how, he knew not why),
that notwithstanding a number of murders had been committed
before possession was gained of the vessel, still they, the prisoners,
in the minds of the jury, were not guilty of the violence which
was proved, if they believed the witnesses, to have been enacted on
board the vessel. His Lordship did " not believe that any human
being present, except that jury, icuuld have arrived at the conclusion
they did/^

480 Anecdotal History of Singapore

On which the Free Press remarked: — '*This verdict has excited
considerable comment, and we have heard that some of the explana-
tions of the Hon'ble the Recorder were misunderstood by the Jury.
It is, however, better that they should lean to mercy, than that
through any panic or other feeling they should convict indiscrimi-
nately. When it is considered that tlie trial lasted three days, the
Court on each day commencing its sitting at 9 o'clock a.m., and
continuing it to a late hour, that there were nineteen prisoners, the
case of each of whom was to be viewed separately and distinctly,
that the witnesses were numerous, and in some cases rather suspicious,
that the evidence, from the very nature of the case, the revolt
having happened in the dead of the night, was vague and inconclu-
sive; taking all these into account, we conceive that, without much
fuller and more accurate notes than we imagine any of the Jury
took, it was almost impossible to return a very discriminative verdict,
unless indeed the Jury had considered it consistent with their oaths
to follow implicitly the summing up from the Bench. The Court
met on Saturday at noon, when sentence of death was directed to
be recorded against the whole of the prisoners, and five of them —
the carpenter, the two Chinese sailors, and two of the convicts —
who appeared to have taken an active part in the affair, were sen-
tenced to bo transported to Bombay for life. The Court took
further time to determine what should be done with the others.
In passing sentence the Hon'ble the Recorder made some strong
remarks on the verdict of the Jury, which he said (although ho
could not arrive at the grounds on which they had formed their
opinion of the case) the Court was bound to endeavour to give
effect to it; that, although sentence of death against them all would
be recorded on the first count, yet he felt so hampered by the ver-
dict of the Jury, they ho could not allow that sentence to be
carried out. His Lordship hoped that his thus acting on what he
believed to bo the constitutional view of the law, would not bo at-
tended by evil consequences. '^

On Monday, the 8th May, the H. 0. steamer Phlegeihon, Capt.
Niblett, returned frotn her visit to Pulo Ubi, having on board
twenty-eight Chinese said to b© part of the convicts escaped from
the General Wood, The men offered some resistance when it was
wished to apprehend them, and one or two were killed or died
from the wounds then received. It appeared that fourteen of the
convicts left Pulo Ubi in the long boat with the intention of trying
to find their way to China, five went to Siam, and three took their
departure for Singapore on board a junk. Most of the officers and crew
of tho steamer contracted fever while lying at Pulo Ubi, and their
fuel and water had got very low on their way back when they fortu-
nately fell in with H. M. Steamer Fury, which supplied their wants
and took them in tow.

The Phleyethon's boats had rowed round Pulo Ubi, and found the
retreat of the convicts in a joss-house near the shore, and a number
of articles belonging to the General Wood, including the chronometer
and a card-case of Mrs. Seymour's, which left no doubt that they were
on the right track, and, after a groat deal of trouble, and stratagem,

1848. 481

as the island was ten or twelve miles in circumference and abounding
in caves and thick jungle, the captain pretended to give it up in
despair, and the vessel went away, leaving some of the crew disguised
as Cochin-Chinese; and thirty convicts wore eventually captured. The
account given by the prisoners was that they were about seven days
at sea and arrived at Pulo Ubi early in February in two boats, sixty
in number. After sailing about the island to reconnoitre, they landed
well armed at the village and immediately took possession. The in-
habitants, about thirty in number, fled to the jiiufi^le, and they helped
themselves to everything. The largest boat, in which it is supposed
most of the valuables and treasure were deposited, they never left
without a strong guard, anchoring in deep water every night; this boat
they decked over and otherwise disfigured. In the night, with about
twelve of their number, they left, promising to send a junk for the re-
mainder; the other boat was sunk on the appearance of the Celerity.
Others had also left by various opportunities. The following seemed to
be the end of the whole number : —

Drowned at Natunas ... ... ... ... 15

Captured by the natives ... ... ... ... 18

Gone to China in long boat ... ... ... 12

Do. Siam in Pukat ... ... ... ... 5

Do. Singapore do. ... ... .. .. 3

Do. Hainam do. ... ... ... ... 3

Do. Chinchew do. ... ... ... ... 2

Captured by the Phlegethoii ... ... ... 30

Left on Piilo Ubi ... ... ... ... ... 5

Total Chinese convicts 93

A special criminal sessions was held, on the 18th May, to try the
convicts brought back by the Phlegethon, and they were all convicted.
The paper in remarking upon the execution of those convicts who were
hanged (three men only, in consequence of the verdict of the first
jury), made the following final remarks on the subject : —

" From the confessions of some of the convicts, made since sentence
was passed upon them, it would appear the Chinese carpenter of the
General Wood was the solo concocter of the desperate resolve to rise
and seize the vessel. This arch-villain, who had joined the ship but a
month or two before, was no sooner at Singapore than he communicated his
design to some of the convicts, when the plot was readily entered into.
From the confession made, it would appear that one prisoner, a cook who
was hanged, was loose on the night of the disturbance, and prepared
billets of firewood by tapering the ends conveniently to handle; it was
then arranged that sixteen on' one chain were to be released by the
one at the head of the chain forcing the lock, and the duty of these
sixteen was to separate themselves into four parties, and that the
parties were to single out the captain and three mates as their victims.
The sepoy in charge of the key was first killed, and the key taken
from him; the other convicts were then released and they went on
deck to carry out their desperate resolution. The captain, it would
appear, was killed and thrown over- board, as also the chief mate; the

AS2 Anecdotal EiMory of Singapore

second mate was wounded hut missed, and althong^h search was made
throughout the vessel no trace of him could be found. Lieut. Seymour
at both trials stated that Chinese placed lights near his face apparent-
ly examining him for some one for whom they were in search, it
forming no part of the original plot to kill the passengers, of whose
presence on board they were scarcely aware. Prisoners Nos. 1 and 10
(the latter admitted as Queen's evidence) were of the party who killed
the captain and mate. The unfortunate third mate, who, after manfully
resisting the Chinese until nearly exhausted, managed to escape up
tho niizen mast into the mizen-top, was dragged down by Wong Ah
Loang and despatched with a sword ; a blanket was then thrown over
him ; at daylight, on observing a brig at anchor not very far distant,
thoy were fearful of throwing the body overboard lest it should float
and 1)0 discovered, so the corpse was rolled up in wax cloth and kept
till the evening when it was cast into the sea. From all we learn it
would appear that the prisoners pointed out as having taken an
active part was substantially correct, and that amongst the worst
actors in the dreadful tragedy were some of those convicted at the
Hrst trial, but by an unfortunate verdict permitted to escape the
extreme penalty of the law."

I'hc Government sent some handsome presents to the Orang Kaya
and people of the Natunas for their assistance to the passengers
and crew of the Gcnoml Wood, and for the capture of the convicts;
among other things was a six-pounder brass gun with a suitable
inscription.

The tragedy of the Geucral Wood raised an outcry ag^ainst con-
victs being sent from Hongkong to Singapore; for a few years
Chinese had been transported from there, and strong representations
had been made on the subject. It was afterwards stopped. With
reference to the previous cases of similar nmrders, the first case
seems to have occurred on board the Freak in 1841; another on
board the Harriett Scoff, in September, 1843, which vessel was
carrying convicts from Penang to Hongkong. The next case was the
Arirlj in the following year, when the Captain was murdered. This
was followed by the Loirjee Family, a large country-ship, in November,
1844. Another case of which the date has not been traced was
the Vir(jinia,

At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce in March, a letter
was addressed to the Resident Councillor soliciting the interference
of the authorities for the protection of the freedom of the trade of
the port against certain alleged encroachments on the part of the
Tumonggong of Johore. The Chamber stated that, for .some time
past, complaints had reached them of the systematic proceedings adopted
by the ^J'umonggong to monopolize the trade in gutta percha. That
in declarations before them it was represented that native boats
bringing supplies of gutta for sale in Singapore had been forcibly inter-
cepted by the Tumonggong's followers. That, further, the Chamber
was informed that the Tumonggong had boats stationed at different
points to intercept all prahu^ with gutta destined for Singapore ; that
the latter were boarded by armed Malays, and every means taken
by outward display and show of authority to frighten the natives

1848. 483

into compliance with the Tumonggong's terms. It was stated tliat
the gatta trade had assumed considerable importance, amounting to
between 10,000 and 12,000 piculs, valued at from $150,000 to $200,000
per annum, and that, of this, about nine-tenths of the import had
been, in defiance of all opposition, secured by the Tumonggong,
whence it was inferred that extreme influence of some kind was
used, or some part of it would have found its way to parties who
offered much higher prices for it than that which the native traders
received from him. The Chamber then stated the serious and dis-
advantageous consequences likely to arise if such a state of things was
permitted, and they remarked that they had been credibly informed
that boats from Siak had actually gone to Malacca to dispose of
their gutta percha to avoid being exposed to the interference they
would experience were they to bring it to Singapore. The Chamber
also represented that by the Treaty or Agreement under which the
Elast India Company became possessed of Singapore, the Sultan and
Tumonjjgong of Johore engaged to maintain a free and unshackled
trade everywhere within their dominions, and to admit the trade
and traffic of the British nation to all the ports and harbours of the
Kingdom of Johore and its dependencies on the terms of the most
favoured nation.

The Free Press remarked: — "It will be perceived that this is a
serious question, into which it behoves the authorities to make a
most thorough investigation. Should it turn out as represented, we
trust the Government will make His Highness thoroughly aware that
such conduct on his part, or that of his followers, cannot on any
account be tolerated for a moment, and that should it be in future
attempted, he will be visited with their serious displeasure."

In April, Mr. Balestier^s estate was put in trust for his creditors.
Mr. Balestier had been in Singapore since 1834, and in 1837 he had
been recognised as American Consul. He had opened a large sugar
plantation on the land still known as Balestier Plain, which swallow-
ed up a great deal of money of Russell & Co. of China. The
plantation was advertised for sale in April, by the Trustee, Mr.
Joseph H. Weed, and the particulars show how different Balestier
Plain must have been then from its desolate state now. The enter-
prise was a complete failure. Mr. Balestier's house has disappeared
altogether. The following was the advertisement: —

"The sugar plantation known as the Balestier Plantation, situated two
miles from the centre of the Settlement of Singapore, consisting of one thousand
acres of ground, lyine in one body, two hundred and twenty of which are planted
with sugar canes. The soil is good and produces on an avei-age from twenty to
twenty-five piculs of raw sugar per aci-e, from cane jnice standing at from 9^*^
to 11** of saccharometer. Two crops are obtained iu two years, viz., one of planted
canes and one of Ratoons. Every field is surrounded by a broad ditch serving
the purpose of drainage by irrigation, and all communicatmg with a canal fourteen
feet in width and upwards of two miles in length, ninning through the whole
extent of the property, and on which the canes are carried in boats to the mills
and the crops taken directly to the shipping in the roads, if required. One or
two water wheels may be easily worked on this stream. The buildings consist of
one two-story dwelling house for a large family and necessary ont-houses in good
repair. An out-house for the Superintendent, a boiling Iioiise with a set of flat
bottom pans — two of thick copper and three of iron — all connected and communi-

484 Anecdotal History of Singapore

eating with i>ne another >)y means of valves, copper skimmera, filterers, kc,
making five to six thousand pounds of sugar per day. An engine house and
a ten-horse steam engine from the Low Moor Factory and a horizontal iron
mill for crushing tlie cane, all in excellent working order; a curing or draining-
house with an ample stock of earthen pots and jars, and 250 wooden drain-
ing boxes of the capacity of four piculs, or five hundred pounds of sugar each,
in which the sugar is }>leached. A store room is attached, with bins to receive
the sugar after oeing dried on a drier close by. And of a distillery consisting
of two copper perpetual Stills. Baglioni's patent, and fermentation irats, all in
working order; adjoining is a godown and large receiving casks. The estate
is stocked with two Sydney horses and a young elephant used in ploughing;
bulls and bullocks used to the plough and cai*ts; carts and ploughs of various
sizes. English nnd American cultivators, extirpators, harrows and a great
quantity of iron pipes and implements of husbandry useful on a plantation, in-
cluding a rotary fire engine. In the garden, near the dwelling house, are many
trees of China fruit, and rare plants and flowers. The property will he sold at a
great l)argain with the standing crop. Picked Chinese and flings, male labourers,
are to be had in any number at tliree Spanish dollars per month, they finding
themselves in everything.

The London Daily News published at full length the petition sent
by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce to the House of Commons on
the subject of the encroachments of the Dutch on our trade, and
wrote lengthy leading articles on tlie subject. Lord Palmerston
deputed Mr. James Brooke, who was then in England, to enquire
and report on the subject. The Dutch were nmcli annoyed at the
action taken by the Singapore merchants, Dutch papers calling it an
unjustifiable proceeding, and using other strong adjectives rather than
arcruments.

Mr. T. W. Salmond, who had been Resident Councillor at Malacca,
died in Penang on the 12th of Marcli, in his forty-first year.
He joined the Bencoolen service in 1824, and when it was broken
up was transferred to the Penang Civil List, where he held various
appointments until 1841, when he went to Malacca as Resident
Councillor. He was much esteemed, and a large number of natives
attended his funeral.

In April, Captain iiussell succeeded Captain Ross as Master
Attendant; he had been the Commander of H. C. steamer Nemesis,
On the 25tli May, H. M. S. Daulalns, which had been here and in
China for some years, left for England. Captain McQuhae had con-
stantly exerted himself for the protection of trade, and lie was very
popular in Singapore. On his way home, he met the sea-serpent,
the first of its notoriety, which caused so much discussion in
Singapore and England at the end of the year, and Punch laughed
at so much. The story is told in Mr. Richard Proctor's book called
"Pleasant Ways in Science'^ in the chapter headed "Strange Sea
Creatures,'^ and if the whole cliapter is read, there may be found
reason to think tliat such a thing may have a real existence; and
that those who gave credit to ''old McQuhae,'' as Admiral Keppel
calls him in his book, were in the right and the wiseacres in the
wrong. But he was called "Sea-serpent McQuhae" to the end of
his life.

On Saturday evening, the 20th May, H. M. S. Meander, a 44
gun frigate, Captain the Hon. Henry Keppel, arrived from England,
having as passengers, Mr. James Brooke, Governor of Labuan, Mr. and

1848. 485

Mrs. WiUiam Xapier and their daughter, Air. Hugli Low (in after
years Sir Hugh Low, Resident of Perak), Mr. Spencer St. John
(afterwards Sir Spencer), Secretary to Sir James Brooke, and some others.
Miss Catherine Napier was married in St. Andrew's Church, Singapore,
on the I2th August, 1848, to Mr. Hugh Low, and Admiral Keppel
in his book, published in 1899, speaks of it as '' a cheery wedding.*'

Mr. Brooke and the other Officers of his Government landed
on Monday evening and were received with every honour. The
Governor, Resident Councillor, European residents, and a large con-
course of natives were present.

The Free Press wrote of Mr. Brooke's return as follows: —
" We sincerely congratulate Mr. Brooke on his return to the scene
of his labours in the East. The honourable post which lie has
been selected by Her Majesty's Government to fill, will enable him
to give great assistance in advancing the general interests of com-
merce, as well as the welfare and civilization of Borneo, and we
have no doubt that each and all of these objects he will devote
himself to. The formation of a Crown Colony in the Indian Archi-
pelago may be looked upon as the commencement, of a new and
most prosperous era in the history of British Commerce in the
Eristern Archipelago. Already we have a foreshadowing and mani-
festation of it in the active commerce which has sprung up between
this place and Bruni, since our relations with that country were
re-organized. On Tuesday evening,^ the 23rd, the eve of the anni-
versary of Her Majesty's birthday, the Government House presented
a scene of great festivity in honour of the occasion. Invitations to
a ball and supper had been issued to about one hundred and fifty,
including the Officers of H.-M. Ships now in the harbour. Dancing
was kept up with great spirit till midnight, when the party sat
down to an elegant supper, in the course of which his Honour the
Governor proposed Her Majesty's health, which was drunk with
the utmost enthusiasm. A novel and striking effect was produced
by simultaneously lighting blue lights, at a given signal, on the
different elevations round the town, causing the appearance of a
sudden illumination. A number of the principal native residents,
Chinese, Arabs, &c., were also invited, and numerous others gained
admittance to the grounds, to witness a display of fire- works which
had been provided for the evening's entertainment."

A Public Company, called the "Eastern Archipelago Company,"
instituted for the extension of commerce in the China seas, and for
promoting the civilization of Borneo, with a capital of £200,000, was
started in this year, and a notification was issued signed by James
Brooke, as Governor of Labuan, that the island of Labuan had been
formally taken possession of by Great Britain, and would be open to
settlers from the 1st August, as a free port. An office of the
Labuan Government was opened in Singapore. AV. R. Paterson & Co.
were the Agents.

The Eastern Archipelago Company was started with Mr. Brooke's
sanction, but had at bottom a scheme to buy out his rights in Sarawak,
and to make money out of the country for money's sake, of which Mr.
Brooke was not aware. It was this that led to serious trouble for

486 Anecdotal Huftory of Singapore

him afterwards, as will bo told later on. Admiral Keppel in his last
book says that he had the opinion that Henry Wise, Kajah Brooke's
agent in London, who was at the bottom of the matter, managed to
get Brooke, Napier and other truthful witnesses away from England in
order to further the scheme to float what was afterwards shown to
be a fraudulent concern.

The following letter to the Free Press, in June, gives the parti-
cuhirs of a matter that is still remembered here, as an example of
the extraordinary engineering feats that have been attempted by
Government Military Engineers in Singapore: — "Allow me through
the medium of your paper, to congratulate Singapore upon its possessing
a genius in its Superintending Engineer worthy to rival the ingenious
Paddy, who finding his blanket rather short for him cut a piece off
the bottom to join to the top that it might cover his head. I have
always admired the said Paddy with extreme veneration for the
brightness of his conception, but he must for the future be content
with a secondary place and give way to Major Faber. The Grand
Jury presented that two Bridges across the Canal were, by their
flatness, obstructive to the traffic during high water, and recom-
mended their being raised in the centre. Major Faber set his face
decidedly against any such alteration, but proposed that the bed of
the Canal should be excavated, and so, of course, to lower the level
of the water ! A most admirable plan, if only the sea will reduce
its level or change its nature, to please a Superintending Engineer
of the Hon'ble Company; which perhaps Major Faber has already
contracted with it to do. I firmly beli(3ve this must be the case,
as I can hardly fancy that a Major of Engineers, and no doubt
a scientific man, would have put forth such a proposition without
some agreement of the kind."

The newspaper on Ist June said : '* Mr. E. A. Blundell, formerly
Acting Governor of these Settlements, and who was one of the victims
of Lord EUenborough's military furor, arrived here last week from
Calcutta by the schooner Eliza Penelope, having been appointed
Resident Councillor jit Malacca. Mr. Blundell was sworn in on
Tuesday, and took his departure for Malacca yesterday. We hope,
for the sake of justice as well as for the interests of these Settle-
ments, that Mr. BlundelPs appointment to Malacca is only preliminary
to his restoration to the Government of the Straits Settlements,
and that our present worthy Governor (Colonel Butterworth) will
receive an appointment in his own profession, in which he will be
able to display, to the advantage of his country, those military
talents which are comparatively lost in a civil employment."

It was in the Eliza Penelope that Mr. James Meldrum, now
Dato Meldrum of Johore, came from Calcutta to Singapore for the
first time, arriving there on 27th May, 1848, the only other passenger,
the Dato now says, being Mr. Blundell ; and it is curious to find
that the Eliza Penelope was the famous old paddle wheel steamer
Diana of Captain Congalton, under a new name, which has been
described on page 281.

Mr. Joseph Harvey Weed, the Acting American Consul, who was
the trustee of the afEairs of Mr. Balestier, died in June.

1848. 487

On the 1st August, Mr. G. J. Dare and Mr. Alfred Bernard opened
the tirra of G. J. Dare & Co., us Auctioneers, Shipchandlers and Coimnis-
sion Agents. In the same month Mr. Alexander Dyce, of the firm of
Martin, Dyee & Co., died at sea on the passage from Manila to
Singapore. Mr. Alexander Dyce had been in Manila, and his brother Mr.
Charles Dyce in Singapore; their brother was the famous Royal
Academician who painted some of the frescoes in the House of Lords.

The following is an account, from the Free Press, of the launch
of the little gun-boat Ranee, for Sarawak, into the river from
where Hallpike Street is now: — "On Monday, the 4th August, there
was launched from the building- yard of Messrs. Wilkinson, Tivendale
& Co., in the presence of Sir F. E. Collier, c.b , Naval Commander-
in-chief of this Station, the Hon. T. Church, Esq., Resident Coun-
cillor, and Captain Young, of the H. C. steamer Auckland, a small
steamer of elegant proportions, designed by Mr. Bulbeck, Carpenter
of H. M. S. Meander, Miss Church, the daughter of the Hon. the
Resident Councillor, christened the vessel by naming her the Ranee.
She is intended for immediate active service for the suppression of
piracy in the Borneo and Sulu seas. She will leave this on Satur-
day next, in charge of Mr. Baker of H. 3[. S. Meander, in company
with the H. C. war-steamer Auchland for Sarawak, where she will
join the Meander, and be under the orders of Hon. Captain Keppel
and Sir James Brooke. This small steamer is 60 feet in length,
breadth of beam 8 feet 6 inches, fitted with a 4-horse power engine
by Messrs. Seaward, of Limehouse, and with her armament and
men, it is stated will not exceed a draught of 26 inches. She has
a very handsome appearance afloat, is built entirely of teak, coppered
and copper-fastened, and reflects the highest credit on her con-
structors and the Chinese artisans in their employment. Her arma-
ment is to be two long brass guns and rocket tubes. We wish her
every success, although the power is stated by those conversant with
steam navigation to be totally insufficient for the intended purpose."

The price of gambier was then very low, about 80 cents a picul,
and the prospects of the Chinese planters were very bad, and the cultiva-
tion was, in a great many instances abandoned ; in Province Wellosley
the sugar cultivation was also in a very depressed state.

The new Insolvent Act of Parliameut, for India, and extended
to the Straits, was put in force here in September, and the Chamber
of Commerce passed some resolutions which were entered in the
Records of the Chamber; among them was the following: —

" The punishments to be inflicted by clauses 25, 50, 51, 52 and
70 form an important and most salutary feature in this Act. On
the strictness and just severity with which these powers are carried
out will mainly depend the success of the measure and its advan-
tage to the Straits Community, for it cannot be denied that peculiar
and local causes, the unsettled and migratory habits of native trad-
ers here, their generally low origin, the difficulty of detecting, and

488 Anecdotal History of Singapore

reuder necessary a vigorous and unsparing application of the powers
of puuisliment now conferred. Henceforward imprisonment will ba-
come, not as now — incarceration of the debtors' body as security for
debt — but a punishment inflicted upon him as a public criminal,
and it will be most desirable that this broad distinction be clearly
brought to the under.-. tanding of native traders coming within the
jurisdiction of the Court/^

A Masonic banquet was given in June, of which the following
was an account, which we print as it contains reference to some
well-known names : —

*'0n Saturday, the 24th June, being the anniversary of the
festival ot St. John the Baptist, the Brethren held a special meeting
at high twelve for the purpose of receiving in due form James
Brooke, Governor, and W. Napier, Lieut-Governor, of Labuan, who
afterwards remained to witness the initiation of a new candidate
for admission to the Masonic mysteries and privileges — Lieut. H. W.
Comber of H. M. S. Meander" He is now a retired Eear Admiral.
The Lodge was then in North Bridge Road on the West side, near
where Hock Lam Street is now.

'* In the evening these distiuguished visitors, with Captain the
Hon'ble H. Keppel, were invited to meet the Past Master aud
Brethren at a Farewell Banquet given to the Worshipful Master
Brother W. H. Read, uii the occasion of his expected early departure
to Europe. The Brethren with their distinguished guests sat down
to a sumptuous dinner at 7 o'clock. The Worshipful Past Master
was in the Chair ; the Worshipful Master on his right. Brother
Brooke on his left. The vSenior Warden acted as Croupier ; the
Hon'ble Captain Keppel on his right, the Hon'ble Brother Napier,
on his left. All the other officers of the Lodge were in their ap-
propriate seats aud the other brethren took their places under the
direction of the Stewards for the occasion. Brothers J. B. Gumming
and M. F. Davidson. In front of the Lodge a beautifully illuminated
square and compasses was exhibited, and the interior of the Banquet
Room throughout the evening presented an unvaried scene of harmony
and animated enjoyment. Much of the success of the evening's
entertainment is to be attributed, we believe, to the delightful com-
placency of Brother Brooke. In the hands of a gentleman of his
polished demeanour, it may be easily conceived he had no difficulty
in exhibiting to perfection the beautiful masonic lesson — 'that all
masons are, as brethren, upon the same level — yet masonry takes no
honour from any man that he had before, for masons are bound
not to derogate from that respect which is due to Jiny brother, were
he not a mason : these great truths and principles were most
happily illustrated on this delightful occasion. We believe we may
venture to say that this festival will be a Red Letter Day in
the annals of ' Zetland in the East,' and in the memory of every
one who had the gratification of participating in its enjoyment.''

In July it was proposed to start a local Marine Insurance
Company. There were then 18 agencies in Singapore for different
companies, and it was ascertained that the amount of premiums re-
ceived during the preceding four years had been between $112,000

1848. 489

and $123,000, yearly. It was said that a local coiupany ivould obtain
a large share of the business. It was never carried out, and it was
not until over thirty years later that the first local assurance com-
pany was established, and was afterwards wound up.

The paper in August contained the following paragraph: —

" It is our duty this week to chronicle the disappearance of the
well-known mass of rock situated on the Singapore side of the
Western entrance to New Harbour, called by natives Batu Bclatjer,
and by Europeans Lot^s Wife. This rock, which was composed of
a mass of very hard conglomerate, partially crystallised, has been
known to navigators in the Straits for many hundreds of years, and
we believe figures upon old charts engraved upwards of 200 ycnrs
ago." It was blown up.

The following letter to the Free Press, in August, shows that
the question of the necessity for the defence of Singapore was then
quite appreciated by the mercantile community. Admiral Sir Francis
Collier had just arrived from England in the P. & 0. Mail and had
hoisted his flag on Captain KeppeFs ship the Meandtr : —

"The present is a favourable moment for calling attention to a
subject which is of paramount importance to Singapore. I mean the
great advantages which would accrue to this Settlement were it
made the Principal Naval Station in these Seas. The arrival of the
gallant Admiral, now here, is the most favourable moment that for
years has offered for attaining the end in view. Seeing that not
only is the Admiral enabled to form his own judgment upon personal
examination, but that Captain the Hon'ble H. Keppel is also here,
it would be presumption to call his attention to the coiicentrical
position we hold in the direct route between India and China, and
within three days' sail of the Straits of Sun da, which may be looked
upon as the prison-house of our China trade whenever a European
War shall tempt an enemy's cruisers, whether legitimate or ruthless
Privateers, to lie in wait there, should the seas in that neighbourhood
not be protected by the English Ensign.

"It is therefore the more selfish note of self interest that 1
would sound. This will not only be believed as sincere, but will
relieve me from the imputation of offering him that which, if feasible,
will no doubt have already been su<^gested by that distinguishod
officer, Captaiu Keppel, who is as highly respected for his profes-
sional talents as he is esteemed for that urbanity which has made
him ever so deservedly popular in Singapore.

"The eclat which Singapore would derive from becoming the
nominal head-quarters of the Naval Commander-in-chief would be
understood by all, while the benefit arising from the circulation of
money expended in the construction of Public Works, would be
more substantial, especially if the docks, which must sooner or later
be built here, should be taken in hand by Government instead of
being deferred till private enterprise carry out the undertaking.
But the most important advantage we should obtain would be the
safety and security which would thus be conferred upon our Settle-
ment whenever a war breaks out, as break out 1 fear it must ere
long. The idea of fortifying Singapore, about which so much noise

490 Anecdotal History of Singapore

was iiuide^ seems to be given up, so we must trust to the ' woodeu
Willis.' Sliouhl this become the chief Naval Station, these natural
guardians of a defenceless but valuable seaport like ours, and wliicli
will then probably become a rendezvous for our mcrchantnien when
either waiting for convoy or in want of shelter from the enemy's
cruisers; then these natural guardians will always be upon the spot
in greater or less force."

On Tuesday, the 22nd August, Mr, Bi-ooke was created a K.C.B.,
the Queen's warrant, addressed to Air. William Napier, Lieutenant-
Governor of Labuan, having been received in Singapore while he
was still here, with instructions from Prince Albert to omit nothing
in the ceremony that might evince the esteem entertained by the
Queen for Mr. Brooke. The ceremony took place in the Pubhc
Assembly Uooms, at the foot of Fort Canning, and the Free FrtM
contained a very long account of the most elaborate ceremonial that
had ever taken place in Singapore; from which we take the fol-
lowing : —

"The investiture took place in the Public Assembly Rooms, which
were fitted up in a suitable manner. At one end of the large room
a dais or platform had been run across the whole breadth of the
apartment, and, raised two steps above this, a chair was placed to
represent a throne, under a canopy of crimson velvet edged with
gold lace, the dais and steps of the throne being covered with red
cloth. The whole apartment was very tastefully decorated with flags,
while the main entrance of the building outside was ornamented
with a variety of shrubs and flowers. The accommodation for visitors
consisted of rows of chairs running down both sides of the throne-
room on a graduated rise, leaving an open space in the centre which
was also covered with red cloth, for the processions to advance
towards the throne, comfortable seats for 240 spectators beiuic thus
provided. Facing the throne, the Royal Marines of H. M. 8. MHandcr
were ranged along the other end of the room, to act as a guard
of honour, the Band of the same vessel being stationed in the
gallery erected in the apartment. In the spacious portion which is
on a level with this room, a flank Company of the 21st Uegiment
M. N. I. was stationed, to net as a guard of honour to Sir James
J^rooke, the Band of the same Regiment being also stationed in the
portico. A little after 11 o'clock visitors began to arrive in consider-
able numbers, and at about half-past eleven Mr. W. Napier drove
up to the rooms, and was shortly followed by Sir J. Brooke, who was
received with the usual military honours by the guard of the 2 1st
Regt. At 12 o'clock the Royal Standard was hoisted on a flag-staff
on Government Hill under a salute of 21 guns from the battery on
shore and the ships of war in the harbour, which was the signal for
the ceremonial to commence. The procession now moved from the
bauqueting room, where they had assembled, entering the throne room
by a side door at the end, and passing in front of the guard of
Marines. The guard of honour of Royal Marines saluted the Lieutenant-
Governor in the usual manner as he passed their front, and the Band
of H. M. S. Mf'ander struck up God Save the Queen- as the procession
entered^ and kept playing as it moved up, until Mr. Napier had taken

1848. 491

his seat on the throne — when the music ceased. [Here follows a list
of the first procession, which included Mr. John Connolly, the Sheriff;
Mr. Hugh Low; Major Faber; the Rev. H. Moulc, the Chaplain; and
twenty others.]

After a little time Mr. Brooke's procession began to move, entering
the throne room by the door opposite that by which the other proces-
sion entered, and passed in front of the guard of Marines, and up the
centre towards the throne. [Here follows a list of the second pro-
cession^ which included Dr. Treacher, Colonial Surgeon of Labuan ;
Mr. Thomas Dunman, Superintendent of Police; Mr. St. John, one of Sir
James Brooke's Secretaries; Dr. Oxley; Mr. Behn, Hamburg Consul;
Mr. Nicol, Danish Consul ; Sir Jose d' Almeida, Consul-General for
Portugal ; Mr. C. Johnston (now Rajah of Sarawak) Aide-de-Camp to Sir
J. Brooke; Mr. Thos. Church, Resident Councillor; and over twenty
others; and was followed by Captain Keppel and Mr. Brooke himself.^

Mr. Low, Secretary to the Government of Labuan, then read anc
published the following letter from His Royal Highness Prince Albert,
Great Master of the Order, communicating the Royal Warrant for the
investiture, viz; —

Buckingham Palace,

23rd May, 1848.

Sir, — The Queen having been graciously pleased as a mark of
Her Royal approbation of the services of James Brooke, Esquire,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Island of Labuan,
to appoint him an Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the
Second Class or Knights Commanders of the Most Honourable Order
of the Bath; I am to signify to you Her Majesty's pleasure that
you should invest him with the Insignia of that Class and Division
of the Order (herewith transmitted) in conformity to the enclosed
Royal Warrant; and it being Her Majesty's intention that the same
be done in the most honourable and distinguished manner that cir-
cumstances will allow of, you will concert and adjust with him such time
and manner for investing him with the Insignia of a Civil Knight
Commander of the said Most Honorable Order, and at the same time
mark in the most public manner Her Majesty's just sense of the zeal
and ability displayed by Mr. Brooke in the service of his country.

I am with consideration,

Sir,

Yours, &c.,

ALBERT,

Great Master.
To William Napikk, Esq.,

&c., &c,, &c.,

Lieut.-Governor of Labuan.

The Mandate of the Sovereign having been read, the Revd.
H. Moule, Residency Chaplain, read an appropriate prayer. Mr.
Napier after a long speech, eulogistic of Sir James, invested him
with the order, after which Sir James Brooke made the following
reply: — ^'The honour 'you have now conferred upon me by

492 Anecdotal History of Siiigapon

coiniiiHud of Her Most Gracious Majesty has naturally excited in
my breast feelings both of gratitude and of pride. I feel myself
grateful to my Sovereign for this mark of distinction ; and prond
that the Queen should have deemed me worthy to receive it.

^' With the approval of his Sovereign her grateful subject may
be absolved from the task of speaking of his own service : he can
only hope that the future may be as the past has been, and that
lie may be enabled faithfully to discharge his duty to his Queen
and to his country.

" Were I to say, Sir, that this decoration could either stimulate
or increase the loyalty I entertain towards Her Majesty, I should
be doing less than justice to myself; for my feelings of loyalty, in
common I trust with those of every British subject, are not sus-
ceptible of increase. 1 value this distinction, I value it most highly,
as a token of Iser Majesty's most gracious appi'obation, and sanctioned
by this approbation, I shall wear it with the proud consciousue.>.s
of having won it in this far and distant part of the world.

" Sir, as the Representative of the Crown on this occasion, you
will permit me to express my acknowledgments for the kind and flat-
tering terms you have used in speaking of me; and to say that I
trust our future career together may be distinguished by the confi-
dence and good will which has ever existed between us. Sir, I beg
to thank you for the manner you have discharged the duty which
Her Majesty the Queen has done you the honour to entrust to your
hands."

A numerous party assembled at the 13all in the evening given
by the Lieut-Governor of Labuan to meet Sir James Brooke, and
dancing was kept up with great animation until a late hour.

This was an occasion that was long remembered by the community
id Singapore, and by Colonel Butterworth, the Governor, who lost his
watcl), and by Mrs. Butterworth, who had all her jewellery stolen
the same night from Government House (on Fort Canning) after the
Ball. The Mcaudvr, left on the following day for Labuan with Sir
James Brooke.

The following letter from "An old Resident '' (Mr. W. H. Read)
appeared in the Free Freas in 1884, the time some of these papers
were first being published : — " The Ball-room in the Assembly Rooms
was fitted up for the occasion, a dais was erected, and three chairs
placed thereon, the middle one, as is usual on such occasions,
representing the Royal Throne. Mr. Napier was an old resident in
Singapore, and a general favourite ; but his peculiar way of carry-
ing his head, of brushing his hair, and swagger of body, had earned
him the title of * Royal Billy/ Fully impressed with the importance
of the functions he had to perform (and, perhaps, a little bit more
so than was necessai'y), the Lieut.-Governor endossed his uniform,
begirt himself with his sword, and was marshalled into the room
prepared for the ceremony, in ^due and ample form.^ His head
was higher than ever, his hair more wavy, and with the strut of
a tragedy tyrant, he proceeded to mount the steps of the dais, and,
to the horror of the assembled spectators, sat down on the Royal
Throne ! There was a general titter, and the Admiral, Sir Francis

1848. 493

Colly er, who was present, made an exclamation more vigorous than
polite in its language. The ceremony proceeded, and Sir James Brooke
made a suitable reply, which, as a local paper observed, ' alone
saved the whole from becoming a burldsque ' so utterly did ' Royal
Billy * overact his part. Peace be to his ashes ! [A better fellow,
and a truer friend, or a sterner enemy, did not exist, and one soon
forgot his little failings in the society of a man of so amiable a
character, and so well up in most subjects. He it was who started
the Free Press, and was for years its Editor, handing over his pen to
Mr. Abraham Logan, when he left for home in 1846 or 1847, coming
out again in the Meander in 1848, on the Labuan Staff, with Mr.
Low, now Sir Hugh, as his Secretary.'^

It was on May 30th in this year that Captain Keppel wrote in
his diary, on board the Meander,

" In pulling about in my gig among the numerous prettily wooded
islands on the westward entrance to the Singapore river, I was as-
tonished to find deep water close to the shore, with a safe passage
through for ships larger than the Meander, Now that steam is
likely to come into use this ready made harbour as a depot for
coals would be invaluable. I had the position surveyed, and sent
it with my report to the Board of Admiralty; as it was, the forge
was landed, and artificers employed under commodious sheds, all
under the eyes of the officers on board .^'

These repairs of the Meander were, therefore, the first repairs
done in New Harbour, on the spot where the Tanjong Pagar wharves
now extend for some mile and a half, crowded with steamers. The
diary on 24th August, 1849, while Captain Keppel was still in the Meander,
contained this : — ^* Having reported to the Adfniralty over twelve
months ago the natural advantages of the inuer Harbour of Singa-
pore as a coaling station, and no notice having been taken of my
letter, I now sent a similar statement, with survey to the Secretary
of the P. & 0. Company .'' So it was Keppel who first sailed through
New Harbour, and Singaporeans often said that it should have not
been called New Harbour, which meant nothing, but Keppel Harbour.
This was eventually done on 19th April, 1900, when the old Admiral was on
a visit to Singapore, and staying at Government House with the
Acting Governor, Sir Alexander Swettenham, who made it an occa-
sion of much pleasure to the old man in his ninety-second year,
whose name had been at the very top of the Active List of the Navy for
ten years. The road to New Harbour was called Keppel Road
fifteen years before, which pleased the Admiral very much ; and when
the name of the Harbour was changed, the men of war, the Governor's
yacht, a number of merchant steamers, and a great tail of steam
launches, steamed through the narrow passage, through which the
Meander first passed, and Sir Alexander Swettenham broke a bottle
on a large iron buoy in the centre of the passage, and everyone near
shouted when lie called out the new name, and it was taken up all
down the line. It may be mentioned that the Meander shoal in New
Harbour was discovered by the keel of Captain Keppel's ship !

Captain Keppel had pointed out to the Admiralty and to the
P. & O. Company the present site of the Tanjong Pagav Dockft and

494 Anecdotal History of Singapore

Wliarvos on the main island, but a wiseacre of a Naval Officer who
canio a few years after Iiim managed to persuade the Admiralty to
put their wharf on Pulo Braiii, on the opposite island^ where there are
cross tides, and dangerous mooring. Perhaps it was as well for the
trade of the place, and the great steam tniffic that has grown up since, that
Captain KeppeFs advice was disregarded by the Admiralty, or a few men
of war would have occupied the ground that is now invaluable for
sliipping. The Navy never use the site on Pulo Brani, but go to the Dock
C(>mpany*s Wharves on the site which Captain Keppel originally advised.

The Meander was in Singapore for several months in both 1848
and 1849, and the Admiral's book contains many references to what
lie did, and to former residents.

The following appeared in the Free Press on 4th September, it seeius
to have been somewhat prophetic of after times: "At various times wo
liave liad occasion to find fault with the Peninsular and Oriental Company
and their behaviour towards the public, and, from all we can learn, the
iiionopnly wliich they have accpiired between England and her Eastern
])ossessi(>iis lias not in any way quickened their desire to meet the public
convenience. On the contrary it has the usual effect of monopoly, an ex-
elusive concern for their ownx interests, and a complete disregard for that
of others. The ])assengers from China and the Straits especially suffer from
tli(» conduct of the Company, which having secured their money, gives
itself no further trouble about them. There is no accommodation reserved
for passengers from the East in the Red Sea steamers, so that if the
steamer from Calcutta and Madras is full, the unlucky Far Easterns must
wait in Ceylon for a month before they can have the chance of going on;
and for this heavy expense the Company, as far as we are aware, make no
allowance*. Further, a ])erson taking a first class passage is only entitled
to a cabin on the orloj) deck lighted by a scuttle, which in general is only
oj)cn(Ml in the Red Sea, and if there is an em])ty cabin on the main deck,
loO in addition is charged, or the cabin is locked up and kept empty.
These facts may serve as illustration of the way in which the Company do
business, and of the care tlu»y bestow upon the comfort of tho.se who pay
them all they choose to ask for passage."

A few w(*eks afterwards a correspondent asked the Editor why the P.
and O. charged §25 passage money from Penang to Singapore, and 850
from Singapore to Penang ; and the Editor gave it up.

The Free Press contained the following account of the celebration of
St. Andrew's day, and of an exhibition of fireworks at New Harbour in
the same week : —

"St. Andrew's day was celebrated on Thursday last by the patriotic
sons of Scotia in Singapore with an enthusiasm and devotion which
proved that they were scions of no degenerate race. A number met
at dinner in the public rooms in the evening, where they gave a free
vent to their feelings of nationality, and the song and pledge went
round to a late hour. A number of eloquent and inspiring addresses were
delivered by different gentlemen during the evening and the whole
passed off with that cordiality and unanimity of sentiment and feeling,
which give the chief charm to such festive meetings."

" The Tumonggong received the company in a rustic pavilion which had
been erected at Pantei Chermin, on a rising ground overlooking the New

1848. 495

Harbour, and it was decorated with iiiiich taste. Tlie building was soon
Riled by such an assemblafife of tlie 'beauty and fashion^ of the station,
as we never remember to have witnessed before. Tlie arrival of the (tov-
emor and Mrs. Butterworth, announced by the firing of a salute, was the
signal for the commencement of the exhibition, and then firework succeeded
firework in rapid succession, rockets, blue-lights, flower-pots, wheels, ducks,
and last, though not least, the Chinese drums with their minute popula-
tion, who spend their brief existence in public in the uncomfortable posi-
tion of suspension by the pigtail surrounded by an atmosphere of squibs
and crackers that would choke even a Salamander.

" The views interiorly and exteriorly were most striking, comprising
as they did every degree of civilization from the wild orang laut, the
excited Malay, the solemn Arab, and the grinning celestial, to the pale Euro-
pean beauty. A supper was provided for those who wished to partake of
it, and was done due credit to, and about ten o'clock the whole party
betook themselves to their carriages, and then came the tug of war. Many
were the mishaps which ensued. The road, previously not in a very first-
rate condition, had got dreadfully cut up by the passage of the numerous
vehicles going to the village, and in returning many carriages fairly stuck
fast, including, we have heard, those of high functionaries, who were thus,
for once in their lives, practically convinced of the inconveniences which
the public suffer when the roads get out of order. The only material
injury we have heard of as resulting from this state of the roads, besides
liroken harness, strained vehicles and jaded horses, was that inflicted on
the company by being deprived of the pleasure of listening to the nuisic of
the band of the twenty-first Regiment, it having been . found impossible to
^i*t the instruments through. Notwithstanding these little drawbacks,
however, those present were much delighted with the night's exhibition,
and grateful to His Highness for the trouble he took in thus providing for
their amusement."

The paper remarked on the improvements that had been made at New
Harbour l)y the Tumonggong, as follows : — '^ The great changes, and in
most in.stances improvements, which have taken place of late years in
Singapore, both as regards the architecture of the town, and the cultiva-
tion of the country, are nowhere so strikingly manifested as cat Teluk
Blangah, the residence of His Highness the Tumonggong. There, within a
few years past, but especially in more recent times, the whole aspect of
things has been changed, and everywhere improved. A few years ago,
Teluk Blangah only presented the appearance of a very dirty Malay
village, the royal residence being merely distinguished from its neighbours
by being of brick, and if possible dingier and dirtier than the rest. Now
everything has put on a new face. The money, which has flowed so
copiou.sly into the Teluk Blangah coffers, through the successful dealings
of His Highness and his followers in the gutta trade, has been more judi-
cially applied than is generally the case when Malays beconu> possessed of
a little cash, and instead of being expended on evanescent shows and spec-
tacles, or squandered at the gambling-table and cock-pit, it has been laid
out in improving the outward appearance of Teluk Blangah. His High-
ness has built for himself several extremely neat houses and baleis in the
European style, which are gay with green and white paint, and many of
his followers have done the same, their smart, green venetianed, tile-

49(5 Anecdotal Hifttory of Singapore

ro()f(»(l lioiises, boiiit^ an cxtivine contrast to tlic rude huts in wliicli tlioy
formerly were eonteiit to live. The old palace, now the residence of the
mother of the 'rumong-^on;^, has also been cleaned u]) and white-washed,
and altogctlier has a very nice a])])earance.

" In addition to these Malay residences, several large European
honscs have also been constructed in the close vicinity of Teluk Blangah,
nnd we have heard of others about to be erected. No less remarkable is the
spirit of agricultural imj)rovement which seems to have seized uj>on the
Tuniontrufcjug and his followers. The hills overhanginjy the village, and ""a liich
heretofore were covered with a thick jungle giving shelter and cover t» the
tig(»rs, are now being rapidly divested of their coverings, and planted with
fruit and spice trees. Much of this improvement is no doubt owing to the
advice and examjde of the European gentlemen, whose opinion His High-
ness has the sense to ask, and still greater sense to follow ; but even niakiuir
allowance for all this, enough still remains to show that there must be a
rcjd <l(»sin» to a(h)pt tin* comforts and conveniences, and the more settled
siiid industrious habits of civiliztul life, instead of adhering to the rudo
habitations and the idle and equivocal habits which formerly were the
murks and distinguishing characteristics of the Teluk Blangah Malays."

In l)(H(Mnber, the ])a])er wrote as follows, and the proposal was carried
out thii'ty-sL'ven years afterwards: — *' Now that the Esplanade is nearly
closed in and the green sward protected from the incursions of pony-racing,
drunken sailors, we trust the crowning improvement will not be forgotten.
In till* centre of the Ksplanade there ought to be placed a suitable monu-
ment to mark the achievements of the founder of this Settlement — Sir
Thomas Stamford KafHes. 'J'he examph* of that great and good man ought
])roniinently to be set forth, and where so apj)ropriately as the scene of his
labours ? What is so attractive to the imagination, as the memorial raised
to n great man by his admiring fellow-citizens ? Monuments are the appro-
])rijite Howards of virtue, the evidences of a country's gratitude. We throw
out this hint in the hope that some of the influential members of society
will tnke the initiative.^'

The following account of the Masonic Dinner on St. John's Day appeared
in the Free Proi^s. It is reprinted here as it w^ill be interesting from the
r(»cord it gives of some of the best known Singaporeans of the time. Mr.
llobiM't Duff was then the resident partner in Shaw, Whitehead & Co., a
firm (established in 1834; Mr. Michie Forbes Davidson and Mr. Robert Bain
wen^ partners in A. L. Johnston & Co. ; Mr. J. C. Smith was Head-master of
the Institution Free School (the Raffles); Captain Charles Morgan Elliot, of
the Engineers, was here on special duty for the magnetic survey department;
Ml'. (,-al dwell was Senior Sworn Clerk of the Court; Frommurzjee Sorabjee
was a Parsee merchant; Dr. Charles Curties and Dr. Allen were Surgeons
and Medical Practitioners ; Mr. F. A. Cargill was the Manager of the
Oriental Rank ; Mr. G. H. Brown had come down from Penang in 1847 and
was organist of the old St. Andrew's Church ; Mr. Tivendale was a ship-
wright in High Street, under the name of Wilkinson, Tivendale & Co., and
Mr. J. G. Barnes was third master in the Institution School : —

*' 'J1ie Annual Festival of the Sons of St. John was celebrated on the
evening of the 27th December by the members of the Lodge ' Zetland in
the East,^ by a magnificent banquet, to which all the brethren on the island
and a number of other guests, who did not belong to the craft of Freemasonry

184S. 497

were invited. The company sat down to dinner at half-past seven o'clock —
the Band of the 21st Begiment, by the kind permission of tlie Officers,
being in attendance. The room was brilliantly lighted up, and the arrange-
ment of the table, strikingly elegant and tasteful, did much credit to the
Brethren who had so well discharged the office of Stewards. The new
canopy in the East was very beautifully fitted up, and, with the illumi-
nations, transparencies. Master's pedestal covered with Masonic implements,
and other suitable decorations with which the room was ornamented, pre-
sented a spectacle seldom, if ever before, equalled in this Settlement on the
occasion of a public dinner."

In the course of the evening, a number of toasts were given with the
usual honours and appropriate airs, and the paper contained a long report
of the speeches made by those already mentioned.

" We should have premised that the members of Lodge ' Zetland in
the East,^ pursuant to summons, assembled on Wednesday morning, at 6
o'clock, for the purpose of witnessing the installation of the Worshipful
Master elect for the ensuing year, and the investiture of the several
Officers, viz.: —

Bro. J. B. Gumming . . . Worshipful Master.

„ M.F.Davidson ... Senior Warden.

„ F. A. Cargill .. Junior Warden.

„ J. C. Smith . . Treasure!'.

„ C. J. Curties . Secretary.

„ G.J.Dare . Senior Deacon.

„ H. A. Allen . . Junior Deacon.

„ G. H. Brown . Organist.

„ T. Tivendale ... Inner Guard.

„ J. G. Barnes . Tyler.

" There was a very full attendance of the Brethren on this occasion, as
well as several visitors from foreign and other Lodges, aiul the arrange-
ments for the imposing ceremony had been so well made, the Lodge Room
so much improved by its enlargement to more than double its former size,
and the fitting up of the chair and other decorations so tasteful and
appropriate, that it was acknowledged by all to have been one of the most
gratifying gatherings the craft had ever held in Singapore."

The Free Press at the end of the year in its review of the events of the
preceding twelve months, which had been a very exciting time all over
Europe, alluded to the local commerce of the year as follows : —

"The state of trade during the past year has not been of a very
cheering character, although, fortunately, Singapore was unmarked by the
fall of any of its mercantile houses, as happened nearly everywhere else.
The disastrous events in England (the Chartist Riots, &c.) and elsewhere,
by which trade for a time was almost paralysed, no doubt contributed in a
great measure to bring about the depression in our trade complained of,
although other local causes no doubt also existed. The great fall which
took place in what may be called two of the principal staple productions —
gambier and gutta pereha — had a very injurious effect, influencing as they
did so many, more or less, directly concerned in their cultivation, manufac-
ture or collection. Another cause of the dulness of trade was a considerable

498 Anecdotal History of Singapore

decrease in the China junk trade, and the non-arrival of anything like
the usual number of Bugis l)oats, as well as the comparatively greatly less
value of the cargoes of such as did arrive. These and other causes have
produced a great exhaustion of means on the part of many of the smaller
native traders — Kling and Chinese — amongst whom several failures took
place. Tlie very low price to which gambier fell, produced much distress
among the planters, who found it almost impossible to obtain the means of
existence. The price of rice fortunately kept at a moderate rate, otherwise
it is probable that much severe suffering would have ensued amongst
these unfortunate persons, and they might have l>een led to endeavour to
procure the means of existence by having recourse to gang robberies and
other dishonest courses. The cultivation of gambier has much diminished,
while that of pepper is being increased as much as possible."

It was in Mav of this vear that Mr. Robert Barclav Read first arrived
in Singapore. He came out to A. L. Johnston & Co., when he was twenty
years old. He became a partner when Mr. M. F. Davidson retired from
the firm in IS&l. He resided in Singa])ore for thirty-six years; and
died at Yokohama, where he had gone in ill health, on 27th October, 1884,
50 years of age. He was very jH^pular in the place, a leading spirit in all
its affairs, like his cousin, Mr. W. H. Read, both commercial and social.
He was Consul for Sweden and Norway, and during the absence of Mr.
W. H. Read, he officiated as Acting Con.sul-General for the Netherlands.
For his long services, the Swedish Government made him a Knight of the
Order of Wasa, and the Dutch Government conferred on him the Knight-
hood of the Netherlands Lion for his valuable assistance in discovering
and following up the threads of a conspiracy against their authority in
Palenibang in 1880. At one time he held a seat in the Legislative Council
and he was a Director of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Co., Limited. Socially,
Mr. Read was, for years, the life and soul of the place. He had a good
appreciation of the enjoyments of life, and, especially in his younger days,
the capacity for inspiring and diffusing them. He was an enthusiastic yachts-
man and took great delight in his cruises. He had also very good dramatic
taste. In the Amateur Theatricals of those days he was always considered
an indispensable associate. In all Club matters he invariably took the
liveliest interest, and was always ready to assume his share of the
duties which such institutions entail. He was for a long time President
of the Singapore Club, and a handsome centre piece was subscribed for
by the members after his death to be Kept in the Club in memory of
him.

The Court for the relief of Insolvent Debtors was established on 1st
November, 1848. Mr. \V. W. Willans was the first Official Assignee.
There were four lawyers in Singapore, and ten Justices of the Peace, mer-
chants ; the police force consisted of n Superintendent, a Deputy, 5 Eu-
ropean constables, and 187 natives.

1849. 499

CHAPTER XXXVI

1849.

AT the beginning of this year the Free Press Office was moved from
High Street to No. 1, Malacca Street, at the corner of Commercial
Square, which the Oriental Bank had just quitted ; and Mr. Abraham
Logaii had bought the newspaper, on 1st November, 1848, from Mr. W. Tl.
George. The paper was published on a larger sheet.

Mr. John James Greenshields became a partner in Guthrie & Co. ; and
Mr. Charles Hercules Harrison in Middleton, Blundell & Co., at the begin-
ning of the year. On the 2nd April, Mr. Henry Charles Eautenberg and
Mr. Frederick George Schmidt, of Hamburg, est<ablished the firm of
Rautenberg, Schmidt & Co. Mr. Eautenberg had been an assistant in a
Grerman firm here called F. E. Walte & Co., which was established in 1845.
Mr. Walte, the sole partner, had died in Singapore on the 22nd September,
1847. In 1852 Mr. Schmidt was the sole partner and remained so until
1858. During those years G. Cramer, Otto Puttfarcken, and Otto Eheiner
liad been clerks. On 1st October, 1858, the partners were F. G. Schmidt
Gustavus Cramer, and Adolph Emil Schmidt. In 1863 Mr. Franz Kuster-
mann became a partner, and Mr. Conrad Sturzenegger in 1865.

On the 24th March, Mr. John Connolly, one of the oldest merchants
in Singapore, died. He was a partner with William and Charles Spottis-
woode in Spottiswoode & Connolly, whose offices were where the Oriental
Bank was afterwards. Mr. John Connolly, Jnr., Mr. A. J. Spottiswoode, and
Mr. William Mactaggart were assistants in the firm at the time of Mr. Con-
nolly^s death. Mr. Connolly was Sheriff of the Settlement in 1848.

On the 12th January, Mr. Simon Stephens (of Stephens & Joaquim)
died, at the age of 45 years. He came to Singapore in 1829, and com-
menced business, which he carried on with much enterprise and varying
success until 1845, when he failed and retired from business until 1848,
when he commenced again under very favourable circumstances. He had
great influence among the native community, who often went to him for
advice and assistance. On the 17th February, Frommurzeo Sorabjec died at
Parsee Lodge, in his 43rd year. He was very popular in Singapore as the
proceedings at the Masonic banquet in the preceding year show. He was the
father of Cursetjee Frommurzee, a partner for many years with the Littles.
The .sports took place as usual on New Year's Day, and to show how
thoy were carried out at the time, we take the following account from the
Free Press : —

" New Year's Day was celebrated with the usual rejoicings, the
Esplanade being crowded with the natives who Ivad ^^s>^m\A^v5i \ci ^\\\<^^ 1\\^

500 Anecdotal Eifttory of Singapore

accustoniod sports and pastimes. There was an abnndance of amusement
suited for every taste, from a well-greased climbinfi^ pole for those inclined
to display their powers of perseverance, to dancing girls for those fond of
the ])allet. There were three hack-pony races with a number of entries,
foot races, and a pig race, or rather a race after a pig. The most exciting
sport, however, was a game at football in which all joined, and which was
kept up capitally for about half an hour. The day was fine, a breeze for
the most ])art prevailing, and the varied and gay costumes of the natives,
and especially of the Malays, who were present in large numbers and dress-
ed in their best, formed altogether a very animated and enlivening scene,
enhanced by the good humour and spirit of enjoyment which seemed to
animate all. The aquatic sports were no less well got up and succes.sful.
There were sailing races, yachts, sampans and tongkangs, as well as sam-
pans, &c., rowing, which were all well contested, and proved highly interest-
ing and exciting."

The Hon. Samuel Garling, the Resident Councillor at Penang, on leav-
ing that Settlement had a number of cases on board a barque called the
Cape Packet which was burnt in the harbour there. The paper remarked
that Mr. Garling had a collection which could not well be replaced, and
])a])ers intended for publication, the loss of which resembled that of Sir
Stamfor<l Raffles at Bencoolen on board the Fame,

The same paper announced the death of Mr. Jackson, the Assistant
Resident, Magistrate, and Superintendent of Police in Singapore, which
was a mistake. A letter to the Free Prtss in speaking of it as being likely
to inflict pain upon persons at a distance who might hear of it, spoke of the
general indignation that was felt at the statement, and said that it was not
th(» first of its kind, and, without some mark of reprobation, was not likely
to be the last ; and it was suggested to publish a " Straits Times Obituary "
of personages who had been embalmed in its pages during the period of
their natural lives.

The proprietors of the Singapore Library, which was kept in the
Raffles Institution building, proposed to form a Museum, and a resolution
was passed at their annual meeting on the 31st January " that a Museum
with a view principally to the collection of objects illustrating the
(leneral History and Archaeology of Singapore and the Eastern Archipel-
ago be established in connection with the Singapore Library ; that it be
called the ' Singapore Library Museum ' and that it be deposited in the
rooms of the Library." The conmiencement of the collection was made bv
the presentation of two curious gold coins given by the Tumunggong.

Amoks were not infrequent in those days ; the following account of one
appeared in the Free Press in February : — " On Friday last a Bugis armed
with five nebong spears (selegie) while in a state of frenzy, wounded one
Chinaman in the knee and another in the abdomen, the latter case being
one of some danger. He threw spears at several other persons, but with-
out wounding them, and an alarm having been raised. Constable Taylor
proceeded to the spot armed with a musket, and called upon the man to
surrender. This he refused to do, and threatened the Constable with a
speai*, on which the latter fired and wounded the Bugis in the thigh, and
being taken to the Hospital the man died the next day. A Coroner's in-
quest \sii6 held on the body, when a verdict of *^ Justifiable Homicide " was
returned.

1849. 501

The number of persons killed in the jungles of Singapore by tigers at
that time was very great. The paper said that the tigers seemed coming
gradually nearer to town and increasing in numbers, so that unless some-
thing was done much more efEectual than before, men and beasts mi<»ht be
carried oflE in the close vicinity of the town. The Free Presn contained the
following characteristic anecdote of a Malay : — '^ Two Tigers were noticed
last week at Tulloh Buddoh. A person who saw them being asked, 'And
what did you do on seeing them,' replied, ' Kalau saya tiada angkat saya
punia kaki lakas, jangan kata saya punia nsima Bujang\'' Within a short
time two persons were killed by tigers near Bukit Timah, two at Tanah
Merah, and two at Tulloh Mata Ikan. The (lovernment in April sanction-
ed an expenditure for the construction of tiger pits, and in August the
Free PresH said : — " The attention of his Honour the Governor having been
directed to the continued deplorable ravages committed by tigers on this
island, he has expressed himself ready to adopt any measures which may
tend to remove the evil. It has been suggested that persons are to be
found in the vicinity of Calcutta trained for the purpose of destroying
tigers, and his Honour has writen to the Bengal Government recpiesting
that half a dozen of these Shikarries should be sent to the Straits
for a limited period, to be employed in the destruction of these
animals. The Governor has also directed that in the meantime, should
it be deemed expedient, a certain number of volunteers from the
8rd class convicts should be permitted to beat the jungle once every
month, with tomtoms, horns, &c., which, if they do not lead to the
destruction of the tigers, may frighten them away from the island,
to which they come from the neighbouring state of Joliore. The first
of these measures may probably be productive of advantage, but we
should be doubtful whether the last will be of much benefit. The tigers
have too large a space to range in to be easily driven our, and the only
effect will be to make them shift from one locality to another."

Singapore had then been established forty years, and some statistics
may be useful : —

The public revenue of Singapore for the year 1848-49 amounted to
ftj 398,232, consisting of : —

Excise Farms*
*Opium
Spirit
Siri

Pawnbrokers
Toddy and Bhang
Markets

... >?7,080
8,050
805
800
115
855

... Hx. :V27,2o7

Per Mwiih
Fees, Courts of Judicature and

Requests
Quit-rents
Sale of Lands
Miscellaneous

... §12,155

• • • • • •

• • • ■ • •

• a ■ • • •

• • • • • •

... tin. 22,061

... „ 20,935

„ 5,0o6

... „ 17,928

««. y9.?,2.'}2

od'Z Anecdotal History of Singapore

The expenditure amuunted to fi«. 620,826 consisting of :-
Local charges ... ... ft. 169,874

General charges ... „ 43,557

Buildings ... ... „ 55,373

Contingencies ... ... „ 34,148

Military ... ... „ 263,754

Convicts ... ... „ 54,120

««. 620,826

The total imports into Singapore in 1848-49 amounted in value, ac-
cording tu the official returns, to §12,379,801, shewing an increase over the
previous period of 1847-48 of 881,477. The total amount of exj>orts was in
value 811,049,969, being less by 8138,887 than in the previous year. Tlie
number of immigrants from China to Singapore during the season 1848-49,
was reported at 9,817, but it was supposed that not many of these persons
remained in Singapore, most of them going to other places in the Archi-
pelago. The agriculture of Singapore was then beginning to assume a
considerable importance. The plantations of nutmegs and cocoa-nuts were
coming rapidly into full bearing, and the planting of the former, to some
extent, was carried on during 1849, both by European and Chinese planters.
It appears from a statement of the cultivation then prepared by the Govern-
ment Surveyor, that there were 1,190 acres planted ^vith 71,400 nutmeg
trees, the produce of which in nutmegs and mace, amounted to 656 piculs,
yielding an annual value of 839,360. As a great part of the plantations
were very young, this afforded no criterion of what the produce would have
been if the whole had come into full bearing. There were 28 acres planted
with clove trees. Cocoa-nut cultivation occupied 2,658 acres, the immber
of trecri l)eing 342,608, and the produce yielding a value of §10,800. Tlic
quantity of land planted with betel-nuts was 445 acres, having 128,821
trees thereon, and giving §1,030 annually. The fruit trees occupied 1,037
acres, and their produce was valued at §9,568. The gambler cultivation
covered an extent of 24,220 acres and the produce was valued at §80,000.
The pei)per cultivation was stated at 2,614 acres, yielding §108,230 annually.
The vegetable gardens covered 379 acres, and the produce was stated at
§34,675. The siri or pawn vines extended to 22 acres, and yielded §10,560,
while sugar-cane, pineapi)les, rice or paddy engrossed 1,962 acres, and the
estimated })roduce was valued at §32,386. The quantity of ground under
l)asture was 402 acres, valued at §2,000 annually. The total gross annual
agricultural produce of the island was valued at §328,711.

The total receipts by the Municipal Committee in 1848 were its.
68,519; of which about Kx. 4'3,000 were assessment on houses in town at
ten per cent, under Act 12 of 1839; J\». 1,500 taxes on land and country
houses at five per cent.; fix. 11,000 taxes on private conveyances and
horses ; and Kx. 6,500 police fines, &c. The disbursements were about
K«. 55,000 on the Police, which was entirely paid by the Municipality ;
fix. 6,300 on roads and bridges ; Kx. 6,000 on town cleaning. The receipts
exceeded the expenditure by Jlx. 6,000.

The Free Prcstt in March contained the following paragraph : — " The
Police having found themselves unable to compose the differences existing
between the different societies of Chinese in Singapore, which for some

1849. 503

time past have been producing scenes of riot and violence, Seali Ku Chin
has been called in to their assistance, and we are glad to liear has succeed-
ed in effecting a treaty of peace, though probably not of friendship,
amongst the belligerents, whom he has bound over in lieavy penalties to
keep the peace in time to come. This is only one of many instances in
which Eu Chinas aid has been found of great use in controlling his country-
men, and it strikes us it might lead to good results were His Honour the
Governor to include the name of Eu Chin, one of the best informed and
most literate Chinese in the Settlement, in the next Commission of the
Peace which is issued."

In the same month the paper said : — " Sultan Allie of Johore, who is
at present at Malacca, has been lately treating with various parties for
the sale of a portion of his territories. His first negotiations, we under-
stand, were with Mr. Tock Seng, but they went off on some point or other.
Since then, we are informed, certain arrangements have been nuide or
proposed by the Resident Councillor at Malacca, for the cession by the
Sultan to the East India Company of the district of Muar lying on the
Southern boundary of our Malacca territory. The country is described to
be generally a beautiful level plain, with a rich soil, admirably adapted in
many places for paddy and other cultivation. It also abounds in tin, which
if properly worked, would yield a large revenue to (jovernment. The ac-
quisition of this country would also give the connnand of the river Muar up
to Mount Ophir. At present the navigation of the Muar is by no means
safe, the river being infested by gangs of rob])ers, and the exactions of the
petty Malay chiefs, who dwell upon its banks, are so intolerable . that the
trade between Malacca and Ulu Muar is almost extinct, although with
proper protection it could not fail to be considerable."

In March the Insolvent Court was opened by Sir C. Kawlinson.
Mr. Simonides^ of the Police Force, J. H. Benjamin, and Mark Moss,
traders, were the insolvents who opened the proceedings of the new Court.
The second having been five years and a half in the goal wa« discharged.
The others were granted orders of protection.

The newspapers used to publish a report of theCharge of theKecorderto
the Grand Jury, and in March the Recorder fell foul of both the newspapers
for not reporting correctly what he had said. The Fnr Fress spoke of this
as follows : — "We have given as good an outline as we could of the Charge
the Recorder delivered to the Grand Jurv, but it is necessarilv niucli less full
than the address itself. His Lordship more than once in the course of his
speech complained (we beg pardon, his Lordship never complains, he only
stated) that on previous occasions he had been misrepresented and said he
must rely upon his growing character in the Settlement to vindicate him
from the imputation of having said what had been attributed to him. It is
true that we do not pretend to give the ipfiisbtma verba of what falls from
his Lordship^s eloquent lips on the occasions when we deem it worth while
to report him, but we listen attentively to what ho said and take notes, and
the statement which we give we generally find pronounced correct In*
others who have been present. Indeed, we think that our report of what
his Lordship says is more likely to be correct than his Lordship's recollec-
tion of it, seeing that he does not commit his s})eeches to writing, and it is
probable that ho is led by a vivid imagination and an active fancy to say
more than he intended, and to diverge considerably from the course he

504 Anecdotal History of Singapore

had previously laid down, as well in the manner as in the matter of his
address. It is a pity therefore that he does not take the plan which was
generally followed by his predecessor, and is adopted, we believe, by the
present Judges at Bombay and Madras, viz. : — to write down what he has
got to say, and after he has delivered his charge, to allow a copy of it to be
handed to the newspapers. By adopting this course all chance of misre-
presentation is avoided, and the charge itself is ensured that correctness
and judicial gravity which is befitting such an occasion, but which is apt
to be lost sight of when there is nothing to trust to but the inspiration of a
vivid and somewhat discursive imagination."

1'he following are a few paragraphs from the presentment of the Grand
Jury in April. Mr. Charles Carnie w^as foreman. " The Grand Jury present
as nuisances the parapets of solid masonry round the public wells in Com-
mercial S([uare and at the crossing behind the Portuguese Church and in
other similar situations, one of them having in addition a surrounding
railing. These wells being situated on the public streets, the Jury con-
sider as very likely to occasion dangerous accidents. They therefore
reconnnend that the parapets be removed and the mouths of the wells be
again made level with the street and covered in as before, and that they
be ])rovided with pumps placed at the side of the road for the supply of
water to the public. The Grand Jury would further suggest that two
or more wells for the supply of water to the public be constructed
in the enclosures in Connnercial Scjuare, and that the water be drawn
off by means of pumps which would prevent their becoming public
imisances from persons bathing at them." At that time there were
wells in the centre of the streets near the Square with wooden covers
on hinges lying flat with the road over which the traffic went.
They were of great use in fires, as the hand engines could not suck the
water fi'um such a distance as the sea, and one engine was put to pump the
sea water into the well, and another engine to pump from the well on to the
fire. The Borneo Company's Offices and godown in Malacca Street were
saved in this way, by the use of the well in the middle of Malacca Street,
when the adjoining buildings were on fire.

"The Jurors present that the ri veer's mouth still remains in the same
obstructed state so frequently })resented by previous Grand Juries. This
causes so much detriment to the trade of the port, that the Grand Jury
would earnestly suggest that some means be speedily taken to apply a
remedy, and they urge this the more as they widely differ in opinion from
views expressed by the Superintending Engineer to the Grand Jury,
touching the importance of the interests involved.

" The Grand Jury regret to find that although a very considerable
period has elapsed since Tan Tock Seng, Esq., presented a Chinese Pauper
Hospital to the public, no apparent steps have been taken to apply this
building to the purpose for which it was intended, and that diseased and
starving paupers still abound upon the public streets. Former Grand
Juries have, at the suggestion and request of the Chinese inhabitants, the
countrymen of these paupers, pointed out the means of raising funds for
the support of this Hospital by the re-imposition of a Pork Farm, and the
present (irand Jury would reiterate the reconnnendation, believing it to be
the most unobjectionable and unburdensomc means of raising an ample
revenue for this purpose.

1849. o05

"The Grand Jury fully concur witli tlie Hon'ble the Recorder in
condemning as a most serious ])ublic nuisance the practice of allowing
native processions in the public streets, attended as these generally are by
such large crowds, and accompanied by unwieldy machines, torches, &c.,
blocking up the thoroughfares and rendering them dangerous for persons
requiring to pass along them on their lawful business. The Grand Jury
further present that the privilege of these processions being allowed to
pass through the public streets being confined to certain classes oidy of the
native community, the Klings and Convicts, a feeling of dissatisfaction is
caused on the part of the numerous portion of the inhabitants, namely, the
Chinese, in many of whose customs such processions form leading features,
and who therefore feel aggrieved that that should be rigidly denied to
them which is so fully allowed to other classes of the ])opulation, and even
to the Convicts. The Grand Jury reconnnend that all processions, tiring of
crackers, and such other dangerous practices in the public streets, should be
rigidly prevented, the natives ])eing ivcjuiied to confine their celebrations to
those places where they will not constitute a public nuisance/'

A Cochin-Chinese prahu on arriving here was boarded by a number of
Chinese, who insisted on turning over all the goods and seeing every part
of the vessel, and who on being opposed in attempting to go into a cabin
in which was a French missionary, tried to do so by force, and otherwise
conducted themselves in an insolent manner, evidently with the purpose of
extorting money. They were prevented from succeeding in their designs,
whatever they were, by the Missionary, and left the vessel uttering threats
against the Cochin-Chinese, and saying that when the boat left Singaj)ore
on its return, they would take care to punish them, which was reported to
the Police. When the boat was ready to sail a French Missionary took
passage in it, and the Revd. Mr. Beurel, recollecting the threats h(*l(l out
against the Cochin-Chinese some montlis before, and alarmed for the
safety of his countryman ( the Cochin-Chinese being completely unarmed
and several cases of piracy having lately occurred ) aj)plied to the Master
Attandant, Captain Russell, to permit a gunboat to escort the prahu
bevond Pedra Branca. He was referred to the Resident Councillor,
Mr. Church, who stated that one of the gunboats had already gone to
that quarter with four boats belonging to the Tumonggong, that the other
gunboat in the harbour could not be spared, and that therefore the re(|uest
could not be complied with, adding that it was nonsense to be afraid of
an attack, there was no danger at all, and with this assurance disnnssed
the application. The boat sailed, the only weapons on board being two
muskets, and a pistol in possession of the Missionary, which he had provided
himself with, intending to throw it away after he had fairly passed the
dangerous latitudes of Romania and Bintang, and got into the China
Sea. Wlien the boat had reached the narrowest part of the strait
between Point Romania and Bintang, they unfortunately had a contrary
wind which rendered their progress very slow, nnd they were alarmed
by seeing a boat, numerously manned, push out from the Romania
shore and rapidly approach them. Part of the men in her were pulling
and part had arms in their hands, the crew consisting of Malays with
two Chinese. Wlien the boat came near, the Cochin-Chinese hailed
them to keep off, but the only reply to this was a discharge of lire
arms. The Coclun-Chiueso fired their two muskets in return, and the

506 Anecdotal History of Singapore

French gentleman also fired his pistol, but from being heavily charged it
burst and knocked him down, inflicting a very severe wound in the face.
The Cochin-Chinese on tliis, tost all courage, and would probably liave
surrendered, but the breeze fortunately carried them beyond the reach
uf their assailants, and they regained Singapore very considerably
frightened, and but little disposed to put any further trust in the Resident
Councillor's opinions on the subject of pirates, or the degree of danger to
be apprehended from their attacks.

i^aiik notes were first issued in Singapore in May by the Oriental
Bank. They were of §o and $100.

In May the Free Press wrote of gambling as follows — " Last w^eek we
stated that public gambling shops were very numerous, and we believe
that ever since the Chinese New Year they have been augmenting.
At that time ten were opened, which have now increased to upwards of
thirty, five uf which are in the immediate vicinity of the new market.
Several cases were brought before last Quarter Sessions, but the
offenders were very leniently dealt with, the fines inflicted being of
the most moderate description, and utterly inadequate to put a stop
to the evil. It is well known that the persons interested in the
gaming houses ccmibine to pay the fines of persons convicted at
Quarter Sessions for gambling or keeping gambling houses, so that
fines of one, five, and ten dollars, are of very little moment to
them. It is a pity that such a state of things should exist, as
there is. no doubt that it tends much to the increase of crime, and
the Municipal Connnittee ought to try and devise some means of
putting an end to it.^'

The following is taken from the newspaper of the same njonth ; thefts
of the kind described were continually being reported in the paper : —
'' The thieves are «it present exceedin*jly industrious in providing their
little consignments for the junks, previous to their annual departure, and
there is the usual active demand for telescopes, clocks, watches, and other
articles of elegance and utility, which prevails amongst the Chinese light-
fingered gentry of Singapore at this season. It may not therefore be
amiss to address a few precautionary words to our local readers on the
subject. It is notorious that a person may walk through almost every
European house on the beach in Kampong Glam, at certain periods of the
day, without meeting a single inmate, or being exposed to challenge for
the intrusion. This is well known to the thieves and taken advantage of
accordingly. A number of Chinese boys neatly dressed (generally ser-
vants out of place) go with notes, written for them, to a gentleman's house
and meeting no one below, proceed upstairs ; if they encounter any person,
this note is presented, and, of course, the boy is told the person to whom
it is addressed does not live there, and the bearer takes his departure,
having made some useful observations for future operations, and perhaps
even picking up some little *' unconsidered trifle.^' If no one is found
upstairs, then the Chinaman takes as many useful, portable articles, such
as telescopes, &c., as he can put his hands upon, with which he quietly
makes off, and they are speedily stowed away in the capacious hold of a
junk. Another class of thieves consists of respectably dressed Chinamen
who visit houses carrying a carpenter's rule in their hand, and ask for
work, or request permission to take the pattern of a table, &c. These

I84d. 507

agents also help themselves to what they cau find, if uuobserveil.
Another source of the mischief is engaginij servants without making
any enquiries as to their characters of their previous employers. Written
characters are plentiful amongst them, and are usually handed about from
one to another, and aiford therefore very little guarantee in engaging a
servant that he is a trustworthy person, or that the character he produces
was originally written for him. Means might easily he devised, through'a
system of registry, of keeping a check upon servants, and it would tend to
improve their honesty were they to find that it was matter of much difficulty
to procure employment with a black cross against them in the register."

A public meeting, which was very numerously attended, was held on
the 20th July, Mr. W. W. Ker in the chair, to consider the proposed
Indian Act on Excise law. In September, Mr. J. S. Sparkes, the P. & 0.
Agent, announced " a very considerable reduction in passage money from
Singapore to Southampton." A first class passage for a gentlenum in a
general cabin was §590.40, and for a lady in one of the ladies' general
cabins was §628.80.

It was in this year that the landijig place was built, which was taken
away about 1880, near the Dalhousie monument. The paper spoke of it as
follows : — " It will be gratifying to our local readers to learn that the pre-
liminary operations for constructing a ghaut or landing place on the beach
have commenced. The place selected, the foot of High Street, is the most
eligible that could have been hit upon." In July the new bridge over the
canal at Boat Quay, adjacent to Messrs. Guthrie & Co.'s offices there, was
opened with due ceremony.

In September, Mr. Blundell was made Resident Councillor of Penang,
and Captain Ferrier, Kesident Councillor of AEalacca. There was a big fire
at Kampong Malacca in September, which destroyed 210 native houses. A
Police corporal was suffocated in it.

On the 22nd September, the mercantile community gave a dinner to
the Hon'ble Captain Keppel of H. M. S. MccDider, which had come down
from China, and was bound to the Australian station. The following was
the account of it in the Free Press : — *^ On Saturdav, the mercantile and
other friends of Captain the Hon. H. Keppel, of H. M. Ship Meaiid^.r, gave
a public entertainment to this highly esteemed officer on the occasion of his
leaving the station. The dinner was given in the Masonic Hall, which the
W. Ma.ster and Brethren of * Lodge Zetland in the East' very kindly
allowed the use of for the purpose, this mark of personal respect and public
esteem being paid to a distinguished member of their Order. Between 40
and 50 gentlemen sat down to dinner at half-past six o'clock, J. Purvis,
being in the Chair, W. W. Ker, Croupier. The arrangements were all of
the most excellent description, and did great credit to the activity of the
stewards, Messrs. J. Guthrie, M. ¥. Davidson, L. Fraser, J. B. Cumming, B.
Duff and C. Spottiswoode, who had only a single day to complete them.

" As soon as the doth was removed, the usual loyal toasts were given
from the Chair, after which the Chairman rose to propose the health of the
honoured guest of the evening. The Chairman prefaced the toast by a few
well-merited complimentary remarks on the esteem in which Captain Kep-
pel was held by the community of Singapore, and indeed by every com-
munity and every society in which he had mixed since he first came on the
station. The Chairman then alluded to his own intercourse with Capt.

508 Anecdotal Huttm'y of Singapore

Keppel, and warmly eulogised his frank and afEable manners both in private
society and in matters of duty. He concluded by proposing — ' Health,
long life and prosperity to Captain Keppel, and may we at no distant
period hail his return to these shores as Admiral Keppel/ The
toast was received with deafening applause and nine times nine. [He
did come back as Commander-in-Chief on the China Station on March
3 1 St, 1867.]

" Captain Keppel returned thanks in a feeling and eloquent speech, his
manner evincing that he deeply appreciated the warm manner in which the
Chairman's remarks had been received by the company. He said he felt
deeply gratified by the present proof of the approbation and regard of the
mercantile community of Singapore. Among those present were several
old friends, others, though known more recently, were not less entitled to
his kindly remembrances, while to all were due his thankful acknowledg-
ments for the cordial manner in which they had received the toast. He had
spent many happy days in Singapore, to which he looked back with much
pleasure, and he could assure them all that nothing would give him greater
pleasure than to have it in his power to forward the interests of Singapore,
which he hoped ere long to see attain that importance which its central
position and its great resources would ultimately command. Captain Keppel
concluded by saying that the marked kindness and attention he had con-
stantly received from his numerous friends in Singapore, during the long
time he had been connected with them, were indelibly fixed in his heart,
and no change of scene or place could ever efface them, and he added that
it would give him the highest satisfaction to renew this pleasing intimacy
either here or in England, should he ever be favoured with an opportunity
of meeting any of them again.

"Then followed the health of Colonel Butterworth and Lady Butterworth,
Mrs. Keppel, and other toasts. Mr. Church in proposing the toast of the
Merchants of Singapore said that little more than a quarter of a century
had elapsed since Singapore was but the rendezvous of a few jirdhutt, and
J low through the energy of its merchants it had risen to be one of the great
commercial depots of the East, and an outlet for an inunense amount of the
manufactures of Great Britain, which benefited very largely thereby. Tliis
much it owed to its merchants, and were it deserted by them, it must return
to its primitive jungle.

*' The Band of the Meander was in attendance, and played suitable airs
to the various toasts, and a beautiful selection of Opera music during the
evening. The company began to break up about half-past ten, and thus
terminated one of the most pleasant meetings which had ever taken place
in Singapore."

A select conunittee of the House of Commons was appointed during the

year to enquire into the steamers in the Navy, and the Free Press reprinted

part of the evidence given by Captain Chads (formerly of the Andromache

in Singapore, as related in page 279) as follows : — " Capt. Chads thinks

iron very inferior to wooden vessels for warlike purposes, and that iron

vessels ought to be avoided as much as possible. No iron vessel can be

built to resist shot unless it is of such a weight that it will not float. The

hot goes right through the vessel, and the fractures are such that they

annot be repaired, while should it strike a rib upon going out, the ship

*diist go down."

1849. 500

In this year the Supreme Court in Singapore awarded £20,700 to
C*aptain Farquhar of H. M. S. Albatross and other persons for the destruc-
tion of the Sarebas pirates in July. The expedition under Captain Fanpihar
had fallen in with a fleet of upwards of a hundred war prahus, manned by
at least 3,500 men, and, which was proved on the confession of the ])irates
themselves, to have been committing outrages botli by sea and land.
Admiral Sir Arthur Farquhar, k.c.b., is still alive. He was promoted
for his services against the pirates in 1849.

The entire police force in this year was 218.

10 Anecdotal History of Singapore

CHAPTER XXXVII

THE HOKSBURCJH AND THE RAFFLES IJGHTHOUSES.

ON 20th November, 1886, a public meeting had been held at Mark-
wick's Hotel at Canton, at which Mr. Jardine presided, to consider
the best means of making some lasting tribute of respect to the late Captain
Horsburgh, and the great services he had performed for the cause of com-
merce and navigation. It was decided that a lighthouse on Pedra Branca
in the Straits near to Singapore would be the most suitable. Subscriptions
\v( IV ni:ulc at Canton, Bombay and Penang. The list at Canton was headed
by M\\ W. Jardine with 8500. The rest of the subscribers were princi-
pally merchants and captains and officers of ships, the only considerable ex-
ception being the Chinese Security Merchants who contiibuted liberally.
The lionibay Chamber of Commerce collected Ifc. 4,299, and the Penang
Chnniber of Commerce Ife. 404. The Canton subscriptions amounted to
^jyi, but Jardine, Matheson& Co. liberally gave compound interest until
1847, when the fund was paid over, and it had accumulated to $7,411.13.

James Horsburgh, f.r.s., was born at Elie, in Fife, Scotland, in 1762,
and made many voyages to India and China, and, by the study of books
and experiments, he familiarised himself with lunar observations and
scientific subjects connected with navigation, and when in port occupied
himself with constructing charts. In 1819 he was appointed Hydro-
graphcr to the East India Company. He died in 1836, in his 74th year.
H»' was called " The Nautical Oracle of the World,'^ and it was said by
the Fiast India Company that his charts and books had been invaliiablp
safe-guards to life and property in these seas.

All vessels leaving Singapore for the East and China pass close to
IVdra Branca. It was .so called o>ving to its aspect of perfect whiteness,
and Mr. J. T. Thomson said the name could not be more appropriate,
because of its being covered with the dung of the numerous sea-birds that
frecpiented it as a resting place. In the English translation made in the
year 1598 of the work of the early Dutch voyager Van Linschoten, written
in 1583, he speaks of " Pedra Bianque, or white rock, where the shippes
that come and goo to and from China doe oftentymes passe in great danger
and some are left upon it, w^hereby the Pilots when they come thither are in
greate feare for other way than this they have not."

In November, 1844, Mr. J. T. Thomson prepared plans and estimate for
a lighthouse on Peak Bock, which is part of the Roumania group; and
afterwards the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and the India
House thought it was too far within the Straits, which prevented it from
being a good leading mark for vessels, while Pedra Branca from its
advanced position was the first object that vessels ran for, and being
clear of all dangers in its northern proximity could be approached by a
direct course and closely passed. Peak Rock on the contrary had several
out-lying reefs, and a vessel rnddng for a light on it would have to alter her

The Hprahurgh and the Safflea Lighthoiifies. 511

course as it was neared, and on a dark night run on the Roumania shoal
on one side by keeping too distant, or on the out-lying rocks on the other
side by keeping too near.

Nothing having been done for over eight years the Singapore Chamber
of Commerce took up the matter again in 1845, and on 20th November a
deputation from the Committee of the Chamber waited on His Honor the
Governor. The Governor readily supplied the information sought. It
appeared that a proposition by a former Governor involving a large
establishment and the stationing of a detachment of troops on a small island,
had caused the scheme to be temporarily laid aside. That funds subscribed
in China to the Horsburgh testimonial, amounting to §5,513, were
forthcoming and would be paid into the hands of Government whenever a
pledge wjis given to construct a lighthouse in the vicinity of Pedra
Branca. The Governor had in October, 1844, availed himself of the pre-
sence of H.M.S. Samaranif to obtain a report from the distinguished
scientific officer. Captain Sir Edward JJelclier, c.b., who cheerfuliy gave
his services to promote the erection of a testimonijil to the hydrographer
Mr. Horsburgh The Malayan authorities of Johor, in whose territory
the Roumania island is situated, not only offered the island for a light-
house, but expressed satisfaction at the prospect of its erection. The
Governor mentioned to the deputation of the Chamber that he had visited
the proposed site in the H. C. Steamer Diana, having with him the
Superintending Engineer of Public Works in the Straits, whom he had
instructed to make an estimate of the cost of the proposed erection. This
officer considered that from one to one-and-a-half lacs of rupees would be
necessary to complete the work of masonry. This being beyond tlie sum
likely to be available, the Governor instructed Mr. Thomson, the
Government Surveyor, to submit an estimate, which had been done by that
pfentleman with great care and detail, and which was accompanied by an
offer from a Chinese contractor to erect a granite base of 16 feet for?2,667,
and further, if required, a brick tower (exclusive of lantern and lamps) for
84,838 additional, or, in all, $7,000. The Governor seemed to think that
an iron tower on the granite base would be preferable to brick, and had
suggested the sending of one from England similar to one erected at
Bermuda, at a cost of £1,500. Mr. Thomson described the rock as hard grey
granite very suitable for building, and not liable to be washed away by
the waves in bad weather. Mr. Thomson proposed the entrance to the
lighthouse should be by a movable ladder, or basket and crane, from the
top of the granite basement, thereby obviating the necessity of scarping
the rock to guard against surprise by pirates. On the 1st November
the Chamber of Commerce passed the following Resolution : —

'' That the East India and China Association in London, the
Calcutta and Bombay Chambers of Commerce, Captain Bedin of Madras,
the subscribers in America (through J. Balestier, Usq., U. S. C), and
the subscribers in France (through the French Consul) be addressed
>vith a copy of the report read this day, and be requested to make the
funds subscribed available for the erection of a lighthouse as a Memo-
rial to the late hydrographer, James Horsburgh."

T. 0. CRANE,

Secretary.

512 Anerdotal BiMory of Singapore

On 2l.st June 1847, Mr. Hiomson had instructions from Mr. Church
to tjiko steps for the erection of the lighthouse on Pedra Branca, and
on 1st December liefore the north-east monsoon came on, he put up
l>rick pillars on various ])aits of the rock to test the force of the
waves. On 1st Marcli, 1848, he found all the pillars on the north side,
which were thirteen feet above sea level, entirely swept away. This
was held to show tliat a brick building would be insufficient, and it
was decided to construct it of granite set in the best hydraulic i-ement.
This was the first lighthouse in this part of the world built in granite
masonry, and it was certainly the crowning point of all good work done
Mr. Thomson in Singapore during many years. There is a long account
in G Logan's Journal of the building of the lighthouse, with the
calculations as to the curves of the shaft, copies of the estimate, plans
of the building and of the light apparatus, and elaborate details of the
way in which the work was carried out under very considerable diffi-
culties, from the absconding of the Chinese contractor with his advance;
the (lifticulty of keeping up communication with the rock; and of
obtaining water, to economise which they used to bathe in the
fresh water (for Chinese coolies would not use salt water) before
using it for making mortar. Three of the stone cutters were killed in a
bojit by pirates. Among other things there is a good account of the
way in which the Chinese coolies lift very heavy weights by cross
stretchers, by which means Mr. Thomson says stones were lifted weighing
nearly seven tons. There is a little lithographed sketch pasted on to
the page to illustrate this, in the manner we are familiar with when
the Chinese carrv their very heavv coffins throusrh the streets.

• • • o

There is also a very full description of the tools used by the natives,
and th(» way they work, and their wages, and the value of their labour
:is c(»rn])ared with European workmen, which would be of considerable
intercut and use to engineers in this part of the world. There are
also some useful details about squalls and waterspouts, birds and fish,
seen at the lighthouse while under construction.

On 4th December, 1849, Mr. Thomson was informed by Mr. Church
that the Court of Directors of the East India Company had sanctioned the
construction. On the 14th Jamiarv materials were collected and by the
end of March work was begun on the rock, Mr. John Bennett going with Mr.
'i'homson as foreman. The following is the account of the laying of the Foun-
dation Stone on the 24th May, 1850, taken from the Singapore Free Pre»8 : —

" The Ilon'ble the Governor of the Straits Settlements, Lieutenant-
Colonel Butterworth, c.b., having requested the Brethren of the Lodge
'Zetland in the East,' to lay the Foundation Stone of the Horsburgh
Ttvstimonial, or Lighthouse For All Nations, with the honours of their craft,
on the 24tli May — the anniversary of Her Majesty's Birthday — the Wor-
shipful Master and Brethren of the above Lodge, in number about thirty,
accompanied by several visiting Brethren, started for Pedra Branca on the
morning of the 24th in the H.C. Steamer ifoo^/y, and the barque ^yr.v/i/re
in tow of Her Majesty's Steamer Fury, Several distinguished visitors, in-
cluding His Excellency Bear-Admiral Sir F. Austin, c.u.. Naval Comman-
der-in-Chief and suite, the Hon'ble Thomas Church, the Resident
Councillor, Lieut.-Colonel Messiter, Commanding the troops, several of
the foreign Consuls, and merchants of Singapore, availed of His Honour

Ths Horsburgh and the Baffles Lighthouses. ol3

the Governor's invitation to witness the ceremony, and accompanied him
in the Hoogly. The party arrived at Pedra Branca about 11-30 a m., and
having disembarked^ the Masonic body marched in the following order of
procession to the summit of the Rock : —

The Band.

Tyler with drawn Sword.

Brethren not members of the Lodge,

two aud two.

Cornucopia with Corn

borne by the Wor. Past Master Bro. J. B. Camming.

Two cups with Wine and Oil :

The Wine borne by Bi-o. T. O. Crane and the Oil

Bro. Greenehields.

The Organist, Bro. G. H. Brown.

The Inner Guard, Brother Thomas Hewetson

beai-ing the Inscnption Plate.

The Secretary, Brother T. H. Campbell

bearing the Book of Constitutions on a sdk cushion.

The Treasurer, Bro. J. 0. Smith

besiring the piu*se containing Coins to be deposited in

the Stone.

The Corinthian Light

borne by Brother H. Minchin SimouR.

Brother W. Paterson, bearing the Mallet.

The Junior Wajrden, Brother R. 'Bain

bearing the Plumb Rule.

The Banner of the Lodge.

The Senior Warden, Brother J. Jarvie

bearing the Level.

The Chaplain, Bro. the Rev. F. W. Linstedt

bearing the Saci'ed Law on a cushion.

Junior Deacon

bearing his

Wand.

The Worshiptul

Master Bro.
M. F. Davidson.

Senior Deacon

bearing his

Wand.

Having halted and formed a passage for the Worshipful Master
to pass through, the Chaplain, the Past Master with the Cornucopia,
the Senior and Junior Wardens, the Brethren with the wine and oil,
and the Deacons with their wands, followed the Worshipful Master
to the Foundation Stone, where they were received by the Governor,
who, in the following words, requested them to proceed at once
with the ceremony: —

"Worshipful Master and Gentlemen of the Lodge Zetland in
the East, — I have solicited the favour of your laying, on this the
anniversary of our beloved Queen's Birthday, the foundation stone of
the lighthouse to be erected on this spot for the safety of the
mariner, and in commemoration of that celebrated hydrographer James
Horsburgh^ p.r.s., to whose labours the mercantile world is so
much indebted for the easy navigation of these seas. ' The philanthrophic
object of the building appears especially to call for the exercise of that
craft which has charity and good- will to all mankind for its ground-
work; and it affords me deep and unfeigned gratification to see so
large an assembly of Masons here this day from the newly formed
Lodge 'Zetland in the East^ at our little emporium, Singapore, for
the -purpose of taking part in this day's ceremony, to which, Gentlemen,
I will thank you to proceed with the least practicable delay.''

514- Anecdotal Hiiftory of Singapore

The Worshipful Master having taken up his position on the- East
side of the Stone, with the Lodge Chaplain, the Revd. Brother
F. \y, Linstodt, on his right, and on his left the Past Master,
with the Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, and other,
ofiicc-bearers immediately around him, requested the Chaplain to open
the ceremony with prayer, which he did in a suitable and appropriate
form. The architect of the building, J. T. Tliomson, Esq., now submitted
his plans of the construction for the Worshipful Master's inspection,
and having received his approval, they were returned to- the Architect
for his guidance. The Worshipful Master received from the Treasurer
jiud Secretary a bottle containing the current English coinage, also an
original edition of ihe Horsburgh Directory, a copy of the newspapers and
the other publications at Singapore ; he deposited the bottle with the
coins in the cavity prepared for its reception. The Inner Guard then
presented the Worshipful Master with a copper plate bearing the
following inscription : —

In the year of Our Lord 1850

and
in the 18th year of the reign of

Victoria

Queen of Great Britain and Ireland

The Most Noble

James Andrew, Marquess of Dalhousie, Kt.,

being Governor-General of British India:

The Foundation Stone

of the Lighthouse to be erected at Pedra Branca and

dedicated to the memory of the celebrated

Hydrographer

James Horsburgh, f.k.s.,

was laid on the 24th day of May,

the anniversary of the Birthday of

Her Most Gracious Majesty,

by the

Worshipful Master M. F. Davidson, Esq.,

and the
l^rethren of the Lodge Zetland in the East,

No. 748,

In the presence of the Governor of the Straits Settlements,

and many of ihe British and Foreign Residents of Singapore.

J. T. Thomson,
Architect.
The inscription having also been placed in the cavity, the Worship-
ful Master received from the architect a silver trowel with some cement
with which ho proceeded to close the cavity; this having been done
ajid the stone lowered into the bed, he directed the Architect to sec
that it was properly adjusted. The Square, Level, and Plumb and
Uule were then handed to the W^orshipful Master, who applied each
instrument successively to the stone, and having struck it three times
with his mallet, said: — "May the Great Architect of the Universe grant
a blessing on this stone which we have now laid, and by His Pro-
vidence enable us to finish this and every other virtuous undertak-

Th^ Horsburgh and the Raffles lAghthouaea. 515

ing^." The Brethren replied, "So mote it bo/' and gave the usual
Masonic salute. The Worshipful Master next called for the Cornucopia
containing corn, and the cups with wine and oil, and having poured
the contents of each successively over the stone, said : — " May the All
Bounteous Author of Nature bless our Island, of which this iiock is a
dependency, with Com, Wine and Oil, and with all the necessary coni-
fortft and conveniences of life." The Brethren again responded, "So
mot^ it be," and saluted as above. The Chaplain pronounced an ap-
propriate prayer and the Worshipful Master then addressed the Oovernor
and gentlemen present in the following speech : —

"It will be impossible to convey to you in adequate terms, the
very high sense entertained by myself and brethren of the honour you
have done us, in having thus publicly called upon us to assist with our
Masonic art, in laying the foundation stone for the Lighthouse about
to be constructed on this spot, in commemoration of the services of that
distinguished Hydrographer, James Horsburgh, by whose enterprising
genius and surpassing zeal, the navigation of these intricate seas has
been so greatly facilitated. As a body, we feel justly proud of the
distinction thus conferred upon us in having committed to our care the
commencement of a work of such vast importance to every maritime
nation in the world, and so perfectly accordant with those principles
of philanthropy which form the basis of our ancient institution ; and
I shall ever esteem it one of the happiest circumstances of my life
that the Brethren of Lodge Zetland in the East have been called
upon to exercise their craft in so laudable and great an undertaking
during the period that I enjoy, through their kind suffrages, the
honour, of occupying the Master's chair.

" All present must regard it as a most auspicious event that this
noble work has been begun on a day held in the highest venera-
tion by every British subject, as being the anniversary of Her Most
(iracious Majesty's Birthday; and to you, Hon'ble Sir, is the credit
due of having selected this most fitting mode of testifying our
loyalty to our beloved Sovereign on the occasion ; who I feel assured
could desire no greater and more pleasing proof of our attachment
to her royal person, than our being engaged, as we are this day,
in laying the foundation of a structure which will tend to promote
the welfare of so many of her subjects. It would perhaps, be a
very difficult task to foresee the extent of usefulness to the com-
merce of our own country, and to that of equally civilized powers;
but when we contemplate its effects in fostering our intercourse with
the semi-barbarous nations of Eastern Asia which surround us, whose
want of skill in the art of navigation render them so frequently a prey
to the mysteries of the mighty deep, and tends so materially to restrict
their advancement, we shall be lost in a maze of conjecture and
surmise.

" The disastrous effects resulting from the absence of a Lighthouse in
this locality, the loss of human life and the extensive destruction of property,
have been too frequently and too severely felt within late years not to
rpndcT it a matter of the deepest concern to all who feel an interest in the
proRperity of commerce and the welfare of their fellow-creaturesj that thi«
wprk which, under vour auspices, we have now so happily begun,.

tJl6 Anecdotal History of Singapore

should havo been so long deferred, I should therefore be doing
you a great injustice, were I to refrain from noticing how much
the world is indebted to you, Hon'ble Sir, for having brought the
necessary arrangements to a conclusion, which, but for your unceas-
ing and strenuous advocacy of the cause, might still have been pro-
tracted to an indefinite period. Nor can I permit this opportunity
to escape me of offering yon my most heartfelt congratulations that
your long and useful career as the chief authority in the Straits of
Malacca, which has tended so much to the improvement and embel-
lishment of the Settlements under your rule, should be crowned by
a hibour calculated to be an era in their history, and to reflect
everlasting honour on yourself. Doubtless the recollection of this
day's proceedings will form, in after years, when you may be re-
moved from the scene of your present labours, not the lea^t pleasing
of your reminiscences ; and that you may long live to enjoy the
contemplation of your past useful and honourable career, is my sincere
wish. I feel that I sliould ill acquit myself of the task you have
assigned mo, were I to omit to pay a just tribute to the munificence
of those merchants and mariners to whose liberality we are indebted
for the nucleus of the fund raised for the erection of the edifice of
which we have this day laid the foundation stone. Thanks are also
due to the Hon'blo the Court of Directors of the East India Com-
pany for having advanced the remaining sum necessary to effect this
desirable object.

"Tlie merits of the distinguished man to whose memory the
Lighthouse is to be dedicated, are too universally acknowledged to
need any lengthened panegyric on my part. His comprehensive
charts, and elaborate and invaluable sailing directions, the labour of
years of untiring exertion and devotion, stamp him as a man of
almost unexampled prenius and industry. To tlie navigator of these
seas, the name of Horsburgli is almost as familiar as his own, and
among those who are engaged in commerce in tliis quarter of the
globe, who is there that does not feel and acknowledge the deepest
debt of gratitude to him ? To the memory of one so devoted to the
cause in which almost his whole life was spent, what more appropriate
testimonial could be offered than the edifice now to be erected ? And
I supplicate the Supreme Architect of the Universe so to bless the
work, that it may long withstand the ravages of time, and bid defiance
to the billows of destruction that surround it, to be a tower by day
and a light by night, to guide the mariner in his course, for ages to
come, and that succeeding generations, whilst they admire the genius
of him to whose memory it is raised, may have cause to regard with
gratitude those to whom its erection is due,^'

The Governor replied as follows : —

" Worshipful Master and Gentlemen of the Lodge Zetland in the
East ;

" I thank you for the able manner in which you have been pleased
to perform this day's most interesting ceremony. I have ever honoured
the Craft of Masonry ; and the solemnity which has characterised this
day's proceedings has made me feel the deepest respect for what I had
previoasly honoured.

The Hornhurgh and the Raffles Lighthouses. 517

*' The kind terms in which you, Gentlemen Masons, have been pleased
to speak of myself cannot fail to be deeply gratifying ; and what has passed
this day will iudeed have a most prominent place amongst the many pleas-
ing recollections which I shall take with mo to my native land, when
leaving the Straits, where, I may truly say, I have honestly laboured to
the utmost of my ability for the advancement of the three stations.

" I should be wanting in justice to the mercantile community and
mariners in China if I omitted to notice what you mentioned of their
liberality for their donations towards the Horsburgh testimonial, which,
magnified by the munificence of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., in
allowing compound interest on the sum raised in 1842, most certainly
enabled me to call upon the Government of India for aid in this matter.
The call was readily responded to and favourably received by the
Hon^ble Court of Directors as our presence here this day bears
evidence. But, Gentlemen, there is one other person whose zeal in this
cause must not be lost sight of. T allude to one of the oldest and
most respected residents of Singapore, John Purvis, Ksq., who has
narrowly watched and earnestly aided the authorities on this occa-
sion, and whose suggestions for the more safe and speedy navigation of
the Straits of Malacca, subsequently enlarged upon and recommended by
that excellent body, the Singapore Chnmber of Commerce, I hope
eventually ma}' be carried into effect. Gentlemen, I entrust the
completion of the building, of which you have now laid the founda-
tion stone, to that valuable and indefatigable public servant and
able architect, Mr. Thomson, with the utmost confidence j and I
again thank you most sincerely for the labours of this day, and for
the impressive manner in which you have exercised your Masonic
Craft on the occasion ; accompanied by the warmest expressions of
loyalty to our most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, who, whilst
some of the greatest Potentates of the Earth have either fallen
from or tottered on their thrones, has remained firmly seated, supported
solely by the affections of her people ; and how far-spread and deep-
rooted are those affections the sentiments promnlgated by the little
band here collected on this isolated spot, will still further testity to
the world at large. Let us now unite in three hearty cheers to the
health, prosperity and long continued reign of Our Queen : God bless her.

''The Brethren then opened a passatre to allow the Governor to
return and the party embarked at 2 p.m. on board the Hoogly^
where a dejeuner was prepared to which His Excellency the Naval
Commander-in-Chief, the Governor, and his guests, did ample justice ;
displaying their loyal attachment to our beloved Soverei>rn and ac-
knowledging tlie kindliness of their host by enthusiastic acclamations.'^

On the 15th October the monsoon prevented any further work
and on the 21st all that could be made secure was left and the
rest left to be washed away; at 5 p.m. all took their departure.
On the 5th April, 1851, work began again, and Mr. Church went
out occasionally to see how it went on. In August the lantern and
machinery arrived ; and the men-of-war lent a hand ; and on 21st
September the lighthouse was completed. A fortnight before, an Eng-
lish barque the Metropolis laden with tea had struck on a rock,
twelve miles from the lighthouse, and was abandoned by the crew.

518 A)iecdotal Huttory of Singapore

On Saturday, the 27tli September, Governor Butterworth accom-
panied by Sir William Jeffcott, the RecoiHier, Colonel Messiter, and
a large party of gentlemen, includini; many of the oldest residents,
proceeded to Pedra Branca in the Soogly for the purposes of wit-
nessing tlie illumination for the first time. The steamer left the
roads at 8 o'clock in the morning, and anchored a little to the
westward of the rock at 1 p.m. The afternoon was spent in
inspecting the tower and lantern, together with the numerous con-
veniences that had been constructed for the comfort of the light-
keepers, inclndins^ a store and a kitchen cut out in the solid
granite, and a jetty of timber, secured by guys of massive chain-
work, to facilitate landing during the north-east monsoon; and the
visitors anticipated that this first Pharos of the Eastern Seas would
prove the great Lion of the Straits for a long time to come. The
/'Vee Press spoke of it as an edifice of which Singapore might well
be proud, and described it in the following way : —

*' The granite blocks which form the walls were quarried and
shaped at Pido Ubin ; the timber used in the building is the growth
of our island ; the brass rails of the stair-case were moulded and
turned in this Settlement ; and last not least the Architect and
Engineer, Mr. J. T. Thomson, acquired the skill and experience, which
enabled him to erect so rapidly this chaste and stately building,
during a long and useful career as Government Surveyor at Singa-
pore. The cast-iron dome and lantern are the only outside produc-
tions. For those we are indebted to Messrs. Stevenson of Edinburgh,
the Engineers of the Northern Lighthouses, and from the complete-
ness of the details there can be little doubt that all the modern
improvements have been introduced. The lamps are arranged on the
frame in three groups, and consist of three lamps each, backed by a
silver reflector to concentrate the rays of light. The frame revolves
horizontally, by means of a clock-work-like apparatus, once in three
minutes, so that the brilliant Hash which lasts about 15 seconds is
presented to the distant beholder once a minute. The guests, in
number about ^hy, sat down to dinner on board the Hoogly at half-
past ?i\L% and soon after the removal of the cloth, a simultaneous rising
announced that the process of illumination had conmienced. Three hearty
cheers welcomed the light, the meteor-like brilliancy of which will prob-
ably serve to guide the midnight path of the mariner for a thousand
years to come. The light was lighted regularly from the loth October.

The lowest Hoor of the building is 10 feet 9 inches above high
water, the centre of the light is 96 feet 9 inches, and the top of the
tower is 109 feet 6 inches. The light is visible fifteen nautical miles.
The expense to completion was §28,665.87 ; the lantern apparatus and
lightning conductor cost £1,824.9.6. This exceeded the original anti-
cipated outlay by J848.17 but was less than the amount sanctioned by
§960.63.

It was at first a revolving bright light, which gradually attained
its brightest period every minute. The rooms are reached by ladders,
with brick partitions and doors to shut in the rooms. Since its con-
struction 824,752 more has been spent on alterations and a new light.
The total cost to date being §48/377. It is now a revolving

The Honhurgh and the Raffles Lighthousetf, 319

light of the new order, with a flash every ii^w seconds, visible for
twenty miles. The shaft was originally painted white, but is now
in black and white stripes. At the time it was erected it
was the only lighthouse in India on a small solitary rock far out
to sea.' It is distant nine miles from Point Roumania, the nearest
point of land; and thirty-seven miles from Singapore. There is a
large reef of rocks, measuring about 450 feet in one direction by
200 feet in the other. At low water a number of detached rocks
are seen in the locality ; at high water Pedra Branca has the ap-
pearance of a heap of boulders loosely piled together. The proxi-
mity was long noted for its great danger to shipping. Between
1824 and 1851, sixteen large vessels were totally lost there, and
two others were stranded, besides other minor accidents. A Por-
tuguese Brig the Dourado went down with »5500,000 on board, and
a British Barque the Sylph went ashore with 8557,200 worth of opium.
It was also a favourite place of attack for pirates, the people in the
vicinity as well as the crews of the Chinese Junks being notorious
for committing depredations on all whom they thought they could
safely attack^ and having no compunction in murdering all their victims
in order to destroy all traces of evidence against them.

The following inscriptions are in a panel in the wall of the
Visitor's Room, which is on the sixth floor, just under the Light
Room —

Pharos Ego
Cui nomen praebuit
Horsburgh Hydrographus
In maribus Indo Sinicis praeter omnes proeclarus

Angliae Mercatorum nisi imprimus indole
Kx imperii opibus Anglo Indici denique constructa
Saluti nautarum insignis viri memoriae

Consulo
A.D. MDCCCLl
W. J. Butterworth, c.ii.,
■ - Prov : Mai ace. Proef .

A.D. 1851

The Horsburgh Lighthouse

is raised by the British enterprise of British Merchants,

and by the liberal aid of the East India Company,

to lessen the dangers of navigation,

and likewise to hand down,

so long as it shall last,

in the scene of his useful labours.

The Memory of the Great Hydrographer

whose name it bears.

Col. W. J. Butterworth, c.ii.,
Governor in the Straits of Malacca,

J. T. Thomson,
Architect.

520 Atiecdotal History of Singapore

The Raffles Lighthouse.

Ill July, 1838, it was proposed to build a lighthouse on some one
of the islands at the western entrance of Singapore Sti*aits ; and
Barn Island, Alligator Island, and the Coney (where the light now
stands) were each suggested as the most advantageous. Mr. Coleman
thought the Coney island was too small, having only a superficial
area of seventy feet by twenty-two, and only thirty feet above the
sea-level, while Barn Island was seventy, and Alligator Island one
hundred, but the position of the Coney was considered the best of
the three. Captain Begbie in his book written in 1834, said, '^The
cluster of islands on the sea; Barn Island, Alligator Island, the
Rabbit and Coney (two small islands which bear a strong similarity
in figure to the animals whose name they bear) present a labyrinth
through which the mariner has to thread his way." The island on
which the lighthouse is built is fifteen miles south-west of Singapore,
and marks the outer and south channel round St. John's Island to
the Singapore roads.

It was not until 1854 that the project was carried into execution
and the following account of the proceedings at the laying of the
foundation stone is taken from the Free Press : — " Wednesday the 24th
May, being the anniversary of the birthday of Her Majesty, had
been fixed upon for laying with Masonic honours, the foundation
stone of the Lighthouse on the Coney, at the entrance to the Straits
of Malacca. The Hon'ble Colonel Butterworth, c.b., Governor of
the Straits Settlements, proceeded to the place in the H. C. Steamer
Hoogly, Amongst the gentlemen who accompanied the Governor were
the Hon'ble the Resident Councillor, the Hon'ble Sir W. Jeffcott,
Recorder ; Colonel Cameron, Commanding the Troops in the Straits ;
the Hoii'ble Captain Elliot, H. M. S. Syhille ; Captain Blane, H. M. S.
Rapid 'j Captain Saunderson, H. M. S. Lily; M. D'Egremont, Consul-
General for Belgium; M. Gautier, Consul-General for France; and
the other Consuls, a number of the merchants, and the Worshipful
the Acting Master, Mr. W. H. Read, and a party of the Brethren
of Lodge Zetland in the East. About twenty of the Masons embarked
on board the Sultan of Linga's Schooner Young Queen, which was
taken in tow by the Hoogly, and the whole got under weigh about
half-past ten in the forenoon. The day was singularly favourable
for the excursion, being cloudy with light breezes, while only a
very slight shower fell. The Band of the 43rd Regiment M. N. I.
was on board the Hoogly and beguiled the time with music. The
vessels anchored off the Coney about 1 p.m. when the Masonic party
disembarked and proceeded to make arrangements for the ceremony.
When all was ready the Hon'ble the Governor landed and was received
by the Worshipful the Acting Master and the Masons who then pro-
ceeded to the spot ill the following order : —

Tyler with drawn Sword.
Members of the Lodge and other Brethren

two and two.

Banners

borne by Brothers Gordon and Passmore.

The Hwthurgh and the Raffle^f lAghihouses. 521

Cornucopia with Corn

borne by W. Brother M. F. Davidson.

Two Cups with Wine and Oil

borne by Bro. T. 0. Crane and Bro. C. Baumgarten.

The Architect, Brother J, Bennett

with the Plan of the Building.
The Inner Guard, Brother J, Baxter

bearing the Inscription Plate.

The Secretary, Brother F. H. Gottlieb

bearing the Book of Constitutions.

The Treasurer, Brother J. C. Smith, with a bottle

containing Coins and the Papers to be deposited

in the Stone.

Banners

borne by Brothers Macey and Fronimurzee Cursetjee.

The Corinthian Light borne by Brother G. Shambler.

The officiating Junior Warden, Brother J. Sparkes

bearing the Plumb Rule.

The Senior Warden, Brother W. C. Leisk

bearing the Level.

The Square borne by Brother A. Middleton.

The Banner of the Lodge borne by Brother C. Perreau.

The Past Master, Worshipful Brother J. Jarvie

bearing the Sacred Law.

The Officiating Worshipful Master, Brother

W. H. Read,
supported by two Brethren bearing wands.
The company having arranged themselves round the foundation
stone, the Hon'ble the Governor addressed the Masonic party as
follows : —

" Worshipful Master and Gentlenien, I had the gratification four
years since of enlisting your services, on the anniversary of our be-
loved Queen's Birthday, in the performance of a most philanthrophic
work; and for a similar object I have again solicited the exercise
of that craft, which, as I then observed, has charity and good-will
to all mankind for its ground-work, and 1 have selected a return of
the auspicious day for the present ceremony of laying the foundation
stone of a lighthouse on this spot as a future guide to the mariner in
the navigation to the entrance to the Straits of Malacca, and to the
haven of Singapore, which Settlement owes its great and growing im-
portance to that most eminent statesman Sir Stamford Raffles, whose
name the building will bear. I now beg the favour of your proceeding
with the work, and your acceptance of the Trowel which 1 have had
prepared, as a memento of the call that has been made this day upon
the Lodge Zetland in the East.

*'The Revd. C. J. Quartley, m.a., late Chaplain at Singapore, then
offered up prayers including the following: — Eternal Lord God, who
spreadest the Heavens, and rulest the raging of the Sea, be pleased to
receive under Thy Almighty protection and gracious favour, the work
which is here this day begun. Do Thou, without whom nothing is
strong, nothing is holy, preserve it during its construction from the fury

522" Anecdotal Hiiftury of StuyajHyre

of tlie elements, and from the ill-designs of our enemies ; and when
through Thy goodness it shall be completed, grant that it may afford
the means of security to all who shall be in dansrer in these seas.
Do Thou hold their souls iu life, rescue them from the ja^ys of deatli,
preserve their ships and goods, hear their prayers when they call upon
Thee, and save them out of all their distress. And when thus deliver-
ed by Thy mercy may they, knowing how terrible Thou art, and liow
greatly to be feared, adore Thy Divine Majesty, acknowledge Thy
power, and implore Thy goodness. Helj). Lord, and save for Thy
mercy's sake iu Jesus Christ. Amen

** The Acting Worshipful Master then gave three strokes with his
gavel, and requested the Treasurer to deposit in the cavity a bottle
contjiining an inscription on parchment and the current coins of
the Settlement. The Secretary then read the inscription on the plate
which was as follows : —

In the Year of our Lord

185 i,

and in the Seventeenth Year of the reign of

\^1CT0KIA,

QuKEN OF Gkeat Bkitain am> Ikeland,

The Most Noble

•James Andrew Marquis of Dalhousie, Kt.

being Governor-General of British India,

The Foundation Stone
of the Lighthouse, to be erected on the
Coney, and dedicated to the Memory of

SIR STAMFORD RAFFLES, Kt.,

LL.l)., F.If.S. and S.A.L.S.,

to whose Enlightened Policy, the Mercantile
World is indebted for the selection of

SlXCAPORK AS AN EMrOKIUM,

and for tlie Freedom of its Commerce from

all restraints,
was laid on the 24th of May, the anniversary

of the birthday of

Ukk Most Gracious Majesty,

by the

WORSHIPFUL MASTER

and the

Brethuen of tue Lodge Zetland in the East,

No. 748,
In the presence of

Colonel Bltterworth, c.b.

The Governor of the Straits^ Settlements, and
inany of the British and Foreign Residents at Singapore.

The Hortburgh and the Hafftas LifjhOumsPS. 523

"The plate was then placed over the cavity, the cement was
spi-ead by the Acting Worshipful Master, and the upper stone
lowered, the Baud playing ' Rule Britannia/

"The stone was then tested with the Plumb, Level and Square
by the proper officers, who reported that the craftsmen had done
their duty. The acting Worshipful Master then took the plumb,
level and square and having therewith tested the stone, declared it
to be correct and laid according to the rules of the ancient craft.
The corn being then handed to the acting Worshipful Master ho
sprinkled it on the stone, saying : — ' I sprinkle this corn as an em-
blem of plenty : may the blessings of bounteous heaven be showered
down upon us and may our hearts be filled with gratitude.' 'J'o
which the Brethren responded : ' So mote it be.' The cup contain-
ing the wine was then presented to him. He poured some on the
stone saying : — ' I pour out this wine as an emblem of joy and glad-
ness : may our hearts be made glad by influence of divine truth and may
virtue flourish as the vine.' To which the Brethren responded : ^ So
mote it be.' He then took the ewer with oil, and pouring it on
the stone, said ; — * I pour out this oil as an emblem of peace :
may peace and harmony, good-will and brotherly love abound
among us for ever.' To which the Brethren responded as before : ' So
mote it be.'

" The following supplication was then offered up : ' Brethren, having
now with your assistance laid the first stone of this building accord-
ing to the rules of our ancient craft, let us implore the blessing of
the Great Architect of the Universe upon this our present under-
taking, and may He be pleased to bless this building and grant
that it may tend to His glory, to the advancement of science and
to the promotion of the prosperity of this Settlement,' 'So mote
it be.'

"The plans of the building having then been submitted to the
acting Worshipful Master, he inspected them and said : ' Brother
Architect, in the presence of this numerous and influential assembly
and of these members of our ancient and honourable fraternity, 1
have much pleasure in expressing to you how well pleased I am
with the plan which has been exhibited, and having ascertained that
the foundation stone is fitly placed, I have to request that you will
promptly bring this good work to a speedy termination, feeling sure
that you will perform it so as to benefit your reputation.' The act-
ing Worshipful Master, Mr. W. H. Read, then addressed the Hon'ble the
Governor in the following terms : —

"Colonel Butterworth, as you observed, it is now four years
since you called upon us to assist with our Masonic art, in laying the
foundation stone of a Lighthouse about to be erected on Pedra Branca,
in honour of that distinguished Hydrographer, James Horsburgh, and
you have now, Honourable Sir, again requested our assistance at a
similar ceremony, when about to raise a monument to the memory
of that eminent statesman Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. If it was
peculiarly gratifying to the Brethren of the Craft to meet your views
when about to honour him, who had, by his indefatigable geogra-
phical researches and untiring perseverance, so greatly facilitated the

524 Anecdotal History of Singapore

Qavigatiou of these seas^ how much more mast they feel hououred on
the present occasion, when assembled to lay the foundation stone of
a building, not only peculiarly useful in itself, but moreover destined
to perpetuate to distant ages the name of him to whom England
owes so deep a debt of gratitude for the political foresight and sur-r
passing sagacity displayed in the selection of Singapore, as ' a great
commercial emporium and a fulcrum whence we may extend our poli-
tical influence,' and I cannot refrain from congratulating myself on
tin* prominent part I urn appointed to take in this imposing cere-
mony, when I call to mind the intimacy with the members of his
family which I have so long enjoyed, and their friendship which 1
still continue to possess.

" Under the peculiar circumstances in which our native land is
now placed on the threshold of a war of undoubted severity and
uncertain duration, the selection of this day for the purpose to which
we have devoted it, is not the least felicitous conception connected
with its proceedings; it awakens with double force those feelings of
patriotism and devotion to Her Most Gracious Majesty, which must
over animate the hearts of all true Britons; and sincerely do I trust
that it will please the Great Disposer of Events to crown the arms
of Enj^land with victory, and grant to our Sovereign many years of
peace, happiness and prosperity, enshrined in the hearts of her de-
voted subjects, by unceasing watchfulness over their welfare. The
continued exertions, which you, Hon'ble Sir, have so constantly de-
voted to the important object for which this building is designed^
are now approaching a successful termination, and it cannot but be
most gratifying to you to assist at this commencement of the second
link of that chain of lights which will at no distant period illu-
mine the Straits of Malacca, the safe and speedy navigation of which
hjis now become of paramount importance, and it will ever be a
pr<jud reminiscence, when you have retired from these scenes of your
active labours, that you have left your name prominently connected
with one of the most beneficial public works in the East.

^^It is beyond the imperfect powers of my abilities to give due
praise and honour to the gifted statesman to whom this building
is dedicated, and it would indeed be presumptuous to attempt to
speak in adequate terms of his noble qualities, his varied talents,
his ardent patriotism and his guileless philanthropy : his acts, his
works, his letters, bear ample testimony of these. Here he estab-
lished Free Trade in the midst of Monopoly, and with prophetic
confidence looked forward to the day when the British flag should
wave over these seas in protection of its freedom and in the pro-
motion of its spirit. Here he fondly anticipated the time when
commerce and civilization, joined hand in hand, should redeem the
natives of these countries from their benighted state of barbaric
ignorance. He looked upon this as the mission of his native country,
as the glorious task of a people grateful for the blessings showered
down from on High upon a favoured land.'' Mr. Read then quoted the
words of Sir Stamford in his address on the founding of the Institu-
tion, which have already been printed at the end of the first chapter
in this book, on page 16.

Th£ Horsburgh and the Raffles Lighthousea, 525

To which the Governor made the following reply : — " Worshipful
Master and Gentlemen^

*'The imposing and impressive manner in which you have exercised
your craft, cannot fail to have left on the minds of all present a feel-
ing of deep respect for the order of Masonry, and I thank you,
Gentlemen, for having complied with my request. To you. Reverend
Sir, I am most grateful for the solemn blessing you have invoked on
the undertaking, through which and the acknowledged skill of the able
architect. Captain Man, and his zealous assistant, Mr. Bennett, we may
confidently hope it wiirrealize the object contemplated. It has afforded
rae infinite satisfaction to mark the sense so universally entertained of
the services rendered to the commercial world by the enlightened
policy of the founder of Singapore, by dedicating the building to his
memory, under the designation of the Raffles Lighthouse. To this
circumstance and to the Masonic Ceremonies, I, in a great measure,
attribute the largo attendance here his day, but in a greater still
to its being in honour of Her Majesty's birthday. I will therefore
ask you. Gentlemen, to unite with me in three hearty cheers for
Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and for the successful termination of
the war, in which Great Britain is now engaged to support th(»
weak against the mighty power of the oppressor."

*•' Three cheers were then given with right good will and thus
terminated this very interesting ceremony The company then re-
embarked and returned to Singapore, the Hoogly again taking the Schooner
in tow. Dinner was served on board at five, and after the excellent
fare provided had been done ample justice to, the health of Her
Majesty the Queen was drunk with all the honours, followed by
that of His Majesty the Emperor of the French, and other appro-
priate toasts. M. Gautier, Consul for France, proposed the united
Armies and Navies of the two powers, which was suitably responded
to by the Hon'ble Captain Elliot, r.n., and Colonel Cameron.
The party on board the Schooner appeared to be a very "jovial crew''
keeping it up in famous style. The vessels came to anchor abour
half-past seven, and thus ended an excursion, at which every one present
seemed thoroughly to enjoy himself."

The inscriptions placed on a Tablet in the visitor's room are ns
follows : —

Haec Pharos
ex Imperii Anglo-Indici opibus extructa,

STAMFORDI RAFFLES

oppidi in insula Singapura conditoris,

cujus per prudens consilium et munificum

isthaec regie fruitur

Porto immuni

et ad mercatoram maribus in Indicis agendam

opportunissime site,
nomen et memoriam apud posteros servet.

A.D. MDCCCLIV.

Gul: Joh: Butterworth, c.u.,

Prov: Malaccas Proef:

526 Anecdotal History of Singapore

The Raffles Lighthouse
erected in the year of Our Lord

1854

hv the Honourable East India Company

nnd dedicated to the Memory of

SIR STAMFORD RAFFLES,

The Founder of Singapore,

to whose liberal and comprehensive Policy

This Settlement is indebted for its

Free Port
and the unrivalled position it now holds

as an Emporium

in the Indian Seas.

Colonel W. J. Rutterwortli, c.b.,

(lovernor of Prince of Wales' Island,

Singapore, and Malacca."

The light which was lit from the Ist December, 1855, is a fixed
bright dioptric light of the third order. The centre of the light is
10() feet above high water mark, and is visible about twelve nautical
miles.

As compared with the Horsburgh Lighthouse it was a very easy
work, there being ample surface on the hill at some height above the
sea. Whereas on Pedra Branca there was scarcely two feet to spare
round the building on the surface of the rock, and the waves washed
right over it.

1850. 527

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

1850.

ON Sunday uight, tlie 17th February, shortly before midnight, the
E. I. Company's man-of-war Feroze anchored in the roads, hav-
ing on board the Marquis of Dalhousie, Governor-General, and the
Marchioness of Dalhousie, attended by a numerous suite, which included
Sir Henry Elliot, k.c.b., the Foreign Secretary to the Government of
India, and a brother of Captain Charles Morgan Elliot, of the Engi-
neers, who was so well-known in Singapore. Lord Dalhousie had been
irv bad health, and came down here for a sea voyage. The following
account of the three days' stay of the Governor-General in Singapore
is taken from the Free Press, The Dalhousie Monument was erected
daring the year in commemoration of his visit: —

"At an early hour on Monday morning the Governor, Colonel
Butterworth, c.b., repaired on board the Feroze, when it was arranged
that the landing should take place at half-past nine o'clock. Long
before that hour arrived, the roads leading to the landing place were
thronged with natives, all in their gala dresses, hastening towards the
scene of debarkation, where the 51st Regiment AI. N. I. was dniwn
up. Two lines of sampans, manned chiefly by the Tumonggong's
followers, in bright bajus and sarongs, formed a lane from the entrance
of the river to the shipping, through which the procession of boats
bearing his Lordship and suite passed to the landing place, where the great
body of the European residents, H. H. the Tumonggong and sword-
bearers, the Heads of the Chinese tribes, and other principal native
inhabitants, were drawn up to receive him. It was altogether a voiv
impressive scene, and calculated to produce a striking eifect on those
who were not aware how large and motley a population the blessings
of free trade have collected together in this remote part of the world.
Here were representatives of every commercial nation under the sun,
assembled together to welcome one of the leading advocates of those
principles of free trade under which our Settlement has prospered,
and which now seem destined to effect a bloodless revolution through-
out the world.

"During his short stay, the Governor-General was • actively
employed in visiting the public buildings and institutions, and making
himself ncquaint^^d with the affairs of the Settlement. Wo understand
that the general result proved highly satisfactory to his Lordship, wIiq
was lavish in his expressions of surprise at the evidently prosperous
condition of our community; which, by the bye, seems to have been
heretofore very little known and appreciated nt head quarters. His
Lordship's visit occurring during the season of Lent, prevented tbe
display of those festivities which usually accompany the progresses of
great personages, but the principal members of the community had an

528 Anecdotal History of Singapore

opportunity afforded them, by tlie hospitality of Colonel Butterworth,
of meeting tlie Marcliioness of Dalhousie, whose amiable character and
unaffected goodness and kindness of manner has left among the
smaller circle in which her position threw her, an impression not less
pleasing than that produced by the Governor-General.

" Tuesday was the day fixed by his Lordship for holding a general
levee at the Court House, and receiving: the various addresses. The
first address was that of the Masonic Lodge 'Zetland in the East/
his Lordship being the Grand Patron of the order in India. The
deputation presenting the address consisted of about forty of the
members of the Lodge, who were most kindly received, and left deeply
impressed with the courtesy of their Grand Patron. The next was
that of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, which was presented by
Mr. George Garden Nicol, the Chairman, and a numerous deputation.
On the conclusion of the reply his Lordship addressed the Chairman,
:ind after remarking on the wide circle of countries and nations
reprej>onted by the members of the Chamber, took occasion to inform
the deputation of the appointment by Her Majesty of Sir James
Brooki» to a special Mission to Siam and Cochin-China, with a
view to place British trade there on a more satisfactory footing ;
and his Lordship expressed his hope that it would be successful.
The Deputation then withdrew.

''The address of the Chinese merchants was then presented, and
was answered in the same kind way, but, from some oversight, it
was not interpreted to them in Chinese. From all we have heard,
we may assure the -Chinese merchants that his Lordship was greatly
pleased with them, and much impressed with their peaceful and
respectful manners, their great industry and enterprise, and the large
sliajo they have had in bringing about the prosperous condition of
tlie Settlement. We understand he was greatly struck with the
Chinese aspect which they have given to so large a portion uf the
town. After the levee was over, his Lordship, entering the Hall
where the party was assembled, renewed the expression of the deep
gratification his visit had afforded him, and his regret that, owing
to the state of his health and the lateness of the season, he was
reluctantly obliged to shorten his visit which he would otherwise
have gladly prolonged.

'*The forenoon of Wednesday, the day fixed for his Lordship's
departure, was signalised by a display of feeling on the part of the
Chinese community, which we believe to have been quite spontaneous.
About 9 o^clock the road up Government Hill was occopied by a
long train of toy carriages, splendidly painted and gilaed, some
drawn by ponies, others by men, which were filled with gaily dressed
Chinese children, sent by their mothers to wait upon Lady Dalhoasie.
It was altogether a most pleasing spectacle, and as a display of feel-
ing on the part of our largo Chinese community, is not devoid of
importance. Her Ladyship, as well as Lord Dalhousie, received their
youthful visitors with the utmost kindness, and appeared to take great
delight in the novel and interesting sight. The great kindness and personal
notice bestowed by her Ladyship on the children during the visit,
have, almost more than anything else, gained the hearts of the Chinese*

1850. 529

" Lord and Lady Dalhousie visited the Chinese temple ut Teluk
Aver, and his Lordship also found time to visit some of the
plantations in the vicinity of the town.

" Lord Dalhonsie embarked at half past two o'clock p.m., under
a salute of 19 guns, the attendance at the landing place being
similar to that which had assembled to honour his arrival. His
Lordship, aft^r shaking hands with a few of the spectators, again
expressed his great regret at the shortness of his stay, but hinted
at the possibility of his return hereafter. Three hearty cheers
followed his stepping into the Feroze's barge, and thus terminated
what we truly hope is only Lord Dalhousie's first visit to Singa-
pore. Perhaps no public man ever succeeded in producing so
general a feeling of confidence and satisfaction among a large
community as the Governor-General has done during this short visit.
This may, in some degree, be attributed to his Lordship^s kind and
courteous manner; but the great cause is the matter-of-fact and
business-like style in which his Lordship handled every subject that was
brought under his notice, and the evident intention that he displayed
of making his visit, not one of ease to himself, but of advantage
to the community that he has been called upon to govern."

The Free Press spoke of the result of the visit as follows : —
"The three days' visit of the Governor-General to Singapore, has,
we trust, produced as pleasant an effect on the noble lord as it
has done on the community of Singapore. The liberal policy so
freely avowed by his Lordship, his manly frankness of address, and
the sound and matured judgments which characterised his conversa-
tion and remarks, have gained him golden opinions, which wo hope
nothing hereafter may arise to disturb or alter. His Lordship has
gained some knowledge, from personal observation, of the circum-
stances of the Settlement, and the inhabitants have gained some
knowledge of his Lordship; better aids to a mutual understanding
than could be accomplished by petitions, memorials, and dispatches
discharged at each other at some thousands miles' distance, although
of the utmost voluminousness and frequency.

"Although the visit of the Governor-General has been so short
as not to allow him to do more than cast a very hasty glance at
matters of business, yet the better understanding he must have
acquired of the Settlement and its people must have convinced him
of the great advantages which would result to the Straits Settle-
ments from more frequent visits to them by high functionaries of
Government. His Lordship cannot be expected to renew his progress
through his Far Eastern dominions, but he might urge the Deputy-
Governor of Bengal, under whose control they are more immediately,
or some other members of council, to make the tour from time to
time. Such an inspection, we are convinced, would be attended with the
happiest results, in establishing and maintaining a more cordial feeling
between the governors and the governed. It may be a matter of little
consequence to the former, but to the latter of what vital importance.

"For many years past, the reception given to the representa-
tions of the communities in the Straits Settlements in high quarters,
and in some instances the legislation on Straits affairs, have given

580 Anecdotal History of Singapore

rise to a very pfeneral impression that there existed in the Supreme
Government, or some member of it, an unfavourable feeling towards
these Settlements; an impression which, whether well or ill-founded,
it must be desirable to remove. That this feeling does not now
exist with the Governor-General, or any of the Officers of
Government who accompanied him, may be confidently hoped for,
and that it should never again arise, would be secured by the per-
sonal experience in the members of the Supreme Government, of which
a visit to the Straits, from time to time, would put them in posses-
sion. The Governor-General has learned from personal observation
that Singapore is not a mere fishing village, and that it is some-
thing better than a convict station. May the favourable opinion that
has been thus formed, be strengthened and perpetuated, and the
result in time to come cannot fail to be beneficial to the Settlement."

The (xovernor-General presented one thousand Rupees to Tan
Tock Seng's hospital during his stay. 'J'an Tock Seng died, at the
age of 52 years, a fortnight after Lord Dalhousie left Singapore.
He was a native of Malacca, but had lived almost all his life in
Singapore, to which he came soon after its establishment, with no
money, his only capital being industry and economy, like Eu Chin
and so many of our best Chinese residents. Tock Seng started as
a vegetable, fruit and fowl-seller, going into the country to buy and
retailing in the town. Having saved a little money he opened a
shop on the river-side. Afterwards he joined in some speculations
with Mr. Whitehead, and it was chiefly by this means he made most
of his money. He was made a Justice of the Peace by Colonel
Butterworth, the only native who had been appointed up to that
time, and was very often occupied in settling disputes between his
countrymen. His charities were very extensive and constant, and he
was accustomed to bear the expense of burying poor Chinese. He
built the hospital of which there is an account in another Chapter,
which was called after him, and it was said that if he had lived
he would have left considerable sums for its maintenance, as well
as for other charitable purposes. He left a widow, three sons and
three daughters. His eldest son, Tan Kim Cheng, followed in the
footsteps of his father. He carried on a large business, owning rice
mills in Saigon and Siam, and steamers. He was Consul for Siam and
had a title conferred on him by the King. He died in Singapore
in 1892. His eldest son, or eldest male descendant, is a Statutory
Member of the Committee of Management of Tan Tock Seng's Hospital,
under the Ordinance by which the hospital was incorporated in 1880.

On Saturday, the 23rd February, a public meeting of the Euro-
pean and Chinese inhabitants was convened by the Sheriff to consider
the best way of commemorating the visit of the Governor-General. Mr.
William Wemmys Ker was in the Chair. Mr. G. G. Nicol and Mr. M.
F. Davidson moved the first resolution as follows : —

'* That it appears to this meeting the most proper mode of commemorat-
ing the Grovei*nor- General's visit to Singapore, would be by the erection of an
Obelisk or triumphal Column on some part of the Esplanade (the centre being
reseinred for the intended monument to Sir Stamford Raffles) or such other
conspicuous site as may be fixed on hereafter."

1850. 681

Mr. G. W. Earl and Mr. Joaqaim d' Almeida proposed : —

*• That the testimonials shall consist of two towers to be erected, one on
or near the St. John's or eastern entrance, and the other near the Tree Island
or western enti-ance of the narrow Straits of Singapore: the one to be called
Raffles and the other the Dalhousie Light, and that the authorities be applied
to apportion part of the funds raised by tonnage dues on shipping to the
maintenance of their respective lights.'*

After a long discussion, Mr. Charles Spottiswoodo and Mr. Lewis
Fraser proposed : —

" That the recent visit of this Governor- General of India, and the addresses
and discussion it has occasioned, are eminently calculated to call to mind the
origin of Singapore, and all those preat principles connected with the exten-
sion and freedom of commerce, which led to its establishment as a British
Settlement and free port, and which principles are now for the first time fully
rec^^gnised and acted upon br the Supreme Government ; it is the opinion of
this meeting that the most fitting mode of at once commemorating Lord Dal-
honsie's visit and the sound commercial views which mark his administration,
is to erect a durable public monument, on a conspicuous site, to the memory
of Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of this Settlement, handing down to pos-
terity, as such a monument must do, the high sense entertained by this com-
munity of the extraordinary sa^jicity and penetration of that great man in
planning the formation of a British Settlement to the Eastward, and the in-
domitable energy and persevei-ance with which he overcame all obstacles and
carried it into effect, while it will perpetuate the remembrance of the wise
commercial policy which characterises the present Government of India under
the administration of the distinguished nobleman who has so recently left these
shores."

Whereupon Dr. Little and Mr. James Guthrie proposed that the
meeting should be adjourned for a week, but Mr. Davidson and some
others objected, and it was decided to continue, and after Mr. T.
A. Behn had explained the proposal in Malay for the benefit of the
Chinese, a committee was appointed to decide the matter ; and the
following correspondence took place : —

To the Hon'ble Colonel Butterworth, c.b.,

Governor of Prince of Wales* Island,

Singapore and Malacca.

Sir,

We have the honour to inform you, that the mercantile and other non-
official members of our community, Europeans aiid Asiatics, deeply impressed
with a sense of the great benefits the Settlement cannot fail to derive from
the recent visit of the Most Noble the Marquis of Dalhousie, Governor- General
of India, the auspicious circumstances attending it, the unfeigned gratifica-
tion all classes derived from personal intercourse with one so distinguished by
public ohai-acter and private worth — and more especially his earnest recognition
of those great principles of freedom from all comoiercial restrictions to which
the prosperity of the Settlement is due, and with which it must ever be iden-
tified — resolved to commemorate the event by the erection of a Testimonial in
honour of his Lordship, and we were appointed as a Committee to carry out
this resolution.

The necessary funds being raised (by subscriptions limited to S5) we have now
the honour to state that the plan of an Obelisk, designed by Mr. Thomson,
and submitted to you herewith, has been approved of, and it being our opinion
that the most suitable spot for its erection would be at the new landing place,
at the point of intersection of the Beach Road and that leading to High Street,
we request that permisBion may be granted for its being ei*eoted on that site.

Committee of the Dalhoiiaie
Testimonial.

532 Anecdotal HiMory of Singapore

We are also directed to convey to you the unanimous wish of the sub-

Bcribers, that in fuHher commemoration of the visit, the new landing place

should l>e called the BalhouHle Ghaut and wo confidently anticipate your
compliance with this wish.

We have the honour to be, Ac,

G. G. NicoL, "1

M. F. Davidson,
J. Guthrie,
Tan Kim Seng,

JOAQUIM d'AlMEIDA,

H. C. Caldwell,
Ang Choon Seng,
Seah Bu Chin,

To which the following was the reply: —

Gentlemen, — I have the honour to acknowledj]^e the receipt of yonr letter
under date the 30th instant, intimating that the mercantile and non-official mem-
bers of the Community at this Station, Europeans and Asiatics, have resolved
to commemoi-ate the advent of the Most Noble the Marquis of Dalhousie, Kt..
Governor- Genoi*al of Bntish India, by the ere<tion of an Obelisk, the funds
for which have been raised by subscriptions limited to five dollars, and re-
questing that the new jetty may be termed the Dalhousie Ghaut,

I shall have gi'oat gratitication in communicating to the Most Noble the
Mai'quis of Dalhousie, Kt., Governor- General of British India, the high esti-
mation in which his visit to thi^ Station is held by all classes of the com-
munity, and the manner in which you have determined to commemorate that event.

The site selected for the Obelisk appears peculiarly well-adapted for the
purpose, and it is a pleading patisfjwtion to me to sanction its erection on the
spot indicate<l by yf>u, as also to authorize the new jetty being termed the
Dalhousie Ghaut.

I have the honour to be, Ac,

W. J. Butterwobth,

Governor.

Siugjipore, Slst May, 1850.

Tlie list of subscribers was afterwairda published in the Free Preuft
it contained over 200 names, and amounted to $1,305.

It is curious to observe that in the first resolution of the meet-
ing on 2-^*d February it was mentioned that the centre of the
Esplanade was intended to be reserved for the intended monument to Sir
Stamford Raffles, which was actually carried into effect in 1887.
The Dalhousie monument was in the way when the Esplanade was
widened thirty-five years afterwards, and it was proposed to do away
with it, bat Governor Sir Cecil Smith most wisely declined to ac-
cede to this, on tlie ground that the acts of former generations of
this place should not be allowed to fall into oblivion, and it was
replaced on the same line, as regards a harbour mark, but a little
nearer the new sea wall.

The public revenue of Singapore for the year 1849-50 amounted
to Rsj. 386,119, and the proper local expenditure to fi«. 258,333. To
the expenditure must be added Tb. 200,892 for military, and fi«. 58,222
for convicts, making the total expenditure fin. 517,447, and thus leav-
ing a deficiency to be borne by India of Rx. 131,328. The total
value of the imports into Singapore for the official year 1849-50
amounted to . ... ... ... ... $13,313,041

Exports for the same period ... ... $10,455,521

Total value of trade 1849-50 ... ... $23,768,562

1850. 533

The total population, which was ascertained by a census in Decem-
ber, 1849, was 59,043, of which 198 were Europeans, 304 Eurasians,
and 24,790 Chinese. This was a very trifling increase over the cen-
sus of 1848, and was attributed to the decrease in the number of
coolies working in the interior of the island, in consequence of the
low price of produce and the exhaustion of much of the soil, for
which reasons many had left and opened new plantations in Johore.
The number of Chinese immigrants who arrived from China for
the year ending 30th April was 10,928, of whom 7,726 were brought
by junks, and 3,202 arrived in square-rigged vessels.

Two of the earliest settlers in Singapore, and who were pecu-
liarly distinguished by the aid they lent in advancing the pros-
perity of the Settlement, were removed by death during the year.
One of them, Mr. A. L. Johnston, the contemporary of Sir S. Raffles,
and who was much in the confidence of that eminent man, although
he had resided in Europe for several years before his death, to the
last took a most lively interest in Singapore, and by his will left
a handsome donation to the Institution. The other. Sir Jose
d'Almeida, resided in Singapore to the last, and pursued with untiring
zeal those agricultural experiments to which he was always attached,
and which assisted so umch in inspiring others with a taste for
similar undertakings. Accounts of both these old pioneers of Singa-
pore have already been given in this book, on pages 62 and 184.

The Free Pretts contained the following account of a Masonic
Ball given on the 25th January : — " The ball and supper given by
the Brethren of the Lodge * Zetland in the East ' to the Singapore
community, took place at the Masonic Hall on Friday last, and was
very numerously attended, the company assembled having amounted
to little short of three hundred. The front of the Hall was bril-
liantly lighted by variegated lamps arranged in Masonic devices, and
the interior was decorated in a style which did great credit to the
taste of the Committee of Management. Dancing commenced soon
after eight o^clock. The full Masonic costume of the Brethren, and,
above all, the presence of a .Knight Templar and his page in the
splendid full-dress of the order, added much to the brilliant appear-
ance of the assemblage. The Governor arrived about nine o'clock,
and seemed to be much gratified by the scene that presented itself.
Soon after midnight the company adjourned to a spacious sails a
ifianyer which has recently been erected at the back of the Hall,
(to which it is attached by a covered gallery) where the supper-
tables were laid out, loaded with the delicacies that our Settlement
affords. After supper the dancing was renewed and kept up with
great spirit far into the small hours of the morning when the company dis-
persed evidently much gratified with their entertainment. We have been
confidently informed by those whose experience of Singapore dates farther
back than ours, that this has been one of the most brilliant and well-
conducted assemblages that has ever taken place at Singapore. The
Masonic brethren have great advantages in getting up aifairs of this
kind. They form an organised body, accustomed to act in concert, so
that the making up of the committee, generally the most difficult
part of the task, is to them, a work of comparative ease,"

534 Anecdotal History of Singapore.

The list of members of the Masonic Lodge showed 91 members,
including the Hon. Henry Keppel, and 5 honorary members, includ-
ing Rajah Brooke.

In February, Sir Christopher Rawlinson, the Recorder, was pro-
moted to the Madras Bench, and Sir William Jeffcott was appointed
and took his place in April.

On the 1st March, Mr. T. A. Behn and V. L. Meyer dissolved
partnership, and the firm of Behn, Meyer & Co. was continued under
the same name by Mr. T. A. Behn & Mr. Frederick Albert Schrei-
ber ; Mr. Arnold Otto Meyer signing by procuration. In May, the
firm of Middletons Blundell & Co. was dissolved, Mr. William Blun-
dell leaving the house, and it was continued as Middletons & Co. by
Mr. James Middleton, Mr. A. Middleton and Mr. C. H. Harrison.

In March the newspaper gave the following account of the
weather ; and of a duel in Singapore, an occurrence almost unknown
here : — " During the greater part of last week the visitations of
thunder and lightning were frequent, betokening that Dame Nature
was breaking up the North-east monsoon. On Friday several loud
claps of thunder took place immediately overhead, v/hich caused
much alarm amongst the natives. The electric fluid struck the flag-
staff on Government Hill, and split the masts to shivers, peeling the
copper off the heel. The electric fluid injured some of the Venetians
of Government House, as also the aviary, but without doing further
mischief. Happily no lives were lost.''

" On Thursday morning last an * affair of honour ' came off, in
the neighbourhood of the Race Course, between two European
gentlemen, Messieurs S. and P. Mr. S. fired and the shot whizzed
close past his antagonist's ear ; Mr. P. discharged the contents of his
pistol into the air. The Police had received information, but were not
on the spot until too late to save — powder and shot !"

In April the paper spoke of the hill now called Government Hill,
as follows : — " Within the last few days that part of the high bamboo
hedge encircling Mr. Prinsep's Estate, which bounds the low ground
separating the public road from Bukit Selegie [this would be where
Selegie Road is now], has been cut down, opening up a view to the
lovers of the picturesque equally unexpected and enchanting. The dark
masses of the fruit-trees growing in the low ground contrast agreeably
with the lighter foliage of the nutmeg trees on the slopes, the large
trees at the feet and on the sides of the hills, and the glimpses here
and there caught of Mount Sophia and Bukit Selegie form altogether
a picture as rare as it is pleasing, reminding the European resident of
scenes in the old country, which he little expected to find so vividly
brought to his recollection by anything in our tropical landscape. There
are few properties in Singapore which can offer such varied scenery as
that of Mr. Prinsep, most of them being still too new and wearing too
formal and raw a look, yet there are none which would not form a more
pleasing object to rest the eye upon than a close and high bamboo
hedge, excluding at once the air and the light ; and we, therefore, hope
that the landed proprietors generally in the neighbourhood of the town
will have sufficient philanthropy and consideration for the comfort of
their fellow-citizens to follow the good example thus set them/'

1850. 585

The following is a copy of the Minutes of the first meeting of the
Committee to send exhibits to the Great Exhibition of 1851 : —

" Proceedings of the Singapore Committee for the furtherance of the
objects of the great Exhibition of 1851, under direction from the
Bengal Government and Central Committee of Calcutta, held this
16th May, 1850.

President :

Hon'ble Colonel Butterworth, c.b., Governor.

Members :

Hon'ble T. Church, H. C. Caldwell, G. W. Earl, Captain Man, G. G.
Xicol, W. W. Ker, Tan Kim Seng, Syed Omar, and T. Oxley, Member
and Secretary.

His Honour the Governor having opened the proceedings by
calling attention to the importance of the subject, and thanking the
members for the alacrity with which they had responded to his
wishes, lists of various articles were submitted by several members
of the Committee, each member being individually responsible for
obtaining those articles he was best acquainted with, after which
the following resolutions were passed : —

1st Resolution, — That the Secretary be requested to write to the
Central Committee reporting the proceedings of to-day, and furnish-
ing at the same time a list of the articles procurable, with the
names of the gentlemen who have undertaken to procure them.

2nd Resolution, — That each party who has undertaken to procure
the several articles be furnished with a a list thereof by the Secre-
tary.

3rd Resolution, — That the prices of all the articles at the places
where procurable be shewn on the final list to be submitted to the
Central Committee, and transmitted with the article to be exhibited.

4th Resolution, — That each member furnish a short account of
the several articles supplied by him.

5th Resolution, — That an outline map shewing the geographical
position of each place from whence the articles are procured be for-
warded for the information of the Central Committee.

6th Resolution. — That it is the opinion of this Committee, re-
corded for the information of the Central Committee, that the whole
of the articles enumerated in the lists now before them cannot exceed
a sum of three thousand dollars, inclusive of the arms and Malay
musical instruments.

7th Resolution, — That the Secretary be requested to write to the
Central Committee soliciting their opinion as to whether the pro-
ducts and manufactures of the Philippines are to be included in
the operations of the Singapore Committee. These the Committee
beg to observe will probably be costly and are not considered in
their present estimate.

8th Resolution. — Tiiat the Committee take leave to point out that
the Malay arms aud nmsical instruments are by far the most ex-
pensive articles in the lists submitted, a set of the latter is likely
not to cost Ifss than 1,000 rupees, they therefore request the
sanction of the Central Committee before purchasing tlxubc cuiiclc;^.

536 Anecdotal Uistoi-y of Singapore,

9th Reaolution, — That His Excellency Sir James Brooke, k.c.b , be
requested to favour the Committee by making his valuable services
and influence available to them for obtaining specimens of Bornean
products and manufactures, provided he has not received instructions
from the Home Government to make collections for them."

In June, the Naval Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Austin, stopped
the P. & O. Mail, as is related in the following extract from the
Free Press : — " The inhabitants ol Singapore on Monday forenoon
were surprised at the report of heavy guns, immediately after the
departure of the Fekiii, which was soon ascertained from those
cognizant of naval forms to be a " recall/' or order for the de-
tention of the Pekin, which vessel had made a few revolutions when
the signal was made from the steam-sloop Fury, on board which
ship the Naval Commander-in-Chief's flag is at present flyin*?. These
sounds, however, were imagined by those on board the Pekin to
proceed from some junks saluting prior to their departure, and she
held on her way without attending to them. It appears that im-
portant public despatches had been left behind, and it was therefore
necessary that they should be sent after the Pekin. The F\ry was
at this time undergoing some requisite adjustment of her ponderous
machinery, and one boiler was under repair, besides other causes
of detention, the details of which we are not cognizant of, yet at
noon she was ready for the chase, on which she started precisely
8 hours 7 minutes in arrear of the run-away mnil. A stern chase is
generally denominated a long chase, but in the present instance such
proved not to be the fact. The Pekin was sighted shortly after 2
o'clock, and the distance between each rapidly decreased. When the
Pekin was some five miles ahead "blank cartridge'' from the bow gun,
we hear, was fired, but no notice being taken, it was determined to send
a shot in the same direction so as to fall on the starboard quarter,
which had the desired effect, and the Pekin at last pulled up."

Such an occurrence was not unusual in former days. One
Admiral, about 1862, we think it was Admiral Kuper, shot away part
of the fore-rigging of a P. & 0. steamer in Japan for not heaving
to, when signalled to do so. The master of a P. & 0. steamer in Singa-
pore in 1807 having made some demur as to waiting a short time to
take Admiral Keppel's despatches on board, was effectually prevented
from going to sea, if he had intended to do so, by a manned-and-
ariued cutter being laid alongside the vessel at the New Harbour
wharf ; the letters, however, were on board before the advertised hour
for sailing. Another steamer during the Abyssinian war, in 1867,
neglecting to heave to when passing through the old harbour, when
H. M. S. Satellite signalled to her to do so, had two blank guns
fired at her, and then a shot was sent across her bows. The shot
was so well in front of her, that it nearly hit the j^powder magazine,
anchored outside the harbour !

The newspaper in September contained the following paragraph : —
" A plan has been set agoing for building three bungalows on Bukit
Timah by subscription, which has mot with the cordial approval and
assistance of the authorities. This scheme promises, if carried out,
to prove of much benefit to the residents here, by providing the

1850. M^

meaos of a ohaiiafe of scene and, in a slight degree, <»f rlinuite also,
without the trniible and expense of a sea voyage. The siibsrription
list is beirij rdDiJly tilled upland operations will bo I'oniniriuHMl as scion
Mpracticaltle. Some six or seven years ago we pointed out tlu» eligil»ilily
of Bakit Tiriuih for the purpose to which it is now propnsod to apply
it, and :i> the favourable opinion whieh we then ex|)resse<l of the spot
h^ underg'jue luj change, we have inm-h pleasure in n'coinnirnilini^
lho*e who may not have yet subscribed, and wh<) are desirous of having
the means **( a seasonable change of scone, Ac, at tlu'ir coniinaud at
a very mutitratr expense, to lose no time in putting down tlu*ir innncs."
The proposal was not carried out, and the (Jovernmeni bungalow was
built on the top of the hill many years afterwards.

The following shews how the Secret Societies carried on their procrcjl-
ings in those days : —

'' A case which exposes to view the criminal and j)«»rni(Mous trnd«'n<-y
of the system of the horn was brought before the (-riniinal Session la.-.t
Saturday, and Tan Ah Tow, one of the headmen and judj/es at the Kmnjsi
house at Kochore, was put on his trial, charg<Ml with mispri.^ion (»f
felony and an aggravated assault. It was fully prov(r(l l»y the evi«lfnei!
produced that tive Chinamen, the owners of a boat which had been stolen,
had succeeded after a search of fourteen days in finding it in thn S« tjui-
i^oon river %vith a number of weapons in it, commonly Uf^rd by oni* p<'tty
pirates, securing three of the thieves at tlie sam<j time, whom thry wire
conducting to the Police Office, when they nn^t tin; prl-^-om-r at (lay Ian*/,
who onlered them to let go the thieves who were his men, and dir«<ti-(l
them to appear at the Kongsi house on tin; Urh of Juih*, when he would
decide upon the merits of the case. Fear compelled them to art ji^ tlM*y
were directed. On the appointed day they Wi^nt all live to tie- Kniuji^i hou e,
found there only one of the thieves, about thirty other < !hMi«--i', and the
prisoner in the chair, who directed them to return all the ariuh'- found m
the boat to the thieves, and to ketfp tlu? boat, whiU tln-y ■•.'•n; told th<-y
would be punished. Not submitting to that deci>rion, the pj i on^r «lir«'' t«Ml
them to be beaten, which was done witli lihts, j-tone-, and i he handh- •. of
umbrellas. Found fjuilty, the Hon'ble the Ke<:order -< hi*-reirl Ihim to
imprisonment for six months and to a tin*r of 200 «iolhtr-."

"The Court House durinjr that trial wa-: cro'.vd<'d f^y a iiumb< r of ih^i
leading men of the society, who, at the <lo-e of it, manil< rf<d /n.at a!i«-
faction at the penalty; some even were heard to -ay tiiat, thepi-n:il'v
being levied by a collection, the same w<>!ild r;orfi<- to oi*'- *m\A a h«a'J,
there being •20,()()0 members of tin; i-o'ii-iy in tlji- I land. It on^^h? t-,
be noticed that each person on entJrrinj/ the -oeiity pa-, •, iv.o 'iojar-
entrauce fee, has not to pa v an v monthlv eoritrjbiiijon, l/«jt i>i boui.d :
pay any sum when called upon by \\it' Khn'j^i. It j.. of r-omfon '^r j; .
rence to see the /«0'/ raisintr .-urns of '//<>. ] ^^^f^)^,uA 2 0</> d'.:;;i:- ir. h
few days, and it can easily Ix.' af-cejTaij.ed, t/j«; j'o.i. e Afjt};or>^> i* .: e
acquainted with the fact, that 20;*></) do;.;.r- v.-i-n- ja, <d irj ^ '\<:\> ■;
account of the disturbances at the buiiai 'iij.e jate ' Ki'-i ' f 'l.-. ^** - :;•
besides the burial expense^, whielt aJnouM*.'] to rear ly ''/,0'>i • ..:nT>

The firm of Uinnekii.dt Vi^ti^:- w;i> i-i-tab^jj-*.*' d i;^ :': > ^ ^>^ Iva
Eugene and Henri Hinnekindt. In j^r>l Mr. L. Cateaux ;. .vo*v hi. a ii
was styled Hinnekindt Frerc- k L. Cal'.i*'^/..

688 . Anecdotal History of Singapore.

In the Singapore Directory for this year were the names of the
oflScers of the Slst Regiment Madras Native Infantry, which had
arrived in Singapore on the 28th April, 1849. The name of the
youngest lieutenant, of whom there were ten, was William Dalrymple
Maclagan, who had been stationed at Malacca, where he was still
remembered by those alive there only a few years ago, but had just
gone home on two years' leave to Europe. His father was a dis-
tinguished military officer. The Archbishop was born in Edinburgh
in 1826. He left the army, and graduated at St. Peter's College,
Cambridge, in 1856, and entered the Church, being first curate at
St. Saviour's, Paddington, and in 1875 Vicar of St. Mary Abbots,
Kensington, then he was Bishop of Lichfield, in 1878, and in 1891
Archbishop of York. He still speaks of his pleasant recollections of
the Straits. It is remembered in Malacca that the Archbishop wrote
some music which was played there, and it may interest the choir
of St. Andrew's Cathedral to know that he is the composer of not
less than five of the tunes in Hymns Ancient and Modern, Nos.
280, 318, 445, 454, and 269 ; and is also the author of the words
of four others, iNos. 116, 122, 425, and 428, *^The Saints of God!
their conflict past" which Sir John Stainer's beautiful tune has
helped to make so well known. The Archbishop crowned Queen
Alexandra in Westminster Abbey on August 9th, 1902.

1851. . 639

CHAPTER XXXIX.

1851.

ON the 1st January^ it was advertised that Mr. W. W. Shaw
and Mr. Joseph Wise were admitted partners in the firm of
Boustead & Co. Mr. Boustead went to England and [never returned
to Singapore.

In January the Bishop of Calcutta with Archdeacon Pratt visited
the Straits and went on to Sarawak to consecrate the Church that
had been built there. The Sunday morning when the Bishop preached
in the old St. Andrew's Church, there was a regular downpour,
and the rain made such a noise on the roof that his voice could not
be heard, and complaints were already made about the building,
which leaked so short a time after it had been erected. It may be
worthy of note as a custom that has long ceased, that the paper
said that the Bishop landed " under the accustomed salute due to
his rank. "

In a short manuscript note made by Mr. Braddell of a despatch
by the Court of Directors on 15th January, it says that they had
laid down, in concurrence with the Governor General, that the Indian
Coasts could not be defended against a European enemy and even
in salient points must depend as heretofore, and that hopefully, on
the fleet. It was a sufficient object to defend against privateering
and petty attacks in the absence of men-of-war; and approved of
the suggestion that two Batteries of four heavy guns each (with
one if necessary for Back Bay [?], would do for Singapore, and
a few heavy guns be substituted for those now in position at Penang
and Malacca.

The Free Press contained, in January, the following paragraph
about the rainfall : — " The continued heavy rains, which fell last
Sunday and Monday in torrents, caused the Brass Bassa Canal and
the Rochore River to overflow their beds ; the mass of water, being
met by the rising tide, found no outlet, and reached a height un-
precedented in men's memory at this Settlement. At the bridge at
the Buffalo Village the water stood, for about three hours, 15 inches
higher than at the inundation during last year. Considerable damage
was done to public and private property, but the poor inhabitants
are of course the greatest sufferers. The seawall along the Esplanade
tumbled down into the sea for a length of about 80 feet, and at
three other places the wall is in a most precarious state and threatens
to tumble down; the whole will have to be rebuilt. A portion
of the western wall surrounding the Pauper Hospital has also come
to the ground, the foundation having been undermined, and giving
way to the current of the water from the Brass Bassa CanaJ.
In High Street the wall surrounding a gentleman's compound was

540 Anecdotal History of Singapore,

washed away. The roads are horribly cat up, all the soft parts
are washed away, and the bare rocks appearing on the surface make
them at some places nearly impassable. Bencoolen Street and Middle
Road are in a sad predicament from these causes, a great number of
native houses are destroyed, rice and vegetables were found on the
public roads, having been washed and deposited there by the water of
the currents. Large pieces of timber, cocoa-nuts, dead pigs, &c., were
floating in our streets, and a number of policemen and convicts had
enough to do next morning to remove all the obstacles which obstructed
the thoroughfares.''

On Monday, the 20th January, Mr. Thomas Dunman received his
final appointment as Superintendent of Police for Singapore, which the
paper remarked was a very tardy act of justice, which had been re-
peatedly demanded by the majority of the community. There were
tour European Constables in the Police Force at that time, namely,
McDonald, with a monthly salary of $55 ; Shea, $50 ; Hale, $45 ; and
Berth ier, $40 ; which were considered by the Municipal Committee to
be liberal salaries. A Mr. Hammond, of the Bengal Civil Service, was
appointed in January to be Assistant Resident and Superintendent of
Police and Police Magistrate. He seems to have been a curious
example of the administration of injustice, and there were frequent
allusions to him and his doings in the newspapers. He was removed
after he had carried on his eccentricities for about a year and
eventually took orders in the Church in England ! The paper, after a
lengthy comment upon some of his acts, concluded on one occasion
as follows : —

" Now all this is very improper, not to say dangerous. Freaks and
eccentricities which, exercised on another stage, would only be simply
amusing, assume a very different aspect when perpetrated on the magis-
terial bench, and when the consequence is the illegal restraint of per-
sons. The administration of justice is brought into contempt, and the
public is the sufferer from the incompetence or folly of the Magistrate.
It is high time that the Government should take the matter into its
most earnest consideration. The interests of the community are in-
volved in a most serious manner. All charges of crime and mis-
demeanour must come before the Magistrate in the first instance, and
with him rests the duty of preparing cases for trial in the higher
Court. No excellence in this higher Court will insure an efficient ad-
ministration of justice, if the person with whom rests the preliminary
arrangement and preparation of the evidence is ignorant of his duty
or neglects it. The sitting Magistrate is, besides, invested with ex-
tensive summary jurisdiction, and for the proper exercise of it requires
a sound judgment, competent knowledge of the law of evidence, and
an acquaintance with the character of the population.

" Few, if any, of the persons who have filled the Magisterial office
for some years past, have been at all qualified for the situation. They
have been utterly wanting in the requisite knowledge, training and ex-
perience. They have been appointed because the office, or its emolu-
ments, was convenient to them, not because they were suited for
the oflSce. Military officers, innocent of any knowledge of law, have
been promoted to the bench^ an if^ from sitting in the seat of their

1851. 541

predecessor, they could by some mesmeric process be imbued with
the requisite skill for discharging their duties. Young Bengal civi-
lians have been turned loose upon the community, to work their will
and play such antics as they chose^ and wild work some of them
have made of it. It is time this haphazard mode of filling the
Magisterial chair should cease. The interests of the community are
too much jeopardised by it, and experience has shewn its utter un-
fitness and danger/*

The following amusing example of one of his proceedings was
sent to the Free Press by one of the parties aggrieved : — " On
Wednesday, a Chinaman was observed by two of Mr. Bernard's ser-
vants running out of the front entrance of Mr. Bernard's house.
They immediately pursued him and caught him at the compound gate.
The thief was given in charge to a peon, and taken to the Than-
nah at Buffalo Village. The following day, 1st instant, Mr. Ber-
nard attended the Police Office with the two servants who had ap-
prehended the man. Mr. Hammond, the Sitting Magistrate, was on
the Bench alone. The case was entered into, and the following were
the facts sworn to : — The two servants deposed that they saw the
prisoner running out from the front staircase of Mr. Bernard's house ;
that they caught him at the gate, and that they never lost sight
of him. The peon deposed that the prisoner was the man given into
his charge, that he was taken to the Buffalo Village Thannah, and
on searching him there, a silver watch was found secreted in hii
bajn. The silver watch was produced, was sworn to as being the
one found on the prisoner, and identified by Mr. Bernard as be-
longing to him. Of course, it might naturally be concluded, that
after such evidence, the Magistrate could have done nothing else
than commit the prisoner for trial at next sessions ; more especially
as Mr. Hammond had been made acquainted with the fact of the
prisoner being a notorious thief, and that he still bore the marks
of his last whipping all over his back. Still more than this, the
prisoner had not a word to say for himself, not even a question to
put to any of the witnesses. Mr. Hammond, however, in the excess
of his Magisterial acuteness had discovered a mare's nest ; was pleased
to say that there were great discrepancies in the evidence and there-
fore would discharge the prisoner, who accordingly was discharged !
You may well conceive the astonishment of the whole court at the
above decision, worthy indeed of a Squire Western, but most cer-
tainly unexpected in a Magistrate of the H. P]. I. Company. Sur-
prised as all those in court were, certainly the most astonished per-
son was the prisoner, who required to be told a second time, be-
fore he would believe that he was discharged ; then, not waiting to
receive the congratulations of his friends, he immediately disappeared,
and made himself so scarce that when a peon was sent to observe
whicli way he went, the innocent and injured man was nowhere to
be seen. As a climax to the absurdity of the proceedings,
Mr. Hammond returned the property to Mr. Bernard ! How
he could reconcile that with the discharge of the prisoner, I leave
wiser heads than mine to determine. Mr. Bernard, I am told, on
leaving the Police Office waited on Mr. Church, the Resident Coun-

542 Anecdotal History of Singapore,

cillor, related to him the circumstance, and received a promise that
he would enquire into the case and do whatever was in his power
to remedy it. Now, when a man holding such a responsible posi-
tion, commits an injury to the community by acting in the manner
described, it becomes a public duty to expose him, and to teach him
that his being clad with a " little brief authority" does not license
him to act in such a way. Since the foregoing was written, the
Chinaman has again been apprehended by virtue of a warrant, and
on Tuesday last was brought before the Sitting Magistrate when he
was committed for trial at next sessions, on the very same evidence
that at his first examination had been deemed insufficient."

On the 7th February, by the P. & 0. Mail s.s. PeJcin, Sir
James Brooke, k.c.b., returned to Europe, and among the passengers
was Mr. W. W. Ker who had been (the Free Prt^ss said) a resi-
dent in Singapore for twenty-two years, and finally retired with a
handsome competency and the best wishes of his numerous friends.

There was an epidemic of cholera in Sintrapore and the neigh-
bouring Dutch ports at this time, which lasted for three or four
months; the deaths in Singapore from this cause were supposed to
approximate two or three hundred, almost all confined to Malays
and Chinese. No records were kept in those days of any burials,
so it was almost purely conjectural.

The Grand Jury, in their presentment in February (C. Carnie,
Foreman), made the following complaint: — "The Grand Jurors again
present those injurious Chinese Secret Societies. They do not deem
it necessary to dwell at length upon the pernicious influence of these
bodies, the cases that have been brought before the Court this
Session, the depositions taken before the Grand Jury which are now
handed to your Lordship, the well-known dread Chinese of all
classes entertain of the power of these Societies, the illegal acts
that have been lately perpetrated all over the island by these people,
numerous hangsals belonging to Chinese Christians having been des-
troyed, exhibiting a most dangerous combination against public
security and peace; and the more recent outrageous attack upon
the police in the vicinity of Bukit Timah, must place this
important subject in so strong a light before you, that in recom-
mending that the most stringent means should be adopted to put
a stop to such a nefarious system for once and for ever, the
Grand Jurors feel confident that they but re-echo the sentiments
of your Lordship and propose that which you have already deter-
mined to carry out."

The interior of the island had been in a most disturbed state,
owing to an active persecution having broken out against the Chinese
converts to the Roman Catholic Church, who were scattered over
the island as planters, and whose numbers were steadily increasing.
A very slight pretence was laid hold of for putting in practice a
general sacking and pillaging of the plantations belonging to the
Christian Chinese and for carrying off individuals and holding them
to ransom in large sums. These proceedings were generally ascribed
to the influence, more or less openly exerted, of the Tan Tae Ho6,
and probably of the other Secret Societies, from whose ranks the

1851. 548

Christian converts were withdrawn, and whose power and influence
were of course diminished in proportion to the success of the Ro-
man Catholic Missionaries. Besides withdrawing members from these
Secret Societies, the conversion of the Chinese in the interior had
the effect of placing everywhere throughout the island, men who
were subject to influences adverse to the interests of the Societies, who
were thus deprived of that complete immunity from surveillance which
constituted one of the sources of their power. With these Chinese
converts disseminated throughout the island, the Ho^s could no longer
hold their meetings, or execute sentence on refractory or defaulting
members with the same security which they had enjoyed when there
was no check upon their proceedings. This led to a general attack
upon the Christian Chinese thoughout the island.

The paper contained the following accounts, among many others,
of the proceedings of the Societies : — '^ Everywhere, at Serangoon,
Bukit Tiraah, Bookoh Khan, Lauw Choo-khan, Nam Tokang, Chan
Chwee-kang, even at Kranji, Propo, and Benoi, the bangeals and
plantations of the Christians have been attacked by sets of 20 to 50
men, who rob all the property and destroy what they cannot carry
away. The Christians came to town from all parts of the country
as to a place of refuge, and people yesterday in flourishing circum-
stances are to-day reduced to the greatest misery. No less than
twenty-seven plantations have been attacked within the last week;
and the list of planters ruined last Sunday, proves there exists a
conspiracy throughout the whole island, following the directions of
one set of headmen.

''The authorities, although only at the eleventh hour, after the
devastation of so many plantations and the ruin of hundreds of
industrious and quiet people, have taken some measures, which, it
is hoped, will keep the robbers in check ; the police force at Bukit
Timah has been reinforced with ten policemen, twelve men taken
from the crew of the gunboat are directed to patrol the country in
every direction under the guidance of the youngest constable. The
gun-boat is stationed in the Old Straits to intercept all property
which the criminals might try to transport to the coast of Johore,
and a reward of $25 for the apprehension of every robber has been
promised by the authorities. I must however notice, that the Revd.
Mr. Issaly who had gone to Siingei Benoi to attend a sick Christian
woman, the wife of a Christian planter, being informed that a band
of heathen Chinese intended to attack him, took refuge in the
jungle, where he remained for 24 hours, and finally escaped on
reaching the coast, where he met a boatman who, for the exorbitant
sum of $8, carried him to town. It has been ascertained that
during Mr. Issaly^s concealment the plantation was attacked and
robbed of all that was on it.

"The force of police and crew of the gunboat Charlotte under
Mr. Henry Kraal [afterwards in 1886, one of the Bailiffs of the
Supreme Court] went to execute half a dozen warrants issued on
the application of as many Christian planters, who had been robbed
of all their property. After securing some prisoners and stolen
goods in the village at Sungei Kranji, alias Bookoo Khan, they

544 Anecdotal History of Singapore.

were returning to their station with the prisoners and goods, when
at a short distance from the village, being on the high road, they
suddenly heard the Chinese alarm signals sonnded with horns, tom-
toms, and the firing of crackers; and in less than 5 minutes a
crowd of Chinese, armed with swords, lances, forks, knives, headed
by 8 or 10 leaders furnished with the well-known rattan shields (if
new and well made impenetrable to a musket ball) commenced a
most decided attack for the rescue of the prisoners. A few moments
afterwards another party of about 50 Chinese, armed in the
same way, but also provided with a few matchlocks and muskets
barred the highroad. The Constable in the van, and Mr. Kraal in
the rear, cautioned the rioters against any violence in the manner
prescribed by law ; this producing no effect, Mr. Kraal caused a few
shots to be fired over the heads of the men approaching from the rear,
which, however, produced no other result than to encourage them to
advance faster. The Constable in the van, having to contend with a
smaller force, picked out four men, and made a rush against the
people who fronted him, and dispersed them, and they ran right and left
into the jungle. They joined however, the party attacking the rear
and came with a rush against the police, firing a few shots.

" A volley was then fired amongst them, which caused them to
advance with more caution, and allowed the officers to continue their
route ; but repeated attacks, which required continual repulses, caused
the march to be very slow* The rioters were most determined, and
the firing lasted during an advance of more than two miles. Finally
the death of three of their leaders, who fell at a distance of about
20 feet from the police force, stopped them, and the officers were
able to reach their station with their prisoners and the goods. All
the ammunition except a few cartridges had been expended. It has
since been ascertained that five of the attacking Chinese were killed
and a great number wounded.

'* The authorities on being informed of these facts sent the gun-
ner of the steamer " Hoogly " with twelve men of its crew to re-
inforce the police, and the crew of the gunboat and thirty convicts
were directed to join this force, but by some misunderstanding only
seven of the last reached the station in the early morning of Sun-
day. The force consisting now of 38 men, of whom 28 were armed
with muskets, it was resolved to make a round to the sea to look
after the gunboat, which was left with only 7 or 8 men in the Old
Straits, to exchange some of the men and to take provisions and
ammunition. The detachment, leaving a small reserve at the station,
traversed in silence the distance of 7 miles during the night, and
arrived a little after sunrise at the Old Straits, without meeting any-
thing ; but returning home, and approaching the village, the road
was again found barred by a numerous band of Chinese, while the
signals of alarm were again heard. Necessity again compelled the
police to fire into these dupes of the Ho6, after all peaceful means
to disperse them had been unsuccessful. They rushed on and were
rewarded by the death of two of their number, and the wounding
of some others, which caused them to disperse after carrying away
their dead and wounded.

1851. 545

" On Monday evening the full complement of the convictR having
come up, a detachment of fifty Sepoys headed by a European Offi-
cer, Lieutenant Wilson, also arrived. On Tuesday the police force,
reinforced by Constable Hale and some peons, and followed by the
military, departed to execute twenty-two warrants issued at the in-
stance of the Catholic owners of as many plantations which had been
pillaged. The force arrived at 4 o'clock in the morning at Kranji
Village, without having been observed. Halting there for a few
minutes, the light of a dammar carried by one of three armed Chi-
nese was seen to descend a hill. The greatest silence was preserved
until they were at a few yards distance, but still on the steep de-
clivity of the hill ; there they discovered the force, threw their light
away and disappeared. At the same moment a shot was fired by a
concealed rioter, and the noise and cries of a multitude of people
from everj^ direction, saluted the discovery of the police party, which
succeeded in surprising a great number of " bangsals,'' in some of
which robbers were identified and some stolen property recovered.
It being however now about ten o'clock a.m., and alarm being
everywhere given, the force returned by two different paths ; the
Sepoys took a short one to reach the high road, while the police
returned by a circuitous route, in order to surprise and disperse the
Chinese concealed amongst the bushes and jungle opposite the vil-
lage of Kranji on the east side of the road. The Sepoys arriving
first on the spot, halted, juul were saluted by the customary
Chinese alarm signals. The police coming a little later from the
east, a number oF about two hundred Chinese were surprised and
dispersed without a shot being fired, decamping like hares chased
by hounds. Here the Sepoys departed, there being no more than
two bamjaahy situated at the other side of the river and village, to
inspect. Leaving a guard for the prisoners. Constable Hale, Mr.
Kraal, and the special constable passed the village, which was for
the greatest part deserted, but passing the bridge a great number
oi Chinese appeared on the different hills in a threatening manner,
and two shots were fired by them at the party, by whom a volley
was fired in return, and a chase commenced, to secure some of them
and the white flag carried by them. Four men were shot by the
volley, nmongst whom was an old man, the guardian of the Chinese
brick temple, who certainly had no lawful business in the centre
of a crowd of such vagabonds, whose number is differently given up
by the European officers, according to the different sections of the
hills on which they were acting; for Mr. Kraal calculated the number
to whom he was opposed, to amount to about fifty, while Constable
Hale could discern on his side about eighty or ninety, and the
special from his position, about one hundred and twenty or one
hundred and fifty.

" A Christian planter named Tan Ah Choon, who had been in-
formed that his plantation was to be attacked and robbed, took all
the money he could collect, amounting to more than $80, and two
piculs white pepper, and departed for the town with two or three
coolies, but was stopped near Amokiah by some Chinese, who seized
and carried him into the jungle with the decided intention to mur-*

546 Anecdotal History of Singapore,

tier him after havintr robbed him. The coolies escaped and reported
the fact ; on which Mr. Dnnman with a small number of peons
went himself in search. On the road a man informed him that Tan
Ah Choon had been carried to Loh Siah's plantation. The chase
was continued, some hangsah were passed, where Chinese were gam-
blinof to their heart's content ; and Mr. Dunman finally succeeded in
delivering Tan Ah Choon, who was in the custody of three of his
captors in Loh Siah's premises, who himself was secured. The other
criminals escaped, having been informed by the calls and cries of the
nearest neighbours of the approach of the Police. Here is a most visible
proof of the effects of the power of the Hoe. A man is kidnapped,
carried through some crowds of Chinese, without any person interfering
to prevent the crime, and these same men save the criminals by their
calls and signals. Tan Ah Choon's plantation has since been robbed of
nearly all its contents."

In April, a subscription was made for the purpose of making a
steel engraving of the painted likeness of the late Mr. A. L. Johnston,
of which there are now copies in the Library, and in several of the
mercantile offices.

On the 22nd April, a meeting was held to establish a Sailors' Home,
and a Committee appointed composed of Mr. James Guthrie, Captain J.
S. Sparkes of the P. & 0. Company, Mr. John Harvey, and Mr. W.
H. Read as Honorary Secretary. It was proposed that a fancy dress
ball should be given in aid of the funds, and it took place on the 15th
May in the Assembly Rooms, single tickets were $5, and family tickets
iJ7.50.

A new flag-staff was put up on Mount Faber in May, and
within a month it was struck by lightning and destroyed ; it hap-
pened before daybreak, before the signal-men had come to work.
The mast was split into pieces and fragments of it were thrown to
a considerable distance.

On the 17th April, Mr. H. C. Rautenberg, the senior of the
two partners in Rautenberg, Schmidt & Co., and Mr. Hurtlaub, the
junior assistant employed in Behn, Meyer & Co.^s, left Singapore with
two other gentlemen for Rhio in a boat belonging to the Tumongong,
They met with a strong current and a high sea in the Straits, and a
squall caused the boat to heel over and take in so much water that she
sank about two miles from the shore. One of the gentlemen clung to
the mast of the boat and another kept himself afloat by means oiE a
cushion and a mat, and were picked up by a fishing boat after being
several hours in the sea. Mr. Rautenberg and Mr. Hurtlaub were
drowned. The whole of the Malay crew and a Chinese servant got
safely to shore. Mr. Frederick George Schmidt remained the sole
partner in the firm until 1858, when Gustav Cramer and Adolph Emil
Schmidt became partners.

In one week at that time several tigers were shot by natives in
the jungle, and Dr. d' Almeida gave a reward of $50 in addition to the
same amount given by Government. It was stated on good authority
that in the Serangoon district alone more than thirty persons had been
killed by tigers within a few weeks. The following account of deaths
by tigers in the same month is taken from the Free Press ; — " While

1851. 547

some Malays were collecting rattans and cutting wood in a piece of
jungle near Mr. Dunman'a plantation at Seraiigoon, tliey were nlarnied
by hearing a tiger making his approach through the underwood. They
immediately commenced a retreat, but had not cleared the jungle
when the tiger came up with them and singling out the fattest man in
the party sprang upon him. It had dragged the body some distance
ere the man^s companions recovered from the fright into which they
had been thrown, and pursued him with their imrangsy on which the
tiger dropped the body and retreated. The poor man was found in
the agonies of death with his throat and face severely lacerated. The
body was brought away, but the tiger, it would appear, was determined
to have his meal, for the same night he carried ofF a Chinaman at
a short distance from the scene of his morning's exploit. The China-
man's friends on making a search found the body, with one of the legs
wanting. The tiger is described as being of a large size and remark-
able for having large white spots, from which it is conjectured that he
is well advanced in years." The same animal killed another man in the
next week.

The Rev. H. Moule, who was Chaplain longer than most of those
who were sent from Calcutta to Singapore, died on 3rd June, 1880, at
S\ years of age. He had left Singapore in 1851. He was Secretary
to the RaflBes Institution and was famous for good speeches at wedding
breakfasts. He enjoyed his pension for many years and was Rector of
Road cum Woolverton at the time of his death. He was a good judjje
of a horse, and it was said that as he would not go to the Races ( as it
was wrong) he stole a quiet look behind a bush when opportunity
offered. He was afterwards the originator of the earth closet system
which was known by his name, and which was extremely remunerative.
The Municipal Committee, as it was called, consisted in that year
of Mr. Thos. Church, the Resident Councillor, Captain Henry Man,
the Superintendent of Convicts and Commissioner of the Court of
Requests, Mr. Mickie Forbes Davidson of A. Fj. Johnston k Co.,
and Mr. T. A. Behn of Behn, Meyer k Co. The following are parts
of the Minutes in June : —

" It having been brought to the notice of the Committee that
syces and others are in the habit of exercising horses on the reserved
Plain [the Esplanade] to the .serious inconvenience and danger of
pedestrians, resolved, that a sum equal to a moiety of the cost of
a chain sufficient to enclose the Plain bo authorised, provided the
Government will undertake to defray the other hnlf, and that in the
meantime measures be adopted to put an end to the dangerous
practice alluded to."

" A letter dated the lOtli June from Syed Ali Al Junied was
read, stating that he had viewed with concern the great inconve-
nience to the public generally, and the suffering of the poorer
classes in particular, from the want of an adequate supply of good
and wholesome water during the dry months, and expressing a wish
to be allowed to sink and construct at his exclusive expense*, four
capacious wells for the use of the community.

*' The Committee deemed it right to record the high gratitication
they experienced at this mark of spontaneous liberality and benevo-

548 Anecdotal History of Singapoi'e

leuce on the part of Syed Ali Al Junied, which will be the means
of conferring a boon on the inhabitants of the town and insure
(with the other wells) an ample supply of good water thoroughout
the year. It was therefore resolved that Syed Ali's offer be accepted
and a letter of thanks embracing the foregoing remarks written to
that gentleman. It was also resolved that a transcript of Syed
Ali's letter to the Committee be sent to his Honour the Grovernor,
and that the local authorities be requested to allow the services of
the Government Surveyor, in communication with Syed Ali Al
Junied, to be made available in the selection of the most eligible
sites for the wells/'

One of these wells was that in Selegie Road near the Dhobie
Green, one at Campong Malacca, one at Campong Pungulu Kessang,
and one at Teluk Ayer.

The Court at this time was held in the building now attached
to the Government Printing OflSce. The paper alluded to the ar-
rangements as follows : — " Some time ago it was found that the
existing accommodation for the Court of Judicature at Singapore
was too limited, and it was therefore resolved to add several rooms
to the existing Court-room, for the use of the Recorder, the Regis-
trar and his establishment, &c. The present Court House is a badly
ventilated room, built on to one end of the Government Public
Offices, and bounded close on the other side by a private house and
a ship-builder's yard. This inconvenient site was originally chosen, it is
presumed, for the accommodation of the executive Officers of Government,
who also generally officiated as Judges, and who having turned the pro-
per Court House into public offices, probably still wished to have the Court-
room under the same roof, that they mi<rht pass from their own offices to
the Bench without having to quit the building. The Registrar's establish-
ment was in some of the rooms belonging to the public offices, and thus
had the appearance of being a mere department of the local Government,
a circumstance which has led to considerable confusion of ideas in the
minds of both Europeans and natives, not unattended with objectionable
results. Of late it has been found very inconvenient that there should be
no separate accommodation for the Recorder, the Registrar and his
Establishment, Juries, &c., and plans were therefore prepared for additional
buildings estimated to cost some Hg7,000. These it was proposed to
erect in rear of the present Court-room, and although the many dis-
advantages of the site were pointed out, and it was urged that for a very
trifling addition to the estimate, a handsome suite of buildings might be
erected for the use of the judicial establishment, altogether detached from
the Government Office, the original design has been adhered to. The
result bids fair to bear out the strong objections which were made, the new
rooms being ill-ventilated and dungeon-like receptacles, which would be
more suitable for condemned cells, than apartments for the Recorder and
the Officers of the Court."

A public meeting was held on the 22nd September to consider a pro-
posal of the Government at Bengal to introduce a stamp tax in lieu of the
Siri Farm which the Government proposed to abolish. Mr. John Purvis
was in the chair, and some lengthy resolutions were passed, to the effect
that the Settlements paid their own expenses, if the cost of the convicts

1851. 54d

and the troops was borne, as it was said it should be, by the Indian
revenue. The following were three of the resolutions carried at the meeting,
which was very largely attended : —

*' Proposed by Lewis Fraser, seconded by C. H. Harrison, and carried
unanimously : —

3rd. — ^That Singapore was established, and is kept up, for the chief
purpose of aJBEording an outlet to the manufactures and productions of
Great Britain and India, and is now yearly acquiring increased value to
these countries as a naval and steam station.

Proposed by Gilbert McMicking, and seconded by Hoot Seng : —

oth. — That although a stamp tax may be a proper source of revenue
in other places, this meeting considers that in Singapore it would prove
burdensome and vexatious, especially to the commerce of the port, because
the trade, unlike that in England or India, where goods are generally sold
for cash, is here wholly carried on by a system of credit. That from the
habits and customs of the native traders, who resort here in large numbers,
the tax would prove especially obnoxious to this class, and would tend
mach to shake their confidence in that freedom from all imposts aJBEecting
trade, which they have hitherto been accustomed to meet with at Singa-
pore, and this meeting therefore earnestly deprecates the imposition of a
tax which would have such an injurious effect.

Proposed by William Paterson, seconded by Joaquiin d' Almeida, and
carried unanimously : —

6th. — That excluding the charges for Military and Convicts, there has
been for many years past an annual surplus of revenue at Singapore
(amounting according to the Government returns for 1850-51 to
H«l 95,000) and therefore any additional tax in lieu of the R«25,000
at present derived from the Siri farm is quite uncalled for.^^

On the night of Monday the 21st July, the P. & 0. Steamer Erin
from Calcutta ran into the same Company's steamer Pacha, which had left
Singapore the afternoon before, off Mount Formosa. The Pacha went
down in a few minutes. The Free Press alluded to the circumstances as
follows : —

** The Pacha's masts immediately fell over the side and she went down
within less than seven minutes after the accident, in about 25 fathoms
of water. The whole of the passengers, officers and crew were saved, except
two cabin passengers (Dr. Briscoe and Mr. Hendowin) two Chinese deck
passengers, the 3rd officer, the Clerk in Charjje, and ten of the Euro-
pean crew, who were all drowned The Erin sustained considerable
damage, and the water rushed in at her bows, but being built with water-
tight compartments, it was found that only two filled, and as the pumps
were got to work with the engines, it was found that the water could be
kept sufficiently under to enable her to reach Singapore. A considerable
part of the goods in the Erin is of course damaged by salt water and the
whole are being landed. She has upwards of 1,000 chests of opium for
China, mach of which is damaged. The extent of the injury to the Erin
has not yet been accurately ascertained, but it will require some days
before she can be sufficiently repaired to enable her to prosecute her
voyage. The Pacha had on board upwards of $400,000 of specie shipped
in China, and 930,000 shipped in Singapore, and very little of the latter,
which belonged chiefly to natives, was insured. Considering the immense

550 Anecdotal History of Singapore

amount of property in the Pacha, and the possibility of Malay divers and
others endeavouring to remove it clandestinely, we are surprised that a
vessel of war has not ere this been despatched to the spot. There were
two steamers lying in the harbour yesterday, one of which surely might
have been spared. The Leitnitz and the Faize Alluvi which arrived here
to-day, picked up a quantity of China silk, piece goods, clothes, &c., near
the scene of the wreck."

The damaged opium was sold in Singapore at auction at prices very
far below its usual value, averaging about §315 a chest, and the purchasers
here, of whom Thomas 0. Crane & Co., were the largest, realised about a
hundred per cent, on the speculation when it was sent on for sale in
China, after having been opened and dried in Singapore. This led to
much dispute and litigation, the Insurance offices refusing to pay. I'he
Erin was repaired and sailed for China on the 9th August. The Calcutta
and Bombay papers contained numerous proposals to form companies to
raise the vessel, which was in 25 fathoms of water, for the large amount
of treasure.

In 1853, Mr. Lovi, a practical engineer of much talent in cases of
sunken vessels, and who had often been engaged by the British Govern-
ment in cases of great difficulty, came out from England with the sanction
of the underwriters, to try to recover the treasure, and entered into
an engagement to raise it. He was unsuccessful for a long time. It is said
that after searching for six months for the Paeha, he first ascertained her
position from a peculiar quiver of his compasses as he passed over the ship.
He fixed a buoy to it, and returned to Singapore for his diving gear and
assistance. When he got back, the buoy had been stolen, and, as he had
not taken the bearings, lie dragged for four months more before he found
the place again. The vessel was standing upright in the sand, which was
nearly up to her bulwarks. A number of skeletons were on the stairs and
the landing below, as if the passengers had been crowded together in
trying to ascend. Mr. Lovi began to recover the treasure, but in April,
1856, while in an open boat going to his schooner the Wizard at anchor
near the wreck, he had a stroke of the sun, and was forced to return
to Singapore in an open boat, which took four days. He arrived
on a Sunday, and died in Singapore on the following Saturday night,
of congestion of the brain, while those whom he had left working on the
spot were ^jetting up the treasure. The dollars were sent to the Mint at
Calcutta. The silver had become as black as ebony, and each roll was
as firmly fixed as if it had been a bar, and not separate coins. Treasure
and bullion to the extent of between sixty and seventy thousand pounds
were recovered.

Mr. Thomas Scott, of Guthrie & Co., (who must not be con-
fused with a former merchant of Singapore of the same name,
mentioned in this book, who died at Calcutta at the age of 34
years on 7th July, 1848,) arrived in Singapore for the first time
on 7th July, in the British Barque Coaxer, 316 tons, which had sailed
from Liverpool on 16th February. He is the only passenger men-
tioned in the Free Pi-ess list of arrivals by that vessel. On the next
day he went to Malacca with his uncle in a schooner, for a trip,
and after being for a few months in another business, he joined
Guthrie & Co., as a clerk, and became a partner in that firm in

1851. 551

1857. He died in Scotland on 28Mi June, 1902, having been a part-
ner in the firm for forty-five years. In 1876 he founded the branch
firm of Scott & Co., London. He was one of the promoters and
afterwards largely concerned in the affairs of the Tanjong Piigar
Dock Company. He was one of the first unofficial members of the
Legislative Council, when it was established in April, 1867, and he
was Chairman of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce for
many years. His portrait given by Chinese subscribers is in the Town
Hall. Mr. Scott married the elder daughter of Major McNair, who
survived him, and he left one son and one daughter.

In September, the barque Faioi of Calcutta arrived here from
China, on her first voyage, being quite a new ship. She had been
aground and was hove down at Sandy Point for repairs. A great
part of her crew of Bengal lascars quitted the ship and refused to
proceed in her to Calcutta, although they had four months' pay to
receive on arrival there. When the vessel was ready to proceed on
her voyage it was necessary to get other men, and twenty-nine
Singapore Malays were shipped, who were said to be a very superior
set of men. The shipping master who procured them cautioned Cap-
tain Rogers as to his treatment of this new crew, warning him that
Malay and Javanese sailors would not allow themselves to be struck
like Indian lascars. The ringleader in the tragedy which afterwards
occurred had sailed as tindal with a Captain sailing out of Singapore,
who described him as a fine spirited fellow and a good sailor. The
Fawn sailed on the 28th September, having on board, besides Captain
Rogers and his first and second mates, four European passengers, Mrs.
Rogers the Captain's wife, Mrs. Bechem and child, and Elphick a horse-
keeper.

On the sixth day of the voyage, about four o'clock in the after-
noon, the chief mate saw the burra- tindal smoking down the forehatch,
and found fault with him for so doing, asking him if he wanted to set
the ship on fire. He then kicked him, got him on the deck and pun-
ished him with a rope's end in presence of the whole crew, the Cap-
tain and his wife being on deck and observing what was going on.
About midnight or a little after, the Serang and two Bengal lascars,
who were sleeping forward, were aroused by the tindal, who told them
that the Captain was killed and thrown overboard. It appeared that
the Captain was asleep on the poop, and was killed without resistance.
The Serang on being thus roused by the tindal ran into the caboose,
one of the lascars on to the flying jibboom, and the other to the fore-
top. One of these lascars said that at daylight he s.'iw the tindal and
about 16 or 18 of the crew round the second mate, whom they were
striking with hatchets. Ho made a most determined stand, but was
eventually overpowered and killed. The chief mate and Elphick suc-
ceeded in shutting themselves up in one of the cabins where they de-
fended themselves, and it is said that from twenty to twenty-four hours
elapsed from the death of Captain Rogers before the chief mate was
overpowered. Finding that he had taken refuge in the cabin, the
crew made an opening in the deck, through which they poked nt him
with oars and other implements and wounded him; but at last, pro-
bably imagining that he would soon bo overpowered, he jumped out of

552 Anecdotal Bistory of Singapore

the port and was drowned. In what manner Elphick met his death
the witnesses did not say. Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Bechem and her child,
and two or three native women, were then put into one quarter boat,
the vessel going through the water at the time. Either through the
falls breaking or from the boat being carelessly lowered^ it was upset,
and all in it, except the native women who laid hold of the falls, were
drowned. When Mrs. Bechem was in the water she held up her child,
and one of the men that was tried, asserted that he threw lier an oar,
for doing which he alleged he was beaten by the tindal. Mrs. Rogers
sank immediately.

In the evening the tindal went round to each man asking what
side he was going to be on, threatening that if he was on the Cap-
tain's side, the tindal and his people would kill him. In consequence
of this, apparent unanimity was secured. The ship was scuttled on
both sides and set on fire, and finally run on shore at Bruas, about
forty-five miles south of Penang. She grounded in 1^ fathoms and
about 200 fathoms from the beach. At this time a vessel was in sight
going down the Straits, which was afterwards known to be the Rajahy
of Liverpool, which vessel saw the Fawn run ashore and set on fire,
but, strange to say, the Captain did not try to render any assistance,
saying in Singapore that he did not think there was anything wrong
with the vessel. If he had stopped, the unfortunate females, who
were brutally treated by the crew before they were drowned, might
have been saved. About nineteen of the crew, including the tindal,
went on shore, and fourteen took to the long boat, in which they
reached Singapore, on the 10th October. They anchored at Passir
Panjang, and two of the Bengal lascars, finding the rest asleep, got
out of the boat and came on shore. A Malay on board seeing them
leaving, also joined them, and all three came into the town, where the
Malay left the lascars, who then went to the Resident Councillor and
reported what had occurred. The remaining men proceeded to Sandy
Point where they landed, letting the boat go adrift. The Chinese
carpenter gave himself up to the Police, and two Cochin Chinese,
who had turned Mahomedans, and three Javanese, were captured.
Rewards were offered for the apprehension of those still at liberty,
and a most vigorous search was made for them.

Those of the crew who went to Bruas were captured and taken to
Penang, and seven of the Bengal lascars and two women gave
themselves up to the Police there. The H. C. steamer Hooghly with
the gun-boat in tow, proceeded to Bruas, and succeeded in capturing
the persons remaining there, amongst whom were the ringleaders.
The vessel was found to have been completely destroyed and sunk,
with only her stem and stern-post visible. Sixteen of the crew were
tried in Penang before Sir Wm. Jeffcott, the trial lasting two days,
and the Court sitting till 8-30 and 9 o'clock at night. Four of the
prisoners, the worst of the men, were hanged, and the rest were sen-
tenced to transportation for life. It is worthy of remark that the
whole attack was confined to Malay and Javanese sailors ; the Indian
lascars took no part in it; and it was frequently remarked at the
time, that while lascar seamen will not face a danger or difficulty, but
rely more on prayers than any exertions during a storm, the Malays

1861. 653

act well in any such circumstances, but will resent any blows which
the lascars will quietly submit to. In the case of the Fawn, it unfor-
tunately happened that the ill-fated officers had been accustomed to
Bengal lascars^ and probably had a very imperfect idea of the danger
to which they subjected themselves by continuing towards their Malay
crew a treatment which the Bengalees endured without retaliation.

This is the case which is the subject of a chapter headed ^' An
English ship taken by Malays" at page 293 in Mr. J. T. Thomson's
" Life in the Far East/' but the name of the ship was not given.

The following Proclamation was issued in Singapore on 6th September.
The three settlements were placed directly under the Supreme Govern-
ment of India instead of under the Presidency of Bengal, constituting,
practically, a separate presidency like Madras, Bombay and Bengal : —

Fart Williairij Hotne Department , the ht August, 1831,

Proclamation.

Whereas the Hon'ble the Court of Directors of the East India
Company have by Virtue of the power vested iu them by Sec. 21 of
the Act 6 Geo IV. cap 85, been pleased to declare that the settlements
of Prince of Wales' Island, Singapore, and Malacca shall cease to be
subordinate to the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal, and have
invested the Governor of the said Settlements with the powers heretofore '
exercised therein by the Government of the Presidency of Bengal, subject
to the control of the Government of India, it is hereby notified for general
information that from and after the first day of September next ensuing,
the Governor of Prince of Wales' Island, Singapore, and Malacca will
exercise those powers of local administration in regard to those settlements
which have hitherto been exercised by the Government of Bengal.

The Free Press in November contained the following paragraph : —
" During the past week the police have been informed of three men
having been killed by tigers. It is estimated that at least one man
is taken daily by tigers in this small island. The Government some
years ago reduced the reward for killing these animals from ^lOO to
§50, because they seemed to be then pretty well extirpated; but
although they have again increased to an alarming and destructive
extent the Government reward still remains at the minimum. Experience
has shown that the reward of $50 for each tiger killed is not
sufficient to tempt natives to devote themselves to tiger hunting in
Singapore. Government ought therefore to try whether a higher
reward will not lead to this. If it appeared that rewards of ?150 or
5200 had induced a number of natives to take up the trouble of
rendering themselves expert in slaying tigers, the amount might then
be reduced, and it would probably be found that 50 or 100 dollars
was a sufficient inducement to the hunters to continue their search
for tigers. At present the loss of life caused by these ferocious
animals is really shocking, and we must say that it is a disgrace
to a civilized Government that more urgent measures are not
adopted to put a stop to it. We are aware that Government has
caused traps to be constructed, but this is not sufficient, they must
by the oflEer of a high reward induce more active means to be taken
for ridding our jungles of tigers.'^

554 Anecdotal History of Singapore

In November, Colonel Butterworth, after being eight years
Governor of the Straits, went to Australia for the benefit of his
health. A number of addresses were presented to him at the Govern-
ment House where Fort Canning is now, from the Chamber of
Commerce, the Consuls, Chinese merchants and others. In replying
to that from the Chamber of Commerce, the Governor said that he
owed his warmest acknowledgments to the Chamber for the terms
in which his administration of the Government had been noticed by
It; and that it had proved a great satisfaction to him to have such
a body as the Chamber of Commerce to refer to in matters con-
nected with the trade of the port, the entire freedom of which it
had been his earnest endeavour most scrupulously to maintain.
And among the passages in his reply to the Chinese was the follow-
ing : — " I take the advantage of this opportunity to notice the
obligation the Chinese community, and the public generally, are
under to Seah Eu Chin for his management of the Pauper Hospital,
which involved great responsibility, pecuniary and otherwise, prior
to the establishment of the present very efficient Committee, one of
whose members, my friend Tan Kim Seng, is at the head of this
deputation. I commend to the special attention and liberal support
of the Chinese community, the aforesaid institution, founded by Tan
• Tock Seng, whose premature death prevented his endowing it, as he
had proposed, with funds sufficient for the maintenance of a given
number of its inmates."

The Tumongong of Johore was absent at the time the Governor
left, but his sons also presented an address, to which the Governor
replied expressing his regret at the absence of the Tumongong, and his
acknowledgment of the ready help he had always received from him
in the suppression of piracy. Colonel Butterworbh left in the British
barque Penelope, 344 tons, for Adelaide, and returned by the P. & 0.
steamer vift Ceylon in November, 1853, having been away for two
years. Mr. Blundell, the Resident Councillor of Penang, officiated
during Colonel Butterworth's absence, but remained in Penang, Mr.
Church, the Resident Councillor, being in charge at Singapore.

The following is an account of the opening of Kim »Seng & Co.'s
new godowns in Battery Road, which are those that were occupied
by Hamilton Gray & Co. for many years, later by Stiven & Co.

" Baba Tan Kim Seng, Justice of the Peace, one of the most
wealthy and influential of our Chinese merchants, celebrated the
completion of his new godowns in Battery Road, by entertaining the
European community and his native friends with a ball and supper.
The offices which occupy the upper floor of the godowns, were the
scene of the entertainment, the front room overlooking the river
being fitted up as a dancing saloon ; and so admirably adapted did
it prove, that we feel sure many of Kim Seng's fair guests regretted
that so spacious and airy an apartment should ever be put to any
other use. Dancing commenced soon after 8 o'clock, and was con-
tinued with great spirit until midnight, when the company sat down
to an elegant supper at which the host presided, who welcomed his
guests in a short but expressive speech which elicited thunders of
applause from his audience. Kim Seng's health was proposed by

1851. 535

Mr. Thomas Church in appropriate terms and drunk with the greatest
enthusiasm by his guests. Dancing was renewed after supper, and
kept up until the small hours. So perfect were all the arrangements
of this truly elegant entertainment, that it will not easily be for-
gotten by those who were present. The band, consisting of more
than twenty performers, was brought from Malacca expressly for the
occasion. Nor were the native friends of the host forgotten, some
of the side rooms being laid out with tables of refreshments suited
to their varied tastes, but they seemed to be chiefly occupied in
gazing on the lively scene that was passing before them. The variety
of costumes among the spectators added much to the striking appearance
of this truly cosmopolitan assemblage.'*

In the 5th volume of Logan's Journal, published in this year,
there is at page 254 a most curious and amusing description of
the Durian fruit, there spelt Durycen, translated from Linschottens's
Voyages.

Mr. Jonas Daniel Vaughan settled down in Singapore and the
Straits in this year. He had first passed through Singapore in
January, 1842, when he was a midshipman in the East India Com-
pany's Steam Frigate Tenasserim on her way to China. He was en-
gaged in all the naval actions to the end of the first China War,
and the frigate then carried the despatches of Sir Henry Pottinger
to the Governor General of India at Calcutta, announcing the peace
concluded at Pekin at the end of that year. Mr. Vaughan then
served on the Straits station as an officer of the Company's armed
steamer the Phlegethon from September 1845 to the end of 1846.
He was at the capture of the city of Brunei, and the destruction of
the forts and strongholds of the Lanun pirates in several rivers on
the north-west coast of Borneo, under Captain Rodney Mundy, after-
wards Admiral, who mentions Mr. Vaughan in his book. He after-
wards became Chief Officer of the Company's war steamer Nemesis,
the ^'Fighting Nemesis'' as she was called.

In 1851, when at Canton, he was offered by Colonial Butter-
worth, the Governor of Singapore, the appointment of 1st Officer of
the Hooghly; afterwards he was Superintendent of Police at Penang,
and he held it until June 1856. Then he was removed to Singa-
pore as Master Attendant. From 1861 to 1869 he was Magistrate of
Police and Assistant Resident Councillor, and in September of that year
he retired from the service and practiced as an Advocate and Soli-
citor of the Supreme Court. During his absence on leave in Eng-
land, he had, in Juno, 1869, become a barrister of the Middle Temple.
For a short time he was acting as one of the Puisne Judges of the
Supreme Court at Singapore.

The cause of Colonel Butterworth having sent to offer Mr.
Vaughan the post in Penang was greatly to his credit. When
passing through Singapore in 1842, he liked the place and set to
work to learn Malay, which he afterwards knew very well and could
read and write fluently. Colonel Butterworth came across him at
Government house, and learned that the young man wished to come
to the Straits ; and seeing his knowledge of Malay, offered him the
appointment^ when he had the opportunity to help him.

556 Anecdotal Bistory of Singapore

Mr. Vaughan was a man of considerable ability. He wrote a
good deal of useful matter in the newspapers in former days, and
occasionally acted as editor for a time when others were absent, and
with an unselfish object, for newspapers in those days did not allow
of any pecuniary return. He wrote a very long and interesting
paper on the Malays of Penang and Province Wellesley in Logan's
Journal for 1857, at page 115. He also wrote a work on the
ninnners and customs of the Chinese of the Straits Settlements.
He was a good singer and musician, and a capital amateur actor,
indeed he had remarkable ability in that direction. One anecdote
may be told of this.

In December, 1866, when the community was much smaller than
it is now, and the English and Germans mixed together a great deal
in social life (though the Germans had their own Club and the
English had the Tanglin Club as at present) the Germans had ar-
ranged to play a comic travesty of one of the old operas, and some
English were to play a farce to fill up the programme in the Town
Hall. It was for Tan Tock Seng's hospital. The morning before it
was to take place, the Manager of the Chartered Bank, who then joined
in Amateur Theatricals, went round to a clerk in the oldest
mercantile house in the place, and told him that there had been
a hitch about the farce, which the English had promised to play, so
the Germans were dropped into a hole. This was to be avoided at
any cost. After a hurried talk, the two went off to the Police
Court and saw Mr. Vaughan, who said he knew of a farce for
four people ; two men, a lady, and a servant girl. In those days
ladies never appeared on the stage, and it would doubtless surprise
those of the present day to see how readily and successfully the
female characters were played by young men. Costume and paint
go a long way, if they can only remember to take short steps.
Mr. Vaughan said he had to play an old London cabman, which it
was clear would be very funny in any case. A fourth amateur
was found in the Accountant of the Mercantile Bank. Mr. Vaughan
sent to the house to ask his wife to send down the little book, and
by eight o'clock all had roughly copied their parts. Farces in those
days lasted about 25 minutes, just long enough to make people want
to laugh more ; and were not spun out, as they are now, for two
hours or more, on no more material than then sufficed for the
half-hour.

There was a rehearsal at Mr. Vaughan's house at 8 p.m ,
another the next morning early, and again at tiffin time in the
Square in the tiffin room in the Bank, and lastly on the stage at
5 p.m. ; and it was played with very great success that night.
Mr. Vaughan had a very long, large, white beard which he tucked
into a buttoned up great coat and put a great woollen comforter
round his neck. The husband's dress was only ordinary clothes and
false whiskers, and the two female costumes were easily fixed up
with the help of two ladies, as amateur theatricals were common in
those days. At the rehearsal it was found that there was a difficulty
because the lady of the house (Chartered Bank) had to change her
dress, and he declared it was impossible to do it in the time

1851. 557

allowed in the dialogae. Mr. Vaughan said he need not hurry be-
cause there was some luncheon on the table in the piece, and there
could be something real to eat, and he and the servant girl could
easily fill up the time. Accordingly they sat down in the absence
of the mistress, not far from the footlights, and their gravity was
mucli upset by hearing a remark by Governor Cavenagh, who was
sitting in front, that the servant girl would get very drunk on the
sherry; for it was well known that the individual in girFs clothes
never drank anything but water, and does not to this day. The
bottle had been filled up with tea and water to the required colour.

Tlie paper the next day said that the success of the little piece
was not alone due to the skill displayed by each actor, but also to the
way in which they acted together; that the costumes were particularly
good on the female side; and the farce was a great success. It was
a case of four rehearsals, and thirty hours notice, and it may be
taken as a suggestion that rehearsing for weeks and months, as is done
at the present day by amateurs in Singapore, till every one is sick
and tired of the whole thing, may be no advantage.

Mr. Vanghan died at sea, when on his way back to Singapore
in a small steamer from a trip to the Native States, on 17th October,
1891. He was missed in the morning, and it was supposed that he
had been standing during the night at the side of the vessel and
had slipped and fallen overboard. He had always taken a great
deal of interest in the place and its affairs, and had spared him-
self no trouble in assisting in public matters, and his unfortunate
and sudden death was very much regretted in the place.

There have been several sensational trials in Singapore, but that which
caused a greater excitement than any, before or since, was a murder trial
in February in this year. The prisoner's name was Hajeo Saffer Ally ; he
was the Malay and Tamil Interpreter in the Police Court, and a man of
great importance among his own class and beyond it. Inchi Abdullah
wrote, and Mr. Keasberry printed, a book in Malay, containing all the story
of the murder, with a very good portrait of Saffer Ally in the dock as a
frontispiece, but it is not obtainable now. The facts, which were very
carious, and the means of discovery, which were very romantic, were briefly
as follows : — In September, 1850, a little Arab (slave) boy of twelve years of
age, in Saffer Ally's employ, was found by a policeman in the road shock-
ingly maimed, burned with hot irons, and wounded. He said he had been
ill-treated by Saffer Ally and others, and had escaped. The boy was sent
to the hospital, and by means (as was said afterwards) of a false uniform
and a false letter, the boy was taken away from the hospital, after Saffer
Ally and his eldest son, and four others, had been committed for trial.
When the Assizes came round in October, the boy was not to be found, and
Sir William Jeffcott, the Kecorder, who seems to have had a suspicion of
foul play, said that it was a most horrible case, and that the utmost en-
deavours must be made to find the boy ; ho refused to hear the case in his
absence ; and the prisoners were committed to goal, in default of finding
heavy bail.

Saffer Ally, however, did get bail, and was at large on a certain
evening, which fact was proved at the subsequent trial for murder, with
some difficulty, as it was Saffer Ally's principal line of defence. However,.

558 Anecdotal History of Singapore

it was at last proved beyond a doubt. Mr. Thomas Dunnian, the head of
the police, found that the boy had been taken in a sampan to lihio, but
brought back again, and theu all trace of him was lost. A man who lived
in a native house, only separated from the next one by a partition, heard
a Kling man in the adjoining house, talking in his sleep, crying out that he
had killed a boy. The listener went and gave information, and the Police
iearnt that the boy was likely to be found somewhere up the Singapore
lliv^er. For two days the police rowed up and down, and at last observed
a bad smell issuiuor from bubble.s in the water which burst on reach intr the
surface. A. peon dived down and eventually the whole body of the boy
was found, with the head nearly cut off, the feet tied together, one rope
round the neck, and another round the waist, made up into a kind of net-
work, held down by a large stone. Then they found the boat, which
Saffer Ally had borrowed (to carry some firewood, as he said) with all the
boards blood-stained, close to his house on the river.

Dr. Oxley proved that the body was that of the boy who had been
injured ; Mr. A. J. Kerr the Registrar of the Court, Mr. R. C. Woods, Mr.
Thomas Dunman, and many others, were witnesses at the trial, which was
held before Colonel Butterworth, the Governor, Sir W. Jeffcott, the
Recorder, and Mr. Church, Resident Councillor, in the building which is
now behind the Government Printing Office. Mr. William Graham Kerr,
book keeper to Martin Dyce & Co., was foreman of the Jury. The excite-
ment was greater than had ever been known here, and although it rained
heavily all day, an enormous crowd was congregated outside the doors all
the time of the trial, which commenced at 9 a.m., and finished after nine
o'clock at night ; the prisoners charged being convicted. One of those
concerned in the murder was made Queen's Evidence, and gave a circum-
stantial account of the murder, which was committed on the night of the
great Hindoo festival. They were hung exactly a week after the trial, on
the 2 1st February, 1851, at the (then new) gaol at the Sepoy Lines. Great
preparations had been made to give much ceremony to the burial of Saffer
Ally, but the Government, on Thomas Dunman's advice, refused to give up
his body, and he was buried in the gaol, which grievously disappointed his
friends, who deemed the absence of funeral rights as the heaviest punish-
ment that could be inflicted. The body was buried secretly in quick-
lime in the jail, as it was thought an attempt might be made to
remove it, and the knowledge of the spot died with Mr. Ganno,
the jailer, many years afterwards.

Thirty-four years afterwards, Saffer Ally's son, named Akbar Ally,
followed in his father's steps, as a complete rogue, and was tried in
September, 1885, for forgery ; and the natives crowded the court inside
and outside, as on his father's trial. The case was again a remarkable one,
for the prisoner had been for years a clerk in a certain class of lawyers'
offices, where such men can do a lot of villainy, as the natives appear to
trust them more than their masters. It turned out, as the Chief Justice
said, that it was only one of a whole series of frauds, carried on under the
cover of his employment, in the most audacious manner. A Kling named
Aaron Pillay, Tamil Inspector in the Supreme Court, had died about
twelve years before, leaving a widow and three sons. His mother and his
widow took out probate of his will. One son was a spendthrift and
asked the prisoner to borrow money for him. The prisoner asked him

1851. 559

whorf* the mother kept the title-deeds of his father^s property, so the son
abstracted them, ar.d a forged conveyance was made ))y the prisoner, who
forged the signatures of both thu women, it was found out because the
mother had died two years before her signature was forged to the con-
veyance, but the prisoner had forgotten it ! The case lasted till after dark,
and the prisoner was convicted and died in the Jail.

560 Anecdotal History of Singapore

CHAPTER XL.

1852.

N the 26th January a public meeting was held in th? Singa-
pore Reading Rooms to consider the necessity of the appoint-
ment of a resident local Judge in the Settlement. The reasons for
this were explained in the Free Press as follows : — " From time to time
for many years past^ we have pointed out the serious defects exist-
ing in the provisions for the administration of justice at this Settle-
ment, and advocated a remedy being applied, by the appointment of
a professional Judge for Singapore. The community, we are glad to
find, have now become fully alive to the evils of the present system,
and on Monday last at a very numerously attended meeting of the
inhabitants, called by the Sheriff, the subjoined resolutions on the
subject were passed. The large fixed population of Singapore, and
her valuable trade, would of themselves warrant the demand for an
improved judicial system, but when we consider the very great number
of persons who resort here temporarily for purposes of trade, and
the large extent to which the interests of merchants at a distance
are involved in the commerce of Singapore, the necessity for an
efficient and expeditious administration of justice, civil and criminal,
becomes the more apparent. We trust that the representations about
to be made to the Court of Directors and Board of Control, will
meet with early and favourable attention, and that such arrange-
ments will be made as will allow of the appointment of two profes-
sional Judges in the Straits, thus putting an end to the present
/v absurd and anomalous system, which in practice leads to such an
irregular and imperfect administration of the law.

Proposed by Joaquim d' Almeida, seconded by John Harvey, and
carried unanimously : —

That, considering the population of this island is estimated at
80,000 inhabitants, of which 60,000 are residents, and that the trade
aggregates upwards of six millions sterling per annum, it is the
opinion of this meeting that this Settlement is of sufficient importance
to warrant an entire revision of the present arrangements for the
administration of justice.

Proposed by Robert Duff, seconded by Cliarles Spottiswoode, and
carried unanimously : —

That whilst they record with pleasure their appreciation of the
zealous ability with which the Resident Councillor has hitherto dis-
charged his arduous duties as Judge in Civil cases, this meeting
feel that it cannot be expected that either he or his successors can,
without detriment to their other important duties, conduct the increas-
ing business of the Court with that satisfaction to the public which
they might expect from a professional Judge.

1852. • 561

Proposed by Gilbert McMicking, seconded by Jaine.*< U. Adams,
and carried unanimously : —

That, though three criminal sessions in a year, as now proposed,
may be sufficient to meet the requirements of the resident inhabitants
of this Settlement, yet, taking into consideration how often the ends
of justice are defeated by the departure of prosecutors, which it is
impossible to prevent, it is the opinion of this meeting that the services
of a resident Judge are also in that department of Justice im-
peratively called for.

Proposed by W. H. Read, seconded by R. C. Woods, and carried
unanimously : —

That, for the reasons already mentioned, it is the unanimous
opinion of this meeting that the appointment of a resident professional
Judge for this Settlement is of absolute necessity.

Proposed by Captain Sparkes, seconded by Wm. Paterson, and
carried unanimously : —

That a Committee consisting of the Chairman, A. Logan, W. H.
Read, and II. C. Woods, be appointed to embody these resolutions
in a Memorial to the Hon'ble the Court of Directors and the Board of
Control."

Nothing being done, another public meeting was held on 13th
April, 1853, and it was decided to send a memorial to the Governor-
General urging the immediate appointment of a Resident Professional
Judge.

The paper contained the following notice of the death of Captain
Elliot in August : —

" It is with much regret that wo observe the death of Captain
Charles Morgan Elliot, of the Madras Engineers, announced in the
Madras papers. Captain Elliot resided for five years at Singapore
in charge of the Magnetic Observatory, and subsequently made an
extensive voyage through the Archipelago for the purpose of continuing
his observations. The results of his labours were afterwards given to
the world in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society,
which learned body testified their hiorh sense of Captain Elliot's
scientific character by electing him a Fellow. After residing some
time in England, superintending the printing of his observations.
Captain Elliot returned to the East for the purpose of continuing his
magnetic pursuits and intended in the course of them to re- visit
Singapore in 1853, for the purpose of revising his former observa-
tions. We are sure Captain Elliot's premature loss will be lamented
by a very mde circle of friends, for wherever he went he secured
to himself the attachment of those with whom he came in contact
by his singularly frank and engaging disposition.''

Captain Elliot was a younger brother of Sir Henry Myers Elliot,
the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India; who came to
Singapore with Lord Dalhousie as mentioned on page 527. Captain
Keppel, Mr. W. H. Read, and Captain Elliot were great friends, and
in his book " A Sailor's Life Under Four Sovereigns " Admiral Kep-
pel mentions in volume 1, page 290, speaking of 1843, " visited
Elliot at the Observatory." This was a building near Captain Elliot's
bouse, which stood near the main rpad on the side of the Kallang

562 Anecdotal HiMory of Singapore

River, at the corner on the riji;ht hand side just before crossing the
long iron bridge on the Gaylaii^ Road. Part of the house is still
standing, now occupied by the Chinese coolies of a saw mill. The
observatory was a commodious shed^ containing the usual meteoro-
logical instruments, with a tower, some 30 feet high, at a short dis-
tance, for observing the direction and velocity of the wind. A rain
guaore was also kept there, and the newspapers referred to the results
of Elliot's observations for many years, as the only scientific records
that had been taken. He was in Singapore from about 1841 to 1847,
when he went to England and did not return. He was sent to
Singapore for the purpose of laying down on the charts the position of
Singapore and the surrounding countries by magnetic survey. All
the neighbouring charts fifty years ago bore his name, and it is
worth notice that he was very accurate, while the Dutch charts
have been shown by the latest surveys to have been as much as
four miles out at the southern extremity of the island of Lingga.
Many years after Captain Elliot's death, an officer in the Royal
Engineers, one of the sons of Charles Darwin, the famous naturalist,
was sent to Singapore to lay down its position accurately and
the telegraph lines were arranged to communicate at a certain
moment direct through to Greenwich, which was the first chance of
extreme accuracy for ascertaining Greenwich time. It was found
that Singapore on the charts had been laid down a little over one
mile out of its true position, which was considered remarkable under
the difficulties of former days, dependent upon chronometers and
observations. In the Free Press of 9th May, 1848, is an adver-
tisement by Mr. J. T. Thomson that the house lately occupied by
Captain Elliot on the banks of the Kallang River, surrounded by
cocoanut trees, was to be let. It was described in the advertise-
ment as most advantageously situated in the most thriving district
in Singapore, and possessing excellent communication with the town
both by land and water. In the appendix to vol. 3 of Logan's
Journal there happens to be a description of the observatory, as Dr.
Little and Captain Elliot were at cross purposes about the correct-
ness of some of the thermometrical tables, and the controversy (from
page xxxviii) is very amusing. Captain Keppel, when in the
Dvio, used to row up the river in his gig to see Captain Elliot.
In volume 3 of Logan's Journal is an account of a voyage in one
of the East India Company's steam cruisers in 1846, with Captain
Elliot on board, to Borneo and Sarawak, when Captain Mundy took
possession of Labuan. One of Sir Henry Elliot's grandsons, and a grand
nephew of Captain Elliot, is now practising at the Bar in Singapore.
The Singapore newspaper reprinted this year from the Madras Times
and other papers some observations on the P. & 0. Company's treat-
ment of passengers, including the following remarks of a military
officer, who was many years in Singapore : — " I feel, for I know it is
true, that the conduct of the P. & 0. Company towards their pas-
sengers, is one of neglect and indifference. As long as they can obtain
the present mail contract, they do not care one farthing about us or
our comforts. For a rival company to start in England will be
difficult, nay I consider impc^^sible. It therefore must be a hopeless

1852. 563

monopoly, the English Government helping, and we nmst bide onr
time. But I am of opinion that it is derogatory to the dignity of
human nature to submit to be treated like a bale of cotton or a
box of bullion. The passage in the Red Sea was made on the very
ancient steamer Oriental having boilers completely worn out, at 84
knots an hour/^

In September, there was a large fire in Kampong Glam, of which
the paper gave the following account : — " On the evening of Thursday,
the 16th instant, a fire broke out in 23, Arab Street, Kampong
Jawa, at about 7 o'clock, which speedily spread among the attap
and wooden houses in that quarter, rendering all attempts to check
it in the outset unavailing. Tlie Sultan's Mosque and a number of
houses behind it were in danger at one time. The number of
houses burnt amounted to 135, of which 101 were inconsiderable
habited by Javanese, 21 by Malays, 8 by Chinese and 5 by Klings.
The number of persons burnt out are reckoned at 1,500. A good
deal of pillaging took place and several attempts were made to break
into houses at a distance from the fire.''

During a thunderstorm in the harbour the ship Wigrams was
struck by lightning, but owing to her being provided with a copper
lightning conductor she escaped damage. At the time when this
occurred, two large cargo boats, laden with gunpowder, were lying
alongside the ship, but fortunately they were not touched by the
lightning and were immediately cast off and anchored some distance
astern. There were no regulations then as to the storage of gun-
powder. The attention of Government was thus directed to the sub-
ject. The fongkangsi with powder on board used to anchor in
the river.

On the 6th November, Syed Omar bin Ali Al Junied died at
the ago of sixty years. He had been in Singapore for 31 years
and was one of the most respected of the native merchants. He
was a native of Arabia, and carried on a most extensive business and
realised a large fortune. He was a nephew of Syed Mahomed bin
Haroon al Junied, who came from Palembang in the very early days of
Sinjrapore, and built the house in High Street, near where the Eu Chin
family house is now, at the side of the river. His old house has been
palled down. He was buried in Syed Omar's cemetery at Victoria Street.

Syed Omar also came from Palembang and when his uncle Syed
Mahomed died, he carried on the business, as Syed Allie bin Mahomed Al
Junied, the son, was then only nine years old. Syed Omar bought the
land at the southwest corner of High Street and North Bridge Road, and
the house which he built is still standing. It was this Syed Omar that gave
the large Mahomedan burial ground at Victoria Street which is generally
known by his name, and he was buried there. He left five sons, but none of
them are now alive, three died at Mecca and two at Singapore. There jii e
about ten grandchildren now in Singapore. He also built the mosque at
Bencoolen Street. His son Syed Abdulla built the mosque at Kampong
Malacca.

Syed Allie bin Mahomed Al Junied lived in the house which was
afterwards bought by the Eu Chin family, in High Street nnd carried on a
large business in Singapore. He gave a large piece of land in Victoria and

564 Aiierdotal History of Singapore

Arab Streets to Tan 'I'ock Seng's Hospital, anil also gave the burial grounJ
called Bukit Wakoft* at (irange Road. Ho made all the wells behind Fort
Canning, and at Selegie Road, Pungulu Kisang, and Teluk Ayer. They
were very large wells, with granite sides, which the Municipality not long
ago filled up and carried the granite away. This was a mistake, as the
water near Fort Canning was very gooi indeed, with no houses near the
wells, and in very dry weather it would have been a great help, to say
nothing of destroying for no purpose charitable works which cost a good
deal of money. The road called Syod AlHe Boad at Kampong Kapor was
called after him. He bought it as a garden for H*. 400 from Inchi Sidik, a
Malacca lady, and he also bought about 70 acres of the adjoining swampy
land. He died 44 years old, in Singapore, on 9th December, 1858. His
estate was wound up by his son, Syed AUowie, the only survivor of his four
sons, and he filled the land up by degrees, and formed Weld Road and
Jalan Besar, while the Municipality built the three bridges at Bencoolen
Street, Arab Street and Jalan Sultan at his expense. The land is worth now
sixty or seventy cents a foot, and shop-houses on it let at $25 to §35 a
month. The members of this family of Al Junied subscribed largely to the
fund for building the present Town Hall.

Another old Arab family in Singapore is that of the Alkoffs. Syed
Mahomed bin Abdul rahman Alkoflf traded in Singapore with Java, and
bought land and houses in Singapore when they were cheap. He had
no sons, and his younger brother Sheik AlkofF came to Singapore,
having inherited his estate, and traded. His son Syed Ahamed bin
Sheik Alkoff, a man with very large landed property in the place, is in
Singapore.

In the very early days of the Settlement an Arab named Abdulrahman
A I SHgofP camo to Singapore. He had gone from Arabia to Malacca,
wheic lip had tnided, going in his own vessels to Java. He continued to
trade from Singapore, and died at Grisseh, in Java, not far from Soerabaya.
His son Ahamed married in Singapore one Raja Sitti, who was the daughter
of Hadjee Fatima, a very well known Malay lady in Singapore, who was
of a very good family of Malacca, connected with many of the Rajas in the
Malay States in the Peninsula. She had married a Bugis Prince from the
Celebes, the son of the Raja of those countries. She carried on a large trade,
owning many vessels and prows, and. it was only after her death that
the business came to be called after her son-in-law, Syed Ahamed,
being known by all Singapore as the business of Hadjee Fatima,
although Syed Ahamed looked after it. Hadjee Fatima built a house
in what is now known as Java Road, but was then country, in
Campong Glam. It was twice attacked by robbers and set on fire,
in the days when gang robberies were so alarming, as has been stated
elsewhere. So after it was burnt a second time, she erected the
present mosque on the spot, and built another house for her family.
The mosque and several houses for the poor were erected in Java
Road, and they are kept up by the family to this day, all the ex-
penses for imaum and charity being entirely defrayed by the Al
Sagoff family. Twice every year large feasts are held thereat which
several thousands attend, of all ranks and classes of the Mahomedan
creed. One of these is held on the anniversary of the death of Hadjee
Fatima, and the other on that of the birth and death (which both

1852. 565

occur on the same day of tlie year) of the Prophet Mahomed. Hadjee
Fatima died at the age, as her descendants believe, of 98 years.
Her son-in-law, Syed Ahmed bin Abdulrahman Al Sagoff, died in
Singapore a very rich man, having carried on a very large trade, own-
ing steamers and sailing vessels. He was buried in the private burial
ground behind Hadjee Fatima's mosque. His son, Syed Mohamed
bin Ahmed Al SagofF, still carries on business in Singapore, but
makes frequent visits to Europe, Jeddah, and other places, for the
sake of his health.

Another Arab merchant who was for many years in Singapore
and at one time owned several large trading vessels, and towards
the end of his life some steamers, was Syed Massim bin Salleh Al
Jeoffrie. He came with the nakodah of an Arab vessel, and saved
a few dollars on some of the voyages, with which he opened a small
shop in Arab Street and gradually made a great deal of money.
But times changed, and towards the end of his life, he became nearly
blind, and his business fell off, and he died in May, 1894, about
eighty years of age. Ho was very well known and liked in Singa-
pore by many of the European community.

The Government made at this time eight pits and nine traps
for tigers in various parts of the island. In a pit at Serangoon on
Dr. d^ Almeida's plantation a tiger fell into a pit 20 feet deep, and
succeeded in scrambling out again, although there were several feet
of waiter at the bottom. The son of the headman at the village of
Passier Reis was in the jungle cutting wood in January when he
was seized by a tiger. Hearing his cries, his father ran out and
found the tiger dragging him into the jungle. He grasped his son
by the legs and tried to drag him away, but the tiger kept his
hold, growling furiously, and it was only on several persons coming
up and assisting him that he let go his hold and ran into the
jungle. The unfortunate young man was quite dead when the tiger
dropped him. The newspaper in February said that a Chinaman walk-
ing on the road near Kranji was sprung at by a tiger, but escaped
by opening his umbrella in its face, and the tiger ran one way and
the Chinaman the other. On 14th May the Free Press said that
it had been usual to say in former years that at least one man a
day was killed in Singapore, but it seemed to be much exceeded
then, as no less than ten persons had been killed by tigers in the
Kranji district in the course of only two days.

On 15th March a public meeting was held to protest against
a tonnage duty being imposed, with a view to meet the expense of
maintaining the Horsburgh Light House. It was a repetition of what
had taken place in 1838. The first resolution, proposed by Gilbert
McMicking and seconded by W. H. Read, was : '^ That as this Set-
tlement was formed with the intention that it should be a free port,
and as the East India Company have hitherto strictly carried out
such intention, and as no grounds of sufficient importance exists to
necessitate a departure from the liberal policy hitherto pursued —
this meeting is of opinion that on no account, except in a case of
most urgent necessity should the freedom which is so requisite for
the existence and prosperity of this port be infringed.''

566 Anecdotal Swtory of Singapore

The proposal was afterwards modified, and the light dues confined
to square rigged vessels only, and not charged to native shipping.

Another public meeting was held on 14th August, which expressed
satisfaction at the concession, but still objecting to the duty ou any
vessels at all. The Act was twice amended, and in January, 1853, the
Free Press said : '^ If the Government committed a mistake at first in
framing the Act, misled by bad advisers, every honour must be accorded
to it for the readiness which has been shown to rectify its errors."

In August, two gentlemen went after a tiger at Bukit Timah
and one of them fell into a tiger pit 24 feet deep, but escaped with
severe bruises and dislocations. The police then ordered marks to be
put up near the pits, so as to give warning of their position.

On 2l8t October the Tumongong gave a large ball in the Assembly
Rooms, and on the 26th Captain Marshall, the ]?. & 0. Agent, gave
a ball in the recently completed offices at New Harbour, in honour of that
and also of the opening of the line from Singapore to Australia; the
Ghitsan, 700 tons, having arrived from Australia, the first vessel on
that line. The vessel lay close by, and was illuminated, and
there was a display of fireworks on board. The paper remarked that
the Chusan brought only a small quantity of gold, but it realised
such a high price that large exports were expected to be made from
Australia to Singapore.

At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce held on the 23rd
November, the following resolution was passed : —

" The Chamber of Commerce, taking into consideration the present
lax and irregular system prevailing, unanimously resolves that none
of its members shall henceforth sell goods of any description at a
longer credit than Three Months."

This resolution was rendered necessary by the facilities which
the position of Singapore afforded to defaulting debtors to make their
escape from their creditors, facilities aided very much by the imper-
fect working of the Insolvent Court, the sole Judge of which was
resident for much more than half the year at such a distance from
Singapore as to render it impossible to obtain his aid in those cases
of emergency which every now and then occurred.

On 14th December a public meeting was held to take into con-
sideration the measure contemplated by the Grovernment to abolish
the dollar currency and substitute rupees as the legal currency in
the Straits. Greorge Garden Nicol was chairman. It was decided
that it would be inexpedient and would injure commercial interests
very seriously.

It was towards the end of 1852 that a meeting was held to
establish a Singapore Cricket Club.

The firm of Hamilton Gray & Co. had been estabished in 1832.
In 1846 the partners were Walter Buchanan, William Hamilton, and
William Macdonald in Glasgow, and Ellis James Gilman and George
Garden Nicol in Singapore. In 1853 John Jarvie was a partner.
In 1855 Reginald Padday and C. H. H. Wilsone were clerks and
afterwards became partners.

Mr. G. G. Nicol left the firm in 1860, and was for many years
the Chairman in London of the Chartered Mercantile Bank of India,

1852. -567

London^ and China, and a Director of the Eastern Extension and
Australia Telegraph Company, and of the London and Joint Stock
Bank. He is frequently mentioned in this book; he died in England
on 16th January, 1897, at the age of 83 years.

The firm of William Macdonald & Co. started in 1852, the first
partners of which were Robert Duff in Singapore and William Macdonald
(who then left Hamilton, Gray & Co.) in Glasgow. In 1855 Garlies
AUinson became a partner and Farleigh Armstrong was clerk. In
1858 William Bamsay Scott was a clerk. In 1859 John Earn
Macdonald was a partner, and W. R. Scott in 1864. Mr. Whitworth
Allen was a clerk from 1859 to 1864, after which he went to Penang.

1*68 Anecdotal Bistdry of Singapore

CHAPTER XLl

1853.

FROM the beginniug of this year the montlily P. & 0. Mail was
changed into a mail twice a month. The first left London on the
8th of each month, which came direct from Galle to Penang, Singapore
and China. The second left London on the 24th, and went from Galle
to Calcutta and then to Penang and onwards. The first was due in
Singapore about the 1 5th of each month, the contract time being 38 days.
The second about the 10th of each month, the contract time being 47 days.
The homeward mails left Singapore on the 17th and 28th the first via
Bombay and the second via Calcutta ; the contract time for both to
Marseilles being 44 days. The steamers went on to Southampton. The passage
money from Singapore to Southampton was §528, and it was raised
soon afterwards, in consequence, as the advertisement said, of the
increased cost of coal, &c., to §600, equal at the exchange at that time
to £142.10. The delay occasioned by the steamer going round via
Calcutta caused so much delay that the two mails arrived very near
each other, and this was avoided in 1857 by the mail being transhipped
at Galle. The P. & 0. Company opened their office in Singapore at this
time. Mr. Henry Thomas Marshall was the first agent, with John
Say Sparkes as a clerk.

In January, Mr. Lewis Fraser of Maclaine, Fraser & Co., who was
then living at the large house on Campong Glam beach, returned to
Europe. The following is an account of a ball given in his honour on
the 21st: "During the week that has elapsed since our last issue,
Singapore has been more than usually gay. On the 2 1st the Freema-
sons of Lodge ' Zetland in the East ' gave a ball and supper in the
Assembly Rooms as a farewell token of their regard for our townsman
Mr. Lewis Fraser and his lady, who are about to leave the Settlement.
The assembly was numerous, and the rooms were most tastefully deco-
rate'd with various masonic emblems. The Military band was in
attendance, and everything went off in excellent style. At supper, Mr.
W. H. Read, the present Master of the Lodge, proposed the toast of
the evening in a short but appropriate speech, and after it had been
drunk with masonic honours as well as the hearty cheers of the un-
initiated, Mr. Fraser made a suitable reply. After the company left
the supper table, the dancing was resumed and kept up with great
spirit to an advanced hour.''

The following paragraph was in the paper in February. "It will
be seen from the proceedings of the Municipal Committee, that a very
great improvement is projected in Commercial Square, by the removal
of the ugly wall which at present surrounds the centre of the Square,
the widening of the road and introducing a good drainage. We snould
think all the proprietors and tenants of houses in the Square will at

1853. 56fi

once give their assent to the measure, and we trust that ere many
months elapse, the plan of the Committee will have been carried out/'

In March the (rovernor-General sanctioned the erection of a screw
pile lighthouse at the two and a half fathom bank in the Straits in
place of the floating light, cost not to exceed ife. 35,000; a lighthouse
of masonry on the Coney Island, and also of fixed beacons on the
Blenheim, Pyramid, and Bambeck Shoals.

In May, another of the cooly vessel piracy cases occurred, and was
discovered by accident by a Kling boatman who was outside the
harbour looking for in-coming vessels. He fell in with a vessel to the
eastward of Pedra Branca which he was not allowed to board, but
which he was informed by persons on board was an American vessel,
with a crew of Manilamen, and that the Captain and the officers had
been cut off by the crew. These facts were reported to the Police,
but as no vessel was sent out by the authorities, who were under the
impression that the ship had proceeded up the China Sea, the boatman
again went out to the eastern entrance of the Straits of Singapore,
and succeeded in falling in with the vessel near the place where he
had first met her. This time he was allowed to get on board, and on
being requested to conduct the vessel to Rhio promised to do so, but
he brought her to anchor about ten miles on this side of Pedra
Branca and on some pretence or other came to Singapore and reported
that she was a cooly laden ship, and that all the officers and most of
the crew were absent from the vessel. On this a merchant brig
consigned to A. L. Johnston & Co., the Rival, Captain Franklyn,
was induced to proceed in search of the vessel, and arrived in
her neighbourhood about seven o'clock on the evening of Sunday,
the 8th May. Captain Franklyn proceeded alongside in a boat and
hailed the people on deck, requesting to be allowed to come on board,
but this was refused. It was seen that prejDarations had been made
for resistance, and Captain Franklyn was told if he did not keep off
he would be fired upon, and he noticed that a man stood beside one
of the guns with a lighted match in his hand. Captain Franklyn then
returned to the Rival for assistance, and dividing his small party
between two boats, again returned to the vessel, and boarded her at
two points. The persons on board offered some resistance, but were
driven back, and about twenty of the Chinese jumped overboard and
were supposed to have been drowned. The rest were got below and
a watch kept on board until day-light when the chain was slipped, and
the two vessels being got under weigh they succeeded in reaching the
harbour in the afternoon. During the night two attempts were made
by the Chinese to rush on deck, but unsuccessfully On investigation
it turned out that the vessel was Spanish, bound from China to Lima
with 200 coolies. Her officers, who were English, had been murdered.

The following paragraphs are taken from the presentment of the
Grand Jury in August, of which Mr. Thomas Owen Crane was the
foreman. ^^The Jurors present the necessity of adopting stringent
measures to detain witnesses in very grave cases until the trial of the
prisoners, particularly where Hoeys are concerned, as the Jurors have
reason to believe that the witnesses are frequently tampered with and
disposed of, as the secret societies may think proper; consequently

570 Anecdotal Bistory of Singapore

defeating the ends of justice and encouraging crime. The Jurors beg
to recall your Lordships' attention to the oft-repeated complaint against
the dangerous and increasing evil of the secret societies, and urge the
necessity of ample authority being given to the Executive in the new
Police Act, to put down effectually the growing power of a body of
men, committing daily acts of daring violence and injustice, treating
with contempt the wholesome laws of a British Settlement, and likely,
if allowed to remain unchecked, to endanger seriously the peace and
safety of this community.

'^ The Jurors again present the impropriety and danger attendinjr
the unrestricted sale of arsenic and other poisons in the bazaar.

"Having visited the Institution, the Jurors found the building
apparently in good repair, but the grounds are much in want ot
efficient draining. They also examined the boys, and, as far as
time would allow, endeavoured to ascertain whether the system
pursued was adapted to the capabilities of the pupils. They see no
reason to find fault in this respect, but attribute the falling off in
the numbers attending, to the establishment of other schools and to
the distance the Institution is situated from the populous part
of the town. The Jurors therefore suggest that the present
building and the ground belonging to it, be let out on build-
ing leases and a school constructed in a more central position — and
they are of opinion that the Green in front of the Police Office is
an appropriate spot for that purpose. The Jurors beg here to re-
cord tneir regret that the state of education among the Natives is
not in a higher state of cultivation in this Settlement, and trust that
the Authorities will take such measures as will promote that bles-
sing among those who are so much in need of it, and which is
the only effectual means of promoting civilisation and checking
crime.*^

In August, Mr. John TumbuU Thomson, the Government Surveyor,
left Singapore on sick leave, and did not return. The following
is taken from the Free Press of that month: —

" A meeting of the European community took place at the News
Room, for the purpose of considering the most appropriate manner
of marking their sense of the public services of Mr. Thomson, the
Government Surveyor, who is about to proceed to Europe on sick
leave. The meeting was the most numerously attended which we
have witnessed for some time past, and the strongest desire was
manifested to testify in the most unequivocal manner the public ap-
preciation of Mr. Thomson's valuable services. The eloquent remarks
of Mr. Napier sufficiently showed what were Mr. Thomson's merits
in regard to the designing and erection of the Horsburgh Light-
house, but he could have pointed to many more of Mr. Thomson's
undertakings, which show with what zeal and ability he has served
his employers, and how much Singapore has benefited by his labours.
Irrespective altogether of the duties of his office of Government
Surveyor, which we believe have always been discharged in a man-
ner calling fortli the approbation of his superiors both hero and in
Bengal, Mr. Thomson designed and superintended the building of
the two Hospitals, which are certainly the most ornamental of our

185S. 5*7 1

public edifices; he also added a spire to St. Andrew's Church, de-
signed and superintended the EUenborough Buildings, threw the
bridge across Kallang, renewed Presentment Bridge, and lowered
and repaired Coleman's Bridge. Several of the longest lines of roads
were executed by him, besides many minor public works. Not con-
tent with his labours on shore, in conjunction with the late Captain
Congalton, Mr. Thomson made a very elaborate survey of the Straits
of Singapore, which was laid down by him and afterwards engraved.
He also surveyed the Seebu Channel on the East Coast of the
Malay Peninsula and New Harbour in Singapore, both of which
have been engraved by the Admiralty. Such are some of the works
which Mr. Thomson has actually carried into execution, but in ad-
dition to these, numerous and important as they are, he has fur-
nished plans and estimates for many others. The most important to
the public of such plans are perhaps those for a screw pile light-
house on the Two and a Half Fathom Bank, and for a light-house
of masonry on the Coney. It will be matter of regret should any-
thing occur to prevent the early return of Mr. Thomson to carry
out these and other important public works, to which the experience
he has now acquired would enable him to do such ample justice.

"It must be in the highest degree gratifying to Mr. Thomson,
that he not only carries with him the best wishes and fullest re-
cognition of his merits, on the part of the community amongst whom
he has spent the last twelve years, but that the Government which
be has so faithfully and effectively served, also acknowledge his
varied services in the most ample manner. This will probably com-
pensate somewhat for the absence of more substantial reward, from
the hope of which^ no doubt, the rigid rules of Government exclude
their uncovenanted servants, however great their deservings."

In acknowledging the testimonial, a piece of plate, Mr. Thomson
wrote from Edinburgh in November, 1853 : — " It was with feelings of
deep regret that I was forced away from so beautiful and pleasant a
Settlement as Singapore, where I had passed the best part of my
life, and to which I was bound by so many ties of frendship, but
I trust that, if my health be restored, I may not be long absent."

Mr. Thomson went to New Zealand and was Surveyor-General
at Dunedin. While at Otago in New Zealand in 1873, he wrote the
Translations from the Hakayit Abdulla, which have been mentioned
on page 28, with comments of his own. The book was published
by Henry S. King & Co., London, in 1874, and in the preface he
speaks of the ever recurring interest he had in Singapore. He made
the translations from a copy he had been given by Abdulla himself,
and the translation is remarkable a.s having been made eighteen
years after Mr. Thomson left the Straits, and he had been away
from any Malay-speaking people. Mr. Thomson, whose name should
always be remembered in Singapore, died in New Zealand at the
end of 1884. He had a large family of daughters, about ten.
most of whom were married. His first cousin, Mr. Thomas Scott
Thomson, has been a resident in Singapore since 1859.

Search has been made in the Survey Ofiice to try to obtain
information about the town in former days from copies of old maps.

572 Anecdotal Biistory of Singapore

There is oue made in 1842 by Mr. J. T. Thomson, and it gives
the names of the Streets in Cam pong Bencoolen as they were then.
North Bridge Road, Victoria Street, Queen Street and Bencoolen
Street are still called by the same names, but the present Waterloo
Street was then called Church Street, and Prinsep Street was called
Flint Street. The Mission Chapel is shown on it, as standing at the
north east corner of North Bridge Road and Brass Bassa Road, and
the Institution building consisted of three blocks with two narrower
portions connecting them.

The next map is also by Mr. Thomson, dated 1842-3-4-0.
The Post Office is shown near the river, where the Government
offices now stand, and Tanjong Mallang is marked between Fort
Palmer and Tanjong Pagar village, about where the sunken hulks
are now at the eastern end of Tanjong Pagar Wharves.

The next is a map lithographed in Calcutta in 1857, also by
Mr. Thomson. Waterloo and Prinsep Streets were still called Church
Street and Flint Street. What was called the Mission Chapel in
the former map, at Brass Bassa Road, is now put as the English
Chapel. Commissariat Office buildings, showing a considerable size,
are opposite the site of the present Ice House in River Valley Road.
A large building called the new Court House is placed exactly
where the present Library and Museum stand on Fort Canning Hill, but
it can only have been a proposed building (like the suggestion to
build a new Court House next to the Roman Catholic Church, as
mentioned on page 265) for no building was commenced on that
spot before the present Library. The Masonic Hall is marked at the
house vacated by Mr. Church, at the corner of the Esplanade and
Coleman Street.

There is also a map lithographed in London in 1854, in a very
dilapidated state. It is interesting as showing exactly where the old
Assembly Rooms were, and the size of the building, which had been
sought for in vain for some time when writing this book. It stood
at the corner at the foot of Fort Canning and River Valley Road;
that is, at the north-west corner of Hill Street and River Valley
Road, opposite the present Ice House, facing Hill Street, not far from
the road. The plan shews that it was about 150 feet long by 80 feet
wide, and had a portico in the centre of the front. It was built of
lath and plaster and attap, open beneath, with a large room to the left
as you entered, for a ball-room, dinners, &c., and a room for a
theatre, with a well for the orchestra next the footlights, on the right
hand side of the building. It was constructed under the superin-
tendence of Mr. McSweeney. It had been proposed to have a Masonic
Lodge, and a Public Library there also, but they came to nothing.
The two large banyan trees which stood towards each end of the
building are still there.

Another of Mr. Thomson's plans was lithographed in Calcutta in
1846, but it does not give any further information than those
already spoken of.

Mr. Thomson took trigonometrically the heights of a number of
the principal eminences of the ranges in the neighbourhood of Singa-
pore town and vicinity, above the level of low water, at spring tides.

1853.

578

The following are some which can still be traced by the same names.
They have been arranged here alphabetically. The first name Avas
that used by Mr. Thomson, and the explanations added are a des-
cription from which the different places are likely to be identified
at the present time, in 1902: —

Feet.

(W. Paterson) Paterson Road.

(W. W. Ker) Keppel Harbour.

Orchard Road.

Burial (jround. Orchard Koad.

Behind Tanglin Club, Steven's

Road.
Bukit Timah Road.
Fort Canning.
(Caldwell's) Chancery Lane,

Thomson Road.
Tanjong Pagar Dock, entrance,

Manager's House.
River Valley Road.
Between Orchard Road and

Steven's Road.
Teluk Ayer, Chinese Club House.
Sepoy Lines, General Hospital.
Keppel Harbour.
(C. Carnie), Bukit Timah Road,
IJ miles.
X2 Orchard Road, corner of Scott's

Road.
Now Grovernment House.
New Harbour.
(W. W. Willans) parr of Tang-

liu Barracks.
Near Tanjong Pagar.
Sophia Hill.

(Almeida's) Steven's Road, cor-
ner of Almeida Road.
Blasted to fill up Telnk Ayer

Bay.
(Keasberry) River Vallev Road.
(Oxley.) Tank Road.
Near St. John's Island.
CoFnmissariat and Water Reser-
voir.
Opposite Mount F^cho.

{(Jr. Ct. Nicol) Junction River Val-
ley and Tanglin Roads.

Broad Fields

Blaken Mati lar^e

hill or

Bukit Serapong
Hukit Chermin

301
106

Bukit Timah

519

Cairn Uill

11.3

Claymore
Draycott

74
84

Dunearn

Government Hill .

156

Green Hill

Guthrie's Hill

106

Institution Hill

121

Lady Hill

108

Lcssuden

Line Hill

124

Monastery
Monk's Hill

Mount Kiizabpth

Emily

1.J5

„ Faber

•■100

„ Harriet

103

„ Palmer

119

„ Sophia
,, Victoria

108
100

„ Wallich . .

144

„ Zion

Pavilion

108

Peak Island

101

Pearl's Hill

170

Rosemary Hill

St. John's Island .

115

189

Sri Men ant i

574 Anecdotal History of Singapore

The paper in April said that tigers were particularly destruc-
tive then in Johore, several persons being killed every day. And
that the alligators in the Gaylang and Kallang rivers were doing
much harm ; even snapping at natives sitting in boats, and carrying
o£E many ducks and fowls.

It was at this time that a number of Europeans abandoned the
diggings at the foot of Mount Ophir where they had been led into
the belief, possibly by the name, that gold Avould be found. Several
of them died there, some were in the hospital in Malacca in April in
a precarious state, and the rest were forced to leave through illness.
The paper remarked that the gold obtained was trifling in quantity if
any at all, and that no better result had been anticipated. The paper in
the same month contained a long account of the prospectus for a large
Dutch Company to work tin mines at the Carimons, which was expect-
ed by the Dutch to do great things, but resulted in much the same way.

The state of affairs in the Native States was thus alluded to in
the paper in June : —

*' There seems to be a spirit of anarchy and confusion reigning
throughout many of the Malay States at present, which may pro-
bably lead to considerable changes ere long. Thus, in the north
part of the Peninsula, we have the Rajah of Pera, apparently hard
pressed by liis rebellious subjects and obliged to send to his neigh-
bours for assistance. In the south of Sumatra, we have the Sultan
of Jambi reported to be at issue with his liege lords, the Dutch
Government, the end of which will most assuredly be the annex-
ation of Jambi to the N. I. territories in Sumatra. In the same
quarter, the Sultan of Lingga is reported to be on terms of most
bitter enmity with his hereditary Prime Minister, the Viceroy of
Rhio, and as the latter lives under the protecting shadow of the
Dutch, we suppose he has considerable confidence in defying his
superior's anger. The Viceroy in a fit of piety lately shut himself
up for six weeks, during which he meant to devote himself wholly
to meditation and prayer, absolutely excluding all cognisance of
sublunary matters. On the east side of the Malay Peninsula, we
have the Bandahara of Pahang renouncing his allegiance to his
lawful sovereign the Sultan of Johore, and asserting an independent
position. His power, however^ is said not to be of a very stable
nature, as his subjects are discontented with his rule, and are only
kept quiet through the influence of his father who, although he has
renounced his power in favour of his son, still commands the res-
pect of his former subjects. The Pahang potentate is on bad terms,
too, with his neighbour the Rajah of Tringanu, and as the latter is
supported by his relative, the Sultan of Lingga, a struggle between
the two would probably be protracted and costly. The Tringanu
chieftain, on the other hand, has his own peculiar anxieties. He has
incurred suspicion of being piratically disposed, and although the
Government of India has peremptorily refused to take notice of his
delinquency, the question has not yet been finally disposed of and
may still be again re-opened."

And in October the Free Press contained the following on the
same subject : — " In another column we give the observations of the

1853. &?6

Earl of Albemarle in moving for the correspondence relative to the
seizure of a Chinese junk at Tringanu, and the murder of its crew
by orders of the Rajah of that place. His Lordship has stated the
case with great accuracy, although he has fallen into a few errors
regarding the statistics of Singapore. Instead of a population of
200,000, our numbers only amount to 60,000, of whom two-thirds at
least are Chinese. The export trade is not entirely in the liands of
the Chinese, although they have a good share in it, but is largely
participated in by the Europeans, the Bugis, &c. His Lordship has
probably been led by mistake to attribute to Singapore the whole
population of the three British Settlements in the 8traits of Malacca,
which is estimated at from 200,000 to 220,000. It would be pro-
ductive of great benefit to British interests could attention be drawn
to the present state of our relations with the different Malay states
on the Peninsula of Malacca. These states might be made very
valuable to commerce from the immense mineral riches they contain,
as well as from the fertile soil which exists in abundance, admirably
fitted for tropical cultures of all kinds. These resources at present
are almost wholly neglected, the native population, under ignorant
and generally debased rajahs, being little addicted to habits of in-
dustry, the insecurity of life and property which prevails in these
states destroying the motives to exertion. With proper management
on the part of our government, and without directly interfering to
any considerable extent with the internal government of these states,
a great change for the better could be introduced. The proximity
of the British Settlements would enable the government to exert
such a moral influence on the rulers of these states that they would
readily follow such a course as might be indicated to them. Some
trouble might be found at first in teaching them the value of the
advice tendered, but a judicious and patient representative of govern-
ment would very speedily be able to bring them round to his views.
No attempt of the kind has ever been made, our only mode of
dealing with these states being, in general, utter neglect, and occa-
sional threats and coercion when a powerful neighbour like Siam
has required our interposition. The non-interference system, however,
has been the favourite one of late years, and their determination to
adhere to it, in all events, may be taken as the solution of the
strange behaviour of government in regard to the outiage on the junk
Kim Eng Seng, It is highly probable that other civilized powers
may ere long acquire a knowledge of the value of the Peninsula of
Malacca, and desire to possess a footing upon it, and our government
will then find that it would have been wise to have obtained a
wholesome influence over the neighbouring states, and to have been in
a position to have practically in their own hands the power of de-
termining whether it would be convenient to allow the establishment
in their close vicinity of rival European or American settlements.

The following is an amusing account of a famous " head scare ;"
in addition to what has been said on page 337 : —

"For about ten days past a most extraordinary delusion has
prevailed amongst the native population, and especially the Chinese
section. It is believed that the evil spirits which are said to have

576 Anecdotal Ilistory of Singapore

their abode in St. Andrew's Church, have lately proved so restless
as to oblige the Europeans to desist from having public worship
there and take refuge in the Court House. It is further believed
that the only way of pacifying these evil spirits is to make them
an offering of a large number of heads of human beings, and that
the Government has therefore issued an order to the convicts to
provide the required heads by way -laying and murdering unwary
passengers at night ! Absurd as such an idea must seem to any
one possessed of common sense, such is the little knowledge which
the great mass of the native population apparently possess of the
European character and institutions, and the gross superstition yni\\
which they are leavened, that this notion has obtained very general
credence and a great panic consequently prevails. People are afraid
to go out at night, and the most extravagant reports are circulating
> as to the number of victims who have already been sacrificed, some
go so far as to reckon them above thirty. The Government, with
the view of allaying the excitement, some days ago issued a notice
declaring these reports to be false, and offering a reward of five
hundred dollars for the discovery of the persons propagating them.
This measure would not appear to have been productive of the end
desired, as placards were thereafter posted up in Chinese denouncing
the Government notice us an attempt to throw dust in the eyes of
the people, and hinting pretty plainly the propriety of adopting re-
taliatory measures against the Europeans ! Although it is not anti-
cipated that any actual breach of the public peace will ensue, yet
it has been deemed proper to take all reasonable means of allaying
the uneasiness on the part of the native population, and amongst
other steps we understand that orders have been given that the first
class convicts, who are allowed to reside beyond the convict lines,
must not quit their houses betwixt the hour of eight in the even-
ing and five in the morning.

" Some of the more enlightened of our Chinese merchants have
taken pains to disabuse their countrymen of the ridiculous impres-
sions which have taken hold of thenj, and a Committee consisting of
Messrs. Tan Beng Swee, Tan Kim Cheng, Tan Chin Seng. Seah Eu
Chin and Hoo Ah Kay (Whampoa,) have prepared an address which
has been signed by about thirty Chinese merchants, and which it is
intended to have lithographed and distributed. The following is an
abstract of this address, which, we believe, will prove interesting to
our readers : —

" Reports have lately arisen about people being beaten to death at
night, which are utterly false, yet they have obtained great prevalence, for
it is the nature of such rumours that if one repeats them, a hundred per-
sons believe them. These reports have, no doubt, arisen from thoughtless-
ness. A Chinese was lately beaten by some Malays when bathing at their
well, this happened when these reports prevailed, and the occurrence was
magnified and received as a confirmation of them, and they were
therefore held as being quite true. At the moment when people
heard this they did not reflect that Malays are not pleased that
persons should drink or bathe at their wells ; if it had happened at
any other time it would have been thought nothing of. 'ilie Govern-

1853. 577

ment issued a notice telling the people that sucli reports were false
and unfoanded. This notice ought to havo been believed and res-
pected, but instead of attending to it, how could you put up such
improper placards? You do not think of the paternal and com-
passionate character of the Government, which even offers rewards
for the destruction of the tiger which kills people. How then could
the Government order people to be killed under the pretence that
they were to be offered to evil spirits ? The Europeans do not be-
lieve in evil spirits.

" The English law is that if a man commits murder he must be
punished by death. If this is so, how is it possible that it could
he so much violated as it would be by people being killed without
their having been guilty of any crime ? It you will only reflect on
these things it will be apparent that these reports are all nonsense.
To persist, therefore, iu afiirming such absurdities is very wrong. The
Government of this country is very benevolent ; much more so than l^
that of other countries. The law for all classes and nations in this is-
land is the same. It is not as in other countries, where there are
different laws for the different sections of the population. In this port
vessels can freely enter, and they are not obliged to pay any duties,
but only to report themselves. Persons can also go and cultivate land
in the country, and gain a livelihood without paying any taxes. The
privilejj'es which the Government allows to the people are they not very
extensive and of long continuance ? How can you then be so ungrate-
ful as not to acknowledge this, but on the contrary to put up these ,
improper placards ? You are people without reflection ! You do not ^
consider how high are the Heavens, and how deep the earth ! You
say that the Europeans dare not go to their Church for fear of the
i*vil spirits, but wo know that this is not the reason, but because the
Church is out of repair and therefore dangerous. It must therefore
be repaired before people can go to it.

" Another report is that twenty or thirty persons have been mur-
dered. You do not reflect that inefi are not small objects which can
disappear without being noticed ! Just let us know from what street
or place in Singapore persons are missing and cannot be found? If
none are missing it is quite clear none have been killed. Were it true
we also would have heard of it. The result of all these foolish reports
is that poor persons cannot earn their livelihood bcring afraid to ven-
ture out in the mornings and evenings. We also are Chinese and ^
consequently cannot see these things without taking notice of them.
We have therefore fi*amed this address to remove the false impressicms
existing in the hearts of the people, and also to point out the impro-
priety of adopting such coarse and objectionable language as that
contained in these placards. If any of your friends are really beaten
or murdered, let us know and we will take you to the Authorities, who
will investigate the matter, but if you bring us false stories you will
incur disgrace and punishment."

It was in this year that the different flags were first used to dis-
tinguish the closing of the various mails : — Calcutta by a blue ensign ;
Australia, a white ; Europe, a red ; and China, a yellow flag ; which
have been used ever since except that to Australia,

578 Anecdotal Hifttory of Singapore

There was a siimll outbreak in the gaol in July of which the
following was an account in the Free Press : —

" On tlie evening of Sunday, the 3rd September, a number of
the Seikh convicts confined in the Convict Gaol made an attempt to
escape, wliich, as far as regarded some of them, was temporarily
successful. About one hundred of these men, who are generally
powerful, daring fellows, had contrived to arm themselves with sticks
and billets of firewood, and suddenly made a rush upon the peons
on guard, Avhom they knocked down. Thirty of these desperadoes,
although in irons, contrived to get through the door of the gaol
before it was closed by one of the peons who had been knocked
down in the first rush. Those of the Seikhs who were still in the
gaol were quickly overpowered by the other convicts, who did not
e-xhibit the slightest sympathy with them, even the class of heavy
defaulters, who are kept in irons, giving their aid with alacrity in
securing them. The peons and others than gave chase to the run-
aways, and soon overtook and secured twenty-seven, some of them
receiving rather hard knocks when they would not surrender quietly.
The whole have since been brought in. These Seikhs were foi-warded
from AUipore gaol and are described as insubordinate and dangerous
characters. The ill-success which has attended their attempt to run
away, and the severe punishment which it has brought down upon
them, will, no doubt, prevent them from trying to make their escape
for some time to come/'

Piracy was still very frequent around Singapore, especially against
the Chinese and other native trading vessels, and the Chamber of
Commerce cori'csponded with the authorities and the Admiral of the
station who promised to station a man-of-war at Singapore when he
had one available.

The following is an extract from the Report of the Sailors
Home : —

^' So long as the number of Punch Houses continues so large,
the Committee fear their efforts to preserve the improvident sailor
from the pernicious effects of debauchery will not meet with sucli
success as they would wish, but the gradual restriction in the issue
of licenses to these haunts of vice by the Magistrates, leads them
to hope that, by sure and certain steps, the object of their desires
will be finally attained. Your Committee deem it right here to call the
general attention to the low coffee houses and spirit shops in the out-
skirts of the town, where there is but too much reason to fear the un-
wary sailor is stupified by deleterious spirits, and unscrupulously rob-
bed, and they hope that steps will be taken to mitigate this serious evil."

The Sailors Home had been commenced in High Street. An ac-
count of it is on page 125 of Mr. W. H. Read's book. The Grovern-
ment paid fi«. 100 for the rent. The house became too small for the
purpose, and the present premises, which had been occupied by Mr.
Balestier, were bought in 1857, the Government advancing R«. 12,000,
or ten years' annual subscription, and the building was formally
conveyed to Government as a security. When the ten years expired,
it was formally returned to the Committee. The building was much
enlarged by extending the two ends in 1877.

1853 579

In September, the supply of rice for local consumption was thus
referred to in the Free Press: — "Considerable alarm was felt some
days ago on account of the small stock of rice in Singapore for local
consumption, the great bulk of the article having been shipped for
China, or at least bought for shipment to that quarter. The retail
price also rose to a very high figure, being equal to $100 per
koyan, while at ordinary times it never much exceeds $60 and is
often considerably below that rate. This high price, we believe, still
continues, although some further supplies have come in and more are
expected. At one time it was calculated that there was not above
ten days* consumption in the place. The population of Singapore,
and at the Chinese settlement in Johore, which is wholly dependent
on Singapore for their supplies, amounts to 100,000 at least, and
calculating the daily consumption of rice by this number at one
catty a head, a very moderate estimate, will give us 1,000 piculs a
day. For our supplies of rice we are wholly dependent on other
countries, not a single grain being grown on the island, and it will
therefore be easily seen how important it is that nothing should occur
to prevent the market being at all times abundantly supplied.
Should the supply be interrupted through any cause, and become ex-
hausted, there is no means of averting a famine, since the island,
unfortunately, produces no other articles of food which could serve
as a substitute for rice even for a few days.''

The following passages are taken from an annual retrospect of
the year in the pages of the Free Press : —

" Notwithstanding the existence of various circumstances which
were calculated to exercise an unfavourable influence on the trade
of Singapore during the year, such as the disturbances in China,
the ravages committed on the native trade by pirates, &c., it is a
subject for congratulation to find, from the returns, that our com-
mercial prosperity continues unabated, and that the large increase
which we had to notice in the trade of 1852 has been fully equalled
by that in 1853. The trade of Singapore appears to be augmenting
at the rate of one million sterling a year !

" During the year, a very large trade was carried on with Australia,
and although subject to considerable fluctuations, as was to be ex-
pected from the extraordinary state of things in the Colonies, we have
no doubt that the permanent trade between Singapore and Australia
will in future form a very important item in our commercial returns.
Prices of produce generally ruled high during 1858, and a very large
demand existed for most oE our staple products. Gutta Percha, in
particular, which a few years ago was sold at $10 per picul, in conse-
quence of the active competition, was at one time run up to the
high rate of $75 per picul. Prices have since receded, but gutta
still brings $30 to $35, and appears again advancing in price.

''The prahus from the eastward, comprising the Bugis traders,
&c., arrived in considerable numbers this year. Those parts of their
cargoes which consisted of articles chiefly adapted to the Chinese
market, such as tripang, agar-agar, birds' nests, rattan and garro
wood, &c., had to be sold at very losing rates, while the produce
adapted for the Europe and Indian markets, such as gold dust

580 Anecdotal History of Singapore

coffee, oil, rice, wax, tortoise-shell, sago, giitta percha, &c., brought
very remunei*ative prices.

"The revenue of Singapore during the official year 1852-3 amounted
to H«. 457,207, and the expenditure to ib. 442,342, thus leaving
a surplus of fe. 14,865. In the expenditure, the charges for military
and convicts are included. It would thus appear that the revenue
of Singapore is advancing in proportion with its trade. The amount
derived from the Revenue Farms (Opium, Spirits, Toddy, Market,
Pawn-brokers, &c.) amounted to fi«. 340,089.

"The number of Chinese immij^rants into Singapore during the
official year 1852-3 amounted to 11,484. Towards the end of the
year, large numbers of Chinese began to arrive in square-rigijed vessels
and junks. Many of these were from Amoy, and had taken part in
the disturbances there. The rebels in that quarter are understood to have
received very considerable supplies from Singapore, and more were on the
point of being sent, when the news of their having evacuated Amoy reached
this. Amongst the arrivals from Amoy were the wives and families of
several of our most respectable Chinese merchants, and a number more are
still expected. Should the practice of the wives and families of our traders
following them from China hereafter continue, it may be expected to ex-
ercise a beneficial influence on the Chinese part of our population.

" In February, the draft of an Act was published to repeal that passed
:?ome time previously for levying tolls for defraying the cost and main-
tenance of the Ilorsburgh Light -house, &c. This draft made some desirable
modifications in the manner of levying the tolls, and entirely exempted
native craft, but it being considered that the rates proposed w^ere un-
necessarily high, and that they would unduly press upon the class of vessels
called Straits Traders, memorials were addressed to the Governor-General in
Council and by the Chamber of Commerce, praying for some modifications
of the Act in these respects. To these representations a reply was re-
ceived from the Supreme Government, promising to reduce the duty on
Straits traders to one half of what will be exigible from other classes of
vessels liable, and although refusing for the present to alter the duty as
regards other vessels, yet distinctly pledging the Government to lower it,
should experience show that the aggregate amount of duty levied is more
than enough to meet Avhat is legitimately chargeable to the lighting of the
Straits. This promise and the resolution adopted by the Government to
proceed without delay with the erection of other lights were considered
satisfactory.

^' A ])roposition was submitted to the Supreme Government to make the
Company's rupee the sole legal tender throughout the Straits Settlements.
This proposal was generally deprecated in Singapore, and the community
were glad to learn that the Governor-General in Council had discoun-
tenanced the plan.

" During the course of 1853, the urgent necessity which existed for the
permanent presence of a professional Judge at Singapore again engaged
public attention, and the Grand Jury in April earnestly pressed the matter
m their presentment. The Chamber of Conmierce also addressed a Memo-
rial to the Governor-General in Council on the subject."

The Gov^ernor and Mrs. Buttorworth returned to Singapore from the
Australian Colonies by the P, and 0. Steamer on the 9th November, and

1853 579

In September, the supply of rice for local consumption was thus
referred to in the Free Press: — "Considerable alarm was felt some
days ago on account of the small stock of rice in Singapore for local
consumption, the great bulk of the article having been shipped for
China, or at least bought for shipment to that quarter. The retail
price also rose to a very high figure, being equal to $100 per
koyan, while at ordinary times it never much exceeds $60 and is
often considerably below that rate. This high price, we believe, still
continues, although some further supplies have come in and more are
expected. At one time it was calculated that there was not above
ten days' consumption in the place. The population of Singapore,
and at the Chinese settlement in Johore, which is wholly dependent
on Singapore for their supplies, amounts to 100,000 at least, and
calculating the daily consumption of rice by this number at one
catty a head, a very moderate estimate, will give us 1,000 piculs a
day. For our supplies of rice we are wholly dependent on other
countries, not a single grain being grown on the island, and it will
therefore be easily seen how important it is that nothing should occur
to prevent the market being at all times abundantly supplied.
Should the supply be interrupted through any cause, and become ex-
hausted, there is no means of averting a famine, since the island,
unfortunately, produces no other articles of food which could serve
as a substitute* for rice even for a few days.''

The following passages are taken from an annual retrospect of
the year in the pages of the Free Press : —

"During the year, a very large trade was carried on with Australia,
and although subject to considerable fluctuations, as was to be ex-
pected from the extraordinary state of things in the Colonies, we have
no doubt that the permanent trade between Singapore and Australia
will in future form a very important item in our commercial returns.
Prices of produce generally ruled high during 1858, and a very large
demand existed for most oE our staple products. Gutta Percha, in
particular, which a few years ago was sold at »?10 per picul, in conse-
quence of the active competition, was at one time run up to the
high rate of $75 per picul. Prices have since receded, but gutta
still brings $30 to $35, and appears again advancing in price.

"The prdhus from the eastward, comprising the Bugis traders,
&c., arrived in considerable numbers this year. Those parts of their
cargoes which consisted of articles chiefly adapted to the Chinese
market, such as tripang, agar-agar, birds' nests, rattan and garro
wood, &c., had to be sold at very losing rates, while the produce
adapted for the Europe and Indian markets, such as gold dust

582 Anecdotal History of Singapore

CHAPTER XLII

1854.

THE foUowhij^ is part of a long account of a ball given in the
Assembly Rooms on Monday, the 6th February, by Governor
Butterworth and Mrs. Butterworth to commemorate the celebration of
the thirty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Settlement : —
*^The ball-room was very tastefully fitted up, the principal deco-
ration being a large transparency, representing, in one division, Singa-
po-re as it might be supposed to appear before it became a
British possession, thick jungle clothing the whole landscape, and the
only indication of the presence of man being one solitary fishing
prahu in the bay, adding, if anything, to the feeling of loneliness
and desolation. In contrast to this, the other division shewed us
Singapore in 1-854. The sombre jungle had disappeared and was
replaced by the warehouses and residences of our merchants ; and
Churches, Court-houses, and Schools told that order and civilisation
had been firmly established, while the residence of the Governor,
on the eminence overlooking the town, presided over the whole.
Instead of the solitary prahu in the harbour, ships of every size
and form, from the graceful clipper to the clumsy junk, and
numerous native crafts, crowded the foreground, and completed the
striking contrast. The whole was executed by Captain Dun, of the
43rd M. N. I., and does great credit to his taste and abilities as
an artist. In front of the transparency a pedestal supported the
bust of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore.
Dancing was commenced at 9 o'clock, and at half -past eleven the
company proceeded to supper, which was laid out in the lower
room, where two long tables afforded ample accommodation to the
whole of the guests. After supper the health of the Queen was
drunk in the loyal manner which is characteristic of the Singa-
pore community. Colonel Butterworth then rose and spoke nearly
as follows : —

" ^ We are assembled here this evening to commemorate the form-
ation of this Settlement; and when we picture to ourselves what I
daresay is remembered by the honourable gentleman opposite me,
Mr. Purvis, as well as by my most highly esteemed and excellent
colleague, Mr. Garling — whose signature I find attached to the
first official document on the records of this Station, dated 6th
February, 1819 — I say when we picture to ourselves the appearance the
island then bore, and contrast this with the aspect it has now as-
sumed, we cannot but feel profound admiration of the consummate
judgment and wonderful foresight displayed by that eminent states-
man, whose name I mention with every degree of reverence and
respect — Sir Stamford Raffles — a respect 1 propose to testify in a

1854 583

manner which I am sure will be as pleasing to this community, as
gratifying to myself. I refer to my intention of designating the
lighthouse, about to be erected on the Coney, at the entrance of
the harbour — the '^ Raffles Light-house " — in memory of the Founder
of Singapore. Here there have been no adventitious circumstances,
such as the discovery of vjist mineral deposits, or any very favour-
able agricultural results, to aid the advancement of this Settlement- —
nothing, in fact, but what that great man foresaw and foretold,
when he selected this spot for its geographical position, and, step-
ping in advance of the age, pronounced it to be a Free Port-
looking to its becoming the chief emporium in these seas for British
merchandise, and the produce of the Indian Archipelago. How
fully this has been realised, a glance of our * Trade Statements '
will satisfactorily shew. It will therein be seen that at the expiration
of the first five years, the Imports and Exports were valued
at two and a half millions sterling; that at the close of the next
ten years they amounted to three and a quarter millions sterling,
and on the termination of the subsequent ten years, to five
millions; and by the last returns, to six and a half millions, exclusive
of goods transhipped — an advance regular and unprecedented — whilst
in place of the few prahiis which might be seen in 1819, no less
than 1,068 square-rigged vessels and 2,860 native boats visited this
island during the past year At the close of the last Chinese war
and the opening of the iivc ports, the culminating point of the
Singapore trade was stated to have been reached. Since then, how-
ever, it has increased by a million sterling. Again, on the estab-
lishment of the colony of Labuan, the like evil prognostications arose,
but Singapore is now more prosperous than ever, the Imports and
Exports being greater at the end of the last official year than at
any time since the formation of tlu^ Settlement. Now, Ladies and
Grentlemen, let me ask you to drain your glasses, in drinking to the
continued prosperity of Singapore with Free Trade in its fullest
integrity/ ''

'' Mr. Purvis then addressed the company as follows : — ' I am very
sure that nothing can be more gratifying to a large portion of this
company than the very interesting speech of our worthy Governor,
and I beg to assure Colonel Butter worth that the sentiments he has
generously and warmly expressed on behalf of Singapore are duly
appreciated. The hoisting of the flag, thirty-five years ago, is to all
of us a matter of history, inasmuch as none of us were present on
that interesting and auspicious occasion, but as a very few days more
will complete the thirty-second year of my residence here, I may be
said to have known the Settlement from its infancy, and when I look
back to the day of my first landing here and contrast the then state
of the Settlement with what it is at this moment, I do indeed see
much to astonish me ; for it must always be borne in mind that wo
have had no * auriferous soils to fall back upon, or to aid us in
our forward march, and yet Singapore had a hidden treasure which
has happily developed itself in industry and intelligence ! For it is to
those sources, aided by a liberal system of Government, that Singa-
pore is indebted fot* the proud position she now holds, and ^o long as

584 ATiecdotal Uwtory of Singapore

that system sliall be maintained, so loug will Singapore continue to
flourish and the Government be respected by every nation and people
with whom we mav hold intercourse. On a recent occasion I alluded
to the ^true interests' of the Settlement, and 1 will now mention
one of the most important. It is this: — To preserve Singapore in all
integrity a Free Port ! The principles adopted by Sir Stamford Raffles,
he left as a legacy to Singapore for its rule and guidance, and as the
Government are trustees to the bequest, I feel assured it will be faith-
fully carried out.' "

The following remarks in the tVec Fretftf in March, are worthy
of notice in the light of the ])resent day, and the progress that the
Native States have made since Sir Andrew Clarke adopted the policy
of assisting them : — "After Raffles and Crawfurd, we had a succession
of officials who were either imbued with the prejudices and feeling?
of the higher authorities, or were of too little weight at head-quarters
to induce any great degree of attention to their representations.
They knew that the Supreme (lovernment did not wish to have
any trouble regarding the politics of a quarter so distant from the
seat of Government, and they very dutifully shaped their line of con-
duct accordingly. Hence a course of utter neglect towards the Native
States in our vicinity. These States have been steadily retrograding,
and we have never made the slightest effort to arrest their decay,
although it is very evident that a systematic and judicious inter-
position on our part might have told powerfully in promoting their
welfare. The rich natural resources of these States have, therefore,
remained utterly neglected, or only partially and most defectively
availed of, And this has proved directly prejudicial to Singapore,
for had these States improved in their resources, their produce would
have been greater and their capability of consumption more extensive,
and while their produce would have flowed into Singapore, to the
same market they would have resorted for their supplies of those
articles of luxury or utility which their own industry did not furnish,
but which it enabled them to procure from elsewhere. In some
cases the conduct of the Government has been even of a more re-
prehensible character. Witness the whole of the course pursued in
regard to Keddah, which is so justly reprobated by Raffles in the
extracts before us. In that case we not only refused that assistance
to Keddah which we were bound by treaty to afford, but we actually
joined with its ruthless oppressors in destroying it. The consequences
have been that it has diminished in population and resources, that
its government has been feeble, and that in place of benefiting us
to any extent by its commerce and industry, it has only proved an
asylum and hiding place for the bands of robbers who have for
many years infested our territories in Province Wellesley. Every-
where else we find the Native States, which we have so completely
neglected, feeble and despotic in their governments, their populations
diminishing and their trade dwindling away. Yet in their fertile
alluvial lands, forests jibonnding with valuable natural productions,
and soils rich in minerals, might be found the sources of a solid
prosperity were the energies of their inhabitants only stimulated by
judicious encouragement from our Government, our relations with

1854 585

them so formed as to allow others to turn these advantages to ac-
count with a reasonable prospect of security to hfe and property."

This was the year of the biggest Chinese riots that have been
known in Singapore, which upset the whole island for ten or twelve
days. It arose between the Hokiens^ from the province of Hokien
in China, and the Teo Chews from the province of Quantung, be-
cause the Hokiens refused to join in a subscription to assist the
rebels who had been driven from Amoy by the Imperial (^hina
Troops. We proceed to give an account of them at some length,
with the proceedings that subsequently took place in connection with
them. The riots arose, as they have done since, without any ap-
parent cause, as the small dispute which commenced them was not, of
course, the real casu.s helli, which originated in the proceedings of the
Secret Societies, with a predetermination to fight out their quarrels
in spite of the authorities. There were 400 or more persons killed,
a great number wounded, and about 300 liouses burned. The police
force proved to be in good order and quite equal to what could
be expected from their small number as compared with the thousands
of Chinese. The military in the Settlement only numbered about
800 in all, and after providing for the necessary guards there were
only 150 to 180 men available. The whole community turned out as
special constables, and to them, as in after times, the return to law
and order was principally due.

On Friday, the 5th May, about mid-day, a dispute arose between
two Chinese, the one a Hokien man and the other a Macao man, about
the weight of a catty of rice which the one was selling to the other.
High words ensued, and the quarrel of each was quickly adopted by
his countrymen among the bystanders. Blows followed, and the
report beinjr rapidly circulated through the neighbouring streets, the
adherents of each faction came pouring in by hundreds to take part in
the broil, which then assumed a very alarming character. The fight-
ing spread into the adjoining streets, in all of which the shops were
at once closed, and sticks, stones and knives were used freely on the
streets, and bricks thrown from the upper windows whenever an oppor-
tunity offered of assailinj^ their enemies on the street. Several shops
and houses were broken into, rifled of their contents and the inmates
maltreated, and the work of plunder once commenced would soon have
become general throughout the town, had not the military made their
appearance, after Mr. Dunman, the Superintendent of Police, had stated
his inability to suppress the riot.

Governor Butterworth had, unfortunately, thought very little of
Mr. Dunman's apprehensions, and, in spite of his remonstrance, mounted
his white horse, and rode into the town. It was probably Hill Street
near River Valley Road where he was pelted by the mob, who did not
of course know who he was, and they had no quarrel with any Euro-
peans ; but he rode into the row, and had to retire, and a nephew of
the Recorder, attempting to rescue a Chinaman who was being assault-
ed, was knocked down by a brickbat and badly hurt, and several others
were roughly treated. The Governor then listened to Mr. Dunman's
opinion, and the troops were sent for; when they cnme, quietness
generally ensued, but, as they marched in a body, their effect was con-

586 Anecdotal Hwtory t*J Singapore

fined to one street at a time, and the fighting began as soon as they
had passed. The Governor and Resident Councillor, with some of the
Magistrates, also passed through several streets where the riot had been
greatest, and, as might have been expected, their appearance was
almost always followed by a cessation of the fighting and plundering,
and, by degrees, the presence of the authorities and the soldiers pro-
duced an air of quietness which seems to have generated a great mis-
conception of the true nature of the disturbances that had taken place.
The troops were dismissed to their barracks, and as the Chinese do
not like to fight in the dark, the evening passed over without any
signs of a serious intention to renew the riot. Many flattered them-
selves that the affair was at an end, and that nothing more would be
lieard of it.

'Jlie following morning, however, was calculated to undeceive all
those who thought that the Chinese had had enough of it the day be-
fore. They must have been busy organising themselves during the
night, for in the morning with day-break the fighting and plundering
began in different parts of the town, and, in spite of the Police, the shops
and houses of many of the Chinese inhabitants were broken and
pillaged. Wherever, in fact, a few of the one faction happened to have
their houses or shops in a locality inhabited chiefly by the other, they
were set upon at once, their goods either stolen or destroyed, and
themselves severely bruised or wounded and in some instances mur-
dered. A gentleman who was assisting in escorting the goods of a
Chinaman to a place of safety was knocked down and severely cut
about the face and head. The military were again called out, a corps
of Marines landed from H. M. Ships Sybille, Lily, and Rapid, and
although the troops were confined to marching in a body through the
worst streets as on the day before, the presence of an armed force
operated as a check upon the rioting, and during the day there was
comparative quietness, the rioting being confined to desultory attacks
upon passers-by in the streets. At ten o'clock a meeting of the Euro-
pean inhabitants was called for noon, and in the meantime a deputa-
tion of them waited upon Colonel Butterworth to represent the serious
character which the tumult was assuming. His Honour thanked the
European community for their co-operation, and said that every exer-
tion would be used by the authorities to put an end to the disorders
that had occurred, and that with the assistance of the Senior Naval
Officer, he did not doubt they would quickly succeed in restoring quiet.
He did not consider that the matter was so serious as was represent-
ed, and thought he could manage it himself; another error which, as
the result proved, was a serious one.

At noon the Europeans met and determined to offer their
services as special constables. They proceeded in a body to the Police
Office, where they were met by the Governor and Resident Councillor.
About seventy gentlemen, comprising the greater part of the
European residents and a few of the commanders of merchant vessels
lying in the harbour, were sworn in, Mr. W. H. Read being the first
to be sworn ; he has >vritten an account of the matter in his book
at page 95, in the chapter called " The Chinese Secret Societies."
The Governor thanked .them for the manner in which they had come

1854 587

forward to give their assistance and expressed his hopes that quiet
would speedily he established. About fifty of the leading Chinese
merchants and others were with some difficulty collected at the Read-
ing Rooms, in Commercial Square, being escorted there by some of
the special constables. They were addressed by the Resident Councillor,
who exhorted them to use their influence in restoring order, and
after some deliberation they signed a paper to that eJBfect, but subse-
quent events proved that they either possessed very little command
over their countrymen, or that they were afraid to exert themselves.
None of the shops were open, and the Oriental Bank and all the
godowijs of the merchants were closed.

On Sunday, a strong body of the special constables was ordered
to be on duty by 4 o^clock in the morning; and it was fortunate that
this was done, as there were evident symptoms that an extensive sys-
tem of depredation had been determined on for that day. Probably
the Chinese calculated that the European community would observe
their day of rest as usual, and not come into town at all, or only to
go to church at 11 o'clock. As day-light began to dawn, it became
clear to the gentlemen on duty that an extraordinary influx of people
must have taken place during the previous day and night. The regular
police were wholly knocked up with the work of the two previous
nights and days, and the body of special constables on duty had
almost the entire charge of the town. They were divided into parties,
each numbering eighteen or twenty men, and headed by two Magis-
trates, and when day broke upon their patrols, appearances were any-
thing but encouraging. Few Chinese ventured into the streets at first,
but in Circular Road, the upper part of Market Street, Teluk Ayer,
and other places in the vicinity, there seemed to be a complete fer-
ment within doors. In some of these places the houses appeared to
be crammed full of men, and all were convinced that but for the
presence of the special constables, part of the town would have been
pillaged, and not improbably burnt down by the hundreds of men
whom the heads of the Secret Societies had called in from the jungles
and the junks in the harbour. A little before six o'clock, an at-
tempt was made to commence operations by plundering a house at
the corner of Circular Road and South Bridge Road, but luckily
one of the patrolling parties happened to be near, and were in time
to prevent it, and to disperse the mob. Considerable rioting took
place in Philip Street (where the rioters were armed with knives
and swords), Market Street, and Amoy Street, where a party of
seven special constables and four police peons took upwards of fifty
of the rioters into custody.

Colonel Butterworth and the authorities now became thoroughly
awake to the extent of the danger which threatened. All the
pukatu and other Chinese boats, which were swarming with men and
afforded the most convenient receptacles for plunder, were ordered
into the middle of the river to prevent communication with the
shore, and seven boats belonging to the men-of-war were kept row-
ing about to prevent any attempt at landing, and other signs of
more prompt action became apparent, should any further attempts at
plunder be made. These measures and the attitude assumed by the

588 Anecdotal History of Singapore

authorities and European community appeared to frighten the rioters
from any further serious attempt in town, and they then betook
themselves to the suburbs and country in the vicinity. In the after-
noon a party of Hokien men, who had been to procure rice, were
attacked by some Teo-Chew men and robbed of their provisions ;
but the Hokiens having got a reinforcement from some of the plan-
tations near, and accompanied by the Police, succeeded in beating
their opponents, one of whom was killed. Ten or twelve of tlie
Teo-Chew men were taken into custody. The opium shop from which
these men had rushed out was burnt down the same evening, pro-
bably by some of the Hokien men. About eight in the evening an
armed party of Chinese with banners and gongs made their appear-
jince at Kochore, defied the police to fight, and proceeded to break
«»l»en and pillage the houses and shops of some of the inliabitHnts.
The constables fired over their heads at first, but that having no
effect the officer ordered his men to fire upon them before they
would disperse. Two men were shot dead, and several were wounded.
In the town all remained comparatively quiet during the night, both
the Marines and Sepoys being posted in the town for fear of any
outbreak.

The scene of operations appeared on Monday to have been fairly
transferred to the country districts, and murder, burning and pillage
prevailed in all directions. In the Tanglin district, a number of
houses and bangsah were attacked and burnt, several persons were
killed, and numbers wounded. In the Bukit Timah district the Police
stationed at the village of Bukit Timah were threatened with an
attack by a large body of men, and were at last so closely pressed
that they were obliged, in self-defence, to fire upon the Chinese,
.-everal of whom were wounded.

Mr. Clufif, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, having proceeded
along Thomson Road for some distance beyond the Police Station
at Chan Chu Kang, to ascertain the state of matters in that part
of the island, was met on the road by a woman who reported that
her husband and child had been murdered and their house burnt
down. She was put into Mr. ClufiE's palankeen, and after proceeding
a little further on the road three Chinese were met, whom the
woman declared to be of the party which had murdered her husband.
They were taken into custody by the Police. Several Chinese with
arms were then met and apprehended, and Mr. Cluff returned to-
wards the Station, but before he reached it a great many Chinese
gathered round the small party and demanded the release of the
prisoners, which Mr. CluJBf refused, at the same time threatening to
fire upon them if they continued to press so closely upon his party.
The woman was then observed in the palankeen, and a rush made
to get hold of her, the Chinese exclaiming that they must murder
her also. The palankeen was much broken and battered in the at-
tempt to get possession of the unfortunate woman, but Mr. Cluff
at last succeeded in lodging her and his prisoners in the Police
Station, which was an attap-covered building situated on the slope
of the hill. Here the numbers of the Chinese rapidly increased, and
they threatened to burn down the Station uulesis the prisoners and

1854 589

tlie woman were g'iven up. Mr. Cluff at length thought it prudent
so far to comply with their demand as to release the men who had
been taken with arais in their hands, refusing at the same time to
give up the others on any tenns whatever. Having sent intimation
of his situation to town, two Magistrates, with a party of troops
and some special constables, were sent in palankeens to his assistance.
Being joined by Mr. ClufF they proceeded to a village about a mile
and a half beyond the Station, where the woman stated that the
persons who had murdered her husband resided. On approaching
the village a few of the special constables proceeded in advance
for the purpose of drawing out the Chinese, and the latter were in-
clined to fall into the trap, but some Sepoys made their appearance at
the moment, and the Chinese dispersed into the jungle, where they
could not be pursued. Some houses belonging to the rioters were
burnt down and the whole party returned to town.

In the Payah Lebar district, the persons belonging to the two
tribes which chiefly inhabit that locality had entered into a compact
that they would not molest each other, but the Teochew people violated
the agreement by turning out considerable bodies and attacking
the Hokien Chinese, who were taken quite unprepared as they relied
on the engagement which had been made. A number of houses were
plundered, several burnt to the ground, and the immates killed and
wounded. A large body went to the Station which had been recently
established at the village of Gaylang, and told the Jemadar that they
intended to bum the village, that if he did not interfere they would
not harm him, but if the contrary, he and his party would all be
put to death. The Jemadar refused to parley with them and on
their attempting to attack the village, fired several times, after which
the Chinese retreated. One man was killed and several wounded.
All the Chinese pukatn were that evening turned out of the river
by a party of special constables.

On Tuesday, a number of houses were burnt in Tanglin, and
persons killed or wounded. One of tlu^ magistrates on his way to
town having learned that a party of some hundreds wen» advancing
from Bukit Timah, immediate! v turned back, and assisted bv four
special constables and a few peons, Boyans, and (Chinese, formed
a barricade at the first Station on the Bukit Timah Road. Thev
then advanced along the road towards Bukit Timah, and near Cluny
encountered a large body of Chinese, armed, and having gongs and
banners. This party was driven back for some distance, shots being
exchanged with them. They, however, so greatly outnumbered the
magistrate's force that the latter was obliged to give way for about
one hundred yards, but Constable Berthier with a party of peons
at this time came up, and thus reinforced they returned to the
attack and succeeded in driving back the Chinese, who at last
took shelter in a hangsal and some negotiations ensued. In the
meantime, another party, consisting of a Magistrate, a number of special
constables, and police peons, &c., went round by the hills and through
the jungle. They met a very large body of Chinese, whom they re-
peatedly fired upon and at last forced to give way, some taking to the
jungle, but the greater part retiring upon the other body of their

590 Anecdotal Histoi-y of Singapore

countrymen, whom tliey joined in the hanifsal. Fifteen Chinese were
killed in this affray, and many more must have been wounded.

A detachment of troops wns sent out to help them, but beintr
without a guide, missed its way and did not join the specials until
the evening. In the Payah Lebar and Siglap districts, the unfortu-
nate Hokien people continued to suffer severely, their huts being
everywhere burnt by their enemies, who murdered men, women and
children. The corpses in tliis and other localities were found in many
instances frightfully mutilated. A Magistrate with a party of fifty
Malays, &c., went out to Thomson Road, from whence they followed
a number of armed Chinese to near Serangoon, but owing to the
obstruction offered by the jungle they did not succeed in bringing
them to a stand. Several prisoners were taken. In the evening a
party of forty Malays were sent to Siglap to reinforce the police.
A party of some hundreds of Chinese, armed, and having flags,
gongs and horns, attempted to pass the Police Station at the fifth
mile-stone in Thomson Road, in the direction of town, but the
Jemadnr and police peons stationed there opposed their progress,
and on their still persisting, fired several rounds upon them, when
they retired. They afterwards returned to within half a mile of the
St|ition, but finding that the police were on the alert they did not
attempt to advance. One of the special constables, Mr. Rohde, an
assistant in Apel & Co., who accompanied one of the parties, received
a stroke of the sun, from the effects of which he died the same
evening.

In the evening, at about seven o'clock, the Police were fired
upon from a house in Church Street at a short distance from the
Police OflUce, on which Mr. Dunman, Sitting Magistrate, proceeded
to the spot with a party of Sepoys and having read the Riot Act,
the honse was fired into and then entered, a quantity of arms being
found in it, and several prisoners taken. One of the special consta-
bles, Charles Cashin, had the end of one of his fingers carried
away by a shot from this house. In the next house, which was also
entered, a Chinese trader of some influence and standing was apprehended,
there being a large quantity of arms in it. At a later hour, some
special constables detected a party of Chinese in the act of setting
fire to a house in Teluk Ayer. The greater number escaped, but
about a dozen were apprehended. In the course of the night two
of the special constables, Avhile on their way to Commercial Square,
were fired at, one in Market Street, but they both escaped without
injury. During the night, a Chinese was found murdered in Circular
Road.

The following proclamations were issued by the Government on
the 6th and 8th :—

Seveiul evil disposed persons having caused a disturbance between certain
classes of the Chinese population, the Governor of the Straits Settlements calls
upon all Chinese interested in the peace and quietness of the town, to aid him
in putting an end to this feud.

With thib object in view, uU persons fuuud lighting with sticks or thi-owing
stones will be apprehended and punished accordinj^: to law. and all househoMers
giving shelter to such persons «Mther directly or indirectly, shall he forthwith
apprehended and prosecuted.

1854 591

The Governor does not wish to resoi-t to the aid of the military, but if these
disturbances continue the parties concerned must abide by the consequences.

Durin]^ the present disturbances in town, all junks now in the harbour must
anchor in the position which will be pointed out by the Master Attendant, wh^
has authority to cause the removal of all such vessels as thereby directed.

On Wednesday, the 10th, the disorder in the country districts still
prevailed. It was resolved to despatch the steamer Hooghly with
Sepoys and Malays to be landed at different points round the island
so as to co-operate with the parties which had been sent out, and
especially with a detachment of Sepoys under Colonel Cameron, which
proceeded towards Buddoh, information having been brought in that
the Chinese had collected in force near that place. Colonel Cameron
and his party therefore started by land, and the Hooghly left in the
afternoon. It had been reported that the Chinese were on the town
side of Buddoh, and it was intended that the party from the steamer
should land at Buddoh and take them in the rear, while Colonel
Cameron attacked them in front. It turned out, however, that the
information was defective, as Colonel Cameron reached the convict
lines at Buddoh without seeing any sign of the rioters. Here he was
joined by the party from the steamer, and the convicts having stated
that the Chinese were to be found further on, the party proceeded.
The road about two miles beyond Buddoh was over a hill, and on
the crown of this a barricade was found, placed across the public
road so as to effectually stop all passage. It was not quite finished, but
it was apparently intended to be made of considerable strength and
was protected by an attap roof. No one was on the watch, or con-
siderable resistance might have been offered. Colonel Cameron, who
was on horseback on the right flank of the detachment, caught sight
of about one hundred and thirty Chinese apparently waiting for
dinner. For a minute they appeared stupified at the appearance of
the military, and then bolted into the jungle in all directions. The
soldiers came up at a run and immediately opened fire, but the
jungle came so close up to the spot where the Chinese were found,
that they were out of sight in a moment. Only four men weri»
made prisoners. The place where the Chinese were found had a
very large attap roof over it, apparently intended for a house whicli
would hold some hundreds of people. Close to it was a new Chinese
house made of wood, fitted up in a very neat style, with all the
usual accompaniments of a Chinese dwelling, such as an altar, joss,
Ac. This, it is supposed, was the residence of the leader of the party.
In a comer of the large building was found a kind of cage, consisting
of two stories, and very strongly constructed, probably intended as a
receptable for the more valuable plunder. A larger boiler was found
full of rice, which was being cooked, and there was an abundance of
fowls, pork, &c., besides two large barrels of arrack. A little further
on, on the opposite side of the road, a new house was met with,
surrounded by a strong stockade about twelve feet high, and from
this and another hut near it, a number of Chinese were observed to
flee into the jungle. The whole of these buildings were burnt down,
and the stockade across the road having been destroyed, the party
returned towards Singapore.

592 Anecdotal HiMoj-y of Singapore

'I'ho following proclarnation was issued on tlie 1 Ith : —
The Governor of the Straits ScttlementR calls upon the Chinese to remember
that the British Authorities hvq placed in this Countiy to afford protection U^ all
classes, to whatever sect belonginjjj, whether engasfcd as nierchaut«. traders, shop-
keepers, gardeners, gambier-planters, or coolies ; from whom nothing further is
required than to obey the Laws, and not disturb the peace of the community
with their private quarrels, as some of them have been doing of late.

These people must fullj understand that this is not their country, and they
must leani to attend to their own business, instead of molesting each other by goin^
about the country to de8tix)y the houses and property of their neighboii-s, and
that if they continue in the perpeti'ation of these outrages, they must expect to
be treated like madmen.

Tlie authorities have not, and will not take part with any sect or class of
Cliinese, but they are detennined not to permit fresh disturbances to take placo.
and it is therefore hereby notified by the Governor of the Straits Settlementd
that all persons found committing actfi of violence on their neighboui's or their
neighbours' property, or assembling with arms in their hands, will be hunted from
place to place, until they are taken or desti-oyed.

W. J. BUTTERWORTH,

Governor of Prince of Wales* Island,
Singapore, and Malacca.

On Thursday quiet prevailed in town. Business was being fa.st
resumed, many shops were opened, and the handicraft men steadily
at woik. From the country, the different parties landed from the
Hooifhij/ at Chnngi, Seran^joon, 'Jliomson Road, and Kranji, returned
TO Singapore. The Changi division came upon the remains of the
stockade destroyed on the previous day by Colonel Cameron, which
Avas still burning. The party w^hich landed at Kranji found the
Chinese gathered in force with arms, and about twenty armed
Chinese having fired at them, they were obliged to return the
fire. Two men were seen to drop down dead and one man was
wounded in the arm. The headman of the village and some
others were captured and brought to town. The people at the
villnge .^aid they had armed themselves, as they were afraid, having
heard that the Hokien men were going to attack them that evening.
This statement was so far corroborated by the fact that letters had been
leceived in town from parties in the village in which the anticipnted
attack had been mentioned.

The other divisions did not meet any opposition. The whole of
the roads radiating from Singapore to different parts of the island
were thus traversed from one end to the other, and with good effect,
as the Chinese are described to have been quite surprised at seeing
these large parties of armed men approaching them from the back of
the island. The Malays are said to have behaved very well under the
European gentlemen by whom they were accompanied.

It being reported that the Chinese were again assembling at
the hangaal in Bukit Timah Road, where they had come to a stand
on Tuesday, the detachment of military stationed in that quarter,
accompanied by a Magistrate and some special constables and peons,
went to the spot. The Chinese, however, had retired, bat having
found extensive preparations for feeding a large body of men, an
ox stolen from a neighbouring plantation having been .slaughtered
and great quantities of rice boiling, as well as arms and ammuni-
tion, the place was burnt. Twenty-two prisoners were taken.

J 854. 593

In the morning, Constable Berthier proceeded to Siglap with ten
peons, and when near Doctor Little's bungalow, a Chinese reporte<l
that his friend had been killed at a hut near the bungalow. The
constable proceeded to the spot, and found that the man had been
killed by a sword cut across the face. Another Chinese gave infor-
mation of another man having been murdered, and this corpse was
also seen by the constable. The person who was said to bo the
leader of the gang by which these murders were committed was
captured. It being stated that the band of Chinese who had plundered
the district of Gaylang lived about two miles from Mr. Caldwell's
residence, Constable Berthier, accompanied by Dr. Little and some
other European gentlemen, proceeded in that direction. As they
approached Mr. Caldwell's house they met eight or ten Chinese, most of
them armed with muskets and spears. They said that they were
running away because - a gang of plunderers had threatened to burn
their property. They were sent to Dr. Little's bungalow. As they
approached the hangsal in which the guide said the band was con-
cealed, they came upon about thirty Chinese armed with spears, two
of whom carried flags. The party fired upon them, when one fell,
and it is believed that several more were wounded. The man who
fell wns taken up to be conveyed to the house but expired on the
road. Another man was taken who had been hit on the head slightly.
Both of these men were identified by the guide as having been of
the party which had burnt his house and murdered his brother. In
the hangnal a quantity of arms were found, and from its whole
appearance it was supposed to have been a refuge of the plunderers,
and was accordingly bunit down. The party then returned to Siglap
and from thence to town.

In the evening about half past five o'clock a Bugis ran amok
on Boat Quay, and stabbed no less than six Chinese, some of whom
received very severe wounds. He then threw himself into the canal
opposite Mr. Purvis' godowns, where he took shelter beneath the bridge.
He was repeatedly called upon to come out of the water and give
himself up, but refused, saying he wished to die and they had
better shoot him where he was. As he was armed with a kris
which he refused to surrender, and the tide was running up very
strongly, rendering it difficult to approach him in a boat, the police
were at last ordered to fire upon him, but although thirty or forty
shots were aimed at him, none of them appeared to take effect, and
he was at last captured, after being severely wounded, while in the
act of getting ashore, having swum a considerable distance up the
canal. He was taken to the hospital, where it was found he had
received twenty-three sword wounds, but not one bullet had touched
him. He died shortly after 10 o'clock.

On Friday, a Chinese was found murdered near the foot of
(xovernment Hill. Two Malays were also murdered by Chinese in the
Payah Lebar district. Several parties of armed Chinese were seen
in this district and chased, but took refuge in the jungle, where,
for want of guides, it was found impossible to follow them. A large
force was reported to have assembled in the jungle, between the
Serangoon and Gaylang Roads. Four detachments of Sepoys, eat-h

594 Anecdotal Hutory of Singapore

of twenty men, were stationed on I'homson Road near the fifth mile
stone, in the Tanglin District, in Gaylang at Dr. Little's bunL'alow.
and on the Bukit Timah Road at the lioiise of Mr. M. F. Davidson,
still called Dalvey.

On Saturday morning a Chinese was murdered in the Tanglin
district. The police tried to beat the jungle between the Gaylang and
Serangoon Roads, but all the paths were found to be obstructed by
trees being felled across them, the logs, by which the swamps are
crossed, removed, &c. In various districts, Ijesides burning down the
houses, the nutmeg, cocoa-nut, and other fruit trees were cut down by
the rioters.

The riots subsided, after having lasted for ten or twelve days,
and murder, fire-raising, robbery, and wanton destruction of houses,
plantations, gardens, and fruit trees, having happened daily during
that time.

There was great uneasiness nt Malacca, all kinds of rumours
being propagated there about what was occurring in Singapore.
The Secret Societies in Singapore wrote to Malacca inviting their
friends there to commence a riot, but without effect. A public
meeting was held at the Residency. Mr. J. H. Velge in the Chair,
and resolutions adopted calling on the Government to take immediate
steps to prevent similar disturbances there.

In Johore, there was some trouble, as the coolies were short
of rice, the supplies from Singapore being temporarily stopped, as
all trade was suspended.

The lock-ups and gaol were crowded with prisoners, about five
hundred men having been arrested, and a special sessions was held on
Tuesday, the 6th June, before Colonel Butterworth, Sir Wm. Jeffcott,
the Recorder, and Mr. Church. The following were the Grand Jury : —

Michie Forbes Davidson. — Foreman,

Jose d'Almeida.
James Mottley.
Dunjeebhoy Hormusjee.
John S. Scrymgeour.
Clement Fabian Demee.
Cachick Moses.
John Jarvie.
John Purvis.
Thomas Owen Crane.
Reinhard Rittershaus.
Charles H. Harrison.

William Stewart.
Walter Scott Duncan.
Henry M. Simons.
William Martin.
John Purss Cumming.
William Mactaggart.
John Russell.
F. Geo. Schmidt.
Leopold Catteaux.
M. G. Mackertoom.
A. James Spottiswoode.

The following are a few passages from the remarks to the Grand
Jury made by Sir Wm. JefEcott about the riots : —

" These people had hitherto lived peaceably together, transacting
business with each other and living intermingled in the same streets.
Without any apparent cause, however, a spirit of discord appears
suddenly to have arisen amongst them, which on the 5th of May
last broke out in acts of violence, riots occurring in different parts
of the town, and at length resulting in houses being attacked and
plundered. This state of things continued for seven or eight days,
although after the first three days the rioting in town gradually

1 854. 595

diminished. The police were incessantly employed, the military were
called out, and the marines landed from the ships-of-war : and with
a most praiseworthy alacrity, the European inhabitants came forward
and ofEered their services as Special Constables and had afforded
most valuable assistance in preserving order, for which they were
entitled to the gratitude of the community.

"After the first two days, the disturbances spread into the country,
where, his Lordship regretted to say, they assumed a very different
character. The riotous proceedings there wore much more serious
and aggravated, and quickly led to the plundering and burning of
property, and eventually to the destruction of life and the committal
of excesses of every kind of the most barbarous nature. The Grand
Jury could easily understand how this difference should have taken
place. While in town the people are comparatively civilised, the
mass of the population in the junjjle consists of men who have never
for any lengtli of time come in contact with Europeans or with the
more orderly part of the town residents, and who live in a state
of secluded semi-barbarism in the jungle, with little or no idea of
what law or order is. When, therefore, the disturbances spread
amongst them, they naturally plunged at once into far greater ex-
cesses than had characterised the town population, and the consequence
was, that for a series of days the rural districts were the scene of
the most lamentable outrages — huts and villages being burnt down
in every direction, and murders committed, many of which had come
to their knowledge, while it was to be feared many more had been
perpetrated but remained unknown. Another cause, perhaps, of the
different character which the disturbances in the country had assumed
compared with those in the town, might be found in the fact
that wiiile in the town the two parties were nearly equal, in the
country one of them had a great preponderance, and had the other
party in a great measure in their power."

The Sessions lasted seventeen days. Six men were sentenced to
death, but only two were executed; sixty-four were sentenced to various
terms of hard labour, and eight were transported for fourteen years.
There were about two hundred and fifty prisoners tried.

In this year the Indian Council introduced a Bill to make the
anna and pie of the copper currency in India, legal tender in the
Straits for fractions of a rupee. The intention was to force out the
dollar, and make a rupee currency ; and for this purpose the Treasury in
Singapore were told to substitute the rupee for the dollar in their pay-
ments, which was partially carried out from May to the end of the year,
at the exchange of ft. 220 per §100. The Free Press remarked on this
as follows: — "The present Bill is but a step further in the same
direction, and it behoves the community of this place, as well as
the two other Straits settlements, to lose no time in offering their
determined opposition to the progress of these mischievous and most
ill-judged measures. We dare not hope that much regard will be
paid to any remonstrances that mjiy proceed from this, but it is due
to the community itself to record its decided opposition to these
measures, both in principle and detail, and the doing so will also
prevent an argument which would otherwise certainly be brought up.

596 Anecdotal History of Siiigaporc,

when the future and still more decisive steps are to be taken, that
they had tacitly acquiesced in the change. A public meeting has
been called for this day to consider the subject, and we sincerely hope
it may result in unanimous and firm representation against such cause-
less and wanton tampering with the life-blood of our commerce — the
circulating medium/'

The rupee was first coined in 1835, and declared a legal tender
throughout the territories of the East India Company, which included
the Straits, but had no special reference to them. In 1844, the copper
currency was extended to all the territories, but it never became
actual currency in Singapore.

The dollar, which had been the coin of commerce in the Archi-
pelago for centuries before we obtained any footing in it, became by
necessity the circulating medium in English places when they were
established, and it has continued ever since to be the real currency of
the Straits Settlements. Subsequent to 1835, the dollar fully retained
its place, and, so far as the Straits were concerned, the two Indian
Acts of 1835 and 1844 were a mere dead letter. In 1847, the then
Government of India (actinjr with rather more enlightenment than their
successors in 1854), accepted the state of things which they saw was
unavoidable, and as the want of an authorised copper currency to re-
present the fractions of a dollar, had long been productive of great
inconvenience, and had led to the introduction of copper tokens or
doits (manufactured by private individuals and of varying inferior
value), coined in the Indian Mints the cents, half and (juarter cents
of a dollar for Singapore, and passed the Act of 1847 declaring them
to be the ojily legal copper currency of the Straits. 'Ihese coins
quickly superseded the former tokens and doits, driving them entirely
out of the market, and formed the only copper currency of the
Settlement both legally and actually.

In this year therefore the Company's silver rupee was by law a
legal coin in the Straits, but it never was used. The dollar was the
only silver coin current in the Straits, and by the law of custom it was
also a legal coin. The Company's cent, lialf and quarter cent, were actu-
ally and also by force of law, the only copper currency. No one
was dissatisfied with this state of things. It worked well, and the
commerce of the Settlement throve under it. The only thing
desired was that the Hon'ble Company should coin a dollar of its
own, with half and quarter dollars, and do away with some incon-
veniences which arose from the want of silver of a smaller deno-
mination, but no one in the Straits desired to get rid of these
insignificant inconveniences by the use of the Rupee.

In this state of matters, this Bill was brought forward to effect
the following alterations : —

First, — The dollar and the rupee were to remain as before — both
legal coins.

Second, — The cents of a dollar, and half and quarter cents,
were no longer to be the only legal copper currency.

Third, — ^The Company's pice, double pice, half pice and pie,
were to become a legal copper currency along Nvith the cent and
its parts,

4< '1^1

1854. 597

Fourth. — Each of these two copper currencies was to become a
legal tender, not only for fractions of its own representative in
silver, but also for the other silver coin. That is, cents were to
remain a legal tender for fractions of a dollar, and were to become
a legal tender also for fractions ot* a rupee ; and pice and pie,
besides becoming legal tenders for fractions of a rupee (which at
that time they were not in the Straits), were to become also a legal
tender for fractions of a dollar.^'

A public meeting was held on the 13th October, at which the
following resolutions were passed : —

Proposed by W. H. Read, and seconded by T. H. Campbell: —
That this meeting regrets that the former representations which
have been submitted to the Bengal Government on the subject of
the currencv have not met with the attention and consideration to
which, it is submitted, they were entitled, and it deprecates the
introduction of the Company^s Kupee as an unlimited legal tender,
at a fixed rate, as injurious to the trade of the Settlement, and as
inexpedient and impolitic under any circumstances."

Proposed by J. Jarvie, and seconded by W. Mactaggart : — ** That
this meeting objects in the strongest manner to the introduction of
the copper coins at present current in continental British India, as
cumbersome and totally unsuited to the requirements of the Straits
Settlements, and opposed to the system of decimal currency now in
the course of being introduced into Great Britain, and at present
existing in this Settlement."

Proposed by M. F. Davidson and seconded by Mr. Allinson : —
That this meeting recommends that a petition embodying the pre-
vious resolutions be laid before Parliament, and that the following
gentlemen be appointed as a committee to draw it up : — Messrs. Purvis,
Jarvie, Read, Logan, and Guthrie.

A petition was drawn up to the Legislative Council of India, and
the following is the substance of the letter sent with it to the
Governor : —

*' For many years past (and in regard to Peuang and Singapore, it may almost
be said, since their commencement) the currency of the Straits Settlements has
been the dollars of 100 cents. Considei*able inconvenience was occasionally experi-
enced from there being no rejfular copper currency, the want of it, in Singapore at
least, being supplied bv tokens or doits, imported from England, and which bad a
very extensive circulation over the Indian Archipelago, having a varying value of
from 360 to 600 to the dollar. In 1847, however, a convenient copper currency was
furnished by the Indian Govei*nment in the form of a cent, half and quarter cent,
and these have since been found perfectly adapted to the purpose required, the
only matter of complaint being an occasional short supply. These coins are not
only tbe exclusive copper circulating medium of the Straits Settlements, but haTc
obtained a considerable currency in various Native States in the Archipelago.

" The Supreme Government has proposed at different times to introduce the
Indian currency into the Straits Settlements, but has refrained from canying this
into effect in compliance with the strongly expressed opinion of the inhabitants
against it. During the course of last year, the subject was again revived, but
although all classes of the community were found decidedly opposed to the intro-
duction of a rupee currency into the Straits, the Supreme Government has so fin-
persevered in its intention as to make it imperative that all payments from, or
snms received by, the local treasuries should be in rupees. This experiment has
fully confirmed the unfavourable anticipations which were formed regarding the use
of the rupee as a circulating medium, it having produced much general incon-

tt '

5d8 Anecdotal Hidory of Singapore

vt-nience and intlicted scrioua lossj ou those j)artie8 who, from their ijoctition in
ipjrard to Government, have been obliged to accept payments in rupees.

*' The rupee and its fractional parts, whether of silver or copper, \vc are con-
vinced, \< ill never become acceptable in these Settlements as a circulating medium,
and anj attempt to force them upon the community by legislative enactment
cannot be too strongly deprecated, as it will, u^ithout doubt, seriously injure ti*adc
and give rise to very general inconvenience. The decimal system cif currency and
accounts has long l»een established in the Straits, and has been found greatly to
facilitate commercial transactions. To introduce the rupee as the legal cnn-ency,
would involve a complete change in this respect (for a double currency, so totally
dissimilar as the dollar and rupee, we are convinced, would not be found compati-
ble) and would be an abandonment of a system, the superior advantages of wliich
are now so fully recognised and which it is so anxiously sought to inti-oduce into
Great Bntain and other countries where a different one now prevails.

" If the Supreme Government, instead of imposing upon these communities

and
(similar to those coined l)y the Bengal Government in 1787 for
Prince of Wales* Island) a boon of the greatest value would be confen*ed on these
Settlements and (with the present copper currency of cents, half and quarter
cents) as perfect a monetary system as could be desired, would be established.

"Not only, moreover, would this currency be of the greatest value to the
Straits Settlements, but we have no hesitation in asserting that it would be found
highly profitable to Government, as the dollar, and half doHarat least, would become
popular not only over the whole of the ArchipeLigo and adjacent countries, but
would, in the opinion of the most experienced merchants, in a very short time
become the chief circulating medium of European commerce in China if not of the
whole Chinese Empire."

The question of the currency and of a British dollar for the
Straits, continued to be agitated for some time, and caused great dis-
cubsions in the Council in India. In England the old veteran Gover-
nor John Cra^vfurd, with a number of old Singaporeans, including
Messrs Nicol, Guthrie, Gilman, Fraser and Paterson, waited upon the
Board of Control, and went a long way to convince the mind of the
President; and on the receipt of the advice of their proceedings, a
public meeting was held here on the 11th August, 1855, with Mr.
James Guthrie in the chair, at which a long list of resolutions were
passed, copies of which were sent to all the Chambers of Commerce
in any way connected with the Straits, and petitions were sent in
January, 1856, to both Houses of Parliament. Mr. Crawfurd took the
matter up con aviorti^ and the petition to the House of Lords was
taken charge of by Lord Albemarle, Admiral KeppePs brother, by whom
on Monday, 21st April, 1856, the following notice was given : —

" The Earl of Albemarle to present a petition from the European,
the Chinese, and other Asiatic merchants of Singapore, remonstrating
against the introduction by the Government of India of a novel and
highly inconvenient currency instead of a long established, convenient,
and satisfactory one ; thereby throwing confusion into the commerce
of that and the associated British Settlements in the Straits of
Malacca.^^

The petition to the House of Commons was placed in the hands
of Mr. Gladstone, and the Free Press remarked that it was hoped the
Court of Directors would be convinced, by the steps that had been
taken, that Singapore would never submit to having the barbarous
monetary system of India ( — 1 = 16=12 — ) substituted for that (1=100),
which had so long prevailed !

1854. odd

The Earl of Albemarle gave a very admirable explauation of the
views of the mercantile community here, and state* the case with
much ability. On the 1st July, 1856, another public meeting was held,
Mr. W. H. Kead in the chair, and a number of resolutions were passed,
among which were the following : —

Proposed by J. d' Almeida, and seconded by R. Padday : — " That
the manifest advantages of the dollar over the rupee currency having
been thus clearly demonstrated by experience, this meeting earnestly
urge the Supreme Government forthwith to coin a Company's dollar,
and the sub-divisions thereof, in silver, of the intrinsic value of the
Mexican dollar, say, 416 grains troy of silver/'

Proposed by A. J. Spottiswoode, and seconded by W. Howard : —
" That the respectful and cordial thanks of this Community be
tendered to the Right Honourable the Earl of Albemarle for the deep
interest he has evinced in the Straits Settlements, and for the
eloquent address to the House of Lords in which he so ably exposed
the evils entailed by the attempted alteration in the currency/'

The result was that the Bill did not pass, and the dollar con-
tinued to be the legal tender in the Straits, as it is to this day.
The mercantile community gained their point, which was a vital one
for the conunercial interests of Singapore.

The Chamber of Commerce then attacked the Governmunt on the
question, and in January, 1858, the Grand Jury, with Mr. John Har-
vey as foreman, in their long presentment, spoke as follows of the
matter : — ** The Grand Jurors take occasion here to refer to a subject
which has been frequently pressed on tho attention of the Government
by the inhabitants of this Settlement, viz., the propriety of establish-
ing a Mint at Singapore, and the Grand Jurors are persuaded that
such an establishment for the coinage of British dollars, half dollars
and quarter dollars, in silver; and cents, half cents, and quarter cents
in copper, would be found most profitable to the Government, at the
same time that it would eminently conduce to the increase of its trade,
and to the extension of commerce generally, throughout the neigh-
bouring countries.^'

And the following was part of the letter of the Recorder, Sir
Richard McCausland, sent into Government, as usual, expressing his
own opinions on that passage of the presentment : — " The pressure
upon the poorer classes arising from the scarcity of decimal copper
coins, with which they are familiar, has long been felt, and loudly
complained of; and so long airo as August, 1856, hopes were held (»ut
by the Hon^ble Mr. Allen that this should speedily be removed, yet
the evil has ever since continued in an increased degree. With
respect to the establishment of a Mint at Singapore, the coinage of
British dollars with their subdivision in silver, would greatly increase
the trade of Singapore with all the ports and islands of the Eastern
Archipelago. The constant demand for a supply of silver in the
Eiist, as the circulating medium, would always keep it at a price that
would amply repay the expenses of a Mint and the cost of coinage,
wliilst the very fact that British money could be procured for their
produce would act as an incentive to the Native traders to resort in
greater numbers than ever to the port of Singapore, and would add

600 Anecdotal Hutory of Singapore

considerably to the moral force and prestige of the British name
throughout all the neighbouring states and countries."

To which the Governor, Mr. Blundell, replied as follows: — *^The
Government Mints, both at Calcutta and Madras, liavo been directed to
do all in their power to remedy the evil complained of in the want of
copper cents and fractions of cents, and the subject of establishing
a Mint either here or at Hongkong is considered to be under refer-
ence to High Authority in England."

And in Ma\ the Secretary to the Government of India wrote to
the Governor here : — " I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter No. 27, dated the 23rd ultimo, forwarding a memorial from
the Chamber of Commerce at Singapore on the subject of the defici-
ency of copper coins in the Straits Settlements, and referring to your
previous letters relative to the suggestion that a supply of cents and
fraction of cents be obtained from private Mints in England, and that
a Mint be established at Singapore for the coinage of dollars and
fractions of a dollar.

^^2nd. In reply, I am desired to inform you that the question of
establishing a Mint in Singapore was referred in April to the Hon^ble
Court, who informed this Government in reply that they had been in
communication with the Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury on the sub-
ject ; that Sir John Bo wring had recommended the establishment of a
Mint at Hongkong, and that the subject was still under the consider-
ation of Her Majesty's Government, promising to address this Govern-
ment again when the decision of Her Majesty's Government was made
known to them. A further communication will be made to you when
the determination of Her Majesty's Government is made known to this
Government by the Hon'ble Court."

In September, 1858, the i'^ree Press contained the following article : —
" We learn from the China papers that the Lords of Her Majesty's
Treasury have rejected the proposal of Sir John Bowring to establish
a Mint at Hongkong for the coinage of British dollars. The reasons
for tliis rejection arc : — 1st, that British sterling money has been adopted
as a standard of value at Hongkong, and that to substitute a silver
standard would render it necessary to re-adjust the rates at which the
dollar should be received in payment of duties, &c. ; 2nd, that Sir
John Bowring has greatly under-rated the cost at which a dollar
could be coined; 3rd, that the benefits of the measure would only or
chiefly accrue to the merchants of Shanghai if successful, while, if it
failed, the cost would fall upon the revenues of Great Britain ; 4feh,
that the evils complained of might be solved by any united effort to
adopt the Mexican dollar as the recognised measure of value and
medium of exchange, and that there is no fear of the supply of the
Mexican dollars failing.

"The Treasury seems to be aware that British sterling money can
never become current in this part of the world, but it nevertheless
refuses to give a British standard coin, regarding the success of which
there can bo no reasonable doubt, and prefers to leave the vast com-
merce carried on by its subjects in China and the Eastern Seas de-
pendent for the supply of a circulating medium upon a distant foreign
state. On this point the North China Herald well remarks: — ^The

• #

1854. 601

supply of Mexican dollars may be at present unlimited, but we have
no security that this will continue, and as little that the coin will be
maintained at its present purity. Both of these contingencies are
more than possible ; we know that Brother Jonathan is, as he would
say, "Bound to have Mexico one of these days," and even if this
much coveted morsel should be long delayed, nothing will seem more
natural to a Spanish-American Republic than to debase a coin for
which there exists a great demand. Let either of these occur, and we
are landed in all the evils formerly occasioned by "the scarcity of the
Carolus dollar, and that too at a time when our relations with China
\vill probably be vastly more extended than they are now. At present
the Mexican dollar conies to us by way of London, with very heavy
charges in the shape of commissions, insurances, and costly overland
freight. Most of this would be saved by having a Mint on the spot, and
the Sycee silver would afford a large supply of the material for coinage."

In September was commenced the enquiry connected with Bajah
Brooke and the pirates, which, though it had nothing directly to do
with the history of Singapore itself, was a matter of considerable con-
sequence to the place, and drew a great deal of attention in other
places to the Settlement and the conduct of the residents.

In 1849 the London Daily Nev^s, the organ of Mr. Cobden and
his party, being misled, conunencedan attack upon Sir James Brooke,
misrepresenting the operations by Captain the Hon. Henry Keppel and
the Rajah as a brutal war of conquest, waged against tribes who were
not at war among themselves; and asserting that the Sarebas and
Sekarran pirates were innocent traders, and that the Rajah was using
the English Navy for his own private ends. In September, 1849, the
Free Press remarked that there was such a coincidence, even in words,
between the statements in the Daily News and the Singapore Straits
Times, that there could be no doubt they were both derived from the
same source. In February, 1850, the Free Press spoke of the reckless
misstatements and fictions of the Singapore correspondent of the Daily
News, to which no credit was given by the Government officials, or by
the merchants of Singapore.

In July a Court of Enquiry was held in Singapore on board H.
M. S. Hastings, the flagship of Admiral Austin, c.b., on an officer of
H. C. S. Nemesis, a doctor, for having furnished information to the
Straits Times, relative to the proceedin<js on the coast of Borneo in
March and April, 1849. It terminated in the officer's favour ; he him-
self, and the officers who gave evidence, sajing the statements contain-
ed in the communications to the Straifs Times were false and calumnious
and denying all knowledge of them. The inference was that the state-
ments were concocted in tho office of the newspaper; but the reason
for doing this did not transpire for some time.

In August, 1850, the London Times reported that Mr. Drummond
in the House of Commons had spoken of Henry Wise (who was a
dismissed and discredited agent of Rajah Brooke) as having been an
anonymous slanderer of Sir James Brooke for the preceding three years,
and as wanting to turn Labuan and Sarawak into a n.eiuis for his
own aggrandisement, and to make Sir James a jobber with him
in the promotion of a Company.

602 Anecdotal Etvttory of Singapore

In a long article in the London Times ot 23rd July, 1852, on
the subject of the debates in the House of Commous about the
Borneo pirates, it spoke of its having been the fashion to impute
the inevitable slaughter that had occurred, as having been attributed
by those who attacked Rajah Brooke, to the deliberate malignity and
unbounded appetite for blood of the Governor of Labuan (Sir James).
It went on to say that the whisper of private enmity soon increased to
a public cry, and the manoeuvres of a dismissed and discontented agent.
It said that Pamphlets had been concocted, and a Clergyman or two
incited to rouse the sympathies of peace meetings in favor of the
pirates. It had turned out upon enquiry that the flotilla that had been
attacked was manned by a set of as pitiless ruffians as ever sailed upon
the sea, and the fact had been clearly established. And after referring
at length to the facts in vindication of the Rajah^s character, and
quoting statements made in the debate, and remarking that Mr. Hume
had made himself the common cesspool into which every slander against
Sir James Brooke might be poured, and that a wicked and infamous
libel, written by Mr. Wise, had been put ^nto the hands of every
member of the House ; the article in the Tinifs concluded as follows : —
'* Mr Hume, as will be seen by reference to his speech allowed himself,
unconsciously no doubt, to be made the organ of conveying Mr. Wise's
misstatements to the House. But this is not all. It was stated in the
House last night that Mr. Wise had falsified Sir James Brooke's
journal. Even twisted from its real meaning, what has been made out ?
One single act of trading on the part of Sir James Brooke ? Not one.
Twelve years have elapsed since he left this country. The real fact is
that so far from having: been a gainer, Sir James Brooke has diminished
his private fortune [The Times mia^ht more correctly have said had
spent his whole fortune, £30,000], in his endeavours to carry out the
civilization of the Archipelago, and the paltry salary he draws as
Governor of Labuan is devoted to the same object."

The agitation went on in the usual Exeter Hall fashion, fomented
by well intentioned people, no doubt, made catspaws and fools of ; and
on 4th August, 1854, a notification was issued in Singapore, signed
in Calcutta on 7th July, by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General,
Sir Barnes Peacock and three others, appointing Charles Robert
Prinsep, Barrister-at-law andgA^dvocate-General of Bengal, and the Hon^ble
Humphry Bohun Devereux, of the Civil Service, to enquire into certjiin
matters connected with, and arising out oE the position of Sir James
Brooke as H. M. Commissioner and Consul-Genferal in Borneo. The
notification was of some length. A few days afterwards a notice was
issued, signed by K. B, S. Robertson as Clerk to the Commissioners,
that the sitting would commence on Monday, 11th September.

As will be seen from a remark in an article in the Friend of
India quoted further on, the attack had been founded on an old letter
or memorial which had been taken round Singapore for signature by
Robert Carr Woods in 1851. As has been said on pajce 438, he had
come from Bombay six years before, and his anticipations of making
his newspaper a pecuniary success had not reached his expectations.

The enquiry was held in what was then used as the Court House ;
the very building is still standing, filled up with bales of paper and

1854. 603

printing materials, being now used as the storo room of the Govern-
ment Printing Office, the new office having been built on to it in front,
facing High Street.

How the signatures to the letter had been obtained, and the
object of Mr. Woods in forwarding it, came to light in the enquiry, and
afterwards. The paper which was struggling on its early way had been
subsidised by the detractors of the Rajah.

The Commission was opened on Monday, 11th September, 1854,
Sir James Brooke accompanied by Mr. W.. H. Read entered and took
his seat. Mr. Woods (Editor of the Straits Times) came forward and
asked for heads of the charges. The Commission expressed disappoint-
ment at the attempted delay and adjourned to Thursday when the
Court House would not be required for any other purpose. On Thurs-
day they sat sigain, when Sir James Brooke was present. Mr. Woods
did not come. There was a pause for some little time, after which no
una appearing, Mr, Prinsep remarked ''That it certainly appeared to
the Commissioners somewhat extraordinary, that after the petition
which had been sent from Singapore so numerously signed, and in
consequence of which the present Enquiry had been instituted, no one
should now come forward, either to bring a charge ngainst Sir James
Brooke or to offer any substantiation of the charges previously made.
Her Majesty had paid a high compliment to those demanding this
Enquiry against a servant upon whom she had conferred great dis-
tinction, and it not only seemed extraordinary to him, but must appear
very unaccountable to people at home, that after they (the Commis-
sioners), hnd been sent here at great expense to enquire into the validity
of these charges, there should appear not a soul to bring them before
the Commission. As for what Her Majesty^s Ministers would think it
was not for him to conjecture."

They adjourned to Tuesday when Mr. Woods came, and a great
deal of evidence was taken. One gentleman well known here, was
Captain George Todd Wright, of the Government steamer Hooghly.
He said in reply to the Commissioners that he had signed the memo-
rial. Mr. Woods had told him several of Sir James Brockets friends
had signed it, so he did so, saying " Anything for Sir James, I will
willingly sign." He did not read it. Mr. Thomas Tivendale, also very
well known here, was a witness. He had a shipbuilding yard on the
river side, opposite where the Hotel dc ^Europe is now, next to the
present Government Printing Office. He said in reply to Sir James
Brooke that he had signed the memorial; he would not have done so,
but he was misinformed by Mr. Woods. He told Mr. Woods that he
had no time to read it and asked him to call on Monday, but Mr.
Woods said he need not bo afraid to sign it, as it was merely for the
suppression of piracy on the coast of Borneo, and had been signed by
all the principal merchants in the place. He said if that was the case
there could be no harm in signifig it, and did so He decidedly should
not have signed it if ho had known its contents. On Sunday
he discovered its contents. On Mondav he went to the Court
House, to Mr. Woods, who was deputy sherifE at the time.
an«l asked him to take his name out ; ho said it could not be
done, it must go home with the others. Another witness, Mr.

604 Anecdotal History of Singapore

George Julius Dare, said that he first sailed out of Calcutta to China
in 1823, and between Singapore and China from 1840 to 1845,
when he went home, and returned in 1846 and had been settled
on shore in Singapore since 1848. He said that the description
put opposite to his name on the memorial had not been made by
him and he had never authorised it, and the statement in it was
untrue, that he had traded exclusively with the Eastern Archipelago
for ten years. Even witnesses called ag'ainst the Rajah, whatever
their private feelinpfs against him, proved that he had been in the
right. The proceedings as they went on, and they continued until
nearly the end of October, became more and more decisive in favour
of the Rajah, and the whole thing broke down after 56 witnesses
had been called to support a case against him.

Years afterwards, in 1861, at the public entertainment given
to the Rajah, which is spoken of further on, under that year, Mr.
Woods, when everyone went up at the close of the evening to wish
the Rajah good-bye, asked Mr. Read whether he thought the Rajah
would shake hands with him. Mr. Read told the Rajah, who said
'^ Let him come ; let bygones be bygones.'^ And as Woods walked
back down the room with Mr. Read, he said " Well, it has not
done him any harm after all, and it has educated my boys.^' Sub-
sequent events shewed that the result was very unfortunate in each
case.

Mr. Woods lived to do much good work in after years for the
community in Singapore, and died much respected, but the result of his
earlier days in Singapore is expressed thus by Admiral Keppel in
liis last book, in 1899, (volume 2, pacre 62) in a passage headed
"Persecution of Sir James Brooke'^: — "I cannot close my diary for
this year without mention of the sore trouble in which my friend
Brooke was involved. The commencement, indeed, of the persecu-
tion from which he emerged stainless, but at the cost of mental
anxiety which ultimately caused his death.^' The gallant sailor says
also that Wise was improperly allowed access to the Rajah's journal
which contained disparaging references to himself. Then came the
formation of the Eastern Archipelago Company, without Bi'ooke's
sanction, which had only one object, to make money. A law suit
brought by the Rajah against the Company in England ended in his
favour, and a false certificate was shewn to have been put on the
prospectus of the Company, out of which Wise had reaped a very
large sum. He induced Mr. David Hume to take up the matter,
being a man who liked to air a grievance, and tried to turn the
tables on the Rajah. His object, it was thought, being to get the
Rajah, Captain Keppel, William Napier and others, out oif England
in order to float the Company.

Rather than refer to anything that was written in Singapore
on the result of the enquiry, it seems better to turn to what may
be fairly considered an independent expression of opinion. The London
Timfs has already been referred to; the following passages are part
of an article in one of the leading Calcutta newspapers. The Fnend
of Indiay on 0th November, 1854 :— " Sir James Brooke after clearing
the Northern Archipelago of pirates, and after establishing the only

1854. 605

orderly Government ever known in Borneo was suddenly assailed at
home, by accusations of having butchered unoffending natives. The
Aborigines Society took up the cause of the Dyaks. The un-
scrupulous malignity of a dismissed agent was aided by the mistaken
philanthropy of hundreds, and by the incessant invective of a news-
paper. The Bajah was supported only by the House of Commons,
the Ministry of the day, and the Indian public. The House twice acquitted
him. But the tide turned. The coalition Ministry were anxious to
conciliate the Rajah^s opponents. On the strength of an old letter
signed in 1851 by many residents of Singapore, they requested the
Governor-General to appoint a Commission to examine into rumours.
They found, on their arrival at Singapore, that the Commission was
an absurdity. Not only there was no ground for the charges, but
there were no charges at all. One individual did not remember why
he signed it, another had done so because he had read stories in
English newspapers ; while a Dutch Resident, who alike by instinct
and policy was hostile to the Rajah, stepped forward in the name
of humanity to defend him. At last Mr. Prinsep with just indig-
nation reproved the conduct of those who on such grounds had
asked for a Commission. A knot of individuals at Singapore have
chosen to run down one of the most successful of British pioneers.
They have accepted every calumny, rejected every reply, taken
advantage of the clamour of a misguided section of the British
public, and at last when the enquiry has been ordered, have shrunk
from substantiating their charges. We leave them to the contempt
they have so assiduously earned."

These last remarks, which make an effective tail-end to an
article, were fair enoujjli of the name of the editor of tbe Straits
TtmeM had been written instead of " a knot of individuals at
Singapore ; " and much stronger language miglit liave been fairly
used. It lias been said that this calumny of Sir James Brooke,
founded on falsehood and strutted up with newspaper lies, is
the one big blot on the history of Singapore. The coniiminity,
however, were, in part, to blame. As soon as it was seen that the paper
was propagating falsehoods, as must have been apparent ( see the case
of the Court of Enquiry on board the Hastings ) the community
had the remedy in their own hands ; but unfortunately experience
shewed that, as in other places, a newspaper disseminating lies and
slanderous remarks, even on those who are far above being affected
by its knavery, finds a class of readers who support and pay for
it, for the gratification, it must be supposed, of their own idle
curiosity. The opinions expressed in a newspaper are only of the
value which the knowledge or judgment of the writer can give to
them, he is but an individual, whose opinion, unless there is the
opportunity to judge of his competency, may be worth nothing at
all. As the vast majority of the newspaper reading public have not
the discrimination to realize this, and some are so foolish as to
take statements of opinion as incontrovertible, because they read
them in print, it is the duty of those with more intelligence to do
what they can to prevent the mischief by withdrawing from the
paper what they contribute to the sinews of war, without which it

606 Anecdotal History of Singapore.

cannot continue to misrepresent the truth, or the opinions of the
public ; unless, indeed, it is subsidised for evil purposes by those
who are willing to expend money in such a manner, in the hopes
of gaining much more, on the supposition that the world is largely
composed of foolish or ignorant people.

Lastly the Calcutta GazMe of 28th October, 1855, reproduced in
the Free Frees of 29th November, in a notification as long as that
appointing the Commissioners, conveyed the opinion of Her Majesty's
Government on their report. It completely cleared Sir James from
the charges so long and so virulently made. It is too long to quote,
except one sentence : — " The enquiry which has ended in the com-
plete exculpation of Sir James Brooke from the charges made against
him, has, at the same time, brou^^ht to light abundant evidence of
the beneficial results of his administration of the affairs of Sarawak,
which are exhibited by the establishment of confidence and the
increase of trade, and are such as to deserve the approbation of
Her Majesty's Government.'^

The name of Charles Robert Prinsep was a household word
in Singapore as early as 1842, though it is not known now whether
he actually came here before he was sent with Mr. Devereux for
ihe Brooke enquiry. It seems more than probable that he had
be<'n in Singapore many years before, because for years before this
he had owned the Prinsep nutmeg estate, which Dr. Oxley
estimated in July, 1848, at 6,700 trees. It extended from Stamford
Road to Bukit Timah Road, as far inland as Cairn Hill, or there-
abouts. Behn, Meyer & Co.'s people lived on it, in a bungalow
on the hill where the Colonial Secretary's house is now ; and
Charles Scott who looked after the Prinsep estate, lived in an
at tap house on the exact site of the present Government House,
where, after his time, Mr. W. H. Read and his cousin Mr. R. B. Read
were living when Governor Ord had the land bought to build
the present Government House.

When Mr. Prinsep came to Singapore for the Brooke Commis-
sion, he was almost in his dotajje and died soon afterwards. He
was much in favour of the Rupee currency, and had great argu-
ments with Singapore people about the Rupee and Dollar question ;
Devereux, the other Commissioner chaffing him, and adding fuel to
the fire.

At the time of the connnenceinent of the Crimean War there
were three men-of-war here, one corvette of 1,633 tons, the Syhille, and
two sloops, the Rapid and Lily, of about 400 tons each. There was
very little alarm felt here; fortifications, or rather the want of
them, were talked of, and the three men-of-war went out cruising
occasionally. One result of the big riots and the Crimean war
combined was the formation of the Volunteer Corps. A meeting
was held in the News Rooms on Saturday, the 8th of July, to
consider the proposal to establish a corps. Mr. John Purvis was in
the chair, and he said that the large attendance present showed in
a favourable manner how the proposal had been entertained for the
estHblishnient of a Volunteer Corps. Believing that the feeling in
its favor was general, he had taken upon himself to convene th^

1854. 607

present meeting. Although he ( Mr. Purvis ) was not at liberty to
mentioTi names, he believed the establishment of a Volunteer Corps
had been suggested by the highest authority in India; and he felt
assured that a measure of this nature would receive the hearty
concurrence and co-operation of Governor Butterworth; indeed, His
Honour had intimated his readiness to head the corps. The object
of the proposed Singapore Hifle Corps was, in cases of great
emergency, to assist the Police in the preservation of order, and to
resist the invasion of a foreign foe. The readiness which all had
evinced, in the recent Chinese thneutes, to stand forward and pre-
pare to act at once, had been of signal service to the Government.
The manner in which the Governor had expressed his sense of the
patriotism which inspired and prompted them cheerfully to aid in
the suppression of the riots, was a sufficient guarantee that nothing
would be wanting on the part of the head of the Executive in
consulting the wishes of the meeting. They were all aware, and
ready to admit, that however valuable their services in the late
riots, the good effected would have been much greater had they
been regularly drilled, and accustomed to act in concert. To meet
any future emergency, and to act with effectiveness, he trusted
those present were prepared to incorporate themselves and establish
a Volunteer Rifle Corps.

After some desultory conversation, and the proposal and
amendment of sundry propositions, the following resolution was finally
passed : —

Proposed by H. C. Caldwell and seconded by M. F. Davidson —
" That it is the opinion of this meeting that a Volunteer Rifle
Corps will be of manifest advantage to the Settlement; that the
following gentlemen do form a committee, viz., Messrs. Purvis,
Guthrie, Napier and W. H. Read, to offer the services of the Corps
to Government, and that His Honour the Governor be requested to
propose a set of Rules and Regulations for the guidance of the
Corps.

Before the meeting broke up thirty-two signatures were afiixed
to the Volunteer roll, to which twenty-nine were soon added,
making the total number 61. The name of Mr. W. H. Read was
the first on the roll.

The subscription in Singapore to the Patriotic Fund for
the widows and orphans of soldiers and sailors employed in the
Crimean war, was collected by Rev. C. Gladwin, the Chaplain
of Singapore; and amounted to the handsome sum, in those days,
of £900.

Sunday, the 16th July, was appointed by Royal Proclamation to be
held throughout India and the Straits as a day of general humiliation and
prayer for the success of our arms in the Crimea. A few days after, the
ships went out to look for a Russian transport that was reported to
be near. It was supposed that a squadron of six Russian vessels was
rruising in the China Sea.

In the month of September, the P. & 0. mail from London was de-
livered in thirty-four days, which was considered very remarkable ; and
the paper said : " When the lines of Railway through France and Egypt are

608 Anecdotal History of Singapore

completed we may expect to receive our mails from England in thirty or
thirty-one days." They have since been delivered on one occasion in
twenty days.

The Assembly Rooms at the foot of Fort Canning falling iuto disre-
pair led to the building of the present Town Hall which was not completed
until 1861. The following extracts from the proceedings of the Municipal
Committee explain how the change began : —

" The Chairman submits the following letter with enclosure from tlie
Trustees of the Public Rooms. The Committee highly approved of the
suggestion, to substitute for the present frail structure, a handsome build-
ing (to be designated the Town Hall) commensurate with the commercial
importance of Sinorapore, and will gladly, as Trustees for the public, take
charge of the edifice when finished, and also contribute towards its con-
struction, the amount to be thus appropriated to be determined by the
Committee when the views of Government are known, and the extent
of support which may reasonnbly be expected from the State and
the community.

To the Honourable T. Church, Esq.,

Resident Councillor, Singapore.

Sir, — I am directed by the Trustees of the public rooms to communicate to you
that in consequence of the dilapidated state of the Public Rooms, a meeting of the
sharelioldors took place on the 9th instant, at which a Report drawn up by the
Tnistoes. was read and the following resolution passed : — " That instead of rebuilding
the public rooms by shares, a subscnption be I'aised for the purpose of erecting a
handsome building a^ a Town Hall, to which it is to be hoped the Government and
Municipal Committee will subscribe liberally, and on which condition the present
shareholders abandon all claim to the ground, and to what remains of the present
building. The new building to be placed under the management of the Municipal
Committee." From the Report mentioned above you will learn that the estimated
cost of reconstructing the upper portion of the building amounts to about $3,300, but
should the proposal for a Town Hall be adopted, a much larger sum would be neces-
sary, as the building would require to be entirely new and of a size and appearance
suitable to the wants of this increasing Settlement, and for this purpose five or six
thousand dollars it is considered would bt; iv^juired. So largtf a sum as this there ie^
no probabilty of raising without the aid of Government and the Municipal Committer',
but it is thought if they will come forward and together grant one half, that the
other moiety could be raised by donation from the public.

It is quite unnecessary to point out to you the great need there now exists for a
building of this description in this Settlement, which may bo applied to all public
purposes, as that the want of it is veiy frequently felt.

Tinisting therefore that the proposal will meet with your approval and support.

I have the honour to be Sir,

Your obedient servant,

M. F. DAVIDSON,

Secretary t Public Roomt.
Singapore, 24th October, 1854.

On 15th November a meeting of the subscribers was held at the
News Rooms, Mr. Crane was in the chair. The subscriptions had
amounted to §5,089 and at least §500 more w^as expected. A Com-
mittee of Messrs. M. F. Davidson, T. 0. Crane, A. T. Spottiswoode,
James Guthrie and Dr. Little, were appointed as trustees, and to enter
into communication with the Government and Municipality for the
purpose of carrying out the object, and to use their utmost en-
deavours to obtain a site worthy of the importance of the proposed
Town Hall.

18U 609

The Government and the Municipal Committee agreed to g^ive a
sum of money for a Town Hall equal to that subscribed by th(»
community, and the present site was suggested as the most suitable.
The Post Office and powder magazine were then standing near it,
and it was said that the former ought to be put on the Square side of
the river, which was done many years after, and that the magazine
ought to be removed from a place so dangerous to the dwelling
houses in High Street.

The presentment of the Grand Jury in November contained the
following paragraph regarding the Court House, which was part of
rhe present Government Printing Office. Tivendale and Co., the ship-
wrljrhts, had a yard where Hallpike Street is now. On one occa-
sion when a Judge had newly arrived he sent the Sheriff to stop
the hammering but the shipwrights sent to say that they were building a
boat for Captain Keppel and had to finish it, and a compromise was
arrived at by mutual concession so that the work of the Court might
iro on.

"The Grand Jury present this Court House as being in every
respect unsnited for the purposes to which it is applied. It is, ns
your Lordship designated it, a mere shed, squeezed in between the
building containing the Government Offices and tho back wall of the
compound, by which wall alone, at the distance of a few feet, it is
separated from an extensive ship-building yard, and it possesses
almost none of the accommodation proper to a Court-room. There
is almost no space for the public, and in the little that does exist,
the usual convenience of seats is wanting — wooden trestles of the
rudest description being introduced when any furniture of tliat kind
is deemed necessary. The place is enclosed on one of its sides }>y
Government offices, and on another side by the Chamber (so called*
allotted to your Lordship ; and as the wall of the compound above-
mentioned runs along the whole length of a third side, the conse-
quence is that the Court-room is ill-ventilated, being in fact all but
inaccessible to any current of air, and tlie atmosphere fin the Court
is frequently pervaded by an effluvium alike offensive and unhealthy.
Another frequent and most unseemly result of the near proximity of
this Court House to the ship-building establishment is that the voice
of the Judge, the jury, the witness, or the advocate is occasionally
so completely drowned by the piercing nnd discordant sounds, as to
interrupt the business, and place this Court in tlie extraordinary
position of being forced either to submit to this disturbance of its
solemn procedure, or to interfere with the private and vested rights
of the citizen; for the Grand Jury are informed, and believe, that
the ship-building yard with all its noises, etc., existed on the same
.spot before the erection of this Court House."

Another presentment made by the Grand Jury in December
alluded to a number of other grievances ; the inconvenient position
of the Post Office ; the state of the old Fish Market at Teluk Ayer ;
the number of sago manufactories in the precincts of the town which
then amounted to thirty, manufacturing nearly 8,000 tons a yenr;
the want of bridle-paths across the island ; the small proportion
of native females, only one to eleven of the population ; and

610 Anecdotal HMory of Singapore

other matters. 1'he three follovviiitr paragraphs we reprint at
length: —

"The Grand Jury again present tlie inefficient state of the drain-
age of the town. This, like many other snbjects of public com-
plaint, hns frequently been presented by Grand Juries; and, althoujrh
the Executive has as often expressed its desire to effect a reform in
thia respect, there hns ns yet been nothing done towards an efficient
drainage upon a general Hud uniform plan. The air is still polluted
throughout the length and breadth of the town by the sickening
malaria arising out of a double row of open drains in every street,
which are never thoroughly clean, and generally more than half full of
filth. The Grand Jury are exceedingly sorry to feel themselves
compelled to say that in this particular, which is universally admitted
to be one of the most essential towards the health of large towns,
as in all other and less important matters where the expenditure
of a little money is required, there is a degree of dilatoriness and
disinclination to act which is far from creditable to the Executive
authorities, and which is undoubtedly one of the greatest misfor-
tunes under which this Settlement has long laboured.

"The last three heads of the Presentment may be said to fall
within the sphere of the Municipal Committee, and along with these
long-standing nuisances, the Grand Jurors beg to present the body
called the Municipal Committee of Singapore. The members of this
Committee are all nominated by the Government, two of these
members are Government officials, and the Resident Councillor is
Chairman ex-officio, with a casting vote in every equal division. As
might have been expected from its constitution, and as its action
has proved, it is a mere Government Bureau, whose object and effect
is to render the raising of money from the public more easy, and
its extraction from the Government for the public use more difficult.
It answers these purposes so well as to stand seriously in the way
of the public welfare ; and the Grand Jurors have therefore felt
themselves called upon to present it, and to crave your Lordship's
assistance in obtaining its reform; or, if that may not be, then its
entire abolition. At present it serves only the purposes of a shield
to receive and break the shocks which would otherwise fall directly
upon the Executive authorities.

" The Grand Jurors present thnt, tliough the population of the
town and suburbs of Singapore amounts to close upon 70,000, and the
trade aggregates nearly £10,000,000, there does not exist a Govern-
ment Educational Institution of any kind, at least such as deserves the
name. The Grand Jurors are aware that small donations are given to
the Raffles Institution; but that is a school maintained by pubUe
subscription, and is utterly inadequate to the wants of the Settlement.
There are also other schools, Protestant and Roman Catholic, but all
of them are provided for by private subscriptions; and the Grand
Jurors are of opinion that it is most discreditable that a British
Settlement which has so increased in population and in wealth, should
have reached that point without any provision having been made by
Government for the education and improvement of the mass of children
who ?nnst be growing up in ignorance or vice."

1854 611

It wns III this year tliat tlie ice-honsc was first established, and stocked
with ice from America, by Messrs. Whampoa & Co. Small quantities
liad occasionally being brought from Batavia shipped in tin boxes !

Some 56-pounder guns were mounted at Fort Fullerton, where the
Post Office is now, and the concussion brought down the ceilings of the
godowns, which led to a protest from all the mercantile firms near tlie
Square, who said they should claim against the East India Company
for any loss or damage to their property. The Free Press said
that it was hoped that the Fort- would speedily return to its former
condition of a saluting battery, as it was useless against an enemy.

It was in this year that Mr. Alfred Russel Wallace, the well
known author of "The Malay Archipelago" came to Singapore, and
was backwards and forwards on his expeditions as a naturalist until
1862, when he returned to England, and published his book six years
afterwards. It has run through a great many editions. He says in
describing Singapore that few places are more interesting to a traveller
from Europe, as it furnishes examples of a variety of Eastern races,
and of many different religions and modes of life. Mr. Wallace used to
live for weeks at a time with the Roman Catholic Missionary at Bnkit
Timah, going after birds and botanical specimens, and hunting for
insects among the fallen trunks and old sawpits, which he says was
nervous work, as tigers were heard to roar once or twice in the evening,
and one might be lurking close by. He expresses the usual opinion,
referred to more than once in this book, that tigers killed a China-
man a day on an average. As bearing upon what has been said
on page 2o7 about the stipends and means of living of the Roman
Catholic Priests, there is a passage in the book in which he speaks
of the work done by the Missionary in whose house he stayed. He says :
*' He was truly a father to his flock ; he preached in Chinese on Sundays,
had evenings in the week for discussion and conversation on religion, a
school to teach their children, and his house was open to them day and
night, and if they were in want he shared with them what he had. The
result was his flock trusted and loved him, for they felt sure that he was
their true friend, and had no ulterior designs in living among them." He
says that the Missionary was allowed about £30 a year on which he lived,
and the natives seeing him living with none of the luxuries of life, were
convinced that he was sincere in what he taught, and had really given up
home and friends, and ease and safety, for the good of others. The Rev.
A. Mandnit was the Vicar of St. Joseph's Church, at Bukit Timah, at the
time Mr. Wallace speaks of having lived at the house attached to the
Church. It was quite in jungle-land in those days.

The firm of Peres, Zapp and Ritterhaus began in this year. The
tliree partners were Carl August Peres in Solingen, and Rudolph Zapp and
Reinhard Ritterhaus in Singapore. In 1858 it was called Zapp, Ritter-
haus & Co. Mr. Bauer and Mr. Staehelin were afterwards clerks, and in
1863 it became Zapp, Bauer & Co., and in 1867 Staehelin and Stahlknecht.

In this year Kerr, Whitehead & Co. commenced business ; Mr. William
Graham Kerr being in Singapore and Mr. William CuUen Whitehead in
England. The firm continued until 1858. Mr. Kerr died many years
afterwards in Bangkok ; he had been a clerk in Martin Dyce & Co., before
b^ started business with Mr. Whitehead.

612 Anecdotal History of Singapore

CHAPTER XLIIl
1855.

IN January, Colonel Butterworth went on a visit to Calcutta,
and Mr. Bhindell, the Resident Councillor of Penang, took
temporary charge tliere. The Governor was away about a month.
In MhtcIi, he resigned and left for Europe, and Mr. E. A.
Blundell was appointed Governor ; Mr. Lewis, Resident Councillor at
Malacca, to take Mr. Blundell's place in Penang; Captain Henry
Man, Superintendent of Convicts at Singapore, to be Resident
("ouncillor at Mttljicca, and Colonel Ronald Macpherson, Superintend-
ent of Convicts at Penang, to the same position in Singapore. A
public meeting was held, Mr. Purvis in the chair, to prepare an
address, and on Tuesday, the 20th March, addresses from the
Chamber of Commerce, the Foreign Consuls, the European Commu-
nity, the Chinese, Mahomedans, and others were presented to him.
Shortly before ho loft, he laid the foundation stone of the present
Town Hall, the account of which in the Free Preas was as follows : —

*• The foundation stone of the proposed 'J'own Hall was laid on
the afternoon of Saturday, the 17th March, bv the Hon'ble the
Governor, in presence of a large assemblage of the inhabitants.

'* Before commencing the ceremony, Mr. M. F. Davidson, the
Secretary to the Trustees for the building fund, addressed the
(iovernor as follows : — * In the name of the Trustees and as Secretary to
the Town Hall, 1 have the pleasing task of requesting you to lay the
Foundjition Stone of that building in which you have taken so g^reat
an interest, and the ultimate success of which will be so much
indobtod to yon. When you first came to this Settlement. Singapore
had no place of public resort, • and for general purposes it was
necessary to have recourse to the private dwellings of the inhabitants.
Soon after your arrival, encouraged by your patronage, and the
liberal support you afforded the measure, the Public Rooms were
built. These being no lonj^^er adapted to the requirements of this
Settlement, the project of a Town Hall was mooted, when you again
came forward, and not only by the exercise of your influence pro-
cured a munificent donation from the Supreme Government, but it
is to your exertions that we owe this highly eligible site for a
building which, when finished, will, we trust, prove worthy of the
situation. I now beg, Hon'ble Sir, that you will be pleased to pro-
ceed to lay the Foundation Stone of the Singapore Town Hall.'

** Colonel Butterworth then proceeded to lay the foundation stone,
and afterwards made the followin<r address : — 'I feel extremely gratified
at having been requested to perform the pleasing office now com-
pleted, of laying tlie Foundation Stone of your Town Hall ; and I

1855 613

desire most earnestly to impress upon you, Ladies and Gentlemen,
the great satisfaction I must ever derive from the reminiscence of
this day, in the knowledge that I am thus associated with a build-
ing which is to be devoted, not only to the grave deliberations of
your Civic Senators, but also to the Graces, as well as to the Muses.
I earnestly trust that all may lead, under Divine Providence, to the
continued prosperity of this highly favoured Island, and tend still
further to cement the unity of feeling at present existing in this
happy community/ "

The following is a copy of the inscription on the plate which
was deposited beneath the stone : —

In the year of our LOrd
1855
And in the 18th year of the Reign of

QdEKN VlCTOUIA,

The Most Noble

The Marquis of Dalhousie, Kt.,

Governor-General of India,

The Foundation Stone

of the

Town Hall,

Was laid on the 17th day of March,

By the
Honourable I'olonel Butterworth. c.B.,
Governor of the Straits Settlements,
In presence of many of the
British and Foreign Residents
of this Settlement.
The site had been selected by a Committee composed of Messrs.
M. F. Davidson, R. Little, C. Spottiswoode, T. O. Crane and J.
Guthrie, and sanctioned by the Governor on 9tli February. The
Government of India gave a grant of $3,000, and the subscrip-
tions were expected to reach $6,000.

In March, the Supreme Government sanctioned a loan to the
Municipal Committee of tho funds that might be required for the
drainage of the town, at four per cent, interest, but nothing was
done to any purpose. The very low level at which the town lies
in regard to the sea being a serious difficulty, which, however, is
ameliorated by the rise of the tide through such drains as there
are, and their consequent frequent flushing.

A local Committee was appointed to send articles to the Paris
Exhibition which took place in that year; and fifty lists of articles
were forwarded, and expenses incurred to the extent of $324*57.

In the same month the celebrated singer, Catherine Hayes, came
to Singapore and gave a Concert in the Public Rooms. The charge
was §3, which was thought a high price, and the Concert commenced
;it 8 o'clock.

It was in this year that the treaty was made between the two
Chiefs, Sultan Allie and the Tumonggong of Johore, which led to
so much discussion afterwards. It provided for their rights ; and
the Tumonggong was declared to be «ole and absolute sovereign

6i4 Anecdotal History of Singapore

of Joliore except the Kassang territory now commonly called |Muar,
which is about 260 square niiloa, and withdrew all claim to that Kassang
territory which was declared to be the Sultan's territory under a
provision that he should not alienate it without offering it in the
first place to the Hon'ble the East India Company and then to
the Tumonggong of Johore.

Sultan Allie died in 1877, and on his death Muar passed to the
territory ot Johore, as the Straits Government declined to take it.
Mnar, during the rule of Sultan Allie, remained in a state of torpor,
and under the hands of his successors it has become a flourishing
and rising province.

As the signing of the treaty was carried out with much cere-
mony, some particulars are taken from the accounts in the news-
paper : —

" On Saturday, the 10th March, in pursuance of instructions
from the Supreme Government, the Sultan of Johore was formally
recognised by the local authorities. This was Sultan Allie the son
of Sultan Hoosain, not the ruler of Johore proper, who was then
called the Tumonggong. The ceremony took place at noon, in the
large room of the Government OflSces. At the head of the room,
on a scarlet covered platform, were placed three chairs for the
Governor and the Sultan and the Tumonggong of Johore ; above the
chairs were the English Union Jack and the East India Company's
flag ; the Consular flags were drooping from the cornices round the
room, other flags being arranged in festoons above them. Imme-
diately behind the Governor's chair was the marble bust of Kaflles,
executed by Chantry, placed on a pedestal; on each side of the
platform was placed a table, on one of which was a State sword,
on the other was placed a silver inkstand, the State seals, and
three copies of the treaty about to be concluded between the two
native Princes. We ought to mention that the different national
flags were so arranged that their respective Consuls sat beneath
them. On each side of the scarlet platform, chairs were placed for the
sons of the Sultan and the Tumonggong. The chairs on each side of the
entrance to the platform were occupied by ladies. The lower part of the
room was occupied by officers of the 38th and 43rd M. N. I. and other
gentlemen. In the portico fronting the audience chamber was stationed
a guard of honour of the 38th M. N. I., and also as many chairs for the
public as the limited space would permit.

" At noon Governor Butterworth took his seat ; the Sultan was led into
the portico by Mr. Church and Major Campbell, and was received by a
guard of honour. On Mr. Church handing the Sultan into the audience
room. His Highness was received by the Governor; on shaking hands with
the Sultan, His Honour, addressing the guests assembled, in a firm voice,
said he took advantage of the occasion publicly to recognise liis friend
Tuanku Allie as Sultan of Johore, in succession to his father. The Sultan
was then placed on a seat on the Governor's right, under a salute of 11
guns. After a short pause, His Highness the Tumonggong arrived, and
the guard of honour in the portico again presented arms. The Governor
received His Highness with a cordial shake of the hand, and introduced
him to the Sultan under a salute of nine guns, whereupon the Tumonggong

1855 615

made obeisance to the Sultan, and was then handed by the Governor to a
seat on his left hand; the Tumonggong^s sons Iriche Aboobakar (afterwards
Sultan of Johore) and his brother Inche Abdul Ealnnan were placed near
His Highness. The Governor called upon Mr. Church to read the
treaty.

" The treaty having been read in English by Mr. Church, and in Malay
by liiche Bujal, it was signed and sealed in due form, another salute of
eleven guns was fired, and the guard again presented arms."

Many important changes had taken place during the twelve years
Colonel Butterworth had been Governor of the Straits. Direct steam
communication with Europe was completed soon after he came. The
Horsburgh and Baffles light-houses were both erected and a floating light
placed on the North Sands, and a lantern for the harbour light at Singa-
pore. He did much to obviate the unwise measures which the Bengal
Government tried to force on Singapore regarding the silver currency in
rupees. He abolished the Sireh Farm, which was considered an oppres-
sive tax by all the natives. During his time, a Seamen's Hospital, a
Pauper Hospital, and the new Gaol (now being pulled down) were erected,
and also the new House of Correction ; the sea-wall along the Esplanade
was built ; Johnston's Pier and Dalhousie Pier were erected ; and many
of the bridges and roads made. The Volunteer Corps was established,
and a good deal done towards the foundation of a system of education both
by himself and Mrs. Butterworth.

The following was the address presented to him by the Chamber of
Commerce, and the Governor's reply : —

** The Singapore Chamber of Commerce, in common with the rest of the commu-
nity, viewing with much regret the approaching tennination of your official connection
with these Settlements, are anxious before your departure to record their sense of the
great benefits you have conferred upon the commerce of Singapore during the ma»iy
years you have filled the office of Governor of the Straits Settltjments. .

Your earnest advocacy of every measure calculated to promote the interests o
the trade of Singapore, — ^your readiness to receive suggestions for its beneHts, — your
prompt interposition in endeavouiing to avert, by every means in your power, \vhat-
cver may have seemed calculated to injure or interfere with that freedom from useless
restrictions, which has been the peculiar characteristic, as well as the mainspring of
the prosperity, of the commerce of Singapore, — the ready access to your presence
which yon have afforded to all, — and the courtesy which hus invariably marked your
intercourse with us — have all been fully appreciated by the mercantile community of
Singapore, and we now l>eg to express, although inadequately, onr grateful
acknowledgment of them.

The very remarkable increase which has taken place in the commerce of Singapore
under your Government, has afforded ti'iumphant testimony of the soundness and
wisdom of those principles of commercial policy which its illustrious founder Sir
Stamford Raffles mitiated from the first day he took possession of Singapore, then an
almost nninhabitated island ; and it must be extremely gratifying to you. Honourable
Sir, who have so steadily maintained and upheld those i^rinciplei*, to find that during
the course of your Government the trade of Singapore has nsen from 24,6*20,243
Dollars, its amonnt in 1843, when you first assumed the charge of these Settlements, to
the large sum of 36,655,557 Dollars, as shown in the official returas for the past year.
This advance has been owing to no adventitious circumstances. It has been stendily
piogressive, resulting from the natural expansion of trade, — at first attracted by the
peculiarly favourable position of Singapore and its tntire freedom from imposts or
restriction, and then fostered and encouraged by wise Government.

In now taking leave ot you. Honourable Sir. the meuibers of the Cliamber of
Commerce beg respectfully to offer their warmest wishes for your health and pros-
perity, and they ventm-e to express the hope that those high qualifications for Govern-

616 Anecdotal History of Singapore

meut, which has been ko beneficially exercised for the well being and advancement of
these Settlements, may yet find a still wider field of employment in the service of
jour country.

Signed in name of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce :

J. GUTHRIE,

Singapore, 20th March, 1855. Chairman.

To which the Governor replied : —

" Gentlemen, — Your very flattering and most gratifying recognition of the deep
interest I have ever taken in the commercial prosperity of Singapore, is more highly
appreciated by me, than I can find words to expr«»8S.

That illustnous statesman, as you have justly termed Sir Stamford Raffles, the
Founder of all the gix)wing gi'eainess of this wonderful Emporium, has been my
guiding star, and I have viewed as a legacy to his successors, the scrupulous main-
tenanc'^e of Singapore as a Free Port. 1 am grateful for your pleasing acknowledg-
ment that I have not been unmindful of this gi-eat trust.

Receive, Gentlemen, my waimest thanks for the i*eady assistance you have afforded
me from time to time, in many of the impoHant questions that have been before ns,
and with a profound sense of the kind feelings which have dictated your good wishes
I will saj— Farewell ! "

A public subscription was made to present Cleneral Butterwortli
with a testimonial and to have the portrait painted which is now
in the Town Hall. The following account of the plate and of the
Governor's career appeared in the lUuMrated London News of 26th
July, 1856:—

*• A very gratifying testimonial of public esteem has recently
been presented to General W. J. Butterworth, c.b., late Governor
of Prince of Wales' Islands, Singapore, and Malacca. The gift
originated in a public meeting held at Singapore on March 30th,
1855, when tlie inhabitants of the Settlement resolved to present
General Butterworth with a piece of plate, of not less value than
£500 sterling, as a mark of the high sense entertained by them of
his valuable services ns Governor of the above Settlements, for ii
period of nearly twelve years. It was also resolved by the ladies
of Singapore, to present Mrs. Butterworth with a silver tea and
coffee service; and, furthermore, General Butterworth was requested
to sit for his portrait, to bo pi need in the Town Hall of Singa-
pore, in memory of the esteem and respect in which he is lield by
all classes of the communit}-. The portrait has accordingly been
pjiinted, and will be transmitted to Singapore by an early oppor-
tunity ; and the plate, which has also been completed, has .been
presented to General and Mrs. Butterworth now in England.

" General Butterworth, whohns received these distinguished honours,
was trained at the Hon. East India Company's military establish-
ment, Addiscombe, and passed for the Artillery. Previously, however,
to his quitting England for India, actuated by the prospect of more
speedy promotion, he sought and received permission to exchange
into the Infantry of the Madras Presidency, whither he proceeded
in 1818. On his arrival he obtnined a Lieutenancy in the Second
Battalion 19th (now 38th) Regiment and was appointed to the Rifle
Corps.

" He subsequently joined the Light Field Division of the Mahratta
Army, under the late Sir Theophilus Pritzeer, k.c.b., and was at the
siege of Ghopart Droog. On the day of assault the company of the

1855 617

Uifles to which Lieutenant Butterworth was attached not being detail-
ed for duty, he earnestly volunteered, and was allowed to accompany
the escalading party. For his services on this occasion he was in
1821 made Adjutant of the 38th Native Infantry.

*' In 1822, he was compelled to proceed to England on medical
certificate. On his return, having in the meantime attained the rank
of Captain, he joined the army in Ava, under Sir Archibald Camp-
bell, and in 1825-26 was in most of the skirmishes with the enemy,
and at the takin^r of Moolawm. At the termination of hostilities
he was nominated Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General of the
Army; and, in 1828, promoted to the Assistant Qujvrtermaster-General-
ship, in which capacity he was posted in 1834 to the western
column of attack on Coorg, under the command of the late Brigadier
Sir David Foulis, K.c B., and was three times wounded whilst
heading the advance to the capture of the several stockades in the
Hig^ular Ghauts. For his services at this period he received the
special thanks of Government in general orders, and was recommended
for the Order of the Bath.

" On the formation of the field force, under command of Brigadier-
General Taylor, c b., Captain Butterworth was again detached, as
Assistant Quartermaster-General of that force, and distinguished him-
self on several occasions, particularly in the attack on the Khonds
at Nowguan, on 1st June, 1836. During this campaign he attained
his Majority. At the restoration of peace ho returned to head -quarters,
obtained the thanks of Government, and was shortly afterwards
made a Companion of the Bath.

" Having from time to time acted as Deputy Quartermaster-General
of tlie Army, Major Butterworth was in 1889 permanently appointed
to tiiat office. In 1841, he obtained the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of
his regiment; and in the same year, being again obliged to seek
the restorati<m of his shattered henltli, he went on medical certiHcate
to the Cape of Good Hope. During his visit to the Colony he was
presented to the Earl of Kllenborough, then on his way to assume
the Government of India; by whom, in 184^3, he was appointed
Governor of Prince of Wales* Island, Singapore, and Malacca.

" Lieutenant-Colonel Butterworth was promoted to the Colonelcy
of the 2nd Regiment during his tenure of that important office — a
period of twelve years, two of which were passed in the Australian
Colonies in consequence of the declining state of his health ; which,
eventually, in March, 1855, forced him to relinquish the Government
of the Straits of Malncca, just hs he Inid attained the rank of
Major-General.

"The able mnnner in wliich Major-General Butterworth dischnrged
the arduous duties intrusted to him is amply testified in a letter
frorii the Government of India; nnd also by the addresses presented
ro him on his vacating tlie government for a time, and afterwards
on his final resignation oF it The importance of this highly honour-
able post may be estimated by the fact of the annual trade of the
three Settlements amounting to upwards of ten millions sterling.

" The plate consists of a centre ornament, thirty-nine inches high, and
two side ornaments, twenty-two inches high ; total value £700. The

618 Anecdotal History of Singapore

centre ornament has branches for nine lights and four glass dishes for
flowers, &c. The base supports a very rich group of figures, representing
commerce exhibiting to Britannia a portrait of the General : with the
figures of a Chinese, a Malay, and an Indian Jew, over whom Britannia
holds her shield in allusion to her protection. The standard of the East
India Company is also introduced. The inscription is as follows : —

" ' Presented to Major-Geneml W. J. Butterworth, c.b., by the inhabi-
tants of Singapore, to mark their sense of the important services rendered
to the Settlement during the period of his Government, to express their
acknowledgment for the readiness with which he at all times identified
himself with the true interests of the place, and to record their admiration
of the ability and energy which characterised his administration a.s
Governor of Prince of Wales' Island, Singapore, and Malacca, from 1848
to 1855.'

" The two accompanying ornaments support baskets for flowers, and are
enriched respectively with a group of tigers under pitcherplants, and a
buffalo with two deer under fern-trees.

" The ladies' testimonial consists of an elegant silver tea and coflFee
service, and was accompanied by an address stating it to be presented : —

** * To Mrs. Butterworth, by the ladies of Singapore, whose names are
hereon inscribed, to testify their regard, and in affectionate remembrance
of her uniform courtesy and kindness to them during the period of eleven
years in which her husband, Major-General Butterworth, c.b., was
Governor of Prince of Wales' Island, Singapore, and Malacca. December,
1855,' (Then follow the names of the several lady-subscribers to the
testimonial.)"

Governor Butterworth was a handsome patron of sports on land atid
water. He gave a cup annually for the horse races, and kept a boat, an
improved sampan, for sailing after office hours in^ the harbour, and he
sailed his boat on New Year's Day. He was not popular at first in Singa-
pore, as he began with much pomposity ; and a joking remark in a private
letter of Sir James Brooke, which unexpectedly became known, described
him as " Butterpot the Great." Mrs. Butterworth was very good to the
school children, and both she and her husband frequently passed an hour
in the schools. The Colonel used to time his morning walk so well
at 5.80, that he was said to be as good as a watch when the guard turned
out to meet him. He had a great fancy for the two silver sticks, only
to be seen now in Court, which used to follow him about on many occa-
sions.

Like several other public officers who have left the Straits, the late
Governor lived but a short time to enjoy his rest, for he died at Millmead
House, Guildford, on the 4th November, 1856, eighteen months after he
left Singapore.

He was spoken of in print by a well known Singapore an as " A
perfect gentleman, though a good deal of a military ^ bahadour.'
He laboured hard to introduce black coats and continuations into
our social habits, but, in those uncivilised times, white was the order
of the day among ' men.' The ladies used to prefer clean white
to dubious black. However, he laboured in vain, and except, of
course, at Government House, white prevailed. One evening at some
public dinner, at which he was present, and all were in respectful

1855 619

black, his health was proposed, and received a warm acknowledgment
of cheers. . Somethin^a: Imd nettled His Excellency, and in reply he
gave a lecture to all hands, winding up by informing the enthusiastic
public that * sincerity was not proved by loud applause ! ' This
rather annoyed some of the audience, and two days after, at a
theatrical representation, it was determined to pay him, off. The
after-piece was Bo^mhaatett Furiotto, and when that eminent General
dib^missed his troops, he exclaimed, in response to their loud accla-
mations : — *• Silence in the ranks, cease, cease your braying ; sincerity's
not proved by hip, hip, hip, hurraying." The (loveruor looked
serious at first, and a thunder-cloud overspread his brow, but,
imniediately recovering himself, he burst out laughing, and applauded
heartily. He told the actor afterwards : ' A very good hit, a very
good hit ! and well done too ! ! ' Local allusions were often ' gagged '
into the plays in those days, and Hongkong many years after did
the feanie, to the intense annoyance of thin-skinned officials, especially
U. K. Pope Hennessy, but to the intense enjoyment of the public.
It is said that Mr. Balestier had one day a note from Col. Butlerworth,
whose caligraphy was shocking. He returned it with a remark *' Can't
read the Governor's handwriting."

The total trade of the three Settlements in 1853-54 amounted
to fe. 107,675,802, an increase over the previous year of H«. 20,480,300,
or above two million pounds sterling. These figures were dependent
upon the returns of the mercantile community, and the real state
of the trade was no doubt larger. The Opium Farm of Singapore
was let in this year for fix. 27,100 a month, and the Spirit Farm
for ftj. 9,510.

On Thursday, the 8th March, there was a review of the newly
enrolled Volunteer Corps, of which the Free Presif wrote as follows : —
**The Singapore Rifle Corps paraded on Government Hill on the
afternoon of Thursday last, and went through a pretty stiff drill, after
which they were reviewed by the Hon'ble the Governor, who then
addressed them in complimentary terms on the efficiency they had
attained, and assuring them how proud he should have been to have
headed them in actual service. His Honour requested that his name
might remain upon their roll, and concluded by reading some despatches
from the Court of Directors and Supreme Government of India, noticing
in terms of approbation the promptitude with which the Singapore
Volunteers had come forward with the offer of their services, and
expressing the hope that their example might be followed in other
parts of India. The Corps, although they turned out on this occasion
ill somewhat diminished numbers, appeared, as far as an unprofes-
sional eye could judge, to go through their mnnccuvres with steadiness
and precision, and we have no doubt they will highly distinguish
themselves whenever they may be called upon to take the field."

Mr. Edmand Augustus Blundell, the new Governor, joined the
Penang Civil Service on 0th August, 1821, and was afterwards a
Commissioner of the Tennaserim Provinces. He was Acting Governor
of the Straits in June 1843, and then went to Kngland. After hi;
returned he was Resident Councillor at Malacca, and in 1848 he wrote
a paper in volume 2, page 726, of Logan's Journal, on Malacca. In

620 Anecdotal History of Singapore

1849 lie was Kesident Councillor at Penang, and Acting (xovernor in
1851. In 1855 he would probably have been appointed Governor,
but for Lord EUenborough's attachment to Colonel Butter worth.

In April, during a squall, a house in Kampong Malacca was
struck by lightning, and four natives were killed ; they were lads
sleeping near each other. Sir Win. Jeffcott, tlje Recorder, who went
to the spot, helped the mother afterwards with money, as the lads
had been her chief support. She was with them in the room when they
were struck.

This year was remarkable for an increase in piracy, the native
trade suffering very severely from it. The most formidable pirates
were Chinese, who waylaid and fired on the junks and other native
traders, attacking them, in their voyages to or from Singjipore, in the
China Sea and the Gulf of Siam. The pirates resorted to Singapore
without fear, and in May a public meeting was held to memorialise
the Secretary of State. Mr. Guthrie was in the Chair and the following
resolutions were passed : —

" Proposed by Tan Beng Swee, and seconded by J. P. Gumming,
That this meeting views with deep concern the ravages committed by
pirates, Chinese particularly, in the immediate vicinity of this port, to
the great destruction of human life, and detriment to tirade.

Proposed by W. H. Read, and seconded by Tan Kim Ching : — That in
order to remedy the present insecurity of life and property, petitions be
prepared and forwarded to the Supreme Government, the Houses of Par-
liament, and the Admiral on this Station, urging them to take vigorous
measures to suppress piracy in these parts.

Proposed by R. Duff, and seconded by J. d'Almeida : — The Singapore
community are so thoroui^hly convinced of the necessity of protection to the
junks now about to leave for China, and so indignant at the long con-
tinued supineness of the Autliorities on the subject of Chinese piracy, tliat —
if the inen-of-war now in the roads will not interfere — the community itself
itgree to subscribe to hire an Knglish vessel to see the junks safely beyond
the Gulf of Siam, and that the local Government be requested to license
said vessel.

Proposed by Dr. Little, and seconded by T. 0. Crane : — This meeting
highly approves of the conduct of the local Government in detaining the
suspicious junks now in the harbour until the trading junks are safely be-
yond their reach.

Proposed by J. d'Almeida, and seconded by A. J. Spottiswoode : —
That the following gentlemen be appointed a Committee to carry out the
foregoing resolutions : — Messrs. Guthrie, Read, Logan and Duff."

Tlie paper was full of accounts of piratical murders, and the Govern-
ment steam- vessel Hooghly was too slow to be of any use, and there were
very few men-of-war near Singapore. Eventually orders came from the
Admiralty to the Admiral on the Station to send a vessel to the Gulf of
Siam. The Government at last began to take away the rudder of doubtful
piratical junks in the harbour, and prevent them leaving until they were
searched for arms. In some cases, junks were fully manned, but without
any cargo.

The number of covers that passed throngli the Post Office in April of
this year was 31,683.

1855 621

It was in May of this year that the Bengal Government sanctioned
building the new Church (the present Cathedral) as said on
page 493. The Free Press said " The Government of India, has
approved the plan submitted to them of the proposed structure,
which is described as being a very liandsome one and a great
improvement upon the former buildiuir. If it is practicable to change
the site of the building, we should recommend, in place of the
present one, the piece of level ground half way up the Govern-
ment Hill, and which is marked by a withered tree. This site is
airy and at the same time e:isily accessible from all quarters, and
would advantageously display the architectural beauties of the new
etlifice. It would, moreover, leave the whole of the present Church
compound available for other public buildings, siicl; as the new
Court House, for which at present there seems some difficulty in
finding a suitable locality." The suggestion was, fortunately, not
carried out, and the new Church was built on the former site,
which was much more suitable.

In the month of Mav it became known to the inhabitants of
Singapore, that a Pjuropean of the name of Thorn, who liad been
convicted in the Snpreme Court at Calcutta of murdering his wife,
and sentenced to transportation for life, was to be sent to Singa-
pore to undergo his sentence. I^he natural inference from this was
that, as the Australian Colonies were no longer avtailable as penal
Setrlements, the Supreme Government intended to convert the Straits
Settlements into a receptacle for the European felons of India, as
ihev alreadv were for native convicts. A meetin<? of the inhabitants
of Singapore* was immediately held, which was numerously attended
by the Europeans and Chinese residents. Resolutions were adopted
ener^^etically protesting against the further degradation, which it was
anticipated, the Government intended to inflict upon Singapore. A
memorial was drawn up, addressed to the (lOvernor-General, which
the Mon'ble the Governor refused to forward, as, in his opinion, it
was couched in rather more violent lano:na":e than seemed consistent
with official usage, and it was, therefore, sent direct to the Governor-
General. The Governor, at the same time, is understood to have
pointed out the strong objections which existed to making this a
penal station for European convicts, and the result of the agitation
on the subject was, that the Government of India speedily intimated
that it had no intention of transporting European convicts to Singa-
pore, and that Thom had only been sent here in consequence of the
Supreme Court having named it as the place to which he was to
be transported. Petitions were made to Parliament, and Mr. John
Crawfurd wrote a long memorandum on the subject, which was laid
before Parliament, dated from the Athenaeum Club, London, August
30th, 1855. 'J^he result was that the Secretary to the Government
of India wrote to say that the Government had no intention to
transport P]uropean convicts to Singapore and that a Bill would be
brought before the Legislature to change Thorn's sentence, which
was done, and he was removed.

In May, Mr. Moniot, who had been Government Surveyor at
Penang, was appointed to Singapore for the purpose of reorganising

622 Anecdotal History of Singapore

the Survey Department liere — a periodical attempt at settliug an old
grievance with the usual insufficient means to carry it out.

Deaths by tigers during this yeat- became very numerous, and
a great deal of attention was drawn to the subject. The Calcutta
paper, the Friend of India, suggested that so many deaths were
scarcely likely to be caused by tigers, and that it was possible the
Chinese secret societies might imitate tigers' wounds on murdered
persons ! And the London Fwich of October 27th had the following
paragraphs : —

- A SCHOOL FOR TIGERS IN THE EAST.

** Rnpid Depopulation of Singapore by Tigers. — Two deaths by tigers every
vfvoV { says the Singapore Free Prexs ) are read of in the papers, just about
as much a matter of course as the ari-ival or departure of the P. & O. Com-
pany's stt*amers. It is notorious that during the last fifteen or twenty years
many thousands of men have lost their lives from this cause. Tet the only
measures adopted by Government, so far as we know, to prevent this enormous
bacrifice of life, have been to dig tiger-pits in various parts of the island
( which we are now told did Uttle or no good ). and to jjive a reward of one
hundred Company's rupees for every tiger killed on the island. The reward is.
for all practical purposes, ineffective; it ought to be increased to two hundred
and fifty rupees; for the price of procuring the destruction of one tiger in
the jungle of Singapore is a hundred dollars, and the thing cannot be done
for one iiundred and ten Company's rupees. Such is the position in which we
are now placed.'

" If the population of Singapore is really being converted into food for tigers,
and the inhabitants are departing as re^ulai'ly as the steamers, it is high time
that something should be done to save the remnant of the populace. Consider-
ing that the tigera have evidently irot the upper )iand, "ve think they show a
sort of moderation in taking only two inhabitants per week, and there is
consequently no hope of any further diminution, for it in clear that the brutes
are already on what may l»e C(msi<1ered low diet. We cannot be surprised at
the anxiety of the Editor of the Singapore Fret* Press, who may any day be
selected as a moiety of the weekly allowance of the somewhat abRtemious tigers,
who appear to be practising the negative virtue of moderation and regular living.
Since the Governm^-nt will not. <»r cannot, tuke the matter up, and put the ti^jer
down, we would advise the population of Singapore to enter into an ari*aiigeuient
with the brute-slayer at the top of the Haymarket, and we have no doubt that
Mr. Cumming would be haile<l as the Coming Man, if he were to offer his services.

**The Singapore journalist expresses his fear that the * evil will go on incresis-
ing.' — or in other words, that the population will go on diminishing — and we fully
sympathise with his editorial fears ; for even should he be so lucky as to escape
till after every other inhabitant is disposed of, it would be but a sorry conso-
lation to feel oneself constituting the last mouthful at a feast of tigers.

** We suspect that our Eastern contemporary is either indulging in a little
romance, or is agitiited by fears that have grown up under the enervating influence of
the climate, for we cannot suppose that the people and the Government are quietly
submitting to the gmdual consumption of the inhabitants in the manner described.
nnd our friends at Singapore will excuse us. therefore, if we have treated somewhat
li;;htly a subject that we should certainly regard as no joke, if we put faith in the
statements on which we have commented."

Oil the 25th Mj»y, Mr. John Kinsey Salmon died, at the age of sixty
years. He was a native of Flintshire, and one of the old Bencoolen
Officers under the East India Company, and lived during the latter years
of his life, with a pension, in Singapore.

In July, a subscription was made towurds the Roman Catholic Church
in Malacca, of which the paper spoke as follows: —

'' We have now before ns plana of a handsome and spacious Gothic
Church in coarse of ereotimjAJfplMOib under the direction of the ReVi

-* '>:*r^

1855 623

fr. Barbe, the R. C. Minister at that station. The cost of the building is

^timated at §9,000 ; but such are the circumstances cf the Roman Catholic

hmtians at Mal.-iccji, that only about 300 ix* 400 dollars have been

liied there. The sum of about §1,100 was granted by the mission at

^eiiaiig. Most persons would have despaired of ever accomplishing the

(HBpletion of so great nn undertakiritr ; not so the French priests, whose

eal in whatever they may embark knows no hindrance. By the por-

onal exertions of the Rev. Mr. Favre, in the United States, the Mauritius,

nd elsewhere, more than $6,000 have been obtained which, with the

•ams above mentioned, have been expended on the Church. It appears.

lowever, that the sum of $1,000 is required to complete the building, and

o obtain this sum the Rev. Mr. Barbe is about to make an appeal to the

Singapore community."

It was in this year that the nutmeg disease got to such a head. The
5V»6 Pre88 of 12th July published long papers by Dr. Oxley and others,
m tbe disease, and its possible remedies.

The following is an account of the total amount of Municipal Asse?s-
fMMit and Taxes during the preceding six years, in round numbers : —

1849 .. nsfioo

1850 . 28,800

1851 ... 31,000

1852 ... 32,000

1853 .. 34,000

1854 ... 40,000
The expenditure was always from $2,000 to $3,000 in excess. It was
is year that the cross road from Seletar to Bukit Mandai was made.
in August, the new clipper ship Kate Carnie, named after Mr.
ie^s sister, built under Captain Rodger's superintendence, came out

home. She made the best passage then known — 88 days from
glaud and 28 from the Cape. She was very well known here during

next ten years, being a famous opium clipper, and commanded by
^ptain Rodger, whose son was then in Martin Dyce & Co.'s firm and
bwame afterwards a partner in that house, and to whose memory there is
ft window in the Cathedral.

On the 11th August, a public meeting was held in the News Rooms
in Commercial Square at which nearly every European in the place was
present. Mr. James Guthrie was in the Chair. It proved t6 be the
beginning of the agitation for the Transfer from the East India Company.
rhe primary cause of the meeting was the Act which had just
been published introducing the copper currency of India in
ftddition to the cents of the Spanish dollar. The second resolution
proposed by Mr. W. H. Read and seconded by Mr. W. G. Kerr, was
is follows : —

''2. — ^That by the passing of the Act 17 of 1855 this meeting
is forced into the painful conviction that the Legislative Council of
India, in treating with utter disregard the remonstrances of the in-
habitants, have shewn that they are neither to be moved by any
prospect of doing good, nor restrained by the certainty of doing
evil, to the Straits Settlements, and that it is therefore the bounden
daty of this community to use every exertion and to resort to every
means within its reach to obtain relief from the mischievous mea-

624 Anecdotal History of Singapore

siires nlready enacted, nnd to escape from the infliction of others of
the same nature, more coinpreliensive, and still more hurtful."

In this year a table of precedence as regarded the East Indies
was issued by tlie Queen, and proclaimed in India and the Straits.
The Grovernor-G-eneral lieaded the list, of course, and it is only
referred to here as showing where the Straits came — which was away at the
foot, the Governor and the Eecorder coming after the Puisne Judges of
tlie Courts of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay.

Reviews of the troops were held several times during the year o.i the
Esplanade. In December, a full dress parade of all troops was held, and
the proclamation relating to the taking of Sebastopol was read and a
rovHl salute fired.

In August, Mr. George Wahab, of the London Police, arrived :ind
took np his position of Depnty Superintendent of Police. He was engaged
in England by Mr. A. Guthrie, at the request of the Municipality. The
following is an extract from the Minutes of the Municipal Committee in
August :-

" The Committee notice with regret, the continued and increasing
obstructions in the verandahs, some of them so completely closed in as to
exclude the public. The early attention of the Police is requested to the
evil, as it is apprehended that unless prompt nieasines are adopted, the
rights, c«»nvenience and interests of the community will permanently an«l
materially be impaired."

"At the suggestion of Mr. Harvey, the all important question of the
drainage of the town is again brought under review. 1'he increase of the
town population, together Avith the densely crowded state of many of the
houses, vividly and daily remind the members individually and collectively
of the imperative necessity for an imm ^diate amelioration of a state of
things fraught with so direful consequences. The Committee have no
hesitation in reiterating their deliberate opinion, that, considering the
site of the town was selected by the Governmer^t Officials and a large sum
has already been paid into the local Tieasury for lands sold, and holders
of property pay an annual quit-rent exceeding 20,000 Rupees to the
State, it is for the Executive alone to undertake the efficient drainage
of the town ; this measure the Committee conceive cannot be deferred
without imminent risk, and possibly loss of life, to an extent fearful
to contemplate. Should the Government of India still withhold their
aid after this representation, the Committee will then, under the
exigence of the case, be constrained to accept as a loan a sum
not exceeding 100,000 Rupees, to be disbursed as required. The
Committee, however, can offer no positive guarantee for the regular
payment of the interest or the gradual liquidation of the principal,
this must necessarily depend on the amount of the funds available
by the Committee at the close of each year."

On September 12th, a branch of the Mercantile Hank of India,
London and China (as it was then styled) was opened here by Mr.
Walter Ormiston as Manager.

On the 22nd October, the Recorder, Sir William Jeffcott, died at
Penang at the age of 55 years. He was the second Recorder in the
Straits who had died in office, the first being Sir Francis S. Bay ley,
who died at Penang in 1824, about two months after his arrival. Sir

1855 625

William wjis only ill for a few days, and was at the same time suffer-
ing under considerable anxiety of mind as to his future position in r*--
ference to the new arrangements of the Judicial system in the Straits,
and was annoyed at indirectly learning that the Singapore division of
the Court had been assigned to him, as he much preferred Penang as
a place of residence. He was an Irishman. A Dublin paper in 1842
said : — '' As a lawyer, he was among the most rising on the Munster
Circuit. Nearly, related to the late lamented Chief Baron Wolf, he
possessed much of his ability, integrity and sterling independence of
character. Indeed, Mr. JefFcott has established a reputation at the Bar
of being a sound and safe lawyer."

In that year he went to Australia as a Judge, but returned to
Ireland and resumed practice at the Bar, and held an appointment
under the Attorney-General there. In 1849, he succeeded Sir Christopher
Rawlinson as Recorder in the Straits, when the latter went to Madras
as Chief Justice. During his residence in the Straits, Sir William
Jeffcott sustained the character which in his earlier years he seems to
have gained at the Irish Bar, of being a sound and painstaking
lawyer, and, without evincing any extraordinary legal attainments, he
commanded respect by the earnest manner in which he discharged
his judicial functions. Any slight irritability he occasionally allowed
to be seen was sufficiently explained and excused by the fact that
he laboured under a painfuL internal disorder. Soon after his
arrival in the Straits Sir William JefFcott shewed his anxiety to
administer justice in the most efficient manner that the circumstances
of these Settlements would permit, and for that purpose made nn
alteration in the periodical circuits of the Court, by which Singa-
pore was visited three times in the year, instead of only twice, as
formerly. Sir William JefFcott was highly esteemed in private life.
He was of a generous and benevolent disposition, and never failed
to respond in the most liberal manner to all appeals for assist-
ance, whether on behalf of individuals or institutions, which were
made to him, and these were by no means infrequent. He
took a deep interest in the cause of education in the Straits, and
embraced every opportunity which presented itself of promoting its
improvement. He was offered a Judgeship both at Calcutta and
Bombay while he was in the Straits, but he declined both. Minute
guns were fired from Fort Fullerton in Singapore, on the news of
his death reaching here. He was succeeded, in the following year,
by Sir Richard McCausland.

As an example of the way in which the Municipality worked
with the public at that time, the following is taken from their
minutes in October regarding the way in which the present road to
Tanjong Pagar was widened. It was then only used as a road to
Mount Palmer and a small village.
"The Hon'ble T. Church, Esq.,

Chairman of the Mnnicipal Committee,

&c., &c., &c.

" Sir, — ^We beg to inform you that all the Proprietors of Land
on the south side of the Tanjong Pagar Road, have agreed to
give up a sufficient space of their ground, to form a ditch inside

626 Anecdotal History of Singapore

of the present hedge, so as to follow the widening of the road to
that extent. This would be of great convenience to the public, the
present road being so very narrow and dangerous.

'^ This road, you are aware, has long been, and still is, in a very
bad state, and we would therefore hope that no time will be lost in
carrying out the above desirable improvement and putting it in a
thorough state of repair.

We have, &c.,

J. Guthrie,

CURSETJEE FrOMMURZE. "

" The Committee fully recognise the desirableness of making the
improvement and reform adverted to, and relying on the assurance
that all parties are willing to surrender the requisite space, the Com-
mittee are prepared to commence on the work at an early date, in
the hope and expectation that the Executive will contribute a moiety
of the outlay, as the road in question leads to * Lake's Battery '
recently constructed on Mount Palmer.^'

There were three fires towards the end of the year, after the
lapse of a considerable period without one. The first was a fire at
Tanjong Ru, the second at Kampong Malacca, and the third, in
November, at the corner of Kling and Philip Streets. At the
latter eleven houses were burnt out, some of which were stored with
very combustible materials — turpentine, oil, &c. ; and twenty houses
were pulled down or injured in stopping it. The whole of the burnt
block belonged to Syed Ali bin Mahomed Al Junied ; and the Free
Press said : ' Being a Mussulman he is, of course, uninsured, but it
is understood that he is better able to bear his loss than many of
his less fortunate tenants. The loss was about $33,000."

In the beginning of December, there was a very unusual amount of
rain, the country was flooded and the roads in many places were almost im-
passable. Serangoon district was a vast lake, and communication had to
be made by sampans. It rained without intermission from 7 a.m. on the
30th November to 4 a.m. on the 2nd December. And as the tide con-
tinued about high water mark for three consecutive days, the rain remained
on the low lands and overflowed the roads, to the depth of two feet in
places. There was heavy weather in the China Sea, and the P. & O. steamer
had to lay to off Point Komania for twenty-four hours, as the atmosphere
was so thick with heavy rain, that no one could see half the length of
the vessel.

In December, a schooner, the Alma, with gunpowder on board, was
struck by lightning in Malacca and blown up, one man out of the crew of
twelve being recovered. This again drew attention to the want of control
of the storage of gunpowder in the town and harbour of Singapore.

The following account of the practices of small Kling shop-keepers in
Singfipore was published at this time by a Malay resident ; —

" Many of my nation, the Orang Malayu, who come from sequestered
localities and the interiors of rivers, people who are very simple, and men
of the diiEferent tribes of Buoris, who are not accustomed to resort to Sinsfa-
pore to trade, are cheated and deceived in the cloth shops of the Klings
because their shops being shut in by screens of cloth next the public street

1855 627

are nearly quite dark, and the verandahs are also rendered impassable by
benches and stools on which many persons sit. In the darkness and con-
fusion thus produced, goods which are coarse become fine ; good silver
money is transmuted into copper ; doits, which were suflScient in tale, lose
part of their number; and measurement becomes deficient. The sellers are
rude and overbearing to the simple buyers and insist on their purchasing.
From these causes how often are people cheated and deceived and suffer
loss. If they douH submit to the exactions of the Klings, then a row is
kicked up and the buyers are hustled about by the Kliugs. Hence dis-
turbances take place, but the police cannot readily find out the scene of
disturbance on account of the screens of cloth which enclose the
verandahs.'*

At this time the syces of private carriages and hacks always ran
along with the pony and never sat on the carriage. Colonel Butterworth
imported a large carriage and four horses, and when attending the
evening service at St. Andrew's on dark nights, the syces ran at the sides
of the horses with lanterns.

The North Western Bank of India, of which the head office was al
Calcutta, opened a branch at 19, Malacca Street on 20th December. David
Duff was the Agent.

628 Anecdotal Hhtonj of Singapore

CHAPTER XLIV

185G.

ON New Year's Day a picnic party composed of a large number of the
merchants went out on a trial trip, and the result is told in the
following account in the Free Press, The steamer waR afterwards sold to
pay the damages : — " The screw steam-ship Lahian, Captain Browne, be-
longing to the Eastern Archipelago Company, previous to proceeding on
her voyage to Labuan, made a trial trip in the direction of the Raffles
Light-house; her machinery, &c., having undergone alterations and
repairs since her arrival here. She left the anchorage about seven in the
morning, and after having passed the barque Zarah, which sailed the
same morning for Akyab, rounded the Light-house and steamed towards
Singapore on her return. S^on after this, at about ten o'clock, the Labuau
and the Zarah, which was coming towards her close hauled to the wind,
came into collision, when the steamer took the barque directly amidship on
the star-board side, carried away the barque's mainmast with her bowsprit,
and, with her bowstay, which consisted of a strong iron chain, literally
sawed the barque in two. The Zarah sank within three minutes of the
contact. The officers and crew were all saved and taken on board the
Lahuan, The hull of the steamer was apparently uninjured and scarcely
appeared to touch the other vessel, but her bowsprit was snapt by the
collision, and becoming entangled with the rigging of the Zarah, was
dragged out, together with the topmast and rigging, when the barque
sank. The whole party were down below at a meal, and the Captain
had been called down for a minnte when they heard the crash, and only
reached the deck in time to see the barque's masts disappearing beneath
the waves/'

in January the Rev. Mr. Sames who had kept a school in Malacca for
some years and had a free school for native boys in Hill Street, at the old
Assembly Rooms at the foot of Fort Canning, left Singapore in conse-
quence of ill health and went to England.

At this time a question was raised by the Police about the horse sales
in the Square, and the Free Press remarked that it was a practice as old
as the Square itself and it would be a great injustice to stop them. The
practice was continued until about 1890, when it ceased because of the
large traffic through the Square. It had been a great convenience to all,
as it was a good opportunity, after tiffin time, to see what was offered, and
there was little difficulty in finding buyers.

On Tuesday evening, the 4th March, the Bishop of Calcutta laid the
foundation stone of the present St. Andrew's Cathedral, as already
stated on page 293.

The paper in April contained the following paragraph : — " The small
cutter Tear an' Ages which lef*^ this about a month ao^o with the mails for

1856 629

Java^ returned on the 1st instant. She made the run down to Batavia in
six days. The voyage altogether was a venturous one at this season of
the year for a craft of her size, as she is not more than 40 tons burthen."
In those days when the- mail steamers broke down, mails were forwarded
by any available opportunity, generally by men-of-war, but in default of
anything better, the little Singapore yacht undertook the experiment.

The Tear an' Ages belonged to Mr. Cursetjee Froramurzee and Mr.
W. H. Read. The name of the boat was to have been the Ariel, but at
the launch, an officer of the Artillery, an Irishman, and a General Officer
now, chaffing and laughing, did not notice the chocks being knocked away,
and the cutter had already gone some distance, when he dashed after her,
with a ** Tear an' Ages," and broke the bottle over the bows. ^' By Dad,"
said he, " and what's her name ?" It was too late to alter it then. She
was afterwards sold to Bishop McDougall and named the Southern Croaa^
as a mission boat, and was subsequently bought as a gunboat by the
Sarawak Government, and, as the Badger^ fought a gallant action, under
sail, with two Lanun jpra/iifc*, crippling one, which was afterwards aban-
doned, and damaging the other considerably. The £ad<7er was wrecked
on the bar of the*Bintulu river. Her run to Batavia would have been
quicker, but the nights were dark and the skipper cautious, so he
anchored. The residents at Batavia got up a handsome subscription to pay
the expenses of the trip.

In April, the whole community gave a Ball to the Commodore and
Officers of the French Squadron, which took place in the P. & 0. Com-
pany's establishment at New Harbour. The English Admiral, Sir James
Stirling, came from Hongkong the same afternoon, and, being about the
time of the Crimean War, the proceedings were very enthusiastic.

In April the Free Press mentioned that Captain Keppel had been
appointed to command the gunboat flotilla to proceed to the Baltic
if the Crimean War should not be concluded ; and printed parts of
a speech by Sir Charles Wood, the First Lord ot the Admiralty,
in the House of Commons, in reference to the matter, in which he
said " Captain Keppel has seen more active service than almost any
other officer of his rank, and if my Hon. friend were to poll the
entire navy, he would find its unanimous opinion to be that there
is not a better, or more gallant, or more deserving officer in the service.
Captain Keppel has distinguished himself on every occasion in which
his services have been called into requisition, the most recent instance
is during his command of the Naval Brigade before Sebastapol."

The Municipal Committee this year consisted of Mr. Church, the
Resident Councillor, as Chairman, and four members ; Captain R.
Macpherson, Superintendent of Convicts, ej^-officio ; John Harvey of McEwen
& Co. ; H. M. Simons of Ker, Rawson & Co. ; and H. T. Marshall,
the Superintendent of the P. & 0. Company. Mr. J. Moniot was in
charge of the Government Survey Department.

The German Club, called the Teutonia Club, was started on the
28th June by about seven members, and the first committee was com-
posed of Otto Puttfarcken, Arnold Otto Meyer, and Franz Kustermann.
It was opened in a house in North Bridge Road, behind where Raffles
Hotel now is, but a little way further towards Rochore than the end
of that building. The Club was removed about six months afterwards

680 Anecdotal History of Singapore

to Blanche House, which is still standing on Mount Elizabeth, near the
present Club building. The first club house was built about 1862, and
many entertainments were given in it. On 25th June, 1886, a cele-
bration on a very large scale was given in it to celebrate the thirtieth
anniversary of the Club, and some excellent poetry in German, written
by Mr. H. Ebhardt, was recited, a translation being given to the
English guests. It was in this building thnt Prince Henry of Prussia
was entertained by the Club in February, 1898. The building becoming
too small for the increased German community, the present much
larger and handsome building was built, and opened ^vith a large
ball on 21st September, 1900..

There were two Government bungalows at that time ; one at
Changie and the other at Bukit Timah, near the road; a Govern-
ment Notification issued in September stated that they were expressly
constructed for the use of officers on duty in the rural districts, but
were open to the use of others at other times.

In July, it was decided to construct a wooden foot-bridge across
the river a little above where Cavenagh Bridge now stands, the
estimated cost was $9,835.49, which included a carriage way of sixteen
£3et wide. There were then only two bridges — Coleman's, built in
1840, and Thomson's, in 1844 — and as the Post OflSce was across
the river, communication from the Square had to be carried on in
boats, which was very inconvenient. The projected plan was not
followed out, and some time after a foot bridge only, with a toll
of a quarter of a cent, was put up.

Mr. Carpenter, who painted the two well-known views of Singapore,
was here in September. The Free Press spoke of him as follows : —
Mr. Carpenter, an English Artist who has been resident here for
some time, has just completed a view of Singapore, in oil colours,
which is by far the best hkevcss of this place which we have ever
yet seen. It is taken from Mount Wallich, and includes the whole
of the town, while the back ground embraces an extensive panorama
from Bukit Timah to Johore Hill. The foreground contains characteristic
groups of Malays, &c. Mr. Carpenter proposes, if a suflScient number
of subscribers can be obtained, to have this picture engraved in
line, in the best style, and we are sure it will form a very desir-
able acquisition to all who are in any way connected with Singapore.
The picture for the present is to be seen at the news-room in
Commercial Square, but it will ere long be transmitted to London,
so that those who have not yet had an opportunity of inspecting
it should lose no time in paying it a visit." The lithographed
copies, of which there were many for a long time hanging in the
houses in Singapore, were made in 1858.

The curious way in which the convicts from India were kept
under control, which led, however, to no evil results, and provided
a body of men who did a great deal of good work in road making,
building the Cathedral, Government House, and other public works,
is shown by the following account of some of their proceedings in
this year: —

"It appears that the authorities, having at last made up their
minds to forbid the convicts from exercising privileges which are

M of the free inhabitants of Singapore, gave orders

1856 631

that on the occurrence of the last Mohurrum the convicts should not
be allowed to carry their taboot in procession through the streets as
in former years, bat that their demonstrations should on this occasion
take place within their own lines. This did not please these men,
who had been accustomed to enjoy a degree of license strangely
inconsistent with their condition, and accordingly on the evening of
Wednesday last, the 10th September, some hundreds of them forced
their way out of the lines, and carrying their f aloof, and lighted by
torclies, they marched in procession to the liouse of the Resident
Councillor, where they vented their displeasure by noisy cries and
excited gestures and afterwards proceeded to the Government Offices,
where they were at last prevailed upon by two of the officers, who
had previously in vain attempted to restrain them, to return to their
quarters.

'^ Such an outbreak will no doubt appear strange to persons who
are unacquainted with the way in which tlio convicts are managed
in the Straits and the degree of license accorded to them. In former
years they were allowed to indulge in their Saturnalia without
restraint, their taboot was the gayest, and their processions the
noisiest to be seen on the public streets. With only one or two
European officers over them, the whole of the staff of Jemedars,
peons, &c., are convicts, who must of course to a great extent be iden-
tified in feelings and interest with those over whom they are placed.
Large gangs are dispersed over the country in open lines, without any
adequate guard or control over them, and these persons can have very
little feeling of restraint. They look upon themselves as superior to
the rural population and fully demonstrate this by their behaviour.
Whatever may be the theoretical rules for their management, practically
they are allowed a degree of liberty and freedom from discipline which
is inconsistent with their status as convicts."

On 21st March, by the P. & 0. Mail steamer Madraa the new
Recorder, Sir Richard Bolton McCausland, arrived from England with
Mrs. McCausland. Sir Benson Maxwell, who was the new Recorder
for Penang, came at tlie same time. Sir Benson had been on a
Commission concerning the conduct of the Crimean war, and in the
Free Presa was a quotation which had been taken from Punch,
though it did not say so. The lines attracted general notice in
England.

" Whom shall we hang

Is off to Penang

With a place of £200 a year;

The book was a sham,

and we think my Lord Pam

Buys his whitewash excessively dear.'^

Whether it was a misprint in the Free Press by printing £200
instead of £2,000, or whether the writer was mistaken, cannot now
be traced, as there is no copy of Punch of 1856 to be found in
Singapore ; but the salary of the Recorder of Singapore was fi«. 25,000,
and that of Penang H«. 20,000 a year.

The Court was opened on 22nd March by the Recorder, and the
new Charter of the Court of Judicature of Prince of Wales Island,

. .. T .. . liiiiv wliicli the Recorder
-.•/.lite. .Sir P. B. Maxwell l.'ein^'

• - .- tliiit eight ^'"eiitleiiieii, who
i* leltiT to the (lovenior datO'l

■ ■■•re Messrs. T. II. C;iin|»l»i'l]. T.
:i llarrix)!!. John Ilarvrv. II. I.

■ the News IJodius in (.'"riiiiiereiJil

■ :iie ])ur[)Ose of takiiiL' int'» I'on-
^::-.m'is ] Act and other matter.- of
• W. H. Kead was ealle<l to the t'liair,

■ieets for whieh the iiuetiiiLr wa-

■ ■• 'i-eedinirs whieh had recently taken

■• ■ rnient of peace olHcers, an«l wliicl:

i.rendent and unjiaid . Justices "t th-j

- - ihject was not withont Leariiiir '-n tin

*ii>cuss, and as lie saw several <.'i the

:i.vy would a How the r<.)rresp ^ndein'c

:. ■. and the (lovernoi*, to be read f«'r tlio

■• ••.h was done, and the followinL*' res-Oii-

V ■ '. and secondeil by A. J. Spotti.>wi.M.Hie : —
I'oinninnitv be «^iv(?n to the ex-Mairis-
■ '. .i:id spirited condu(*t in ]-esisiini^ the
■ 'vernnient.

•.■•;!nin«r, and secondcnl bv 1). Untl : —

.•,'„*:> to Act XIII of I8")0, as roirurd^ the

■/:•: of the Police Foi-ce — being of opinion

' rarnisli tln^ funds for its maintenance, aro

;> control, and therefore earnestly jirotests

»: A unconstitutional measure which ])laces tlu'

\«: .is of the (iovernment.

," S-.vtriswoode, and seconded bv H. C. AVoods : —

: .'..I'.nis as a ri«rht that which has been already

•v ii". Legislative Council in the preamble of Act

'.".at "it is expedient thai all constables and

'^.c'.N anil other persons appointed to perform

^ • . .'. ee appi>inted by the Authorities from whom

.\i\ and no others;" — this meeting therefore

!,• appoint ment of police officers is vestt-d in

the (Iovernment should defray the expenr>e>

t.Vsnint should the assessment funds be applied to

ilarve\. and seconded by 'l\ ( ). Crane: —

..V, "i;; ailheres to the oi)inion expressed at ami

. .■ meeting iiehl on the -7th Se})tend>er, ISoo,

Municipal i^'onnnissioners should consist of ^evt•n

,. .'v vTument mend>ers, it being of opinion that by

ixie»"esl'» "f the Kate-payers would nut be adetpiately

•k »

1856 633

Proposed by 0. H. Harrison, and seconded by H. T. Marshall : —
That Section 16 of the Municipal Assessment Straits Bill, by
which power is given to the Governor or Resident Councillor to fill up
vacancies occurring in the Municipal Committee is decidedly objection-
able, and this meeting is of opinion that such vacancies should be
supplied by a new election.

Proposed by J. J. Greenshields, and seconded by T. H. Campbell : —
That this meeting indignantly protests against the insidious introduc-
tion of the Rupee Currency by the provisions of the Acts under review.
Proposed by T. 0. Crane, Esq., and seconded by W. Howard, Esq. : —
That a Committee, to consist of the following Gentlemen, be ap-
pointed to petition Parliament against the objectionable Acts of the
Bengal Legislative Council : — Messrs. Logan, Read, Woods, Harvey and
Gumming.

A reference to events which occurred in former years may prob-
ablv be useful in order to understand the reasons which induced
the Justices to take such a strong measure.

By the Letters Patent from the Crown (popularly called the
Charter) bv which the former Court of Judicature of Prince of Wales
Island, Singapore and Malacca had been constituted, power was
given to the Court at their General and Quarter Sessions to
nominate and appoint constables and subordinate peace officers. The
Justices of the Peace were authorised to sit at such General or
Quarter Sessions, and to have a deliberate voice in the proceedings.
For a considerable time no attempt seems to have been made to exercise
the powers given to the Court in its General or Quarter Sessions
to regulate the Police, the executive making appointments and
exercising a tifeneral management through the Sitting Magistrate,
who was usually the Assistant Resident, and who also officiated as
Collector of Municipal Assessment, which was disbursed by him
under the control of his superiors. Matters went on in this man-
ner for a number of years, but in 1843 the daring outrages committed
by the Chinese drew the attention of the community to the in-
efficient state of the Police, and a public meeting was held at which
certain representations were made to the Government for the improve-
ment of the Police force. These were given partial effect to, and
amongst other measures adopted by the Government was the appoint-
ment of a Deputy Superintendent of Police, subordinate to and under
the control of the Sitting Magistrate, who continued to act as Super-
intendent. This was soon perceived to be a very objectionable
arrangement, especially as the Sitting Magistrate, as then appointed,
might generally be expected to be a person of much less experience
in Police affairs than the Deputy, who was liable to have his plans
thwarted by a prejudiced or ignorant superior. This actually occur-
red, and in addition it was found convenient to transfer the collection
and disbursement of the assessment to the Deputy Superintendent,
who thus had duties imposed upon him which interfered very materially
with a proper superintendence over the Police force. The evil
effects of such a state of matters were not long in manifesting them-
selves, and in 1846 the Police as to discipline and efficiency was in as
defective a state as it had been in 1843.

634 Anecdotal HistoDj of Singapore

In opening the Criminal Sessions iu April, 1846, the Recorder,
Sir \V. Xorris, in his charge to the Grand Jury, adverted in forcible
terms to the very inefficient state of the Police and made several sug-
gestions for its reform. The Grand Jury in their presentment dwelt
at considerable length on the subject, pointing out what they
conceived to be the causes of what thev did not hesitate to
designate **the present disgraceful inefficiency^' of the Police.
One of the reforms recommended by the Grand Jury was the separation of
the offices of Sitting Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, which
latter offioe they were of opinion should be conferred on the Deputy
Superintendent, Mr. Dunman, who ought to devote his whole time and
attention to the duties of his office, being relieved from the collection of
the assessment and from acting as a Sitting Magistrate. The Justices of
the Peace, finding that bv the Charter thev were clothed with certain
powers of control over the Police, conceived that it was time for them to
undertake a duty which they had perhaps too long neglected, and accord-
ingly a sitting of the Court of Quarter Ses.sions was held to consider the
matter, which was attended by the Recorder, the Resident Councillor, and
nearly all the Justices of the Peace. It was proposed at this meeting that
the sole superintendence of the Police should be given to Mr. Dunman, the
Deputy Superintendent, who was to have the entire management of the
Police, subject only to the control and direction of the Court of Quarter
Sessions. This was opposed by the Resident Councillor who considered it
would be productive of much inconvenience to remove the Police from
under the control of the Executive. The Recorder and the great majority
of the magistrates did not adopt this view, and the proposed changes were
accordingly made, the Resident Councillor protesting against them.
Under the new system of management thus introduced, the Police force
rapidly improved.

Ihe Magistrates in Quarter Sessions were not, however, long allowed
to exercise the power, of which their first use had proved so beneficial to
the community. Without waitinsr to see whether the alterations made bv
the Court of Quarter Sessions would succeed or not, the Government of
India hastened to publish the draft of an Act which, by the terms in which
it was conceived, betrayed no small deirree of pique at the course taken by
the Court of Quarter Sessions. By that Act the appointment of Constables
and Peace Officers was to be vested in the Governor of Bengal and the
Governor of the Straits Settl'^ments. The Community of Singapore
petitioned the Governor-General in Council a«;aiust this Act and prayed
that the appointment and control of the Police might be left with the
Court of Quarter Sessions, Xo attention was given to this memorial, and
in due time the Act was passed and came into operation as Act III of 1847.
Three of the non-official Justices immediately upon the Act being passed
resigned their offices, and some of the Justices at Penang took the same
step. Fn^m this time the office of Justice of the Peace in Singapore was
held in little esteem, very few non-official persons being foaud willing to
accept it.

Governor Butterworth would seem at last to have become aware
of the mistake which had been committed by the passing
of Act III of 1S47, and in the end of 1853 he induced a
number of gentlemen to allow their names to be put in the Com-

1856 635

mission of the Peace oti the understandint^ that tlie obnoxious Act
wjis to be repealed, and there was also a prospect of the appoint-
ment and control of the Police being vested in a popularly elected
Municipal body, a coarse which had before been recommended by tlie
community, and which seemed equally satisfactory with restoring the
power of the Magistrates, as in either case the Act would be repealed,
and the management of the Police left witli those in whom the
community could place confidence for its right administration.

Things remained in this state when -the Letters Patent reconsti-
tuting the Court of Judicature arrived from England, and as it was
found that they contained the same powers as the former Charter in
regard to the appointment of peace officers, it was conceived that the
authority of the Court in its Quarter Sessions of the Peace was thereby
revived, and the Justices were therefore prepared to exercise their
functions in that respect. Mr. Blundell, the Governor, however, took
a different view and thought that his powers under Act III of 1847
remained unaffected, and proceedings to try this question were taken
in Court, with the result that the Recorder hold that the opinion of
the Governor was the correct one, and that the powers of the Justices
in Quarter Sessions were not resuscitated by the recent Letters Patent.
The LegisLitive Council of India in the meantime passed their Police
Act, which extended to the Straits as well as to the Presidency Towns
of India, and by it the complete nomination and control of the Police
was committed to an officer to be appointed by Government with the
title of Commissioner of Police, and which office in the Straits Settle-
ments it was proposed to confer on the Resident Councillors. •>,

Whatever, therefore, may have been the grounds on which Colonel
Butterworth conceived himself warranted in holding out hopes that the
power of the Court of Judicature in General or Quarter Sessions would
be restored, the Government of India did not do it, and the Justices of
the Peace, who had held office on the faith of Colonel Butterworth^s
representations, had but one course left when it was seen that these
representations would not be given effect to.

On 2nd June Captain John Russell, the Postmaster and Master
Attendant resigned, and Mr.Vaughan, who was then Superintendent of
Police at Pcnang, was appointed in his place ; which gave, the paper
said, general satisfaction, as he had every qualification for the office.
A letter very numerously signed by the merchants, was sent to the
Government, suggesting that the Post Office was becoming of great
importance and recommending Mr. Cuppage, if the work could be
separated from the duties of Master Attendant and Marine Magis-
trate, which were enough for one official. It was not done for many
years afterwards.

In June the Free Press said '' The Singapore petition about the
Rupee Currency has been presented to the House of Lords by the
Earl of Albemarle, and his Lordship appears to have made himself
fully conversant with the subject, and to have stated the case of the
petitioners with much ability. Tlie reply to the elaborate exposition
of Lord Albemarle made by Lord Granville is anything but satisfactory.
Lord Granville says that the matter is not so simple as Lord Albe-
marle seems to think. We are at a loss to conjecture where the difficulty

636 Anecdotal History of Singapore

lies. To any person possessed of common sense it must be very obvious
that 9. purely decimal system, represented by a suitable silver and
copper coina»(e, is infinitely superior to a barbarous currency like that
of India. The difficult point is the strange infatuation of the Indijin
Government, including the Legislative Council, which induced them to
persist in doing their utmost to overturn the decimal currency esta-
blished in the Straits and to substitute the inconvenient Rupee system,
in spite of the strongest remonstrances from those who were to be the victims
of their meddling. Lord Granville states that the Spanish Dollar was
never a legal tender and never had been authoritatively settled as such.
There may never have been a distinct legislative enactment to that
effect, but in every other way it was sanctioned and recognised as the
legal currency of tlie Settlement. For many years all the transactions
of government were in dollars, the Charters of Justice emanating
from the Crown mentioned dollars, all suits in the Courts of a pecuniary
nature referred solely to dollars, and merchants and all other sections
of the inhabitants carried on their dealings and kept their accounts
entirely in this coin. Moreover, government further recognised this
currency by supplying a copper coinage adapted to it and to it only.
These are facts which show that whether or not the dollar had ever
been settled as a ^ legal tender ' in the Straits, there can be no doubt
that it was long the actual and only currency .^^

A public meeting was then called by the Sheriff in the Square
on Tuesday, 1st July, to take the question into consideration, and
the objections by the whole community to a Rupee currency were
insisted on as warmly as ever. The attempt of the Government in
India to force a double currency had proved a source of general in-
convenience to everyone, including the officials.

A member of the Legislative Council of India, known as Rupee
Allen, who was suj)posed to have taken the Straits affairs under his
particular care, came to Singapore from Calcutta in October, and
was actually seen in the Square. So a few merchants sought an
interview with him, to expose again the mischief which it was
endeavoured to force upon the trade of the place, but he said he
was not " at home " and went back as ignorant as he came ; the
newspaper remarking that he was one of these small minds who
think it an affront to ask them to reconsider a matter aft«r they
have expressed their opinion upon it, and consider discussion a bore,
and so gain the contempt of many and the respect of none.

Whampoa & Co. had been importing ice from America, but the
consumption was only from 400 to 500 lbs. a day, and it required
a sale of 1,000 lbs. to meet the cost and expenses, so they stopped it.

At a public meeting held in July a resolution was adopted by
a majority but subsequently withdrawn, which proposed to appoint a
committee for the purpose of drawing up petitions to Parliament
with a view to an address to the Crown, praying Her Majesty to
make Singapore a Crown Colony.

In September, Ifer, Kawson & Co., advertised for sale by auction
the late Dr. Montgomerie^s nutmeg plantation at the junction of New
Harbour and Tanjong Pagar Roads, with the dwellinof houses called
Craig Hill and Duxton, area about 32^ acres, with 1,700 nutmeg trees.

1856 637

Mr. Thomas Church left Singapore, for the last time, on Monday,
22nd September, after having been Resident Councillor for over, nine-
teen years, as already stated on page 326^ Mr. Henry Somerset
Mackenzie, a Bengal Civilian, from Penang, took Mr. Churches place,
Mr. Braddell was Police Ma<];istrate at Penang, and Mr. Willans at
Malacca.

Two small gunboats, called the Malacca and Siiigapore, were
launched in October. They were built by Tivendale & Co., and the
paper said they promised to be very efficient craft, going fast either
with oar or sail and being of very light draught in the water. They
were manned by eleven men each, armed with pistols and cutlasses, and
each boat carrying a brass 3-pounder gun. They were stationed so as to
make a complete sweep round the island, and it was their duty to be
constantly on the move, looking into the different creeks and rivers and
other resorts of sea robbers.

In October the paper said: — "The Rajah of Siak has arrived here
with thirty prahus and about 500 followers. His object, we understand,
is to fit out an expedition for the purpose of bringing to submission
a number of refractory chiefs who refuse to recognise his authority and
who have kept Siak iu a state of disorder for a year or two past. He
has purchased a schooner and other vessels of smaller size, and is lay-
ing in a lar*re supply of arms and ammunition of all kinds. As soon
as he has repressed the civil commotions in his country, the Rajah
intends to turn his attention to the development of the resources of his
state, and for this purpose, we hear, he will avail himself of European
agency. From the close proximity of Siak to Singapore the Rajah will
have peculiar facilities for carrying his intention into effect, if he pro-
ceeds upon any well regulated plan. Coal, tin and gold are said to
exist in considerable quantities, while the usual articles of produce
whi^h the Malayan forests yield, such as wax, rattans, gittah taban,
canes, dammar, &c., &c., are found in abundance.^' All this came to
nothing.

In December Mr. C. R. Rigg, who liad been Coroner, was made the
Secretary to the Municipal Commissioners, in anticipation of the passing of
the new Municipal Act. He was Secretary until he left Singapore in 1866,
and did a great deal of good work.

In December Mr. A. M. Aitken, who had in 1852 been admitted one
of the Law Agents of the Court as they were then styled, and was after-
wards called to the Bar in 1864, was appointed Registrar of the Court, in
room of Mr. Caldwell. The cause of it created a great deal of excitement
in the place at the time. The reasons for this can be seen from the
followinij passages taken from an article in the Free Press of 1 1th December.
Mr. Caldwell in after years paid off by far the greater part of his creditors
in Singapore in full ; —

" Some three weeks ago unpleasant rumours began to circulate regard-
ing Mr. H. C. Caldwell, Registrar of the Court of Judicature here, to the
effect that he had misappropriated a large sum of money entrusted to his
care for investment, and that he had tried to conceal his defalcations by
rendering false accounts to his principal, apparently showing that the
money was out at loan on mortgage. Very little credit was at first given
to these reports, as Mr. Caldwell had always borne the highest character

638 Anecdotal History of Singapore

for integrity and there Ihid been notliing in his mode of living, &e., showing
any expenditure beyond wli:it vvasjunply covered by his official eniolnments.
Abonfc a fortnight ago, however, those rumours began to acquire consistency
and strength, and were at last proved to be but too true, by Mr. Cald-
well being deprived of his otfice, the Judges of the Court having
called upon him for explanations which he was unable to give. Thus
lamentably was terminated an official connection with the Conrt <»f 28
years, during the course of which Mr. Caldwell had enjoye<l the confi-
dence and respect of his superiors and of the public, who looked upon
him as a most zealous and upright public servant.

*'The enquiries which now took place on the part of persons interested
in property entrusted to Mr. Caldwell's care, in the various capacities of
agent, trustee, executor and, through his office, as administrator in
intestate and other estates, revealed that his misappropriations had been
extensive and general, not even his most intimate friends being spared
The confidence placed in Mr. Caldweirs integrity by every class of the
community was so unlimited, that the property confided to his mana::e-
ment, in the various capacities above mentioned, was very large, and from
all that we can learn the amount which he has fraudulently made away
with cannot be less than one hundred thousand dollars, and will prob-
ably be found considerably in excess of that sum. Although repeatedly
pressed for an explanation, Mr. Caldwell would not give any intelligible
account of the manner in which he had disposed of this large sum.
Ultimately a criminal charue was made against him by one of the severest
sufferers from his frauds, but on the officers proceeding to his house to
take him into custody, Mr. Caldwell had disappeared, although seen and
conversed with only a few hours previously, and, notwithstanding the
most perserving search since, no clue has been obtained to his hiding
place. Some persons think that he has succeeded in leaving the island,
while others believe that he still remains in Singapore, concealed by
some of his native friends. The shock which this occurrence has inflicted
on the community has been great, for very seldom has any one enjoyed
such universal respect and esteem as were accorded to this unhappy
man. We have delayed as long as we could from alluding to this
matter, in the hope that something might transpire which would give
it a less repulsive aspect, but any such expectation appears now to be
vain, and it would therefore serve no good purpose to remain longer
silent.'^

Mr. Aitken held the post for a short time, and in 1857 Mr. Christian
Baumgarten was appointed and held it until 1874, when he practised at
the Bur, and Mr. Charles Eugene Velge, one of the sons of Mr. John
Velge, spoken of at page 185, was appointed Registrar.

On the 18th December, a public meeting, very numerously attended,
with Mr. W. H. Head in the chair, was held, and the foUowin*:
resolutions were passed : —

Proposed by W. Napier, and seconded by W. Paterson

That the imposition of tonnage or port dues on shipping is an
unwarrantable attack upon the freedom of this port, which this
meeting views with apprehension and regret ; as being in direct
violation of the principles upon which this Settlement was established,
and calculated to endancrer the very existence of its trade.

1856 689

Proposed by J. Harvey, and seconded by J. B. Cummin^.

That the following gentlemen be requested to form a Committee
to draw up a Memorial to the Legislative Council in India, embodying
these views : — Messrs. W. 11. liead, John Purvis, Wm. Napier, A. Logan,
Juaqnim d' Almeida and AV. G. Kerr.

The paper remarked on this as follows : —

'' The feeling of the meeting, which was very numerously attended
by the European and Chinese merchants, as well as other parties in-
terested in the welfare of Singapore, was nnanimous, and strongly
expressed against the proposition. This is not the first time, by any
menus, that it has been sought by the Government of India to intro-
duce duties at Singapore, in one form or another. So far back as
1826, the subject was mooted by the East India Company, but the
proposal met with such a warm opposition in England, that it was
aban«loned for the time being. About ten years later, the Indian Govern-
ment again brought it forward, the pretence for doing so being the
great expense incurred in putting down piracy in these seas. The
merchants petitioned both Houses of Parliament, and the result was,
that although in the meantime the authorities in India had modified
their scheme and restricted it to the levy of port or tonnage dues,
positive orders were sent from home that no measure of the kind was
to be attempted, and that if already in operation it was to be forthwith
annulled. Statesmen of all parties in England have ever recognised
the importance of maintaining in all its integrity the system
on which Singapore is conducted, and which has been produc-
tiye of such beneficial results to the trade of England as well
as to that of India. Our immediate rulers in India, however,
have never been able to regard the Settlement of Singapore through
any other medium that a revenual one; and whenever, therefore,
there has been an excess of expenditure over receipts, whether arising
from ordinary sources of disbursement or from measures required for the
protection of trade, they have frowned upon the unfortunate place,
and the one sole remedy propounded — the only suggestion they have
had to make on the subject — is the imposition of duties on the trade."

The result of this protest, supported by the action of old Singa-
poreans in London, who went to the Board of Control on the subject,
was that the Directors at Leadenhall Street sent out positive instruc-
tions to Bengal to do nothing at all in the matter, and again in the
history of Singapore the merchants maintained the freedom of the
port.

In 1854 the local Presbyterians considered the advisability of
having a Minister of the Presbyterian order in Singapore. A com-
mittee was appointed, and Dr. Guthrie, the famous Edinburgh preacher,
was requested to find a suitable Minister, and the Rev. Thomas
McKenzie Frazer, m.a., arrived in October, 1856. In the same year
a Chinese catechist named 'J'an See Boo came from Amoy, recom-
mended by Dr. Carstairs Douglas and otlier missionaries there. He
worked in a small building, used as a Mission Chapel, in the compound
of Miss Sophia Cooke's Girls' School in Sophia Road. Miss Cooke took
much interest in the matter and had induced Mr. Humphrey, the Church
cf Eng];L!id Chaplain, to begin mission work among the Chinese seme

640 Anecdotal History of Singapore

mor.tlis before the Presbyterians were actually at work. See Boo, who,
was one of the earliest Presbyterian converts in China, had been work-
ing with the Episcopalians for a time, but was afterwards ordained an
Elder in the Presbyterian Church. In September, 1860, Mr. Frazer
went to Australia; and in June, 1861, the Ke v. John Matheson arrived.
He left for home in 1866, and died at Alexandria ; having been
very much respected in Singapore. The Rev. W. Jeffrey arrived
from home in 1866, but not long afterwards he left the Presbyterian
communion and joined the Plymouth Brethren in Singapore. Mr.
Alexander Grant, m.a., a Presbyterian missionary from Amoy, and
Tan See Boo, doing the same. In 1870, the Rev. M. J. Copland, the
fourth minister, arrived, but he died suddenly in the following year,
on 1 9th February, 1871.

Thp Rev. William Dale began his ministry in November, 1871
nnd in April, 1872, the Presbyterian Church took an important step and
entcMed into the Synod of the English Presbyterian Church. Before
that the local Church had had no direct eccle.**iasticsil connection at
home.

In Mhv, 1872, as the Session had lost its Chinese Mission bv
the deflection of Messrs. Grant and See Boo, thev decided to take
over for a time Peter Tychicus and tlie Tamil congregation, and
thus becjime more interested than before in Mr. Keasberry's Mission.
On his death in 1875 the Bukit Timah Chinese Mi.ssion passed under
the care of the Presbyterian Church, and ten years later the Pres-
byterians also took charge of the Chinese work at the Prinsep Street
Chapel, which since 1885 had been under the charge of the Rev.
J. A. B. Cook. Mr. Dale was succeeded by the Rev. W. AitkeD,
M.A., whu left in 1883. The Rev. A. S. MacPhee, m.a., b.d., was
then appointed and remained until 1889, when the Rev. 6. M.
Reith came, and was succeeded by the Rev. S. S. Walker in 1896.

The services were formerly held in the building known as the
Mission Chapel, originally built by the London Missionary Society,
at the corner of Brass Hassa Road and North Bridge Road opposite
the present RaflBea Girls School, and in 1876 that site, which had
been purchased by the Presbyterian congregation from the London
Missionary Society on 3rd August, 1866, was sold and the present
Church in Stamford Road was built, the Government giving the land
free for the use of the members of any denomination of Christians
holding as their confession of faith the ecclesiastical documents received
by the different branches of the Presbyterian Church and known as
the Westminster Standard.

In December the screw steamer Sir James Brooke commenced to run
between Singapore and Sarawak, and it was in this year that the
steamers of Jardine Matheson i^ Co., and A pear & Co., commenced
to run between Calcutta and China. These steamers were the first regular
vessels to trade with the Port in addition to those of the P. and 0,
Company.

A large number of new houses had been built durin*^ the year,
but, notwithstanding this, rents rose very much and continued to
advance, and the value of fixed property, whether in town or country,
was double or treble what it had been three years before. The demand

1856 641

for residences in the conntry exceeded the supply. A new Court
House was proposed, and the side of CTOvernment Hill bolow the
cemetery was suggested, but it would have been inconvenient. The
Victoria Brick Bridge over the Rochore river was built in this year.
A new steam wharf and coal shed for the use of the Borneo Company
and Jardine Matheson & Co^s. steamers ( since called the Borneo
WTiarf ) was building, and at the west of New Harbour Mr. Badenock
commenced a dry dock under the superintendence of Captain Cloui^hton,
the spot selected being where a patent slip had been commenced
but had not succeeded. The premises were known aftei*wards as the
New Harbour Dock. The construction of a. drv dock at Pnlo Brani
was also being attempted at this time.

It was in this year that Lieut. John Frederick Adolphus McNair, r.a.,
came to Singapore. He left Kngland for Madras in 1846, a
little over seventeen years of age. One of those young Englishmen,
of whom there were so many in the history of India in former days,
who had the resolution to leave home when almost school-boys (and
whose parents were brave enough to let their boys go), at a time when
life in India was far different from what it is now; when such a vov-
age was a matter of many months ; and when a return home was looked
upon as a very distant and, perhaps, unlikely event, so much loss was
known about the country in those days. Ln 1S53 he went to Malacca in
command of the dotacliment of Madras Native Artillery stationed there.
He made friends with Mr. J. B. Westerhout, who was so well known
among the up-country natives, and was the person in Malacca to whom the
Grovernment looked for advice and assistance in dealing with the neigh-
bouring Malay States. He used to go long journeys with him into
the interior, and as he had been a student of geology in England
with an eminent geologist, he sent to Calcutta specimens of various
metals, &c., which he found in his journeys. He made a collection
also of the woods and resins of the country, which was sent to the
Government of Madras. He had been scarcely a year in Malacca
when he was sent to take command of the Artillery in Labuan, and
in July, 1856, he was called to Singapore to act as Adjutant to the
Artillery in the Straits, with his head-quarters at Singapore. While
he was in Labuan he had travelled over part of Borneo Proper,
and made a valuable collection of shells which were afterwards placed
in the Cuming collection now in the British Museum. The Governor
of the Island there was an eager coadjutor in that work ; he was
Mr. Low, now Sir Hugh Low, afterwards in Perak. He had not
been long in Singapore before he was appointed Private Secretary
and A.D.C. to the Governor — a post very different in the days of
the East India Company to what it is at present. The most
analogous now is that of the Colonial Secretary; for all the corres-
pondence of the Government then passed through the hands of the
Private Secretary. It was while he was so employed that the Indian
Mutiny broke out, and Lord Elgin was here on his way to China
in 1857, as is related in the next chapter.

In December, 1857, he was appointed Executive Engineer and
Superintendent of Convicts in the Straits. This involved the charge of
all the public works, and what was quite as important, of the

642 AiiPCfJofal History oj Singapore

Criminal Jail, holding, in very insecure walls, some three
thousand prisoners from India, Ceylon and Hongkong. He had
passed in Hindustani in India and spoke it well, and he acquired
a remarkable , personal influence over the gangs of prisoners, which
was frequently noticed. He had been fortunate in succeeding two
such officers as Colonel Man and Colonel Macpherson, who like himself
had been in the Madras Artillery. They had brought the jail into
order, and organised gangs of convicts as artificers in various trades.
Those convicts were of much use to Singapore, at a time when
labour was scarce and required for other than public purposes; for
the long roads across the island were made by them, the Cathedral
was built by them, and later on Government House, while they were
in charge of Major McNair. In 18G1, while he was in England, he
learnt photography, so that he might teach others to take the
pictures of the convicts, and he introduced it in the Grovernment service
here, and afterwards at Penang. It was no uncommon thing for
ladies and gentlemen to go and be photographed in the Jail by the
Major. There was not the competition in photography then that there
is now, when it is so much better known. It is noteworthy that in
the charge of so large a number of convicts (many times the number
there is in our jail now), he was at one time assisted by only one
European Warder, the remainder of the petty officers being recruited
from among the prisoners. An account of this is to be found in
the book lately written by Major McNair and Mr. W. D. Bayliss, who
was his assistant and Superintendent of Works and Surveys for
many years in Singapore, entitled "Prisoners their own Warders"
published in one volume in London in 1899.

No doubt the system had its defects, and that there was a wide
difference between the jail as it is now, filled with offenders sen-
tenced in Singapore, and a jail which contained criminals who came
from distant places and did not know the local language, and had
no friends outside the walls to help them to escape from the island
if they succeeded in getting clear of the jail ; but notwithstanding,
it was often a wonder to many to find so large an establishment of
the worst characters of India kept in check by what was, practi-
cally, almost personal influence alone.

The jail was one of the most remarkable sights in the place, and
no one came on a visit from India in those days without going over
it before he returned. For all sorts of things — from coir matting and
rattan chairs down to waste paper baskets — every one went to the jail,
and the rattan lounging chairs the Chinese now sell here so largely
were invented there, beginning with a cumbrous, heavy chair, which
was the first pattern, down to the shapes we see now.

In 1867 the Major returned from a visit to England. He came
out with Governor Ord, and was appointed Colonial Engineer to the
Straits Settlements— the new name of his office in the Colony, which
was then taken over from India. The first works he had to take in
hand were Government House and the Water Works, which latter had
been commenced, ignominiously smashed up, and been commenced again,
and failed again, under other hands, and were at last constructed in
his time. He made thrco schemes for the works, and one was approved

1856 643

ill England by Sir Robert Uawlinson and sanctioned by tlu* Socretary
of State. Though the Major had to bear the brunt of tlio credit (?)
of the extra expense caused to the Colony, it should be said, in justice
to him, that lie was not in any way responsible for the former designs,
and that the successful issue was due to his working while on leave
in England with Sir Robert Rawlinson, who was afterwards made the
responsible adviser of Government in the matter. By one of those
who knew of the former fiascos, how one Engineer thought water
would run up hill without a head on it, and another thought to lower
the surface of a stream by digging away at the bed of it, it was
said that the best epitaph for Major McNair's services in the Straits
would be :'^ The Water-works were finished in his time, and the Water
ran through the pipes,'' There is a road called after the Major be-
hind Tan Tock Seng's hospital in Serangoon Road.

In 1868 he went with the expedition to view the eclipse at Whae
Wan on the East Coast of the Peninsula, which caused the death of
tho old King of Siam, who went to the same place, and caught fever,
of which he died, consequent, as some thought, on curing himself with
too many Hollo way's Pills. In 1875 the Major went as Chief Com-
missioner in Perak during the disturbances, an account of which is to
be found in his book called "Perak and the Malays " published in
London in 1878. He was afterwards Resident Councillor of Penang,
and was obliged to give up the post in 1884, on medical advice, after
thirty years of hard work, and has since lived at Brighton. His eldest
daughter married the late Mr. Thomas Scott, of Guthrie & Co., and
the youngest daughter Mr. Charles Stringer of Paterson, Simons & Co.

The Major went on several missions to the surrounding countries,
besides the one to Siam, and was very well acquainted with all the
neighbouring places and their inhabitants, and his name was well
known among them. He was permitted to accept the order of the
White Elephant of Siam, and made a C.M.G. in 1879. He belonged
to several of the learned societies in England, and took a great deal
of trouble to send curiosities and specimens of fruit and other pro-
ducts to Europe. He acted as Colonial Secretary in Singapore at one
time, and there was scarcely any official in the service who knew as
much as he did about the Straits. The always ready kindness and hos-
pitality of himself and Mrs McNair were known to all, and, especially
in the old days, to young men just out from England in a strange
place, to whom such friends were a world of good. His very
courteous manner to everyone, and his consirleration, especially for all
those employed under him, will long be remembered.

Among the list of passengers who arrived from Europe on the
1 6th December by the P. & 0. Mail is found the Name of Mr. Charles
Dunlop, who came out from Glasgow to Maclaine, Fraser & Co.,
at nineteen years of age. He was afterwards a partner in tliar
firm, and subsequently for some years in Powell & Co., and has
now been longer resident in Singapore than any other European
here.

644 Anecdotal History of Singapore

CHAPTER XLV.

1857

ON the 2nd January all the shops remained closed, the markets
were deserted, and the boatmen and hack-gharry syces refused
to work. The Municipal and Police Acts liad been brought into
force without their objects being properly made known to or under-
stood by the natives, and considerable misconception prevailed about
them, which led to a general combination among the native
population.

An attempt to induce a shop-keeper to open his shop, led to a
riot in which the police were roughly handled, and as the state of
affairs in China had given rise to some feelings of ill-will towards
Europeans on the part of some of the lowest classes of the Chinese,
matters began to assume a somewhat serious appearance. In those
days there were very few Singapore-born Chinese in the place.

A public meeting was called by the Sheriff at one o'clock in
the afterno<>n. Mr, John Purvis was Chairman, and a committee of
nine European gentlemen, with Whampoa and Tan Kim Cheng, was
appointed to wait at once upon the (Governor, asking him to issue
a proclamation calling upon people tt) return to their business, and
saying that any acts of intimidation would be severely punished ;
and that the Governor was at all times ready to listen to proper
complaints, respectfully made, and that the translations of the Acts
would be revised.

The following proclamation was issued in Chinese the same
day : " Xow on account of all classes of the people closing their
shops, and not wishing to do business because they have heard
that the words of the new Act are not clearly understood; people
do not understand it, therefore it is difficult for them to obey, and
in consequence the present misunderstanding has arisen, and the
closing of the shops has taken place. Now be it known that within
one month hence the definitions of the Act will be more clearly
explained, in order that it may be fully understood. If in the body
of the Act there is anything objectionable to the mass of the
population, such as know thereof may come within one month to
the Court, and to the Governor may make known their complaint.
Now you ought all to open your shops and transact your business
as usual and do not disobey this. This is given to understand/'

An adjourned meeting was held the next day, Saturday, at
3 p.m., when the greater part of the shops had been opened, and
a long discussion took place incidentally about the probable advantage
thai would result, if the Settlements were transferred to the direct

1857 645

rule of the Crown. Some amusement was caused by a counter-
proclamation in Chinese being read. It had been found pasted over
the Government proclamation; the purport being that no faith was
to be put in the Governor's promise to have the law explained ;
that he only wished to gain time and secure provisions ; while the
Chinese were quite ready with guns to sweep away every barbarian
from the island.

Mr. W, H. Read proposed, seconded by Mr. T. 0. Crane, a
resolution, which was carried unanimously, as to the danger of the
Secret Societies, on whose lieadmen the people evidently relied in
the disturbances; and the same committee as before was asked to
wait upon the Governor, and satisfy themselves that the authorities
were prepared to suppress any outbreak that might arise.

The Military and the Volunteer RiHes were in readiness, and
bome large guns were mounted on Government Hill (now Fort Canning)
and Pearls Hill. An additional regiment was soon afterwards sent
from Madras.

At the Assizes in the following week the Grand Jury in their
Presentment at the close of the Session dwelt at considerable length
on the dangers to the peace of the Settlement arising from the
Secret Societies or Hoes amongst the Chinese being allowed to exist
unchecked, and suggestions were offered as to the best means of
dealing with these societies.

The enforcement of the l^olicc and Conservancy Acts by the
Police gave rise to another disturbance in February, confined however
to one section of the Native population, the Klings, and was unfortu-
nately attended with considerable bloodshed and loss of life. The
Imauni of the Mahomedan Mosque in Telloh Ayer Street had obtained
a license to celebrate a festival extending over several days, on the
condition that the proceedings should terminate each evening at ten
o'clock. On the evening of the 5tli February, Arthur Pei'.nefather, one
of the Police Inspectors, going his rounds between ten and eleven,
accompanied by a Police Sergeant and several peons, found a large
assemblage of Klings at the Mosque, completely blocking up the
road in Telloh Ayer and Japan Streets, there being also obstruc-
tions in the shape of stakes and plantain trees stuck in the ground.
The Inspector ordered the obstructions to be removed by the peons,
but this was resisted by the Klings. The Inspector then sent to the
Police station for a reinforcement, he himself remaining on the spot
with the Sergeant. Seven or eight policemen presently arrived, some
of them armed with loaded muskets. The Inspector then again ordered
the Imanm to remove the obstructions, and on his declining to do so,
the police peons were ordered to take up the stakes. On their attempt-
ing this, the mob assailed them with sticks and stones, and the
Sergeant and one of the peons were knocked down, the latter being
rendered senseless. He was taken up by some of his comrades, and
the party retired towards the Police Station in Telloh Ayer Street,
followed by the mob, who continued to throw missiles. When near the
Station the Police fired over the mob, who retreated, and the party
then gained the Station. The mob then assailed the Station with
brickbats, stones, Ac, and the Police replied by firing from both the

646 Anfcdolal Hifslory of Singapore

ground and upper Hoors. One person was shot dead, one died next
day from his wounds, and eleven others were so severely wounded
that they were sent to the Hospital. Inquests were held on the bodies
of the persons killed, and, in both, verdicts were returned of justi-
fiable homicide. The Commissioner of Police (Mr. Mackenzie, the
Resident Councillor) after the first inquest, with the consent of the
Governor, dismissed the Inspector, Sergeant, and one of the peons,
and reduced some of the native police, who had been concerned in the
affair, in rank. This decision was come to because the Commissioner
was of opinion that the conduct of the inspector w^as most rash and
precipitate, that fire arms had been used without sufficient cause and
that this had provoked the riotous and illegal attack of the mob.
Considerable excitement was induced amongst the European residents
by this decision of the Commissioner; they thought it was not justi-
fied in face of the verdict of the Coroner^s Jury, w^ho had completely
exculpated the police from blame, and they also conceived it was
calculated to prejudice the interests of Inspector Pennefather, against
whom proceedings had been taken before the Police Magistrate,
which resulted in his being committed to take his trial for man-
slaughter at the next Criminal Sessions.

A public meeting was held on 26th February, at which over 80
Europeans were present, with Mr. C. H. Harrison in the chair, and
remonstrances were addressed to the Governor, who however declined
to restore the dismissed persons to the positions they had previously
held in the Police force. The difference of opinion between the
Governor and the European residents generally was so wide, that
at one of the meetings a Committee was actually appointed " for
the purpose of drawing up a resume of the general policy of His
Honor the Governor, pointing out the repeated instances in which
it has been at variance with the true interests of the Settlement,
and begging that the present serious difference of opinion between
the Executive and the public of Singapore be taken into the earnest
consideration of the Supreme Government.^'

This threatened indictment of the Governor was not however
carried out ; the Inspector was brought to trial at the Criminal
Session held in April, and after a trial lasting eight days was acquitted
of the charge against him.

The Free Preas remarked that upon a review of the case it appeared
that the police acted with a want of that forbearance and good temper
which was requisite, and had recourse to unnecessary violence, cal-
cuhited to provoke the mob, though it could not excuse it in the extre-
mities to which it went. The conduct of the authorities in afterwards
dealing with the case was undignified, and wanting in that spirit of
fairplay iind impartiality which ought to characterise those in high
office towards their subordinates.

In February the petition against levying tonnage dues in the Straits
ports was sent to Calcutta by the Committee appointed on 18th December.
As soon as the information reached England in March, a number of
gentlemen connected with the Straits had taken up the matter there with
great vigour. A memorial to the President of the India Board was pre-
pared and presented, and the deputation met with a most attentive hear-

1857

647

ing. No positive assurances were given^ but it was obvious that if it were
pressed from Calcutta it would receive no countenance at the India office.
A copy of the memorial was in the Free Press of 30th April. Tlie names
make a rough sort of directory of the old Singaporeans in England, and of
the large firms in London connected with the trade of Singapore, at that
time ; so they are inserted here, in alphabetical order ; first of individuals,
and then of London firms, which comprised some very eminent houses ; —

Arbuthnot, Latham & Co.

W. S. Binny
Edward Boustead
Thomas Church
J. A. Crawford
John Crawfurd
J. P. Cumming
Robert Diggles
James Eraser
Lewis Fraser
Samuel Garling
Ellis J. Gilman
Alex. Guthrie
James Guthrie
W. W. Ker
Geo. G. Nicol
J. Padday
W. W. Shaw
J. N. Smith
Chas. Spottiswoode
William Spottiswoode

Ash ton & Co.

Borneo Co., Limited

Chalmers, Guthrie & Co.

Crawford, Colvin & Co.

D. Dunbar & Sons

Forbes, Forbes & Co.

Gregson & Co.

Harvey, Brand & Co.

R. & J. Henderson

Fred. Huth & Co.

Jardine Skinner & Co.

W. S. Lindsay & Co.

Matheson & Co-

Oriental Bank Corporation

Palmers, Mackillop, Dent & Co.

P. & 0. Company

Wm. Jas. & H. Thompson

Rawson Sons & Co.

Small & Co.

On the 6th February a regatta took place in the morning, and in the
evening the members of Lodge Zetland iu the East, No. 748, gave what
they modestly called an evening party, but was a most successful ball
and elaborate supper.

On the evening of Saturday 14th February, the Singapore Volunteer
Rifle Corps was presented with a set of colours which had been prepared
for it by Mrs. Butterworth, the widow of the late Governor, under whom
the Corps was embodied, and who continued its Colonel up to his death.
Brigadier McLeod permitted all the troops in Singapore to be paraded on
the Esplanade. The Corps wore a band of crape on the arm as a sign of
mourningr for their late Colonel. Governor Blundell presented the colours
to Mr. W. H. Read, the Senior Lieutenant, and addressed the Corps.

Mr. Read replied ; and the following is the final passage of his
reported speech : — " We seek not the glory of the battle-field, nor to em-
broider the names of victories on these colours. Ours are less martial,
more peaceful aims. Our object is to assist in protecting the lives and
property of the public, and to shew the evil-disposed how readily
Europeans will come forward in the maintenance of order and tranquillity.
Should we ever be called upon to act, we shall be found prepared to do
our duty, contented with the approbation of the Government and the
applause of our fellow citizens."

In March the Dutch barque Henrifita Maria was brought into
Singapore by part of the crew of an Americai merchant vessel,

B4S Anecdotal Hisionf of iSingapnre

having been found in a (lis^abltHl statu in the China Sea. The vessel
had loft Macao for Havana, witli npwards of '500 Chinese coolies 'm
board, but the coolies had viisen during- the ])assage down tlie China
Sea, and seized the vessel. A great many of the Chinese had left
the ship, and the Captain and tlie greater part of the crew were
stated to have gone away in a boat. When the vessel was taken
possession of by the American salvors, there were only four men
of the original crew, together Avith about one hundred of the
Chinese, on board. On the arrival of the vessel at Singapore, Governor
Blundell communicated the circumstances to the Dutch Resident at
Riow, and a Dutch vessel of war having been sent to Singapore,
the Governor delivered the IlvnrieUa Maria to her, in spite of the
protests of the United States Consul ; the American flag, which the
Consul had authorised the salvors to hoist on the vessel, beinir
hauled down by the Master Attendant. An American man of war
arrived some time afterwards at Singapore to enquire into the
circumstances, and some correspondence ensued between the commander
and the authorities. The affair having been reported to the Supreme
Government by the Governor, his conduct in giving up tlie vessel
to the Dutch authorities was pronounced illegal, and he was desired
to make proper compensation to the salvors,

A number of petty cases of piracy occurred in tlie waters near
Singapore, and Chinese pirates as usual were busy in the Gulf of
Siam and China Sea at the season when the junks and other native
craft passed through on their way to or from Singapore. The state
of affairs in China in this year prevented the promised measures
being taken by Commodore Henry Keppel for an organised system
of operations against the pirates in the neighbouring seas.

As the remarkable establishment of Sir James Brooke's (Joveru-
ment in Sarawak had almost seemed part of the history of Singa-
pore, great excitement was caused on the arrival of the schooner
Good Luck, on 10th March, with the news of the very serious outbreak
of Chinese there in February, attended with considerable loss of life
and destruction of property, which did not, however, more than
very temporarily interfere with the j)rosperity of the place. The
Chinese acted with great secrecy and determination, and dropping down
the river to Kuching in large numbers, on the night of the 17th
February they attacked the houses of the Europeans connected with
the Government and the stockaded posts in which were lodged the
treasure, opium, ammunition, &c. The houses occupied by Sir James
Brooke, Mr. Arthur C. Crookshank the magistrate, and Mr. Middleton
were burned down. Sir James Brooke narrowly escaped with his
life, Mr. and Mrs. Crookshank were severely wounded, two of Mr.
Middlcton's children perished in the flames, and Mr. Xicolett*i^ a
relation of Sir James Brooke, and Mr. VVillington, a metallurgist
in the service of the Borneo Company, were slain.

The Chinese went up the river, but again returned to Kuching
in large force on the 22nd, took possession of the town and burnt
down a part of the Malay kampong. They did not long however
enjoy their triumph, for the Borneo Company's Steamer Sir Javier*
Brooke having arrived from Singapore, she proceeded up to Kuching

1857 649

on the 23rd and by the fire of her gnus soon cleared the town
of the Chinese. They retreated in much disorder, and the Malays
and Dyaks having rallied and collected in great numbers, an un-
relenting pursuit of the Chinese was kept up and they were finally
driven into the Dutch territories.

In March Boustead & Co. advertised for sale the house of Mr.
William Napier in the "Tang Leng" district, 3i miles from town.
It was afterwards, and is now, known as Tyersall. The house had
been built in 1854, and the grounds had an area of 67 acres.
The house was pulled down when the late Sultan Aboobakar of
Johore built the present Istana on the site.

On 19th March, H.M.S. Raleighy Captain 'J'urner, bearing the
broad pennant of Commodore Keppel, c.b., sailed into New Har-
bour. On the 24th she came into the roads and saluted the shore.
As the old Admiral was in Singapore when this chapter was being
written, lie was asked (while he was sitting on an easy chair,
looking across the Straits, from the verandah of Dato Meldrum's
house in Johore) if he remembered how it came about that he sailed
the Raleigh into New Harbour instead of into the Roads. He said
that he did it because he had surveyed New Harbour while he
was in the Meander y and had the same master, (navigating officer)
with him in the Raleigh who had surveyed it with him, so ho felt quite
confident about it, although others had been afraid to go in ! It seemed
very curious to be talking in this part of the world, to the old
Admiral of the Fleet, close on his 93rd year, hearing details of those
old days. He .said he thought that he came in late in the evening.

Admiral Montagu tells in his book, mentioned later on, how
Keppel carried on to be at Hongkong in time for the fray, after
leaving Penang, and the frigate was running with the main-deck
guns dragging through the water, as the Commodore would not
allow a scrap of sail to be taken in dnring the squalls.

An address signed by the whole of the mercantile community
was presented to him on the 20th, and contained the following
passage: — *' We hail with pleasure your appointment as a guarantee
on the part of Her Majesty's Government for the future eflicient
protection of trade and commerce^ by confiding a high command to
so distin guished and energetic an officer as yourself, whose ex-
perience in the East has been so extensive, while your appreciation
of Singapore is peculiarly gratifying to us.''

And the reply contained the following : — ** It is with no small
feelings of pride and gratification that I have to acknowledge the
kind and flattering " welcome back '' I have this day received in an
address signed by the Merchants and other Gentlemen residents at
Singapore. I plead guilty to a long standing and deep interest
in all that concerns this rapidly rising Settlement. By zealously
performing those duties for which I may be selected by an energetic
and distinguished chief, I shall hope to retain the good opinion of
my kind friends at Singapore."

The Raleigh was a magnificent frigate of 50 guns, the last of
the old sailers ! She was said to be the fastest sailing frigate
afloat, and had a crew of 600 mcu; besides super-numeraries.

650 Anecdotal Hiaiory of Siyigapow

The vessel was nickiianied in Singapore the " House of Lords," as
there were in licr so many officers of illustrious family, who became
distinguished men in after years. The first lieutenant was Mr. Good-
enough, who was killed in Australia while Commodore, universally
lamented. The second is now the Earl of Clanwilliam, who came here
afterwards as the Admiral of the Squadron with which the two sons
of the Prince of Wales came to Singapore, The third was Prince
Victor of Hohcnlohe. Among the midshipmen was Captain Keppel's
nephew, his sister's son, now Sir Henry F. Stephenson, k.c.b.,
Equerry to the King, who was the Senior Officer in command of
the Channel Squadron at Spithead at the great Jubilee Review in
June, 1897. In the Admiral's last book he says that at the
time of the bombardment of Bomarsund in the Crimean War :
" On one occasion when my officers had taken my nephew
Harry Stephenson on shore, a round shot buried itself within
a few yards of them. They dispersed in haste, all but young Harry,
who picked up a pointed stick and commenced digging at his first
trophy." He came again to Singapore when he commanded the
Carysfort in Admiral Clanwilliam's squadron with the Princes, the two
sons of the Prince of Wales, and Admiral Keppel's only son was then
a midshipman in his ship. Lord Charles Scott, the senior midship-
man of the Raleigh, has been many times in Singapore since then.
He was Captain of the Icarus and afterwards of the Bacchante, in
which the two Princes were midshipmen. In 1902 he is Commander-
in-Chief at Plymouth, There were others on board whose names are
now well-known.

The Raleigh only stayed a few days, and on her way to
Hongkong was passing near Macao, when she struck on a sunken
and uncharted rock. The Free Press contained a long account of
the accident. The Admiral tells us about her loss, and the well-
known story of his saluting, as she was sinking, a French man-of-
war that was near, and the French Admiral's exclamation, " C'est
viagnifiqtie ! A British frigate saluting the French flag while sinking!"
But the Admiral does not say, what the old story told, that he was
the last man up the ladder from the main deck when the last shot
of the salute had been fired. The ship was never raised.

After the loss of the Raleigh, Commodore Keppel was in the
Fatshan Creek action on the 1st June, 1857, what has been spoken
of as " the greatest cutting-out action of modern times.'' In the
Junior Army and Navy Club in London is a picture of Commodore
Keppel in his boat, mth his dog " Mike " barking in the bows.
The boat was sunk, the bowman killed, a sailor cut in two, a third's
arm shot off, and while Prince Victor was leaning forward to tie
it up with his neck-cloth, a shot passed through both sides of the
boat wounding more of the men. A long account of the action was
in the Free Press on 29th October, 1867, and a copy of the picture
was in one of the London illustrated papers on Jubilee Day in 1897.
There is also a full account of it in Mr. W. H. Read's book
called " Play and Politics."

In April Dr. Little advertised the land at Institution Hill for sale in
lots of one or more acres each for house-building, but it was not sold.

1857 651

In May, as in India during the two months before, rumours
began to arise, in a vague uneasy way, about threat enings of coming
trouble in India. There were only suspicions, apparently founded on
nothing but talk in the bazaar. It now seems possible that the
convicts in Singapore may have had, as many natives in India had,
some news of what was in the wind. This seems to be likely, as on
Friday, 7th August, a state prisoner, named Kurruck Sing, who had
been released some time before from confinement in the Jail, and
allowed to reside outside, was seized and taken on board H. M. S.
RacehorsCy a gunboat in the harbour. He had been detected in tamper-
ing with the Sikh convicts in the Jail, and was sent away to
Penang.

On Sunday, 31st May, the opium steamer Fiery Cro-stf, Captain Grant,
arrived from Calcutta, and the first news reached Singapore of the
Mutiny. The Free Prcms said that it was hoped the Mutiny might
not spread, and added that if the European troops in India should not
be thought suflBcient to maintain order in the crisis, it was probable
the whole or the greater part of the force, then on its way from England
to China, might have its destination temporarily changed to India.
And that however much the postponement of operations in China might
be regretted, everything would have to yield to the paramount necessity
of maintaining our power in India, and teaching the misguided sepoys
that the only ultimate result of revolt on their part would be to ensure
H certain and terrible retribution.

Mr. Abraham Logan was writing the Free Fresa at that time, and
his words are noteworthy, as matters turned out. Lord Elgin had
arrived the day before the paper appeared, and it is possible Mr. Logan
may have heard that day what the Plenipotentiary had decided during
the night to do. If he had not, the passage was a remarkable one.

The Right flon'ble Lord Elgin, the 8th Earl, was afterwards a
distinguished Viceroy of India. He had been appointed British High
Commissioner and Plenipotentiary in China, and had left England with
his staff, in the P. & 0. Mail on 26th April, and arrived at Point do Galle,
Ceylon, on 26th May. There he heard of the outbreak of the 3rd Bengal
Cavalry and other native troops at Meerut in the Punjab, but it was
thought that it might be a slight matter. He arrived at Singapore on
Wednesday, 3rd June, to wait the arrival of H. M. S. Shannon, a
steam frigate. Captain W. Peel, c.b., which had come round the
Cape, as his Embassy Ship, to convey him to China.

On page 95 it has been said that there had been a tradition
that he. Lord Elgin, walked up and down all night on the long
front verandah of the old Government House, now Fort Canning,
and decided in the morning to divert the troops going to China.
As the sheets of this book have been printed, a copy has been
sent to England in order that a few old Singaporeans there might
read them and make any remarks. One of these was Major McXair,
often spoken of elsewhere in this book, and just as this Chapter has to
be written, letters have been received from him which put the
matter beyond a doubt.

Whether Lord Elgin did or did not actually walk uj) and down
the verandah (as tradition has said, and the writer, who heard it here

652 Ajiecdotal lIif<tory of Singapore

only seven years afterwards, believes) is not of any consequence ;
but the main fact, which has been doubted, as will be shewn
presently, is now beyond (question, for we have the story from one
who was present. It may be remarked that Mr. John Cameron,
who wrote his book in 1864, also seven years afterwards, said, at
page 24, that Lord KIgin '' all that night* paced up and dow^n his
room in the Government bungalow where Fort Canning stands now,
holding interviews with the naval and military ofKcers of the ex-
pedition, and next morning at daylight a steamer was despatched to the
StiJiits of Sunda with the order which, it is believed by many, saved the
British Empire in India/' This is confirmatory of the tradition spoken
of, but it was not in the mind of the writer when page 95 was written,
but has been noticed in hunting into tlie matter for this chapter.

The way in which a doubt arose as to this very important
decision having been made in old Government House, was a passage
in a book entitled *' Life and Times of Sir George Grey " which
stated that Lord Elgin had no knowledge of the diversion of the troops
for China to India in 1857, until informed of the fact by Sir George
Grey, at that time Governor of the Cape ; and that the credit for
the first " timelv and invaluable aid, ^' also mentioned by Lord
Malmesbury as due to Lord Elgin, was really due to the action
taken by Sir George Grey. This led to a letter of some length
clearly disproving this, written by Sir Henry Loch, then Governor
of the Cape, which appeared in the Jiondon Times in October, 1892
in which he said that it was the information in Singapore that
decided Lord Elgin to take the course he did.

Mr. Loch was an Attache to Lord Elgin^s Embassy in 1857. He was
afterwards Sir Henry Loch, Governor of the Cape, and later was created
Lord Loch, the first Baron. He died in 1900.

Now follows a copy of what Major McNair wrote in December, 1901,
to .Mr. W. H. Kead on the subject : — " Did you notice by the way, that in
the description of the old Government House, on page 95, Buckley say?
that there was a tradition that Lord Elgin had walked up and down the
verandah one whole night, thinking what was best to be done about send-
ing troops to Calcutta to help to quell the Mutiny ? — There was some
truth in the remark, for I was present at the interview between Lord
Elgin and Governor Blundell when the serious news came from
Calcutta. Lord Elgin asked the Governor, who knew about India and its
people, whether he thought the revolt was likely to spread ; and when he
replied in the affirmative. His Lordship decided to divert the troops to
India then on their way to China. This was accordingly done, and orders
were sent to turn the troop-ships on to Singapore en route to Calcutta.

** The late Lord Loch was Private Secretary to Lord Elgin and
I was Private Secretary to Governor Blundell at the time, and we
were present at this remarkable interview; which, it was afterwards
said, had resulted in the saving of Calcutta by the timely arrival
of re-inforcements from the Straits, the Mauritius and the Cape; and
those from the Straits were the first to arrive on the scene. There is
no doubt the anxiety might have caused Lord Elgin a sleepless night,
but 1 cannot vouch for his nocturnal peripatetic walking about the
verandah of old Government House."

1857 658

With this testimony of Lord Loch and Major McNair in strict accord,
there is no room for doubt; and it is very satisfactory that the mention of
the tradition, in a casual way, while writing on another subject, has
brought Major McNair's most interesting letter in time to insert it here.

Lord lloberts of Kandahar in the sixteenth chapter of his book
"Forty-one Years in India ^^ says: — ''It was cheering to learn that
Lord Elgin, taking a statesmanlike view of the situation, had diverted
to India the force intended for the China Expedition/' But he
added this foot-note : — '' Since writing the above, it lias been brought
to my notice that the promptitude with which the troops were
diverted to India was due in a great measure to the foresight of
Sir George Grey, the Governor of the Cape, who, on hearing of the
serious state of affairs in India, immediately ordered all transports which
touched nt the Cape on their way to take part in the China Expeditionary
force, to proceed directly to Calcutta, instead of to ^Singapore."

The letters of Lord Loch and Major McNair show that Lord
Roberts was not correctly informed in the qualification he put upon
what he had first correctly written. The matter seems clear, also, for
other reasons. There was quick steam communication, for those days,
between Calcutta and Singapore, by the opium steamers which had
only commenced to run in 1856, and the news only reached here
three days before Lord Elgin arrived, when the transports were prob-
ably past the Cape on their way towards Singapore and China.
Whether there was steam-communication between Calcutta and the
Cape at that time, cannot be ascertained in Singapore when this
is written, but, it is extremely unlikely, and in the absence of
direct proof to the contrary, it seems impossible that any definite
news could have reached Sir George Grey in time to divert
the transports. It also seems to the Avriter to be most unlikely
that Sir George Grey would have taken upon himself the grave
responsibility of taking them from under the orders of Lord Elgin,
when the latter could divert the ships himself (as he did) if he
saw sufficient reason to do so.

It has been said speaking of the responsibility which Lord
Elgin took in this matter, that if the state of affairs in India had been
exaggerated, as was quite possible, or if the Mutiny had been suppressed
before the troops arrived, which was also possible, so far as could be^
known in Sin^^apore that night, his reputation would have been ruined.

The Shannon arrived on the 10th, and left for China on 23rd
June, and before her arrival the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine held
a Levee at Government House, on Saturday the 6th, and was pre-
sented by Mr. W. Paterson with an address from the Chamber of
Commerce, referring to the critical state of our relations with China.
In his reply Lord Elgin said that it was gratifying to witness the
progress of the community of Singapore, which, under the influence
of wise and just laws, was daily advancing in prosperity and wealth ;
and comparing it with the sad condition of Canton where bad
faith and misgovernment had paralysed trade, and spread hunger,
desolation and ruin. The Chinese merchants also presented an address
speaking of their great advantage of being under Knglish Govern-
ment.

654 Anecdotal History of Singapore

On the morning of tlie 10th Lord Elgin went with a party of
gentlemen to pay a visit to the Perseverance Sugar Estate of J.
d' Almeida & Sons, juid went over the works. On Friday evening,
the 12th, the mercantile community entertained the Karl at a Ball and
Supper at the Masonic Lodge.

On 28th July the Shannon with Lord Elgin, and the Pearl, both steam
vessels, arrived together from Hongkong, and left for Calcutta on the 30th.
They were the vessels from which the famous naval brigacL* was formed
at Calcutta to go up-country in the Mutiny. The Shannon was commanded
by the gallant Captain Peel, afterwards Sir William Peel, who was
seriously wounded in command of a battery at Lucknow. An account of
his death is at the end of Chapter XXIX of Lord Robert's book, " Forty-
one Years in India." In the Shannon also was a young lieutenant, twenty-
two years of age, now Admiral of the Fleet Sir Nowell Salmon, v.c,
G.C.B., an account of whose exploit at Lucknow is in Chapter XXIV of
the same book ; he was afterwards in Singapore when he was Commander-
in-Chief on the China Station in 1888.

The Pearl was commanded by Captain Sotheby, who died Sir Edward
Sotheby, k.c.b., in January, 1902, a retired Admiral. After the Raleigh
was wrecked, three of her midshipmen. Lord Charles Scott, the Hon.
Victor Alexander Montagu and H. F- Stephenson were told that they
were appointed to the Pearl in Hongkong, while they were having break-
fast with Mr. John Dent, and left for Singapore and Calcutta the next
day. Admiral Montagu, now retired, one of the sons of the Seventh Earl
of Sandwich, has written a book called '' A Middy's Recollections, 1853 to
1860," published by Adam and Charles Black, London, in 1900. It con-
tains a great deal about Admiral Keppel, the Crimean War, the Fatshan
Creek action, and the Indian Mutiny, and has a picture of the Princess
Roijal, of 91 guns, in the Crimenn War, which was flagship in China iii
1866, and pictures of the iia/^/(//i and the battle of Fatshan, showing the
sinking of Commodore Keppel's galley ; and a picture of the Pearl. The
Admiral says in his book that the three midshipmen thought then that
following Keppel in China would have been more to the point, as they
could not anticipate the Naval Brigade in India, which got them their
promotion and the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and a great re-
ception in Calcutta when they got back to the Pearl in February, 1859,
having left her to go with the Naval Brigade in October, 1857, a period of
eighteen months away from their shi]), which is probably unexampled in
the service.

The Pearl was a steam corvette of 21 guns, 1,469 tons, 400 horse
power, and was often in Singapore. It was of her that an amusing story
was told of Captain John Borlase, afterwards a retired Admiral, who took
her out to China under sail, and on entering Hongkong harbour, with all
plain sail set, being one of the old school of course, he forgot the ship had
got steam up. He took in sail as ho neared the shipping in the most
seamanlike way, but to his horror the vessel went on in spite of taking in
sail after sail, and cannoned from the bows of one vessel at anchor against
another vessel, and fought her way through the shipping, until it struck
him there must be something more than the wind driving the ship, and he

called out " Good , I forgot I was a steamer. Stop the thing doWD

below." Little harm was done, and soon afterwards Captain Borlase

1857 665

engaged the batteries at Kagosima in Japan, in 1868. TJiis was the same
ship which Commodore James G. Good enough, in Australia, commanded
at the time of his unfortunate death. The Pearl was also in Singapore,
when she came again from England, from October, 1866 to April, 1867,
when Admiral Keppel hoisted his flag in her on the day of the transfer on
1st April, and the Pearl accompanied his yacht, the Salamift, to Sarawak.
She afterwards went north, and eventually went home by the Pacific, to
be paid off, and was broken up long ago. As Sir Walter Besant made
the old sailor say in " By Celiacs Arbour," '^ it seems a shame to break
such brave ships up, and they ought to be painted every year and
kept for the boys and girls to see."

Lord Elgin was three times in Singapore in 1857 ; once on his
way to China, then on his return to Calcutta, and again on his return
to China from India. He died in November, 1863, on his way to
Lahore, while Governor-General of India, in which he had succeeded
Lord Canning. In Sir Algernon West^s Recollections published in
1899, he says: — "Lord Elgin, Lord Dalhousie, and Lord Canning,
fell victims to the climate and responsibilities of our Indian Empire :
they were swept away, as Mr. Gladstone said, 'in the full maturity of
their faculties, and in the early stages of middle life.^ Someone has
said that 'forty is the age of youth, and fifty the youth of old age,'
and they, before they reached that age, had all sought their
rest.''

There were several accidents to the troopships. The famous
Himalaya, that had been bought into the Navy from the P. & 0. at
the time of the Crimean War, and did such good work for some forty
years, (she was broken up in 1896) brought out the 90th Regiment (the
Perthshire Volunteers) and got aground on a shoal in Banka
Straits, but got off again. When she arrived in Singapore " this
magnificent steamer was an object of much curiosity at the P. & 0.
Company's Depot, and the numerous visitors to her were very
courteously received by her officers, notwithstanding the very hurried
nature of her brief stay in port." The regiment's band, over 50
strong, played on the Saturday evening on shore at New Harbour.

A long remembered incident was the total loss of H. M,
Steam Troopship Transit, 3,000 tons, 450 horse-power. The wreck
was sold by auction at the Master Attendant's Office in Singapore
on 10th September. She was lost on a sunken rock off Cape Oelar,
Island of Banca. The troops were brought to Singapore in the
Straits Steamer Hoogldy, and a chartered American vessel the
Beaver,

The troops on board were 193 Medical Staff Corps, 30 Royal
Engineers, 286 of the 90th and 119 of the 59th Regiments. The
ship went down so quickly that only part of the arms were got
out, and the officers and men did not save any of their clothes,
many of them leaving her without shoes or stockings as the decks
were being washed when she struck. The officers and crew came
to Singapore in the Borneo Company's steamer Sir James Brooke.

The Transit had a most unfortunate voyage all the way. She left
Portsmouth on 8th April for China, and the next day returned in
a -sinking state, having during the night grounded on her anchor.

656 Anecdotal History of Singapore

All hands disembarked, the vessel was repaired, and all on board
read}' to start again on 15th April. But in going out of the
dock she ran into the gate, injured the propeller, and, as it was
afterwards known, sorionsly shook and loosened her stern, which was
not apparent at the time. Then she got into rough weather in
the Bay of Biscay, and a lot of water got in at the stern post.
Slio put into Corunna to repair, and set off again.

She made good >veather as far as the Cape, as long as the
wind was on the beam, but before the wind she rolled very mach,
and took in lots of water. The injury at the stern showed itself
again, the seams opened, and at each roll of the ship, water rushed
in. In the course of one dav no less than 600 tons of water
were pumped out, and it was feared she would go to the bottom,
but fortunately the weather improved, and they made Java Head.

They were steaming at their best, number one, speed of 8 knots,
when the vessel ran hard on to a sunken rock not on the chart,
bumped violently three times, and settled down about six miles from
shore. Perfect discipline was maintained, the boats were got out,
but they only held 200 men, and the ship seemed likely to gn
down before half could be landed. Captain Chambers ordered them
to be landed on a reef two miles away, which was uncovered as
it was low water. So all went first to the reef, and then to the
shore ; and the last trip was accomplished just in time, as the tide
on the reef was rising, and was up to the knees of those who
remained to the last. The discipline was compared at the time to
that at the memorable accident of the Birkenhead. The soldiers all
went on to Calcutta in the Shnnuon and the Pearl.

Neil, Outram and Havelock Roads in Singapore town were, about
rhis time, named by the Municipality after some of the heroes in
ih«* Mutiny.

One of the measures adopted by the Government of India for
meeting the emergency in which the Mutiny had placed it, wa.s tbe
passing of a legislative measure by which the Press was subjected
to the most rigid fetters. Although this Act was at first chiefly
justified on the ground of the seditious character of the native
publications, no exemption was made in favour of the English press.
This Act was applied everywhere throughout British India without
exception, and the newspapers in the Straits, although they could
not possibly exercise the slightest effect on the mutiny in India,
found themselves subject to all the provisions of this most foolish
Act. A public meeting was held on 28th July, Mr. M. F. Davidson
in the Chair, to publicly protest against the application of this law
to the Straits. The Act excited so much disapprobation both in
India and England that it ceased in June, 1858.

In May Mr. T. A. Behn, who had retired from Behn, Meyer
&L Co., gave $500 each tu the Sailors Home, Mr. Koasberry's Malay
Schools, Tan Tock Song's Hospital, and the Seamen's*^ Hospital,
which the Free Press said was an example that might be followed
more extensively by retiring millionaires of Singapore.

It was in this year that the Governors of the different
Presidencies, and other heads of Departments in India w^ere ordered to

1857 657

make Annual Reports, and tlio first Report on the Administration
of the Straits, during the year 1855-50, was made by the Governor.

It having been reported in August tliat the local government
intended to allow the convicts the liberty of parading the streets
during the Mohurram festival, the withdrawal of which in the previous
year had led to very riotous acts on their part, a number of
gentlemen addressed the Governor pointing out the inexpediency of
allowing the convicts any such license. The Governor in reply stated
that permission had been given to the convicts to parade certain
streets outside their lines — and that this permission had been granted
under the conviction that to refuse it would have the effect of
needlessly exasperating the convict body, and of driving them to
acts of desperation more dangerous to the peace and good order of
the town than those which occurred the previous year. The convicts,
after all, declined to avail of the permission given them ! The large
number of convicts in Singapore, and the reported intention of
Government to send here a number of the most dangerous prisoners
confined in Alipore Gaol, as well as sepoys and others convicted of
participation in the mutiny in India, led to the inhabitants memorializ-
ing the Governor General in Council on the subject, protesting against
such additions being made to the convict body in the Straits and
praying that transportation to this quarter should be wholly dis-
continued. The Memorial was transmitted through the Governor, who
was understood to be favorable to its general purport, having
apparently considerably modified his opinions regarding a class whom
in 1856 he had designed as "harmless settlers."

On 9th September it was stated in the Free Presjn that the Government
would probably construct a Naval Dock at Pulo Brani, as it was under
contemplation; which had been brought about by Commodore Kepjiel ; and
that considering the value of the services he had always sought means
of rendering to Singapore, and in order to connect his name pea'manently
with the benefit he had contributed to confer on the place, it was
suggested that " the name of New Harbour be changed to Keppel
Harbour." This was done in 1900, as has been said on page 493.

On 8rd October, a dinner was given to Commodore Keppel in
the Hotel de I'Esperance, on the Esplanade, called afterwards the
Hotel de TEurope. Mr. John Harvey was in the Chair. The paper
said that excellent speeches were made by Sir Richard McCausland
the Recorder, who was a very witty, genial Irish speaker, and others.
The Free Press remarked that the loss of his beautiful frigate the
i?aZe/^7i has caused much disappointment in Singapore; that his gallant
conduct in the Fatshan Creek action had added to the brilliant
reputation he had already earned; and that the public dinner was
characterised by a degree of enthusiasm not often witnessed on such
occasions. The Commodore heard of his promotion to Rear Admiral
and that he was made a K.C.B., just at the time. In his diary he
said: "Waited on by a deputation of the merchants to invite me
to an Entertainment. Grand dinner given me by residents. Their
kindness prevented me responding as I wished." On the noxt day
it said : — " Afternoon passed agreeably at Angus^ small bungalow,
where Whampoa and Harrison dined,

658 Anecdotal History of Singapore

Mr. Gilbert Angus and Mr. Whampoa, ju3t spoken of, were at
one time partners. Gilbert Angus came from Lerwick, the capital of
the Shetland Islands, and had been in Java before he came to Singapore.
He was afterwards book-keeper to Shaw, Whitehead & Co., in
which Captain James Stephens and Michie Forbes Davidson (afterwards
of A. L. Johnston & Co., and Boustead & Co.) were partners. While
Mr. Davidson was away in Europe, Stephens took Mr. Robert Duff,
then per procuration holder of Boustead, Schwabe & Co., as a partner;
and, in consequence, Angus left the firm and joined Mr. Whampoa,
in Whampoa & Co. Mr. Davidson returned, did not like the aiTauge-
ment, and joined A. L. Johnston & Co. Mr. Angus had nutmeg plan-
tations, and owned a number of the hills round Tanglin at different
times, as well as land in other parts of the island. His name frequently
turns up in title deeds relating to land in a most unexpected
fashion. He also tried brick making after Mr. Hentig gave it up,
but he did not succeed ; indeed it maj be said that he was not for-
tunate generally in his business pursuits. He was a Municipal
Commissioner for some time, and knew a great deal about the place.
He never returned to Europe, and died at his residence in Armenian
Street on 24th March, 1887, at 72 years of age, having been born
on the day of the battle of Waterloo. He had been an auctioneer
latterly, and was in failing health for some time. He was one of
the oldest residents and left a large family.

It was curious how many of the well-known residents in Singapore
in its early days came from Lerwick. Besides Mr. Angus, Mr. William
Paterson of Paterson, Simons & Co., came from there. Also W. 0. Leisk,
Lloyd's Surveyor and chronometer maker, and Andrew Hay, who was in A.
L.Johnston & Co., and then a shipchandler with Duncan in Hay and
Duncan, who also came from Lerwick where his father was Sheriff
Substitute as mentioned on page 155. The two brothers Gilbert and
Robert Bain, well known in the place, and partners at various time<
in A. L. Johnston & Co., Boustead & Co., and Maclaine, Fraser & Co.,
also came from Lerwick. It seems too late now to find out how it
came about ; probably one of the first was a sailor, or on board a
vessel in the East as A. L. Johnston was, and he may have seen the
prospective advantages of the place and sent the news to Lerwick.

Mr. Whampoa, whose name was Hoo Ah Kay, was certainly tlie
best known and most liked Chinaman in the Straits. His father came
to Singapore in its earliest days, and kept a shop to supply the shipping
and town with beef, bread and vegetables, which grew into a large
business. Mr. J. T. Thomson, in one of his books, says he first knew
Whampoa when he was a young boy in his father's shop, which was
at the corner of Bonham Street and Boat Quay in the direction towards
Elgin Bridge. After his father's death, Whampoa carried on the
business, and for many years, and after his death, the firm were con-
tractors for the navy. He first had a plantation where the Tanglin
Barracks are now; and long before they were thought of, he had
bought a neglected garden two-and-a-half miles out of town on the
Serangoon Road. He built a bungalow there and made a fine garden,
and had curious dwarf bamboos, and plants cut into resemblances of
animals. There was an aviary, and peacocks, bears, and other animals.

1857 659

A night or two at Whanipoa's bungalow was a frequent treat to naval
officers, with whom he was much brought in contact, and wlio ha^l
much admiration for him. There is a good picture of him in Admiral
Keppel's last book, who often mentions him. For example in his
diary in 1848, Captain Keppel wrote : — " Our worthy old Purser, Sim-
mons, died while staying at Whampoa^s country house. He was a
fine specimen of his countrymen ; his generosity and honesty had long
made him a favorite. Whampoa gave sumptuous entertainments to
naval officers. At midnight, by the light of a full moon, we would,
visit the beautiful Victoria Regia, a magnificent lotus in a circular
pond, a present from the Regent of Siam who sent it through W. H.
Read.** And nine years afterwards, the Admiral wTote : — " Put up at
Whampoa's and how comfortable the old fellow made me."

All visitors to Singapore had heard of him before they landed,
and it was the first place enquired for when a drive was to taken*
out of the town. It was one of the most hospitable houses in Singa-
pore. It was the custom in the early sixties for gentlemen going out
to dinner to dress in white, with the exception of Government House ;
or a first visit soon after arrival in Singapore at a party where there
were ladies ; or Mr. Whampoa's ; where a black dress suit was always
worn. It may have been noticed that at the first Race Ball, .see page
387, the words Full Dresn were at the foot of the advertisement. It
meant evening dress, and not the white suit with jacket, as was usual
on all occasions then, and for many years, until about 1870 probably,
when evening dress superseded it. At the dances in the old Assembly
Rooms white dress was worn.

Mr. Whampoa was almost, the only Chinaman in Singapore in those
days who spoke English ; which he did with ease, but with some
curious mi.spronounciations; for example he asked Mr. Thomson to
Mcratch his father's portrait, and he used to point to it, and tell how-
Mr. Thomson had .scratched it for him. If he could be induced to
sing a Chinese song, the only one he knew, it was very lancrhable,
and he was as much amused, and laughed as heartily as any one
else. He was a very upright, kind-hearted, modest, and simple man, a
friend to everyone in the place. Towards the later years of his life,
he launched out into general business and speculations, in company
with some European merchants in the place, which got him into
troublous time.s, without his own fault, but he weathered the storm,
with his fortune very much reduced, in which he had the sympathy of all.

Mr. Whampoa was born in Whampoa rear Canton in China
about 1816, and died in Singapore on 29th March, 1880, 04 years
old. His father was in Singapore when he was born, but his
mother never came to the place. Ho was for many years Consul for
Russia, and possessed a consular uniform and sword, which he used
to say he had only put on once, and that he looked so '* ugly "
and was laughed at so much, from his curious appearance in it, that
he never wore it again. He was one of the first Unofficial Members
in 1867 of the Legislative Council when it was formed, and was
made a C.M.G-. in 1878. He was certainly the most widely-known
and respected Chinaman there has ever been in Singapore. His remains
were taken to China and he was buried on Danes Island, opposite Canton.

660 Anccdofnl Hisfory of Singapore

The larore brick house in the old garden was built in later
years, and the large dining room at the back was finished just in
time to give a big dinner to Admiral Keppel when he came out
again as Commander-in-Chief in 18G7. After Whampoa's death Mr.
Seah Leang Seah bought the property, and then called it Benderaeer.
Before that it had always been known as Whampoa^s.

On 17th Xovember a public meeting was held about the con-
victs and their treatment, Mr. M. F. Davidson in the Chair, and a
number of resolutions were passed ])rotesting against mutineers being
sent as convicts to Singapore, the number of convicts being already
too many for safety, and a committee was appointed to draw up a
petition which was afterwards sent to Calcutta. There were then
over 2,000 convicts in Singapore, besides others in the place whose
terms had expired, and only a small number of military and of the
European community. It was curious that the Singapore convicts sent
to Bombay were returned to Singapore on the expiry of their sentences,
whereas those sent from Bombay to Singapore were so well ofF here
that they remained in the place.

The Straits Settlements at this time were in the diocese of Calcutta,
as has been said on page 299. Singapore was too distant from India, for
the Bishop there to take much interest in the place, with so many im-
portant duties close to his hand, and when it was necessary in 1851 to
consecrate the first Church of St. Thomas at Sarawak, which Mr.
McDougall, afterwards the Bishop, had built, Bishop Daniel Wilson of
Calcutta came down to Singapore, and went to Sarawak for the purpose,
with the authority, and in the name, of the Bishop of London, under
whose jurisdiction the Church in Sarawak was assumed to be.

In the same way Bishop McDougall performed certain acts in
Singapore in the character of Bishop, as, for example, the consecration
of the new Cemetery in the year 1865, afterwards spoken of, which was
done under the special power of a commission from the Bishop of
Calcutta, Singapore being out of Bishop McDougall's diocese.

In connection ^vith the matter of the bishopric, the following passage
was written in September, 1 857, in a letter in Sarawak by Bishop
McDougall. It is to be found at page 167 of the Memoirs written by his
brother-in-law, published in London in 1889. " Much as I prefer Sarawak
as a place of residence, I feel more and more that Singapore ought to be
the centre of the Churches Mission for these parts, and the site of a
Missionary College and Cathedral Church. If, as it is anticipated oat
here, the Straits stations are turned over to the Queen's Government, my
station ought to be Singapore, and the noble Church there now in
erection, with the design of which I have had a great deal to do, ought to
be my Cathedral. The present free schools at Singapore, Penang and
Malacca, would be excellent feeders for a Missionary College, as they
contain lads from all parts of the Archipelago, as well as from Siam and
Burmah. Why should not our Church take up as large a field as the
Roman Catholics, who are making the Straits their jyoint d^appni
for their Missions, not only to the different parts of the Archipelago,
but also for Siam and Cochin-China. ?... The more I think of
these views, the more desirable I feel them to be for the Church's
sake."

1857 661

It is clear from this that the Bishop appreciated the result to be
cpected in the future of Singapore from the work of the Roman
itholic Church in the place. He could not anticipate the work
at would be done by the American Methodist Episcopal Church to
! started in the centre of the work of the Church of England thirty
jars later.

As has been said on page 299, Bishop McUougall resigned in

>68, and went to England, never returning to the East. He was

canon residentiary of Ely, then Archdeacon of Huntingdon, then

Winchester, and Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, besides hold-

g two livings at various times in different parts of England.

In May, 1861, Bishop McDougall wrote to England in connection
ith the proposed transfer of the Straits to the Colonial OflSce,
•ging that the opportunity should be taken to separate them from
le diocese of Calcutta. Among other reasons he pointed out that
le average term of service of the Bengal Chaplains in the Straits
id only been about two years, and that the missionary work had
jen left to the Roman Catholics, who had a Bishop, and a con-
derable body of French clergy, and Sisters of Mercy, while little or
jthing had been done for the Church of England.

The seat of the diocese was transferred, as he had proposed,
' Singapore in 1870, but the good that he anticipated did not
fsult. What his earnest, sturdy character, (he was spoken of in
ngland after the Lanun pirates' episode, as a good specimen of
le *' Church Militant !") would have done in Singapore, who can
ty ? The Cathedral was built ten years before the change, and the
ork of thirty years has only to show a small Church with occa-
onal services in an unfrequented part of the town ; and the
ission Chapel, house, and school mentioned on page 800, largely due
I the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.

If these are compared with all the churches, buildings and schools
" the Roman Catholic Church ; or with those of the American
[ethodist Episcopal Mission, a list of which, over a column long,
spears each month in their Malaysia Message ; it may well be asked
hat good has resulted from the change which Bishop McDougall
cpected to produce a great expansion of the Church of England
I Singapore. St. Andrew's Cathedral is kept in repair, and the
3rtion of the stipend received by the Bishop from the Straits
ettlements, as well as the stipend of the Colonial Chaplain, are all paid
Y the Government, advantages which no other church possesses.

It has to be remembered, however, that the arrangement that
as made in 1870, with the object of making Singapore the head-
uarters of the Bishop, could not have been anticipated by Bishop
[cDuugall in one respect. The Bishop was consecrated in Calcutta
3 Bishop of Labuan, because a bishopric could not then be established
I a foreign country, so Labuan was chosen as being a Crown Colony
mailable for the purpose. The stipend was provided by the Society
)r the Propagation of the Gospel and the Rajah of Sarawak, and
was styled the Bishopric of Labuan and Sarawak. When the
tie was changed to that of Singapore, Labuan and Sarawak it
as intended to give prominence to the position of Singapore as

662 Anecdotal Historij of Sintjcfjiorr.

the liead-quarters of tho work. But the stipend given by the
Cxovernnient of the Straits Settlements, one hundred pounds a year, \^
very small compared with that contributed by the 8.P.G. and
Sarawak, so that the Straits cannot reasonably complain that only a small
portion of the year is spent by the Bishop in Singapore. A house
was built by subscription among tlie congregation as a residence for
the Bishop, in the expectation that he would be able to give more
time ti) the Church here, but the house is let for some eight months
of the year. The result of the work of the Church of England in Singa-
pore and the Straits during the last thirty-two years, can be fairly
judged by comparison with what others, with far less opportunities,
have been able to do.

In 1882 the question of the disestablishment of the Church
of England, which was carried out in Ceylon and other Colonies,
came under consideration in the Legislative Council, but as the three
Roman Catholic members of the Council joined with the rest in
urging the Colonial Office not to make the same change in the
Straits, matters have hitherto remained as they were under the
East India Company.

In 1871 Mr. Thomas Scott, of his own motion, had brought the
question of the disendowment of the Church before the Legislative
Council, but it was not much discussed and was negatived (to use
Mr. Shelford's words in 1882) as a premature step. In February,
1882, the question had again been raised by the Secretary of
State for the Colonies, and the debate was noteworthy for the speech
made by Mr. James Graham, which will be found at page 5 of the
Council Proceedings for that year. The speech was spoken ' of as
one of the most interesting and eloquent of those recorded in the
Council. Mr. Graham, as he said on this occasion, was not given
to speak at length or warmly in the Council, and this made it the
more remarkable. No doubt he felt on other occasions that both
time and patience are thrown away in discussing questions which
have been definitely decided in advance, to be carried by an official
majority. One passage in Mr. Graham's speech 8ho>ving one rcsason,
in his opinion, for upholding the establishment, was as follows : — " It is,
therefore, wise and politic of us to insure that a man of education
and high moral character, a man in whom the poorest — whether
belonging to the church or not — can find a faithful friend, shall be
placed in every one of our provinces, interested in the moral
and intellectual welfare of our people, and with the sole object of
doing good to them/^

On 26th November it was said iu the Free Frv^it that the
occupation of the Cocos Islands had been objected to by Holland as a
violation of their rights, and gave an account of the way in which
Mr. J. Ross, a sailor, a native of the Shetland Islands, had acquired
his authority there. For some years before 1827, Ross had traded
in the Archipelago, principally on the Coast of Sumatra, in a vessel
called the Borneo, which he built with native labour at the Cocos,
where a man named A. Hare had settled about 1823, upon the
southernmost island. When the price of pepper was fluctuating very
much, in consequence of the resort of Americans to Sumatra^ Ross

1857 663

bought, in conjunction with his principals in London, all he could
get, whenever prices were low, and stored it at the quiet and un-
inhabited Cocos Islands, in order to take the accumulated stock to
London when prices rose. He landed with his wife and children on
the Cocos in 1827, and built a house. The chief mate went in the
Borneo^ and Ross remained on shore. The firm in London with which
he was connected failed, and he was left with his family cut off
from the world. Then Hare became very disagreeable, and seems
to have gone a bit off his head, and at last left the Cocos. Ross
remained on Direction Island, chief and master of the whole establish-
ment, which gradually increased in extent and importance. Hare had
taken a number of slaves there, whom Ross declared to be free. A
Dutch ship went in there for repairs in 1842, and the Captain des-
cribed Mr. Ross as a man of about 60 years old, of healthy and
venerable aspect, intelligent, acute and deep thinking. In 1846 Sir
Edward Belcher, r.n., paid a visit in his ship to the island, and
found Captain Ross, as he called him, still in the house he had
put together in a hurry with the remains of shipwrecked vessels,
very dark, wholly overshadowed by cocoanut trees, and infested by
mosquitoes. Captain Ross died soon after that. On 8th January,
1889, Christmas Island, on which the Ross family from the Cocos
Islands had effected a settlement, was annexed to the Straits Settle-
ments ; the Cocos or Keeling Islands were placed under the Govern-
ment of the Straits Settlements on 1st February, 1886.

A matter for congratulation during the course of 1857 was the
receipt of orders from the Court of Directors ordering the complete
resumption of the use of the dollar currency in all Government
transactions.

There were a number of casualties to vessels this year. The Singa-
pore barque Peiiang, with passengers from Singapore to Malacca and
Penang, was lost near the Raffles Light house, having been thrown
on her beam ends in a squall, and while in this disabled state was
sunk by a waterspout. Thirty-eight lives were lost. A French Steamer
was burnt, and sank while at anchor in the roads, and four Singapore
vessels were wrecked in the Java Sea.

The increase in the value of real property noticed in 1856, was
fully maintained during the year, and building was also carried on to
a large extent both in town and country, notwithstanding a very large
rise in the price of materials and labour. The building of the Church
and Town Hall went on slowly, and all other public works were stopped
in the course of the year, by order of the Supreme Government, the
disordered state of the Indian finances having necessitated the most
stringent economy in every department.

During this year the Corps Dramatiquc of Amateurs gave several
performances to raise funds for a new theatre, and the Free Press
said that it would be well to combine the Town Hall and the
Theatrical funds, because in such a small place a theatre in the
Town Hall would bo sufficient for the purpose. This was afterwards
done, and is so to the present day.

At this time Mr. Adam Wilson, who had been the chief clerk in
Martin Dyce & Co., obtained from the Sultan of Siak a grant of the island

661 Anecdotal History of Singapore

of Beiigcalis. There had been a row going on between the Sultan and a
Rival Chief, and Mr. Wilson and N. M. Caniie went over there in a
schooner to help the Sultan. The Dutch, asserting a claim under ihc
treaty of 1824, interfered, and some cannonading took place, Wilson'j>
party opposing the rival chief, from the Sultan's house, and taking 3-]
guns and 38 /e/a//.v, while the Dutch gunboat was firing. On their
way back to Singapore Wilson and his companions, in three boats, were
attached by two pirate prahus which fired into them, but finding they
had not unarmed traders to deal with, but Europeans and determined
Bugis men, they made off as fast as they could. A sampan sent from
Bengcalis to Malacca by ^Ir. Wilson had been attacked and four men
killed shortly before.

The grant to Mr. Wilson, though it had been given with the
knowledge of the Governor of Singapore when the Sultan of Siak had
come for the purpose, came to nothing ; and Air. Wilson became
Secretary to the Singjij)()re Exchange nnd was also a broker and
Auctioneer until 186t).

1858 665

CHAPTER XLVI.

1858.

T seven o^clock on the morning of 19tb November, the Queen's
Proclamation of 1st September, by which Her Majesty took upon
elf the direct government of her Indian dominions, was read by
Governor. A platform under an attap covering, was erected for tlie
)ose in the centre of the Esplanade, on whicli he took his place,
oundcd by the Recorder, the Resident Councillor, and other officials,
Consuls of different nations, and several navy and military officers,
the Sultan of Johore being also present. The troops in garrison, the
[ M. N. I., and Madras Artillery, and the Singapore Volunteer
'■ Corps were paraded, together with the Marines and a party of
3rs from H. M. S. Amethyst with the band of that ship.
The Proclamation was first read in English by the Governor, and a
ly version was then given for the benefit of the natives. A royal
e was fired by the Artillery, and a feu de Joie by the troops.
Governor next proposed three cheers for the Queen. The day was
rvcd as a holiday, but unfortunately it began to rain heavily early
ic forenoon, and continued a perfect downpour until night, which
'fered considerably with the enjoyment of the occasion. In the
aing a number of yachts and ships boats were arranged off the
anadc, under the management of Captain Marshall, the Agent of
P. & 0. Company, tastefully decorated with Hags, which added
much to the pictures(jue effect of the spectacle. The state of the
her had an unfavourable effect upon the arrangements for illumina-
in tlu* evening, as Government House remained wrapt in darkness,
it was only at the Masonic Lodge and a few other houses in town,
aiiv displays in the shape of illuniinated emblems of loyalty were
le. '

Ca])taiii CollycM' of the Madras Kngineeis (after whom CoUyer
r is named) arrived in Singapore in January, 1858, for the purpose
jportinijf on the proposed plans fur the fortification of Singapore,
vas appointed Chief Engineer, and assumed charge of the office on
1st August, 1858. The whole labour of the convict body, both
3d and ordinary, was placed at his disposal. Some of the military
:s comprised in the proposed fortifications were at once commenced,
the convicts were placed on Government Hill to form a battery ;
on Fort Fullerton, with the view of rendering that Battery more
ceable by extendiiio* and wideniii*^ it. The work executed bv
icts in those two Batteries was considered tu be of excellent quality,
food, if not probably better, than could have been obtained from
Chinese labour ; and the convict body proved most useful in
Qow scheme of covering the hills and shores of Singapore with

666 Anecdotal Hidory of Siutjapore

Batteries, Redoubts, Barracks, Magazines, which, however, did not
ultimately prove of any practical use, and they were, fortunately
probably, never called on to justify their existence. Colonel Collyer left
Singapore in 1862, as is stated under that year.

The Government started the Straits Government Gazette in January.
The total amount subscribed in Shigapore for the Calcutta Relief Fund
was ftj. 14,000. In September, 1850, the German Club had given a
Concert in the Masonic Hall for the fund. The Grand Jury, in January,
suggested that the Post Office and Marine Magistrates Offices which were
on the other side of the river, should be moved to Fort Fullerton, which
was done, many years afterwards; and that a Court House should be
built where the Post Office then was, behind the present Printing
Office.

In February it was reported that the Governor, Mr. Blundell, had
resigned. There were very conflicting reports as to the reason. In
Penang, the moving cause was said to be the impossibility of \m
getting on with the Singapore people ; while in Singapore it was said to
be in consequence of the Governor General's despatches about the Chinese
disturbances in Penang, in which Mr. Blundell's action was so strongly
condemned that he said he could not remain unless the tone of the
despatches was modified. There had been a collision, as it was called,
in Penang between the Chinese and the Police about a temporary
wayany (native theatre) that stood on the ground of a temple, and was
roughly pulled down by an injudicious police inspector, which led to the
use of firearms and several casualties, and then to a row in March,
1856. The Pinang Gazette said of Mr. BlundelFs action that he had
done many unwise things during his government of the Straits, but
nonr which attained that which marked his treatment of the Chinese,
or more undignified and childish than his reception of them. Mr. Blundell
however remained until Col. Cavenagh was appointed in July, 1859.

Ill February Mr. Thomas Braddell, then Assistant Resident aud
Magistrate, went on leave to Europe, but before doing so he pub-
lished a pamphlet entitled *' Singapore and the Straits Settlements
Described." It was written because of the agitation that was going
on about the Transfer, and was highly useful and very opportune.
He discussed the best way of governing and administering the
Settlement, and several of his suggestions came into practice. He
wanted the government of the Straits to be quite distinct from that
of India, and that the sources from which the Officials were derived
should also be distinct. On the latter point he said : — " It will be no
easy matter to secure favour for a close Civil Service in the Straits,
yet it seems difficult to provide for the necessary duties otherwise.
If suitable persons were at all times procurable when vacancies
occur, it would suffice. But it is well known that qualified pei*sons
are not so procurable ; and without some previous training as
assistants, it cannot be recommended that inexperienced persons should
be at once placed as heads of important offices. The end is to
secure for the public service the best men, the difficulty is how to
arrive at this. Probably a mixed plan might be adopted, a plan
which would at all times secure gentlemen <|ualified by previous
education and training for the ordinary duties, without at the same

1858 667

time preventing the employment of others not already in the service,
who might show a peculiar aptitute for public business. The competi-
tion would doubtless act beneficially as a spur to greater exertion.
Except in those cases, appointments could be made from young
nfentlenien sent out from home or engaged on the spot."

The Municipal Minutes of 8th March contained the following
about the renaming of the streets, which is often a subject of
enquiry on looking at old Maps of the town : — '^ The Canals not
having names, and much confusion existing from the definitions of
several streets and roads, the same name, in many instances, having
been given to two and even three streets, it is Resolved : that the
Canal from EUenborough market to the Sepoy Lines bo called
^ Dalhousic Canal ^ ; the road from the stone bridge over Dalhousie
Canal to the police station on the River Valley Road to be the
* Havelock Road '; the road at present called Salat Road, from the
corner where the Tanjong Pagar Road branches oEF, up to the junction
of the old and new roads to New Harbour, to be called ^ Neil Road ' ;
the road from Neil Road at present called Cantonment Road, and
that part of River Valley Road passing the present SherifE^s
Jail to the Havelock Road police station, to be the * Outram Road' ;
the quadrangle in front of the police oflScc to be ' Trafalgar Square ' ;
and Tavern Street and Commercial Square to be renamed ' Bonham
Street ' and ' Raffles Place ' respectively. On the north side of the
Singapore river the following streets (of which there are others bear-
ing the same names on the south side) are renamed ; Church Street
to be 'Waterloo Street'; Flint Street to be 'Prinsep Street;' Market
Street to be ' Crawf ard Street ' ; the street and road from Rochore
Bridge to the Serangoon Road to be ' Lavender Street ; ' and the
road between Seligic Street and Waterloo Street, which formerly
was a side road into Rochore road, to be ' Albert Street.'

On 5th April the death was announced of Mr. Charles Scott,
ill Singapore, aged 56 years. The paper said he was one of the
earliest settlers at Singapore and established himself as a merchant
soon after the opening of the Settlement, and was for a number of
years a member of the firm of Napier & Scott. He was one of
the first Magistrates in 1823, and one of the earliest planters ; the
nutmeg plantation, called Raeburn, was commenced by him, and the
Hill was called Scott's Hill, on the way towards New Harbour.
Mr. William Scott's plantation was at Tanglin in Scott's Road; the
two have often been mistaken for each other. Mr. Charles Scott
afterwards went to Penang and was in business there for a long
time, but finally passed the last days of his life at Singapore. He
was a son of Mr. Robert Scott of Penang.

The Rev. W. T. Humphrey, who had been Residency Chaplain
fur three years, left for Calcutta in April. By his kindly and un-
assuming manners and earnest promotion of every good work among
his parishioners, Mr. Humphrey (the paper said), had acquired the
esteem of all who knew him, and his removal was very much re-
gretted. In those days the Chaplains were frequently moved from
one station to another, and only remained in Singapore for three
or four years, an advantage when an undesirable Chaplain was appointed.

668 Anecdotal Ilidory of Singapore

The paper a few days afterwards contained a notice of the death,
at Batli^ of the Rev. Charles James Quarterly, m.a., at the age of
48 years, who had been Chaplain in Singapore from 1852 to 1854.

Some Government correspondence on 13th April said that the
European Artillery about to arrive in Singapore were to be put in
the late Tan 1\)ck Seng's Hospital p(*nding tlie erection of the
Barracks intended for them on the top of Pearl's Hill. They were
eventually stationed on Fort Canning.

One hundred and ninety convicts, described as too dangerous to
be kept in the Alipore Jail, arrived in May ; and on Wednesday
the JDth, a public meeting was held to consider the recent
importations of convicts by the Julia, John Bull and Carthage. A
Committee of Messrs. A. Logan, W. Howard, M. F. Davidson, R. C.
Woods, J. J. Greenshields and John Purvis, was appointed to draw
up a petition to Her Majesty's Government that no more convicts
should bo sent ; and to wait upon the Governor to urge that the
mutineer convicts in question should be deported from the place.
The convicts were soon sent to the Andamans. The London
merchants sent a memorial to the Board of Control in September
protesting against turning the settlement into a convict station.

In May the Municipal Commissioners decided to appoint a Town
Engineer, Surveyor, and Architect, and Mr. J. W. Reeve was the
first Municipal Engineer. The Municipal Minutes of 27th May contained
the following letter addressed to the Commissioners by Messrs.
Marshall, Charles Spottiswoode, and T. 0. Crane about the Assembly
Rooms and the Town Hall, which contains an account of the growth
of the scheme for the present Town Hall, and elucidates some
points that have been raised from time to tune about it: —

" Gentlemen : — A meeting of the subscribers to the Town Hall
was held on the 8th current, when the Secretary and the Trustees
furnished a statement of the progress of the building, and the
accounts, estimates, and plans were laid before the meeting.

" The resolutions were submitted to the meeting and carried, to
this effect : —

1. — That a deputation be appointed to wait on the Municipal
Connnissioners, at Singapore, for the purpose of ascertaining whether,
in the event of the subscribers now uiakiug over the building in
course of erection for a Town Hall to the Municipal Commissioners,
the Commissioners will be prepared to raise money and complete the
building according to the approved plan, and fully to carry out the
original wishes of the subscribers.

2. — That the following gentlemen be recjuested to form a deputation
to wait on the Municipal Commissioners for the purpose of carrying
out the foregoing resolution, viz : — Messrs. H. T. Marshall, T. 0.
Crane and C. Spottiswoode.

3. — That at a Special Meeting to be convened by the Secretary, the
deputation report the result of the interview with the Municipal
Commissioners.

*' In pursuance of these resolutions we now beg to lay before you
a short account of the intentions of the Trustees and the extent
to which they have been able to carry them out.

1858 669

'^ About ten years ago the Assembly Rooms were erected by
subscription at a ^cost of about § 6,000, and two of the present
Trustees of the Town Hall were appointed Trustees. This building
was contracted for by Mr. McSwiney find passed by the Govern-
ment Superintendent of Works, yet it was so imperfectly finished.
Si) loosely put together, and constructed of such miserable materials,
that first of all the tiled roof had to be taken off and an attap
one put on, and before ten years had elapsed it was condemned by
a professional builder as unsafe and not fit to be repaired. The
Trustees in consequence came to the resolution that instead of repair-
ing the building, it would be better to build another in a better
situation, for the sit€ of the Assembly Rooms was most objectional
for many reasons.

'^ An arrangement was made with Government to give up the old
Assembly Rooms, or their ruins, with the site, for one more
suitable, and, when the river is bridged over at Whampoa^s, more
accessible to the commercial public; on the consideration that the
building when finished would be given over to the Municipal
Commissioners for the benefit of the Community.

" In 1855 a subscription paper to build a suitable Town Hall
was put in circulation, and ? 5,923.75 was subscribed by the community,
§3,000 were added by the Government in addition to § 3,000 by
the Municipal Commissioners out of their funds, these latter sinns
being in accordance with an understanding with His Honor the
Governor that the public subscription would be doubled by the
authorities. The sum of »?1 1,999.75 was lodged in the Oriental
Bank at 5 per cent, interest, which brought the whole amount to rln^
credit of the Town Hall to $13,207.62. The Trustees bearing in
mind the insufficiency of the Assembly Rooms, and how imperfectly
that building represented the thriving Settlement of Singapore,
a<lvortised for plans for a Town Hall, not only in Singapore, but
in Calcutta, and further instructed Mr. M. F. Davidson, who was
troing home, to put himself in communication with an Architect in
England, in conjunction with Mr. W. Spottiswoode, whose lon^r
residence here would enable him to give much local information and
whose architectural abilities were well known to the Trustees.

" No plans were sent from Calcutta ; three were given in from
Singapore, one of which was selected by the Trustees and the subs-
cribers at a public meeting convened for the purpose. Some time
elapsed before Mr. Davidson sent his plan from London. It was by
Mr. Fergusson, who had been in Calcutta for many years and had
visited Singapore, he is now the Manager of the Crystal Palace, and
is the author of the popular book ' Handbook of Architecture.'
His plan was so similar to Mr. Bennett's that had been selected, that
the Trustees had no hesitation in adhering to Mr. Bennett\s plan as
the most appropriate one, and they were not a little proud that
Singapore could furnish a design of such high Architectural ])retonsions.
The Trustees had resolved that they would not be accessory to erecting
a building which would only last a few years instead of many
generations, or that from its unsightliness would be a disgrace to this
rising town."

670 Anecdotal Hixtory of Singapore

^^ On the 13tli November, 1855, a public mesting of the subscribers
was held and after an inspection of the plans, Mr. Bennett's was
adopted ; the amount subscribed was stated, and a rough estimate
was given in by Captain Macpher.son, the Government Superintendent
of Works, of the probable expense of constructing a new Town
Hall according to accompanying plan, No. 3, that is Mr. Bennett's;
this amounted to $12,565.50, but if iron girders and a slate roof were
adopted, it would amount to §15,315.50. Captain Macpherson further
stated the estimate allowed a wide margin and he thought the cost
would be somewhat less.

" On the faith of this, the Trustees commenced the erection of
the Town Hall, considering that, even if the building should cost more
than the amount raised, the Public would not be reluctant to supply
the deficiency, either bv individual subscriptions, or from tlie
Municipal Funds.

" Mr. Clunis, Junr., was chosen to superintend the construction
of the edifice and the selection of the materials, on account of his
experience in the P. & 0. Co.'s employment at the New Harbour, for
which he was to receive the sum of 8800 bv instalments. Contracts
were now attempted to be made with the Carpenters and Brick-
layers, when Captain Macpherson's estimate was found too low, and
xMr. Bennett gave in his, to the amount of §16,926.96.

^'The Trustees could not find any one in Singapore who would
contract for the whole building, so they necessarily had to divide
the contracts, into those for materials and labour. The first contractor
for timber received a small advance, disappeared, and has not
been seen since. The present Carpenter, who contracted for the
work at §3,000, and to supply timber at certain rates, has acted up
to his contract, and will probably finish his work to rhe satisfaction
o\' the Trustees.

*' For the Bricklayers' work they could not get a workman to
engage who could get guarantees, except one, who asked what we
at that time considered to be ridiculous. After much consideration
on the part of the Trustees it was decided to contract with a China-
man called Goh Khoy, who, though ho could give no security, was
well known to the Trustees as a most skilful workman, and under
Mr. Clunis's superintendence the work, it was thought, would be of
a superior quality to what could be got by ordinary contract.

"Goh Khoy agreed to furnish labour to finish the buildings for
§4,000, and it is likely that amount will not be exceeded, as he has
only received about one half and the building is half finished, yet
the amount subscribed is all expended save §78, and the Trustees
have every reason to believe that every dollar has been faithfully
laid out. From Mr. Clunis's statement now produced, it appears that
the sum of §13,129.62 has been expended, and that at the present
prices of materials and labour it will require 812,371.93 more to
finish tho building.

" The Trustees think that Mr. Clunis's estimate is rather over
than under the mark, from a prudent fear of again under-estimating.
Yet, at the least, §12,000 will be required to finish and paint the
building according to the plan. To take into consideration the ways

1858 671

and means, a public meeting of the subscribers was called on the
8th ultimo, and in consequence of the resolutions already ([uoted,
we now appear before you to request, that as the Town Hall is in-
tended for the use of the public, and a portion of it especially for
that of the Municipal Commissioners to whom, at its completion, it
is to be handed over, that you, the Municipal Commissioners, will take
over the building as it now stands, fulfil the contracts made by the
Trustees, and finish it according to the plan now laid before you,
from the funds of the Municipality, either raised by a loan expressly
for the purpose, to be paid o£E by the next generation who have
not subscribed but who will derive all the benefit from the building,
or in any other way the Commissioners may think fit.

" Trusting this request may meet with j'our approval, we beg to
lay before you our plans, estimate and papers.

H. T. Marshall, C. Spottiswoode, T. 0. Crane."

The Commissioners assured the deputation that the application
should have their most favourable attention, and resolved that the
Chairman should solicit an interview with His Honor the Governor
to consult on the subject of raising the necessary funds for completing
the Town Hall, under the provisions of Section xxxv of Act xxv
of 1856. Should this preliminary be satisfactorily arranged, the Com-
missioners would submit the plans and estimates to their Architect and
require him to report on the work already executed and on what
remained to be done; the Commissioners would then decide on their
answer and lose no time in communicating it to the deputation.

On 17th June Mr. Charles Spottiswoode died at the age uf 46
years. The Free Prrss spoke of him as one of the oldest and most
respected merchants in the Settlement. He was living at Spottiswoode
Park at the time of his death.

At this time the Municipal Commissioners gave notice that their
meetings were open to the public, they were held at 2 p.m. on the
7th and 27th of each month, unless it fell on a Sunday, in which cast*
the meeting was held on the Monday following.

At this time occurred the death of a Roman Catholic Priest at
Penang, which is mentioned as it has often been spoken of in
connection with the stories of deaths by tigers in the Straits. Father
Louis Marie Couellan, who had been fourteen years in the Straits,
had celebrated early mass at day-light on the first Rnnda\ in Advent
and was walking to takf* the service at Bukit Mertajam* when lie
was faced by a tiger in the jungfle path. He opened his umbrella
to frighten it, and had time to climb up a tree. The tiger remained
at the foot. Thi» congregation at Bukit Mertajam, finding he did not
come, set out to meet him. When they got near he called out to
them that there was a tiger there, and it was then frightened away.
Father Couellan died in Penang shortly afterwards of tetanus, from
the effect of the encounter.

Mr. John Harvey, who was a prominent resident in Singapore
left there in this year, having first arrived in 1840. He died, at the
age of 50 years, in 1879. There is a tablet to liis memory in the
south aisle of St. Andrew's Cathedral.

672 Anecdotal History of Svignpore

In this year the firm of Busing, Schroder & Co. commenced
business; also Lorrain Sandilands & Co. in which the partners
were G. M. Sandilands in Penang, and John Buttery in Singapore.
Mr. Walter Scott Lorrain was in Glasgow.

On 1st January Pnttfarcken Rheiner & Co. commenced, the
two partners being Otto Pnttfarcken and Otto Rheiner, who had both
been in Rautenberg, Schmidt & Co. since 1854.

The firm of Reme & Co. was also commenced in this year, by
G. A. Reme. In 1861 Edward John Leveson, a very wc»ll known
resident, joined as partner, and it was styled R^me, Leveson & Co.
in 1862. They had both been clerks in the German firm of Apel & Co.
which began in 1845. The firm was afterwards Reme Brothers.

In 1858 Mr. Phib*]) Robinson, first established the business of
Robinson & Co., which has grown into such a large shop. He came
to Singapore in 1857 from Melbourne, where he had been in the
firm of Passmore, Watson & Co. He was at first an assistant in
Cursotjee & Co.'s shop for a few months, and in 1858 he joined
James Gaborian Spicer, under the name of Spicer & Robinson. Spicer
was keeper of the Jail for some years from about 1845, and then
was in a shipwright's business called Spicer & Morrison. He did
not remain long in the business with Mr. Robinson, and in 1858
}ie left it, and Mr. Geo. Rappa, Jnr., who is still in Singapore, joined
Mr. Robinson as a partner. The business continues under the name of
Robinson & Co., until the present time, his son Stamford Raffles
Robinson taking his father's place, after he died in London in 1886.

Mr. Philip Robinson was one of the founders of the " Grospel
House " in Rencoolen Street, which led on to the Bethesda in Bras
Bassa Road. There was a library attached to the Gospel House for
some years. The " tea meetings " which came into vogue afterwards
in Singapore were first introduced by him. His family was well known
in the west of Enjrlnnd, and one of his brothers was Mavor of Bristol.

1859 673

CHAPTER XLVII.

1859.

N January attention was called to the action of the States General
of Holland protesting against the proceedings of Rajah Brooke at
rawak, which they said was contrary to the Treaty of 1824, and that
was of paramount importance that the Netherlands Government should
pose with all its might, if necessary, every British Government Settle -
►nt on Borneo.

So far from the Treaty supporting the interpretation put forward, it
?med to furnish very clear evidence, in the 3rd and 6th articles, that
eat Britain could form new settlements in Borneo or elsewhere, when-
?r the British Government should deem it expedient to do so. The
I article ceded to England all the establishments on the Continent of
iia, but the next article, in place of ceding all English establishments

the Eastern Seas or renouncing the right to form them thereafter,
Tely coded the possessions in Sumatra and engaged that no British
tlement should be formed on that island, and in the next article engaged
%t no British establishment should be formed upon any of the otner
ands of the Rhio-Lingga Archipelago, of which Singapore forms part,
t to which the Dutch withdrew any objections they had made to its
pupation by the English.

So far from England contemplating any such abandonment of the
dian Archipelago to the Netherlands, as was now contended by the
itch, the British Plenipotentiaries, in the note subjoined to the treaty,
tted that they *^ record, with sincere pleasure, the disavowal, on the part

the Dutch, of any design to aim either at political supremacy or at
mmercial monopoly in the Eastern Archipelago." Great Britain had
e best right to complain of the numerous infractions of the treaty by
e Dutch, which had often been allowed to pass without notice.

The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China was established in
ngapore on 19th February, and filled the blank caused by the with-
awal of the North Western Bank. Mr. James Eraser, of Maclaine
•aser & Co., was on the Board of Directors in London, and several of
e most influential of the retired Singapore merchants were connected
th it. Mr. David Duff was the first Manager, then called Agent, in
ngapore.

On 28th March, Captain H. T. Marshall, for many years the
;ent of the P. & 0. Company in Singapore, then called Superin-
ndent, being about to leave for England, was entertained very
.ndsomely at a large dinner of upwards of sixty persons, by the
•eemasons at their Hall on the Esplanade, at the corner of Coleman
reet. The chaplain the Rev. T. C. Smyth, m.a. (Cantab.), a high
ason, who was Chaplain for two years at that time, was in the
air. The P, & 0, wharf and establishment at New Harbour, which

C74 Anecdotal History of Singapore

were said to be superior to any other of the company on the line, was
due to him, and he liad done, the Free Press said, a great deal in the
place in very many ways. Municipal, Educational, &c., and would be a
great loss.

In April the Government steamer Hooghly, George Tod Wright,
commander, attacked two Chinese pirate junks which had taken a junk
the day before off the coast of Tringann, and rifled her of opium and
all she contained. The pirates were too heavily armed, and the
Hooghly was drawing off, when the Siamese steamer Choic Phya came
in sight at 6 p.m. on her usual run from Bangkok to Singapore. She
had no guns, but she lent boats to attack the pirates in shore the
next morning ; when it was found the boats manned by native seamen
could not advantageously attack the pirates, who were too stron^lv
posted, so they withdrew. The fact was, the Hooghly was so old that
she could only steam five to seven knots, and the Chinese junks
could do more with a fair wind.

H. M. S. Et^lc, Captain Sir R. McClure, 1,175 tons, at once went
out from Singapore, taking Mr. Warwick, the chief officer of the
Hooghly, and not being able to find the two junks, lay in wait,
by his advice, in Condore Bay, and on the second day the two
pirates came sailing in. Between them they had 28 large guns. A
Special Criminal Sessions was held on 4th June to try the pirates, 52 of
them were tried, were all convicted, and sentenced to various terms
of transportation to Bombay.

Sir Robert Le Mesurier McClure, k.c.b., of the Esk, had been
knighted for services on an Arctic voyage. His book *^ Discovery of the
North-West Passage by H. M. S. Investigator 1850-54" was published
in 1857, and is in the Library.

The steamer Chow Phya, just mentioned, is worthy of notice, as she
seems to have made a wonderful record of steamer life in Singapore.
She was built at West Hartlepool in 1858, and was running for years
between Bangkok and Singapore, owned hy the King of Siam or his
Prime Minister, after whom she was named. She was sold in what was
thought to be her old age, many years since, but is still running
regularly in the Straits, to Malacca and Klang, but is close to the end of
her life now. She was built of very good half-inch iron plates, and ther^
has been no vessel in the Straits like her.

Her captain in the Bangkok trade was very well known in
Singapore; he died here in 1885, 62 years of age. He was the brother
of the famous claimant in the Tichborne case. A very hard working,
persevering man, quite a character in Singapore. The Engineer of the
Chow Phya at the beginning was Mr. Hargreaves, one of the founders
afterwards of Riley, Hargreaves & Co.

The beginning of submarine tclecrraph lines from Singapore was
very unfortunate. In May the Dutch Government determined to lay a
cable to Batavia, and obtained leave to lay it from Singapore. The
line w*as completed on 24th November, and the merchants in Singapore
sent a congratulatory message to which the Batavia merchants replied.
The second message was from the Governor-General of Netherlands
India to Governor Cavenagh, to which the latter replied. Then it
snapped ! A ship's anchor was thought to have broken the cable. It

1859 875

was repaired, but only remained a short time in operation, and after
having been once or twice more repaired, it remained obstinately mute,
and on examination was found so much injured, and in so many places,
that the attempt to repair it was abandoned. An oflSce, a two-storied
buildingr, had been erected on the left bank of the river, about where
the back of tlie Government Offices are now, and was used afterwards
as the Master Attendant's Office.

In May, Government Hill was undergoing a rapid metamorphosis
from the peaceful and historical seat of tho Governor's residence from
the first days of Raffles, into what the newspaper described as a strong
and extensive fortification, intended to be called Fort Canning after the
Governor-General. The top of the hill was raised several feet to afford
sufficient level surface, and when finished was to enclose an area of
about seven acres. By the middle of May seven 68-pounders were in
position facing the sea. The work was carried out with 400 Chinese
coolies. After it was completed, it was noticed that Pearl's Hill was
higher, so the Government Military Engineer preceded to cut down the
top of that Hill !

Fort Fullerton was also being enlarged to nearly three times its
former extent, and was being armed with 56 and 68 pounders. It
extended from the river to Johnston's Pier, with a house for the
officer in the centre, and barracks for the soldiers along the roadside,
and was planted with trees. The estimated cost of the works
was said to be $840,000. Smaller works were contemplated on
Pearl's Hill and Mount Sophia, but were not carried out.

The Governor on leaving Fort Canning Hill went to live at the
Pavilion on Oxley Estate. Mr. Schreiber of Behn, Meyer & Co., had
been living there, and was away in Europe. He came back, and
Government House was moved to Leonie Hill, Grange Road ; the same
house is still standing. It was rented from Mr. Thomas Hinton
Campbell, of Martin Dyce & Co., who had gone home, and was
vacated when the present Government House was ready for occupation
in October, 1869.

Governor Blundell, just as he was about to leave, provoked a
good deal of odium by proposing to sell part of the land in Cam-
pong Glara, lying between the road and the sea in front of the
houses of the Europeans, on the Beach. There was a long corres-
pondence in February, and meetings about it, and it was said that
it was not only a question between the Governor and the owners
of those houses, but one for the public at large, who were as much
entitled as the house-owners to the use of the beach, which they
had enjoyed since the formation of the Settlement. The plan was
dropped, Mr. Blundell having first made the suggestion that the
land should not be sold as long as the properties on the inland
side of the road were used as European dwelling houses.

A serious misunderstanding arose in Penang between Mr. Blundell
and the Recorder of Penang, Sir Benson Maxwell, about the illegal
detention of a woman by the police in Province Wellesley. Both
sides appealed to Lord Canning, the Governor-General. The eventual
result was, that an enquiry was ordered to be held by Governor
Cavenagh, and the woman was compensated.

676 Anecdotal History of Singapore

In July it was announced that Mr. Blundell had sent in his
resignation. He had been Governor since 1855. Sir John Inglis,
the defender of Lucknow in the Mutiny, was mentioned as likely
to be his successor, but Colonel Cavenagh was appointed, and arrived
on Saturday, 6th August, from Calcutta, and Mr. Blundell made
over to him on the Monday, and left for Calcutta, retiring on
pension, but having been granted leave of absence for one month
to visit Calcutta preparatory to resigning his office, Colonel Cavenagh
to officiate as Governor during his absence on leave.

Colonel Orfeur Cavenagh received from Lord Canning the
appointment of Governor of the Straits. He had twice distinguished
himself in India ; he had been actively engaged in the Punjab war,
where he lost a leg, and when the Mutiny broke out, he was
Town Major in Calcutta. When he accepted the appointment he
thought it would only be a short one, as the transfer was likely
to take place, and he remarked in his book, written in 1886, and
referred to hereafter, that he then little anticipated that his official
career would be brought to an early close in 1867, when he
naturally entertained expectations of succeeding to one of the prizes
of the Indian Service. His term of office, however, extended quite
a^ long as that of most of the Governors of Singapore, being only
exceeded by those of Mr. Bonham and Colonel Butterworth.

In the Free Press of 7th July is a copy of a long " Memorandum
on Pulo Penang," without date, signed by Arthur Wellesley, afterwards
Duke of Wellington, relating to its position, need of defences, means
of revenue, &c. It is a pity that such a thing should be lost. It
contains a good deal of interesting matter, and, at a guess, was
probably written about the beginning of last century, before Singapore
was founded.

The construction of St. Andrew's Church went on so slowly that
several jocose letters appeared in the Free Press upon the bankruptcy
of the Government finances. Among others was this poetry : —

" If then would'st view the Church aright.

Go visit it on a moonless night,

For the gay beams of lightsome day

Gild, but to show, the sad decay,

Then roofless porches, choir, aisle, nave,

Are silent as the ocean wave.

Then the warm night's uncertain shower

Pours through the ruined steeple tower;

Then from the roof, in puddles, flop

The rainy streamlets, drop by drop;

And make one sigh in these hard days

At the dire waste the view displays.

Then go at once, nor wait the while,

Would'st view St. Andrew's ruined pile.

And, home returning, softly swear

Never was scene so sad as there."
In September Jose d' Almeida & Sons advertised Mount Victoria for
sale, *' with an area of over 100 acres of beautifuUj' situated hillocks
well adapted for country re5;idences, consisting of three or more sites.

UOVBKNOK OKtUUk CAVI

1859 677

besides the house occupied by Jose d'Ahneida, Esq., with a beautiful
view of the country round and part of tlie harbour ; only a few minutes
drive from town; and the land planted with fruit and nutmeg trees
in bearing/' And in December, Hamilton, Gray & Co. advertised for
sale *' the valuable and extensive nutmeg plantation in Claymore and
Tauglin, called the Sri Menanti Estate, belonging to G. G. Nicol, Esq.,
consisting of six hills, about 150 acres in all, with one of the most
commodious and substantially built residences in Singapore, on a hill
about two miles from to^vn, and a small bungalow on one of the
other hills."

On 18th November, 1857, Tan Kim Seng had offered $13,000 for
the purpose of bringing a sufficient supply of good Avater into the town,
which was much required, and to show the interest he felt in the place.
He said in his letter that he was told good water in sufficient quantity
could be «:ot from and near Bukit Timah and there would be an ample
supply to be laid on to the principal thoroughfares in the town. The
Secretary of State for India, amonpf others, expressed his warm acknow-
ledgments for the public spirited liberality of Tan Kim Seng.

He was a native of Malacca and began life in humble circumstances.
By his perseverance, intelligence and integrity, he rose steadily in the
world and left a large fortune to his children. He was for many years a
Justice of the Peace, and was constantly referred to by his countrymen in
the settlement of their disputes. He took a warm interest in the wel-
fare of the place in which he had thriven so successfully, and in addition
to this gift for supplying water to the town in Singapore, he gave the
large iron bridge over the river close to the Stadt House at Malacca, a
few feet only above the spot where Albuquerque's bridge was, as shown
in the old maps of Malacca.

Tan Kim Seng died at Malacca, at 59 years of age, on 14th March,
1864. His eldest son. Tan Beng Swee, took his place in many ways,
and used to go to Malacca once a year, and was said there to be a
generous man, but he did not follow his father's example as regards
Singapore. He died in Singapore at his house in River Valley Road on
Itli November, 1884, and was buried in Malacca.

Xothing wa3 done with Kim Seng's money until just before his
death. Plans had been made, and schemes suggested, and a great
deal of talk went on at the Municipal Meetings, and there was much
correspondence with Government about the delay, and several places
were proposed for the reservoir, such as New Harbour, Bukit Timah,
and Thomson's Road. A serious drought seems to have- brought mat-
ters to a head, and the plans were sanctioned by Calcutta about
December, 1862, and it was said in 1864 that the work would be finished
in a year, but it never was.

Kim Seng^s money was spent on a lot of earthenware drain
pipes which turned out no use, and for some time a number of
them lay at Kandang Kerbau, and could be had for the taking
away. And there was an advertisement in the paper that unless a
large quantity of water pipes on board a ship in the harbour were
taken delivery of, the master would get rid of them in some other
way. The only result of Kim Seng's gift was that the money was
all wasted by the Government Engineer, who hoped to make water

678 Anecdotal Hidory of Singapore

run up hill through the pipes, and in 1882 the Municipality erected
the large fountain close to Johnston's Pier with the inscription :
'^This fountain is erected by the Municipal Commissioners in com-
memoration of Mr. Tan Kim Seng's donation towards the cojit
of the Singapore Water-Works."

Rules were published towards the end of the year requiring per-
sons seeking employment in the Government service to pass in the
Malay language within twelve months after appointment.

The enhanced value of land, noticed in 1858, was fully main-
tained for a considerable part of the year, but towards the end
there was a re-action. The demand for land in town and country
seemed to have been fully satisfied, and it was difficult to sell at
all.

In this year the business of G. Kalteubach & Co. was
established. In 1862 F. Eugler joined and it became Kalteubach, Engler
& Co. They had a large store at the south west corner of the
Square, where Katz Brothers, Limited are now, but a much smaller
building than the present one.

The Netherlands Trading Society opened their branch iu 1859,
and Mr. H. J. van Hoorn was the first Manager in Singapore, where
he died in November, 1865, at 16 years of age. Mr. Richard
Owen Norris was the first clerk, and has continued in the office
to the present day, his long local knowledge of, and warm interest
in, the history of Singapore are well known, and he has been of
very great and most ungrudging service in the compilation of this
book.

The firm of Smith, Bell & Co., also began business in Siui^apore
this year, John Knox Smith being the resident partner.

1860 679

CHAPTER XLVIII.

1860.

"^N 10th March oflScial notification was received by the Government
^ that the port and river of Saigon were opened for trade. There
IS an anchorage dutj of two dollars a ton, and an import duty of 20
r cent, on the value of opium, but no other duties at that time. It
)uld have been well for the place if it had remained so.

Orders were received from Calcutta in March to push on the
mpletion of the barracks on Fort Canning Hill, and steps were taken
acquire the present land at Tanglin for European barracks.

Mr Carrol shot a very large tiger at Sungei Lunchu in Johore,
lich had killed a number of people.

In this year John Baxter and John Lawrence Kirby started as
arine Surveyors for Lloyds and other Insurance Companies. Mr. Baxter
.d been in Siam, building vessels for Tan Kirn Ching, and was afterwards
partner in Tivendale & Co., shipwrights at Singapore river next the
)urt House. He was a native of Port Glasgow in Scotland, and was
well-known character in Singapore for many years and died here in
?tober, 1892, leaving money to the Presbyterian Church to provide a
mse, from which the house in Cavenagh Road was purchased and re-
lilt subsequently. He was the honest, bluff old Scotsman, of whom
L anecdote is told on the last page of Mr. W. H. Bead^s book
Plav and Politics."

Mr. Kirby had been in Duncan Dunbar's famous Indian merchant
rvice between England and India. He was very popular in Singapore,
id famous for his good natured jokes. The following is an example.

At that time there was, of course, no direct telegraphic communica-
)n with Europe, and as everyone was eager to hear the news on the
rival of the mail, and as it took some time to sort the letters and
wspapers at the Post Office it was arranged that the large parcel of
pies of the London and China Exjiresif, with a sort of precis of the
test news, should be sent by post to Colombo. There the purser of
e P. & 0. took them from the Post Office, and on reaching Singapore,
len the mail got near the wharf, they were thrown from the steamer,
id taken up to town in a hack gharry to John Little & Co.^s, where
ople used to wait to ^et them as soon as they were likely to reach
ere. There was a somewhat irascible manager in the shop on the
casion in question, which Captain Kirby took advantage of. Just a 8
e mail had come in one morning, he took an old copy of that paper
I the file, and asked another person to go with him with another old
py . They stood at Little^s door and pretended to read. Very soon some
le came running up, "What, got the papers already ?" and, not waiting

680 Anecdotal Hldori/ af Singapore

for ail answer, rushed inside where the manager was sitting near the
back. More came up, and ran in. Then a loud dispute was heard
inside, the people asking for the China E.rprrss, and the manager yen-
angrily saying that they were not come, to what the e([ually excited
reply was that they were, as Kirby was reading his at the door. Kirbv,
when the dispute got warm, pocketed his paper, and walked quickly
away round the corner to his oflSce.

On 6th June, Dr. Charles Julius Curtis died in Singapore. He had
been a medical practitioner for many years and coroner. He was
succeeded by Dr. John Scott, who came from Penang, and accompanied
Tumongong Abubakar to England in 1866.

On 20th July a public meeting was held at the News Room about
the proposed extension of the Indian Income Tax bill to the Straits.
Mr. W. H. Read was in the chair. It was shewn that the revenue
was more than equal to all the expenditure which could with justice
be charged against the local government, and that there was no
necessity for any additional revenue, and that the surplus in Singapore,
which was about £35,000 (fe. 356,030) was more than sufficient to
cover any deficiency that might exist at Penang or Malacca.

The following resolutions were agreed to by the Meeting : —
Proposed by Joaquim Almeida, and seconded by R. C. Woods :—
That the inhabitants of these settlements have a constitutional
right to be consulted before a tax, arbitrary, impolitic, and inex-
pedient, is forced upon them.

Proposed by J. Davidson, and seconded by Joze d' Almeida:—
That an income tax is of a nature especially unsuited to the natives
of these settlements, who are peculiarly averse to all inquisitorial
measures, and view with deep distrust all new taxes of an unknown
nature.

Proposed by C. H. H. Wilsone, and seconded by N. B. Watson :—
That the provisions of the proposed Act are framed in total ignor-
ance of the financial position and resources of these Settlements, and
the character of their inhabitants.

Proposed by J. J. Greenshields, and seconded by W. Paterson : —
That the imposition of the income Tax on the Straits Settlements,
under present circumstance, — besides being unconstitutional — ^is un-
reasonable and unnecessary : 1st., because the revenue is already
suflScient to meet all legitimate charges, and 2ndly., because tbe
transfer of these Settlements to the Colonial Office has been already
determined upon, and will be carried into effect so soon as the
necessary arrangements can be made : these Settlements are now
virtually one of Her Majesty's Colonies.

Proposed by Dr. Scott, and seconded by W. Paterson: — ^That
Petitions to the Houses of Parliament and the Legislative Council of
India, embodying the resolutions of this meeting be drawn up, and
transmitted with as little delay as possible. '^

A Committee, consisting of the following gentlemen, was formed
for the purpose of drawing up the Petitions to Parliament and the
Legislative Council of India, namely, the Chairman, A Logan, B. C.
Woods, J. J. Greenshields, Wra, Paterson, James Davidson^ A. M.
Aitken and C. H. Harrison.

1860 681

A copy of the Petition was printed in the Free Press of 2nd
August. The Calcutta Government soon afterwards dropped the
question.

In the accounts referred to in connection with that matter it is
noticed that at that time an annual sum of %. 24^245 was spent
for house rent and batta (extra pay) for the Senior Naval Officer,
and fig. 8,539 for batta to H. M. Ships.

In October the newspaper said : — " Orders are said to have been
recently received from the Government of India for the erection of a battery
at Sandy Point. It will probably be an expensive work, owing to the
difficulty of making a secure foundation at that place. This will be
another item in the bill which the Indian Government is running up for
the fortifications at Singapore, and which has already been found such a
serious obstacle to the transfer of the Straits Settlements to the Colonial
Office. The extensive scale on which these fortifications hyq being con-
structed is wholly uncalled for and will prove a source of embarrassment to
the colony in the future." The battery was never constructed.

In October Mr. Charles Emmerson came to Singapore, and advertised
that he had commenced to practise as a member of the College of Veteri-
nary Surgeons. He was the first to practise in Sinj^apore. He afterwards
commenced a very small tiffin room in Battery Road, in addition to his
other occupation, and it grew into a hotel on Beach Road, occupying two
large houses, and to the tiffin rooms at Cavenagh Bridge which are still
known by his name. He was a very popular amateur actor for many
years in low comedy characters. He died in Singapore in 1883.

The first performance in the theatre in the Town Hall was given on
24th October in aid of the funds required for completing the building.
The plays were a comedy called The Folies of a Night and the farce
A Storm in a Teapot, It was repeated with Bomhastes Furioso, which
was often performed in Singapore, in place of the farce.

In October the Rajah of Pahang and the Rajah of Kedah, with a
number of followers, paid visits to Singapore.

In November the Calcutta Government sanctioned the erection of
a lighthouse on Cape Rachado.

The Indian Penal Code having been passed, Mr. Willans, the
Magistrate of Police wrote the following letter to the Resident Councillor
on 3rd November. The recommendation was forwarded to Calcutta with
the Governor's entire concurrence. '^ Having perused the Indian Penal Code
recently passed by the Legislative Council of India, I much regret to
find that the Straits Settlements have been excepted from its provisions.
The Code in question is a most important enactment and contains within
itself a full and lucid exposition of its provisions. Its application to
this Settlement would I feel assured be of infinite advantage and I
would respectfully submit for the consideration of His Honor the
(lovernor the desirability of procuring, if possible, its extension to the
Straits ; such extension would I believe be acceptable to the inhabitants.
I am aware that these Settlements were at the last moment excluded
from the provisions of the Act in consequence of their probable transfer
to the Colonial Office, but as such transfer, if at all, may not take place
for a considerable time, I would most respectfully urge that it is unde-
sirable this Community should be debarred from so important an improve-

682 Anecdotal History of Singapore

ment in the Law for an indefinite period. Should such transfer be
carried into effect earlier than expected and a Legislative Council granted
for the Colony, some length of time would possibly elapse before such
Council could prepare and pass so complete a measure of Criminal Law,
while if the Code was in force at the time of transfer, any alteration
that might bo considered expedient could be easily made by Council/'

Mr. Willans proved quite correct, for the Code was not introduced
into Singapore until 1871.

The following was in the newspaper in November, 1860 : — '* On the
evening of Monday, 26tli November, 1860, the iSingapore Volunteers were
reviewed by the Hon. the Governor, Colonel Cavenagh, on the Esplanade.
The volunteers mustered in full force under their commandant. Captain
Kead, and on the arrival of His Honor, accompanied by Brigadier Burn and
Staff, preserited arms. They then marched past in slow and quick time,
and went through a number of Light Infantry manoeuvres, advancing,
firing, halting, changing front in one direction and in the other, form-
ing square, retiring, and finally, having fired two volleys with
remarkable precision, they formed up in their original position and
again presented arms.

"The Governor then addressed the corps in animated language.
He alluded to the formation of the corps, which had the honor to be
the first enrolled in India and was therefore entitled to bear upon its
colours the inscription Priitms in Indis, He dwelt upon the great
utility of volunteers in general, and adverted to his own experience as
having commanded the Calcutta volunteers during the Indian rebellion,
when they were found so eminently useful in preserving confidence and
order in the Capital, and in allowing the regular troops to be
employed in active operations against the mutineers. His Honor
adverted to the great and wonderful progress such institutions had
made in the mother country of late, and as in these days no dependence
could be placed in the duration of peace, the gallant speaker said he
thought it behoved all good and true subjects to stand forward in the
general defence. Colonel Cavenagh then eulogised those of our fellow
citizens who, though not British subjects, yet showed their appreciation
of the protection bestowed by our laws and of the benefits they thereby
derived, by swelling the numbers of the volunteers, and he concluded
by expressing a hope that those young men who had not yet joined
the corps would no longer hesitate to enrol themselves as members of
the Sintrapore Volunteer Eifles.

"The Governor complimented the volunteers on their soldierly
appearance and the steadiness and precision with which the various
manoeuvres had been gone through. Much of which was owing to the
indefatigable exertions of the gallant Captain and other officers of the
Corps, who were no doubt highly gratified at the result of their
assiduity having elicited the commendations of so competent an
authority in these matters as Colonel Cavenagh. The spirited address
of the Governor was followed by three hearty cheers for His Honor.
The spectators then gave three cheers for the gallant corps, which
marched off to the Masonic Lodge. The excellent Band of Her
Majesty's 40th Regiment M. N. I. attended, by the kind permission of
the officers of the Regiment, and added much to the gaiety of the scene. "

I860 683

The screw steamer Sir James Brooke owned by the Borneo Com-
pany, Limited, was totally lost on the 17th September, oa the rocks off
Point Romania. She was on hev way to Singapore from Bangkok
with II cargo of rice.

In the latter part of the year a number of failures occurred among
the Chinese traders. In most cases private arrangements were made,
and a composition accepted with security, but it was thought that in
some cases insolvency had been declared while the parties were quite
able to pay in full, and that it was done to save a considerable per-
centage on their liabilities, and was not weighed against the effect which
such a course might have upon their future credit as traders. Credit
was obtained so very easily, that even repeated insolvency only
operated against a trader for a time.

A census was taken by the Police during the year, the total
population being^ reckoned as 80,792, of whom Europeans and Eurasians
were -,445, and Chinese 50,043.

The new General Hospital and the Lunatic Asylum at Kandang
Kerbau were completed and occupied. The whole expense of the former
had been fi«. 51,086; and of the latter ftj. 46,259. The foundations
of Cape Rachado Lighthouse were cut and materials collected, the
expense being B«. 20,200.

The Agri-Horticultural Society was established in this year, the
Government giving the large extent of ground at 'J'anglin, where
the gardens still are, for the purpose. They were supported for some
years by private subscription, but were afterwards taken over by the
Government.

The rendezvous at Singapore of the vessels carrying troo.ps and
stores for the operations in China, both from Europe and India,
caused much activity in the harbour, and the war was prosecuted so
quickly that before the close of the year a number of transports
with troops who had been engaged in the hostilities, passed westward
again through the harbour. Besides visits from the Earl of Elgin
and Baron Gros the French Plenipotentiary, on their way to China,
Singapore was visited by the Russian Envoy and Plenipotentiary to
China, Japan, and Siam with a numerous suite, who remained in
Singapore for some days waiting for the Russian man-of-war which
met them in the harbour.

Tho firm of Stelling, Hooglandt & Co., was begun on Ist February,
1800, by G. H. P. Stelling, and Willem Hooglandt the partner resident
in Singapore.

684 Anecdotal History of Singapore

CHAPTER XUX.

1861

AT 7-30 p.m. on 16th January an earthquake was felt at Singapore,
lasting about a minute; the direction appearing to be from S. W.
to N. E. There were two shocks, the undulations being very distinct,
ifcnd producing in many persons a feeling of nausea, and the idea
that the house was going to tumble down ; doors rattling and hang-
ing lamps swinging about, for some minutes. Those who were
upstairs ran down. It was felt also in Malacca and Penang.

As far as is ascertained, there had been three previous instances
of earthquakes felt in the Settlement. The first at 9 p.m. on
Sunday, 24th November, 1833, when a shock lasting upwards of a
minute was felt, and followed by two more ; one at 3, and the other
at 4-30 a.m. That was also felt at Malacca and Penang.

The next was in 1837, when a large wave broke on the
sea-shore at Teluk Ayer. The third was half an hour after midnight on
6th January, 1843, which was also felt in Penang.

Earthquakes are of so frequent occurrence in Sumatra, Java, &c.,
that it is well to give these instances to show how little effect they
have had at Singapore, where the oscillation is always attributed to
a volcano in some of those directions, that of 1833 having been
attributed to Gunong Berapi in Sumatra.

The most noticeable occurrence of this kind heard in Singapore
was, of course, that of Krakatoa, in the Straits of Anjer, about 500 miles
from Singapore, on 26th to 28th August, 1883. On Sunday after-
noon, the 27th, about 5.45 o'clock, during the chanting of the
Psalms in St. Andrew's Cathedral, a loud explosion was heard^ which
was the first to be noticed. It was thought that^ contrary to
rules, the blasting of the rocks in a hill at Tanjong Pagar,
which had been going on for some time in order to reclaim
Teluk Ayer Bay, was being continued on Sunday ; and faint
rumblings and explosions, heard at intervals that evening' and
during the night, were thought to be caused in the same way.
Those in the country thought it was saluting, or signals from the
Fort, and some natives thought it was a battle between the French
and Chinese. But about 11 a.m. on the Monday morning a very much
louder report was heard, which was the last, and when some one
in the Supreme Court suggested that the noises must be occasioned
by an eruption, the speaker was laughed at. Shortly after noon a
telegram came from Java that the natives were all flying, the sky
in darkness, and general consternation. Then the telegraph cable
broke, and nothing more was heard until a day or two afterwards.

1861 685

when a Dutch gunboat, which had been near tlie mountain at the
time, came into Singapore, and the Captain said it had been an awful
experience, describing it by saying that they thouglit they were in
hell : with the fire, the smoke, the thick darkness, except for the
flashes of the fire, and the great weights of pumice stone and ashes
that had to be constantly cleared off the ship^s deck, or they would
have sunk her.

Not long afterwards pieces of pumice stone, as big as a hat,
were floating about outside the harbour, and Mr. George Dare
brought pieces to the Club in his canoe. There was a scientific
account of the disaster by Dr. Treub in the " Annals of the Botanical
Gardens of Buitenzorg in Java, *' vol. 7. The tidal wave caused
by the fight between fire and water, in which the water was the
conqueror, was twenty-five metres high. It was thought that at
least thirty thousand natives perished, but the loss of life could not
possibly be ascertained.

Singapore lies in the centre of a circle, in peace and safety so far as
human experience has hitherto shown ; but on the circumference of that
circle, there are volcanic eruptions in Java, causing widespread death and
destruction ; earthquakes in Manila, tumbling down buildings like houses
of cards ; typhoons in Hongkong, tossing large vessels on to the shore,
destroying heavily built sea-walls in the Praya, and blowing away
massive stone verandahs on the most solidly constructed buildings on
the sea-front ; cyclones in Calcutta, sinking ships and causing great damage
and loss of life — while, in Singapore, convulsions of nature are
unknown, and a Sumatra squall blowing away the attap roof of a house on
a hill overlooking the present Ladies Lawn Tennis Ground on to the
old Dhoby green, some thirty-five years ago, on the morning of the day
when there was to be a dinner party in the evening as a house-warm-
ing, is, possibly, the worst that can be alleged against the forces of nature.

On 1st February the P. & 0. advertised a rise in passage
fares. 'Jo Southampton first class was 8552, with §83.60 for the
transit through Egypt. The Singapore paper remarked that in
addition to the permanent complaints of bad fare and overcrowded
vessels, there had been an extraordinary number of breaks down in
their steamers. The Calcutta Friend of India said at the same time
that much grumbling, many threats, and frequent denunciations had
been met by one virtue ''the public can depend upon us for punc-
tuality '' ; but even this consolation had been taken away.

During the race week in May, Tan Kim Seng gave a ball in
the Masonic Lodge on the Esplanade to all the Europeans. In the
same month it was reported that Sir James Brooke might be the
Governor, if the transfer took place and Colonel Cavenagh returned
to India. The paper said that the Rajah would govern the Straits
with the vigour and sagacity that had distinguished his career in
Borneo.

On 24th May, the Queen\s birthday, the Volunteers paraded with
all the troops on the Esplanade in the morning, and a salute was
fired at the same time from the new Fort Canning.

In August there were very heavy wind and rain squalls on two
days and a large three-storied godown which was being built on

686 Anecdotal History of Singapore

the left-hand side of Almeida Street, about half way down after
leaving the Square, for Jose d' Almeida & Sons, which had jnst been
roofed in, fell down; one man sleeping inside was killed. Basing,
Schroder & Co., were the tenants.

An ice-making machine was set up in August, but it did not
work satisfactorily. After 'the ice-house was built, a private company
imported ice pro bono publico, and charged five cents a pound, which
resulted in a heavy loss. The house then remained empty for a
considerable time, when Mr. Tudor, an American, tried to keep up
a supply; but it was constantly failing, and often at the hottest
times. It was said in the newspaper that ho lost $20,000 over it.
Wlien the ice failed, liquids used to be cooled by turning the bottles
in pails with saltpetre. It was not for many years after this, that
the supply of ice could be depended on. The local consumption
was then so small, and there was no demand for steamers, except
for the mails.

In May, Drs. Little and Robertson advertised that their Singapore
Dispensary in the Square was put under the entire management of
Mr. Robert Jaimie, who had come out from Edinburgh for the
purpose. He lived for many years over the Dispensary in the Square,
in the same building as at present, but latterly he lived at Seran-
goon on the larg^e cocoanut plantation he bought there, as has been
said on page 185. He is now living at Edinburgh.

On Monday, 7th October, Sir James Brooke was entertained bv
the whole community at a ball in the Assembly Rooms. It had been
proposed to have a dinner but the ladies wished to take part in it.
Sir James was on his way home on account of ill-health. He returned
to Sarawak afterwards for a short time, and left there for the last
rime in October, 1863, and died at Burrator in Devonshire, on 15th
Jniip, 1868, where he is buried.

In this year the fortification and barracks on Fort Canning were
completed, and the European Artillerymen were removed from the
buildings on Pearls Hill, which were from that time occupied by the
Commissariat Department. The attap barracks at Tanglin were so
far advanced as to be capable of affording ample accommodation for a
European regiment, l)ut the newspaper said that they would probably
remain empty and deteriorate rapidly in consequence ; which proved
to bo the case. The sea-wall, now called CoUyer Quay, from Fort
FuUerton to the old Teluk Ayer market, was nearly completed at
the end of 1861, and the space behind it was being gradually filled
in to allow of godowns being built, which it was said would greatly
improve the appearance of the town ; as they did five years
afterwards.

The annual report for 1860-61 stated that lb. 21,784 had then
been spent on St. Andrew's Church, and that the building of the
tower was in abeyance owing to the settlement of its foundation,
and that the design would probably have to be changed for the sake
of a lighter superstructure.

The German Club gave a performance in the Town Hall in
September, in aid of the building fund. There was a heavy rainfall
this year, as in other parts of the Indian Archipelago, greatly

1861 687

damaging the roads. The now Agri-Horticnltural Society held two
shows of fruit, vegetables and flowers, in Juno and December.

The Sultan of Tringanu and the Bandahara of Pahang visited
Singapore ; and the Prime Minister of Siam, Chow Phya Sri Sury-
wongsie and two sons of the First King of Siam, with a large
letinue, came in July on their way to Quedah, from where they went
overland to Siam. There were then two Kings of Siam called the
First and Second Kings.

In December the Free Press said that the Town Hall was
assuming an appearance very creditable to the Settlement, but the work
had been broui/ht to a stand for want of funds, as the Treasurers wore
iindor an advance of $5,000, and the Committee would have to apply
to tli(» public for further money. The great advance in tlie cost of
building materials which took place during its erection, caused the
original estimates to be much exceeded.

In 1886, Mr. James Guthrie wrote from London, because he
had heard that some question had arisen about the purposes for
which the Town Hall had been built. He said, " As I had a
good deal to do with it, perhaps my information may be useful.
The ground was given by the Government — a free gift. The whole
of the money was sub<<cribed by the European and other residents,
all of whom gave liberally, but, as often happens, the building cost
a good deal more than estimated, so the movers in the good work
had rather a troublesome time of it, but, I am happy to say, were
again and again most kindly received, when appearing with an
empty bag — never in my remembrance being refused a further sul>-
scription to the good work, in which all were interested. The
building was at last completed, and an arrangement was made with
the Municipal Commissioners, to take over the responsibility and
management of the Town Hall, in consideration of which they were
to occupy one or two of the rooms behind the dining-room for
offices — the dining-room being available for theatrical perfomances,
&c., the large room upstairs being intended for balls, &c., &c., and
the small moms for libraries, which it was thought might be more
convenient there than at the Institution. In those days the Municipal
Commissioners had a room for their Secretary in the Police Office,
and lield their meetings in the old Court-house."

On 26th December the Free Press remarked that the London
papers said there was some prospect of the Prince of Wales passing
through Singapore on his projected visit to India and Australia ;
but the Prince did not, of course, go further than India.

688 Anecdotal Hwtory of Singapore

CHAPTER L.

i862.

IN January the Chamber of Commerce presented Captain Stanton of
H. M. S. Saracen, surveying vessel, with a gold pocket chrono-
meter which Mr. James Guthrie had selected in London, as an acknow-
ledgment of the services rendered by him to commerce, by his surveys
in Banca Straits in 1860.

The Tumongong of Johore, Daing Ibrahim Sri Maharajah, died at
his residence at New Harbour on the 31st January, in his 52nd year.
He was the second son of the Tumongong with whom Sir Stamford
Raffles in 1819 entered into the negotiations which led to the Settle-
ment. The Free Press said: — '^ This native chief, during the course of
his hong rule, conducted himself with great prudence and secured tho
friendship and support of the British Government, by whom he was
presented with a sword of state for his exertions in putting down the
piracy which at one period was so prevalent in the vicinity of Singa-
pore. For many years he devoted himself to the improvement of his
territory of Johore, in which he was very successful, the revenues at his
death amounting to a very considerable sum, derived principally from
the Chinese population that under his encouragement had settled in
Johore and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was succeeded by
his eldest son, between whom and the Bandahara of Pahang a treaty
was entered into at Singapore in June, with the sanction of the British
Government, to regulate the countries of Pahang and Johore, their
boundaries, jurisdiction and government, to prevent disputes hereafter
and to perpetuate the amity existing between them.''

Tumongong Ibrahim was succeeded by his eldest son, Ungku Wan
Abubakar, who had been administering the Government for some years,
as his father's health had been declining. Mr. Cameron in his book
speaks of him as an amiable and high-minded gentleman, more desirous
of peace and quiet than (»F great power, which was very true of the
late Sultan Abubakar, as he was afterwards styled. Both he and his
father have been referred to on page 45.

There were a number of cases of cholera amongst the native
population in the beginning of the year. With the view of driving
away this scourge the Chinese expended large sums in getting up
processions, which for some days completely obstructed the principal
thoroughfares in the town, and were accompanied by the burning
of joss paper, the explosion of crackers and the beating of gongs,
making it dangerous to attempt passing along the streets in carri-
ages. The police were much blamed for the complete immunity they
seemed to allow the Chinese in the perpetration of these nuisances,
no attempt apparently being made to preserve any semblance of order.

In February, Colonel George Chancellor Collyer, who was styled
Chief Engineer, Straits Settlements, retired from the service and left

1 862 689

for Europe. The principal works he had carried out were Fort Camiiiitr,
the reconstruction of the works at Fort Fullerton, the erection of the
attap barracks for European troops (who did not come until the buihling-s
had to be re-attaped) at Tanglin ; and the sea wall from Johnston's Pier
to the old Fish -market at the east end of Teluk Ayer, which was called
Collyer Quay after him. It had been designed by him in 1858, but
was not completed when he left. Colonel Collyer, as regards the forts,
could only carry out the orders from India, and they were not con-
sidered of any use. The Colonel, although he was a very busy man,
always found time to give the benefit of his advice and suggestions to
the Municipal Commissioners when they asked him, as they were often
jinxious to do, in which respect he was a favourable contrast to Colonel
Faber, who acted for a time during Colonel Collyer's absence on sick leave,
and declined to give such assistance. It was probably as well for the
rate-payers, judging from the result of the public works Colonel Fabei*
spent public money on.

Some people wanted to know why the good old Malay name of the
hill at the New Harbour was changed to Mount Faber, who, a newspaper
correspondent said, deserved no record in the place.

Colonel Collyer bestowed much pains on preparing a plan and
estimate for a pier which he proposed should run out from the new sea-
wall at Collyer Quay into 17 feet of water. His scheme was received
with favor by the mercantile community, and it was proposed to carry
it out by means of a Compam', but it was afterwards said that
tiiat depth of water was too shallow for the class of vessels for which
such a pier would be of the greatest utility, and the project was
postponed for further information regarding the additional expense
that would have to be incurred to extend it into the depth of water
considered necessary.

As will be seen later, the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company, which
probably sprung out of Colonel CoUyer's scheme, began in the next
year. At the time he proposed the pier, the godowns along Collyer
Quay were just being planned, and goods landed from ships on to
such a pier could have been readily stored near the shore end ;
but the value of the property now, and the large traffic in the streets leading
Erom the Quay to Boat Quay and the Chinese business portion of the
town, would render such a scheme very inconvenient at the present
day.

The Annual Report of the P. W. D. in June, 1862, said that the
cost of Collyer Quay was defrayed by the merchants, the Government
giving a certain amount of convict labour. The foundations could only
be proceeded with once ji fortnight, as it was built in one foot of
ivater in ordinary tides. About two-thirds was completed at the beginning
of 1861, and the work was not completely finished, and the roadway
filled in for carriages to pass, for some three years afterwards. All the
carriage and goods traffic was in the Square.

On 28th March a public meeting was held, which came to be
csilh*d the Battle of the Bridges. It was held because it was gis-en
out that the Municipal Commissioners intended to place across the
Singapore River at Flint Street an iron bridge that was coming
out from England to replace the dangerous wooden bridge at Kallano^.

690 Anecdotal History of Shigapore

Mr. John Purvis was in the chair, and he said a bridge at Flint Street
should never have been thought of. Mr. N. B. Watson said a bridge
near the mouth of the river would not help traffic to any extent, would
prevent boats coming up the river, and injure the property on the river
side, with which Mr. Reginald Padday agreed. Then Mr. Greenshields
said the proper place for an additional bridge was at Market Street, as it
was a wide street [it would not be thought so now, but it was wider than
Flint Street] and Mr. M. F. Davidson agreed with him. Dr. Little said
it would be a shame to use the new iron bridge at any other place than
Kallang for which it was ordered, and much wanted [he had a
plantation in that direction] . In his opinion the best site would be
half way between Bonham Street and Market Street, with which Mr.
Jose d' Almeida agreed. Then Mr. John Cameron said Bonham Street
was the best place, as it was higher up than Flint Street, and boats
would have more time to lower their masts.

Votes were then taken ; 15 for Market Street, 13 for half way, and
12 for Bonham Street. Mr. Adamson then proposed that a bridge across
the river near Ellenborough Market would be a great convenience, and
tend to relieve the traffic over the other bridges, and that the iron bridge
might be erected from Tocksing Street to East Road, which was carried
by a majority.

The result was that the iron bridge ordered for Kallang River was
erected there as first intended, and another iron bridge was placed where
the first bridge had been, called Thomson's or Presentment Bridge, but was
afterwards called Elgin Bridge aft^r Lord Elgin. Both these bridges are
still standing, but have been widened, the former when the steam tram-
ways were made, which were afterwards abandoned. Both bridges were
erected and opened during the year.

In May, Governor Cavenagh returned from Penang and occupied
Leonie Hill House in Grange Road. Complaints were made about the
inconvenience of the Governor's office being removed to the house, in
place of being in town with the other public departments, as had before
that been the case. The Governor's office was for a time at Leonie Cot-
tage, a wooden house with an attap roof, which was said to be unsafe in
case of fire; it was not likely, however, as fires in the country districts
were almost unknown. The change led to much of the business which had
before been transacted directly with the Governor in town, being passed
through the hands of the Resident Councillor; but Colonel Cavenagh
could always be seen at any moment in his office at Leonie Hill where he
was always to be found without any ceremony, during office hours, work-
ing in a room downstairs.

The Free Press of 5th June contained a long account of the
famous fight between the Sarawak steamer Rainbow and the sii
Lanun pirate boats on 22nd May. About 160 of the captives from
Celebes, Pontianak, and other places, and two from Singapore wew
rescued, and testified their joy by kissing the hands and feet of
those on board the Eainboic, Very many more were drowned,
some of them having had their feet tied together by tlie pirates^
who had treated their prisoners very brutally. The pirates fought
to the last, and even after they were in the water would not allow
themselves to be taken, and the destruction was most complete.

1862 691

A great deal of notice was unfortunately attracted to the mat-
ter by the "extremely imprudent'' (to use what was then spoken of
as the mildest phrase) letter of Bishop McDougall of Sarawak. He sent
a highly coloured narrative of his exploits, which filled three columns
of the London Times ; and praised his new double-barrelled gun,
which never missed fire once in eighty rounda, without wanting to be
cleaned ; and more in the same way. No doubt the tanking of the
prahus was perfectly just, and captives were released from inhuman
captivity, and the pirates were as the Bishop styled them "pests of
the earth."

The Singapore newspaper said that although there were some
strange rumours in Singapore, at the time, about the exploits of the
Bishop, the letter in the Times, and his desire to boast about his
own warlike exploits, from behind the shelter of a bulwark, and in
such language, came as a surprise to his acquaintances in Singapore,
who had hoped that the knowledge would bo confined to a few,
and would never come to be the subject of very undesirable
comment in the newspapers, such as the Sppctntor, Examiner, and
other papers contained.

The Dutch Government sent a handsome gold chronometer to
Captain Hewatt of the Rainbow, with an inscription that it was
given in acknowledgment of his gallant and able conduct on 22nd
May, 1862, by which a great number of Netherlands India subjects
were delivered from the hands of pirates. It was publicly presented
to him by Mr. W. H. Read at the Club House.

On 12th June a public meeting, called by the Sheriff at the
written request of thirty-three of the principal European residents
of the place, was held at the Town Hall to take into consideration the
most efficient measures to adopt in order to control, if not repress, the
vice of gambling then so prevalent. There was a large attendance, and
it was admitted generally that gambling was carried on to a large
extent, that it was very prejudicial to the place, and that bribery of
the police, to obtain their connivance in allowing it, also prevailed.

Some said that it was not possible to prevent it, and to secure
the integrity of the Police, without a farm. Others said it would
be useless to propose it because of Exeter Hall and the House of
Commons, and that Singapore would be disgraced in the eyes of
the civilised world if it were allowed. Others said it was a social
vice, not a crime against the public, and could not be stopped. A
Chinese gentleman sugyfested that licensing should be tried for a
limited time.

There was so much difference of opinion, that it was agreed a
committee should be appointed to collect information, and report to
an adjourned meeting. The matter seems to have ended there, as
no report is to be traced. Notice had been drawn to the subject,
because during the fortnight after the Chinese New Year, the police
had allowed gambling to go on unchecked, and no satisfactory
explanation of this circumstance had been given.

In the middle of this year a half holiday was first observed on
Saturdays. The movement was started by Mr. Gilfillan of the Borneo
Company and Mr. A. T. Carmichael of the Chartered Bank.

692 Anecdotal History of Singapore

In September the Singapore Library was removed from the
Raffles Institution to the Town Hall. It was in two rooms on the
south side, downstairs.

Mr. Thomas Tivendale, who was for many years a very well
known shipwright in Singapore, died on board tlie P. & O. Mail on
his way home on 10th September.

On 1st July, 1863, Mr. Wm. Cloughton, the Director of the
Patent Slip and Dock Company advertised that that Company had
purchased the property and goodwill of the business of the late firm
of Tivendale & Co., for repairing ships at Sandy Point alongside
the Heaving down Hulk ; and that the Dry Dock at New Harbour
which had been opened in March, 1859, was 400 feet long, with 15
feet 6 inches depth of water.

In September the sum of £1,160, subscribed in Singapore for
the relief of the Lancashire and Cheshire operatives, was sent to the
Lord Mayor of London in aid of the Distress Fund, consequent on
the effect of the American Civil War on the cotton trade.

In November the bombardment of Tringanu occurred, which led
to a discussion in the House of Commons on 16th July, 1863, and
was for some time a subject of comment.

In 1851 a Singapore trading junk had been seized and destroyed
at Tringanu and thirty-five of the crew and passenirers were put to
death. Mr. Thomas Church, Resident Councillor at that time, went
there to enquire into it, and made a demand for compensation which the
Rajah of Tringanu refused to pay, and, unfortunately, no further pro-
ceedings were taken. This had nothing to <h) with the subsequent
trouble, but it was thought that the misplaced leniency led the Rajah,
who was still the chief of the country in 1862, to think that his dis-
regard of the representations of the Straits Government would not
involve him in any troublesome consequences.

An ex-Sultan of Lingga had gone to Tringanu, and repeatedly
instigated attacks upon the neighbouring state of Pahang, which was
invaded by one Wan Ahmad, acting under his orders, with a force
from Tringanu, asserting that he was the only legitimate successor of his
grandfather, Sultan Mahomed, as the ruler of Johore, Pahang, &c. The
Siamese Government were informed of the inconveniences to trade
arising from the man living at Tringanu, which was alleged to be
a tributary of Siam, and of a Siamese gunboat having taken him
from Bangkok to Tringanu on his way to join Wan Ahmad.

The King of Siam disclaimed all intention of supporting the
ex-Sultan in attempting to disturb the peace of the Peninsula,
and said he had given orders to the Rajah of Tringanu to
send the ex-Sultan back to Bangkok, where he would be sent to
reside in one of the interior Siamese provinces, so that he would be
out of the way of stirring up mischief in the Malay Peninsula^ As
this was not done and the Siamese evidently intended to talk and do
nothing more, and the approach of the north-east monsoon required
that a stop should be put to the matter without delay, Colonel
Macpherson, Resident Councillor, left for Tringanu on the 6th Nov-
ember in IT. M. S. Sconfj a ?1 gun corvette of 1462 tons, for
the purpose of removin|jf the man and taking him to Siam.

1862 693

Colonel Macpherson sent a letter on shore to tlie Rajah, saying
what was wanted, and that he would land the next day. A long
interview took place then, the Rajah alleging that the man was
too ill to be moved, but a doctor of the Scout saw him and said
there was nothing much the matter with him. Colonel Macpherson
said it was desired to convey him in the manner most consistent
with his own convenience, and he could go in his own state barge
with his flag and that of the Rajah of Tringanu, in tow of a steamer,
it' he liked, but the Rajah positively refused to give him up.

Colonel Macpherson then said that if lie were not given up by
a certain time on the following day, lie would resort to force. The
time expired, and three guns were fired, and then a pause of some
hours was allowed in the hope the Rajah would come to terms, but
as he did not make any sign, the Scout and Coquette, a sloop of 677
tons which had also gone, opened fire upon the Rajah's Kotta or
fort. The fire was kept up at intervals until dark, care being taken
as nmch as possible to avoid injury to private property. A letter
afterwards came from the Rajah professing great penitence for his
conduct, and saying that the ex-Sultan had disappeared from Trin-
ganu, and it was not known where he had gone to. It was under-
stood that he was afterwards taken to Bangkok by the Siamese.

Mr. W. H. Read wrote to the Free Press at the time, saying that
about twenty men had been killed at Tringanu, of whom eight at any
rate had nothing to do with the matter, and suggesting that the object
could have been realised by seizing the ex-Sultan, by which many
innocent lives might have been saved; and that sufficient opportunity
w^as not given to the King of Siam to take action himself. It was on
these grounds that Lord John Hay brought the matter before the House
of Commons.

Mr. John Cameron, at page 137 of his book, makes a passing
reference to this occurrence, and says : — *' Our moral influence, added to
a few days' vigorous bombardment [he is wrong here it was only a few
hours] was used in favour of one claimant to the Bandaharaship of Pahang,
whose family has after all been set aside, and the man whom we opposed
now reigns peaceably and quietly, by the people's choice."

How this occurred may be found in the following paragraph taken
from the Free Press of 2nd July, 1862 : — " By last accounts from
Pahang we learn that Wan Ahmad has been left in indisputed
possession of the country. After the death of the Bandahara at
Pahang on the 2nd ultimo, the followers of his younger brother
Tan Abdulrahman (or Ahman) installed the latter as Bandahara, but
the greater part of the chiefs and people refused to recognise him,
as he had long made himself very unpopular by his lawless
conduct and his addiction to opium smoking. The support of
the Johore Grovernment was withdrawn, and under these circum-
stances he found himself unable to make head against his uncle
Wan Ahmad, and he therefore withdrew to Kalantan, leaving the
latter the only person then in Pahang in a position to assume
the government. It will, we presume, depend very much upon Wan
Ahmad's own conduct whether he will be left in undisturbed pos-
session of Pahang or not. It is fortunate for him, as increasing

694 Anecdotal History of Singapore

his chances of ultimate success, that tlie ex-Sultan of Lingga is at
present at a distance from Pahang, and not in a position to inter-
fere in its affairs. If Wan Ahmad is wise enough to rid himself of
his connection with the ex-Sultan and to endeavour to govern
Pahang with moderation, maintaining at the same time peaceful
relations with his neighbours, he will probably remain unmolested ; but
if he lends himself to intrigues of the ex-Sultan or any one else
against Johore he will certainly involve himself in much trouble and
probably endanger his position as ruler of Pahang/'

The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury in England had
raised questions about the sufficiency of the revenue of the Straits
to meet the expenditure, and the transfer to the Colonial Office was
hanging off in consequence. With the object of overcoming the objec-
tion, the Calcutta Government sent imperative orders in very curt
terms to enforce the Stamp Act in the Straits. On some previous
occasions the Government of India had expressed its desire to raise
additional revenue by means of stamp duties, but on the remon-
strances of the inhabitants it had as often abandoned the design.

In May, a notification appeared in the Government Gazette, stating
that under instructions from the Supreme Government tJie provisions
of the Stamp Act would be brought into force in the Straits Settle-
ment on or about the 1st of November following. The Singapore
Chamber of Commerce immediatelv memorialised the Governor-General
in Council on the subject, setting forth that the imposition of stamp
duties would be a heavy and peculiar burden on the trade, from the
fact that in the Straits goods were always sold on credit, for which
promissory notes were taken, whereas in India and elsewhere such
sales were generally for cash, and that the taxation already levied
in the Straits Settlements was not only much higher than what
prevailed in India, but that it was more than sufficient to cover all
the expenditure that with any justice could be charged against the
local revenue. In answer to this, the Governor-General in Council
caused it to be intimated that in his opinion there was no sufficient
reason for exempting the Straits Settlements from the operation of
the Stamp Act, and that he was therefore unable to comply with
the prayer of the Chamber.

On Thursday, 10th July, a public meeting was held at the Town Hall on
the subject, and was very largely attended. The meeting expressed
regret that the memorial of the Chamber of Commerce had not met with
more consideration from the Viceroy of India ; and as the revenue of the
Straits was sufficient to pay all the legitimate expenses, the imposition of
additional taxation was vexatious and uncalled for. It protested against
the Settlements being saddled with the whole of the military expenditure,
and a committee of Messrs. W. H. Read, W. Paterson, J. J. Greenshields,
Abraham Logan, James Davidson (Mercantile Bank), W. Mactaggart and
Joaquim d' Almeida, was appointed to draw up a Memorial to the English
Ministry on the subject, and to the Viceroy.

The assistance of gentlemen in England interested in the Straits
was sought, and efforts were made by Mr. Crawfurd and others to
induce the Secretary of State for India to reconsider the matter,
but without result. The Governor-General in Council declined to

1862 695

accede to any delay pending these appeals to the Home Authorities,
and adhered to his resolution that the Act should be brought into
force at the time originally named. Officers were therefore appointed
for carrying out the Act, but it was found that their arrangements
could not be completed by the time fixed, and the Governor of the
Straits Settlements, on his own responsibility postponed the period for
bringing the Stamp Act into operation until the Ist of January, 1863,
when it was accordingly initiated.

The determination thus shown by the Supreme Government to
carry out the behests of the Secretary of State for India, in spite
of all remonstrance, let to a renewed effort being made to have the
Settlements placed under the Colonial Office, and thereby obtain such
a degree of self-government as would be secured by havine a Legisla-
tive Council on the spot.

The hurried way in which the Calcutta Government attempted
to introduce the measure was amusing, it had to be postponed more
than once for causes which showed how little was understood there
about the Straits. The stamps sent were all in rupees, and there
were no rupees in the place, and no rate of exchange was provided for.
Then the number of stamps sent was altogether inadequate, and the
natives could not understand about them. It all worked well enough
after a time, but it always remained a question whether the com-
munity were not right in their objection, on the broad ground that
it was an infringement of that free trade policy of Sir Stamford
Raffles, which had made the place what it is, aud which it is so
essential to maintain, and for which the community has fought so
many battles. It was looked upon as the thin edge of a wedge to
be resisted to the utmost. It undoubtedly led more quickly to the
transfer.

The French mail line of the Messagories Imperiales, as it was then
termed, began to run towards the close of the year. Messrs. Hinnekindt
Freres and L. Cateaux, a Belgian firm of very good standing, which
began as Hinnekindt Freres in Singapore in 1849, were the Agents in
the preliminary arrangements.

The first steamer of the company to arrive from Suez, bringing
the mails from London of 18th October, was the Imperatrice, which arrived
at Singapore on the 21st November. The steamer Alphet going home-
wards about the same time. It was then and for some years afterwards a
monthly service, and was due to the opening of Cochin-China and the
Port of Saigon by the French. Emperor Louis Napoleon took a great
interest in the line, and it was said that the arrangement for the building
of the steamers was due to him. The first steamers were built at La Ciotat
near Marseilles by Scotch shipbuilders engaged from the Clyde to
work there, and after a few vessels had been built, the French work-
men went on alone, and built very fine steamers. The Imperatriee
was afterwards called the Provence, on the downfall of the Emperor.

By that steamer on the 21st November, Mr. Paul Brasier arrived
at Singapore to arrange to take over the Agency from Messrs.
Hinnekindt. Mr. Brasier lived in Singapore for many years, and died
here on 24th September, 1887, having been Agent for the Company
all the twenty*five years^ and it is not too much to say that the

696 Anecdotal History of Simjapore

sncce.>s of the line, uiid especially as re*?ards the number of English
passengers from Singapore who travelled by the French mail, was
largely due to his being very much liked.

He lived with his family for a great many years at St. James, Kepuel
Harbour, where he died. Ho and Mrs. Brasier and their three children,
who were all brought up in the place, attracted the friendship of all
Singapore, with their amiable, courteous, and gentle characters. It was
often said that Mr. Brasier, who was always cheerful and obliging, passed
through a life of much trouble here. Mrs. Brasier died, and then his
elder daughter who had married a French gentleman who was afterwards
the Agent of the Company at Madras, then the younger daughter, wlio
was very much liked in the place, died here ; and when he died his sun
Rene, his only remaining child, w^as away at Hongkong. Mr. Rene con-
tinued in the Company's Agency here, and latterly was Agent, but he left
Singapore in 1900 for Sydney, where he was appointed Agent, as the most
important Branch in the Fast.

On 15th May, James B. Cumming, Simon F. Cumming and Hiigli
J{. Beaver advertised that they had started the firm of Cumminir
Beaver & Co.

It was in this year that Mr. 'I'homas Braddell came to reside
iu Singapore. He had been Assistant Resident Councillor in Pcnang,
and returned from leave after having passed for the Bar, and
commenced practising in Singapore. He had been heard of in
Singapore, as he had been in Peuang and Malacca for eighteen
years. He was one of the most useful and hardworking men that
ever came to Singapore. It was said of him, after he died, that
if he had had a longer education, he would have been a very
eminent man. He left Ireland, where he was born, in 1823 at
sixteen years of age, and went to a plantation in the West Indies.
About 1844 he came to the Straits from Demerara, to manage the
sugar estate called Otaheite in the Ayer Etam Valley at Penang,
which belonged to Messrs. Brown & Co. About that time an
alteration had taken place iu the sugar duties in England, putting
the British Indian produce on the same footing as the Colonies.
This gave a great increase to the development of Province Wel-
lesley ; therefore in 1846 Brown & Co. and Mr. Nairne formed a
Company and opened the Batu Kawan Estate in Province Wellesley,
of which Mr. Braddell became manager and owner of four-sixteenths
of the property. Brown & Co. furnishing the funds. The venture
was unfortunate, as the estate got inundated in a very high tide
and the crop was lost.

Mr. Braddell left the estate, and was on 1st January, 1849,
appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police at Penang, and a few
months afterwards was transferred to the Municipality as Secretary.
From that he took charge of the Police of Province Wellesley,
and in 1851 was sent to Malacca, where he was for three years.
Until this time he had been heard little of in Singapore, and he
used to tell how he went between Malacca and Singapore in schooners
and sampans. In 1856 ho returned to Penang as Magistrate, and
in 1859 he was called to the Bar in England by the Society of
Gray's Inn.

18G2 697

He resigned his appoiutmeiit in Penang in 1862, and came
down to Singapore to practise in the Supreme Court. He joined
Mr. Abraham Logan in 1862, and thej had offices behind Battery
Road at the rear of John Little & Co/s premises. They worked
together until Mr. Logan went to Penang.

In January^ 1864, he was appointed Crown Counsel of the
Straits Settlements, and prosecuted for the Crown at the Assizes.
He held the appointment^ continuing his large private practice, until
April, 1867, when he was appointed Attorney General of the Straits
Settlements, on the Transfer, and held the position until he retired
on 3 1st December, 1882, on a pension of $4,090 a year, and died
in London on 19th September, 1891, at 68 years of age.

A very great deal of work was thrown upon Mr. Braddell as the
first law-officer after the transfer. Many new Ordinances had to bo drawn,
and the law officers of the Crown in London gave him great credit
for his ability in dealing with many difficult subjects. This was especially
the case with the Crown Suits Ordinance. He was a man of great
quickness of perception, great energy of purpose, and unwearied industry.
He was, in his comparatively younger days, when he first came to Singa-
pore, one of the most popular men of the })lace. He was a capital billiard
player, and was to be seen in the theatre when any travelling company
gave performances there, which were poor enough; but he used to say that
it passed an evening occasionally, however bad the players were, and
made a little diversion from work.

It was always pleasant to the jury to hear him conducting the cases
at the Assizes, for he was most essentially a kind-hearted, straight-forward
man, with a very pleasant, perfectly audible voice, and a fluent, but very
simple, speaker. He had a very pleasant face and manner, and it was
said of him after the Transfer, that he was the only official who could
carry off the civil service uniform which came into use then among some,
but not all, the officials, for he had a fine figure, and was over six feet
in height.

Mr. Braddell was a most indefatigable worker, and used to sit
up very late at night at his work. At one time he intended to
write a history of Singapore similar to the present work, and he
filled a great number of foolscap sheets of common Chinese writing
paper with rough copies of old documents and precis of the contents
of many others. Some few of these were printed in Logan's Journal,
but there are several hundred sheets of other matter, which have
been very largely made use of in compiling this book, as they were
given into the author's possession. There are some who wonder why
Mr. Braddell, who was a very busy man, should have spent so
much time and taken so much trouble, about the stories of this
place ; but he was one of those, like Mr. Crawfurd, J. T. Thomson,
G. W. Earl, John Cameron, and others, who were very willing to
use their spare time in endeavouring to record the history of the place,
the growing importance of which they foresaw and appreciated. Mr.
Braddell wrote a number of papers in Logan's Journal, which did
not all give his name, but among the sheets above spoken of,
(which with similar papers, although not so voluminous regarding
Penung and Malacca would make a small volume of themselves) is

»»

698 Anecdotal History of Singapore

a list in his own writing of bis contributions to the journal, -which
were as follows : —

Vol. 4 1850 Translation, Acheen Annals. page 598

Do. .. 728

„ 5 1851 Histoiy of Acheen „ 15

Ti'anslation Majellis Ache ., 26
Sijara Malaya — 8 papers

„ 6 1852 Do. „ 33

Ti-anslation about Tay Tae Hoey „ 545

Do. ahout Colonel Farqiihar ,, 585

Do. about Abdulla's Schooling „ 64:3

7 1853 Notices of Singapore „ 325

8 1854 Do. 3 papers pages 97, 329, 40.S

9 1855 Do. page 53

Geneological Tables of Johorc „ ^^

Translation. Malayan Laws of Johore ,, 71

Notes on the Chinese in the Straits „ 109

Life and Services of Raffles ,, 30«)

Notices of Singapore ,, 44"-

New Scries Vol. 1 Notes in Malacca „ 43

Gambling and Opium Smoking „ t>6

Notes of Dutch History in Acheen „ 141

Notes on Nuiiing „ 194

Raffles and the Indian Archipelago „ 266

Map of Malacca „ 296

Do. M 2 Sultan of Johore „ 46

Ancient Trade of Indian Archi^lago „ 237

Europeans in 16 and 17 Centuries „ 313

It was Mr. BraddelPs manuscripts, whicli were in many cases only
decipherable by the compiler of this book, who was well accustomed
to his writing and method of contracting the words, that led,
more than anything else, to undertaking this book. It seemed im-
possible to let all his useful, voluntary, and persevering labour go
to the white ants for want of some one to turn it to the best
account he could. It is much to be regretted that he did not live
to read the proofs of this book, for he would have made it very much
better.

As will be understood from the long translations of Malay
works which he published in Logan's Journal, he was a very good
Malay scholar, at a time when there were few residents who read
and wrote it. The Malays had great respect for him, and the
chiefs in the Peninsula looked to him, as they did to Mr. W. H.
Read, as a friend to go to for advice. He was largely concerned
with Mr. Andrew Clarke, in the Settlement of the Native States
about 1874, and the appointment of the first residents.

He received the thanks of Government for his services on many
occasions, and had the Perak war medal. He was made a C.M.G.
in 1882. Three of his children are in the Straits now, one
daughter and two of his sons, the latter following his profession,
one of whom was for a time acting as Attorney General/ while the
holder of the office was on leave. Thomas Braddell is a name that
should always be remembered with gratitude in Singapore, for it
owes him much in many ways.

Blt^

n*^ ^^

!_■ '■-'

K *' J^^Bl

ny^B

' ^

•^

Thomas Braddill, •

1863 699

CHAPTER LI.

1863.

IN January the Supreme Government directed the Governor to
submit to the Chamber of Commerce, for their opinion, a Bill
to authorise the levy of port dues in the Ports of the Straits
Settlements. The opinion of the Chamber of Commerce was that the
measure was totally uncalled for, and that if persevered in it would be
highly damaging to the welfare of the ports in the Straits, which
would thenceforth lose all claim to be called *' free ports. " The pro-
posal was a favourite one with the Indian Government and had been fre-
quently mooted by it, but as often had been discountenanced by
liigher authorities at home. The last occasion had been in 1857, when
the Court of Directors objected to the levy of port dues in the Straits,
and since that time nothing more had been heard of the subject until
1863. It was thought that the Secretary of State might have with-
drawn the prohibition given by the Court of Directors, in which case the
Indian Government would doubtless try to carry the measure through.

Colonel Cavenagh wrote to Calcutta supporting the view of the
Cliamber of Commerce, his despatch containing the following passage : —
'' Unlike the Ports of India, which are the natural portals of the
commerce of the country, and to which therefore its carriers are com-
pelled to resort, Singapore is a mere depot, where goods, the produce
of other countries, are stored, until a favourable opportunity for their
reshipment to their final destination ; hence it is requisite to offer some
inducement to vessels to enter and discharge their cargoes. This in-
ducement has hitherto been its freedom from all port charges. Doubt-
less Singapore is much favored by its natural position, standing as it
does between the China Sea and the Straits of Malacca, and surrounded
by Native States, still its position alone would not have led to its pros-
perity, had vessels been deterred from visiting its harbour by the fear of
being called upon for heavy payments in the shape of anchorage dues. "

In March several of the Singapore merchants then in London
saw Sir Charles Wood, the Secretary of State for India, on the
subject, and he was reported to have said that it was in consequence
of the recommendation of the Chamber of Commerce that the prohibi-
tion sent by the Court of Directors at Leadenhall Street to Calcutta
in 1857, against the levy of Port Dues in the Straits, had been
withdrawn by him. The Chamber had always protested in the
strongest manner against any Port Dues in the Straits, and strongly
objected to Sir Charles Wood's statement.

In Augjust the Free Press contained the following: — "Sir Charles
Wood remains obstinate in his refusal to withdraw his sanction to the
levy of tonnage dues in the Straits. This is probably not of much

700 Anecdotal History of Singapore

importance, pnictically, as the Goveniineiit of India is plecl»^ed not to
take advantajre of the purinission given to it by the Hon. baronet to
injure the trade of the Settlement, but it must make us all the more
anxious to be removed from under the control of a person who has
shown himself so wrong-headed and who has it so much in his power
to damage our interests. The following is the latest appeal to Sir
Charles Wood on the subject, and his answer:

To the Right Hon, Sir Charlea Wood, Bart,, Her Majesty^a Princi-
pal Secretary of State for India.

Right Hon. Sir. By late advices from Singapore it appears the
Supreme Government of India has suspended the act for levying Tonnage
duties at Singapore and intimated its intention of abandoning it
altogether; under these circumstances I trust you will see tlie inutility
of persisting in cancelling (to the injury of many holders of
property) the long standing prohibition to levying duties on the
commerce of the Settlement, and that you will reimpose it, and thus
replace Sir Stamford Raffles's proclamation in full force Jind integrity,
as until that is done, the proprietors cannot feel secure in their
property.

1 have, &c., &c.,

C. R. Read.
8th June, 1863,

India Office, S. W.,

19th June, 1863.

Sir, I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 8th inst., and to inform you in reply that Sir Charles Wood
does not see in the circumstances therein represented any reason for
reimposing the prohibition against the levy of Tonnage duties in the
Settlement of Singapore.

I am, &c.,

C. R. Read, Esq. Herman Mkrivale.

In February a petition signed by eighty -six of the European inhabi-^
tants was sent to the Duke of Newcastle, Secretary of State for the
Colonies, asking that Singapore should be transferred from the diocese of
Calcutta, and made the centre of an Ecclesiastical policy as it was of a
commercial system, and that with the Straits Settlements should be in-
corporated the bishopric of Labuan, with Singapore as the Bishop's
residence.

In the Free Press of 16th July is a copy of a long report made by
Captains Fraser and Forlong upon the proposed route across the Isthmus
of Kraw to connect the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Siam ; and on the
6th August some lengthy notes by Mr. J. D. Vaughan on the report, which
had been read at the Royal Geographical Society on 26th January. It
was said that there had been a tradition that there had formerly been a
canal across the Isthmus. Mr. John Crawfurd, who was present at the
meeting in London, made some lengthy remarks in objection to the scheme,
from which the following extracts are taken : —

" Mr. Crawfurd said he had never visited the locality of the projected
railway, but he knew pretty well what the nature of it was. Though this

1863 701

peninsula was called by the authors of the Paper a strip of land, it was
in extent about twice the size of Ireland, containing an area of 60,000
square miles. The greater part of it was thick forest, and the land was
not by any means fertile except in minerals, a little tin, iron and gold.

"He could not, however, agree with the authors of the Paper in
believing that the projected plan was in the least degree feasible ; on the
contrary, he was sure it was impracticable. The distance from shore to shore
was 65 miles, of which 15 miles were described to be navigable by the so-
called Pakchan River. This in reality was not a river, but an estuary of
the sea, with only four or five fathoms of water for half the distance, and
but a fathom and a half on the bar at low water. Then came the pro-
jected railway of 50 miles, at the terminus of which, on the eastern
side of the bay, there happened to be no harbour at nil. Such a
terminus would never do to carry on the great trade of Europe and India
with China and Japan. Then, with respect to the monsoons, the rough
monsoon in the Bay of Bengal is the south-west monsoon, just the
very opposite of that which prevails in the China Sea and along the
whole of the eastern coast of the Malay peninsula, where the north-
east was the boisterous one; its strength is frequently that of an eight
or nine knot breeze. A ship could not with safety lie at the terminus,
and even a small vessel of about 120 tons had not been able to come
inside the bar.

" As to the alleged dangerous navigation of the Straits of Malacca,
the Straits of Malacca are about 500 miles long and about 300 miles
wide at the broadest part. There are no storms : there are vari-
able winds and squalls, called '^^ Sumatras, " because they always blow
from the coast of Sumatra, which last about a couple of hours. 1'he
Peninsular and Oriental Company have been carrying the mails by
this route for the last eighteen years. During that period their ships
have made between 600 and 700 voyages through the Straits, and have
met with only one accident, which was caused by two of their ships
running against each other in the dark, when one of them went to
the bottom. The merchants of Calcutta and Bombay send their opium
to China by this route, and out of 300 voyages made by their
steamers not a single loss has occurred. Steamers belonging to the
Royal Navy are constantly passing and repassing through the Straits of
Malacca, and he had never heard of one of them being lost. For
the last ten years also the Dutch Government have been sending
a vessel once a fortnight, and during the whole of that time have
never lost a vessel. He, therefore, took it for granted that the navi-
gation of the straits was not so dangerous as had been alleged.'^

In this year an iron steamer, the Pluto, was sent from Calcutta to
take the place of the old worn-out Hooghly; she had more accommodation,
but her speed was hardly any better, and she required as much tinkering
as the Hooghly did. The Calcutta Government saddled the Straits with an
inefficient craft that caused "more expense than a new vessel." There were
at this time two old Thames penny-steamboats, called the Tonze and
Molir, of about 80 to 100 tons each, which used to lie in the harbour, and
were supposed to be useful against pirates.

'i'he shipwrights,Buyers andRiach, built a vessel called the Sinyaportt
for the Netherlands India mail line of Mr. Cores de Vries, she was 600

702 Anecdotal Hwtory of Singapore

tons, the largest vessel constructed in Singapore at that time, 186 feet
long, 24 feet beam, and 16 feet deep; of teak and copper fastened. The
engines and rigging were to be supplied in Java.

In May the Chamber of Commerce sent Petitions to the Government
and the Governor-Greneral of India, pressing upon the Government the
advantages that would result from coining a British dollar. It suggested
that instead of the coins having the effigy of the reigning Sovereign on the
obverse, it should only have the Royal Arms, and that on the reverse there
should be an inscription indicating the nature of the coin, such as "One
Dollar," surrounded by scroll work. By adopting this plan the general
appearance of the coin would remain the same during successive reigns, the
only change at different periods would be in the date of issue. The suspicion
and distrust which any considerable change in the appearance of a coin
would be apt to raise in the minds of the Chinese and other natives would
thus be avoided, and the Chamber trusted that this would be held a
sufficient justification for their venturing to suggest such an innovation in
the usual practice of making the efUgy of the reigning Sovereign a part of
the design impressed on coins issuing from the Royal Mints."

A Memorial was also sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking
for the abolition of the heavy duty on pepper.

At this time the Oriental Bank was always known among the natives
as tljp '' Bank Besar," and the paper in June published statements made at
the meeting in London in April, from which it appeared that the Bank
was still very successful notwithstanding the great competition it had met
with of late years. A dividend of 5 per cent, and a bonus of 3 per cent,
were declared, making, with a previous payment in the course of the year,
a total distribution of 15 per cent, for 1862. The Chairman stated that
durinjar the 12 years they had been in existence they had paid 160 per cent,
to the shareholders; and had thus paid back the whole of the Capital and
60 per cent, besides. It is a pity it did not go on in the old way, and
there was a very considerable stir in Singapore in 1884, when it stopped
payment.

An excursion party was made up in June to Gunong Pulai, and they
were away four days. The result of their observations was unfavorable
to the idea of establishing a sanatorium there. The reduction in tempera-
ture was not found to be great ; and the distance from Singapore would
present serious obstacles in the way of procuring supplies and, in the case
of invalids, medical assistance. For a mere change of scene it was thought
that Bukit Timah presented nearly as great advantages as Gunong Prilai,
and its accessibility from Singapore was a great recommendation in its
favor. The height was taken by the mean of two aneroids as 1906 feet,
and by boiling water as 1833 feet. The difference by thermometer was
taken as 8 degrees.

The only way at this time to cross the river from the Square to the
Post OflSce and Stamp Ofiice without going round over Elgin Bridge was
in little tamhangs or sampans, and the Municipal Commissioners (who
must have been desperately anxious for funds, to descend to such small
game to raise a revenue), farmed out the right of the ferry, and the fanner
caused a strike among the sampan boys by asking too much from them
for permission to ply. A wooden bridge on trestles, with a charge of a
quarter of a cent (doit) was soon put up, and Europeans crossing ovef to

1863 703

tlie Esplanade after office, used to give a cent or two every now and then.

All carriages drove down Kling Street and Circular Road from the Square.

A very bad case of Amok occurred on 1st July in Shaik Madarsah

Lane, Campong Glam. A Javanese Sailor ran amok, cutting a woman

nearly to pieces, mortally wounding a man and a child, find inflicting

wounds more or less severe on three other persons. He then set fire

to the house in which this took place, and brandishing a kris in one

hand and a large knife in the other, defied all attempts to capture

him. Inspector Cox having arrived on the spot repeatedly called

upon him to surrender, but he refused and attempted to break through

the partition into the neighbouring house. Inspector Cox then fired

at him through the Venetians, intending to disable him, but the ball

went through the heart.

The following paragraph on the paper in July looks like the
first symptom of the interminable Acheen war of a few years later : —
"There is a report that the Rajah of Acheen, — not approving of
chiefs on the East Coast of Sumatra, whom ho considered as his
vassals, hoisting the Dutch flag — intended to try to bring them back
to their allegiance by force, should softer means fail, and the Dutch
government is of course prepared to assist those who have shown
themselves so willing to come under its sway. If there is really
any truth in this, we are afraid the Achinese monarch is only
precipitating his own destruction, and giving the opportunity so
eagerly longed for by our astute neighbours, of bringing the whole
island of Sumatra under their exclusive dominion.''

A very large fire broke out on the afternoon of Wednesday,
19th August, in the neighbourhood of Upper Circular Road, which
cleared away a great number of old houses, and led to the wide,
open street that now stands there. The fire cleared away nearly
the whole block of buildings as far as Carpenter Street, and did
a great deal of good to the town.

On 1st September was issued a little prospectus, the beginning
in a very small way of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company, Limited,
which has grown to such large dimensions. It stated that the
Company with a capital of $125,00) in 1250 shares of $100 each
with power to increase, was started, and that applications for shares
could be made to Mr. M. F. Davidson, before the 10th instant,
when a meeting would be called, allotment made, and directors
appointed. On 14th September an advertisement signed by Mr. Thomas
Scott (then a partner in Guthrie & Co.) as Acting Secretary, appeared,
giving the names of the Committee as Messrs. Gr. Cramer (Rautenberg,
Schmidt & Co.), M. F. Davidson (A. L. Johnston & Co.), S. Gilfillan
(Borneo Co. Ltd.), C. H. Harrison (Middleton, Harrison & Co.),
Tan Kim Ching, C. P. Lalla, Thos. Scott (Guthrie & Co.), and C.
H. H. Wilsone (Hamilton, Gray & Co.)

Mr. Cameron in his book written in 1864 says: — *' One plan was
to build a series of wharves at the nearest point of New Harbour,
where ships can lie alongside, and connect these with town by a
tramway or railway. Another was to construct a pile-pier running
right out from the busiest part of the town into deep water, to
enable ships of all sizes to come alongside and load and discharge

704 Anpcflofnl History of Siitgapore

into trucks, wliicli could jif'torwanJs be couveved on tniinw.ivs to
the various godowns. The latter plan is one upon which Colonel
CoUyer, for some years Chief Enirineer, spent a good deal of time
and reduced into shape. Either plan appears to nie feasible, and
likely to prove profitable to the capitalists who would undertake it,
and valuable to the town. The first has not many engineering
obstacles, and the works connected with it could be made pernuinent,
but the cost would be very great. The second plan, on th<» other
hand, requires very limited outlay and though a considerable sum
would have to be spent on renewing piles, yet similar undertakings
in other parts of the world have, I believe, generally proved more
successful than costly permanent erections. The water of Singapore
harbour is never so seriouslv disturbed as to interfere with even the
largest vessels lying safely alongside such a pier, and from the
soundings obtained upon the site proposed, the bottom was found
to consist of soft mud, so that ships might without danger ground
at low water, should a pressure of business compel them to do so."

It was in 1865 that the works for the Naval Coal Depot at
Pulo Braui were completed on behalf of the Admiralty. 'J'hey con-
sisted of two coal sheds, to hold 8,000 tons of coal, a small house
for the Superintendent, and a quay wall and short wooden pier
having 27 feet of water alongside at low tide. The site was
ill-chosen, as the tides were dangerous, and in 1868 the famous
transport Himalayn was in great danger owing to one of the mooring
hawsers giving way and swinging round on the shore in the little bay ;
it was said that her having steam up at the time was all that saved her.

The beginning of the present extensive works at Tanjong Pagar
on the opposite side of Keppel Harbour was very unfortunate, but
it led on to very great results. An earth and rock embankment,
was being run out from the shore, and one afternoon about 3 p.m.
a message came round the Square that there was a sight to be
seen at Tanjong Pagar. All went down in gharries. The monsoon
was just set in, and waves came rolling into the entrance from the
old harbour. As each successive wave came, several yards of the
embankment were swept nway, and piece after piece went, until all
the work that had been done disappeared, and nothing whatever
remained to show for all the money that had been spent.

In September, 1865, some excitement was caused by the report
that in blasting a hill at Tanjong Pagar for the Company gold had
been discovered, but it proved not to be gold at all.

On 28th July, 1865, the following letter was sent to Governor
Gavenagh : — " 1st. — ^We have the honor to apply for the right to construct
and erect an Iron Screw Pile Pier from the vicinity of Princes Street ex-
tending into the Harbour in a southerly direction for a distance of about
2,200 yards, with a view to afford wharfage to vessels loading and dis-
charging their cargoes at the port of Singapore.

2nd. — We have the honor further to apply for the right to build a
seawall from the vicinity of Princes Street to that of Tanjong Mallang and
to fill up the seashore so reclaimed, with the view of constructing ware-
houses and other buildmgs necessary to the aforesaid pier, and to render
the same otherwise available for general building purposes.

1863 705

3rd. — We purpose to provide the funds for the above undertakings by
means of a Joint Stock Company, with a capital of £200,000 now being
formed for this purpose, and to which the rights granted under this
application are intended to be conveyed.

W. H. Read,

Whampoa,

B. J. Leveson,

H. M. Simons/*

This did not come to anything, but it will be noticed that the
reclamation of Telnk Ayer Bay was then part of the scheme.

On 14th September the Bank of Hindustan, China and Japan,
of London, established an Agency in Singapore, in charge of Messrs.
Paterson, Simons & Co., which continued for many years.

The verandah question, which has reached such an acute stag^e
at various times, commenced in October, when the Free Press said
"The Municipal Commissioners have postponed carrying into effect
their order that all the verandahs in town should be completely
cleared from all obstructions, until the 1st January next. In coming
to this resolution they have shown their wisdom; and we trust that
during the interval they will consider whether it will not be prudent
to modify somewhat the terms of their order, and confine themselves
to enforcing what we believe the Court of Judicature has declared
to be the right of the public in the verandahs, namely, a right of
way or free passage along them. The Court has not said that the
public has an exclusive right to the verandahs — or that the occupants
of the houses, of which the verandahs form a portion, may not make
such use of them as they find convenient, as long as they do not
thereby prevent pedestrians from passing along them. That such
use has been made of them for more than twenty years past, we
can testify from personal experience, and we do not therefore very
well see how the Commissioners can legally insist on their being
entirely cleared.

" If it is considered desirable that the verandahs should be wholly
set apart for the use of the public the aid of the legislature must
be invoked. But the legislature in depriving the owners of town
houses of part of their property will take care that they receive
proper compensation for it. To do otherwise would be to commit
an act of downright spoliation, to which we do not think any British
legislature, however absolute its constitution, would lend itself/'

In February, 1864, the Commissioners contented themselves with
establishing the right of the public to a free passage along the
verandahs ; the rough and ready rule being that sufficient room should
be left for two persons to walk abreast. This was in general readily
complied with in places where people wanted to walk in the verandahs,
and the owners of small shops had still the use of part of the space
to show their goods, which was undoubtedly an advantage to the trade
of the place, when the natives, and especially the Bug^s traders, went
walking in single file about the town, on the look out for bargains.

In the month of October a collision took place in the early morning
in the Straits of Malacca between the steamer John Bright, on her way

706 Anecdotal History of Singapore

from Singapore to Bombay, and the Prencli barque Salazes, bound from
Singapore to Penang. The barque sank in a few minutes but no lives
were lost. It led to a lot of litigation.

The Chinese, in October, gave a great deal of trouble to the police
by their clan and faction fights and several murders occurred in the course
of the disturbances. One of the most effectual means of repressing these
broils was found to consist in calling on the more respectable Chinese
traders to act as special constables. A large number of females arrived
from China daring the latter part of the year, several of them, it was
stated, being imported by some of the Secret Societies as a means of
increasing their influence. The attention of the Grovernment and the
Police was called to the abuses likely to arise from permitting this, and
they were urged to take some steps to ameliorate the condition of these
immigrants, which was represented as being a species of slavery of the
worst description.

On 1 8th November the startling news was received that the Con-
federate cruiser Alabama had come out to this end of the world, and had
burned two American ships near Sunda Straits. The paper said it was to
be hoped that she might fall in with some of the Northern men-of-war, so
that her career of semi-pirate, by attacking and burning defenceless
merchant ships, might be put an end to. The vessel arrived at
Singapore on the night of Monday, 21st December, and the next day
she went into New Harbour to coal, and great numbers of
natives went down to see her. She left on the morning of Thursday
the 24th, and proceeded up the Straits of Malacca. About 2 p. m. of the
same day she fell in with the British barque Martaban, Captain Pike, from
Moulmein to Singapore, laden with rice. The Martaban was formerly an
American vessel called the Texan Star, belonging to the port of Boston,
but she was sold at Moulmein to a British merchant and obtained a Certi-
ficate of British Registry. When she met the Alabama she was about ten
miles away from Mount Formosa. The Alabama fired a gun across her
bows and sent a boat on board, the officer in charge of which demanded
the ship's papers. The master of the Martaban produced his Register,
Port Clearance and other papers, and was then requested to go with them
to the Alabama, He refused to do this, on which the Confederate officer
said he would take charge of the vessel until he could communicate with
Captain Semmes. Two armed men were then called on board and the
boat was sent back to the Alabama. It soon returned bringing Captain
Semmes, who at once proceeded to the cabin where he sat down and called
for the ship's papers. The Master handed the Certificate of British
Registry to him which he perused, reading out aloud the name of the
owner and the date of the Certificate, 10th December. Captain Semmes
said that he was not to be humbugged by any sham papers and that
Captain Pike ought to have had a Certificate that the transfer was legal,
and mentioned some other documents that ought to have been produced.
He then turned to Captain Pike and said " I shall burn your ship/* Cap-
tain Pike protested against this, and said that his papers were legal, but
Captain Semmes called his officer and said " You will burn this ship, Sir"
and immediately returned to the Alabama. The first Lieutenant of the
Alabama tlien came on board and took charge of the Martdban. In
the meantime the officer who first boarded the barque ordered the

1863 707

lascar crew to hoist out one of the ship's boats and proceed in her to
the Alabama, which they did. Captain Pike and his officers were told
that they might take some clothes with thera. Captain Pike was
allowed to take two small trunks and the others one bag each^ and they
were assured that the property they took with them would be respected.
Captain Pike placed in his trunks a bagr containing Rs. 400 and some
papers. The first lieutenant of the Alabama ordered the Martaban's
anchor to be let go and the sails clewed up, and he directed some of
his men to haul down the British flag which had been flying at the peak.
The skylights were broken and tow steeped in tar was placed in the
cabin and in the fore part of the 'tween decks. The officers of the
Martaban were then ordered to proceed to the Alabama in their own
boat, which had returned. Shortly after they reached the Alabama
they saw the Alabamans boat returning and flames burst out from the
Martaban at both ends. The Alabama's boat brought from the Marta-
ban four bolts of cotton canvas and some twine, two chronometers,
all the nautical instruments of the Master and Officers, a deep sea
line and lead, two hams and all the poultry, an unfortunate cat
being the only living thing left on board the Martaban. At 5 p.m.
the Alabama proceeded up the Straits under steam and about mid-
night came to anchor about five or six miles off Malacca. At daybreak
of the 25th C'apt. Pike was called on deck and ordered to produce
the keys of his trunks which were opened and the contents turned
oat. The rupees, a small toy pistol, a marine binocular and some
papers were taken possession of. The bacrs of the officers were searched.
Captain Pike and his officers were required to sign a paper stating
that they would not serve against the Confederate States until
regularly exchanged. The officers and crew of the Martaban were then
embarked in one of the Alabama's boats under charge of two officers
and proceeded towards the shore. One of the Confederate Officers
landed to communicate with the authorities, and in about an hour he
returned, when the persons belonging to the Martaban were put on
shore. It was understood that Captain Semmes sent a letter to the
authorities at Malacca stating that he was sorry to burn a vessel
under the English flag, but he had his reasons for it ! Captain Pike
and his crew received every attention at Malacca and arrived in
Singapore on the morning of the 29th. The paper said that Captain
Semmes had committed a bold act in capturing and destroying a
vessel sailing under a British register, and that his conduct savoured
very much of downright piracy.

On the morning of the 26th December the Alabama captured two
more American vessels in the Straits. These were the Senora, Captain
Brown, and the Highlander, Captain Snow, both in ballast and bound
from Singapore to Akyab. Both ships were destroyed within a mile
and a half of each other off Pulo Loumat. The people who had been
taken from the two ships were offered the choice of taking a cruise in
the Alabama and being landed at the first port touched, or going adrift
in their boats. They chose the latter alternative, and the Alabama was
quickly steaming ahead leaving all the boats to get to land as they best
could. During a squall which blew shortly after, one of the boats
with eleven Africans, a portion of the Senora's crew, parted company

708 Anecdotal History of Singapore

from the rest and was not heard of again. The remainder got on
board a small native craft, but afterwards were taken on board the
French ship Pajet going from Singapore to Madras, which put them on
board a vessel for Penang. The Alabama then cleared right away to
avoid two American ships, the Wyoming and Vanderbilty who were
after her, and, five months afterwards, she was sunk by the Kearseage
oflf Cherbourg harbour in France, on a fine Sunday morning in May,
while the good folks were going to Church.

At this time there was a little shed, about twelve feet square, in
the centre of the south side of the middle road crossing the Square,
in which was a telegraph line to the New Harbour Dock Company
and the P. & O. wharf. It was the first telegraph line in Singapore,
and was on a very small scale.

In November Mr. George Mansfield died in London. He had
carried on business in Flint Street as a shipchandler as George
Mansfield & Co., since 1861, and the business was continued under
the same name by his manager, Mr. R. J. Wright, as a partner with
Mr. William Mansfield.

1864 709

CHAPTER LII.
166^1

AS a great many reports were made of persons in the jungle in one
locality haying been killed by tigers, some pits were dug, and a
party of police went out in January to a place where a cub had fallen
into one of the pits. While they were standing in a circle round the
pit, the tigress suddenly sprung out upon them, and one peon was shot,
and died the same day, and the Deputy Commissioner had a bullet
through his coat. The police then went away, and the cub being still
in the pit, Neil Martin Cranio, who has been spoken of on page 221,
went out. He sat down alone near one side of the pit, with his rifle
handy over his knees, and threw some earth or stones into the pit. The
growl of the tigress was heard, and she appeared in the jungle, on the
opposite side of the pit, and sprung towards him over it. He fired while
she was in the air, and she fell almost close to him. It was said at the
time that it was no part of the duty of the police to kill tigers, which they
did not understand, and that it would be better if they attended to their
own business more, and if they were not sent out and allowed to shoot each
other. A few days afterwards two men were killed three miles from town,
and a tiger was seen at the second mile on the bridge at Bukit Timah
Road.

The Siamese Government at this time was renewing its attempts to
acquire rule over Perak, and it was said that the Rajah of Tongka, a
Siamese feudatory, proposed to the Resident Councillor at Penang that
the British Qovernment should allow Siam to take possession of Perak,
on the understanding that one-third of the revenue should be applied to
pensioning the Perak Chiefs ; one-third paid to the British Government ;
and the remaining third be retained by the Siamese. This was, of
course, rejected, and the person who made it was warned that any
attempt to disturb Perak would be resented by the English Govern-
ment. It was looked upon as another attempt to assume rights over
the whole of the Peninsula; and this was borne out by the way the
ex-Sultan of Lingga had been twice allowed to leave Bangkok to stir
up trouble in Pahang, notwithstanding the disclaimer of Siam that
they were unable to prevent it.

A native was sentenced to six months imprisonment in Penang for
having deceived by borrowing $200 on a piece of land, for which he
had paid $23, and inserting $220 in the conveyance, in order to bor-
row a larger sum of money. It is mentioned because the practice is
not unknown, and is a warning to those who lend money to natives on
mortgage. Sir Benson Maxwell, in passing sentence^ spoke strongly
upon the conduct of the borrower.

710 Anecdotal History of Singapore

Captain Nelson of the Madras Presidency, induced by the unceasing
accounts appearing in the newspapers of the dreadful destruction of
human beings in Singapore occasioned by tigers, wrote to the
Government to suggest that an attempt might be made to poison
the brutes by means of strychnine. He mentioned a case in which
he succeeded in destroying a tiger, together with a great manj
vultures, jackals, dogs, &c., by putting strychnine on the carcase of
a buffalo which the tiger had killed and only partly consumed, and
to which he returned to complete his meal. The method recommen-
ded by Captain Nelson was to be tried here by Mr. Dunman, although
he had doubts on the point, as repeated attempts had been made
in Singapore to poison tigers, without any good result. Dogs had
been tied up in the jungle in places resorted to by tigers, their
necks having been previously shaved and rubbed with strychnine,
means being taken to prevent their licking off the poison. Calves
had also been tethered in the jungle with their necks prepared in
the same manner, but none of the experiments succeeded, although
from the marks of tigers' feet all round the bait in several instances,
it was apparent that their notice had been attracted to it. In one
or two cases strychnine had also been placed on the bodies of
persons killed by tigers, but the tigers did not again touch them;
and it had been generally observed in Singapore that the tigers
did not return to eat bodies, whether of men or beasts, which they
had only partly consumed.

On the Queen's birthday, 24th May, the gas was lighted in
the town for the first time. The Gas Company had made a
push to have the mains laid in the principal streets to allow of
this being done. When the lamps were lighted, natives were seen
going up to the lamp-posts, and touching them very ginjjerly at
first with the tips of their fingers ; they could not understand
how a fire could come out at the top, without the post getting
hot, which was by no means unreasonable, as they could not know
what gas was.

The Singapore Qus Company, Limited, a London Company, did
very good work for the town for thirty-eight years, and sold the
business to the Municipality in 1901. Soon after the gas was
introduced, petroleum oil came to the place, about 1868, and the
first lamp came up from Batavia to Mr. W. H. Bead. It was
a chandelier in his drawing room, with six lamps, and astonished
the natives not a little. Mr Read had to get the oil specially from
Batavia, but its use became general before long, and no douht
seriously affected the Gas Company.

Mr. Whampoa had gas laid on all the way to his house at the 2i
miles on Serangoon Road, in June 1866; and it was proposed to light
Tan Took Seng^s Hospital opposite with gas, as it was said by
some of the Committee that paraflSn oil lamps would set fire to the
attap and plank wards, which others doubted. It was not done, and
oil has been used to the present time, some thirty years, without any
accident, and at a very considerable saving of expense. The native
shops and dwelling houses in town used gas pretty freely at first,
but it was replaced by oil in most instances in course of time.

1864 711

In June the Parsee firm of Byrarajee Hormusjee Cama <b Co.
opened a school in Tanjong Pagar Road in tho bungalow that had been
formerly occupied by Mr. Gatna. He established the school which
was carried on for many years, and was kept up at his expense, as
a free school for Chinese and others. At the end of the month there
were 103 pupils, mostly Chinese.

Mr. James Guthrie some years before had established at his own
expense a school for Malay boys at Tanjong Pagar, the average
attendance in 1864 being about forty pupils, the instruction being in Malay
only. At the Cama School the boys were taught English.

There were some very large mercantile failures this year, two among
the European firms, one of the oldest in the place having suspended pay-
ment with liabilities of over a million of dollars. Trade in Singapore had
never had such a shock and there was almost a stagnation in the market
as far as selling manufactured goods was concerned. Very heavy failures
among the Chinese firms occurred in June, and in that month there was a
foolish panic among the natives about the security of the bank notes, and
there was a run upon the banks for silver in place of them. At the
Chartered Bank they had a lot of dollars, so they insisted on paying cheques
in silver only, and those who cashed the cheques found they had to
take away a heavy load of dollars, instead of the convenient, and easily
locked up bank notes, and the rush to cash the notes gradually ceased.

There were four Banks in the Square at this time. The Oriental
Bank in what were called Spottiswoode's Buildings in the centre of the
East side, where Wm. Spottiswoode & Co/s offices formerly were, of
which Mr. John S. Scrymgeour was Manager.

The second was the Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London, and
China in what was called Almeida's Buildings, at the centre of the south
end of the Square, where Dr. Jose d' Almeida's offices at one time stood,
and where the Mercantile Bank of India now stands; it was always
spoken of as the Mercantile Bank, and Mr. James Davidson was Manager
at this time ; he left the Bank in consequence of its being heavily involved
in the failure of the European firms just spoken of, and became a broker,
the beginning of them in Singapore. The brokerage for a short time,
till competition speedily set up, was one quarter per cent, each way ! The
mercantile community gave a large ball in the Town Hall to Mr. and
Mrs. Davidson, who had been very generous hosts in the days when the
guests used to sit down at a large dinner party at their house at 7 o'clock,
the hour in those days, and did not rise until nearly midnight. It was
the first ball, it is thought, in the Town Hall.

The third Bank was the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and
China at the north corner of the Square and Prince Street, of which
Robert Duff was the first Manager, and Charles Smith Sherwood was
Manager in this year, and Mr. James Greig was Accountant. This was
always known as the Chartered Bank, to distinguish it from the Mercan-
tile. These throe Banks all carried on business for many years.

The fourth Bank did not remain long. It was the Asiatic Banking
Corporation, with its office at the opposite end of the Square to the
Mercantile Bank. Mr. John Steel of the Mercantile Bank was the first
Manager, and John Jamieson Win ton was Accountant, and afterwards
Manager.

712 Anecdotal History of Singapore

In consequence of the great loss by the failures of the Chinese firms^
it was decided at a General Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on
13th June, that from the 1st July the term of credit allowed to buyers of
Imports should be reduced from three months to two, and those firms
which were not members of the Chamber should be invited to carry out
the resolution. It was generally agreed to, and it was hoped it would
have a wholesome effect, but as happened before and since, some of those
whom it suited to secure business by breaking their promise, unknown to
their neighbours, soon broke up the rule which was really made for the
advantage of all, if all had honestly abided by it. It was suggested that
cash sales only should be made, but the proposal was not actually brought
forward in the Chamber.

In the early days the Europeans had capital to use to find outlets for
goods, and the Chinese dealer, who not seldom had a short time before
been a cooly or salesman in a shop, or perhaps a " boy^' or servant to his
master in a European firm, had acquired special knowledge of the wants
of some neighbouring markets, and perhaps had special opportunities of
access to them. If this was carried on honestly, credit could be ^iven with
comparative safety. But times had changed, the few dealers had
grown into many, and a composition of thirty per cent, was found
by some of them to be a profitable way of winding up a business ;
to begin again when the trouble had blown over. At times there was an
epidemic of failures in the bazaar, which spread like typhus fever.
The competition for business in the European, and especially in the
German firms, led to more and more extended credit, and holding
over of promissory notes after they were due, and then came the collapse,
and the acceptance of a percentage of as much as could be squeezed
out of the defaulter, rather than pottering over wretched insolvent
estates for several, or many years, with an even worse result.

On the 24th November, in the evening, the French Mail Steamer
Hydaspe left Singapore for Batavia. She was the commencement of
the line of the Messageries Imperiales between Singapore and Batavia
in connection with the mail steamer from Europe. She was in charge
of a Dutch Pilot, and next morning there was some excitement in
the Square at the news that the steamer had run hard and fast on
the well-known Pan Shoal at the entrance of the Straits of Rhio,
only 22 miles from Singapore. A large rock went right through her
bottom, and several steamers tried to tow her off, but it was an
impossibility, and she remained there afterwards as a warning to
fools. She was sold by auction on 30th November, six days after-
wards. A Samarang paper said that the pilot on board the Hydaspe
was an Englishman, and that he had been bribed by a Singapore
firm to put the steamer on shore. The Batavia newspaper however
said that the pilot was a Dutchman, and that the latter statement
was ridiculous.

On the 28th December, to provide funds for laying out the Gardens,
a horticultural fete and fancy fair was held in the Mess House of
the Tanglin Barracks, which was still unoccupied. It was held in
the forenoon, and was made a good deal of.

This year ended up badly, with the first fire that was known
to have occurred in the European quarter of the town, but by no

1864 713

means the last^ and at a place close to which serious iires occuiTed
several times afterwards. At midnight or shortly after, on Saturday
morning, the 31st December, McAlister & Co/s shipchandlery store
at the corner of Battery Road and Flint Street, where the Chartered
Bank stands now, was burned out, nothing but the walls of the two
large buildings being left standing. How the fire was occasioned
there was nothing to show. The adjoining building was occupied
by Charles Wilson & Co. as a sail loft, who had lately begun the
business. The fire communicated with the loft by the beams in the
roofs. Their shipchandlery store on the other side of Battery Road
was not on fire, but the sail loft was burned out. The next godown
was that of Mr. Richard Brennand, who had been a clerk in
Smith Hell & Co., and commenced business in his own name in
1863, while the next building was the shipchandlery store of George
Mansfield & Co. There was one continuous roof over the whole of
these premises, and the fire quickly spread along them, before there was
time to check or control it. People came hurrying in from Tanglin,
for there was no fire brigade at this time, and every energetic person
gave all the help he could under the direction of Mr. Thomas Dunman
of the Police and Major MacNair the Engineer. The doors were forced
open, some boat crews landed from the ships in the harbour, and a
number of Artillerymen came down from Fort Canning, but the merchant
sailors and the soldiers could not resist the sight of so much liquor within
reach, and were committing so much wanton destruction, that they did
more harm than good, and the officers were asked to remove them. The
Police had two hand fire engines ; Guthrie & Co. had another ; the
convicts brought theirs from the Old Jail, and the marines and sailors from
H. M. S. Perseiis brought a small engine ; but with rope, tar, oil, and all
the combustible materials in shipchandlers stores, they did not do much.
McAlister & Co.'s loss was about $45,000, the loss of the others was not so
serious. A good deal of their goods were removed, but they were so
much damaged by water that they had to be sold, and it was more than
doubtful whether it was an advantage to carry them out, as they blocked
up Battery Road, and sold for very little after all.

'JTie annual Government Report for this year said that the convicts
were employed in filling up the swamp at North Campong Malacca. That
the old Court House [now the store room behind the Printing Office]
had been fitted up and converted into the Post Office. That a Government
Bungalow had been built at Changlii, and that the Dutch Telegraph
Office [on the river- side near where the back of the Public Offices are
now] had been purchased from the Netherlands Indian Government, and
was used for the offices of the Master Attendant and Shipping Office.
The spire of Andrew's Church had been completed, and four handsome
iron gates had been purchased for the entrances to the compound.

On 4th July, the foundation stone of the new Court House was
laid. Owing to the site selected having been part of the old river
bed, the foundations gave a great deal of trouble. It was used for a
few years as a Court, while the old portion of the present Court
House was used for the Public Offices. An exchange was then made,
and the large Court room was turned into the present Council
Chamber, and afterwards the building was largely extended both back

714 Anecdotal History of Singapore

and fronts at varioas times^ to its present dimensions. Alexandra
Road, connecting Passir Panjang and River Valley Roads was made
in this year. In addition to being a useful line of communication,
the side ditches improved the drainage of the neighbouring country.
One half of the cost was contributed by Mr. Loze, who had been
book-keeper in Hamilton Gray & Co., and other land-owners; and
Tam penis Road, formerly a mere bridle path was made into a cart
track; and the A. B. C or Ordnance Bridge, to connect North and
South Campong Malacca, as well as Fort Canning with the Arsenal at
Pearl's Hill, was completed.

In May there died an old inhabitant of Singapore, Syed Abdul-
rahman bin Mahomed bil Fagi, better known as Tunku Tingga, aboot
90 years of age. He was a younger son of Syed Hussain, a wealthy
Arab merchant of Penang, whose eldest son Syful Alum Shah, through his
father's influence, became king of Acheen in 1815, the reigning sovereign
being deposed by his subjects. Syful Alum Shah did not, however,
long enjoy the kingly state, as the legitimate sovereign was restored
to authority in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, under the auspices of
the British Government, Syful Alum Shah being allowed to retire to
Penang, on a pension. Syed Hussain left considerable property, part of
which, by his will, he devoted to charitable purposes. According to
Mahomedan usages this ought to have been expended in alms, prayers, Ac,
but the then Recorder of the Straits, Sir W. Norris, directed that
the money should be invested and the interest applied in annual
grants to the Penang Free School and the Singapore Institution.
This and other famil}' matters so mortified Tunku Tingga, who was
one of the executors of his father's will, that he left Penang and settled
in Singapore about 1840, never afterwards revisiting Penang. To
the last he always expressed a keen sense of the injustice which he
conceived had been perpetrated by the decision of the Court. Tunku
Tingga was a person of mild and pleasing address and was much re-
spected by his countrymen and co-religionists. The Raffles Institution
draws a share of the income to this day.

In this year Mr. John Cameron published his book "Our Trop-
ical Possessions in Malayan India," being a descriptive account of
Singapore, Penang, Province Wellesley, and Malacca ; their peoples,
products, commerce, and Government. " The book is very readable,
and the descriptions are very good and not highly coloured, as is too
often the case with works of the kind. It was very useful in connec-
tion with the agitation for the Transfer, as it drew attention to
the prosperity and value of the Straits Settlements, which were then
little known or appreciated in England. The book was of most interest to
those who wished to know something of Singapore, or intended to come
here, and Mr. Cameron had the thanks of the community for his trouble.
It had seven coloured lithographic illustrations.

It does not contain many details of the History of Singapore, but is
full of matter which will always be interesting to those who reside in the
place. There is one mistake about the History of ^Singapore which it may
be well to notice here, as it was pointed out at the time, and would no
doubt have been corrected if a subsequent edition had been issued. On
page 206, it says that, after being a dependency of Bencoolen for four years,

1864 715

it was placed under the Bengal Government, and in 1825 Singapore and
Malacca were united to Penang, and the incorporated settlements con-
tinued the fourth Presidency of India until 1829 vvlien it was a^ain placed
under the Bengal Government in which condition of dependency it re-
mained to the time the book was written in 1864. The fact was that
the Straits were not a dependency of Bengal, but were exactly in the
same position as the Governments of Bombay, Madras, and Bengal, though
it was not styled the fourth Presidency of India. There was no connection
after 1851, when the Governor-General of India in Council relieved
Bengal of her " dependency" and made the Straits quite as much a
Presidency as they had been from 1825 to 1829. They had no connection
with the Bengal Government, the (lovernor corresponded direct with the
Supreme Government of India just as the Governors of the other Presi-
dencies did, and it continued so until the Transfer in 1867.

At the end of the book is a useful table of the fruits of Singapore,
with their use, characteristics, and botanical names. Attention was called
to the title of the book, as Malayan India, which some considered a
misnomer, as the Malay Peninsula is not India; it arose it was suggested,
from the Straits being associated in its Government with India.

John Cameron was a well-known and popular resident in Singa-
pore for thirty years. He was a master mariner, commanding ships
trading in Australia. He was so unfortunate as to lose two vessels,
and after the second, some friends in Singapore in 1861 helped him
to become editor of the Straits Times, which they bought ; and soon
afterwards Captain Edward Maher Smith and he became joint pro-
prietors of it. They also carried on business together as John Cameron
Co., in the Australian trade. He continued to edit the newspaper
until 1867, when Alexander Duflf joined him. Mr. Cameron died at
Monk's Hill on Bukit Timah Road on 29th December, 1881, at
the age of 46 years. Captain E M. Jr^mith also commanded sailing
vessels, trading out of Singapore, from 1850, and he was for a year,
in 1856, in the ship-chandlers' store of Campbell & Co. For several
years up to 1861 he commanded the Louisa, and in that year he settled
on shore and was official assignee, and a ship surveyor, until 1866, when he
became the first manager of theTanjong Pagar Dock Company, and the
great success of the undertaking was largely due to him in its
young days. As a partner in John Cameron & Co., he had become
responsible for a serious loss occasioned by the sinking in the harbour
of a gunpowder-hulk which was owned by them, for which they were
held liable in an action brought by the owners of the powder.
This had caused the loss of all his savings, and he joined the
Dock Company. He left the dock in 1881, and was succeeded by
John Blair. Captain Smith retired to England, but came out again
to Singapore after a few years to look after some investments that
had been made by his agent, and he died in St. Thomas Walk
on 29th July, 1886, at the age of 64 years.

The first Malacca steamers began to run in this year. They were
two small steamers, 54 and 56 tons respectively, built in Singapore,
called the Enterprize and Fair Malacca, and were very remunerative.
They were always filled with passengers, and soon superseded the
schooner trade between the two ports.

716 Anecdotal History of Singapore

CHAPTER LIII.

1865.

AT this time the hotel at the corner of the Esplanade and High Street,
opposite the Court House, was called the Hotel de I'Esperance, and
was kept by a Frenchwoman. At the beginning of the year Mr. Casteleyns,
a Frenchman who had kept a hotel on Beach Road called the Hotel
de I'Europe, removed from there to the site of the former, and took the old
name with him, and :t has been known to this day as the Hotel de I'Europe.
The hotel then had the two houses, to which the '* barracks'' were after-
wards added, and the Freemasons' Hall occupied the third house at the
corner of Coleman Street.

The bridge across the river at Hill Street, called Coleman's Bridge,
was finished in February. It was of wood, not well constructed. It cost
about $10,000, and was built by Government, who had a difficulty in
getting the Municipality to take it over — they said it would not last,
and they turned out right. An iron bridge, it was said, would have cost
(25,000, and lasted many times as long.

On 24th February a proclamation was made by beat of gong that the
Sarawak cents, which had been coming into circulation in Singapore to
the great financial advantage of the Sarawak Treasury, and to the corres-
ponding disadvantage of the Straits finances, would not be received in
payment by the Treasury or the Municipality. The coolies called them
man doits in contradiction to woman doits, as the former had the head of
Sir James Brooke, and the latter the head of Queen Victoria. Some
Chinese traders in Sarawak made a regular practice of shipping cents
from there to make payments in Singapore, obtaining them at a large
discount in Sarawak, where dollars were in request. It was a long time
before the mischief was put an end to, but it was largely due to the apathy
of the Singapore Government in not obtaining a sufficient supply of
subsidiary coin, a mistake which continues to the present day. The profit
on it might be made a constant source of revenue if the Government
made it as easily to be obtained as postage stamps, in various parts of
the town.

On the 15th March a meeting was held in the Exchange Boom
to consult as to the establishment of a local Marine Insurance Com-
pany in Singapore — Mr. James Davidson in the chair.' It was
proposed and carried " that a Marine Insurance Company should be
formed in the place, and that it should be called the Singapore
Insurance Company, Limited." It was proposed also that the capital
should be $1,000,000 in a thousand shares of $1,000 each. An
amendment was made, that the arrangement should be 2,000 shares
of $500 each, but the former proposal was carried. A provisional

1865 717

committee was composed of the following gentlemen : — Messrs. G. Cramer,
J. Davidson, C. H. Harrison, S. Gilfillan, C. H. H. Wilsone and Seah Teck
See. The proposal was dropped as it was found that the Indian
Act relating to Limited Companies expressly excluded Banks and
Insurance Companies from its provisions.

It was in April this year that the first burials took place in
the new cemetery in Bukit Timah Road. The cemetery on old
Government Hill, mentioned on page 96, ceased to be used, and the
Commissioners, in 1863 and 1864, had acquired the new site.

The tombstones in the old cemetery on the hill-side seem now
like a memorial of the fading-out of memory in Singapore of many
of the oldest inhabitants, rather than a monument of those who were
laid there. The tombs which are still standing are fast falling into
pieces and the inscriptions becoming illegible. From time to time,
by private persons and the help of the Public Works Department,
the inscriptions have been cleaned or repainted, and the fallen brick
work or granite stones replaced in position. When Sir Frederick
Dickson was Colonial Secretary he had this done, about 1886. It
seems a pity these old inscriptions should bo lost, and the Govern-
ment might, perhaps, employ a clerk for a month or two, to copy
such as are still legible, and then have then written alphabetically
in a book to be kept in the Library, the more so as the registers
of burials in that cemetery are not to be found. There may be
copies in Calcutta, but it seems very doubtful. The great dearth in
general of all the documents before the Transfer in 1867, is very
remarkable.

On the right-hand side close to the entrance through the big
archway is a very large, decaying tomb, which should always be
kept in order. It has inscriptions on four sides. On the front it
says that it is erected by Captain the Hon. Arthur A. Cochrane,
C.B., and some of the officers and crew of H. M. Ship Niger, in
memory of their fallen comrades. The other three sides explain it.
On one side the inscription is headed " Drowned," with four names,
ages, and ratings. Another side has " Died of Disease" with four-
teen names, eight having died in Singapore. The remaining side is
" Killed in Action," and four names ; two names of those killed in
Commodore KeppeFs famous action at Fatshan Creek, on " The Glorious
First of June," 1857 ; and two at Canton on January 5th, 1858. The
inscriptions can only be read with much difficulty, but a little paint
and a little care will easily renew them, as they are cut into granite
slabs.

On one occasion the compiler of this book, going to try to
ascertain the date of the death of an old Singaporean, found the
native care-taker using an old tombstone with an inscription on it,
as a curry grinding stone. The wall up the centre divides the Pro-
testant from the Roman Catholic portion, about which there was
much correspondence between Padre Beurel and Grovernor Butterworth.
For some years no difference had been made, as was said to have
been the practice in India. When the new cemetery in Bukit Timah
Road was laid out, the two divisions were again separated by the
broad centre path leading from the present turnstile, which, within

718 Anecdotal History of Singapore

the last few years, has taken the place of the lar^e central arch-
way, through which the coffins always used to be carried.

The area purchased for the new cemetery was acres 23-1-0, and on
17th February, 1875, the Municipality bought from the Administrator
of Mr. Loze's estate, as he had then died^ a further area of acres
22-2-11.

According to the printed records of the Municipal documents,
the cemetery had been purchased from the East India Company on
22nd January, 1864, by Indenture No. 72, of the District of Clay-
more, for one Rupee, for ever. But this does not represent the
truth, and Government and Municipal Records should not contain sug-
gestions of what is incorrect.

The following passage in the Free Press of 8th June, 1865,
remarking upon the Municipal Expenditure for the preceding year,
first drew attention to the matter; it is speaking of the Municipal
accounts, just published, of the year before : —

'' The second item we have to censure is the outlay of $10,000
for the purchase of the piece of land now laid out as the New
Christian Cemetery. The price to us appears exorbitant ; we do not
believe it would have fetched one fourth the sum at auction. We
suppose the Commissioners had set their hearts on the land, and the
proprietor knew it. Surely as much land could easily have been
obtained in more suitable sites for a mere fraction of the sum."

On making enquiry it is found that on 30th June, 1859, the
East Indian Company granted the land in question for ever to C. R.
Prinsep, spoken of in several places in this book, in consideration
of a payment of B«. 255.12.0. On 30th December, in the same
year, his Sing^apore Agents leased it for 9,999 years to Syed Abdulla,
and on 14th January, 1864, Syed Abdulla and C. R. Prinsep sur-
rendered it to the East India Company. No consideration is stated
for that surrender, in the note that is made of it on the back of the
original lease in the Land Office Records, and the original deeds
are not to be found, but eight days afterwards on 22nd January,
the grant already mentioned was given by the Government to the
Municipal Commissioners, who had before that paid $10,000 for the land.

The amount mentioned in the Free Press is correct. This is clear
from the Municipal accounts for the year 1864, on pa^^e 307 of the
Government Gazette ior 1865, which shows that a loan of $28,000 was raised
upon the Rates and Taxes, from which 'Vl 0,000 was paid for " Purchase of
Land for the Cemetery," and $1,005.94 for " Account of Drainage, &c., of
the Cemetery." The other side of the account shows that §1,900 was
received as " Government contribution towards the Cemetery," the reason
for which is not traced, and $500 for " Price of a small piece of the
Cemetery sold to Mr. Loze." The Municipal Minutes also show that in
October, 1863, there had been an arbitration awarding $10,000 as the
value of the land. There is no doubt that there was some reason for the
sugjrestion in the B\ee Press as to an excessive value having been paid,
and the persons chosen as arbitrators seem not to have been selected on
account of their impartiality. The matter was the subject of unfavourable
remark for many years, as it was certainly a bad site, and a very dear
bargain indeed at that time.

1865 719

Wlien this Cemetery was first used, it was a very dismal place, with
no sufficient drainage and water-logged within a few inches of the surface.
Mr. R. C. Woods, one of the Commissioners, took the matter in hand, and
^ve much of his spare time for several years to planting trees and laying
out the ground, for horticulture was his favourite hobby. The community
have been much indebted to him for making the place as ornamental as it
could be made on such a site. This Cemetery is now, in its turn, about to
be closed, as the parts still without graves are so low as to be quite un-
suitable. It was only by heavy expense for drainage that the place could
be used at all. When it was consecrated by Bishop Mcbougal, of
Sarawak, the choir walked round the Protestant portion of the ground,
and in places were stepping through water several inches deep.

In connection with this matter there is a minute to the Commissioners
by Mr. MacRitchie, the Municipal Engineer, who, unfortunately for
Singapore, died here in 1896, which in the light of the present day
is remarkable and prophetic. It was dated 4th May, 1893, and
little or no attention seems to have been paid to it then. At that
time the Chasseriau Estate on Bukit Timah Road was being sold,
and it was disposed of by a Bank who held a mortgage on it for
$30,000. Mr. McRitchie sent large plans with his minute, and said
that 750 acres of the land would be a good site for another cemetery,
and advised its purchase, on account of the bad and low state of
the ground on Bukit Timah Road, which he condemned as unfit for
use as a cemetery. He also recommended, and it was the principal
object of the minute, that a large part or the whole of the Estate
should also be purchased for the water- works reservoir. He said that
the daily supply was 3,500,000 gallons a day, and that he expected
it would in time reach 54 to 6 millions, which would far exceed the
storage in the then existing reservoir and adjacent extensions. As
a matter of fact, on one occasion in the present year, 1902, the supply
on one day reached over 6,000,000 gallons. The result of not following
the suggestions in the minute which were, no doubt, equally due to
the late Mr. Howard Newton, the Assistant Engineer, is that the Com-
missioners have lately made two purchases of a portion only of the
same Estate for about $58,000, and will have to spend a very large
sum to purchase another piece of land elsewhere for the cemetery.

The first funerals in the new cemetery were the result of a
terrible accident now to be related. On Saturday afternoon, 15th
April, there occurred the worst accident that had been known in
Singapore.

The Tumongong of Johore had ordered a steamer from England.
It was the first he had, and it had been suggested to him by Mr.
James Meldrum of Johore that he should buy a steamer with a
twin screw that was for sale by Lairds of Birkenhead. If he had
done so, Johore would have possessed the first twin screw vessel.
The agents in England, however, bought an iron screw steamer of
about 75 tons, built at West Hartlepool, and she was named the
Johore,

She arrived at Singapore in March, and was at the New
Harbour Dock, always called in those days Cloughton's Dock, to be
overhauled. She had been a very long time on the passage out, and

720 Anecdotal History of Singapore

it was thought afterwards that this was the fault of the engineer,
and of the crew haviui^ been engaged by the month instead of for
the voyage. She had actually been over as far as the Coast of Sonth
America on the way.

Easter Sunday was the 16th April, and in the preceding week
the Tumongong had asked the Governor, and a number of the officials
and leading people in the place, to go on a picnic round the
island in the steamer on Easter Monday, to start from Dalhoasie
Pier at 8 a.m. Johnston's Pier was then a small place, little used; the
men-of-war boats used to land at Dalhousie Pier, which was in front
of the Dalhousie monument.

On Saturday all the silverware, &c., was taken on board the Johore,
and arrangements made for the picnic. On the Saturday the en^nes
were to be tried, and the steamer taken out into the Boada to lie off
Dalhousie Pier, ready to start on Monday morning. A steamer was a
new toy to the Malays, and a number of them were looking forward to
the run out to the harbour, as a Saturdav afternoon's amusement.

Steam was got up at noon and it was intended that the vessel
should leave at 2 p.m. At that time Inche Wan Abdulrahman, a
younger brother of the Tumongong, went on board, and found there
Mr. Wishart, the Superintendent of the New Harbour Dock Company,
and Mr. Hugh Bain, the Engineer of the Company, who were seeing
after some carpenters who were fixing seats for use on the
Monday. They went on shore, and Inche Abdulrahman asked the
Captain of the Johore, a Malay named Abdul Talip, why she did not
start, and he replied that there was something wrong with the engines.
Abdulrahman looked into the engine-room and saw them pulling at the
starting lever, but the vessel did not move. At this time Hussein bin Abdullah,
the eldest son of AbduUahMoonshi, the writer of the Hikayit Abdullah, who
had come on board for amusement, came upon the bridge to Abdulrahman
and said there was something wrong with the engines, and that the
engineer, Mr. Miller, wanted to call Mr. Bain. There was a boat
passing in which was Captain Cleghorn, the master of the Dock Company's
tug steamer Henrietta, He was called on board and the boat was
sent to fetch Mr. Bain, who came at once. Soon afterwards an explosion
occurred, the effects of which were very remarkable. The boiler blew
up, and the deck was covered with dead and dying men, the only
persons who altogether escaped were those standing right in the bows.
The bridge was entirely blown away ; the funnel was blown on to the
top of the port paddle-box, the mainmast was blown into pieces over the
stern of the ship, the after-cabin was entirely destroyed and everything in
it smashed to pieces, a gun which lay abaft the boiler was blown
overboard with its carriage, &c., and all the platedware and tableware,
which the Tumongong's table boys had been putting ready on the table,
was blown overboard though the stern ports. The engines were broken
and twisted, the engine-rooms, the engineer's cabin, and the house over
the fore-cabin staircase were entirely blown to pieces, the port paddle
box being smashed by the funnel and casing which had been blown on the
top of it. The boiler was an extraordinary sight, the outside shell
was blown open right against the foremast, the after part of the
deck was blown entirely away^ and the remainder of the deck

1865 721

raised 9 or 10 inches above its usual position^ and the vessePs
topsides opposite tbe boiler were blown out from 6 to 10 inches.

The number of persons killed was about thirty, of whom five
were Europeans, two Chinese and the rest Malays. The vessel had
been anchored about one hundred yards from the shore, and as soon
as the report was heard, boats and sampans hurried off to the vessel.
Captain Wishart was the first there, he picked up Inche Wan
Abdulrahman and a Malay in the water. Abdulrahman was one
of the few who escaped. He was standing on deck, when he heard
to use his own words, " a hissing sound for a few seconds, and then a crash
which threw him down, and he received a blow on his head from something,
he could not tell what, because (a curious expression) everything became
extremely dark.'' No doubt he was stunned and thrown overboard, though
he thought he jumped into the sea. Inchi Jaffer bin Hadjee Mohamed,
the present Date Muntri, or Prime Minister, of Johore, was also thrown
into the sea. He received severe wounds on his face and neck which
covered him with blood ; the large scar on his face was caused by this
accident. He was picked up by another boat. Hussein bin Abdul-
lah, the eldest son of Abdullah Moonshi, was killed.

His younger brother Ibrahim, the present Date Bintara Dalam
of Johore, escaped by an accident. He was schoolmaster then at the
Telok Blanga Malay School, and had shut up the school, and was going
to his house to change his coat before going on board. On his way to
the wharf he stopped to look at some boys playing marbles, and spoke to
Abdul Rahman bin Andak, a young boy, now the Date Sri Amar d'Raja,
C.M.G., who was crying, and this delayed Inchi Ibrahim, who heard the
explosion while he was standing talking to the boys. Inchi Mahomed
Yahya bin Abdulla, the Tumongong^s cashier, was killed, his body was
never found, nor was that of Mat, the Malay servant of Captain Abdul
Talip. Captain Cleghom^s body was not found till Sunday morning.
Inchi Abdulrahman went with a party of Malays, and recovered it in 5
fathoms of water close to where the vessel blew up. Inchi Abdul Talip,
the Captain, was very much hurt but recovered ; he died many years ago.
Inchi Abdul Samat, now Date Barat, was on board and unhurt.

Five Europeans were killed. Captain Cleghorn was the master of
the Htmrietta, John Young was the gunner of the Johore, the only Euro-
pean seaman on board, Henry Sandhurst was a boiler maker of the Dock
Company who went on board with Mr. Bain. These three were buried on
Easter Sunday afternoon, the 16th April, at 3 o'clock, the Rev. C. J.
Waterhouse, m.a., taking the service. With the exception of a Dutch
seaman, who had been buried the previous afternoon, these were the first
burials in the new Cemetery. The graves have no headstones, but are
situated at the corner of the first plot of ground on the right of the centre
path after passing the path that turns to the right leading to the Chapel.
That is to say, as you walk into the Cemetery, you first pass at once on
your right the path along the boundary hedge, and then the plot on which
the Chapel stands, then on the right is the path leading towards the
Chapel door, and at the corner on the other side of that path, on the left
hand if you turn down the path to the Chapel, is the site of these first
graves. On the following day, Monday 17th, John Miller and Hugh Bain
were buried close by in the same plot.

722 Anecdotal History of Singapore

The explosion was no doubt caused by cold water being turned into
an empty and red-hot boiler, the fault of the engineer, who was said to
be unsteady on the voyage out and to have been the cause of the great
delay. The steamer was made over to the Dock Company, for the
Tumongong would have nothing more to do with her, and became a tug,
in which way she was used for many years.

In ^lay there were three flagships in the harbour, which
probably never occurred before or since. Admiral Kuper wa« on hia
way home after the actions in Japan, in the Suryaltis ; Admiral King
in the Vniicess Royal had arrived here from England to relieve him;
and Commodore Montresor had come from India in the Severn, as
Singapore was then on the Indian Station. There was a large
(lance given on board the Severn at Tanjong Pagar. She was a steam
frigate, 35 guns, 2,767 tons, 500 horse-power. The Princess Rfjyalf
famous in the Crimean War, was a two-decker, 73 guns, 3,129 tons,
400 horso-power. The Eiiryahis was a steam frigate, the second of
her name in the century. The first was at Trafalgar, the second at
the I^oinbardment of Svenhorg in the Crimean War, and at the Bombard-
ments of Katjiisima and SlmonO'Saki in Japan in 1863 and ISM;
slio was broken up a few years afterwards.

Tlie barque Ruhy, Capt. Harrison, sailed from Hongkong for
Singapore on the ^tli May. About 3 o'clock one afternoon three
junks were seen approaching towards the ship, and they were im-
mediately recognised as Pirates. In order to know exactly what
these junks were, the Rivhy deviated from her course by 3 points;
but the junks followed her; she again altered her course, and
they still followed. All the sails that could be employed at the
time were set, but their endeavours to escape from the pirates
were in vain. The wind falling light, the junks availed themselves
of tho use of their oars to reach the ship. The Rtvby had two
guns which were placed in the after part of the ship, and all the
firearms were loaded and every preparation was made for defence.
The junks commenced to fire, and the Ruhy kept up a smart fire
upon them in return, until about 7 p.m. when they found their
ammunition was exhausted. They then held a consultation, when
they agreed to abandon the vessel. They lowered their boats and
shortly afterwards left the vessel to her fate, having done every-
thing in thoir power to keep her from falling into the hands of
the pirates. After being five days at sea, in the* boats, they were
picked up by the French Gunboat, Merillas, and they received
from tho officers the greatest kindness. They arrived at Saigon on
the morning of the 20th and . to their great surprise saw the
barque Ruhy lying in the harbour, having been recovered by the
Hamburg bar(|ue Canton.

In 1864, Chinese pirates had attacked the brig Louisa, belong-
ing to Singapore, and murdered the master and all on board except
three persons who contrived to escape to a passing vessel. The same
pirates also attacked a French gunboat which was obliged to
retreat.

In Juno the newspaper contained the following paragraph: — ''We
trust the complication of affairs in Perak will lead to the Rajah appealing

1865 723

to our government for assistance; we could scarcely interfere without.
There is not the slightest doubt that the natives would hail our arrival
with pleasure. For several years a civil war devastated the kingdom, and
since the rule of the prf»sent sovereign has been established, his efforts to
restore order have been fruitless. Would not this be a favorable opportu-
nity for us to offer to purchase the country? It would be a valuable
acquisition to this Settlement, and we fancy the royal family of Perak
would be delighted to get rid of it at any price." The country continued
in such an unsettled state that ten years afterwards the matter settled
itself in anether way, and it undoubtedly became the valuable acquisition
that was suggested.

One of the old liberated Bengal convicts died in July leaving
fifty thousand dollars to be divided between his sons.

It was in this year that the Honorable Henry Stanley wrote a
book containing various inaccurate statements about Singapore. One
of them was an attack upon the judgment of Sir William Jeffcott
in the case in which he had decided many years before to apportion
some of the funds under a Mohamedan's will to the Free School
in Penang and the Raffles Institution in Singapore. The author
had paid a visit to Singapore not long before, and lived with an
Arab, refusing the society of Europeans. The natives in Singapore
believed him to be a Mohamedan, and he dressed as an Arab.

On the 15th August the first vessel passed through the Suez
Canal from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, but the Canal was
not completed and opened for traffic until 17th December, 1869.

For some years there had been trouble at times arising from
Secret Societies among the Klings, both Hindus and Mohamedans,
called the Red and White Flag Societies, which led to street fights
and bloodshed, for the two societies were always at variance, although
the Mohamedan members of both had the same religious tenets. In
1864 serious disturbances had taken place during the Mohurrum
Festival, and in May this year Governor Cavenagh and Mr. Dunman
forbade the procession. In October what was called the Great Conspiracy
Case against six of the head members was heard, two of whom
were men of standing, Mr. Dunman and Mr. Weir giving them
remarkably orood characters in matters of business. They were all
convicted, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. This broke up
the societies practically, which had been established after the Chinese
Ghi Hin and Ghi Kok Societies, with which it was supposed they
were connected.

The appearance of the harbour at this time was very different
from what it is at the present time. The subsequent steamer traffic
through the Suez Canal quite changed the shipping. The sailing vessels
used to remain for several weeks, or even two months, discharging
and loading in the Roads. There are now only about four of the
long five-oared Malay or Kling sampans at Johnston's Pier, while at
this time there were nearly a hundred. The masters of the ships,
m order to avoid the European crew rowing in the sun, engaged
a sampan to wait on the ship. There were so many vessels lying
in the harbour that the horizon could not be seen for their hulls.
Now, in 1902, there are only a few sailing vessels, and a small number

724 Anecdotal History of Singapore

of the local steamers. The wharves in Keppel Harbour, which
were commenced about this time, have changed the appearance of
the harbour, the steamers only remaining one or two days, and
then speedinaf on their way. No doubt the harbour in the old
days had a more imposing appearance. To form some idea of what
it was, the shipping list for one day in this year has been counted.
There were three small sailing ships discharging at the Borneo
Company's wharf, no doubt with coal; and one small Swedish brig
in Cloughton's Dock. At Jardine's wharf, which was alongside the
Borneo Company's, was a barque of 484 tons, no doubt having brought
coal, and loading for Bombay. In the harbour were 154 square
rigged vessels, of which 3 were British men-of-war, one of which was
the Prbicess Royal, already spoken of. There were two British
merchant steamers, the Reiver of Apcar ft, Co., running between
Calcutta and Hongkong, and the Siamese steamer Chow Phya. There
were two American steamers of about 160 tons each, apparently going to
Shanghai, probably river boats; and two small Dutch steamers, i'he
remainder were: —

80 British merchantmen.
19 Hamburg.

9 Bremen.

8 French.

5 Danish.

5 Prussian.

4 American.

4 Dutch.

3 Oldenburg.

2 Hanoverian.

2 Swedish.

1 Norwegian

I Belgium.

143

From time to time in Singapore small parties for practising masic
had been formed, but had never attained any length of life. In
this year the Amateur Musical Society was formed among the English
community, and mustered about thirty to forty members. The German
Teutonia Club had had its Liedertafel for some years before. The
high tenor voices of Mr. Otto Puttfarcken and another member were
of invaluable service, and the singing of the club was unusually good.
After they left, the Liedertafel was fortunate in having Mr. Bremer
among their number; he had a powerful high tenor voice, and used
to sing the leading melody clearly, over the voices of the other
twelve or fifteen members. There has rarely been a singer like Mr.
Bremer in Singapore, and he was always ready to help. On one
occasion in the Town Hall he sang Balfe's " Come into the Garden,
Maud" in a way those who heard it often spoke of afterwards.

The Amateur Musical Society was conducted at first by the
organist of St. Andrew's Cathedral, but the mainspring of it was
Mr. Neil Mac vicar, who came out in 1860, at the same time as Mr.
Arthur Knight, and was book-keeper in Martin, Dyce & Co. He was

1865 725

tliree years in their house in Batavia, and then came to Singapore.
He used to play the piano accompaniments, and keep things going.
The Singapore newspaper in December, 1865, said that the Trustees
of St. Andrew^s Cathedral had presented him with a watch and chain
as a slight memento of their gratitude for his kind service to the
con negation in playing the organ during ten months in the Cathedral.
There was a small amateur orchestra also at this time, which played
at the Amateur Musical Society ^s Concerts. It arose in this way : —

In the early days of the settlement, as has been said on page 185,
the D' Almeida family was the musical nucleus of the place, and when
an Amateur Dramatic Society was formed in 1860 or thereabouts, the
amateurs, which included two of the D' Almeida family, got together a
small orchestra for the purpose of playing at the performances.

The Dramatic Society was called The Savage Club, and was due to Mr.
Steel, the Manager of the Mercantile Bank. They rented Barganny
House, close to Tank Koad, which had a large centre room, and used to
give performances at more or less regular intervals for several years, and
performed good standard plays, including some of Shakespeare, and
modern comedies like *^ Still waters run deep " in a very capable way.
Dr. Allen, a medical practitioner in the place, and Mr. Barclay Read and
several others, were famous at this time. As the room would not hold at
one time all those who were invited, for it was a private entertainment
for the subscribers only, the performance was given twice, and the first
part of the alphabetical names were asked the first time, and the remain-
ing part to the second performance. Mr. Jose d'Almeida played the
viola. Dr. Robertson, Mr. Edward d'Almeida, and Mr. G. H. Brown,
the violins, and Mr. Knight the violoncello. There were one or two more ;
but their names are not remembered. This first amateur orchestra did not
consist of more than about six players.

This little enthusiastic band played at the first concert of the Amateur
Musical Society on Thursday, 28th December, and played the afterwards
well-worn overture to the " Caliph of Bagdad" and Haydn's first quintett.
Then the Society, which consisted of male voices only, sang four glees or
part songs. In these days they seem as rather curious musical efforts, for
Ihey were sung from the usual setting for unequal voices, so that the
tenors were often, if not usually, singing above the music written
for the trebles, and the basses above the altos. However, it was
thought satisfactory for " the good old days,'' as Mr. R. 0. Norris
always expresses it. The German Club singers on the other hand
sang from music arranged for male voices, and having Mr. Bremer's
powerful voice to lead, it was musically correct. There was a
quartett ; and a duet The Larboard Watch, well sung by the two
brothers Thomas and Charles Crane, who are both now living in
England; and the newspaper paid a compliment to the singing of
the one solo, The Village Blacksmith, in which the compiler of this
book made his first appearance and sang the first solo, it is believed,
in the Town Hall ; but he was soon afterwards eclipsed at the future
concerts of the Society, by Mr. William Hole, at the present day in
Johore, who had a much better voice. A negro melody, and Locke's
old music to Macbeth, sung in the remarkable manner that has been
described, ended this, the first concert in the Town Hall, and it is

726 Anecdotal History of Singapore

seen that the amateurs were informed in print, by the musical critic of
the newspaper, that it was a splendid treat !

A few months afterwards, in September, 1866, the German Liedertafel
and the Amateur Musical Society joined together in the Town Hall
in a concert of sacred and secular music for the benefit of the
Sinjjapore Institution School, and on turning over the fi^les of the
old newspaper, it is remembered that the singer already spoken of
as singing at the previous concert, sang the bass recitative and air
" The people that walked in darkness,'^ from Handel's Mesgiuh, which
obtained, the paper said, the first encore. It is remembered on
account of a remark that was made by Mr. David Rodger, mentioned
elsewhere in this book, who was not a musical man and probably
attended the concert to please Mr. Macvicar, who was book-keeper
in his firm. He said that he did not think anything of that song,
for it sounded like a man groping about in the dark, and there
was no tune in it. A curious appreciation, quite unintended, of the
genius of Handel. Such were the musical efforts of Singapore thirty-
seven years ago.

1866 727

CHAPTER LIV.

1866.

N March, very early on a Sunday morning, a large fire broke
out in Battery Road, just as the fire at McAlister & Co/s
3d owns close by had commenced on a Sunday about a year before,
he godowns and offices of William Macdonald & Co., and the
lipchandler's store of Barsoe S^ Ottzen were burned.

There was an American firm in Flint Street called Hutchison

Co., which was commenced in 1862. Mr. G. H. Dana, who
as only a few years in Singapore, was a partner in it at this
me. He was some relation of the author of the then well-known
Dok " Two years before the Mast.'^ His name has been remembered
3re by some occasional jokes he wrote in the newspaper under
le name of ^^Extinguisher," which were published more than once
terwards in book form. They were not, perhaps, always in good taste,

consequence of the style of the composition, as will be under-
ood from the following specimen, which was the first of them;
it were certainly witty, which goes far as an excuse. Mr. Dana
as popular in the place, of a merry and humourous turn of mind,
ith quaint Americanisms in his conversation.

The occasion which caused the commencement of the " Letters of
Ktinguisher " arose from Lieut. Henry Burn, the Master Attendant,
Lving fined a number of Captains of vessels in the harbour fifty
ipees each for not having a light burning at night on their vessels,
aere was a very angry correspondence in the papers, at his putting

force some old, useless and long-forgotten regulations which had
jver been made known, and were not applicable to the particular
kse, as the Captains said their ships were not in a fairway,
operly understood, as required by the rule. The fines were all
turned to the Captains by instructions from Governor Cavenagh.

The Master Attendant has been an officer in the then defunct
dian Navy, and was a younger brother of Mr. James Burn, who
IS the Resident Councillor and a very useful official. Mr. Henry
irn died a few years afterwards from the effects of a carriage
cident, at the foot of the hill leading down to the town from
ver Valley Road. The carriage was thrown down into a swamp
at existed there at the time, but has long been filled in, and
bstantial houses and engineering yards built over it. To show
•w the appearance of the place has changed. Dr. Little about
66 had a large pond made and closed in at the foot of the
11, on the right hand side coming towards town, to supply water-boats
th water for the shippiug. The boats came up the river.

728 Anecdotal History of Singapore

The following letter of " Extinguisher *' caused a great deal of
amusement at the time : —

"In the Island of Singapore, that lietli over against Malacca,
which is in the far Indies, in the days of the reign of Col. Cavena',
there dwelt many great and good men who were called Government
Officials, because that they fished all they could out of the Govern-
ment.

" But among these was one possessed of a little soul, who thought
himself larger than other men, and wished others to think even as
he did.

" And he said unto himself : ' What shall I do that I may cause
my name to be heard, and make myself to be great, even above my
brother officials V

"And he went about seeking how he might encompass his designs.

"And it is so happened that this man, whose name was Mustir-
attiiidint, of the tribe of the Scots, had among his other duties with the
vessels which traded in merchandise with far countries (and which
lay in the harbour near Singapore), to see that the lamps of these
vessels were trimmed and lighted when darkness covered the face of
the Earth.

"Now this was done on the land by Celestials, which resembled
men, save that they have tails, but on the water was it this man's
work.

" And as he wandered along the shores of the Sea he espeid many
of these carriers of merchandise with no light.

" And he said unto himself. * I have not told unto those men who
command these vessels that they must show a burning light, so
to-morrow they will do even as to-day, and I will come down upon
them in the dead of night with a lead pencil, and I will take the
names of these vessels, and of their wicked masters (who, perad venture,
are like unto the foolish virgins), and I will bind them that they pay
unto me fifty shekels of silver, even fifty pieces of silver from each
vessel, so that my name may shine like a burning light throughoat
the land.*

"Now it all came to pass even as he had said unto himself, and
the men of the sea did pay each man fifty shekels of silver, but a
cry went up from among these men, because of this unjust deed.

" Now it came to pass that this wail reached even to the
ears of the Governor, who was a just man in all his walks, and who
was called Cavena* (after the manner of the Scots) because that he
would net7er "cave in'' to the wrong.

" And he sent for Mustirattindint and said unto him. ' Why hast
thou done this wrong thing?'

"And Mustirattindint answered and said. ^Lo, I thought to do
that which was pleasant and good in thy sight, and now thou up-
braidest me.* And the Governor answered him, saying, 'Give back
unto these men of the sea every shekel that thou hast taken so
unjustly from them.*

"Then Mustirattindint subsided: And he went out from the
Governor's presence, and wept bitterly.

EXTINQUIBHXB.*'

1866 729

On 8th March an extraordinary general meeting was held of
the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company. Mr. C. H. Harrison was in the
chair. Mr. John James Greenshields, of Guthrie & Co., said that it was
found necessary to double the capital if the undertaking was to be pro-
ceeded with, as the original cost of the undertaking had been greatly
underestimated. The capital which had originally been fixed at $300,000
was to be increased to $600,000. Mr. Samuel Gilfillan and Dr. Little
then proposed it, and it was carried unanimously. No one then
anticipated what the Company would grow into in the next thirty years.

There was an old Kling Mohamedan in the place who died at
this time, who was :v character. His funeral was a curiosity ; a
great feast was prepared in the Square at the house of one of the
Mohamedans, and he was buried at Tanjong Pagar, with a great
crowd following. He was thought to be a prophet for about fifty
years, and used to go into shops and take what he wished, even
from the money changers, which he invariably distributed among
his poorer countrymen. All the hack-gharries were free to him, the
syces being prevented from asking for their fare by the awe with
which he inspired them.

On St. Patrick's Day, 17th March, a farewell dinner was given in
the Town Hall to Sir Richard McCausland, the Recorder, the like of
which, it was said, had not been seen in the place before. Tables
were laid round three sides of the room, and were all occupied. Mr.
W. H. Read was in the chair. A number of farewell addresses were
presented to him by all classes of the community, and he left for
Europe on ihe 22nd March, in the same mail as Tumongong Abu
Bakar, of Johore, who went to England for the first time, accom-
panied by one of his cousins and the present Dato Muntri Besar,
and Dr. Scott. They returned to Singapore in November.

Sir Richard McCausland was ten years on the Bench. In the
first volume of Mr. Kyshe's useful and carefully compiled " Reports of
Cases heard in the Supreme Court of the Straits," it is said that Sir
Richard last sat on the 25th August, 1866, but this is a mistake.
He retired on a pension, and lived for many years afterwards in
Ireland. He was a very kind-hearted genial Irishman, a sound and
experienced lawyer, and a thoroughly courteous gentleman on the
Bench, in which he was an example to some of those who have
succeeded him in the Courts of the Straits. It is a very necessary
qualification^ if justice is to be done to suitors in the Court, for the
possibility of witnesses being insulted from the Bench is very detri-
mental to justice, as it renders it difficult to obtain their evidence.

The judges sent out from England to the Straits during the time
of the administration of the East India Company undoubtedly did great
credit to those who selected them. It is noteworthy that most of the
judges before the Transfer, became in after years distinguished men.
Of the six who sat in Singapore before Sir Richard McCausland,
three became Chief Justices in Calcutta or Madras, and Sir Benson
Maxwell, who has now to be spoken of, succeeded Sir Kichard.

Sir Peter Benson Maxwell came to the Straits in 1856, as Recorder
of Penang, a^ has been said on page 631, at the same time as Sir
Richard McCausland came to Singapore. In 1866 he was appointed

730 Aneedoial EuUmf of Sin^pore

to Singapore. In that jear he pabliahed his book caUed, ** The Duties
of Scraiti* Magistrates," and the Goremmeni Gazette in May notified
that all civil servants wonld in fatare be snbjected to an examination
aff to their general knowledge of the rules laid down for their guidance
in this book instead of " Saunder's Practice of Magistrates Courts," as
had been prescribed in 1859.

The book was printed at the Government Printing Office, Singapore,
and in Penan g, and was written because one of his sons was appointed
a Magistrate. It was a remarkable book, and of the greatest use to
the legal profession. The fifth chapter on The Construction of
Statntes, consisting of 39 pages, led in after years to Sir Benson's text
book of the same name, first published in London in 1875. It has
run through several editions, and has been referred to with approval in
the House of Lords. Chapter vi. the last 132 pages in " The Duties of
Magistrates,^' was on the law of evidence, and it was said that those
who mastered it, had a grasp of the whole subject, so accurately and
concisely was it written. A larger second edition was published in
Calcutta, adapted to the Criminal Procedure Code in force there. This
is still largely used ; the old Singapore edition is rarely to be seen.

Sir Benson was a most industrious man. His copy of " Chitty on
Contracts," for example, was a mass of marginal notes and interpolated
pages, which he wrote week by week from the reports in the London
Times, as well as other Reports. His celebrated judgment in Regina
V, Willans, in May, 1858, about a decision of Mr. W. W. Willans, when
he was Police Magistrate in Penang, on a subject of the liability
of a native labourer for a repeated act of breach of contract, went
far beyond the point necessary to be decided in the case, but it
proved of great use afterwards ; for Sir Benson having time on his
hands, as work was slack at the time in the Court, took occasion
to go into a wealth of study upon what law had been introduced
and was applicable to, and in force in the Straits. He had so much
reliance on his knowledge of the law, and his readiness to alter
his view of it, if it were shown to be in doubt, that nothing that
arose was left undecided, and the temptation of a weaker mind to
avoid any doubtful or troublesome question, by deciding a case upon
some point which had never been raised, as Sir Benson's successor
did, never occurred to him.

Sir Benson used to be somewhat worried by some of the practi-
tioners at that time who had been admitted to practice without
examination as to their qualifications. He used often to say that
*^ lie wished they would read their Roscoe before coming to Court."
One day a case was called on, and Mr. James Guthrie Dayidson
was for the plaintiff and Mr. John Simons Atchison for the
defendant. Mr. Atchison had not arrived. Sir Benson said the case must
go on, so Mr. Davidson began opening his case very slowly and at
quite unnecessary length, repeating what he had to say, and when
Sir Benson remarked that he understood it when Mr. Davidson had
mentioned it before, Mr. Davidson commenced explaining it again
still more lengthily until he saw Atchison coming hastily into the
Court, when he suddenly pulled up, and said he would call his
witnesses. Sir Benson said to him afterwards that he could not

1866 731

think what he was driving at, until Atchison came in, and Davidson
replied that he thought it would have been better to wait until
Mr. Atchison came, and they both had a good laugh.

These two lawyers were both men of whom Sir Benson had a very
high opinion, and they did the bulk of the work at the bar. Atchison
came out in 1859, being a relation of Mr. H. M. Simons, and had his
office in Paterson, Simons & Co.^s godowns. He was a man, like Mr.
Davidson, of exceptional ability. He was remarkably stout, and drank
enormous quantities of soda water, taking two or three bottles at a time.
Mrs. Atchison died on her way home, and was buried in Egypt ; and Mr.
Atchison died not long afterwards in Bangkok, where he had been retained
in a heavy law suit. It was thought that he had had a stroke of the sun
under the awning of the Chow Phya steamer, as he would not, or could
not on account of his size, get easily below the deck.

Mr. J. G. Davidson was a nephew of Mr. James Guthrie, his mother
being Mr. Guthrie^s sister, and came to Singapore in 1861, joining Mr.
R. C. Woods. He was a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Scotland. He
practised at the bar for many years, and in 1874 was appointed Resident
of Perak after the death of Mr. E. W. W. Birch. In 1876 he resigned the
appointment, preferring to practice at the bar, and joined Mr. Bernard
Rodyk in Singapore. He was killed suddenly in a carriage accident in
Orchard Road a^ he was driving from Ardmore to Church early on Sunday
morning, 8th February, 1891, at 53 years of ago. He was one of the
foremost men in Singapore, taking a leading part in all that went on,
especially in public matters, though he always declined to accept a seat on
the Legislative Council. His sudden death was very much felt, and his
loss was a serious one to Singapore. The newspaper spoke of him at the
time as one of the oldest and most respected residents of the place. The
remembrance of these two, the leading names in the bar in the Straits,
arose naturally from reminiscences of Sir Benson Maxwell, in whose
Court they figured so largely.

Sir Benson retired on 26th July, 1871 ; and in 1882 was appointed
Judicial Commissioner, or under some similar title, to organise the Courts in
Egypt after the British occupation ; a post of great importance at that time.

Four of his sons were well-known in the Straits. The eldest, called
after his father, was a Magistrate in Penan g, and went to the West Indies
in the Colonial service, where he died not long afterwards. The second
son. Sir William Edward Maxwell, k.c.m.g., died at sea on 14th December,
1897, on his way home to England in ill health from the Gold Coast,
where he was Governor. He was for many years in the Straits and the
Native States, and at one time Acting Governor in Singapore, shortly
before he was appointed to the Gold Coast.

The third son, Robert William Maxwell, was for many years in the
Straits Police Force, and when he retired from ill health in August, 1894,
he was Inspector General of Police. He died in England in 1895. The
fourth son was Francis R. O. Maxwell, who became a cadet in the Sarawak
service in 1872, and was Resident at Sarawak in 1881. These three
brothers, who were very much liked in the Straits, all died, strange to say,
within a year or so of each other. There are several sons of Sir William
in the Straits and the Indian Army. One of Sir Benson^s daughters
married Mr. E. E. Isemonger of the Straits Civil Service, now retired.

7^?^ ^|a#n tfl « i ^MGm

•"^ igjr "him -ifB^ m

y^^^,4n^ tt:^7 •%riu«it .n tJt*!^ \uUssr iar^ if

A ft^/^. fifti^ f^r wtm h^d nL lt:Lj ^z zhis l anag i i Ma» Room

irKi^H ^^nf*- fiwrn tip-ptx^?^^ *TUUr»HT hy prry^Ke fibsjscripCBTiiff under
^ ^V^mm^ff^^ ^# nn^ Agrri^HrjVZicnlza'nki SccieCT. Mr. Lawrence Xiren
iTA* ftK^ •*.'>f.^»nr,tvf./jtwi^mr. ^f tli* Garienav wkica w«re oa tke present
ty^. "ty^ ^//'/r^fmtw^nr*n in idt/!^ jeatrk tfiok n; all o^«r. box in Mr.
53ff^*f/< ^h^/t fth^rr^ ftJMtJ i/> be maaj nw^re large beds of pretty
ft/^^f4 wlh^'h ft¥X^. the Gardenii kiok rerr actractire.

W^. 4^y^h (*AnuU 4l^A nnddenlj m Smgapore on 12th Jane.
H^ f"/i^iuf\ $t U f,hofiu;ht, from .Shetland^ and was ike P. & O. pilot.
H^^ M Uf ^/^j f^uh^u\f*^frf\ hffre, like Captain Cloag-hton, as a very
ftM4ffttl fn//f}^'i-r f/f f\f,f',\c^ in Hinsrapore, as was written by an old
Hift^ftlfOtf'Hft tft tHH^f, ** Wfi, With the perseverance worthy of a better
fhtt^fi, nfi$fU'4 fh#? pro'jtsf^i of a Dock, and, what is more, excavated
otit^ f,u t'tilo Vtthu'if J/fit WHfi finally ejected therefrom by the then
UtnitU'Ui. '\hfiium flhurch, on the plea that the gronnd was required
I// tUi* NhvhI AtiiUoritUtn for coal shedn. In vain did Jacob plead
tot f'Oinpifttnfiiiott. Ua wan UM to whistle "jigs to the mile-stones/'
wtnh lim UiiU^rn wtmi wmt from pillar to post, between the Hon'ble
ihti /I, t, (i. nitfl iUti Admiralty. He died, the grand old enthusiast,
hui nMVwf f(ot It nul cont/'

/(in Hni\t ifolifi (JIuniH, wa» a (.'ivil Engineer, living in Oxley
\lntu\, I In IfiiiK. fhn iinuiiiial looking house at the corner of Lloyd
IImimI, wlilrli liti intntidcnl to bo the first of a row of a terrace of
lioiiiMK, iMJioinin^ nitch olJj(»r. Ho that at first there was no window
on Olio nhlM. ||n ImhK. I ho prosont Town Hall, which has in it
Mm niiM I'noiii in (ho pliu'(» which is in proper proportions. The
n|i|iMr riHim Im hiwouIv-iJiimm^ foot long by forty wide, and is an
wiMMiiiili'ly pro|ioi'tioniMl room. It has been usual to speak of the
Tmvvii IIiiII iippoi* room an hoing too small, some people being
Minlnr llio lmproH«itin. apparontly, that it is possible to build a room
In a town, largo iMiongh io hold all those who may wish to come
i»»lo i(. h IN noodloMii to nay that tho largest buildings in London,
or iho NvoiM, would t»nly hold a vory small proportion of the population.
It 01 ot oourno praotioablo to build a larger room, as is to be shortly

1866 733

ne by its side^ but to speak of the present hall as a small one is a
stake. It is easy to compare it with well-known rooms in London; and
:)se who think it small may probably be surprised to hear that it is a few
3hes longer and only five feet narrower than the House of Commons,
d only two feet shorter and two feet wider than the famous
"ge dining hall of the Fishmongers Company, on the north west
rner of London Bridge. A place as large as the Colosseum at l^ome,
:ended solely for spectacular purposes, can be reasonably enlarged to
e length along which the furthest spectators can see sufficiently what
kes place in the arena ; but a room to be used for meetings, concerts, and
blic speaking, must be bounded, if it is to be used by people with
linary voices, by the necessary size in which they can be heard,
'^en in the House of Commons complaint is often made of the
ices not being heard in the Reporter's Gallery. The room is just
the right size for the principal uses for which it was intended,
d it has been the scene of many historical events in the history
the place, and the large hall that is intended to be built on to it
intended to be 120 feet by 60, or 7,200 superficial feet, against
)20 of the present hall. The larger room will, no doubt, be better
ited for a Ball Room now the place has grown so much bigger, but
at again will not hold all who wish to be present on such an occasion
the late visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, and there must
an end somewhere to the size of a ceiling without interior supports.
16 Town Hall in Bombay looks a much larger room on paper,
t it is partly supported by large masonry pillars in the room, and

9 available space inside those looks little if any larger than the present
»wn Hall upper room. Mr. John Clunis went to Bangkok about
irty years ago, and did a great deal of work for the King or the
)vernment there, where he died.

Another old resident in Singapore like Jacob Clunis, who died
July, 1885, was spoken of by an old resident in that year as
lows : —

"During this week there has passed away in Singapore an old
jidont who certainly deserves a tribute of remembrance from
agapore. Mr. George Lyons came here many years ajj^o, and at
e time had a ship-building yard at Tanjong Rhoo with his brother.
5 had formerly worked in the Government dockyards in England,
d had very high certificates for his ability there. He built the
f iron bridge at Kallang river, beyond the gas-works, and also
gin Bridge, which has stood so well. There is a story about that
lich is almost forgotten now. He put the whole bridge together
dily on North Bridge Road, and said he would run it across the
^er. Everyone laughed at him except one or two persons, old residents,

10 said that " Lyons was slow but sure." He got everything ready,
d one morning there was no bridge to be seen ; in four
urs he had walked it across, and at midday the two sides
re bridged over. He is said to have been on(j of the first who
light at the idea of Tanjong Pagar, and he began the first
•rk of the present Dock Company there, about 1864. He also did
great deal of the work at the Borneo Company^s wharves. He
ks a very hard-working, capable man, but times went hard with him;

734 Anecdotal History of Singapore

he went to Deli, and did a good deal of road and bridge making
there very successfally. He returned to Singapore, and undertook
work at the licrht-house that is now being built on Pulo Pisanjj. He
came to Singapore a short time ago saying that the place would
be the death of him, and died on Tuesday last/^

Rainfall, Climate, Amateur Theatricals 735

CHAPTER LV,

Rainfall. Climate. Old Amateur Theatricals.

^ER the last chapter of this book had been written it was
suggested that something would be useful about the rainfall, &c. ;
)m another source it was said that little or no notice had been
ot the amateur theatricals, which were one of the most popu-
isements in former days, when golf, lawn-tennis, football and
tthletic occupations (rather than recreations ?) were unknown.
, chapter has been added.

Raikpall, &c.

e first particulars of the rainfall are to be found in a passage

by John Crawfurd, about 1828, as follows : — ^* In^ a' place

lore than eighty miles from the Equator there is of course

ariety in the seasons. The greatest quantity of rain falls in

)er and January, but refreshing showers are experienced through-

5 year. In 1820 rain fell on 229 days; in 1821, on 203; in

Dn 136; and in 1825, on 171; giving an average, in four

of about 185 rainy, and 108 dry days. The rainy months

8 coldest, namely December and January ; and the dryest

, April and May, the hottest. The lowest range of the ther-

r within the year 1825 was 71 and the highest 89 degrees/'

George Windsor Earl's book published in 1837, he gave the

for the year 1835; and Dr. Little in a paper in the second

of Logan's Journal, gave the rainfall taken by Captain Charles

Elliot in the years 1841 to September, 1845, which are as follows;

ve been placed in the same columns as Mr. Earl's for 1 835 : —

ONTH.

1835

1841

1842

1843

1844

1845

ary ...

... 18-5

3-7

22-6

180

10-2

5-7

lary ...

... 1-5

6-7

10-9

6-9

4-2

h ...

... 108

7-2

8-0

... 3-2

10-0

5-6

123

7-2

... 50

7-8

... 6-5

7-5

6-3

2-3

• • •

... 46

7-4

8-5

3-4

ist

... 6-9

7-0

5-7

6-7

imber

... 3-6

4-2

4-0

10-2

Der ...

... 10-8

210

121

10-2

. • t

mber...

... 7-4

12-2

9-4

9-6

. • •

mher .

... 20-7

6-2

4-4

6-4

8-7

• • •

Total

... 99-5

731

1160

920

88-7

which Dr. Little made the following remarks : — '^ Taking the

) of the completed four years we have 92*5 as the annual

rain in Singapore from 1841 to 1844. The greatest fall of

s in the month of January to the amount of 22*585, and the smallest

nonth of April to the amount of 3'19. The year 1842, Dr. Little

736

Anecdotal History of Singapore

said, was considered a very wet year, 116*247 inches having fallen, against
73' 126 in the preceding year. The months in which most rain fell were
January and October, then April and November, and the least in
March. Most rain falls in the north-east monsoon, and the dry
weather may be said to exist in the south-west monsoon. No par-
ticular quarter of the wind seems to have much influence on the
fall of rain. The tables show there is the greatest fall when the
north-east is the general direction, nearly the same quantity when
the south-west is the quarter, and not less during the continuance
of the wind from the north-west. The only inference that can be
drawn is, that when the wind is from the S. E. less rain falls.
Many tropical countries have an equal quantity of rain, and even
more, annually falling; but owing to the fall being confined to one
part of the year, an equal benefit with Singapore is not received,
nay eyen it is the occasion of much disease when the rain is fol-
lowed by great heats. The rain in Singapore falling in showers
throughout the year, and not confined to one season, gives a perpetual
verdure to vegetation, cools the surface of the earth, and precipitates, as
well as tends to diminish, the generation of any atmospherical malaria/'

There is an interesting paper, written in 1887 by Mr. Vaughan ( spoken
of on page 555) on this subject ; from which the following is taken : —

"We have now had observations upon the rainfall and tempera-
ture of Singapore regularly taken for a quarter of a century without
a gap; by myself from 1862 to 1866, tables published in the Govern-
ment Gazette; by Mr. Arthur Knight of the Audit Department from
1864 to 1886; and by the Medical Department from 1869 to 1886.
We have also records of the rainfalls and temperature kept by
Lieut. Charles Morgan Elliot, of the .Madras Engineers (a brother
of Sir H. M. Elliot, Secretary to the Government of India), from
1841 to 1845 at the Singapore Magnetic Observatory, which stood
near the Kallang Bridge, not far from the Gas Works; I believe the
ruins may still be seen Elliot was one of the most promising men in
the service of the East India Company, and would have made his
mark in India had his life been spared; but he died young, shortly
after leaving Singapore, at the close of 1845.

" The annual rainfall for the twenty-five years was as follows : —

1862

- 9951

inches.

1871 -

109-45 inches.

1868

- 8662

1872 -

75-30 „

1864

- 86-92

1873 -

85-60 „

1865

- 7806

1874 -

87-05 „

1866

- 90-52

1875 ■

93-96 „

1867

- 9001

1876 ■

89-91 „

1868

- 75-55

1877 -

58-37 „

1869

- 90-65

1878 •

■ 103 16 „

1870

- 123-24

1879 -

116-14 „

1880 -

11 1-08 inches

1881 -

9400 „

1882 -

88-16 „

1883 -

75-30 „

1884 -

80-13 „

1885 ■

67-32 „

1886 ■

95-19 „

" Captain Elliot's record gives an average of a little more than 92
inches per annum ; which has been quoted by John TurnbuU Thomson
and Dr. Little and other writers on the subject, and may fairly be
considered the average annual rainfall to this day. The above table
shows with what regularity the annual rainfall ebbs and flows in decades.

Rainfall, &e.

737

''The greatest number of rainy days in one year was recorded
by Mr. Knight at Mount Pleasant, viz,, 244 days. The greatest
monthly fall was recorded in December, 1869, inches 20*66, and the
lowest in February, 1864, 17/100 of an inch, was recorded by Mr.
Knight, whilst no rain fell in town during that month. The lowest
annual rainfalls occurred in 1877 and 1885, when 58 and 67 inches
fell respectively. The greatest rainfall in twenty-four hours was 7* 10
inches in 1884. The normal range of annual rainfall lies between
85 and 95 inches. In eleven years out of twenty-five, it kept with-
in this range, rising in other seven years by thirty -eight inches,
and falling below it for seven years more by twenty-seven inches.
The average of annual rainfall at the Criminal Prison, Brass Bassa
Road register, kept by Mr. Wheatley from 1870 to 1881, wa$
ninety-two inches. If you will take the trouble and add together
the falls of the three years 1869 to 1871, and again the falls of
the three years 1878 to 1880, you will find only a difference of a
few inches. If you will add the rainfalls from 1866 to 1874, four
years on each side of the maximum in 1870, and the falls from
1875 to 1883, four years on each side of the maximum in the next
decade, you find only a difference of three inches, and the average
of the falls in each period to be about 92 inches. The maximum of
wet days in one year was 244 in 1879 and minimum 119 in 1877.

^•' Droughts occur periodically, and are worth noting. The first
during the twenty-five years lasted for thirty-five days, from the 27th
of January to the 2nd of March, 1864, with the exception of the fall
mentioned above of 0*17 of an inch at Mount Pleasant. The price of
water in the Town rose to five cents a bucket, and much distress pre-
vailed in consequence amongst the poor natives. These droughts, I
have no doubt, led Mr. Tan Kim Seng to present the Government with
his munificent gift of $13,000 towards the construction of water-works.
There was a drought in 1877 that lasted from the 22nd September to
the 23rd October, thirty-one days, and the natives suffered much. The
water-works were finished in 1877 and opened in 1878. A drought of
forty-nine days with slight sprinklings of rain, of no 'consequence,
lasted from the 28th of January to 17th March, 1883, but happily the
water-works were in full play and no evil consequences resulted. The
water supply had, however, to be cut off for a few hours daily for
several days.''

For the sake of comparison with former years, the following
figures are given as the rainfall for the three years 1890, 1895 and
1 900 taken at the Kandang Kerbau Hospital : —

1890.

1895.

1900.

1890.

1895.

1900.

January

... 8-77

5-47

7-98

July

20-76

8-91

5-58

February

... 12-47

2-88

414

August

8-09

7-72

9-59

March

... 9-91

605

6-73

September ...

8-29

415

2-42

April

... 7-97

12-78

17-91

October

9-07

9-69

5-54

May ...

. . . 3-37

7-34

6-13

November ...

13-43

11-68

12-72

June . . .

... 6-61

7-78

8-53

December . . .

11-67

13-96

411

Total for the years 1890, 12041 ; 1895, 9841 ; 1900, 91-38.

738 An^rdoial HUiofj of Sin^pare

It !uk? been mentioned on page 338, that in 1839 there was a very
rainj month, orer 4 inches having fallen in one day, which was
then considered a remarkable record ; bat on Snndav, 29th May, 1892,
9^25 inches fell between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. The heavy downpour flooded
the town, and particularly Orchard Road, where the water was 2 ft.
6 in. deep at Government Hoose Gates. In fact Orchard Road as far
as the police station, except in one or two of the higher parts, was
*{aite under water. The depths of the different parts of the road
were taken and printed in the Free Pre^s of May 30th ; a gentleman
had swum down Orchard Road with a three foot role to gauge
the depths; and the same day a gentleman canoed from Taoglin
to the sea. Singapore lies so low that heavy rains bring
up the water level temporarily to that of the sea. The
storm waters can only get out of the big channels at low water,
and the multiplication of these would have no effect in that
respect, although they would assist materially in clearing away
the storm waters at low tide. In 1892, when the tide went
<»ut, the water in Orchard Road fell no less than four inches in
an hour.

In John Cameron's book he says : — " In 1863 rain fell on 184
days, and the quantity was considerably in excess of that of temperate
countries generally. It seldom rains a whole day through; the
greater part is discharged in short but heavy showers, and
in big drops like those from thunder-clouds at home. The effect
of these is very refreshing ; they generally come when the air
is unusually close and warm, and though not lasting perhaps more
than half an hour or an hour, they leave it both cool and
purified. Another good point in the climate is the rare absence
of a good stiff breeze from one quarter or another during the day,
and of the soft land airs breathing out from the jungle at night,
when all more boisterous winds are hushed to rest. To these
land winds is due in a great measure the coolness of the nighte,
which will generally admit of good sound slumber, a sine qua iwn
to health here as elsewhere.

" By resorting to the neighbourhood of the jungle a
degree at least of reduction in the temperature may be secured.
In such places as Selitar, lying well in the interior, and with
the primeval forest all round them, the additional coolness is
palpable, and cannot be less than two or three degrees. Sea
bathing is also a relief within easy reach, and is often availed
of ; but the neighbourhood of coral banks which are exposed at
low water is avoided, as the exhalations produced by the heat of
the sun have been found to be very unwholesome. The climate
is also one in which more out-door amusement can be enjoyed
than in that of most other tropical countries. From sunrise till
eight o'clock in the morning, and from half-past four in the
afternoon till sunset, the sun is comparatively harmless, and even
in midday Europeans walk about the Square in town with apparent
impunity. To be safe, however, the head should always be kept well
covered, and with this precaution, the more out-door exercise indulged
in the better."

Rainfall, Ac. 739

As regards the climate, Mr. Crawfurd wrote in 1828
that it was hot but equable; but, from the absence of distinct
seasons, necessarily monotonous. He added that the town was
remarkable for its salubrity, the fevers and dysenteries of
ordinary tropical countries being of very rare occurrence, and that
he had no recollection of any European having fallen a victim to
the climate in the long period of nine years since the formation
of the settlement.

George Windsor Earl says in his book, published in 1837, that
from his first arrival in Singapore, during twenty-two months, only
two deaths occurred among the European residents, and neither of
these arose from the effects of the climate.

G. F. Davidson in his book published in 1846, but probably
speaking of about 1840, when he was carrying on business as
Davidson & Co., said ; — ^* Of the state of public health in Singapore
I am able to report most favorably. Let any one go and see the
European residents of sixteen and twenty years standing, and he
will be able to judge for himself. During my acquaintance of
sixteen years with this part of the world, I have never known any
endemic disease to prevail; never heard of more than one European
dying of cholera, or of more than three Europeans being attacked
¥rith that disease ; never knew but one or two cases of liver-complaint
in which the sufferers had not their own imprudence to thank for
the attack; and, as far as my memory serves me, cannot reckon
up two deaths among the European inhabitants in that long period.
Some one may here whisper, " Look at the state of your Singapore
burial ground.*' My reply is, that it is filled by the death of
numbers who have, from time to time, arrived from Calcutta and
other parts of India in a dying state, and who would have died
six months sooner, had they not come to breathe the pure air of
Singapore.'*

The following paper on the temperature of the place was written
by Mr. Vaughan in 1887 : — ^* Captain Elliot's tables are most useful
in enabling us to come to a definite conclusion as to the changes
in temperature that have taken place in Singapore during the last
forty-five years. They may be put down as nil.

" Elliot's register gives the following means of all the obser-
vations of each hour for every day of the month from 1841
to 1845:—

January ... ... 7955^

February 80*25

March 81-22

April 81-47

May 82-31

June 82-29

July 82-24 ^ for ten years, 8125.

August 81-80

September 81-7G

October 81-21

November 80-63

December 8024

The mean temperature

7*)

AmtMsI Bw Ury taf

l^x

<M:

Af/n'l

MAT

Joly

Anfrnxt

H«rpt«iinbeT

N'orember
December

*><)
5l-9
*24
e!2'o
82^
820
82-0
82-0
820
80«

foDows: —

The mean tempentore
for the two
81-50.

79 2

''Thr5 mean of the means of temperatare for the hwt 17 years
(1870 to 188^v guren by Dr. Rowell is 8120.

The mean temperature by Elliot for each year was as follows :—

1841 1842 1843 1844 1845

81-28 81-66 81-09 8082 81-66

Mean of five years, 81-3.
" Let ns take five consecutive years, 1881 to 1885, and the figures
will be nearly identical —

1881 1882 1883 1884 1885

81-6 81-7 81-3 8M 81-7

Mean of five years, 81*4.
" Or let us take another five years —

1871 1872 1873 1874 1875

80-8 81-5 81-3 80-7 81-0

Mean of the five years, 81*00
" As in Elliot's time the heat increased gradually from January
to Junis and decreased from July to December, so it does now. In
1880 the range was as follows : —

January

February

March

April

May

Juno

**Tho coldest years were 1869, 1870, and 1879, when the greatest
rttinfuUs wore recorded ; the warmest were 1872, 1877, and 1885,
when the lowest falls were recorded. It is a noteworthy fact con-
tuvtod with the climate of Singapore, that the warmer the day the
iHH>lor the night.

** The moHU maximum of heat is about 87 degrees, and the
ntt^n nuuimum aWut 73^, the maximum in Elliot's time was 87*5°
and n^iuimum 74*7"^ : the maximum in the twenty-five years was
^H iu ApriU IS7S; and 9^5^ in February, 1885, a warm year.

** rUo mn^jt"* of l^rometor is so trifling that it is scarcely worth
nv^tux^i*. U w»s lowest in the wettest years, and highest in the
dvuNsts Wo h^ivv literallv no season. There is verv little difference
u\ I ho miut^ill u\ tho two mv^usooos, a mer^ difference of about six

80-7
80-9
82-4
82 5

July

August . . .
September
October . . .

. . . 82-6
... 81-2
... 81-8
... 819

823

November

. . . 80-4

82-9

December

. . . 78-6

Old Amateur Theatricals 74J

inches in the year in favour of the N. E. monsoon; nor is there
any perceptible difference in the temperature during the two mon-
soons. The N. E. monsoon prevails from November to April, and
the S. W. monsoon from May to October. Singapore lies right
athwart the track of both ; the one blowing across a vast expanse
of water like the China Sea ; and the other across the Indian Ocean,
both wafting clouds laden with moisture across the island, shedding
their contents in the form of rain as they pass over. So long as
the monsoons endure, so long will Singapore enjoy the refreshing
showers, although every tree in the jungle should be levelled to the
dust.*^

With this very interesting paper of Mr. Vaughan, who, from
his experience of sea-faring life and his scientific accomplishments,
was always listened to with respect on these subjects, we now turn
to the remaining subject of

Old Amat£ub Thkathicals.

The earliest record of amateur theatricals in Singapore appears
in the issue of the Singajpore Chronicle of the 21st March, 1833.
The theatre was in Cross Street, Teluk Ayer. Tickets were sold at
$2 and $1 ; doors opened at 6, and the performance commenced at
7 o'clock. The amateurs soaied high in those days. The play was
Dr. Young's celebrated and much admired tragedy of The Revenge,
It was followed by the laughable farce of The Mock Doctor^ also by
comic and sentimental songs, and a recitation from Campbell's
Pleasures of Hope, No money was received at the door, but tickets
were sold at Merryweather & Co.'s and other places.

The tragedy was an utter failure, and the amateurs, for their
ambition, received severe castigation at the hand of the Editor. This
is a portion of the article : — ^' On Monday evening last a company of
amateurs performed, or rather attempted to perform. Dr. Young's
celebrated and much admired tragedy of The Revenge. Considering
the quality and attainments of the several actors, we must own we
did not experience much disappointment in witnessing this perfor-
mance, as it required no skill in vaticination to predict a failure.
We must certainly allow them credit for their presumption in having
fixed on so difficult a piece, but for no more. Instead of lachry-
mose effect, as is proper, the acting produced a very contrary one
on the risible nerves of the audience, and, excepting the tedium
produced in listening to a continued series of unintelligible dialogues
the piece altogether afforded some amusement from the burlesque
character of the performance. Tragedy is altogether beyond the
reach of the present company of performers ; and if they wish to
attract future audiences, they must confine themselves to the low
comedy which seems to be their proper forte."

This proved a perfect damper, and the amateurs collapsed. On
the 30th of July, 1 834, sixteen months after, they essayed a comedy,
and were more successful. The play was Goldsmith's admired comedy
She Stoops to Conquer. Tickets were to be had at Messrs. Merry-

742 Anecdotal History of Singapore

weather^s at $3 each^ and the performance commenced at half-past
seven o'clock. The following significant paragraph appeared in the
advertisement : — " N.B — The Manager pledges himself to the Ladies
of Singapore that no improper characters will be admitted." The
performance was thus reviewed in the Chronicle of July 31st, 1834: —
" The performance of She Stoops to Conqtier took place on Wednesday
evening, and, judging from the loud and continued plaudits of a
respectable ana well-filled house, it afforded universal satisfaction.
To say that the amateur performers acted their parts well is only
doing them bare justice ; indeed there were several who entered fully into
the spirit of their parts, and acted much better than could have been anti-
cipated." A few lines in this critique, which we quote, show that fifty years
ago the amateurs could furnish a respectable orchestra, and that their
services were as much appreciated then as those of Mr. Salzmann and
our present musical amateurs are now. The Editor wrote : — " To the
amateurs, who, though few in number, delighted the audience with
several Italian overtures and some of Rossini's best airs, the com-
munity must feel much indebted. Their kindness is the more to be
felt, as, had they not volunteered their services, the manager must
have had recourse to those indefatigable scrapers of cat-gut, com-
monly known as the Malacca Fiddlers, whose exertions, we know
well, would have destroyed all the harmony felt on so agreeable an
occasion."

The theatre in Cross Street was abandoned for what was
known as Chong Long's House in Kampong Glam, (see page 216)
where the next performance took place. On the 27th of September,
1834, the much admired plays of The Apprentice and The Mock Doctor
were brought out. Doors opened at 6, the performance commenced
at 7, the price of tickets was reduced to $2 for boxes, $1 for
gallery, and $0.50 for the pit. The performance, in consequence of
the indisposition of some of the amateurs, had to be postponed to
the 30th of the same month. It proved an utter failure, and was
thus criticised by the Chronicle on the 2nd October : — " Estimating
the performance by the quantity, we have some reason to talk —
but as to the quality ' the least said the sooner mended.' We refer
more particularly to last Tuesday's performance, which afforded
abundance of amusement to some, both off and on the stage. The
two farces are very humorous in themselves, and some of the
characters on the part of three or four of the performers were well
sustained ; but the whole would have gone off much better had
several of them kept sober, and others remembered their parts better.
The arrangements of the house were so good and made with so
much attention to the modesty of the ladies, that not a single one
was to be seen. The gentlemen, therefore, had the house to them-
selves, and many amused themselves in a variety of ways, of which
we need take no notice. Such another exhibition, and farewell to
Singapore theatricals say we." It was the death knell of amateur
theatricals in Singapore for a time.

On the 14th of March, 1844, there was a revival performance
under the management of Vincent Crummies, who was Captain Calbeck
of the Madras Army, The plays were Charles the Second or The

Old Amateur Theatricals 743

Murry Monarch and The Spectre Bridegroom, In tlie second piece
appeared for the first time Miss Petowker as Lavinia, and Mr. Johnson
as Dickory. The theatre was in Dutronquoy's Hotel, then called the
London, where the Adelphi now stands in Coleman Street. Miss
Petowker for several years played ladies* parts. She had the smallest
waist, and smallest foot, of any lady in Singapore, and was the
envy of all the sex, for it was acknowledged she was the prettiest
little chambermaid on the stage and a clever little actress, and
played everything she attempted most successfully. One night, after
a performance, she was taken to the house of a lady friend, where
there was a lady visitor, who talked to the actress for some time
and seemed much impressed with her ladylike bearing, &c., when
the pert little woman came out with a rather strong expression
which aroused the old lady^s suspicions ; so she walked up to Petowker
and said in tragic tones, opening her eyes as wide as she could,
"Why you naughty creature, you are a man,** and so it was —
Mr. W. H. Read! Since that he has played important parts in
his own character on another stage quite as successfully, but he
probably often looks back with pleasure to the days when he tripped
the boards in petticoats. But when speaking of the " Soubrette "
the Prima Dontia should not be forgotten. Pretty, graceful, always
well-dressed and careful in her acting. Miss Ledbrook for several
years took the leading female parts, and was a decided public
favourite. Some still alive remember the then well-known voice of
Archie Spottiswoode. Lieut. Dunlop also took to the petticoat, but
it took so much chalk and care to tone down his *^ black muzzle "
to "maiden*s blush** that he had to return to male attire. Mr.
William Napier, the lawyer, afterwards the Governor of Labuan, Mr,
C. A. Dyce in Martin Dyce & Co., Captain Scott, and others,
enjoyed themselves in amateur theatricals that have not since been
surpassed. The other amateur, Mr. Johnson, was Mr, Tom Dunman,
the gi'eatest low comedian Singapore has ever seen. In his amateur
days, he was an assistant in Martin Dyce & Co.*8. His theatrical
career was cut off after he assumed charge of the Police Force,
when, on his appearance in the character of Captain Copp, he got
a hint from the powers that he had better drop the stage. Colonel
Butterworth and Mr. Thos. Church could not believe that private
theatricals and the midnight watch after the Chinese thieves could
go together. Mr. Dunman was also equally successful in his official
career, which has been spoken of on page 394, and left Singapore one
of the most popular men of the day, when he retired upon a well-
earned pension.

The following are the remarks of the Free Prens of the 14th
March, 1844, on the above performance : — " On Tuesday evening, a
few gentlemen amateurs performed the play of Charles the Second
and the farce of The Spectre Bridegroom to a crowded audience.
It is now some years since anything of the kind has been attempted
in this Settlement, and although occasional efforts have been made
to excite public attention to the subject, some obstacle has always
been presented to the establishment of a theatre ; the spirited . pro-
prietor of the London Hotel, Mr. Dutronquoy, has, however, at length

744 Anecdotal History of Singapore

converted a portion of his house into a small theatre, and we certainly
think he deserves every encouragement from a liberal public/*

In these two pieces, appeared Mr. Napier, Mr. Dyce, Mr. W. H.
Read, Mr. Spottiswoode, and Mr. Dunman of Singapore ; and Captain
Calbeck and Lieutenant Dunlop of the 4th Madras Native Infantry, and
Captain J. D. Scott of the Madras Artillery. Here is a short criticism
written at the time by one who was in Singapore in 1887.

"Calbeck asCopp and Aldwinkle was splendid; also Dunman as Dickory.
Napier as Charles the Second brought the house down by answering
Lady Clara when she asks him at the commencement of the second
act how His Majesty passed the night ? * Vara restless, vara restless,'
in broad Scotch. Scott as Nicodemus kept his countenance wonder-
fully, and his ' I never eat cold pudding ' elicited rounds of applause.
Such a galaxy of amateurs has never been equalled in Singapore/*

On the 18th of April, 1844, was performed Mifs in her Teems
or The Medley of Lovers, and Fortune's Frolic. Mr. Johnson (Tom Dun-
man) playing Robin Roughead, the principal part in the last ; and
Miss Petowker, Tag, the maid in the first. Here is the review of
the Free Press on these two : — " Miss Petowker as Tag, the Maid,
also displayed great cleverness. Mr. Johnson in the part of Robin
Roughead was the star of the evening, and his acting was truly
excellent. The hearty bursts of applause which the audience repeatedly
granted him testified how successfully he had identified himself with
the honest rustic whose sudden elevation to rank and fortune affords
so many opportunities for the ludicrous and whimsical display of
his untutored goodness of heart. The manner in which Mr. John-
son sustained this character would not have disgraced a practised actor.
The pleasures of the evening were much enhanced by the performance
of the Amateur Orchestra, which played some beautiful overtures with
great skill and effect. It is seldom indeed that a small place like
Singapore can boast of such a large number of really scientific and
accomplished musicians as the gentlemen who so kindly lent their aid
on Thursday/*

In May, 1844, was played The Haunted House and Bombastes Purioso
by the same company. Captain J. D. Scott being Manager. In June,
Mrs. Deacle of the Theatre Royal, Dover, who had been starring in Calcutta
with James Viniug, the well-known London Tragedian, came down on a
visit, with Captain Andrews and Lieut. Crossman of the Bengal Army —
Calcutta amateurs — and gave several performances assisted by the amateurs.
She built a theatre for herself, and called it, after the Calcutta Theatre,
" Sans Souci." Singaporeans enjoyed a treat for some months, Macbeth,
Venice Preserved, Merchant of Venice and other tragedies were played, and
many farces and comedies. Before she concluded, she managed to secure
the Theatre Royal, which was more suited for her performances than the
temporary stage erected by her. Alluding to The Merchant of Venice, the
Editor of the Free Press said : — " We will only say that it was an enjoyment
of the very highest and most intellectual description. The character of
Shylock was played by one of our Singapore amateurs, and was a most
unexpected pleasure. Dress, look and delivery were all perfect, and from
beginning to the end it was the Jew and nothing but the Jew.** This was
J. D. Horrocks, then employed in Shaw, Whitehead & Co.*s ofi^ce. Daring

Old Amateur Theatricals 745

this performance, Mr. W. Rodyk, afterwards for many years the Registrar
of the Supreme Court in Malacca^ sang Billy Barlow with great effect.
An incident occurred to show that the opposition then shown by some clergy
to the stage was in full force. One of the cloth, a clergyman of the
Church of England, preached a powerful tirade against the stage and
actors in general, and said that no modest woman should appear in such a
character as Portia. This Revd. gentleman was severely handled in the
papers by several writers, and the result of the sermon is thus recorded in
the Free Press of 25th July, 1844: — * One good resulted from the sermon
on Sunday, although not the one exactly intended by the Revd. gentleman,
viz., persons who never visited a theatre before, went on Monday, and the
house was crowded ! "

Mrs. Deacle returned to Calcutta shortly after, and completed her
engagement there. Admiral Keppel in his Diary on 23rd July, 1844,
printed in his last book, vol. 1, page 339, said " Amateur Theatricals, 'The
Merchant of Venice.' Read performed. Supped with Portia.^' And Mr.
R. O. Norris on reading the above wrote this: — "How time Hies ! I
remember the days of 1844 very well, and read the recollection of old
theatricals with great interest. The Theatre Royal was then in Coleman
Street, and Padre White lived in the next house. Mrs. Deacle took for a
time, the house, which was Mr. Kim Cheng's (south corner of Coleman
Street and North Bridge Road), for her theatre. We, that is the boy-boarders
at the Institution School, and the girls from Mrs. Whittle's School, used
to go every month to Mr. White's, who, with his good lady and three big
girls, used to be kind to us all ; magic lanterns, and lectures on botany,
chemistry, and such things to amuse us and teach us what we could not
learn in school. The boys were sent home with bread and jam, but the
girls remained longer with tea and sweets as their share. One evening
we were there, and a clergyman, Mr. Taylor, from Madras, when unfortu-
nately Mrs. Deacle & Co. were rehearsing next door, and the Padre told
us the house was a house of devils ! Rather strong that, but what a change
now when Padres patronise theatres and horse races. I remember that we
heard that evening the voice of Mr. Napier rehearsing. There were two
good actors in the 2 1st Madras Native Infantry, named Bolton and Rideout,
and the Square was represented by Messrs. Green shields and Robert
Duff, I do not doubt that some of the young ladies at Mrs. Whittle's
school, now aged matrons, still among us, will recollect those days."

The year 1845 proved a dull one for amateur theatricals. After
Mrs. Deacle's departure, Dutronquoy left Coleman Street for the
Esplanade, taking his sign-board with him. He was the proprietor of
the London Hotel — now the Hotel de I'Burope -for a few years. He
disappeared, mysteriously, murdered it was whispered, whilst gold dig-
ging up in the Muar, and the hotel was carried on by his wife and
son for several years. The Theatre Royal, Coleman Street, disappeared,
and the Assembly Rooms were erected in the vacant spot at the
foot of Fort Canning in Hill Street, not far from High Street. This
building was distinguished by its ugliness. It possessed, however, a
spacious ball-room, and a very passable theatre — the scenery for which
was painted by C. A. Dyce. Mr. Dyce was a brother of the R. A, and
an excellent artist. His drop-scene — a view of Singapore — was used
for many years.

746 Anecdotal History of Singapore

At the new Theatre Royal in the Assembly Rooms the first per-
formance took place on the 25th of November. The play was The
Conqueiing Oame and the Mummy. Tickets at $2 and $1. Performance
commenced at 8. We quote portions of the critiques from the Free
Press of the 27th November, 1845 : — " The stage is more spacious
than at the old theatre, and the accommodation for the performers
combines more convenience and comfort. There are complaints, how-
ever, regarding the imperfect transmission of sound, the performers
being quite inaudible in the back part of the theatre. The drop
scene — a view of Singapore — does great credit to the amateur artist
by whom it was painted. We also noticed a street which was exceed-
ingly well painted. Our old friend Mr. Folair (Capt. J. D. Scott)
as Charles XII, King of Sweden, sustained the character admirably.
Miss Petowker (W. H. Read) as Baroness Ormsdofif was tastefully
dressed and wore her honours with becoming self-possession and
dignity. Miss Ledbrook (Spottiswoode) is always perfect, and as Catherine
OimsdofE was excellent. In the Mummy, Mr. Johnson (Dunman) as
Toby Tramp, kept the house in roars of laughter. He met with a
most flattering reception, which he well deserved, from the recollection
of the many hours of laughter he created at the old theatre. The
amateur gentlemen who attended the orchestra deserve the highest
praise, the music was exquisite, and perhaps no part of India, of the
same limited extent as Singapore, can boast of an equal number of
efficient performers. The proprietors of the theatre oug^ht to be, and
we have no doubt are, very grateful for the assistance of these gentle-
men. It gave us great pleasure to see the house so well filled (not a
vacant chair to be had) and graced with the presence of all the beauty
and fashion of the Settlement.'* The performance was repeated a week
after.

The year 1846 proved a dull one, except that in it certain
admirable actors made their first appearance in Singapore, to be
mentioned hereafter. On the 25th May were played The Little
Back Parlour, Bombastes Furioso, and Nothing Superfluous, On the
27th Se))tember, were played the farces of Davip Beds and My
Young Wife and Old Umbrella, We take, from the Free Press,
portions of the critique on the performance, which alluded to amateurs
who are still well remembered in Singapore. The Free Press at this
time was edited by Mr. William Napier, an accomplished actor : —

" After a considerable blank, the performances at our little Drury
were revived on Friday evening last, and although we only recog-
nised two of the old stagers on the boards, the whole went off with
much spirit ; in fact, we confess ourselves to have been agreeably
disappointed. The pieces chosen were humorous in the extreme, and
the first, viz., Damp Beds, abounds with jokes, many of which, how-
ever, were omitted or rather forgotten, but what we heard were so
palpable as to send us into roars. The acting of Mr. Jingle (J. D.
Vaughan) as Whisk, was excellent throughout, and the complete self-
possession and modulation of his voice convinces us that although
new on the boards here, he is an old hand elsewhere. Jingle would
prove a most valuable auxiliary to the little band ; such, however,
we fear cannot be, as the duties of his profession call him hence

Old Amateur TheatricaU 747

a very few days. Our old favourite Miss Quilp (W. Rodyk, of
alacca] was, as he always is, very effective in his part of the
3rt Abigail. Mr. Titmouse's first appearance (Lieutenant Sweet of
le 21st Madras Infantry) was an admirable hit, his acting through-
it of the vulgar upstart cockney who ' ain't to be done at no price,'
as really good, and we hail this, his first appearance, as the pro-
ise of many future merry laughs ; his appearance and manners are
irticularly droll, and we hope the manager will select a piece for
9xt performance where the veteran Johnson and Titmouse can play
>gether. We are sorry to see Mr. Fitzsnook (W. H. Read) play-
ig in a new character, and sincerely trust he will again resume
le old name, and captivate us as he did as the Countess Orvisdoff
r as Mrs. Pontifer ; the more especially, as Miss Ledbrook appears
> have deserted the cause.

" In the second piece, Messrs. Fitzsnook, Snodgrass, and Jingle,
ad Miss Quilp, had almost nothing to do, the whole burden falling
n Blueskin (Farleigh Armstrong's first appearance). Gregory was an
imirable piece of acting, and kept the audience in a roar through-
at ; in fact, as we said before, all were mightily pleased. The
ccellent music of the 21st Regiment's Band added not a little to
le evening's entertainment. With all due deference to Messrs.
rummies & Co., we decidedly object to their bamboozling Her
[ajesty's lieges by changing the actors' names so often — such mj^sti-
3ation serves no other end than to puzzle people."

On November 24th, 1846, was performed Charles the Second, with
'unman as Captain Cejyp, his last appearance ; and the farce of State
ecrets, in which Tidman played the Tailor of Tamworth, the principal
laracter. With the exception of the acting of these two, the per-
»rmance was a failure. Dunman, as has been said, never played again,
[iss Petowker's last performance was as Fantine^ a low lodging house-
^eper, and she looked the part to perfection. Archie Spottiswoode was
[iss Ledbrooke and made up and played ladies' parts excellently well,
he late Mr. William Rodyk, Registar of the Malacca Court, was the
lird female, and also played very well. One night when the Dido,
ir Harry Keppel's ship was here, after a performance, her Captain,
fficers and amateurs, and Miss Petowker, played at leap-frog on the
age, and after their game adjourned for supper to the Navy House,
hich stood on the site occupied now by the Masonic Hall. The
juse belonged to Mr. Read's father.

In 1847, but one performance was advertised — On the 21st December,
le laughable farces of Animal Magnetism and But However, No
TOgramme or critique appears in the Free Press, which was at this
me edited by Mr. Logan, who was not a theatrical man, and the
les of the Straits Times for this and other years were burnt.

In 1848, there were two performances — on the 29th August and
}th September. The programme of the first is given, but we cannot
•ace the amateurs. The plays were ffis Last Legs and Twice Killed.
n the second night, the Irish Lion and Meet Me by Moonlight were
layed. There was no critique published on the performance.

During the next decade, the amateur performances were few
ad far between. There were none in 1851 and 1852. In 1853,

748 Anecdotal History of Singapore

The Three Cuckoosy Little Back-Parlour and Friend Naggles were played.
The performance was unfavourably reviewed by the press. No per-
formance in 1854. In 1855, the amateurs revived, and performed in
February, April, August and October. Victorina, Mrs. Bunhury*s
Spoons, Tlie Critic and Did Yon Ever Send Tour Wife to Camberwell ?
were the plays. Nothing in 1856. In 1857 the amateurs were very
busy playing in aid of a fund for fitting up a new theatre at the
Town Hall. They played The Prisoner of War, A Thumping Lega/^y,
Helping Hands , John Dohhs, Paul Pry and Slasher and Crasher, In
June of that year, the performance was under the patronage of
Lord Elgin, who was on his way to India to help Lord Canning. There
were no performances in 1858 and 1859 ; and one or two in 1860.
Folair, Captain J. D. Scott, left with his battery for India, and
for several years Mr. W. H, Read was the President and
Stage Manager of the Corps Dramatique. Mr. Bono (Farleigh Arm-
strong, then in William Macdonald & Co.'s) improved on every
appearance, and eventually became a worthy successor to T. Dunman ;
and for many years was the best low comedian on the stage. As
the deaf ostler in Deaf as a Post, and many other characters, he
was inimitable. During these ten years, the amateurs who played
women's parts were Mr. McCl eland of Spottiswoodo & Co. as Miss
Glendiygings ; Mr. George Dare, La Brani, now in Singapore, and
Mr. Julius Dare, his brother. Mr. McCleland was exceptionally good.
The tragedian was Mr. E. J. Leveson of Reme Brothers, who, as
Mr, Gower, played, as often as he could, parts suited to his talents.
Unfortunately this was not often, as the amateurs wisely eschewed
tragedies. He made a decided hit in the Prisoner of War. He was an
accomplished actor and reciter. Of light comedians, none excelled Mr.
Barclay Read of A. L. Johnston & Co., and Mr. William Adamson,
then of the Borneo Company, now in England, and a C.M.6.,
the head of the London firm of Adamson, Gilfillan & Co., and
taking much trouble in looking after the interests of Singapore,
like others of the old Singaporeans. Mr. Weir, of Spottiswoode &
Co., was also very good in this line ; F. M. Goss of Ker, Rawson
& Co., John Steel of Martin Dyce & Co., and afterwards of the Mer-
cantile Bank ; and last, though not least, Perkyns (John Armstrong)
known as the kindest hearted amateur ever seen, and a dear good
fellow off the stage. He was always ready to oblige the Mani^er,
and played any part that wanted filling up. He dressed carefully
and played everything he took in hand well. There were also
Franklin Richardson Kendal, of the P. & 0. OflSce, and others, all
good actors.

In 1861, on the 4th April, there was A Phenomenon in a Smock
Frock and Mrs. Bunbury's Spoons. On July the 26th, Our Wife or
The Rose of Amiens was performed. In this appeared for the first
time Jupon (Mr. F. D. Barnes of the P. & O. Company, who died
lately the Managing Director of the Company in London), an actor
possessing great powers in the famous Robson's line, and was much
atlmired. In all these pieces, the two Armstrongs, McCleland, and
Dare played. On the 18th October, was performed The Chimney
Corner and Boots at the Swan. In the former piece Jupofi, Barnes,

Old Amateur Theatricals 749

Jlayed Robson's part very well indeed, but the critics did not
atter him. It was an exceedingly difficult part, abounding in
passages of humour and pathos that are well known to those who
nave seen this piece and the Porter's Knot, both written for llobson,
who was not less than a genius, and night after night brought
tears into everyone's eyes in these homely characters, in the old,
ill-appointed Adelphi theatre in London. No wonder if an amateur
did not come up to so high a standard.

Mr. Vaughan as Whisk made his second appearance on the
Singapore stage in the Chimney Corner; his performance was thus
criticised by the Straits Tim^s of the 19th October, 1861: — "The
only difference, in fact, which the Chimney Corner presents (alluding
to the Porter^s Knot) is in the introduction of the Deics machina in
the person of the honest son's grandfather, an old man of ninety,
most beautifully played last night by Mr, }^^isk. We have not had
the pleasure of seeing this gentleman perform before, but we heartily
welcome him as a very great addition to our little carj^s dramatiqne.
His assumption of the feeble, bed-ridden, half-blind, old man; his
rendering of the broken, interjected sentences, which, having no
reference to each other, but simply showing the fancies flitting through
the old man's brain, yet so powerfully point the wit of the general
dialogue, his make and gait, were admirably worked out, and we must
assign to Mr, Whisk the place of honour in last night's performance."
Parleigh Armstrong was the hero of the second piece; and played Boots
exceedingly well. This was written by the late John Cameron who
had assumed the editorial charge of the Straits Times on the 20th
August, 1861.

A decided "sell" perpetrated by the corps dramatique, in 1861,
deserves recording, as it caused a great deal of merriment at the
time, and no little annoyance in some quarters The corjys adver-
tised early in the year a performance of the Merchant of Venice,
and a crowded house was the result. Instead of Shakespear, the
audience had The Merchant of Venice Preserved'' — a burlesque — which
in the hands of Bojw and others proved a success, but many were
indignant, and the press levelled its thunders at the heads of the
nnfortunate amateurs. The critique called forth a number of letters
abusing and defending the amateurs, and after a few indignant
letters had been published on both sides, the storm subsided.

During 1856, the old Assembly Rooms at the foot of Fort Can-
ning had been demolished, and a temporary theatre erected on their
site, in which the amateurs performed to the end of 1861, chiefly
in aid of funds required for the scenery, dresses and properties for
the new Theatre in the lower room of the Town Hall. Mr. Barclay Read
assumed the duties of Stage Manager and President of the Corpa
Dramatique, At the end of 1861, the Savage Club was started by
Wm. Steel of the Mercantile Bank, and its birth was thus noticed
by the Straits Times on the 7th December, 1861, in a leader headed
"The Drama." We extract the following part referring exclusively
to the new club: — "We are heartily glad to see the establishment
in Singapore of a club, whose ostensible purpose is the furthering
of theatrical performances in oiir Settlement. The Savage Club is

750 Anecdotal History of Singapore

by no means meant as an antagonistic body of performers to our
old and justly esteemed corps at the Town Hall. It is simply
designed in a graceful and generous spirit of rivalry, to incite the
former corps to still further efforts, and to give to our European
community an evening^s entertainment which will afford them pleasure,
and to the furtherance of dramatic performances in the East. The
comparative dullness of the life we lead here, even as regards the
Indian Presidencies, cannot be denied, and we joyfully hail another
accession to our public fund of amusement.**

During 1862, amateur theatricals flourished. The Corps Dramatiq^ie
played two or three times at the Town Hall, and the Savage Club
performed frequently. Mr. Steel of the Mercantile Bank, gave up his
residence, the late Barganny House, for the performances. A pretty
little theatre was fitted up in the drawing room and the admission
to the performances was secured by a subscription of one dollar a
month. With very few exceptions, all the European residents subscribed.
Mr. Vaughan was President and Stage Manager, and Mr. Steel
Secretary and Treasurer, a committee of three or four members assist-ed
in the management. Barganny House being too small to accommodate
all the subscribers at the same time, each performance had to be
repeated. The Club played once in every month except during a few
months in the middle of the year.

We give the following copies of the only two advertisements of
the Club that we have been able to lay our hands on, which will
give a fair insight into the Club's arrrangements : —

Notice.

"Savage Club."

Season 1862.

The fourth performance of the season will take place at Barganny
House on the 21st and 22nd proximo, at eight o'clock each night.

The following pieces will be presented : —

"On And Off''

" Number One Round the Cornkr, "

" Cool as a Cucumber. "

The Singapore Amateur Instrumental Association will kindly assist
on this occasion.

N.B. — SubscM'ihors whose names commence with the letters I to Z
nre expected on the first and from A to H on the second evening.

Singapore, 3rd March, 1^02.

" Savage Club. "

Season 1862.

Tlio concluding performance of the season will take place at

Barganny House, on Fhursday and Friday evenings, the 11th and 12th

December, 1862, when will be presented the much admired Drama in

three Acts.

" Plot and Passion "

and the Burlesque of

" Fra Diavolo or the Beauty and Tiia

Brigands. "

With original music and new scenery, dresses and appointments.

Old Amaceur Theatricaht 751

The Singapore Amateur Instrumental Association will lend their
valuable assistance.

Order of attendance : Subscribers I to Z on first and A to H on
second evening of performance.

Singapore^ 20th November, 1862.

The small subscription above mentioned sufficed to pay all the
expenses of the Club, including scenery, dresses, properties and re-
freshments for the audiences. Besides the plays mentioned in the
above advertisements, the following pieces were played during the
year, also others that cannot now be ascertained : Still Waters Run
Deep, A Fearfid Tragedy in the 7 Diah, Othello Travestied y Tlie Ttirkish
BcUh, the drama of Robbers in the Wood, and the burlesque of the
same title ; Don Caesar de Bazan, Bicrlejtque of Medea, The Merchant of
Venice (Shakespeare's), Fish Old of Water,

The Club was the means of introducing a number of first rate
actors to the public. The tragedian was the late Dr. H. A. Allen,
a private practitioner, as Mr, Courtney, In melodrama De La
Femllade of the Borneo Company, as Mr, Delaf, excelled. In Dan
Csesar de Bazan and Desmarets no one in Singapore could have
touched him. He was for many years in John Little & Co., and
afterwards in the Borneo Company. His father was French and his
mother English. He was a very clever actor where a Frenchman
had to speak broken English, such as " The First Night, In his
way he was, probably, the best actor in the place. As a delineator
of female characters, Mr. William MulhoUand, of the Borneo Company
as Miss Booth was never surpassed. He was afterwards for several
years the Manager of the Company in London. He is now dead.
As Maritana in Don Csesar he was exquisite, and no stranger visiting
the performance would have supposed that the character was represented
by a man. His Portia was excellent. The late Mr. Winton, of the
Hongkong Bank, as MissWilton, made his debut. The low comedian
par e^tcellence was Mr. Charles Emmerson as Mr, Emery ; he was quite equal
to any of his predecessors, and afterwards, at the Town Hall, proved
an able successor to Farleigh Armstrong. Mr. Emmerson was a veterinary
surgeon and hotel and tiffin-rooms proprietor.

Mr. Steel in Still Waters Run Deep and Cool as a Cicenniber was
very good. He changed his theatrical name from Mr. Wills to Mildmay,
the chief character in the first piece. Mr. Vaughan played the lead-
ing character in Fish Out of Water, On and Off, No, 1 Round the
Comer, and other farces. He changed his name from Whisk to Sam
Savory, the hero of the first piece.

We here quote from the Straits Times of the 13th December, 1862,
a portion of the critique on the last regular performance of the season,
in order to show what an outsider thought of some of the actors : —
" The last performance has certainly proved the best of the season at
Barganny House. At a time when their claims to support and con-
sideration are about to come before the public, the Savage Club do
well to strain themselves to the utmost, and their efforts of the last
two nights will prove, we think, not to have been altogether in rain.
Labouring under considerable disadvantages in stage accommodation

752 Anecdotal History of Singapore

and scenic machinery, they are able to place on their boards a three-
act drama in a style that certainly has not been surpassed by anything
we have yet seen in the Town Hall Theatre, If there were fewer
appliances, there was a greater exercise of taste and judgment, and
the scenes 1 and 3 in Fouche's Closet could scarcly have been
improved. Plot & Passion is placed in the period of the first Empire, when
the schemes and intrigues of Fouche first taught the world the great
value and enormous power of a well organised police. The plot of the
piece is simple ; Marie de Fondanges is one of Fouche's agents,
and is sent to decoy to Paris M. de Neuville, who has offended
Fouche and fled to Prague; during her residence there she
falls in love with Neuville, and in the end is enabled to save
him from the toils of the wily Minister of Police. The prin-
cipal character in the piece is Fouche, and the part was sustained by
Mr, Courtuey (Dr. H. A. Allen), who has only once before appeared on the
Barganny boards. To great coolness, admirable ease and complacency, a
good voice, and a very perfect French pronunciation, Mr. Courtney added
sutficient passion and excitability to make his rendering nearer perfection
than we are ever likely to see in Singapore a<^ain. Mr, Delaf (De laFeuil-
lade of the Borneo Company) as Desmaretn showed out to great advantage;
his acting was good, and his delivery was slower, and more distinct than on
previous occasions; wo are inclined to divide between him andifr. Courtney
the first merit iu last night's performance; though the acting of the latter
was decidedly the most masterly. Mr. Mildmay's (W. Steel) acting was
good ; better than we remember it before, and the scene between him and
Mai ie in Fouche's Closet, after his arrest, was really well done, and deserved
the applause that followed it. The other male characters were
subordinate ones, but w^ere well enough rendered not to detract from the
general effect of the piece. Miss Booth (Mr. Mulholland), Prima Donna
of Barganny House, if not of the Singapore stage, sustained the only im-
portant female character in the piece — Marie de Fontangen, The part was
a very heavy one, and required a more than usually retentive memory,
tx^gother with a great deal of very fine acting. In all these essentials,
however. Miss Booth was not wanting, and by her acting last night she
adds another to the many laurels she has already gained upon the Amateur
stage, 'i'aking last night's performance of Plot & Passion, and
considering it is a whole, we are ready to confess that we believe
it by far the best piece that has been given on the Barganny boards —
if not the best in Singapore. Tho burlesque that followed should have
been left out. It was past eleven before it commenced, and the
manner in which it was played did not justify the detention of the
audience. The parts were very imperfectly committed, and the piece
consequently broke down in several places. It would be unjust, how-
ever, not to record the praise which is due to Mr. Emery (Charles
Emmerson) for his peroration of Beppo, which was really inimitable.
'Tis hard to put the hand where the tart can never be' was splendid,
and richly deserved the encore which was given. Miss Wilton (Mr.
Winton of the Hongkong Bank) also promises to be a valuable
acquisition to the female strength of the Savage Club/'

The Savage Club had a brief, but glorious career. Mr. Steel left
Singapore for Bombay in 1863, and the performances collapsed,

Old Amateur Theafricah 753

Attempts were made at intervals to resuscitate the Club without success ;
and some of the members joined the risral corps. Others declined to
do this on account of a little ill-feeling that arose between the two
corps in consequence of the older one declining to let the Savage Club
play at the Town Hall, because they had a claim to the theatre there,
they having played to pay the expenses thereof; which was quite
true. The Savage Club had to yield, but the ill-feeling engendered
by the correspondence that appeared in the Straits Times, never
wore off, and lost to the amateur stage several prominent actors
who never played in public again.

In 1862, the Corps Dramatique played the Critic, Catching a
Mermaid, and Robert Macaire. The first was got up regardless of
expense, and gave great satisfaction. Mr. Barclay Read played Puff
with eclat; but as the handsome, bold and rollicking highwayman
Macaire^ he surpassed himself. Mr. Tidman of the Borneo Company
played the cowardly Strop splendidly. Mr. Vaughan was Pierre, The
farce was very amusing, Farleigh Armstrong playing the chief part.
Mr. Paul Frederic Tidman was the leading light comedian for some
time after his debut and by far the cleverest actor of his time.
He was in the Borneo Company, and afterwards in partnership with
Mr. Wm. Mactaggart in London, as Mactaggart, Tidman & Co.
He was the first Honorary Secretary of the Straits Association in London
and was created a C.M.G., and died in 1891.

More than sufiicient, perhaps, has now been collected from old
papers to show the nature of the amateur theatricals in former days,
and the subject may end here, as the names have been mentioned
of all the leaders in an amusement which certainly did credit to the
community.

754 Anecdotal History oj Singapore

CHAPTER LVI.

THE TRANSFER.

THIS chapter contains an account of the transfer of the Straits
Settlements from the East India Company to the Colonial Office.
It was always spoken of as '^The Transfer," and was considered the
most important event in the history of Singapore since the day when
Sir Stamford RaflBes founded the Settlement ; and the prominent
date of division in the history of the place. The causes which led
up to the change will appear in the various petitions, letters, and
papers that are reprinted here.

It has not been unusual of late years to hear it said in Singa-
pore that there is little public spirit in the place, and that it would
not exist if occasion arose when it might prove of much advantage.
Whatever may be the case at the present time, it could not have
been said with truth of the early days of the Settlement, as this
book has clearly shown ; and the patience and perseverance of the
mercantile community during ten years in urging the importance
of the Transfer, and in persistently following it up in spite of
frequent discouragement, is proof that there was no lack of - public-
spirited members in the community at that time.

The principal cause of the movement was the feeling in Singa-
pore, which had been growing for many years, that the Supreme
Government in Bengal was able to give very little attention to the
affairs of a place so far from Calcutta and so different from India
in many respects. One small matter of grievance, for example, was
that for more than twenty years the community had been complain-
ing of the inconvenience of there being no regulations for the control
of public conveyances, and no redress could be got, even in
such a small matter, from Calcutta. A second point was the little
attention that could bo obtained with regard to the commercial
relations of Singapore with the Native States in the Peninsula and
Archipelago, the promotion of which had been one of the principal
objects of Sir Stamford RaflBes.

The Governor-General of India, with the engrossing duties
entailed upon him by the Government of India, could ill spare tho
time to consider not only the internal government of the Straits
Settlements, but also the matters of foreign policy connected with
them. The French were commencing to take a peculiar interest in
Cochin-China, which ultimately led to the occupation of Saigon.
The Netherlands and Spain both had colonies close by, with which
the interests of Singapore were connected, and all the correspondence
on such matters had to reach the Foreign Office in London through
the Governor-General, who might be at Simla, which caused delay
for many weeks or months.

The Transfer 755

After the Indian Mutiny the Europeans in Calcutta had agitated
the question of the Government of India being placed directly under
the Crown, and the Straits Settlements being then part of the
administration of India, this fact led to the opportunity of raising
the question as regarded the government of the Straits.

A public meeting of the European inhabitants was held at the
News Rooms on 15th September, 1857, called by the Sheriff on a
requisition very numerously signed, for the purpose of considering
the advisability of joining in the movement which had" originated in
Calcutta.

Mr. Joaquim d' Almeida, the Sheriff, was called to the chair, and
after some discussion on minor points, the Meeting, being unanimous that
it would be highly advantageous to transfer the management of India
from the East India Company to the Crown, passed the following
resolutions : —

Proposed by R. C. Woods, seconded by C. Spottiswoode : — " That
this Meeting records its hearty concurrence in the prayer of the Calcutta
Petition, dated 3rd August, and resolves to petition Parliament to present
an address to the Crown, beseeching Her Majesty to place the whole of
British India under the sole Government of the Imperial Parliament."

Proposed by J. J. Greenshields, seconded by J. Harvey : — " That the
petition to Parliament set forth the grievance under which the Straits
Settlements have laboured during the Government of the East India
Company, and pray to be placed directly wider the Crown, with a separate
Gavernmefit, and not as at present under a delegated authority in India."

Proposed by W. Paterson, seconded by J. B. Camming, " That the
following gentlemen be named a Committee to carry out the resolutions of
the Meeting, Messrs. A. Logan, R. C. Woods, R. Bain, A. M. Aitken, and
Joaquim d'Almeida."

The words above, here printed in italics, seem to be the first mention
in print of what ended in the Transfer on Ist April, 1867.

The following was the Petition which was addressed to the two
Houses of Parliament by the European inhabitants of Singapore, and
was very numerously signed : —

" That your Petitioners have long felt aggrieved by the manner in which
Singapore is governed by the East India Company. For a considerable time it
was subordinate to the Bengal Presidency, aud although of late years the Straits
Settlements have been nominally a separate Grovemment, placed directly under
the Supreme (Government of India, there has been little alteration in the system
of management. Ignorant, apparently, of the many circumstances in which the
Straits Settlement* differ so widely from Continental India, the Supreme Govern-
ment has almost invariably treated them from an exclusively Indian point of
view, and shown a systematic disregard to the wants and wishes of their in-
habitants, however earnestly and perseveringly made known. And only by
appeals to the Imperial Government and Parliament, have needful improvements
desired bv the inhabitants of the Straits Settlements been brought about, or
redress obtained for injustice inflicted on them by the Government of the
East India Company.

" When, a few years ago. Parliament established a Legislative Council for
India, yoar Petitioners hoped that a beneficial change would take place in the
manner of dealing with questions affecting the welfare of the Straits Settlements,
bat they found that such expectations were fallacious. Unlike the several
Presidencies and Governments of Coniihental India, the Straits Settlements are
not represented in the Legislative Council, by any person having a competent
knowledge of their requirements. On various occasions when proceeding to deal

756 Anecdotal History of Singapore

with matters connected with these Settlements, the members of the LegislatiTe
Conncil have confeBsed their complete ignorance of Straits aiEairs, bat this hag
not induced them to hesitate in their action — or to take effectual means for
acquiring the information acknowledged to be wanting. They baTe, on the
contrary, passed Acts most detrimental to the interests of the Settlement, in
spite of the earnest remonstrances and prayers of the inhabitants.

" Thn Straits Settlements are placed under the chaiye of a (Joremor,
appointed by the GoFemor-General of India in CounciL Without any Council
to advise or assist him. this Officer has paramount authority within the Settle-
ment, and by his reports and suggestions the Supreme GoTemment and
Legislative Council are in great measure guided in dealing with the afEurs of
these Settlements. It may, and indeed does in reality frequently happen, that
this functionary, from caprice, temper or defective judgment, is opposed to the
wishes of the whole community, yet in any conflict of opinion so arising his
views are almost invariably adopted by the Supreme Grovemment, upon
statements and representations which the public have no knowledge of and
no opportunity of impugning.

*' In order to show that these assertions are not vague generalities, or made
without sufficient facts to justify them, your Petitioners numbly submit the fol-
lowing statements : —

** The Settlement of Singapore was established as an outlet for British Com-
merce, and the preservation of its integrity as a Free Port has always been recognised
by statesmen as essential to its prosperity and the full development of the
objeotH contemplated in its formation. Thirty-nine years ago it was a haunt of
savage Malay pirates and now it has a Trade of the annual value of ten millions of

g)unds sterling, steadily increasing from year to year. The Honorable the Court of
irectors and the Government of India have never cordially recognised or appreciated
the advantage which the free port of Singapore has afforded to the Commerce of
Great Britain and India. Influenced solely by the desire to protect their revenue and
ignoring all other considerations, they have at various times proposed to adopt
measures that if carried out would have had the effect of mining or seriously injuring
the trade of Singaporo. At one period they wished to impose Import and Export
duties, at another Tonnage dues, and. passing over other projects never realised,
tliey adopted measni-es in 1854 for introducing the Company's Rupee into more
general circulation in the Straits Settlements, where hithei"to a Dollar currency
had almost exclusively prevailed. The Copper currency, consisting of Cents of
a Dollar, previously supplied under the provisions oi an Act of the Indian
Govi'i-nment passed in 18 i7, was withheld, and the Indian copper money,
which it is impossible to adapt to a Dollar currency was substituted in its
place. The inhabitants of the Straits Settlements repeatedly and in the most
earnest terms memorialized the Lej^islabive Council and Supreme Government
of India against these changes, settmg forth the inconvenience and injury their
adoption would occasion, but their representations were not listened to. In all these
instances, the evil was only averted or redress procured by appealing to the Imperial
Government or Parliament, from which that attention and justice were obtained
which had been in vain prayed for at the hands of our more immediate rulers.
" From the very first establishment of Singapore the trading vessels, and more
especially the native craft, resorting to it, have been much exposed to the attacks of
pirates. No systematic measures of protection have ever been adopted or carried out
by the East India Company, who have been content to leave the service to be per-
formed by the Royal Navy. Her Majesty's Naval forces being liable to be called
away to other duties, can only act at intervals ; and hence for long periods the
neighbouring seas have been left wholly or very slightly guarded and have at such
times swarmed with pirates, to the great injury of the trade of this port.

" The Supreme Government of India has uniformly discouraged the local Grovem-
ment at Singapore from intei'fermg with matters beyond the limits of the Island. The
cultivation of friendly relations with Native States and Chiefs has been neglected, and
the Government does not posseas that influence in the Indian Archipelago which the
interests of British commerce require, and which might have been acquired and
maintained by a very slight exertion on the part of the Indian Government.

"Upon Singapore and Malacca being annexed to Prince of Wales' Island,
the Recorder's Court established at the latter place was extended to the three
stations, which were designated "The Settlements of Prince of Wales' Island,
Singapore and Malacca. " The Recorder resided at Prince of Wales* Island and made

Thfi Transfer 757

eircuita to Singapore and Malacca twice in the year and at times even at longer
interrals, principally with the view of discharging the Qaols, the civil suits at
Singa{)ore bein^ nearly all tried and disposed of by the Governor or Resident
Councillor, Civil Servants of the East India Company. In course of time
the judicial business at Singapore increased largely, in consequence of its
i^eat commercial prosperity, and the officers of Government found that the
iischarge of their judicial functions interfered inconveniently with the per-
formance of their other duties, while the community was dissatisfied at hav-
ing the Law administered by ud professional persons, at best very imperfectly
icquainted with it. The Indian Government was besought to make those changes
n the judicial system of the Settlement which had now become imperatively
lecessary. Much delay ensued, and some impracticable schemes were propounded,
laving for their principal object to dispense with professionally tramed judges
Hid to vest the administration of justice almost entirely in the local Officers of
Government, Civil or Military servants of the East India Company, and at
ast the subject was postponed indefiniteljr. The inhabitants of Singapore, after
nuch delay, petitioned both Houses of Parhament for redress, when two Recorders
vere assigned to the Straits, one of them being stationed at Singapore, with
iialacca under his jurisdiction. Owing, however, to the long delay whicn had taken
)lace, and the rapid increase in the wealth and population of Singapore, the judicial
«tablishment that had been considered suitable ten years previously, and which
vas adopted in framing the new Charter, lias been found very inadequate for the
kltered circumstances of the place, and the amount of judicial business has so
nuch increased as to make it impossible for ^ne Judge to dispose of it although
itting almost uninterruptedly in Court, from day to day, throughout the whole
''ear.

" The native population of Singapore comprehends persons from all parts o
'he Continent of India, Arabia, the Indian Archipelago and China. In most
nstances, coming here solely for the prosecution of trade, or to acquire a
competency, and without any intention or wish to become settlers for life, they
lo not feel that desire to conform to our institutions and laws which would no
loubt arise were they bound to the place by family or other permanent ties. This
B more peculiarly the case with the Chinese, who constitute the great bulk of
he population. The Chinese residents are in most cases male adults, the females
)eing m the proportion of one woman to eighteen men. Belonging chiefly to the
owest class, the Chinese immigrants are ignorant and turbulent, bringing with
hem from their own country those prejudices and feelings which animate their
lation generally against foreigners. Here they find their secret societies and
'confederacies in fml operation, and they fall into that system of self-government
vhich, in this as in other Europeans Colonies tu which the Chinese emigrate,
8 found to interfere so seriously with public order and the proper administration
»f justice. The principles on which these Societies are constituted and worked
lave a most baneful influence. They assume to themselves a jurisdiction extending
!ven to life and death, and they exercise the great powers which their organization
^ves them, in hindering the constitutional administration of justice by shielding
sriminals and by suppressing and concealing evidence. The rivalries of hostile
K>cietie8 and clans give rise to disturbances and outrages, often of a very grave
lature. To control such a population requires a firm and consistent though con-
jiliatory course of action on the paH of the Government. This has in a great
neasurebeen wanting in the Straits Settlements. At one time the attitude assumed
)y the officials is harsh and irritating; at another, finding or imagining themselves
inable to control the Chinese, they have recounae to undignified compromises most
lamaging to their authority. For many years past the European inhabitants have
irged upon the attention of Government the imperative necessity of measures being
bdopted for remedying this undesirable state of matters; they have suggested means
ry which the relations of Government with the Chinese population might be im-
)roved, and the effect of their peculiar habits and institutions in a great measure
counteracted, without any violent interference with them ; but such remonstrances
ind suggestions have been generally received with indifference, and sometimes with-
mt the slightest acknowledgment of their having been made.

" Although Singapore was established exclusively as a commercial emporium,
ret from a very early period of its existence it has been used by the Indian Govern-

7b8 Anecdotal History of Singapore

mmt a< a fttatioii for the Conriets of C>ntmental India ; the felons sent here being
tbc«^ wb«>sc^ crimes aro of the deepest dje and their period of transportation of a
lenitben^i nature, freqorntl* for life. Of late jears,the number of such transported
felons «tariotr»i at Singapore has been much increased, and your Petitioners are
s^TT-i'UilT apprvhrn^ire that it is the intention of the Government to make this
Senirrmrnt a {<enal station un a large scale, and to send to it the worst and mo8t
danirrr.*a$ ^.'f the criminals cc^nfined in the TnHUn Gaols. With such a large body
of cx-UTiot* there i» no adequate provision for the protection of the life and property
of the inhabitants. Th<r convicts are only guard^ by a few Sepoy troops who in
coanki?? aiv far inferior to the des^^eradoes they are set to watch over. The
system of c^.^nvici management and discipline has trom the very first been of the
mofrt drfrctive and loose nature. Large gantrs of convicts are stationed in different
|:art« t-f the i&land. in open lines, and with only native officers or peons (themselves
conviot*^ t.» o.^nir^ them. They style themselves ** servants of government" and
their behaviour to the rural population is insolent and oppressive. Whatever may
be the cv.»nditi.>n. morally or otherwise, of the native population, there can belittle
doubt that the presence of a large lK>dy of convicts, especially with such an imper-
fect state of dis^'ipline as that prevailing, must exert a decidedly injurious influence.
Irrespective, hvwevrr. of such considerations, your Petitioners entertain a strong
feeling that a Settlement established and kept up as an Emporium of Trade should
n.»t W converted int«> a P»*nal Station for the felons of India. They earnestly
desirv to be freed from what they must ever consider the contamination arising
trvm such a body of fc-lons being placed amongst them.

" Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, that your Honorable House
will l»e pleased to adopt such measures as may be necessary for removing
the l^ovt-mment of British India from the East India Company and sub-
stituting in its place the direct Government of Her Most Gracious Majesty
the Queen: and further, that the Straits Settlements may be constituted
a separate Government, directly under the Crown, and not, as at present,
under a delegated authoritv in India.

In March, 1S58, it was said tha«^ the Home Government had decided
on the change, and to make the Settlement a Crown Colony, and the
principal naval depot in the East. It was also reported that Sir James
Brooke had been named as the first Governor of the Colony. This was,
however, very premature, for it took nine years before the Transfer was
carried out. The English Government had, at that time, a number of im-
portant matters in hand, while on the other hand Singapore was very
little known or appreciated, and it was no doubt considered a very
subordinate question which might very well stand over.

In the same mouth the Petition from Singapore was presented to the
Houses of Parliament. Lord Albemarle, the elder brother of Admiral Sir
Henry Keppel, was to have presented it in the House of Lords, but he was
absent in Italy, and it was presented by Earl Granville. What he said on the
occasion was not reported in the newspapers, owing no doubt to the crowd
of what were thought much more important matters by the London daily
papers. In the House of Commons the Petition was presented by Lord
Bury, the eldest son of the Earl of Albemarle. The Times of 14th April
contained a report from which the following is condensed.

" Lord Bury rose and said that the Straits Settlements were situated on
the great highway of commerce between the east and the west, and the
matter was one of national importance. He spoke of Sir Stamford Raffles
having appreciated the valuable resources of Singapore and, after great
trouble, having obtained leave to establish the Settlement, which in the
course of a year had transferred to itself the trade before carried on at
Penang. Singapore progressed most favourably under the East India
Company, but when the trade of the Company with Chiua ceased to be a

The Transfer 759

monopoly it was consequently no longer a matter of importance to India
whether Singapore continued to flourish or not. In proportion, however, as
the interests of the East India Company in the place declined, it became a
matter of national importance to England that its position should be
maintained. The Straits Settlements were, in the strict sense of the word.
Colonies ; their population was not composed of conquered races but of
bodies of men who had been attracted there by the security afforded by
British rule. The trade had increased enormously, from £4,000,000 in 1840,
to £15,000,000 in 1857. The Straits Settlements had properly no connection
with India, they had ceased to be of any importance to that Empire
since India had ceased to trade exclusively with China. In fact they
appeared to be only regarded by the Indian Government as useful for a
convict station, the whole of the convicts of Bombay, Madras and Bengal
being sent there. The Company had wished to establish one uniform
currency, and introduced the rupee and smaller Indian coins into the
Straits, but great confusion had resulted. They had also attempted to
impose tonnage dues upon shipping, and had only been stopped from
inflicting this injustice by the remonstrances of the Home Government.
All these things proved that the interests of the Settlements were much
more Imperial than Indian, and would be better governed if they were
brought immediately under the control of the Secretary of State for the
Colonies. The population had no means of forwarding their views to head-
quarters, and questions were decided entirely at variance with their feel-
ings. Another point was that Singapore required protection against the
aggressive policy of the Dutch, who prevented the native places from
trading with the place and diverted their trade into Dutch ports.

'' He said that since the Singapore petition had been sent home, all public
works in the Straits Settlements had been stopped, because of the events
which had happened in India, which was very hard as the Straits
had nothing to do with India. These were the principal grounds
for removing the Straits from the control of the East India Com-
pany, and placing them directly under the authority of the Crown.
Looking at the enormous progress they had made in a few years,
the large European community there, and the peculiar position and
advantages for trade, he hoped to hear from the Government a satis-
factory answer, and moved for copies of the correspondence between
Her Majesty's Government and the East India Company, in order
that the House might have the advantage of listening to any
discussion that might arise.^'

Mr. Baillie (the Secretary of the Board of Control of the East
India Company) was free to confess, as the noble lord had stated,
that the subject which he had brought under the notice of the
House had not sufficiently occupied the attention of the Government.
The fact was that they did not consider it necessary, at a time when
the whole government of India was about to be discussed in the House,
to deal with questions of detail respecting what must at present, at all
events, be considered a portion of the Indian empire. Then, again, it
would have been necessary, in taking this subject into consideration, to
communicate with the home Government of India and the Governor-
General ; for, as the noble lord had stated, this Colony was one of the
great penal stations for Indian convicts. With regard to the complaints

760 Anecdotal Histoj-y of Singapore

made in the petition^ he (Mr. Baillie) could not altogether admit their
justice. It was alleged^ first of all^ that the Indian Government had
made repeated attempts to impose duties on the trade of Singapore,
which attempts had only been frustrated by appeals to the home
authorities. Now, the petitioners could hardly complain that their
interests were unattended to, when their grievances had thus been
redressed. Again, with regard to the complaints about their currency,
it was very natural that the Governor-General should desire to establish
a uniform currency throughout the whole of the territories subject to
his authority. But, after the complaints made at Singapore, this
grievance also was redressed, and the currency which had been imposed
on the Colony was changed back to the dollar currency. He thought
that this, therefore, did not give the petitioners a right to complain.
The only just ground of complaint which, in his opinion, those
colonists could urge, was that Singapore had been made a penal settle-
ment, and that no doubt was a complaint which was well entitled to
consideration. (Hear, hear). It should, however, be borne in mind that
Singapore had been made a penal settlement before it had risen to its
present importance, and that the prosperity which it now enjoyed was
to no small extent the result of convict labour. But, although he was
prepared to admit that the complaint to which he had just adverted
was one which was deserving of notice, he could by no means concur
in the justice of the statement which had been made by the noble
lord, to the effect that the expenses connected with the maintenance of
the military establishment at Singapore were entirely defrayed by the
colonists. Such was by no means the case, and he might add that the
military defences of the colony involved a question of the utmost im-
portance for the consideration of the Government ; because, if Singapore
were to become a Crown Colony this country would have to take upon
itself the onus of defraying the charge for its military defence, a charge
which could not be estimated at a less sum than £300,000 per annum.
The House would recollect that at the commencement of the Chinese
War great excitement prevailed in Singapore, inasmuch as there were
40,000 or 50,000 Chinese at the time in the Colony. It had, therefore,
been deemed expedient to increase to a considerable extent its military
defences, and he believed that there were at the present moment no
less than three regiments stationed in the Settlement. At no period,
indeed, could its garrison, in his opinion, be estimated at less than two
regiments and a battery of artillery, the maintenance of which would
cost this country nearly £300,000 per annum at the very lowest cal-
culation; for that was an amount of expenditure which could not be
thrown upon the resources of the colony itself, inasmuch as its revenue
was barely sufficient to defray its ordinary civil expenditure and to
admit of its furnishing £15,000 a year towards the outlay for military
purposes. The subject, therefore, was one which was well worthy of
serious consideration, and before Parliament proceeded to take any
active steps with respect to it, it would do well, he thought, to bear
in mind that the commerce of Singapore had within the last six years
increased at least 75 per cent., a fact which afforded the best evidence
of the prosperity of the Colony. (Hear). Under these circumstances he
trusted that the noble lord would be satisfied with the explanation

The Transfer 761

which he had given in reference to a subject which had not as yet
been brought under the special consideration of the Government, and
which, when the future Government of India was settled, might at anytime
press itself upon their attention. (Hear, hear).

Mr. Horsman (who at one time had large sugar plantations at
Province Wellesley) said that, from all the information which he had
obtained upon the subject, the case of Singapore appeared to him
to be one of those instances in which a want of sympathy with
the position of the inhabitants of our foreign settlements was exhibited,
which was by no means creditable to the Legislature. (Hear, hear).
He believed that history furnished no record of the advance in
prosperity of a colony more rapid than was that of Singapore. Forty
years ago it had been the haunt of pirates, and one of the most
lawless districts which could well be conceived. It had within that
period, however, risen to the possession of a trade of £10,000,000 per
annum, a trade which had, as had been stated by the Honorable
gentleman who had just spoken, increased 75 per cent, during the
last six years. Now, the obstacles which had opposed themselves in
the way of that remarkable progress had been overcome despite of
the action of the Government of this country, and although the
Honorable gentleman opposite seemed to think that nothing was
more natural than that the Governor-General of India should deem
the circulating medium of that country suitable to Singapore, the
consequence had been that that step had led to the complete
disturbance of the commerce of the colony. But a measure much
more objectionable was that which had converted a small, but
active and thriving, colony into a penal settlement for the very
worst class of criminals in India, and imperilled its security by intrust-
ing the guardianship of those criminals to a regiment of Sepoys. The
real question for the consideration of the House was, what had Singa-
pore to do with India ? Why should that colony be governed in India ?
(Hear, hear). It carried on a larger trade with China than with
India, and was inhabited by thousands of Chinese. As well, therefore,
might Ceylon or Hongkong be placed under the Government of India
(hear, hear), instead of under the control of the Colonial Office. The
question was one which he thought was well worthy of the consider-
ation of the Government, and he trust it would receive at their hands
that degree of attention to which it was entitled.

Sir J. Elphiustone (the Member for Portsmouth) said, as one
possessing some knowledge of Singapore, he wished to say a few words
upon the occasion. He certainly had never until now heard any sug-
gestion that Singapore should be placed under the control of the
Colonial Office, and he was not at present prepared to give an opinion
on the point. He had been at Singapore in 1820, when the Settlement
was just formed. At that time it was an island inhabited only by a
few Malay fishermen, but, being singularly well adapted by its
position to intercept the whole trade of the Eastern Archipelago, Sir
Stamford Baffles, one of the ablest men who ever visited the East, recom-
mended its settlement. In consequence of its advantageous position the
progress of the Settlement had been extraordinarily rapid, and it ATas now
a vast entrepot for the commerce of that part of the world. At first it was

762 Anecdotal History of Singapore

necessary to send thither convicts to perform public works, and a very small
military force was required to guard them ; but as the Settlement increased
in importance the elements of disorder increased likewise, for the popu-
lation which resorted to Singapore was drawn from the most lawless and
savage of eastern races; the Bugis, the Sarawak Dyaks, the Syaks,
inhabitants of Sumatra, and other wild races, furnished their quota to the
population of Singapore. In addition, however, there was a large Chinese
population who resorted to the Settlement in order to make money, with
which to return to China. Those men came unaccompanied by women,
and they associated with the native women of the country, from which
connection had sprung a race called Kling, a most disorderly people. It
had become necessary to increase the military force to preserve order
among those people, and not on acc(mnt of the convict population in the
Settlement, of whom he had never heard any complaints made, but from
whom, on the contrary, the residents usually selected their domestic
servants. (A laugh.) He once knew a lady, the wife of an Officer in
high position, who told him she always selected her servants from that
class, Hud upon his asking whether she preferred thieves or murderers for
service in her nursery, replied that she always chose murderers (great
laugliter), their crimes having been generally committed from motives of
jealousy, and, those motives ceasing, they were very desirable servants.
He had never heard that the convicts were at all disagreeable to the resi-
dents in the Settlement, but he knew they Avere useful in constructing
roads, bridges, and other public works, which otherwise would not be per-
formed. He was inclined to agree with the Secretary to the Board of
Control that it would be a great burden for this country to take upon itself
the charge of maintaining peace among that mixed and lawless population.
He had no doubt there might be defects in the management of the Straits
Settlements, but there was one insuperable obstacle to the colonization of
the island of Singapore, and that was the immense number of tigers which
swam over from the opposite shore, from which Singapore was separated
only by a small stream. The opposite coast was an impenetrable jungle
tenanted by vast numbers of tigers, more bold and ferocious than any to
be found in other parts of India; and scarcely a day passed without some
native being carried off bodily by those animals. That circumstance
operated to prevent the cultivation of spice and sugar, for which otherwise
the country was excellently adapted.

Mr. Mangles (the Member for Guildford, a Director of the East India
Company) did not wish on the part of the East India Company to put
forth a decided claim to the control over the Straits Settlements, but he
wished to correct some statements which were contained in a pamphlet
written by an esteemed friend, Mr. John Crawfurd, the author of " Our
Eastern Archipelago." In that pamphlet it was stated that the revenue
of the three Straits Settlements, Malacca, Penang and Singapore, were
burdened with charges which were never imposed upon the local revenues
of any colony, and that out of it were defrayed the expenses of the
military and naval services, and also for the maintenance of transported
felons from Madras, Bombay and Bengal. The fact, however, was
that the charge for the convicts was borne by the presidencies whence
they were sent, all the military and naval expenses were also
defrayed by India. (Hear, hear.) The gross revenues of the Straits

The Transfer 763

Settlements in 1855-6 was £97,904, the local charges, independent
of the cost for military and naval purposes was £74,753, leaving
only .a balance of £23,151 to meet those expenses. The right
Honorable member for Stroud had stated that the settlement of
Singapore was exposed to danger from the convicts, but the last
speaker had shown how unfounded was the apprehension. The real
danger, and a most serious one it was, arose from the large Chinese
population in the Straits Settlements, and he would warn the Honorable
gentleman opposite and the House, tliat unless strong measures were
taken, such as the Government of India were now considering, with
respect to the Chinese population and their secret societies, the safety
of those settlements would be greatly jeopardized. (Hear, hear). He
did not know that the control of these settlements was of great impor-
tance to the Indian Government, especially as having lately taken
possession of the Andaman Islands, they were no longer needed as a
depot for their convicts, but he would advise the Government not to
deal with this matter without consulting the Governor-General. If that
oflBcer should see no objection to the change, he did not know that
the East India Company would be at all unwilling to part with its
control over those settlements.

The motion for the production of correspondence was then agreed
to.

The London Tiine^ thus remarked on the discussion : — " The leading
idea of the speakers who took part in the discussion seemed to be that
the authority over Singapore should be entirely taken away from the
Government of India, and that it should be brought directly under
the authority of the Colonial Office. What has Singapore to do
with India? It r-arries on a larger trade with China than with India.
The true idea of the settlement, colony, or by whatever name it may be
called, is as the centre and citadel of British power in the Eastern Seas,
and the great house of call between Great Britain and China. It is from
this point chiefly that the ceaseless intrigues of the Dutch to ex-
clude us altogether from the Indian Archipelago can be defeated.
With the Straits of Malacca and the North-Western coast of Borneo
in our possession, as long as we retain our naval supremacy, we
could be secure of our communication with China."

There was a long article on the subject in the London Examiner
of 24th April, which spoke of Lord Bury's speech as abundant in
matter and lucid in manner, and ably supported by Mr. Horsman,
but had been answered by orations which had neither of these qualities.
Mr. Baillie had mistated the force of Sepoys in the Straits at more
than seven times the actual garrison. The paper spoke of Sir J.
Elphinstone as having outdone the Secretary of Control by still more
extravagant statements. That honourable member, it said, had
visited Singapore on a trading voyage the year after the place was
founded, and laughed at all his statements about the population of
Singapore consisting of the most lawless and savage of the Easteni
races, the convicts, the Syaks of Sumatra, the race called Klings, and
the tigers. It said that Mr. Mangles was more rational, as he was a
man of ability and knowledge, but he was Chairman of the East India
Directors^ who were sure to find excuses.

764 Ahpc dotal Hisff/ry of Sinnnporp

The Singapore Free Press said : — " Straits matters begin to attract
considerable attention and it is hoped that the subject will not be allowed
to rest during the discussion of the change in the Indian Government, with
which it is bound up, like a pamphlet on free trade or colonization, at the
end of a huge volume on the annexation of Oude. The Singapore petition
was presented to the House, and the views of the petitioners were warmly
seconded by many speakers, but the majority know nothing, and care less,
if possible, about the " Straits," thinking perhaps for the first hour or so
that the island of Perim and those '' Straits" are in question, while some
members exhibited all the characteristics of military heroes two or three
centuries ago, and were not ashamed to argue that — as Singapore was
originally a penal Settlement, and could in no way be looked upon as a
colony, that as the large majority of the residents were aliens and the
place was a mere resort for money-making traders, the claim to be con-
sidered separate from India was untenable. Such stuff as this is however
being well answered out of doors. Sir James Brooke and Admiral Keppel
dined the other day at Manchester, at a magnificent entertainment in
their honor, when Sir James put the case in a very forcible manner. The
Times too has taken up the matter very warmly and there is now a chance
that our legislators, and the public, will learn something about the Indian
Archipelago, and English, Dutch, (/hinese and other interests. The
Chinese war and the Indian rebellion have heated the iron, and it remains
for those interested in the Straits Settlements, and in British commerce
in the East, to hammer away incessantly until they obtain by clamour, if
necessary, what is refused to reasoning/^

The Free Press of 10th June, 1858, contained a copy of parts of a long
memorandum drawn up by Mr. Crawfurd and circulated amongst Mem-
bers of Parliament and others taking an interest in the Straits. It is too
long to print here, and gave a number of statistics, which are mostly to
be found elsewhere in this book, regarding the Settlements, their inhabi-
tants, trade, and revenue. He showed that the revenue of the Straits, if
taken per head of population, exceeded that of Continental India as
48 to 30, and that if the revenue were not burdened with military
charges which were not made against the local revenue in any of the
British Colonies, there would be a surplus at Singapore of £23,529, at
Malacca of £3,840, and at Penang of £4,448.

Lord Canning, in a remarkably able minute on the proposed
Transfer, written in November, 1859, said : — " It must not be over-
looked that the revenues of the Settlement have been steadily
increasing, and that while the receipts have risen from 873,692
rupees in 1854-55, to 1,323,368 rupees in 1858-59, (being an increase
of 51 per cent, in four years) the disbursements for civil charges,
not including the cost of the foreign convicts, have in the same
interval risen from 722,107 rupees to 821,913, being an increase of
14 per cent. only. As there is no reason why the civil charges of
the Settlement should be further increased, it may be anticipated
that if peace should happily be maintained between England and
the great E^uropean powers, the revenues of the Straits Settlements
will in no very long time equal their full charges, military as
well as civil. But even if it prove otherwise, and if it should be
necessary for England to make some sacrifice in this respect, I

The Transfer 765

hold a clear opinion that it ought to be made in justice alike
to the Settlements and to India.

In another passage Lord Canning wrote : — " It is not easy to
see any sound objection to the proposed transfer to the Colonial
Office. Mr. Blundell, the late Governor, who was consulted, has
urged none to which I can attach weight. He thinks that the
native community, more particularly the Chinese, might, when informed
of the change, be seized with suspicion and alarm. It is not
apparent, however, why this should be the consequence of a change
which would be attended, in the first place at all events, with no
actual alteration of things in the Settlement itself. But even if
Mr. Blundell's opinion be well founded, nothing beyond a little
temporary inconvenience need be apprehended, for the Chinese are
a very practical people, bent upon making money, and very indifferent
to matters in which this is not concerned. As such, they are not
likely to contend seriously or for long with a fancied grievance in
which no substance or reality will be perceptible to themselves.

" But whether the main system of Government be altered or not,
that under which officers are provided for service in the Straits is,
so far as civil administration is concerned, a positive evil, which
ought in any case to be remedied. Indian officers have no opportu-
nities of acquiring experience of the habits or the language of either
Malays or Chinese, and accordingly, when officers are sent to the
Straits, they have every thing to learn. The Government of India
is unable to keep a close watch upon their efficiency ; the field is
so narrow as to afford little or no room to the Governor of the
Settlements, for exercising a power of selection in recommending to
a vacant office; and there is consequently so complete an absence
of stimulus to exertion, that it may well be doubted whether Indian
civil officers sent to the Straits ever become thoroughly well qualified
for, or heartily interested in the duties they have to discharge.

" The character of the Chinese, the most important and at times a
very unmanageable part of the population of the Straits Settlements,
is quite different from that of any people with which Indian officers
have to deal. Democratic in spite of the outward form of their
own government, enterprising and persevering, the Chinese are im-
bued with a strong tendency to self government, and are, therefore,
the very opposite of our Indian fellow subjects. I am satisfied that
if the Straits Settlements are to remain under the control of the
Indian Government, it will be absolutely necessary to devise a plan,
by which the persons employed in administering the civil govern-
ment shall receive a special training ; and that without this the
Indian Government cannot do justice to these Settlements/'

And further on : — " Another very important point to be considered is
the defence of the Straits Settlements, for which, in the event of
danger from any formidable enemy, the Government of India could not
with justice be made answerable. The past security which these settle-
ments have enjoyed affords no guarantee of our capacity to defend
them, for we have not been at war with any great power in these seas
since the Government of India held the Settlement. It is necessary,
of course, that Singapore should always be garrisoned, and this can be

7A6 Aj^eedotal Hutory of Singapore

done by India in ordinarj time irithoat difficnitj; bat it is certain
that the Settlements, if threatened with external danger, most be
protected by the n^iral strength of Great Britain. It may be said
that this is in a great degree tme of India itself. So it is, bat ¥nth
this material difference, th^t whereas our Indian empire cannot, so
long as we are strong in the interior of it, suffer from the enemy's ships
anything worse than temporary insult and the ravage of its ports (very
few, considering the extent of its seaboard), our settlement in the
Straits might be wrested from us altogether if, even for a short time,
a hostile fleet were stronger than our own in those waters."

The Singapore Free Press in May, 1864, in referring to Lord
Canning^s minute, said: — *' We hops the Home Authorities may be
able to understand thoroughly the state of the case, and that the
exigencies of Singapore and the other Straits Settlements do not
require any very costly military force. In the event of the Transfer,
a man-of-war would probably be stationed in the Straits, and in the
event of any disturbance with the Native States or a serious riot in
the Settlements, the sailors would form the best force."

In January, 1859, that newspaper said that it was understood
that no objection existed on the part of the Governor-General of India
to the Transfer, and that the question was so far decided that only
the details of the arrangements required to be settled and to receive
the sanction of Parliament.

In the meantime a feeling had been gaining ground amongst some
of the European residents in Singapore, that it might be more advan-
tageous for the Settlements to be placed under the management of the
Secretary of State for India, rather than under the Secretary for the
Colonies. The chief reason formerly for desiring a change had been
the interminable delay which arose from the multiplicity of channels
through which representations from the Straits had to pass, before
they found their way to the President of the Board of Control. This
objection, it was suggested, would still to a great degree exist were
the Straits Settlements to remain subordinate to the Government of
India, but that it would be done away with, were they placed in
direct relation with the Secretary of State for India, and furnished
with a constitution which should embrace legislative powers. The
petitions sent from Singapore to Parliament in October, 1857, had not
contained a specific request to be placed under the Colonial Office, but
only prayed " that the Straits Settlements may be constituted a separate
Government, directly under the Crown, and not, as at present, under
a delegated authority in India." The complete change in the whole
form of the Indian Government which had since taken place, was not
at that time anticipated, and as matters stood in January, 1859, it
was said that it would not be inconsistent with the prayer of the
petitions of 1857, to request that the Straits Government should be
subordinated to the Secretary of State for India.

Whether such a course would be advisable was said by others to
1)0 very doubtful. The Secretary of State for India, for years to
come, would find in the reorganization of the Indian Government,
finances and army, sufficit'nt matters to engross all his time and attention,
and it was questionable whether he would be disposed to give much

The Transfer 767

care to the concerns of the Straits Settlements. The Colonial Office,
on the other hand, although at first sight it might appear to have
an immense deal of business to attend to, had now comparatively
little to do in the case of Canada, Australia, the Cape of Good
Hope, &c., where the whole of their internal management was left
to the Colonies themselves.

At one time a petition was drawn up to petition Parliament
that the Straits should be disjoined from India and placed under
the direct management of the Secretary of State for India, and
that the Government of the Colony should have power to make
laws and regulations for the government of the inhabitants. After
a few signatures had been affixed to it, it was abandoned, and the general
opinion was again in favour of a connection with the Colonial Office.

In February, 1859, the mail brought a rf^port that Her Majesty's
Gt)vemment had finally decided on the transfer of the Straits Settle-
ments to the Colonial Office, and that a Bill for the severance of
their connection with India, and the creation of a separate colony
would be immediately passed through both Houses of Parliament with
as little delay as possible. It was also rumoured that the higher
offices of Government, at present filled by officers of the Indian
Army, would be occupied by gentlemen sent from England, the
present incumbents returning to their respective presidencies.

It was said at this time that the East India Company had,
uniformly discouraged, from a want of proper appreciation of the \
subject, the local Government of Singapore from dealing with any '
matters beyond the limits of the island. The cultivation of friendly
relations with the neighbouring native countriRS had been neglected,
and the Government did not possess the influence in tlie Archipelago
which the interests of British Commerce required, and which might
have been easily gained by a very slight exertion on the part of
the Indian Government, and it was hoped that the transfer to the
Colonial Office might lead to more attention being given to the subject.

The intention of Raffles in founding Singapore was to establish such
an influence in the Archipelago, as would compensate for the return
of Java and the other Dutch possessions. But since their restoration
the Dutch had perseveringly and energetically applied themselves to
the accomplishment of their long cherished design of extending their
rule over the whole of the Indian Archipelago. They had acquired
the Moluccas, the Key and the Arm Islands, and (on maps at least)
claimed the greater part of New Guinea ; and reduced Bali, Lombok,
and Sumbawa to the rank of feudatories ; claimed jurisdiction over
the greater part of Borneo, and been very active at Jambi, Siak
and other places in Sumatra. The Spaniards in a much smaller way,
had followed this example, seized Sulo and adjacent islands, and
formed a station on Palawan and elsewhere close to the coast of
Borneo. The French were casting longing eyes at this part of the
world, and having failed at Basilan in the Sulo Archipelago, to
which place they had sent an expedition, referred to on page 468,
they were laying the foundation of an extensive and important colony,
having since 1857 carried on a troublesome contest with Cochin-China,
and at last taken possession of Saigon.

766 Anecdotal History of Singapore

done by India in ordinary time without difficulty; but it is certain
that the Settlements, if threatened with external danger^ most be
protected by the naval strength of Great Britain. It may be said
that this is in a great degree true of India itself. So it is, but with
this material difference, that whereas our Indian empire cannot, so
long as we are strong in the interior of it, suffer from the enemy's ships
anything worse than temporary insult and the ravage of its ports (very
few, considering the extent of its seaboard), our settlement in the
Straits might be wrested from us altogether if, even for a short time,
a hostile fleet were stronger than our own in those waters.''

The Singapore Free Pre^s in May, 1864, in referring to Lord
Canning's minute, said: — "We hope the Home Authorities may be
able to understand thoroughly the state of the case, and that the
exigencies of Singapore and the other Straits Settlements do not
require any very costly military force. In the event of the Transfer,
a man-of-war would probably be stationed in the Straits, and in the
event of any disturbance with the Native States or a serious riot in
the Settlements, the sailors would form the best force."

In the meantime a feeling had been gaining ground amongst some
of the European residents iu Singapore, that it might be more advan-
tageous for the Settlements to be placed under the management of the
Secretary of State for India, rather than under the Secretary for the
Colonies. The cliief reason formerly for desiring a change had been
the interminable delay which arose from the multiplicity of channels
through which representations from the Straits had to pass^ before
they found their way to the President of the Board of Control. This
objection, it was suggested, would still to a great degree exist were
the Straits Settlements to remain subordinate to the Government of
India, but that it would be done away with, were they placed in
direct relation with the Secretary of State for India, and furnished
with a constitution which should embrace legislative powers. The
petitions sent from Singapore to Parliament in October, 1857, had not
contained a specific request to be placed under the Colonial Office, but
only prayed " that the Straits Settlements may be constituted a separate
Government, directly under the Crown, and not, as at present, under
a delegated authority in India." The complete change in the whole
form of the Indian Government which had since taken place, was not
at that time anticipated, and as matters stood iu January, 1859, it
was said that it would not be inconsistent with the prayer of the
petitions of 1857, to request that the Straits Government should be
subordinated to the Secretary of State for India.

Whether such a course would be advisable was said by others to
be very doubtful. The Secretary of State for India, for years to
come, would find in the reorganization of the Indian Government,
finances and army, sufficient matters to engross all his time and attention,
and it was questionable whether he would be disposed to give much

Ths Transfer 767

care to the concerns of the Straits Settlements. The Colonial Office,
on the other hand^ although at first sight it might appear to have
an immense deal of business to attend to, had now comparatively
little to do in the case of Canada, Australia, the Cape of Good
Hope, &c., where the whole of their internal management was left
to the Colonies themselves.

In February, 1859, the mail brought a report that Her Majesty's
Government had finally decided on the transfer of the Straits Settle-
ments to the Colonial Office, and that a Bill for the severance of
their connection with India, and the creation of a separate colony
would be immediately passed through both Houses of Parliament with
as little delay as possible. It was also rumoured that the higher
offices of Government, at present filled by officers of the Indian
Army, would be occupied by gentlemen sent from England, the
present incumbents returning to their respective presidencies.

It was said at this time that the East India Company had,
uniformly discouraged, from a want of proper appreciation of the \
subject, the local Government of Singapore from dealing with any
matters beyond the limits of the island. The cultivation of friendly
relations with the neighbouring native countries had been neglected,
and the Government did not possess the influence in the Archipelago
which the interests of British Commerce required, and which might
have been easily gained by a very slight exertion on the part of
the Indian Government, and it was hoped that the transfer to the
Colonial Office might lead to more attention being given to the subject.

The intention of Raffles in founding Singapore was to establish such
an influence in the Archipelago, as would compensate for the return
of Java and the other Dutch possessions. But since their restoration
the Dutch had perseveringly and energetically applied themselves to
the accomplishment of their long cherished design of extending their
rule over the whole of the Indian Archipelago. They had acquired
the Moluccas, the Key and the Arru Islands, and (on maps at least)
claimed the greater part of New Guinea ; and reduced Bali, Lombok,
and Sumbawa to the rank of feudatories ; claimed jurisdiction over
the greater part of Borneo, and been very active at Jambi, Siak
and other places in Sumatra. The Spaniards in a much smaller way,
had followed this example, seized Sulo and adjacent islands, and
formed a station on Palawan and elsewhere close to the coast of
Borneo. The French wore casting longing eyes at this part of the
world, and having failed at Basilan in the Sulo Archipelago, to
which place they had sent an expedition, referred to on page 468,
they were laying the foundation of an extensive and important colony,
having since 1857 carried on a troublesome contest with Cochin-China,
and at last taken possession of Saigon.

788 Anecdotal Hutcry of Singapore

Ic ymk^ added, to look mach nearer home, that no systematic
attempt had been made bj the East India Company to carry oat
thd Tiews resrardinsr ihe States in the Malay Peninsnla alluded to
in the addres'^ of Sir Stamford Raffles on the 1st Aprils 1823^ when
he concern place<l founding the Institation. No systematic attempt had
been made to keep ap a friendly interconrse with the chiefs of the
States on the Peninsnla, »nd their power instead of becoming stronger,
as the result of the education Raffles has wished to provide for
their ^ons and the higher order of natives, had gradually become
weaker, and confusion and misgovernment were the resalt.

During the course of 1860 it was known from England that Mr.
Blundeir the late Governor of the Straits had written against the
scheme, but L«3rd Canning had strongly recommended it, and his
vi«f*w< had been adopted. Various reports reached Sins^pore regarding
the mailer. At one time it was ass^^erted that Sir Greorge Clerk, the
Permanent Under-Secretary of the India Department would initiate the
changes, with the appointment of Governor-General of Her Majesty's
Insular Possessions in the Eastern Seas. Sir George Clerk, however,
accepted the offer of Governor of Bombay.

The Colonial Office was making enquiries on various points.
Among other things the Duke of Newcastle, the Secretary of State for
the Colonies, enquired about the propriety of licensing gambling shops.
Several of the old Straits residents in London expressed an opinion
favourable to a Farm, chiefly because they thought that controlled and
open gaming was better than clandestine, and to abolish gambling in
such a population was an impossibility.

On 16th June, 1860, two Members of Parliament, Mr. Gregsoc,
the member for Lancaster and Chairman of the East India and China
Association, and Mr. Buchanan, with Messrs John Crawfurd, Alexander
Guthrie, and James Guthrie, waited upon the Duke of Newcastle, and
he received their suggestions very favourably.

Afterwards it was stated that the large sums required for the
fortifications in progress at Singapore, repayment of which was claimed
by the Secretary of State for India, prevented the Ministers proceeding
with the Transfer, as in the state of the Finances they were averse to
go to the House of Commons and ask a vote for the necessary ex-
penditure. At a later date it was reported that the matter was pro-
ceeding, that a department of the Colonial Office had been assigned to
Straits affairs, and that the Transfer would certainly be accomplished
in 1861.

A public meeting was held in the Exchange-rooms on Wednesday,
22nd May, 1861, to consider important matters connected with the
proposed Transfer. Mr. W. H. Read was called to the chair, and
explained at considerable length the topics which would be brought
forward. The following resolutions were then passed : —

Proposed by J. J. Greenshields, seconded by R. MacNeil : —
1. That it is the opinion of this meeting that the revenues of the
Straits Settlements are sufficient to meet all legitimate expenses.

Proposed by W. Paterson, seconded by R. C. Woods — 2. That
the greatly increased expenditure for military purposes, entailed by the
extensive system of fortifications now in progress, should not be borne

The Transfer 769

by these Settlements, as it is undertaken for Imperial and not local
interests.

Proposed by Jose d' Almeida, seconded by C. H. Harrison : —
3. That the surplus revenue, exclusive of military outlay, estimated at
£ 50,600, is more than sufficient to defray the cost of a local corps of
1,200 men, which is considered ample to meet all the requirements of
these settlements.

Proposed by R. C. Woods, seconded by A. E. Schmidt: — 4. That
it would prove injurious to British interests in these seas that the
Governor of the Straits Settlements should also hold the appointments
of H. M. Commissioner and Superintendent of Trade in the Eastern
Archipelago.

Proposed by J. d' Almeida, seconded by R. MacNeil : — 5. That a
Committee composed of Messrs. W. H. Read, J. J. Green shields,
W. Paterson, R. C. Woods, and C. H. Harrison, be appointed to
carry out these resolutions.

Notwithstanding the most persevering efforts of the friends of
Singapore in London, the Transfer could not be accomplished before
the adjournment of Parliament in August, 1861. The Officials more
immediately concerned in the matter were anxious to facilitate it.
The India Office was willing to part with the Settlements, and tlie
Colonial Office to receive them, but the expense of the fortifications,
on which India insisted, stood in the way. Mr. Gladstone, who
delayed bringinsr the matter forward, perhaps saved himself a defeat
in the House, for after a decisive report which had been made by
a Committee on general colonial military expenditure, there did not
seem much chance of a vote being carried for military works at
Singapore. That Committee had fully supported, as applicable to
many of the Colonies, the views expressed for many years in Singa-
pore, that the principal mode of defence should be naval, and that
it was inexpedient, if not impracticable to rely upon land works,
as Fort Canning and Fort Fullerton would not protect the town
from an attack by sea, and the probable result of their attempting
to annoy a hostile fleet would be the destruction of the town.

The fortifications that were then referred to must not be con-
fused with the forts of the present day. Fort Canning had seven
68-pr. guns, eight 8-inch shell guns, and two 13-inch mortars, with
a few 14-pr. carronades, at a height of about 200 feet, on the hill over a
quarter of a mile from the beach. Fort Fullerton was on the beach,
with nine 68-pr. guns and one mortar. It began to be dismantled in
1865, as it was then admitted that it would draw the fire upon the
most richly stored warehouses in the place. Fort Palmer was a
small earthwork overlooking the eastern entrance to Keppel Harbour,
and had five 56-pr. guns. Fort Faber was also an earthwork, half-
way up Mount Faber, overlooking Keppel Harbour, with two
56-pr. guns, and two mortars on the top of the hill.

The total number of guns in the forts was thirty-six. The distance
of the guns at Fort Canning from the beach put them at a great
disadvantage against an enemy's ships at sea, and both that and
Port Fullerton would have drawn the fire right upon the centre
of the town^ while the two small works at Mount Palmer and Mount

770 Anecdotal History of Singapore

Faber were of very little use. The military expenditure waa, in con-
gequence, regarded by the mercantile community as very unsatisfac-
tory, and it swallowed up in 1863 nearly one half of the revenue.

The present defences (commenced about 1885) of New Harbour^ and
to a considerable extent of the Roads, were not then in contemplation.
It was thought in those days, with much reason, that the money expended
on what turned out to be obsolete and practically useless forts should have
been spent on the formation of a dock and other works requisite to make
it a first class naval station.

A memorandum, dated 21st April, 1862, was sent by Mr. John Craw-
f urd to the Colonial and India Offices, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
&c., in order to shew that the revenue was amply sufficient to cover the
expenditure, and that a large military force was not required for the
internal .safety of the Settlement, while it would be comparatively useless
against an external enemy.

He said the public revenue, not including that of the Municipality,
according to the official returns of 1860-61 were

Singapore... ... ... £ 96,568

Penang 36,776

Malacca 16,454

£ 149,798

and it steadily increased year by year, having been nearly £20,000
more than in the year preceding. The total revenue, on a computed
population of 225,000 gave a rate of taxation of over IQs. a head,
which was double the rate of any part of India, and higher than any of
the Queen's fifty colonies, the more flourishing Australian ones excepted.
After deducting the expenditure there was a balance for military purposes
of £33,070 ; but among the civil charges of Singapore had been included
£30,000, contributed towards the building of expensive barracks [Tanglin]
for European troops, which had not been sent ; so that the actual balance
available for military purposes was £63,070, a sum quite adequate in his
opinion for the payment of any garrison necessary for the safety of the
Colony, which was only capable of effectual defence by a naval
force.

It is remarkable that Mr. Crawfurd here named the very sum
(£63,000) that was, after much controversy, not always of a very peaceable
nature, settled as a fair proportion of military contribution by the Colony
nearly thirty years later.

The memorandum went on to say that the interests of the Straits
would be better understood in England than in India, while England had
II much greater interest in them than India had.

A public meeting was held in the Town Hall on the 17th July, 1862,
and W. H. Read proposed, seconded by C. H.Harrison: — "That the
interests of Great Britain, both political and commercial are so intimately
connected with the security of these settlements, that their transfer from
tho Indian to the Colonial Office is an imperative necessity .^^

Proposed by J. J. Greenshields, seconded by W. Mactaggart: — "That
tho present attempt to impose an objectionable tax upon these Settlements,
notwithstanding repeated and urgent remonstrances on the part of

The Transfer 771

the inhabitants forms a just ground for a renewal of their appeal to
have the Straits Settlements transferred from Bengal and placed
under the Colonial Department/'

Proposed by Joaquim d' Almeida^ seconded by W. Paterson : —
'* That Petitions be forwarded to Parliament, praying for the imme-
diate transfer of the management of the Straits Settlements from
the Grovernment of India to the Colonial Office ."

It was then proposed by J. J. Greenshields and seconded by
Dr. Scott: — ''That the following gentlemen form a Committee to
carry out the foregoing resolution : — Messrs. W. H. Read, Abraham
Logan, Joaquim d' Almeida, William Paterson, and William Mactaggart" ;
to which the name of Mr. Greenshields was added.

In April, 1863, a deputation of gentlemen interested in Singa-
pore had an interview with Sir Charles Wood, the Secretary of
State for India, which was not very satisfactory, as he raised questions
about a harbour-master and establishment, pointed out the kind of
tax that seemed to him most suitable for paying it, and insisted
that the proposal had come, in the first instance, from the Chamber
of Commerce in Singapore. This was not correct, as was shown in
the next year, when the question cropped up again in the House
of Commons.

On the 8th May, 1863, a number of gentlemen connected with the
Straits waited upon the Duke of Newcastle, on the subject of the
transfer of the management of the Settlement from the Government of
India to the Colonial Office. The deputation consisted of Messrs.
S. Gregson, M. P., W. Buchanan, M. P., J. Crawfurd, A. Guthrie,
J. Guthrie, E. Boustead, L. Fraser, G. G. Nicol and F. Richardson.
His Grace expressed his readiness to take charge of the Settlement,
but said that it would be necessary to have the consent of the Treasury.
The improved financial prospects of the Settlement were pointed out,
and the Dake put a number of questions regarding different items of
the expenditure which were answered by the members of the deputa-
tion, and the explanations appeared to be satisfactory. The courtesy
of the Duke and his manner of discussing matters with the deputation
was said to have offered a strong contrast to the demeanour of his
colleague the Secretary of State for India.

On 15th October, 1863, the Singapore Free Press said : — " From
all accounts, the arrangements regarding the transfer of the Settle-
ment to the Colonial Office are proceeding satisfactorily and there
appears every prospect of the measure being carried through early next
year. The statements which have been submitted, official and other-
wise, have given sufficient evidence that the revenue of the Settlements
will be fully adequate to meet all ordinary expenditure, and the onl}'
hitch which is likely to occur is in regard to the Tanglin Barracks, on
which, it would appear, it is reported some £20,000 will still require to
be spent.^^

On 4th December, 1863, Sir Hercules Robinson, the Governor of
Hongkong, on his way from home in the P. & 0. mail to China, was directed
to remain in Singapore, and in conjunction with the Governor and
other officials to report upon certain points on which more informa-
tion was thought desirable. The points in question were supposed
to be financial. The most important one being whether the revenue

772

Anecdotal History of Singapore

waS; or could be made, eqaal to the expenditure^ so as to prevent
the necessity of the Home Government applying to Parliament for a
vote in aid of the Straits Revenue. Colonel Freeth of the Royal
Engineers^ stationed in Ceylon^ had also received orders from England
to proceed to Singapore. The military element in the Commission
was predominant, Sir Hercules Robinson being the only civilian upon
it.

The Free Press said " We trust this will not lead to the military
force for the Settlement being fixed on such a scale as to
swamp the transfer. The present force is sufficiently large and its
expense might be materially diminished without impairing its efficiency.
There is no uecossity for a Brigadier, or a Colonel of Artillery, to
command three companies. The Chief Engineer is an appointment
which might also be dispensed with, as there is no part of his
duties which could not be equally well discharged by the Executive
Officers in the Straits, and if it is necessary that there should be
a responsible chief of the Public Works Department the Executive
Officer at Singapore could easily combine that duty with his
own."

On 11th December, l663, a meeting was held in the Town Hall,
and a pamphlet says that, among others, there were present : —

Joaquim d'Almeida

Gilbert Angus

John Armstrong

John Simons Atchison

P. W. Auchincloss

John Bennett

Alfred George Farquhar Bernard

James Berwick

Richard Brennand

Kyramjoe Pestonjee

John Cameron

Francis D. Cobb

Thomas Owen Crane

James Guthrie Davidson

Thomas Dunman

William Renshaw George

Henry Hewetson

Parsick Joaquim

A. Let ham

Matthew Little

W. Manford

Arnold Otto Meyer

Catchick Moses

James Murray

John Purvis

Otto Rheiner

David Rodger

Dr. J. Scott

Thomas Scott

John S. Sorymgeour

J. d' Almeida & Sons.

Auctioneer

George Armstrong A Co.

Advocate and Solicitor

Borneo Co., Limited

Executive Engineer

Auctioneer

Accountant, Oriental Bank

Merchant

Parsee Merchant

Proprietor Straits Times

Hutchinson & Co.

Land Proprietor

Woods & Davidson

Commissioner of Police

in Joze d' Almeida & Sons.

Head Clerk, Land Office

Stephens & Joaquim

in Dahlmann & Co.

John Little & Co.

in Wm. Spottiswoode & Co.

Behn, Meyer &, Co.

Sarkies & Moses

Syme & Co.

John Purvis & Son

Puttfarcken, Rheiner & Co.

Martin Dvce A Co.

Medical Practitioner

Gnthrie & Co.

Manager, Oriental Bank.

The Transfer 773

Charles Smith Sherwood . . . Manager^ Chartered Bank

Seah Ea Chin ... Chinese Merchant

A. Velge ... in Joze d' Almeida & Sons.

Ernest Theodore Wagner ... Basing Schroder & Co.

James Watson ... Guthrie & Co.

J. J. Winton ... Assistant^ Mercantile Bank.

Bobert Carr Woods . . . Woods & Davidson

Mr. Joaquim d' Almeida was in the Chair, and a Committee con-
sisting of himself, Dr. Little, Messrs. Abraham Logan, H. M. Simons,
A. O. Meyer, lliomas Scott, John Cameron and R. C. Woods, was
appointed for the purpose of collecting information regarding the
finances^ resources, and commerce of the Straits Settlements, and, if
expedient, to put themselves in communication with the Commissioners
appointed by Her Majesty's Government to report upon the proposed
tatnsfer.

A long report, dated 9th January, 1864, was drawn up, and was
published in pamphlet form, reiterating matters of complaint that have
already been referred to in this book, and setting out a number of tables
of statistics to shew that there was an excess of receipts over the
expenses of the Settlement, and ending by saying, ^' While the freedom
of its trade remains intact, uninterfored with by injudicious legis-
lation or the introduction of unwholesome restrictions, its prosperity
must be progressive, and its inhabitants be as happy as they are
loyal and enterprising. ''

- In June, 1864, a new obstacle arose in a demand by Sir Charles
Wood that the Straits should take upon itself the whole of the
local debt, on the ground that the Indian Government had consented
to forego any claim for the money laid out in late years for
public works. The local debt was mainly composed of money ordered
by the Court to be invested by the Accountant General, and consisted
of the property of minors and suitors. Instead of being invested in
Indian public loans, it had been paid into the local treasuries on loan
certificates, bearing interest at four per cent, and withdrawable on three
months' notice. The local revenues were unable to meet the very
heavy charges for military and convicts, and, for the convenience of
Government in order to avoid drawing on India, this money of the
Court was applied to the expenditure. It was, therefore, the debt
of the Indian Government, and so Sir Hercules Robinson considered it.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer very reasonably objected to the
Straits being saddled with a loan that would absorb for its interest
the whole of the surplus revenue shown in the estimates of the Straits.

This trouble was got over, and soon afterwards the Treasury, the
War Office, the India Office, and the Colonial Office were at last
agreed on all details. A deputation of merchants of the Straits
accompanied by Mr. Gregson, the member for Lancaster and Chair-
man of the East India and China Association, and by Mr. John
Crawfurd, had an interview with Mr. Cardwell, the Secretary of
State for the Colonies. They were as courteously received by
Mr. Cardwell as by the Duke of Mewcastle, and that was saying a
great deal. It appeared that the Colonial Office was ready to take

774 Afiecdotal History of Singapore

charge of the Settlements at once : nor, indeed, did there seem to
be any difficulties in any other department^ those that existed at the
Treasury and War Office having been overcome. An Act of Parlia-
ment of a few clauses was, however, necessary : and as, considering
the lateness of the season, there would be some difficulty in getting
it through the House of Conmions during that sessions, the transfer
had to be delayed until the commencement of the next.

Further difficulties, however, occurred, and in the debate in the
House of Commons on the India Budget on the 2l8t July, 1864, Sir
J. Elphinstone said, "He understood an important alteration was to
take place with regard to the Straits Settlements, and he wished to
know what it was to consist of. When Sir Stamford Raffles established
the colony of Singapore in 1819, it was guaranteed as a free port. Ho
(Sir J. Elphinstone) was there in the year 1820, and he had been there
occasionally during the next 17 years. A more extraordinary increase
in any port had never occurred, except in some of the mushroom plac^
in America, than what had taken place at Singapore. The whole of
the trade of the Eastern Archipelago had been centred in that port,
and the progress of the colony had arisen from its immunity from all
port charges. He understood it was the design of the Indian Govern-
ment to introduce port regulations for Singapore. Was that so? If
so, it would be most prejudicial. " Sir Charles Wood replied, " That
no alteration in the position of Singapore was intended: but questions
had been raised by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce as to harbour
masters and also as to moorings, and it was stated that no objection
would be made to the levying of some small duty by the Indian Govern-
ment if those alterations were made."

Mr. W. H. Read, who was Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce
at the time the correspondence took place between Government and the
Chamber on the subject, exposed in the letter we quote below, the
inaccuracy of Sir Charles Wood's statement. It is almost unnecessary
to state that the Chamber uniformly opposed the proposal to levy port
dues in the Straits Settlements, and in 1863 in consequence of Sir
Charles Wood having made a similar statement to that which he
had repeated in the House of Commons, the Chamber had addressed a
letter to the local Government, explaining the circumstances out of
which it was conceived Sir Charles Wood's misconception had arisen
and protesting strongly against the levy of port dues. It was requested
that this letter should be brought to Sir Charles Wood's notice, and it
no doubt was so, but the Secretary of State for India seemed to be
one of those unreasonable persons, who when they once make an asser-
tion stick to it, in spite of all explanations, and however clearly it may
be shown to have been founded on mistaken grounds. Fortunately for
Singapore the Supreme Government of India was more amenable to
reason, and abandoned all intention of making use of the permission
given to it by Sir Charles Wood to interfere with the freedom of the port : —

To the Editor of The Times.

" Sir, — I have to request that you will allow rae to correct a state-
ment made by Sir Charles Wood when replying to Sir James Elphinstone
in the House of Commons yesterday evening.

The'^ Transfer 775

" According to the report in The Timea of to-day/ Sir Charles Wood
said ' that no alteration in the position of Singapore was intended :
but questions had been raised by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce
as to harbour-masters and also as to moorings, and it was stated that
no objection would be made to the levying of some small duty by
the Indian Government if those alterations were made/

"This is not strictly correct. The facts are these, viz: — It was the
local authorities who proposed levying a tonnage due to meet the
expense of a harbour-master's establishment. The opinion of the Chamber
of Commerce having been sought by the Governor of the Straits Settle-
ments, the members unanimously rejected the proposal as an infringe-
ment of the liberty of the port, and have ever since energetically
protested against the measure.

" The Indian Board will best meet the wishes of the Chamber of
Commerce by leaving the port in the full enjoyment of that freedom which
was guaranteed by Sir Stamford Raffles and confirmed by the Imperial
Government. — I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

W. H. Read,
Chairman of the Chamber (f Commerce
at the time the proposal was submitted
by the Governor of the Straits J'

Oriental Club, Hanover Square, July 22nd, 1864.

In October, 1864, it was reported that the Treasury had interposed its
vete to the transfer on the ground that the estimated surplus of revenue
over expenditure, shewn by the report of the Commissioners (£2,040) was
not large enough to provide for contingencies, and that there was there-
fore the possibility of a demand being made upon the Imperial finances.
It seemed strange that matters should have been allowed to advance so
far before this objection was discovered. So late as the beginning of
July it had been stated by the Treasury that there was no impediment in
that department to the transfer, and the same statement was made by the
War Office. Why this sudden distrust of the financial stability of the
Straits Settlements should have been aroused it is difficult to conjecture.
All the statements that had from time to time been submitted
on the subject of the revenue of the Straits showed that for many
years past it had been steadily augmenting, and there seemed to be
no ground for supposing that it had reached its highest point, or that it
would thereafter remain stationary or decline.

The following letter was then written, on 1st February, 1865, to Sir

Frederick Rogers, Under-Secretary of State : —

Sir, — We, the undersigned Merchants and Owners of land in the British
Settlements in the Sti*ait8 of Malacca, now in England, on behalf of ourselves
and of onr fellow Colonists, European and Native, have once more the honour of
bnnging their case under the notice of the Right Honoi^able the Secretary of
State, and te entreat the attention of Her Majesty's Government to the embarrass,
ment and inconvenience to which their commercial and other interests have been
subjected, through the long delay which has taken place in the transfer of the
Straits Settlements fn)m the Indian te the Colonial Branch of Her Majesty's
Administration, earnestly trusting that the measure which they have so earnestly
desired may be accomplished in the course of the ensuing Session of Parliament.

776 Anecdotal History of Singapore

" Having recently received a copy of the Annual Official Report on the
Straits Settlements, we beg to submit some important facts contained in it,
which fully corroborate the statements and views which on a former occasion
we had the pleasure of laying before the Right Hon*ble the Secretary of State.
As usual, the Revenue has continued its progressive course. For the year
1862-63 it had been £186,572, while in 1863-64 it was £211,870, a rise of
£25,298, equal to from 14 to 15 per cent.

** This improvement is the more remarkable, since the year in which it took
place was one of considerable commercial embarrassment.

* • The increased Revenue now quoted is exclusive of a Municipal one raised
entirely for local objects. In 1862-63 this fund amounted to £40,817, and last
year it had increased to £41,449. The two branches of Revenue united give
lor 1863-64 a total of £253,219, equal to a taxation of a pound a head on the
highest estimate of the population of the three Settlements. This may be com-
pared with the rate in the Colony of Ceylon, which, notwithstanding the great
improvement which has of late years taken place in the financial condition of
that Colony through the administration of a skilfnll and prudent Governor,
has a revenue of no more than £800,000, a sum which on its computed popula-
tion gives but eight shillings a head.

•' The evidence now given in addition to the testimony formerly adduced
will, we earnestly hope, satisfy Her Majesty's Government that the Revenues
of the Straits Settlements are possessed in a very eminent degree of the
quality of elasticity.

"It is easy, howevei, to show that if fiscal justice were done to the Settle-
ments, the small surplus exhibited in the Public Returns, namely £ 2,129, might
be raised to a very considerable one. Although several others are obvious, we
confine ourselves to two subjects for retrenchment, namely the Convicts and
the Military.

*' The Convicts not only of Continental India but of Ceylon and Hongkong are
a charge on the Straits Revenue. In the last year of the Public Account their
number was 3,511, and their cost £26,450, exclusive of Superintendent, medical
attendance and rent of expensive barracks. Some of the local officers seem to be
of opinion that the convicts by their labour make a full return for this hir^e expen-
diture incurred by them, but this notion will not bear examination, and is readily
dissipated by a comparison of their work with that of free labourers. In England,
it is well ascertained that it takes five convicts to perform the work of three free
labourers. This proportion would reduce the numbers of the Straits convicts to
about 2,100. But even from this reduced number there would of course have to be
deducted 200 women, who are not called upon to work, the old, the infirm and the
sick, so that the actual labourers would be reduced to a very inconsiderable number.
The wages of a day labourer of Continental India or of Java, reckoned by the year,
is about £ 9, and of a Chinese labourer £ 11. The money bestowed on the Indian
Convicts, therefore would defray the cost of 2,716 Indian or Javanese free labourei*s
or of 2,406 Chinese labourers, doing the same amount of work as the Indian or
Javanese.

" According to this view nothing is gained but, on the contrary, much loss
incurred, through the employment of convict labour, and the whole sum disbursed
under this head, ought in fairness to be debited to the Governments transporting
Convicts to the Straits, and consequently added to the surplus Revenue, raising the
latter to £ 28,579.

" With respect to the Military expenditure, we very respectfully submit that it
is inordinate and uncalled for. According to the Public Report the gairison of
the three Settlements consists of two Batteries of European Artillery, a company
of Native Artilleiy and two regiments of Sepoys of the Madras Presidency. The entire
force numbers 1,811 persons, embrncing the unusual number of 46 Commissioned
Officers, among whom there are no fewer than seven Field Officers- The cost of
this force, as far as it is borne by the Settlements, is no less than £63,400 a
year, but this is exclusive of piovisions and transport.

" For illu stration we take the liberty of comparing the force thus described with
the garrison of the Island of Ceylon, and we think it will be apparent to the Secretary
of S'ate, that it is far beyond what necessity and a just economy calls for. Ceylon is
a country nearly as large as the Kingdom of Scotland, with a population of two

Ths Transfer 777

millions or eight-fold that of the highest estimate of that of the three Settlements.
The garrison of Ceylon according to the Public Returns amounts to no more than
2,400, being but 600 beyond that serving in the Straits Settlements. In Ceylon the
Force is disposed over ten different and remote statiouH, the active portion is, it is
understood, frequently employed in mere police duties. In the Straitn, on the
contrary, the Military duties are confined to tbi-ee statious, the towns of the
respective Settlements, all within range of the fire of shipping and they are
not employed on any police services.

"Even if the present class of Native troops should be continued, there seems
no reason why one Regiment of sepoys might not be dispensed with. One
Regiment, with an exceedingly limited number of Commissioned Officers with
it, was thought sufficient before the Sepoy rebellion, and now that it has Ijeen
long (fuelled, two Regiments, with above forty Commissioned Officers, cannot
be indispensable.

•• We have the honor to submit to the Right Honorable the Secretary of
Stale, our view of such a Military establishment for the Straits S4ittlements
as, we venture to believe, would be adequate to the discharge of all the duties
which could be reasonably looked for, having regard to tbeir jjeograpbical and
strategic position. Throughout the whole Indian Archipelago and in its neighboui*-
hood there is not tbe remotest risk of invasion or attack from a native power,
but this fact is so transpiu'ent that it need not be insisted on. Conspiracy
against the Grovemment in a heterogeneous population, consisting of many nation-
alities and differing in race, language and maimers, and consequently incapable
of combination, may be said to be nex.t to impossible. If the inhabitants of the
Straits Settlements cannot in a stiict sense of tbe word be called loyal, tht^
intelligent portion of them are unquestionably attaclied to the ruling Power by
a thorough conviction of the advantages which they derive from its protection.
The only danger incident to the Settlements w^ould >)e from an European enemy
in time of war. An enemy's cruisers might bombard and destroy any one of thti
Towns of the three Settlements, and most easily Singapore and Penang, the most
valuable. From such a disaster our Fleet must always l^e our chief protection, for
no amount of land force would be a security against such a catastrophe.

"The garrison re^juired for the Straits Settlements is not one therefore which
should aim at protection against foreign aggression, but one that will give confi-
dence to its peaceful inhabitants, presei-ve internal order, and give security against
lawlessness to property in goods, houses and warehouses, the value of which may
be estimated by the fact stated in the Public Reports that the joint exports and
imports of the United Settlements for the last year recorded amounted to the
sum of £15,845,000.

"A certain portion of the garrison of the Settlements it is indispensably
necessary should consist of European Troops of one kind or another, for it is
their presence, and not that of a native force, whatever it may number or its
quality, that gives both European and Native inhabitants a firm reliance on the
stability of the Government.

"We respectfully repeat our former suggestion, that for this purpose a
detachment of the Royal Marines, trained to the use of Artillery, and probably not
exceeding two hundred in number, would be most eligible, efficient, and easily
relieved description of troops. This Coi-ps would receive valuable assistance from
the drilled Volunteers, composed of Europeans and their descendants, which now
exist at the three Settlements. It appears to us that all tbe duties at present
performed by two regiments of Sepoys, numbering 1,475 men, might be as safely
and effectually performed by a well organised native police corps, with an ample
allowance of European comniissicmed and non-commissioned officers, after the orga-
nisation of the Metropolitan Police. Such a corps would consist of natives of
Continental India and of Malavs, in proper proportion, and of both descriptions
there ai-e ample materials to choose trom on the spot; or a force similar to that
recommended in the suggestions laid before His Grace the late Duke of New-
castle, dated 20th April, 1861, might be adopt<?d : the cost of rations for which,
including 200 Europeans, would, as therein stated, amount for tbe three Si*ttle-
ments to £44,250. Supposing, however, the Police force to bo preferred, the cost
could not exceed that amount, and deducting the above ample sum from the

778 Anecdotal History of Singapore

present Military expenditure of £63,4(»0, a saving would be effected of very little
short of Jb'20,000. There is, however, we observe by the Public Report, a sum of
£4.221 spent by the Government on Police objects exclusive of the large expenditure
on Police paid by the municipal fund, and if this also is deducted, a saving would be
effected of no less than £24,000. Should the retrenchments now suggested be
oonsidered practicable and cai*ried out, the Straits Settlements would exhibit a
surplus Revenue of £52,579, consisting of the following items namely : —
Present Surplus ... ... ... ... £ 2,129

Abolition of convict Charge ... ... ... 26,450

Military saving ... ... ... 24,000

** Bven» however, without adopting the scheme now exhibited, the reduction of
the present garrison even by a single Regiment of Sepoys would reduce the Military
expenditure by full one-third part of its present amount : that is, by the sum of
£21,133, so that even in this case we should have a surplus of £49,712.

" Without adverting for the present to any other subjects for retrenchment,
we feel ourselves obliged to remark that, however great has been the increase of
the Revenue, within the last 12 years, it has incre^iscd by full 70 per cent ; the
increase of expenditure has, without any obvious good reason, always taken care t<.»
keep pace with it, and indeed often to encroach beyond its limits.

(Sd) J. Orawfurd (Sd) W.W.Shaw

„ A. Guthrie „ J. Harvey

„ J. Guthrie „ F. B, Pereira

„ W. Mactaggart „ W. H. Read

„ H. R. Beaver „ G. Lipscompe

„ J. K. Smith „ J. M.Xiittle.

„ E. Boustead

The Singapore Free Press contained the following remarks upon
this letter : — " The letter contains a very clear statement of the financial
position of the Straits Settlements^ and it ought to dispel any
doubts that may have still existed as to the sufficiency and elasti-
city of the revenue to meet all legitimate charges upon it, present
and prospective. Before this letter reached its destination, however,
it appears that the question of the transfer had again been taken
up by the different Government departments having to do with it,
and it was expected that the transfer would be carried through in
the course of the present session of Parliament ; one report says
early in the session. There was still some little haggling about the
so-called local debt, but the real nature of that debt having been at last
ascertained, the Indian Office is disposed to give in, and take upon itself
the burthen of what was in reality a loan from the suitors and depositors
in the Court of Judicature to the Government of India, and which has
since been paid off by that Government, so that it no longer exists.
The only other matter of discussion, we understand, was on the
subject of the military charges, the War Office stipulating for a
larger European force than was considered necessary for the wants
of the Colony. If this force is not to be for strictly local purposes,
but is to be available for service in China or India in case of need,
it seems scarcely fair to make the Colony bear the whole of its
cost, as it might be withdrawn at the very moment when its services
were most required ; in the event, for instance, of some great movement
amongst the people of China, the agitation of which would naturally
be communicated to the Chinese in the Straits. If the Colony
had no other military force than that so withdrawn, the public
safety might be imperilled, and it is therefore obvious that it
would be imprudent to expend the whole sum that can be applied
for military purposes upon such a force. The garrison of marines

The Transfer 779

suggested in the letter to Sir Frederick Rogers, would be liable to
the same objections, and we believe, moreover, that the Admiralty
would not give its consent to marines being employed in permanent
shore duty in this part of the world. The sum proposed by the Com-
missioners in their report for military expenditure (£63,000) if judi-
ciously applied, will be sufficient to provide for a proper permanent
garrison and to allow of part of it being appropriated as a contri-
bution towards the expense of any troops the Government may station
here for general service. A further sum of £8,200 is allowed for the
suppression of piracy, but as this duty could be much more efficiently
performed by the Royal Navy than by the present local squadron, the
latter might be safely abolished and the money appropriated for it
could be added to the military contribution. With reference to the
charge for convicts which it is properly proposed to disallow, we
observe that the reduction will not amount to the whole sum dis-
bursed ; as while the places from which the convicts come will be
charged with their maintenance, the same rule will have to be applied
to the Straits Convicts sent to Bombay. Their numbers are however
very much smaller than those of the Continental and Ceylon convicts
in the Straits, and after a proper adjustment of the account the saving
will still be very large."

In March, 1865, it was stated in the London and China Express
that the obstacles to the transfer of the Straits Settlements had been
satisfactorily cleared up, and a bill would be introduced in that Session
of Parliament to effect the transfer from the Indian Government to
the Colonial Office. And it was mentioned that the India Office had
afforded every facility and that the Treasury made no further objection;
and it was confidently expected that the Transfer would be an accom-
plished fact before the lapse of many months.

But in the House of Commons on the 6th May, 1865, Lord Stan-
ley (the present Earl of Derby who had been giving his assistance to
the Straits Merchants in the matter, being personally known to Mr.
W. H. Read), asked the Secretary of State for India whether it was
his intention to brings in a bill during the present session for the trans-
fer of Singapore, Malacca, and Penang from the Indian to the Colonial
Administration, and Sir Charles Wood was understood to say that he
could not give a positive answer to the question of the noble lord.
He assured him that, as far as the Indian Government were concerned,
they had been quite ready to meet the wishes of the people of Singa-
pore, but the Colonial Office had thought it requisite to institute
certain inquiries to satisfy themselves that no burden would be imposed
upon the estimates, and the final determination of the Department had
not as yet been conveyed to him.

In April, 1866, Lord Stanley in the House of Commons asked Mr.
Cardwell, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to give some ex-
planation as to the tedious delay which has been experienced in the
transfer of the Straits Settlements from the Government of India to that
of the Colonies. He said that for the past two years there had only been
just one little difficulty to get over, but unfortunately when surmounted,
the one little trouble was found to be hydra-headed. Mr. Cardwell admitted
that the question of the military defences was still the stumbling block.

780 AMtcdoial HitUry of Singapore

At last, on 13th Jane, 1866, the Bill was read a first time in ibe
House. The following is an extract from a Treasury letter, dated 2Qd
June , ''In order to aroid farther delay, my lords consider it best that
the tixed contribution of £59^300 a year should be adopted for the
first five years, and, on this understanding, they assent to the intro-
duction of the Bill into Parliament for the transfer of these Settlements.
As regards that portion of your letter which refers to barrack
accommcKlation for any troops stationed in the Settlements for Imperial
purposes, my lords agree that no charge on this account ought to fall
upon the Settlements. The only condition they have to make upon
the subject is, that after sufficient barrack and hospital accommodation
has been provided at the expense of the Settlements for the troops
stationed there for local purposes, any existing barracks or hospitals
which may be in excess of such accommodation, and which may be
required \ty the War Department, shall be handed over to that
department free of any charge, to be maintained at the Imperial
expenne during their occupation thereof. As regards the public
debt of the Settlements, my lords conclude that the arrangement
with the Indian Government, as explained in the Colonial Office letter
of the 24th March, 1865, is to be carried out; that, as regards the
convict expenditure, the whole of it from the date of transfer will
be repaid by the Indian Government and that the notice for the
removal of the penal establishment within three years of the date of
such notice will be given not later than the date of transfer, which
Hhould take place, as recommended in the 65th paragraph of Sir
Hercules Robinson's Report upon the Settlements, at the close of the
colonial financial year, viz., December, 1866 or 1867, according as the
necessary arrangements can be completed. As regards the civil estab-
li.shinont to be sanctioned for the Settlements, my lords will be prepared
to approve of an establishment on the basis of that suggested by Sir H.
Robinson, in Enclosure No. 6 of his report, subject to such modifications
as experience may have since dictated, or which any change as regards the
municipalities of the Settlements may hereafter render necessary."

The Act of Parliament of the 10th August, 1866, intituled "An
Act to provide for the Government of the Straits Settlements " was
Chapter 115 of 29 and 30 Victoria. It recited that it was expedient
that the Islands and Territories known as the Straits Settle-
niontw, namely Prince of Wales' Island, the Island of Singapore, and
the town and port of Malacca and their Dependencies should cease to
form a part of India, and should be placed under the Gt)vemment of
the Queen as part of the Colonial Possessions of the Crown ; and
enacted that the Settlements should at a time to be specified cease to
be part of India, within the meaning of the Act of 21 and 22 Victoria,
Chapter 126, which was an Act for the better Government of India.

By an Order in Council dated 28th December, 1866, the 1st April,
18(57, was ordered for the Act to come into operation. By Letters
Patent, dated Westminster, 4th February, 1867, the necessary authority
was given constituting the new Government of the Straits.

The next and last Chapter of this book gives an account of the
ceremony in the Town Hall, on Monday, 1st April, 1867, when the Indian
Govornmont formally transferred the Straits Settlements to the Crown.

1867 781

CHAPTER LVI
1867.

ON New Year's Eve, between 8 and 9 o'clock there was a fine
display of fireworks on the Esplanade, and the usual sports took
place the next day. The Straits Times remarked that, probably from
the management having devolved upon younger men, the amusement
of the natives was made subordinate to competitions for Europeans,
artillerymen and others, which should be avoided, as the object of
the sports had, from the first, been the amusement of the natives,
and not the entertainment of the Europeans.

The Government holidays this year had been from 24th December
to Ist January, but the merchants only observed half that time,
and the Grovemment arrangement tended to disorganise business, as
the offices were all closed.

In January it was known that Colonel Ord was likely to be
appointed the Governor under the new regime, and the paper said
that one of the Ministers, in a conversation regarding the Straits,
had said that he hoped Colonel Ord would keep quiet, and be guided
in his administration of the government by the local authorities.
It was a pity Colonel Ord did not do this. It had been intended
to send out new officials from home to take charge of all the
superior offices, but fortunately for the place it was not done, and
Colonel Macpherson, the Resident Councillor, remained as Colonial
Secretary, Mr. W. W. Willans the Accountant General was Govern-
ment Treasurer, Major McNair was Colonial Engineer, and Mr.
Thomas Braddell was appointed Attorney General, from 1st
April.

In April for the formal ceremony for the assumption of the
government of the Straits by the Colonial Office, Colonel Henry Man
came down from Penang to represent the East India Company, as
he was the senior official in the Straits after Governor Cavenagh
had left. He had been Resident Councillor at Penang from 1860.
He had entered the Madras Native Infantry as an Ensign in 1834, was
Lieutenant in 1838, Captain in 1848, and died a General in England,
after he had retired. He was in two campaigns in India in 1836,
and there is a note by Mr. Braddell that he was in the second
Burmese War in 1853, so that he must have rejoined the army
again for a time in that year. In 1845 he was Superintendent of
Convicts and Executive Engineer Officer in Singapore, and Major
McNair speaks in his book *' Prisoners Their Own Warders," in
several places, of the good work Captain Man did in consolidating
the work of the convicts. When he went to Malacca, as Resident
Councillor, Captain Ronald Macpherson, of the Madras Artillery

782 Anecdotal History oj Singapore

succeeded him as Saperintendent of Convicts in 1855. He had joined
the Artillery in 1836 and attained the army rank of Colonel in
1851. He was for several years Resident Councillor at Malacca from
1858 and in Singapore in 1860. He is also spoken of in Major
McNair's book. Both Colonel Man and Colonel Macpherson did much
good work in the Straits, and were very much liked. Colonel Macpherson
was the first Colonial Secretary, but he and Governor Ord were
not able to work harmoniously together, and the feelings of the
community were with the Colonel. He died, much regretted in the
place, on the day the Duke of Edinburgh was paying a visit to
Johore, on 7th December, 1869, at 52 years of age, and there was
a very large attendance of the military and of the community, at his
funeral, which was also attended by the officers, sailors and band of
H. M. S. Galatea, of which the Duke was Captain. He was buried
in the cemetery in Bukit Timah Road, and a monument was erected
in the compound of St. Andrew's Cathedral, of which he was the
architect ; a window was also put up in his memory over the west
doorway of the Church, as has been mentioned on pages 294 and
298. The Colonel said in a speech which he made at the farewell
dinner to Governor Cavenagh in this year, when his health was
drunk : — " When I first visited Singapore, on my way to China, in
1841, I was so charmed with the place that I resolved to make,
if possible, the Straits my Eastern home. In this I have very nearly
succeeded. Here, the best and happiest portion of my life has been
spent, here I have made many sincere and life-long friendships, and
with the Straits are associated all the dearest and most cherished
memories of the past.*'

On 22nd January the newspaper said that the appointment
of Sir Henry Keppel to the command of the China station
as communicated by telegram (part of the way) had given
very general satisfaction in Singapore ; and that it had been at one
time expected that he might have succeeded Major-General Cavenagh
as Governor, and his nomination as Admiral was less welcome. If
the Admiral had come, matters would have gone much more smoothly,
a great deal of irritation would have been avoided, and the Native
States in the Malay Peninsula would have made a start, to the
great benefit of the trade of the Settlements, several years before
they did.

The following letter was addressed by the Municipal Commis-
sioners (Colonel Macpherson, Thomas Dunraan, J. D. Vaughan, W.
H. Read, and R. C. Woods, — Henry Hewetson was Secretary) to
Government about Cavenagh Bridge : —

"Sir: — I am deputed by my colleagues to request you will be
good enough to ask His Honor the Governor to do us the favour
of permitting the new Bridge which is proposed to be constructed
across the river opening into Collyer Quay, to be called ' Cavenagh
Bridge.*

" The reclaiming of the submerged land from what was in former
years the rear of an unsightly mass of buildings, and the con-
structing of a line of massive structures with an imposing sea
frontage and a wide carriage way, is a work for the conception and

1867 783

execution of which the public are indebted to the enlightened taste
and liberal support of His Honor ; and the Commissioners feel
assured that they express the wish of the public generally in
desiring that the connection link between the land so reclaimed and
the opposite side of the river, may be handed down to the future
residents of Singapore as the Cavenagh Bridge. If his Honour will
therefore do them the honour of acceding to their request, it will
be the endeavour of the Commissioners to have a Bridge constructed
in every respect worthy of the name."

The submerged land referred to was the sea-beach from
Johnston^s Pier to Prince Street. Until the land was reclaimed, the
buildings had faced the Square, and only out-houses and sheds were
on the sea-shore. In 1866 almost all the present line of buildings
on CoUyer Quay had been erected. A. L. Johnston ^ Co. occupied
the site where the new building of the Hongkong and Shanghai
Bank now stands. Where Guthrie & Co. are now was Martin
Dyce & Co.*s ; Guthrie's godowns having been for some 35 years on
Boat Quay, at the comer of Guthrie's Canal. Paterson, Simons &
Co. were already in their present offices.

Cavenagh Bridge was opened in 1869, and it was then suggested
by Governor Ord that it should be called " Edinburgh Bridge ''
because it was first used about the time the Duke visited Singa-
pore, but, quite properly, it was called, and still bears the name, of
the last of tho Indian Governors. It was opened without any
ceremony whatever, carriages driving over it into town on the
morning that it was said to be ready for traffic.

On the afternoon of February 27th, the steamer Agamemnon,
the first of Holt's steam line to China, left Singapore for Hongkong.
At 8 p.m., twelve miles from Singapore, there was a collision between
her and the Labuan Company's steamer Mona, on her way from
Labuan to Singapore. The Mona was afterwards held to blame.
There had been a circus troupe in Singapore, called the Lenton
Troupe, and they were on board the Agamemjioii, The stem of the
Mon<i crushed into a cabin of the Agamemnon in which two young
children, who used to perform on a trapeze, were asleep, without
injuring them ; while the Boneless Boy, who was a prominent feature
of the circus, and was asleep in the next cabin, had his leg
broken I

On the 28th February, a public meeting was held in the
Exchange, with Sir Benson Maxwell in the chair, and it was decided
to offer a public dinner to the Governor, and afterwards subscriptions
were made for a portrait of him to be placed in the Town Hall,
which was carried out subsequently. The dinner took place in the
Town Hall on the 12th March, Mr. W. H. Read being in the chair ;
aiid Colonel Macpherson, Sir Benson Maxwell, the Maharajah of
Johore, and others proposing various toasts.

On Friday the loth. Governor Cavenagh left Singapore for the
last time in the Straits steamer Pluto for Penang. An Address by
the Chamber of Commerce was read to him at the Pier by Mr.
W. H. Read, and there was a guard of honour of the Volunteer
Corps ; and a number of other addresses were presented to him.

784 Anecdotal History of Singapore

Colonel Cavcnagh had assumed the Government of the Straits on
6th Auffust, 1859, and was therefore seven years and eight months
in the Straits. He took a great personal interest in his work, and
was indefatigable in his efforts for the promotion of education, and
identified himself with all the interests and the * progress of the
place. He stubbornly stood out against any attempt from Bengal
to impose prejudicial taxation, such as an income tax and tonnage
dues. He was especially known for the readiness with which he
invariably made himself accessible to all classes of the community,
who wished to lay their views upon any public matter before him,
and he was a very liberal supporter of amusements and private
enterprise. One evening when there was an amateur entertainment
in the Town Hall for a charity, it was a regular Singapore wet
night, and Governor Cavenagh sat alone in the front row, and
there were only about six other people in the hall besides him.
The amateurs, who had intended to give it all up, had a good
laugh, and seeing him there, went through the concert with all the
spirit possible.

In 1884 a book entitled Reminiscences of an Indian Official, by
General Sir Orfeur Cavenagh, k.c.s.i., was published by W. H.
Allen & Co., London, but it did not prove of much interest in the
Straits. It is true that the last chapter, of 122 pages, related
entirely to the former Governor's career in the Straits, but it was
largely made up of reported speeches which he was accustomed to
write out. Singapore expected to have found mention of those who
worked here under him — a theme on which a good deal of local
interest might have been gracefully said — ^but there was scarcely a men-
tion of any one except Whampoa, of whom it was written " I paid him a
visit to see his curiosities."

There was not much of general information concerning the Straits.
The opening of the first telegraph cable to Batavia was duly chronicled,
but it did not state that it broke down altogether almost immediately
afterwards, and the congratulatory message which was despatched
from Singapore, which was printed at full length, was therefore rather
premature. The General took credit, fairly enough, for having
established the Government Scholarships for the Boys' Schools, and those
who had undertaken the task of conducting the examinations laughed
in their sleeves at the story of how he had the examination papers
printed at the Government Press '* in the presence of my secretary,
and then brought back to my private office,'' and yet (in the next
page) how the Brothers' School spread a report that copies had been
furnished to boys in the other schools. The most interesting passage
was at page 352, in which he compared the Indian system of gov-
ernment with that of the Colonial Office, and the deductions he drew
were certainly not in favour of the latter. The passage is as follows : —

" Under the Indian Government there were comparatively few officers,
but they were well paid, and expected to do good work. The Governor
was supreme, the whole of the patronage being in -his hands. Officers
felt, therefore, that their promotion must depend mainly on their own
exertions, by showing that they were fit for advancement, for, as he
was vested with great authority, so equally the Governor incarred

1867 785

great responsibility; as he selected his own instruments, he was in a
^reat measure responsible for any failure on their part, hence he did
his best to secure efficient men. Under the Colonial Office the officials
were more numerous, but, upon the whole, not so well paid. The
patronage rested with the Colonial Office, and consequently an officer
did not look to his local chief to reward him acccording to his deserts,
but to political friends at home who might have influence with the
Secretary of State, and it was, therefore, within the bounds of
possibility that an official might be promoted from whom the Governor
had never experienced that cordial support which, to ensure due
efficiency, every head of an establishment has a right to expect from
his subordinates."

The other part of the book contained an account of his services
in India, and of his assuming political charge of the Nepaulese Em-
bassy to England, and was interspersed with a number of anecdotes,
some of which are much more amusing than the concluding chapter
on the Straits, where the General's career finished; he remarked that
when he accepted the office of Governor here, he little anticipated
that his official career would be brought to an early close at a time
when he naturally entertained expectations of succeeding to one of
the prizes of the Indian Service.

Governor Harry St. George Ord, c.c, for he was not then knighted,
arrived in Singapore in the P. & 0. Mail on Saturday, 16th March,
the day after Governor Cavenagh had left for Penang. Major McNair
accompanied Colonel Ord from England.

It was unfortunate that Governor Ord and Sir Benson Maxwell
fell at once upon disputable ground which caused a good deal of talk,
as the Recorder was generally known to be correct in the position he
took up towards the Government, and because of his perfect indepen-
dence, which was, as Mr. Cameron remarks in his book, a distinguish-
ing mark of the Judges under the East India Company. The new
Governor considered that he had the right to be styled His Excellency,
even before he was sworn in, and a further cjiuse of contention was
the position of the Governor on the assumption that he represented
the Crown or the Sovereign. Many years after this, in 1889 when a
Singaporean met Sir Benson Maxwell in Rome, he referred to the sub-
ject, and it was amusing to hear how he remembered the cases, for he
was a great case lawyer, as has been said on page 730, and prided
himself on his memory. As to the first question. Sir Benson was tech-
nically correct; but by common consent and by courtesy, for so many
years that it is beyond reasonable discussion, Governors of Crown
Colonies have been addressed while in the Colonies by the style of
Excellency. It is said that it is only certain Viceroys, Ambassadors to
the Great Courts, and Plenipotentiaries, that can claim it as of right;
and the Colonial Office does not address a Governor as His Excellency,
but by his name.

The second contention was peculiarly within Sir Benson's know-
ledge. The point arises from time to time in many of the Colonies,
where the newspapers speak of the " Sovereign's representative'' or of
the "Vice-regal party." The matter has been raised and swept aside
in the Privy Council several times, as in the cases Sir Benson referred

7ft6 Anpcdotal HiMory of Singapore

to. In the case of Cameron r. Kyte, an appeal from the Colony of
Berbice, heard in 1835 before Lord Brougham, Baron Parke and others,
it was laid down that the Governor was an officer, merely with a limited
authority from the Crown, and his assumption of an act of sovereign
power outside the limits of the authority given to him, would be purely
void, and the Courts of the Colony could not give it any legal effect.
And in the case of Sir George Hill, who was Governor of Trinidad,
against Bigge, heard in the Privy ("ouncil before Lord Brougham, Lord
Campbell, and two other Judges; Lord Brougham who delivered the
judgment of the Court, said '* If it be said that the Governor of a
Colony is quasi Sovereign, the answer is that he does not even
represent the Sovereign generally, having only the functions delegated
to him by the terms of his commission, and being only the officer to
execute the specific powers with which that commission clothes him/'
In that case the Governor pleaded in reply to a claim for a debt to
some London jewellers, that he could not be sued. The Privy Council
upheld the judgment of the Colonial Court which had been given
against him for the amount of the debt, with interest, and all costs.
But the Privy Council seemed to consider (though the point was not
judicially decided, as it was not then in question), that though judg-
ment was given against him, his person could not be taken in execu-
tion while he was actually on service as Governor.

On Sunday afternoon, March Slst, Admiral Keppel, who had been
appointed Commander-in-Chief on the China Station, arrived in the
P. & 0. Mail from England. His flagship, the Rodney^ which had
flown his Cotnmodore's flag in the Black Sea in the Crimean War,
and when he was in command of the Naval Brigade, some 5,000 men,
on shore, was on her way out by the Cape. He was accompanied by
bis flag-lieutenant, Harry F. Stephenson, spoken of on page 650, and
Mr. VVilliam Bond Risk, his secretary. He went to stay with Mr.
W. H. Read in the house where he was then living, which was pulled
down when the present Government House was built on the same
spot a year or two afterwards. In the Admiral's Diary on the following
day was tlie following, wliich appears in his last book "A Sailor's
Life under Four Sovereigns," (the old Admiral can now say Five) : —

" On looking out in the early morning from the verandah, an extensive
view in front of the town and anchorage, and from behind of the country
inland. How many associations of bygone days — some sad, but many
more pleasant — were brought to mind. At noon repaired to Town Hall
to assist in the inauguration of the new Governor and the transfer of
the Straits Settlements from the Indian to the Colonial Government ; an
event in the history of Singapore."

The formal inauguration of the new government took place in
the Town Hall at noon on Monday, tlie 1st April, and no public
ceremony in Singapore had ever, probably, attracted so much interest.
There was a great crowd of natives round the building and along
the roads. Inside the hall there was a striking example of the much
smaller number of the European population as compared with the
present day, for there was room and chairs for all that wished to
attend. The abolition of the time-honoured Bast India Company
with its long and great history appealed to all, both Europeans and

1867 787

natives^ and to this day the Government is still spoken of among
the latter as the " (-ompany/^ At the upper end of the room a
sort of dais had been erected, just in front of the line of the gal-
lery. The Volunteers formed a guard-of-honour in the front verandah.
Among the naval and military officers in the room were Captain
Ross of H. M. S. Pearl, Captain Edye of H. M. S. Satellite which
was in the next year in the Red Sea in the Abyssinian War, and
Captain Edye (who had been much liked in Singapore) heard while
he lay dying in Hongkong, where he was buried, on the return of
the ship to the China station from Abyssinia, that he was made a
Companion of the Bath ; Captain Suttie of H. M. S. Salamis, Admiral
Keppel's despatch vessel ; and Commander Menzies of the gun-boat
0»prey ; and Major-General Studholme Hodgson, Brigadier Ireland,
Colonel Grant, r a., Colonel Lovell, c.b., e.e.. Colonel Cooke of
the 8th Madras Infantry, and many other naval and military officers.

The first to enter, a few minutes before noon, was the Acting
Governor, the Hon'ble Colonel Henry Man, a fine soldierly looking
man. He was received with a salute of 17 guns from Fori
Canning, and by the guard of honour of the regiment down-
stairs and the Volunte^^rs upstairs. Colonel Man went round the
room shaking hands with the ladies, and waiting for the new
Governor.

Then, under another salute, stalked in Governor Ord, without re-
moving his hat, and sat down on a chair on the dais without taking
any notice of any one. The impression thus created was never removed
and was justified in the years that he remained in the Straits. Then
another salute was heard, and a very short man, in an Admiral's uniform,
his breast covered with medals (there was not room to put them all on)
and the Order of the Bath over all, cfime up the verandah on the side
facing the Esplanade, and, as he walked into the room through the last
side door, taking off his hat with a bow to the company, with his smiling
face, bright eyes and long eye-lashes, everyone stood up delighted to
see him. He had only arrived the afternoon before. He went round
a table that was placed in front of the dais, shaking hands with the
ladies, Mrs. Joze d' Almeida an^l others that he knew. As he was coming
back Governor Ord motioned to him to come on to the dais, and sit on one
of the throe seats that were placed upon it. But the Admiral laugh-
ingly shook his head, and taking up a Town Hall chair, put it down
on the floor near the dais, and sat down on it, and remained there.

The Order in Council constitutin^f the Straits a Colony of the
Crown was then read. It was dated at Westminster, 4th February,
1867. Then the Commission appointing Harry Saint George Ord,
Esquire, Colonel in the Army, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal
Engineers, and Companion of the Order of the Bath, was read. Sir Ben-
son Maxwell administered the oaths of office to H. E. the Governor,
and then to the newly appointed members of the Legislative Council,
viz., the Hon'bles W. H. Read, F. S. Brown (of Penang), Thomas
Scott (of Guthrie & Co.), and Dr. Robert Little. Mr. Whampoa was
appointed subsequently. The Company then left the Town Hall, the
members of the Council remaining to pass certain formal acts before
separating.

788 An^^cdotal HiMory of Singapore

C0NCLU8ION.

•

Singapore having been founded in the year 1819, the same year
as the birth of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, has been spoken of
as "Her Birthday Isle;*' and it has also been written that its success
has been due to the " Magic of Free Trade," which is no doubt largely
true. But there has been another kind of magic, which Sir Stamford
RaflSes, in a passage to be quoted presently, spoke of as " The energies
of her sons "

In 1864, a Children's Evening Party at Christmas time, such as
is common in England, was begun for the school children in Singa-
pore, and has been continued year by year to the present time. It
began with a small party of about twenty children, and has grown with
the place to a large party of seven or eight hundred, until the
Town Hall is not large enough to hold all. In 1887, there was a
Fairy Play called '* The Talisman of the Enchanted Island," written
for the occasion, and acted by about seventy of the children for
the amusement of all the rest. At the end of the play, in the great
Fairy Palace of the Enchanted Island, with three little Fairies high
up in the scene with electric lights on their dresses to represent the
constellations of the Southern Cross, Mars, and Orion, which had been
alluded to as part of the story, the Midshipman, the hero of the
play, spoke the *' tag/' and these were the last lines : —

And this our tale of Sailor and Princess,

In depths of time, shall bring it sweet success ;

Until our Isle, Enchanted then no more,

Will to the world be known as Singapore ;

A Magic Island still, its Magic then,

The energy and work of Englishmen.

This book began by speaking of Sir Stamford Raffles, and it is
fitting that it should close in the same way. He was in the service
of the East India Company, and on the 1st April, 1867, India ceased
to control the destinies of Singapore, which was the period fixed to
close the records in this book. To what Singapore has grown since
his day, it only remains to write.

Sir Stamford Raffles when, to use his own words, " it seemed
possible that the English Ministry might sacrifice him, honour, and
Singapore," to the pretentions of the Dutch,'' was cheered by a vision
of what Singapore might become. It is difficult to suppose that he
can possibly have imagined then, what we see now.

But suppose that some Seer, had led him up to the Forbidden
Hill (Bukit Larangan) now called Fort Canning, and had shown him
the jungle and the mangrove swamps transformed into a large and
busy town ; the river flowing near the hill hidden by long ranges
of buildings, large engineering shops, and godowns filled with pro-
duce ; and the harbour and all the wharves occupied by shipping,
stretching far away before him. And if he had been told that the

l«67 789

few Malays in the little attap eampoug^ on which he was looking
down, were the nucleus of a population of over a quarter of a
million inhabitants ; that the yearly shipping was over }<ix million tons,
taking the arrivals only ; and that the trade of the settlements
would become actually the third among the printed returns of Trade
for the years 1900-1901 of all the British Colonies and Depen-
dencies : * — Surely, the sight would have surpassed even his far-seeing
conception of what the place was to be.

But some of the passages in his letters already quoted in this
book must lead those who understand the importance of Singapore
at the present day to wonder at his remarkable foresight, his
tireless energy, and his great sagacity. They read like a prophecy.
Some of these passages (on pages 6, 67 Jind 78) will bear repetition
here : —

"This is by far the most important station in the East, and as
far as naval superiority and commercial interests are concerned, of
much higher value than whole continents of territory : — If no untimely
fate awaits it, it promises to become the emporium and pride of the
East. — It would be difficult to name a place on the face of the globe
with brighter prospects. 'J'his may be considered as the simple, almost
magical, result of that perfect freedom of trade, which it has been
my very good fortune to establish."

There is a passage in the very long and elo(iuent Minute of Raffles
(referred to on page 122) at the founding of the Raffles Institution,
which has not been quoted in this book, and which it now seems
a pity to omit:

" The acquisitions of Great Britain in the East have not been made
in the spirit of conquest. A concurrence of circumstances not to be
controlled, and tlie ensrgifs of her miift, have carried her forward on the
tide whose impulse has been irresistible. Other nations may have pursued
the same course of conquest and success, but they have not, like her,
paused in their career and by moderation and justice consolidated what
they had gained. This is the rock on which her Indian Empire is
placed .... Our influence must continue to extend; the tide has
received its impetus, and it would be in vain to attempt to stem its current ;
but let the same principles be kept in view, let our minds and policies
extend with our Empire, and it will not only be the greatest, but the
firmest and most enduring, that has yet been held forth to the view and
admiration of the world. While we raise those in a scale of civilisation,
over whom our influence is extended, we shall lay the foundations of our
dominion on the firm basis of justice and mutual advantage, instead of on

the uncertain and unsubstantial tenure of force and intrigue

Commerce is the principle on which our connections with the Eastern
States is formed. . . . Education must keep pace with commerce in

• At the beginnin}2^ of The Statesman's Year Book for 1002 is a Table which gives
the total imports and exports of the Colonies and Dependencies of the British
Empire for 1900-01. Total India, including the Feudatory States, is given as 161
millions ; then folloivs Canada with 78 millions ; and the third is the Straits Settle-
ments with 67 millions st«rlini;, the exchanffe beinjf taken as 2/-. The next are
New South Wales, 55 j Victoria, 35 ; Cape Colony, ;37 ; Now Zealand, 23 millions ;
with all the other Colonies tailing behind. Uon^kouj^ has no complete trade returns.
Singapore is not given separately from Penang and Malacca.

I^QO Anecdotal Hidory of Singapore

order that its benefits may be ensured and its evils avoided ; and in
our connection with these countries it should be our care that, while
with one hand we carry to their shores the capital of our merchants,
the other shall be stretched forth to offer them the means of intellectual
improvement."

Sir Stamford Raffles died, as has been said on page 12, at the
early age of 45 years, and he had himself written, four years before,
that he was " A little old man, all yellow and shrivelled, with hair
pretty well blanched." To borrow some of the pathetic words in
the concluding sentence of his Life by Mr. Hugh Egerton, men-
tioned on page 14, we cannot wonder that the end came so soon ;
but if men live not by the length of their days, but by the good
they have done around them and by the work which they have
accomplished, the memory of Raffles will survive as long as the
Empire lasts.

And on the 6th of February (which may be called the ' Founder's
Day ' of Singapore) as year by year rolls by, and his memory is kept
by the holiday that has become part of the history of the place, some
of those in Singapore may well be reminded of some passages in the
First Lesson for the day which had been read for centuries in the old
chapel of Winchester College, at the service held in memory of its
Pounder over five hundred years ago, {EcdemaMciut xliv, to verse
16):—

"Let us now praise famous men

Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for

their power, giving counsel by their understanding

Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge

of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent in their

instructions

All these were honoured in their generations, and were the

glory of their times ...
The people will tell of their wisdom, ;uid the congregation will

shew forth their praise.*'

THE END.

INDEX.

IMiere a name iis itumtioiied in niani/ plact'Sy the prhcripal reference
18 'printed in blacker figureis.

A. B. C. Bridge, 714

Aaron Pillay, 558

Abbotsford, 126, 732

Abdulla Moonshi, 28, 321, a54. 557

Abdulrabman, Incbi, 720

Abdul Rahman, Sultan, 22, 25

Abdul Samat, 721

Abdul TaHp. Capt., 720

Abnbakar, Sultan, 45

Acbeen, 26, 48, 51, 174. 703

Act 20 of 1837, 317

Act of Parliament, Transfer, 78(»

Act for Justice, 1825, 238

Adams, 561

Adamson, 381. 690, 748

Admiralty Jurisdiction. 237

Agameinnoyit 783

Agincourty 428, 454

A^culture, 180, 389, 420, 458. 502

Agricultural Society, 304, 306, 315, 361, 683

Aitken, A. M., 327,637, 638, 680, 755

Aitken, W., 640

Aitken de Souza & Co., 732

Akbar Ally, 558

Alabama, 706

Albemarle, Earl of, 575, 598, 599, 635, 758

Albert Street, 667

Albrand, 245

Albuquerque, 20

Alexandra Broad, 714

Algerinet 343

AlKoffs. 564

Allen, i)r.,496, 497, 725,751, 752

Allen (Rupee), 599, 636

AUen, W., 374. 567

Allie, Sultan, 503, 613

Alligator, 229, 343

Alligators, 54, 574

Alligator Island, 520

Allinson, G.,234, 567,597

Almeida, Dr., 70, 77, 139, 164, 165, 184

186, 202, 224, 305, 376, 377, '405, 491,

533. 546, 711
Almeida, Antonio, 124
Almeidai Carlotta, 186

Almeida, Edward, 186, 725

Almeida. Joaquim, 186, 406, 419, 531, 549,

560, 599, 639, 680. 694, 755, 771, 772,

773
Almeida, Joze, 187,301 302 406, 594, ♦J20,

677 680, 690, 725. 769
Almeida, William. 186
Almeida Road, 188
Almeida Street, 686
Almeida & Sons, 124, 187.202,686
Alphee, 695
Al Sagoff, 564

Amateur Theatncals, o56, 735, 741
American Colony, 273
American Methodist Church, 661
American Missionaries, 215, 321
American Ti*ade. 191, 272
Amethyst y 665

Amok. 97, 100. 101,103,112,380, 500. 703
Amoy, 379
Andamans, 668
Anderson, Dr., 415
Andramache, 279, 305, 343, 508
Anglo-Chinese College, 54, 122, 123, 347
Anglo-Chinese School, 137
Angsana Trees, 53
Angus, G., 155, 445, 668.772
Ann, 232— ^nna, 195
Annan bank, 348
Anniversary Ball, 582
Anniversary of Settlement, 31, 155, 334, 582
Annual Reports, 657
Antimony, 155
Ants, 365
Apcar, 370

Apcar & Stephens, 377, 438
Apel, 437

Apel & Co. 590, 672
Applegai-th, 350
Apollinaire, 267
Arbuthnot Latham & Co., 647
Arab Campong, 85
Arab Vessels, 324
Archbishop Maclagan, 538
Ariel, 482

Armenian Bishop, 341
Armenian Church, 283
Arms Importation, 193

Ifidex,

Annatrong & Co., 202, 2lU. 212. 383

Armstrong, Mr. & Mrs., 377

Armstrong, G., 202,210,219, 248

Armstrong, John, 210, 261, 288. 748, 772

Armstrong, F., 21o, iiM, 567, 747. 748. 753

ArtiUery, 668

Ashley, 313, 316

Asbton & Co., 647

Asiatic Bank, 711

Asiatic Society of Bengal, i^l

Assiemblies. 462

Assembly Rooms. 546, 566, 572. 6<i8, 628

669 745 749
Assessment, 195, 196, 198. 225, 342, ;I52,

385, 465, 502. 6*23
Assizes, 204. 224
Atalanta, 343
Atchison, 731, 772
Attorney General, 697
Anchincloss, 381, 772
Auckhind, Lord, 131,23»i
Austin. Admiral, 512, 601
Australian Trade, 579
Australia, P. & O. 566
Auctioneei's, RaffloH* ViewH, 114
Auctions, 76
AyerPanas.33>^

Bacchante, 65U

Badang, 91

Badger, 629

Baillie, 759

Bain, G., 208, 233, 383. 419, 658

Bain, Hugh, 72u, 721

Bam, R., 208, 233, 377. ^23. 457, 4l»«. 513,

658, 755
Baker, 487
Banca, 174

Bandahara of Johore, 161
Bannei-man, 4, 25, 51, ^2, 6i)
Balestier, 221. 24S. 273, 2^0, 305, 3U6,

314, 333 346, 347, 399, 456,. 469, 483
Balestier Estate, 48:3
Balls, 492, 629, 711
Bambeck Shoal, 569
Ban Hok, 315
Band, 216
Bandulia, 185, 406
Bank Besar, 702
Bank Local, 226, 274
Bank Notes, 506
Bank. The first, 351
Bar. 306
Barbe, 246, 623
Barganny House, 750, 751
Barn Island, 520
Banies, 496, 497, 748
Barometer, 74<>
Barracks, 152

Barret to & Co., 166

Barrington, 186

Batavia (1811), 2

Batavia Cable, 674, 784

Bateman, 381

Bathing, 452

Battam. 273

Battang, 22

Battery Road, 88, 207, 377

Battery Road Godown, 554

Batu Berlayer, 489

Baumgarten. C, 135, 216. 345, 521, 638

Baxter, J., 521 679

Baxter, Jas., 294

Bayley, Sir F., 624

Bayley, J. B., 135, 136, 137

Bayliss. 294. 642

Beach Road Houses, 376. 675

Beacons, 193

Beaumont, 27

Beaumont. Mrs., 297

Beaver, 696, 778

Beggars. 224

Begbie, Lieut.. 19. 29, 90, 95, 210, 217, 241

Behn, 377, 491, 531, 534, 547, 656

Behn, Meyer & Cu., 299, 351, 534

Belcher. Sir E., 394. 418, 511

Bell, 202

Bell in Church, 290

Bells. Cathedral, 297

Buncoolen, 7. 9, 11,25, 49, 55, 60, 65, 173, 175

Bendemeer, 185, 660

Bengal, Singapore and, 96, 715

Bengal, Tninsfer to, from Bencoolen, 110

Bengal Steam Fund, 320

Ben^l Ti-oops, 198

Benjamin, 503

Bennett, 294, 512, 521, 669, 772

Bentinck, Lord W.. 205, 236

Berens, 298

Berghaus, 282

Bernard. 27, 42, 6S, 86. 98, 105, 122, 15S,
166. 184.202.377, 401, 487, 541, 772

Berthier, 589, 593

Berwick, Jas.. 772

Betelnuts, 361

Betheada, 672

Beurel, 124. 247, 268, 377, 717

Beverhans, 431

Bicknell, 12

Bigandet, 253, 257, 269

Billiton, 174

Billiard Club, 206

Bills on liondon, 305

Binny, W. S., 647

Birds, 364

Black, 380. 381

Black Cattle, 362

Blair, 715

Blakan Mati, 229, 240, 272. 573

Blanche House, 630

Bland, Dr., 93

Blane, 520

Blenheim, 3i3

Blenheim Shoal, 5H9

Blonde, 343. 344

BlundeU, 205, 293, 381, 384, 419, 486, 5u7,

554, (>00, 612, 619,666,675,676,765.768
BltmdeU, W., 534— General, 198
Boat Quay, 59, 75, 80, 88
Bolton, J. C, 233
Bolton, Capt., 374
Bolton, M. N. 1.. 745
Bonham, 74,81, 86, 107, 122, 141. 166, 193,

198, 201, 202, 219,222, 235, 236, 241,

245, 273, 286, 287, 305, 307, 314, 383
Hon ham, Lieut. W., 60
Bonham Street, 667
Boneless Boy, 783
BonnygrasB, 348
Booth, 437
Barlase, Capt., 654
Borneo, 462
Borneo, 10

Borneo Co., Ld., 380, 381. 647
Borneo Vessels, 324
Boulger, D. G., 4. 12, 13. 14, 26. 33, :U,

41, 52, 177
Bourchier, Capt., 344
Boucho, 244
Boustead, 206,248,261, 275, 301, 302, 305,

306, 313, 314, 333, 376, 398, 539. 647,

771, 778
Boustead & Co., 210, 457, 539
Boustead Schwabe & Co., 207, 305. :347,

378. 398
Bousteskd Institute, 208
BraddeU, 6, 35, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50, lu4, 127,

146, 147, 157, 167, 257, 539, 637, %m.

606,781
Braganza, 425
Brasier, P., 255, 695
Brass Bassa Canal, 75
Brass Bassa Road. 1*24. 321
Bremer, C, 724
Bi-emer, Sir G.,344
Brennand, 305. 333,713, 772
Bricks 420
Bridges. 58, 59,129,206,212,225, 272,331,

398, 401, 630, 641, 689, 702, 714, 716,

783
Bridgewater, 54
Brigand, 342
British Dollar, 702
Bntish and Foreign Bible Society, 183,

British and Foreign School Society, 132,

Broadfields, 573

Brooke, Sir J., 17,261, 27i^, 282, 299, 324,

338, 346, 352, 370, 388. 427, 462, 484.

486, 488, 400. 534, 536, 542, 685.

686, 758, 764

Brooke Enquiry, 601

Brooke, Sir C. J.. 388, 491

Brothers School, 259, 264

Brougham, Loi-d. 65, 786

Brown. G. H., 187, 291. 345. 496, 497, 518,

725
Brown, F. S., 787
Brown, 21. 202, 208
Brown & Co., 240
Bruas, 552
Bruce, R.. 2o2, 288
Brugiei-e, 242, 244
Buan Seng, 270
Buchanan. W., 234, 566
Buchanan, M. P., 768, 771
Buckinghamshire, 199
Buffalo, 320. 362

Bugis, 60, 68, 84, 320, 324, 365. 579
Bukit Chermin. 377, 47o, 573
Bukit Larangan, 30. 5:^ 788
Bukit Padre, 346
Bukit Passoh. 346
Bukit Timah, 182. 198, 322, View from 399,

406,399, 536,573,630
Bukit Timah Church, 164, 251
Bukit Timah Mission, 640
Bukit Timah Road, ^50, 430
Reserve, 355
Bui beck, 487
Bulls, Papal. 24S, 244
Bimgalows, Givemmpnt. 536. 630
Bunsen, Chevalier, 14
Burglary, see Gang Robbery
Burial Grounds, sites tor 85, see

Cemetery
Burn, H., 727
Burn, J.. 727
Biu-n.Rev., 201, 226
Burniwes, 202
Bury, Lord, 758
Busing, Schroder & Co., 672
Butler, B.,398
Buttery, J.. 672
Butterworth. 298, 329, 384, 419, 446, 486,

492, 554, 580, 582, 612, 616
Buyers & Riach, 701
Byi-amjee, 772

Cadets, 666

CaiiTi Hill, 406, 573

Calbeck, Capt., 742, 744

Calcutta Dinner to Raffles, 8

Calcutta Relief Fund, 666

Calcutta, Steam to, 319

Calcutta Trade, 324

Caldwell, 265, 288, 419, 496. 535, 593,

607. 637
Cama School. 711
Cambrian, 279
Cameron v Xyte, 786

Index.

Cameron, J., 21, 25, 48, 59, 219, 295, 690,

693, 703, 714, 716, 738, 772, 773
Cameron, Col., 520, 591
Campbell, T. H., 136, 381. 513, 597. 6:J3,

675
Campbell, Sir Colin, 458
Campbell, 202, 381
Campbell, Major, 614
Gampong Glam, 30
Campong Malacca, 713
Canning, Lord, 655, 676, 764
Canning, 165, 173
Cannonballs, 399
Canton, 225, 379
Cantonment. 43, 57, 67, 6S
Cantonment Road, 667
Cape Packet, 500
Cape Racbado, 681
Cai-apiet, 345
Cardwell, 773. 779
Cargill, 496, 497

Carimon Islands, 4,63, 173, 178, 182,200,321
Cai*micLael, 691
Carnegy, 166, 275
Caniegy & Co., 56
Carnie, C, 216, 261, 275, 301, 320, 370,

376, 377, 381, 406, 439, 459, 504
Carnie, N. M..221, 664, 709
CarpenU^r, 288, 630
Carrol. 221, 679
Carriages, 362
Carriage Tax, 342
Cash in, 446, 590
Casteleyns, 716
Castlereagh, Lord. 176
Cateaiix, L., 252, 253. 537, 594
Cathedral, size of, 295, see St. Andi-ew's

Church.
Catheiina, 271
Cattle Difiease, 316

Cavenagh, 676, 685, 690, 699, 783. 784
Cavenagh Bridge, 630, 782, 783
Cazalas, J., 255
Cazenave, 256
Celebes, 174

Cemetery, 96, 288, 660, 717
Censorship of Press, 204, 228
Census, 154, 226, 348
Centipedes, 53
Chads, 279, 280, 305, 508
Chaigneau, 181, 379, 399
Change Alley, 89
Chalmers, Guthrie & Co., 647
Chambers. Bishop, 299
Chamber of Commerce, 313, 315, 317, 424,

599
Changhi, 432, 630, 713
Chantrey's Bust, 15, 129
Chapel, 210
Chapel, English, 572
Chapel, R. Cath., 164,245

Chaphiins, 107, 661

Charter, 238, 632

Chart of Archipelago, 193

Chartered Bank, 377, 673, 711

Chartered Mercantile Bank, «ee Moxan-

tile Bank
Cheang Hong Lim, 268
Chester, Lieut., 180,193
Che Sang, 74, 216
Chimmo, 437

Chinese British Subjects, 421
Chinese Burial Grounds, 125
Chinese Campong, 68, 83
Chinese Character, 765
Chinese Gospel House, 321
Chinese Immigrants, 533
Chinese Printing, 401
Chinese Procession, 345
Chinese Riots, 165, 443, 585
Chinese Temple, 356
Chinese Town, 83
China War, 75, 291,343, 379,688
Chinese Women. 320, 580
Cholera, 347, 352, 379, 542, 688
Choug Long, 215, 742
Chopard, H. D., 255
Chow Phya, 674, 724
Christian Brothers Schools, 262
Christian Chinese, Attacks on, 542
Christmas Day, 322
Christmas Party, 788
Church Building Fund for India, 287
Church Site fur, 75, 84
Church, Institution proposed for. 128
Church, T., 64,236 241,290, 291,293,314,

316, 326, 341, 376, 388, 419, 547, 535,

554, 637, 647, 692
Church, Mrs., 329
Church, General, 329
Church, Major, 328
Church, Miss, 487
Church Street, 667
Church of the Good Shephered, 249
Chulia Kampong, 73
Chulia, 73

Circular Road, 75, 209, 212
Clanwilliam, 650
Claridge, Sir J.. 222

(Jlark, 66, 165, 197, 202, 288, 30l, 314, 376
Clark, Mrs., 373
Clarke Seymour, 297
Clai'ke, Archdeacon, 297
Clarke, Denison, 297
Claymore, 573
Cleghorn. 720, 721
Clemencean, 244
Clerk, Sir Geo., 768
Clifton, 324
Climate, 358, 735, 739
Clock in Church, 199, 290,
Cloughton,692

' Index,

Cloves, 185
Cluff, 588
Clunis, Jacob, 732

Do., John, 670, 732
CoaxeVj 550
Cobden, 601
Cobb. 772

Cocos Islands 305, 662
Cochin (/bina, 181
Cochin China Vessels. 324
Cochineal, 185
Cochmne, 196, 428, 717
CockereU, 341
Cock Fightintr, 97
Cocoa, 361
Cocoaniits, 189
Coffee Company, 339
Coffee, 339
Coleman, 79, 129, ISO, 132, 186, 195, 199,

202, 219, 227, 227, 265, 272, 275, 284,

288. 341, 377, 401
Coleman's Bridge, 40l, 630, 716
Coleman Street, 292. 745
Coles, 202
College Street, 123
Collie, 214

ColUer, Adm., 487, 489
Collision, 549, 628, 705, 783
CoUyer, 665, 688. 689, 704
CoUyer Quay, 686, 689, 783
Colony, Singapore is a, 473
Comber, Adm.. 488
Combes, 262

Commercial Square, 88, 209, 667
Committee for Land Allotment, 79
Committee on Town Site, 74
Commissariat, 412, 686
* Company' 787

Compensation for Removal, 120
Compensation for Buildings, 96
Concert, 216, 613, 725
Coney Island, 315, 520
Congalton, 277, 280, 281
Connolly, Andrew, 233
Connolly, J., 155, 202.233, 245. 249, 252,

261, 333, 376, 491. 499
Constitution, 279
Convent, 265
Convent Land, 124
Convent Society, 266
Convict European, 621
Convicts, 69, 104, 180, 204, 213, 232, 264,

475,551, 630. 657. 668. 723
Convict Ships, 482
Conway, 343
Cook, J. A. B.,640
Cooke, Miss Sophia, 681, 639
Cooke, Col., 787
Cooly Ships, 647
Copland, M. J., 640
Copper Coins, 165, 318

Copper CuiTency, 424, 474, 716

Coprah, 189

Coquette, 693

Cores de Vries, 701

Comelis, 2

Corps Dramatique, 663

Cotton, Bishop, 296

Cotton Planting, 185, 189, 360

Couellan, 671

Council Chamber, 713

Court House, 29, 198,290, 341, 548,572,
609 713

Courts, 'l64, 195, 197, 222, 237

Court, Resident's, 97

Court of Requests, 72, 198, 236

Coui-vezy, Bishop, 244, 246, 247

Couvreui*, 256

Covenanted Service, 395

Cox, 202, 703

Coxe, Lieut., 60

Ci-ackers, 313, 471, 505

Craig, 437

Craig Hill, 636

Cramer. 499, 546, 703, 717

Crane, T.O., 124, 135,186.188, 202, 224,
288, 301. 305, 316, 376, 397, 409. 419,
436, 437, 511, 513, 521, 550, 569, 594,
608, 613, 620, 632, 645, 668, 772

Crane, W., 188, 189

Crane, H. A., 189

Crane, T. H., 725

Crane. C. E.. 189, 725

Crawford, T. A., 647

Crawford, Colvin & Co., 617

Crawfurd, 6, 18, 20, 29, 32, ^5, 91, 107, 121.
140, 141, 155, 176, 180, 192, 193, 194,
228, 330, 465, 472, 598, 667, 694, 700,
735, 739, 764, 768, 770, 771, 773. 778

Credit. 566, 712

Cricket, 314, 389, 566

Cnddle, 27

Crimean Wai*, 606

Ci\>okshank, 648

Croply, 40, 42

Crossley, 70

Cruizer, 343

Cnim, 381

Cumming, J. P., 233, 383, 594, 620, 647

Cumming, J. B., 419, 437, 488, 497, 507,
513, 632, 633, 639, 755

Cumming, S. F., 233, 437, C96

dimming Beaver & Co., 696

Cunningham. 245, 252. 263

Cuppage, 406, 426, 635

Cuppage, Capt., 444

CuracoOy 226

Currency, 317, 580, 595, 600, 635, 663, 702,
756

Cursetjee, 350, 499. 521, 626, 629

Cursetjee & Co., 672

Curties, 437, 465, 496, 497, 680

Index,

Dacca, Sisters, 266
Daguin. 253,255
Dsedalus, 479, 484
Daily Telegraph, 8
D'Almeida, see Almeida
Dale, W., 640
Dalhousie, Lord, 527, 655
Dalhoasie Canal, 667
Dalhousie Ghaut, 507
Dalhousie Monument, 532
Dalton, 202, 208
Damien, 267
Dana, 727
Darby, 437
Dare & Co., 4b7
Dai-e, G. J., 373, 487, 497, 603
Dare, G. M., 233, 371, 685, 748
Dare, Julius, 371, 748
Damley, Lord, 8
DaiTah, 128, 226, 230, 286, 287, 314
Dato Amar of Johore, 72 \
Dato Barat of Johore, 721
Dato Dalam of Johore, 29, 37, 721
Dato Mentri of Johore, 721. 729
Dauntless, i)6
DavidsoD, D., 437

Davidson, G. F., 226, 288. 377, 466, 739

Davidson, Jas., 680, 694. 711, 716

Davidson, J. G., 731, 772

Davidson, M. F , 135, 175, 234, 261, 320,

377, 339, 409, 419. 423, 457. 488, 496,

497, 507, 513, 521. 530, 547, 594, 597,

607, 608, 612, 658, 660. 668, 690, 703

Davis. 70, 74, 81, 98, 105, 122, 166, 193, 201.

388
Davy, Sir Humphrey, 8

Death of King William IV, 316

Deacle, Mi-s., 744, 745

Debtors, Impnsonment of ; Raffles' Views,
115

De Cunha, 271

Deep Water Point, 43, 85

Defences, 43. 63, 356, 397, 489, 539, 611,
675, 679, 681, 765, 769, 770, 777

Defence by Navy, 356, 489. 539, 766,
769, 770, 777

D'Egremont, 520

De La Sale, 262

Deloiiette, 254

DelU. 145, 368

Dem«e, 594

De Meczies, 255

Demurrage, 64

Derby, Earl of, 779

De Silva. 202

De Souza, B., 252

De Souza Pier, 732

Devereux, 602, 606

De Wind, 208

Diamond, 210, 277

Diana, 280,281. 308,315, 330. 486, 511

Dickenson. 132. 134, 215, 321. 346

Dickenson's HiU, 346

Dido, 324, 328, 387, 388, 389. 449, 454, 456,

7*17

Diggles, 647

Dindings, 277

Dinner Hour, 155, 357

Diocese, 299. 660, 700

Directory, 457

Disestablishment, 662

Discovery, 28

Docks, 240, 432, 732

Dock Pulo Brani, 432

Doering, 233

Dogs, 228, 383

DoUars, 600

Dollar British, 702

Dollar Currency, 663

Douglas Mackenzie & Co., 240, 287

Douwe, 202

Dow 43

Drainage, 165, 197, 610, 613

Draycott, 573

Driver, 427

Droughts, 358, 737

Dryon Straits, 63

Drysdale. J. C. 377, 419, 457

Druid, 343

Drummond, 601

Duel. 226. 534

Duff. D.. 620, 627, 632, 673

Duff, R.. 234, 453, 496, 507, 560, 567, 711,

745
Duke of Edinburgh, 782
Duke of WeUington, 215, 676
Dunbar, D., «& Sons, 647
Duncan, 166, 210, 248, 276, 288, 301.
314, 373, 459, 594, 658

Dundas, 344

Duneam, 573

Dunlop, C, 233, 643

Dunlop, Lieut., 743

Dumaresque, 455

Dunman. 10, 186, 370, 377, 394, 406.
411, 419, 437, 444, 447, 491, 540,
546. 547, 558, 585. 590. 712. 743,
744, 746, 747, 772, 782

Dunn, 59, 70

Durians, 555

Dutch Aggression, 174

Dutch and Johore, 118

Dutch Chiefs, Letters to, 50

Dutch Duties, 181

Dutch Government, 106

Dutch Opposition, 146

Dutch Possessions, 767

Dutch Vessels to be seized, 228

Dutch Telegraph Office, 713

Dutch Treaty, 314, 449, 466, 673

Tndr.v.

Duties, 301

Dutronquoy,341,356,377.4(», 4*^1, 743.745
Dnxton, 274, 406, 636
Dyce, Alex., 381, 487

Dyoe,C., 252,291,380, 381, 387, 393,399,
409, 419, 436, 437, 439. 487. 743. 744. 745
Dyer. 214. 321, 401

Eade, 255

Earl, G. W.,45, 185, 322. .396, 531, 535,

735 739
Earthquake, 231, 684
East I. Co. Ships, 26
Eaitt India Company, Territory of. 4H
Baatem Arch. Co., 463, 485
Ebhardt, 630
Education, 198, 610
Edward Boustead, 387
Edwards, 380, 438
Edye. 787

Egerton. H. E., 14, 16, 32, 790
Eliza Penelope, 486
Elgin, Lord, 95.661,655, 683
Elgin Bridge, 29, 59, 401, 423, 690, 733
Eltonborough Market, 430, 441
Elliot, Sir H., 5>7
Elliot, C. M., 367, 377. 388. 454, 496, 661,

7a5, 736
Elliot, Admiral, 344
Elliot, Hon. Capt., 52<>
Ellis, 202, 206
Elphinstone, 761, 774
Emerald Hill, 406
Emmerson, 681, 751. 752,
Empson, C„ 233
Engler, 678
English Chapel, 572
Enterprit*-, 26, 28. 44, 205,343, 715
Erin, 549
Erskine, 166
Etk, 674
Esplanade, 29, 53, 62, 68, 74. 75, 82, 199,

434, 496, 532, 547
Earopean Executed, 342
European Firms (1833), 232
Europeans, Recalcitrant, 163
European Troops, 152
Euryalus, 722
Evans, J., 215, 347
Evei-ton, 406
Examiner, 691, 763
Excellency, 785
Execution, 204, 342
Exchange Boom, 212
Expenses, 96, 107, 180, 199,379, 451
Extinguisher. 728

Faber, Capt., 42«», 452, 459, 486, 491
Fagel, 173

Failures in Bazaar, CiSS, 711. 712

Fair Malacca, 715

Fame, 10, 12, 77, 156, 191

Fancy Dress Ball. 352

Fancy Fair, 732

Farms, 148, 352, 390, 501,619

Farm Fines, 429

Farquhar, Adm., 509

Farquhar, Major, 4. 24 28, 32, 48, 49, 60.

56, 63, 70, 76, 97, 104, death 105, 121

122, 154, 166
Farquhar, And., 98. 166, 202,381, 477
Fassel Kerrim, 66
Fatshan Creek. 650, 717
Faudoa«, 266
Favorite, 343
Fawn, 551
February, 6, 31. ;^34
Fee. Bishop, 253. 255
Ferrao, F., 56, 70
Ferricr, 507
Ferry, 702
Foruze, 527
FfuiUade, 751, 752
Fiery Cross, 651
Findlay, C. B., 380

Fines to go to Town Improvement, 156
Fires. 156, 209, 274, 276, 304, 390, 443,

460, 507, 563. 626, 703, 712, 727
Fireworks, 494, 566, 781
Firms, European, in 1824, 165
Fishing Stakes, 76
Fitzpatrick, 131, 13t
Fives, 378
Fives Court, 304

Flagstaffs, 206, 229, 272, 430, 471, 546, 722
Fleming, R., 214
Fleteher, 166
Flint, Captain. 53, 56, 64. 70. 74 93. 107,

122, 166,193,194, 201
Flint, W, C. R.. 10, 16
Flint, S. R., 16
Flint Street. 667
Floods, 626, 738
Florens, Bishop, 242
Fogs, 363
Foochow, 379
Forbes, Forbes & Co., 647
Foreigners, Raffles' Viows, 114
Foriong, 700
Forts, 769
Fort Canning, 43, 53, 95 573. 675, 686

769, 788
Fort Faber, 769
Fort Fuller ton, 210, 675
Fort Palmer, 769

Fotmdation of Settloment. Date of, 31
Founder's Day, 790
Fountain, 678
Fox, T., 305
Francis, A. F., 245

vin

Inde^,

Francis, John, 203, 224

Fi-aaer, Captain J. S. H.. 297

Fraser D., 122 2H1

Fraser, J." l:Ior21«, 23:3, 301, 302, 320,

376, 377, 453, 647. 673
Fraser, L. 314. 387, 41J», 423, 431, 437,

439, 507, 531, 549. 568. 598. 647. 771
Fraser, L. J.. 2.33
Fraser, Rev., 136
Fraser, Oapt., 700
Fraser & Neave, 322
Frazer, 203, 639
Freemasons, 263, 436, 488, 496. 512, 520,

528, 533. 568. 647
Free Merchant, 395
Free Traders, 395
Free Trade. 63. 67, 71. 7i?. 584, 756
Freeze, 203
French Colonies, 767
French Consul, 379
French Expedition, 468
French Mail, 695
Fresh Water Stream, 123
Friend of India, 216. 602, 604. 685
Frolich, 208
Frommurzee, 350
Fullerton. 104. 19({, 198, 205, 206, 222

Ga*»tan, S., 2()7

Gagging Act. 154

Galabei-t, 2K»

Galatea, 782

Galy, 244>

Gambier, 236, 241. 307, a35, 362. 431. 487

Gambier. Sir E. S., 240

Game, •*k)4

Gambling Farm. Crawfnrd's Views 142,

14.3; Raffles* Views. 112, 141, 14.3
Gambling Farm, 60, 63. 97, 144, 156, 240,

330,768
Gambling, 97, 317, 3()6, 4^7. 448. 471. 506,

691
Gambling at New Year, 229
Gaming Licences, 106, 149
Ganges, 26. 28, 52
Gang Robberies, 374, 385, 388, 397, 44)7,

424, 445, 470
Gardens, 59, 74, 107, 206, 683, 687, 712, 732
Garling, 42, 44, 56. 193, 222, 231. .386. 500, 647
Gas Company, 710
Gasnier, Bishop, 253
Gautier 520
Gemmil, 2o3. 316, a34
General Hospital, 683
General Wood, 475, 476
George, J C. F., 207
George. W. B., 105. 197, 203, 207, 288.

301, 314, 376, 393, 409, 419, 477, 772

German Club, 629, 6^, 686, 724, 725
Gibb, 437

Gilfillan, 381, 691. 703, 717, 729
Gilman, 234, 302, .305, 313. 314, 376.

377, 409, 419, 566, 598. 647
Gladwin, 607
Glam Tree, 29

Glasgow Evening Post, 141 .
Glenelg, Lord, 305
Globe Trotters Stories, 469
Goa Island Signal, 97,206
Goa, Jurisdiction, 243
Godfrey, 245
Gold at M. Ophir, 574
Gold at T. Pagar, 704
Gomes, Rev., 300
Goodenougb, Capt. 650, 655
Gordon, 122, 215^ 520
Gospel House, 672
Goss. 748
Gottlieb, 521
Gough, 291, 383
Goymour, 346

Government Gazette. 15 •^, 666
Government House, 43. 53, 77, 95, 675
Government removal to Singapore, 226
Government Scholarships, 1^
Governor Endicott, 273
Governor General, 205, 527
(jrraliam Mackenzie & Co., 2:14, 287
Grand Jury, 397, 570
Grange Road, 40<)
Granite, 359
Grant, Miss, 376, 581
Granville, Lord. 635. 758
Grant, Alex., 640
Grant, Col., 787
Gravesome, 208
Great Exhibition, 535
Green Hill, 573
Gregoire, 267
Gregory, Arch.. 283
Gregory, 261, 262, 263
Gregson, 768, 771, 773
Gregson & Co., 647
Greenshields, 135, 136. 499, 513. 638.

668, 680, 690. 694. 729. 745, 755,

769, 770, 771
Greig, Capt., 309
Greig, Jas.. 711
Grey, Sir G., 6.53
Grey, C, 199
Gros. Baron, 683
Gullaiid. 2a3

Gunong Berapi, 231, 684
Gunong Pulai, 348, 702
Gunboats. 225. 401. 637, 701
Gunpowder, 209, 225, 383, .563, 626
Guthrie, A., Qb, 68, 70, 97, 99, 104, 129,

130. 136, 166, 203, 301, 302, 314, 406,

423, 439, 624, 647, 768, 771, 778

Gntlme. James. 11, 66, 128, 130, 151,
222. 248, 2fil, 876. 377, 387, 409,
41f>.5«7,.'>:U.546.597. 598, G08. 613,
«26, 647, 687, 688, 711. 7«8. 771. 778

Giitbrie 4 Clark, 202,210, 212

Guthrie & Co.. «6. 199. Ml, .VIO i

Guthrie. Dr.. 639

Gnthrie'a Bridge, 507 i

Gutbrie'a Hill, 573

Gutta Percha, 7«, 403, 482, 579

Gwan Chiian. 314

Hackctt, Sir W.. 2*t

Haffenden, John. 401

Hair- dresser, 231

Hale. 545

Hallpike. 203.215. 288. 3ft8

Hamilton, 19

Hamilton. J., 301, 302

Hamilton, Gray ft Co.. 2.'M. 287. 566

Hamilton, W., 2.^. 5fiti

Hammond, 540

Hamilton, Mujtir, tiO

Hampabire. 415

Hand Caits, 3t;2

Hwinaj, W. C, 381

Hansen, J. F., 255

Harbour, 723

Harbour Pier. 689, 70:t. 7114

Harding, Lieut., 217

Hardingc, Lurd. 4.59

Hargreavea, 674

Barlequin, 279. 298

Harrier, 229

Harriet Scolt, 482

Harringtt.n, T. T.. 6.^ liW, 100

HarriB, R.. 27

Harrifion. Capt., 722

Hanison, V. H , 13(1. 327. 4411, 419, 499,

534. 549, 594. 633. 64«. 080. 703.

717. 729, 709. 770
Harvey. John. 135,380, 381, 54ti..5(i0. 599,

624,629,632. 639. 657, 671. 755. 778
Harrey, R.. 380
Harvey. Brand A Co.. 647
Hartigan, Dr., 374
Hatlingn, 601. 605
HnstingB, Lord. 4
Havelock Road, 656, 667
HaHght..n. H. T., 29. 229
Hay. Alei., 166

Hay, And ,97, 166. 203.'276. 288. 301.658
Hayea. Catherine. 613
Hnwk. 227
Hawthorn, 203
Head-scare 337, 575
Healey. 301,302, .11.^ 314
Helms. 380

Health, 739

Henderson, R. & J., 047
Heudon Cbureh, 12, 13
HeurMtii Muria. 647
Henry, 2< 12
Hentig, 658
Herbert. Col., 217
Hewatt. Capt.. 691
HewetBtm, H., 772. 782
Hewetson. T.. 377, 4lK). 44.5. 513
Hewotson, W., 202, 288
Highlander, 707
High wood, 13

Hikftyat Abdulla. 11. 28. 46, 49. 50. 54,62,
76, 88. 89, 98, 12;}. 141 . 20i!. ;t38 (iUS. 720
Hill t>. Bigg<>. 786
HillB, HeiKhtBof. .573

Hindu Peativai, 417

Hmnekindts. .537. 695

Hoba^'n Jobdoii, 34

Hod^Ritn, Gi'n,, 787

HoKkwoith. SmithRon &. Co., 287

Hole, Dato. 72.''.

Holbann, 256

Holidays, 781

Holloway, 202, 203

Home, Sir Everard. 8

Hongkong, Xi'l. 375. 379. 384

Hongkonji Mint. 600

Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Site. 297.

K.»»jft;)(. 282, 518. .•>44, .".91. 621'. 674, 701

Hooglaiidt, 08;(

H.).K S.'ng. .>ttl

Hope. 215

Hopf, 32

Hormuajee. .W-l

Horrooka. 744

Horaburgh. 60.514

Hoi-abiirgh Light Hoiiw. 510

Horae-doctor, 341

Horse Sales. 419. 028

Horee tun. 342

Horsman. 761

HorticTiltiuiil S<ieiety. 304

Hoae. Biabop, 299

Hoaeiiaon. 387

HoU.'le, 224, :t.56. 716

H..t<'l lie I'Eaperance, 716

Hotel de r Europe. 716, 745.

House of Commons. 165. 174. 692 .73:1

House of L'lrds, 71

Houses. 3.i6

H'lusea, Old. 441

Honaea. Ruinoua. 418

Howard, Oapbiin, 122. 106

Howard. W., 599. 63:1. 608

Huerta. 203

Hughea. Rev.. 347

HuQ. Lieut.. 87.122

Uume, 6U2, tiU4

Tnd^x,

Humpheys, J. 214

Humphrey, Rov.. 135. J9:l <J«»7

Hunter, 203

Huitlaub, 5415

Hu88«n. Sultan. 22, 31, 44, 45, 74. 7«, 96.

104,105. 161, 120, 122,200
Hussein bin Abdulla, 720, 721
Hutchinj^s, Rev., 122
Hutchison & Co., 727
Hutchinson, Col.. 384
Huth. F. & Co., 647

Hyacinth, 343
Hydattpe, 712
Hydrophobia, 458

Ibbetson, 206.215, 222. 231

[brahim bin Abdulla, 721

Ibrahim, Siiltiin, 45

Ice, 431, 611, 636, 6S^

Ice House, 29

Imbert, Bishop, 242

Immigrant*, 580

Imperatrice, 695

Impoi-t and Export Office. 75

Imports, 151, 180, 380. 5(>2, 619

Inchi Jaffer, 721

Inchi Mahomed, 721

Income-tax, 680

Incorporation of Settlement*. 194

Indiana, 27, 48

India to the Cro^^l, 6(>5

Ingergolie, 283

Inglis, 676

Innes, 193

Insects, 3()5

Insolvent Act, 440, 487, 498. 5o3

Institution Burglary. 213

Institution Hill, 124, 406, 573, 65o

Institution, see Raffles Institution.

Insunmce Co., Local, 227, 488, 716

Intoxication, Ilaffles on, 113

Investiture of Sir J. Brooke. 490

Ireland. Brigadier. 787

Issaly, 251,543.

Ise monger, 731

Isift, 454

Jack, Dr., 9, 1(>

Jackalls, 310

Jackson, Lieut., 8i, 86. 91, 107, 122, 166,193,

201,50r>
Jackson, Sir T., 374
Jail, 145, 228, 4^)8, 459, 578
Jaimie, 686
Jambi, 574
James, Lieut., 277

James, H. G., 277

Jnrdine. 275, 307. 308

Jardine, 76

Jarvie, J., 234, 513, 521, 594, 597

Jardiue, Rob., 233

Jardine, Matheson&Co., 225,510, Steamers

640
Jardine, Skinner & Co.. 647
Jamdyce v, Jamdyce, 74
Java, Expedition to. 2
Java, State in 1824, 182
Java and England, 177
Java, 279

Jeffcott, 240, 520, 534, 624, 723
Jeffrey, W., 640
Jemearil, Baron. 70
Jeftsy, 281
Joaquim, P., 772
John Bright 705
Johnson. Mrs. Luttman, 297
Johnston, C, 491
Jolinston. A. L., 62, 68, 75, 81, 97, 122. 128,

130, 15i, 166. 193, 203, 245, 301. 302.

313, 314, 377, 457, 533, 546
Johnston A. L. & Co., 202,233, 301, 457
Johnstons Pier, 63. 615.
Johole, 21
Johore. 4. 5, 19, 20, 21, 35, 45 titles 45,

regalia 74, 106 British flag on, 146,

156 Treaty 1824. 157, officers' of, 161,

225, 304, 322. 399, gambier 431. sword

449, trade 482, 613
Johore and Lingin. 74
Johore. 719
Joke, Practical, 455
Joseph, G. F., 16
Joseph, S., 267

Journal of Ind. Archipelago, 467
.rudg«»s. K. I. Comp, 785
Judicial System, 237
Jungle Trees, 360
Junks, 323. 342
Junk 1^-ade, 426, 498
Junks, Seizure of, 344
Juries in 1823, 97
Jurong, 300
Justices Resign, 633

Kallang Bridge, 689

Kallang Dale, 406

Kaltenbach & Co., 678

Kampong Glam, 64, 212

Kandang Kerbau. 274

Kandang Kerbau Hospital. 414, 416, 683

Kate Carnie, 623

Katz Bros., 678

Keane, H. B., 4;^7

Keasberry, 29, 133, '291, 320, 557, 640

Indts.

Kears'tffe, 708

KtMlah,' 681

Keppt4 A.lmmil. 17, 19.218,210, 281, 282,
324, 388, 4()3, 449, 454, 45H, 484, 488,
4i>l, 493, 507, 534, 536, 561, 562,
604, 629, 648, 649. 657, 659, 717.
745, 764, 782. 786, 787

Keppel Harbour, 493. 657

KoiT. A. J., 2;^, 558

Ker, Patim, 2;5:i

Ker, W., Jun., 233

Ker. Robt , 2;^3

Ker, T. B., 419

Ker, W. W.. 216. 233. 377, 460, 470.
507. 536, 535, 542, 647

Ker, Rawson .t Co., 2;«, 636

Kerr, W. G.. 401, 558, 611, 623, 632, 639

Kerr. Whitehead & Co., 611

Kidd. S., 214

Kim (luan, 314

Kim Swee, 151

Kim Seng & Co , 554

King of France. 468

King William IV.. 316

King, Admiral. 722

King, T., 166

King's Birthday, 156

Kirby, 679

Klings or ChuliaH, 73

Kling Campong. 85

Kling ProceHsion, 375

Kling Riot, 645

Kling ShopH, 626

Knight. 725. 736, 737

Koek, Adrian, 52

Koti. 208

Kraal, H., 543

Krakatoa. 684

Kraniat, 96

Kranji, 430, 440

Ki-aw, 700

Krisses, Natives*, 156

Kuper, Admiral, 722

KuiTuck Sing 651

Kustermann, 373, 499, 629

Labuan, 181, 421, 454

Labuan, 628

Labv, 203

Lackei'steen, 70

Lady Grant, 277

Lady Hill, 573

Lady Mary Wood, 425, 426

Laidlaw. 93

Lalla, 703

Lancashire Fand, 692

Land, A^^ricultural, 306

Land Allotments, 57, 79

Land Fraud, 709

Land Office, 75

Land Question. 423

Land Regulations, 330, 347

Land Sales, 97, 120, 330, 375

Land Grants by Raffles, 155

Laud Transmission, 317

Land, Value of, 77, 89, 165

Languages, Civil Servants, 195

Lansdowne, Marquis of, 71

Lanun Pirates, 690

Lardner, 2o3

Lame, 272. 281, 329, 343

Larpent. 166, 341

La Sainte blnfance, 258, 268

Lavender Street, 667

Law for Natives, 155

Lawson, W. S., 437

Leander, 156

Leases, 194, 1330, ;^7

Lecerf , 255, 263

Lectum, Cathedral, 299

Legge, Dr., 321

Legrene, 468

Leisk. W. C, 521, 658

Leunie Hill, 95, 675

Leoiuird. 267

Lepers. 413

Lerwick. 6i^S

Lessuden. 573

Le Terdn, Bishop, 253

Let ham. 772

Letters, by Mail, 425 ; First Mail left

behind, 426
Letters of * Extinguisher," 728
Lettera Patent, 195, 238, 633, 780
Tjeveson, 672, 705. 748
Lewis. ()5, 612

Libraiy, 128, 314, 394, 419, 442. 462, 5o0,692
Libois, 256
License Fund, 96
License to Reside, 196
Liedcrtafel, 724, 725
Liefroy. 261, 263
Lighthouses, 315, 510, 569, 681
Light Dues, 580

Lightning, 199, 292, 534, 546, 563
Lily, 520, 586, 606
Lindsay, A. K., 193
Lindsay, W. S. & Co., 647
Line Hill. 573
Lingga Raja, 263. 315
Lingga, 22, 574, 692
Lingin, Raja of, 74
Linstedt. 513
Lipscombe, 208, 778
Little, Dr., 9, 77, 125, 135, 212, 312, 348,

376, 377, 419, 423, 4:^9, 453, 531, 593.

608, 613, 620, 690, 729, 735, 778, 787
Little, J. M., 350
Little, M., a50, 772
Little, John & Co., 350, 378

Index,

Little & Cursetjee, 350

Little & Robertson, 350. 686

Lloyd'8 Agents. 233

Loch. Lord, 652

Logan's Journal, 14, 467

Logan. A., 261, 327, 379, 419, 453, 403.

499. 561. 597. 633. 639, 651, 668, 6b0,

694. 697. 747, 755,771, 773
Logan. J. R., 379. 419, 467
London Hotel, 341, 745
London Miss. Soc, 77, 214, 276, 321, 4<)1.

640
Lon-ain, 240, 275, 288, 301, 302, 307, 313.

672
Lorimin, Sandilands & Co., 672
Lothaire. 261, 262. 263. 265
Lotteries, 193, 391
Louisa, 722
Lovell, Col., 787
Lovi, 550
Low, Colonel. 21. 24, 25. 93, 175, :^5, 366,

377. 385. 393, 447
Low, Sir Hugh, 485, 491, 641
Lowjee Family, 482
Lore, 234. 714. 7J8
Lumsdaine, 73. 79
Lyons, Geo., 733

MHcey, 521

Macbean, 299

Macdonald, J. E.. 2;J4. 567

Macdonald, W., 203, 234. 1533. 566. 567

Macdonald, W. & Co.. 2;U. 567

Mackenzie, W. G., 70. 76. 97, 122. 165,

193, 203
Mackenzie. H. S., 637. 646
Mackenzie <& Co., 202
Mackeiloom, 594
Mackintosh, 203
Macla^an, Archbishop, 538
Maclaino, 165

Maclainc. Fraser k Co., 208, 2;«, 248, ;^3
MacNeil, 768
MacPhee. 640
Macpherson, 293, 298, 612, 670, 693, 781,

782
Macquire, 202
Macquoid, 56
Mac Ritchie. 719
MactatrgaH. 233, 261, 499, 594, 597. 694,

753. 770, 778
Mac vicar, 724
McAlister & Co., 712
McCausland, 240, 599, 625. 631. 657, 674,

729
McClelland, 233, 748
McDougJiJl. Bishop. 299, m^\ 691. 719
McEwen. 377. 3«^n, 419, 43[», 453
McEwen & Co., 380

McKenzie. Capt., 64

McMicking. G.. 233, 309. 419, 438, 460,

549. 561
McMicking. T.. 130. 132, 233, 274, 276,

301 314. 377. 423
McMicking. W., 233

McNair, 294, 295, 298. 551, 641, 652, 781
McQuhae, 479, 484
McSwiney, 248. 252, 572, 669
Madagascar, 343
Mayirienne, 218, 229. 235, 281
Magintratos, 97, 236
Ma gist rati*, a fool, 541
Magiiiac <fe Co., 225
Mahomed bil Fagi. 714
Maia, Padre, 203. 242, 245, 270
Maidmaii, ;{80

Mails, 416, 425, 428. 607, 620
Mail left behind, 426
Mail Signals, 471
Mail Stoppinir, 536
Maitland. 298, 448
Malabar, 182
Mahicca, 4M. 53, 173, 205
„ Band, 275, 742
., Malays, 76
„ Name of, 19
„ Observer, 1;33, 153. 197, 204
., Proposal to Abandon, 2
Rest House, 185
R. Cath. Church, 622
St. Paul's ^Church, 19, 20, 232
Steamers, 715
„ Temperance Society, 316

Malacca, 637

Malay Boats, 311

Malay Campong, 85

Malay College, 122, 23o

Malay Laws. Code, 183

Mahiy, Officials to pass in, 678

Malay Orthography, 152

Malays and Institution, 131

Malaysia Mtssatfe, 661

Malkin, 229, 232. 237, 240. 319

Man. 535. j547, 612, 781, 787

Miinford, 772

Manjjles, 762

Manila, 66

Mansfield, 708

Maps of Town, 571, 572

Marion, 343

Market, 74, 85, 180, 363

Market Street, 667

Market Street Fire, 209

Marine Yard, 85

Marquess of Huntley, 297

Marryat, Captain. ^81, 307, 329

Marry at. Miss. 329

Marsden, 2 4, 6, 9, 20

Marsliall, o^itJ. 568, 629. 633, 668, 673

Martaban, 706

»»

'»

>»

Index,

xiu

Martia, 270

Martin, A., 208,212, 376

Martin, F. S., 377, 378

Mai-tin, G., 301. ;^1

Martin. John. 380

Martin, M. J., 125. 212. 288, 305, :U8,

37H, 377. 406, 419
Martin. W., 380, 594
Martin, Djce & Co., 298, 381
Martinet, 256
Mnnj Ann, 53

Ma8(>ni<* Hall, 376. 5(>7. 572
Maftfen, 255
Master Attendant. 42
MathfBoi), Sir James. 7(»
Matheson, Rev., 640
Matheson t't Co., 647
Matliilde, 267
Matti, 203
Manduit. 251. 611
Maw, 221
Maxtield, 27. 56
Maxwell. Mercluint. 74. 19S
Maxwell. J. A.. 97. 122, 16«, 193, 203, 341
Maxwell. F.. 731
Maxwell, Sir P. B.. 24(), 631. 675, 720,

785
Maxwell, Rob., 731
Ma>well, W. E., 18, 92, 731
Maxwell & Co., 202
.\femi,hr. 484. 488. 4H9. 5(>7. 649
MedhiirKt, Dr., 214
Melany, 124, 245
Meldrum, Dato. 486, 719
Melville, 343. 344
Memoir of Raffles, 13. 14
Menan^kabow, 21
Menzies. ('apt., 787
Mercantile Bank, 624. 711
Mercantile Houses (18:i3), 232
Merchant's Bnildinj^s. 68. 79
Mercliants. in Official Matters, 107
Mercury. 26, 27, 44
Merewether. 19
Merry weather. 203. 2<>7
Messaj^eries, 695. 712
Messiter, Col , 512
Methven, 70, 76, 166
Meyer, A. O., 299, 351, 534. 629, 772

Meyer V. L., 351, 377

Meyer, E. L.. 299

Middletou, 401, 419. 521. 534

Middleton, (Sai-awak), 648

Middletons & Co.. 401, 534

Middletons, Bliindell A Co., 401,499 5:U

Middleton Harrison & Co.. 401

Middy* 8 Recolleetintm^ A,ijb4

Military in 1819, 60

Military Contribution, 770

Miller, James, 288

Miller, Hugh, 720, 721

Milne. 54, 55, 214

Milnes, Lieut., 217

Milton, Rev., 55, 77, 166, 203, 213. 214. 215

Minto. 2, 3, 13

Minto, 27, 48, 55

Minute. Raffles, 16, 524, 789

Miranda, 186

Missionaries, R. Catholic, 611

Missionaries, 215, 216

Mission Chapel, 210, 230. 276, 292, 295,

572. 640
Mission Etrangeres, 256
Mission Press. 322
Mitchell, J. A., 215
Mahomed Shah, Sultan, 22. 73
Mohr 701

Momfanoo, Prince. 133
Mona, 783
Monastery, 573
Moniot, ;^1, 621, 629
Mo.ik's Hill, 573
Monopoly in Attt'ps, 72
Monsoons, 311, 312, 324. 736
Montatfu, Admiral. ()49, 654
Monteiro, 77
Montj^omerie, 56, 60, 76, 93, 97, 99, 122, 129.

1:30, 145, 166, 185, 193, 201, 275, 305,

315, 320, 333, 376, 398, 401, 406, 636
Monthly Scottish Ma)L^a/ine, 176
Montresor. 722

Moor, 32. 128, 131, 133, 275, 288, 323
Moore, 203
Moorhead, 387
Mooyer, Joh., 351
Mooyer, O., 136
Morei. 364
Morgan, A., 97 166
Morgan, J., 70, 97, 164
Mor^ran. Wm., 380
MorjJ^an <fe Co., 215
Morgans, Hunter & Co.. 202
Morrison, Dr.. 54, 56, 122, 130, 166, 214
Moses, Cptchick, 28:3, 345, :^77. 438, 594

772
Mof5es,"M., 283, 288, :305
Moss, Mark, 503
Mottly, 594

Moule, 429,453, 491. 547
Mount Elizabeth, 406, 446, 449, 573
Mount Emily, 573
Mount Faber, 431, 573
Mount Harriet, 573
Mount Ophir, 574
Mount Palmer, 573
Mount Sophia, 573
Mount Thule, 155
Mount Vicu.ria. 188, 406, 573, 676
Mount Wallich, 57:J
Mount Zion, 573
Muar, 218, 503, 613

idv

Index,

MulhoUand, 381, 751,752

Nicoletts, 648

Mundy, Capt. R.. 454

Niger, 717

Municipal Engineer. 668

Night Watch, 68, 70, 214

Municipal, 196, 376. 547, 610, 613. 625,

671

Nimrod, 343

MurchiBon. 194, 199, 205. 2«»6, 222.

231.

23(>,

Niven, L., 732

273, 302, 307, 314

Noriis. Sir W., 16, 101, 240, 306, 341, 446,

Murders, 213, 472

462

Murray, Capt., 166

NoiTis, G., 454

Murray. James, 233, 7r2

Norris, R. 0., 233, 279, 291. 678. 745

Musical Society, 724

North, 321

Museum, 500

North Bridge Road. 124

Mutiny, Indian, 661

North Western Bank. 627, 673

Myrtle, J., 210, 383, 419, 437

Nutmegs, 59, 185, 360, 405, 623
Nutmeg Estates, 406

Nutmeg Disease, 406, 623

Naning, 21

Naning War, 217, 224

Napier. D. S.. 97, 122, 166. 376

Napier, R.. 203

Napier, W.. 128.129. 130. 1^5. 141. 24.5-

248, 261. 276, 288. 327, 32s 3:«. 370,

376, 377, 3S7, 388, 39m, 399, 409, 419.

437, 439, 467. 486. 4'=^. 490. 493, 604.

638. 649, 744
Napier & Scott, 97, 202. 203, 667
Napoleon. 3
Nassim Hill, 126
Native Infantry Bands, 216
Native States, /2. 219, 421. 4432. 574, 5S4.

768
Native Town. 83
Nfttuna«, 4S2
Naval Brigade, 654
Navy Coal Depot, 704
Naval Hock. 657
Navy House, 378
Navy League Journal, 195
Navy Pay, 681
Naval Station. 4<=*9
Navy, Defence by, 356. 489. 539. 766.

769.770, 777
Nearchus. 26, 27, 44, 52, 56
Neil Road. 656. 667
Nemesif^, 282, 347, 462. 4S4, 601
Netherlands Trading Society, 678
Netley Abbey. 294
Newbold, 18, 20, 273, 314
Newcastle, Duke of, 768, 771 773
Newcome, Captain, 21
New Harbour (Keppel), 493, 495
New Harbour Dock, 692
Newspapers, 153, 38<)
Newton, 719

New Year Sports, 313, 333, 352. 499, 781,
New Year Thieves, 5u6
Nias, 280
Nice, 214
Nicoll, 234, 261, 399, 403, 406, 453, 491, 530,

535, 666, 598, 647, 771

Oaths, Raffles Views, 115

Oliphant. 132

Opfum Farms, 60. 63. 148, 156, 352. 396 619

Opium Junks, 323

Opium Regulations, 70

Opium War, 343

Orang Laut. 29

Orang Outans, 77, 304

Oninge. Prince of. 317

Orchard Road, 406

Oi-chestra, 725, 742

Ord, Governor, 72. 73, 2L9 415. 785, 787, 781

Order in Council, Tninsfer, 780

Organ, 291, 296

Oriental Bank, 451, 499, 506, 647. 702, 711

Ormiston, 624

OrphetiSy 21

Orr. R. W., 215

Oi-ton, 674

O&.uf, 256

Osprey, 787

Outram Road, 656, 667

Overland Route, 204, 230, 304, 331, 416

Owen G. P., 222

Oxley. 77. 128, 129, 130. 219, 220. 222i 288,

304. 313. 315, 316, 385, 393* 403, 406.

454, 491, 535. 558
Oxley Estate, 405, 406

Paeha, 549

Padday, R., 234, 566, 599, 690

Page, 203

Pahang, 56, 199, 574, 681, 687

Pallegoix, 247

Palmer. John, 166, 307

Palmer & Co., 104

Palmers. M. D., & Co., 647

Pan Shoal. 712

Panting, 380

Index.

Papal Nuncio, 255

Paris Exhibition, 613

Paris, Father, 254

Parker. 129

Pai-ochial Hoube. R. C, 245, 252

Parsee Lodge, 4^9

Passage Money, 156, 425, 494, 507, 568, 685

Pass more, 520

Patent Slip, 692

Paterson, A. G., 351

Paterson, W. R., 380, 381, 598

Paterson W. R., & Co., 380

Paterson, W., 136, 233, 549, 561, 658, 680,

694, 755, 768, 771
Paterson A, Co.. 381
Paterson. Simons & Co., 233
Paton,193
Patriat, 256
Patrick, 267
Patriotic Fund, 607
Patton, 203
Patullo, 193
Paulin, 266
Pauper Hospital, 227
Pavilion, 345, 57o, 675
Pawnbrokers Farm, 156
Pawnbrokers, Raffles views, 114
P. Si O. 320, 378, 425, 193, 494. 5o7, 536,
549, 562, 566. 568, 607, 647, 673, 685,
701
Peak Island, 573
Pt-arl, 166
^r t*Hrl •Tanies 27

Pearls' Hill, 353, 412. 430,573, 66ii. 675, 686
Pearl, 6o4, 655, 7^7
Peel, Ca.pt,65I, 654
Pekiiiy 536
Felling, •J03

Penanff, 26, 65, 180, 194, 195, 676
Penal Code, 681
Penang expenses in 1805, 180
Penang GazHte, 153
Penang Hegister, 153
Pennefather, 645
Pepper Duty, 702
Perak , 709, 722
Perak and the Malays, 643
Pereiia, 186. 255, 778
Peres, C. A.. 611
Peres Zapp and Ritterhaus, 611
Perreau, C. 201, 521
Perseus, 713

Personal Rights, Raffles views, 114
Perugia, 100
Peter Simple, 329
Petition, Courts, 222, 226

Piracy, 272

Duties, 303

Agricultural Lands, So^y

Tin Duty, 330

Police, 466

Petition Dutch Treaty of 1824, 466, 484
Currency, 598
Transfer, 755
Phanos, 283
Philpot, Capt., 399
Phlegethon, 440, 479
Photogi-aphy, 400
Picnics by steamer, 308, 309, 628
Pier iu Harbour, 689, 70;i, 704
Pillier, A., 255
Pineapples, 361
Pinigad, 24
Piqu^, 343
Piracy, Chiefs views, 49

European Pirates, 230

Petition, 272

Pralius, 208, 278

Raffles* views, 119
Piracy, 107. 195, 205, 206. 208, 215, 224,
225, 227, 229. 232, 276, 305, 342. 418.
439. 505. 569. 578, 620. 648, 674, 722
Play and Politics, 369, 456, 578, 650
Poisons Sale of, 570
Police. 68. 366, 386, 395, 465, 509
Police Act. 645

Police and Gambling, 3i7, 446
Pontiauak Trade in 18J4, 181
Pontianak Vessels, 324
Pony Race. 370
Pooley, 293
Population, 76, 77, 154, 205, 241, 347, 533,

683
Pork Farm, 78, 150
Port Dues, 638, 699
Porti-aits of Raffles, 16
Portuguese Mission. 270
Portuguese Priest, 164
Portuguese Schools. 271
Postage. 304, 331, 431
PostOffice, 75, 440,609
Powder Magazine, 388
Powell & Co., 283, 643
Poynton. 288, 307
Proctor, Richard, 484
Pratt, Archdeacon, 539
Precedence, 624
Preliminary Articles, 35, 36
Presbyterian Church, 639
Presirrave, 64. 141, 194,198,199, 201,202,

206
Presidencies, 553
Press Act, 656
Prices, Market, 69
Primus in Indis, 682
Prince, 194, 197, 198, 199, 201
Prince of Oi-ange. 317
Prince of Wales, 687
Prince of Wales Gazette, 153
Prince Victor, 650
Princess Royal. 654, 722, 724
Priucep, C, 432

XVI

index.

Princep, C, R. 4/iK 6(>2, (K)3, 606. 718
Princep. JuiiifH, 93
Princep Kstute. 44Kj,r):U
Princep Street, 572, 667
Prlntiii>< Office. 548
Prisoners their own Warders^ ii4r2, 781
PrcHtcsaions, 505
Proclamation. 40. J 11, 553
Pi-ocure House. 255
Procureur. 255
Prophet. 729

Prostitution. Raffles Views, 113
Provence, 695

Public Meeting. Piracy, 277. 620
Gang Ro liberies, 385
Library, 419
Land. 423
Ice, 431

Excise Acts. 507 ,

Dalhonsie Monument, 530
Stamp Tax. 548
Resident .i udge. 560
Light Dues, 565
Rupet* CuiTency. 566. 597
Municipal Act, 632
Currency, 636
Port Dues. 638
Police, 646
Convicts. 660
lnc<»me Tax. 68(»
Bridges, 689
Gambling, 691
Stamp Act, 694

Transfer. 623. tm. 755. 768, 77(», 772
PuMic Spirit 754
Public Work«. 67, 68
Pulo Brani. 494, 704
Pulo Obin. 182
Pulpit. Cathedi-al, 299
Punch, 622. 631
Pungulu Dhol Sye<1.217. 218
Punishments. Raffles' View«, 115
Purcell, 14

PurviM, John, 76. 97, 155, 166. 202, 203,
232, 245, 248, 288. 320, 376. 419,
507, 548. 583, 594, 597, 606, 639, 644,
668, 690, 772
Purvis, John, & Co., 232, 320, 479
Purvis, Captain, 1136
Puttfarcken, 0., 499, 629, 672, 724
Puttfai-cken, Rheiner X Co., 672
Pylade», 344
Pyramid Shoal. 569

Qmen, .343

Queen's Scholarships, 138

Queiros, HS, 70, 76, 166

Quin, 280

Quit-ienton Land. 150

Qualla Soodili, 225
Quartley. 521, 668
Quedah, Invasion of. 118

Rabbit and Coney, 182
Race Ball, ;387
Racehorse, 651
Races, 380, 416, 428
Raebum, 4(»6
Raffles. Chapter 1

Birth 1. Death. 12, 790

Gt>vernor of Java, 3

Knighted, 3

Marriages, 13

AbdulWs Description of, 46

Fame, Burning of, 10

BiK>ks of Life of, 14

Westminster Abbey, 14

Zoological Gardens, 8

Proposed Monuments to, 89, 29

195, 225,496
Chantrey's Bust, 15
Esplanade Statue. 15
Window in Cathedral, 298
Portraits of. 16
Letters. 56, 60, m, 73. 77, 78. lo;

111 to 121, 189,281
Times Actually in Singapore, 14<^i
Departure. 108, 116
Views on Gambling farm, 142, 14;^

Do. piracy, 281
Minute on Institution, 16. 52
789
Raffles, Ljidy, 13, 122
Ella, 9, 10
Rev. Dr., 183
R. B., 33, 34
Sophia, 12
Raffles Bridge, 225
Raffles Club, 439

Raffles Institution, Raffles' Views, 122
Lands given, 123, 126
Ruin, 127

Proposed for Chuixih, 128
Trustees, 1.30
Hillock, 133
Lawsuit, 135
Prize Funds. 136
Extension, 137
Numbers, 137
Library and Museum, 137
Siamese Boys, 137
Failure of Native Education,

137
Girls' School, 138
Name of, 1^9

Index*

xvu

Raffles Institution. Grand Jury present,
570. General 346, 380,454. 714

Raffles liight-honse. 520

Raffles Place, 607

Railway land. 355

Rain. 314, .3:38, 358, 370, 53J>. 020, 085, 735
7.38

Rainbow, 090

Rainford. 4^37

Raja Muda Japhar, 22, 25

Raleigh, 280, 040

Ralfe. 4:3

RambHU. 21. 217

Randell. 415

Ranee. 487

Rap'ul 520. 580, 000

Rappa. G., 1135, 072

Rappa, J., 288

Rats, 53

Rattksnake, S4S

Rautenberg, Schmidt .t Co . 4J»0, 072

Rautenberg. 499, 54tj

RawlinPon. Sir C . 240, 4^>2. 503, 534
025

Rawlinson, Sir R.. 043

Raw8on,Son8 & Co., 047

Rawson, T. S. 2;W

Read. C. R., 05. 70, 97. 155, 100, 2o3, 305.
700, 747

Read, R. B..498, 725. 748. 753

Read. W. H., 10, 17. 18. 29,94, 1135. 130,
145. 203. 201, 279, 297. 324. 367, 387,
38^393. 409. 419,423.431,4:37.4.54,
450. 457, 4S8, 492, 520. 521. 540. 501,
.500, .508, 580, 597, 603, 600. 007, 020.
023. 029, 032, 0;38. 045, 047, 080, 6«2,
091. 093, 094, 705, 729. 743, 744, 746,
747, 748, 708, 770. 774, 778. 782, 787

Reading Room, 347

Real Propei-ty as Chattels, 154, 317

Recorders. 197, 220, 2:30. 240

Red Rover, 324

Red and White Flag Societies, 723

Reeve, 668

Regalia of Johore, 74. 106

R<?gatta, 2:35. 301, 388, 047

Regina v. Willans, 7.30

Registrar of Couit, 00, 6:}8

Registration of Agi'eemcnts. 114

Deeds, Priority, 114

Reith, 640

Reliance, 225

Reme, G. A., 072

Reme & Co., 072

Reme. Leveson & Co., 072

Remedios. 202

Reines, 25:3

Renier, 246

Rent, :357

Representing the Ci\>wn. 785

Resignation of the J. P*8., 633

Reutens, G., 255

Revenue, 354. 451, 501. 532, 580, 770

Rheiner, O., 199, 672, 772

Rhinoceros. 349

Rhio, 21, 26

Rhio Riots, 463

Rhio, Trip to, 315

Rice, 212, :358

Rice Supply. 579

Richardson. P., 380, 771

Rideout, 745

Uiever, 724

Rigg. 637

Riots. 165, 443. 585. 645, 706

Risk, 786

Ritterhaus, 594.611

River, in 1819. 29, bar, 74, dredging, 145,

4J7. steps, 452, mouth, 504
Rivet 254 255

'Roads, Iss.' 212. 363. 334, 398, 464
Robberies in 1821, 70
Robe its, Lord, 653
Robertson, Dr., 350
Kobertson. K. B. S., 381, 602
Robinnon, S.. 672
R')binson, S. K .. 672
Robinson & Co., 672
Robinson, Kev., 152
Robinson. Sir Hercules, 771
Roidiore River, 68
Rochore Street. 123
Rock, The Old, 88
Rodger, A. 234
Rodger, Capt.. 623
Rodger, David, 298, :I81, 623, 726,

772
Rodney, 786

Rodyk, W., 437, 745, 747
Rogers, Sir P.. 775
Rohde, .590

Roman Catholic Chm^^h, 242
Rofnan Catholic Missions, 660, 661
Ro^a, 277

Rose, Dr., 413, 414
Rosemary Hill. 573
Ross, Captain. 28, 41. 43, 484

Do. 787

Ross. Oocos, 662
RosK, J. C, ;{05
Kowell, 411. 413
Royalist. 338, 346, :352
Ruby, 722

Ruinous Houses, 418
Rumbau, 21, 217
Rupee Allen, 599, 636
Rupee CuiTency. 580. 596, 635
Russell, (apt., 484, 594, 635
Russell & Co., 483
Ryan, 166,203
Ryan. Miss. 581
Ryan 8 Hill, 346

xnu

Index.

Sabun Straits, 63

Saffer Ally, 557

Sago, 236

Saigon, 181, 679

Sailors' Home, 546, 578

SalamU, 7S1

Salaries, 59, 193, 206

Salat Road, 667

SalaxeSf 705

Salmon, J. K., 202, 622

Salmond, 73, 74, 79, 166, 484

Salzmann, 742

iSfamaran^, 394, 418, 511

Sambas, 60, 324,

Sames, 628

Sampans, 723

Sandilands, G. M., 672

Sandhurst, 721

Sandy Point, 85, 692

Sant, Jas.. 369

Santos, 370

tSaracerif 688

Sarawak. 352, 37(>, 427, 539, 640, 648, 673

Sai*awak ctmts, 716

Sarawak Pirate Action, 690

Sai-ebas Pirates, 509, 601

Sarkies, A., 283, 345

Sarkies & Moses, 345

Satellite, 536, 787

Saul, 419

Saunders, Mrs., 297

Saunderson, Capt., 520

Savage Club, 725, 749, 750, 752

Savings Bank, 231, 448

Scandal Point, 363, 377

Scbeerder, Jobn, 270

Scbeerder, L. J., 255

Schmidt, A. E., 381, 499, 546, 769

Schmidt, F. G., 499, 546, 594

Scholarships, School, 138, 784

Scholfield G., 233

Schools, Small, 77, 128, 206, 230, 711

Scbreiber, 351,377, 534, 675

Schwabe, 288, 398

Scotch Churcli, 453, 639

Scott, Capt., 743, 744. 746, 748

Scott, C, 68, 97, 122, 128, 166, 667

Scott, LordChas., 650

Scott, Dr, 437, 680, 729, 771, 772

Scott, R., 667

Scott, Thos., 288. 301, 314, 320, 453

Scott, Thos., 660 703, 772, 773, 787

Scott Sir Walter, 395

Scott, William, 10, 193, 307,310, 321, 388,

406 426 437
Scott, W. r', 234. 311, 374,567, 732
Scott, Miss £llen, 321
Scott, W. ^ T., 248

Scott's Hill, 97

Scott's Road, 311, 406

Scout, 692

Scryuigeour. 451, 594, 711, 772

Stab CTio Seali, 151

Seah Eu Chin, 161, 554,563, 576, 773

Scab Te<k See, 717

Seamen*s Hospital, 414

Sebastopol, 624

St'a Serpent, 484,

Sea-wall 539

S^xTet Societies, 213, 365, 502, 537, 54-*.

569, 645, 723
See Boo, 640
Sejara Melayn, 18
Selangor, Rajah, 315
Selegie Road, 534
Sencwa, 707
Seppings, 60
Serangoon Church, 164
Servants, 357
Stsosti'ut, 343
Setb, 301,370
Seth Bi-otbers, 248
Settlemeuts Amalgamate«1, 194. 238
Settlements-Presidencics, 553
Sevnn, 722
Seymour, 477
Sham bier, 521
Shanghai. 379
Shannon, 651. 653, 654
Shaw, W. D., 130, 203, 280, 301, 302, 332
Shaw, W. W., 136, 186. 20^, 539. 647, 778
Shaw, Whitehead & Co., 234. 658
Shelford, T. 233. 299
Sherwood,- 711, 773

Shipping, 71, 79. 240, 355, 391, 723.788
Shoals, Lights on, 569
Short. Ensign, 217
Schuldham, 60
Siak, 637, 664

Siam and Peninsula, 118, 147
Siam & Perak, 709
Siim. Raffles' Views, 121
Siam Ves&els, 324
Siamee, 202
Si Kijang Island, 28
Si manuka Bay, 2o
Simeon, 283
Siuionides, 463. 503
Simons, H. M., 233, 345, 513, 594, 629, 705,

773
Simsou, 437
Singapore, N^ame 18

Flag hoisted, 5, 31

Recognised, 7

In 1811, 20

Position and Scenery, 48

Low's Account in 1840, 355

In 1842, 378

In 1845, 439

Index,

XIX

Sin^aport\ Cmwfiivd's account in 1848

4/2
Rafflt»8' Letters al^out, 5, 0, 8, 9,
35, 48, 55, 56. 60, 66. 67.
7:5, 77, 78. 107, 189
Raffles Views as to Junction

with Penang, 190
Haffies intention in founding.

767
Seat of Government, 226
'^ingapme, 637, 701

SiiHjapnr*' Chronicle. 4. 5, 133, 140, 153,
180, 195, 204, 206, 208, 228, 317.
741
SitKjupore Free Press, 15?, 154, 275, 438,

493, 499
Singapore Free School, 129
Singapoi*e School Society, 128
Si 11 go ra, 147
Siri Farm, 548

Sir Jii8. liroohe, 640, 648, 683
Sit Metnaria, 270
Site for Town, 73
Slater, John, 214
Slavery, 105, 199, 374, 4i(', 449
Slave 'Debtors, 21(>
Slaves sold. 73
Small & Co.. 647
SmalUpox. 330
Smith, Bell & Co., 678
Smith, Sir C. C, 29J)
Smith, Surgeon. 217
Sn.ith. E. M., 715
Smith, John, 214
Smith. J. C, 134, 295, 419, 436, 437. 496.

497, 513, 521
Smith, J. K., 678, 778
Smith, J. N.. 647
Smith, T., 409, 437
Smyth, T. C , 673

Societe des Missions Etrangeres, 256
S. P. C. K., 287
S. P. G., 299, 300
Soda Water, 305
Solomon, Ab]*aham, 311
Solomon, J., 2o3
Somerset, Duchess of, 95
Soil, 358

Sorabjee, 419, 499
Soiherby, 654
South Bridge Road, 212
Southampton, 210, 277
Southern Cross. 629
Spanish Possessions. 767
Sparkes, 507, 546, 521, 561, 568
Spectator, 691
Spice Plants, 198
Spicer, J. G., 672
Spioer & Morrison, 672
Spirit Farm, 156, 429
Spiiefnl, 298

Spottiswoode, A., 743, 744. 746, 747
Spottiawoode, A, J., 193, 233, 275, 280,

439, 499, 594, 599. 620. 632
Spottiswoode, A. T., 608
Spottiswoode, C, 233, 288, 320, 387, 409,

424. 439, 507, 531, 560, 613. 647,

668, 671, 755
Spottiswoode, W., 155, 193, 203. 216, 233,

301, 647
Spottiswoode*s buildings, 711
Spottiswoode & Co.. 287
Spottiswoode & Connolly, 89, 155, 2' 2,233,

377
Square, 236, 274, 471. 568
Sri Menanti, 406, 573, 677
Sree Singapura, 341
St. Andrew's Church. Chapter XXIII.,

286. 621. 686. poetry, 676
St. Andrew's Church Mission, 299
St. Andrew's Day, 275. 306, 320. 347.

398, 439. 494
St. John's Island, 28, 43, 63, 193, 573
St. John. Horace, 437
St. John. Spencer, 485, 491
St. Joseph's Church, 251
S-. Joseph's School, 137, 259
St. Patnck's Day. 729
Stiiehelin & Stahlknecht. 611
Stamp Tax, 548
Stamp Act, 694
Stanton, Capt . 277, 280, 688
Stanley, Lord. 779
Stanley. Hon. H., 723
StatcRman's Year Book, 789
Statue on Esplanade. 15
Steamer Company, 183, 204, 308
Steamers, Ceylon and China. 332
Steamers to Malacca, 389, 416
Steel, John. 261
Steel, J< hn & Co.. 373
Steel. John, 711, 725, 748, 749. 750, 751.

* 752
Stelling. 683

Stelling, Hooglandt & Co.. 683
Stephen, J. 234. 275. 301, 302. :I07. 431,

439. 453
Stephens, Capt., 376, 658
Stephens, P., 283
Stephens, Simons. 301. 377. 499
Stephens and Joaquim. 499
Stephenson, Admiral. 650, 786
Stevenson, Capt., 419
Stewart, G., 377
Stewart, W., 594
Stirling, 629
Sti-aits Asiatic Society's Journal, 29,32.

33, 468
Straits Currency, 596
Straits Messenger, 380
Straits of Malacca, liot dangerous, 701
Straits Settlements Association, 141

Index,

Straits Tim an, 153. 438, 457. 5(K). 001,

605, 671
Sire<?t ligbt«. 155
Stit?ft, uniforuiity of, 84
Streets, uame chan^M. 572. ^^^7
Strike, 644
Strouach, l.U 215
Sturziief^ger, 4'.*})
Suez Canal, 72:H
Sultan Abdul Raliuuui. 22. H5
Sultan Abubakar, 45
Sultan HuRHein, 22, .11. 44. 46, 74. 76.

96. 104. 105, 161. 12i>, 122. 2(H.
Sultan l}>i*ahini, 45
Sultan of J(>li<)i*e, 21. .%
Sultan Mahomed. 22. 7.?
Sumatra PirateR, 215
Sumatra Squallrt. 311
Sunda Sti-aits, 25
Sunday Work. 44>1
Snngei ITjonjif, 21

Suprem«» Court. 1*»4. see (\>urt- Houh^
Survey Dt-jMii-tuH^nt. 19.*], Xr^
Srittie, 787
SijhiHe, 520. 586, 602
SyccB. 627
Syed Aiiubakar. 314
Syed Abdalla, 563, 718
Syed Ahmed al SairofF, 5(m
Syea AH al Junied. 547, 563. 626
Syed Alkoff, 564
>yk^(\ Allow !♦* h1 Junied, .^)64
Syed MaHHim. 565
Syed Moham(>d, 156
Syed Mahomed al Juuiod, 563
Syed Mahomed al Sajjfoff. 5(>5
Syed Omar. 62, 97, 124, 409, 423, 461,

5;V), 563
Syed Yassin, 97

SykeR, Adam, 125. 208. :U8, 376, 377, 3.^8
Svme, Hujrh. 151,193,203
S'vme Si Co., 151, 2i)2, 211. 2^3, 276. 288,

316. 320
SwedVrr, 263
Sweet injr, 2o3
Swettenham. Sir A.. 493
Swimming bath. 732
Swinton, 203

Tailor's Shop, 231

Talisman, 'fhe. 788

Tanioni? Katon^ Plantations. 185, 189,

'39(;
Tanjon^ Malang, 100, 572
Tan Benjf Swee. 413, 576. 620
Tan Hay Sen>?, 27i)
Tan Kim Ching, 411, 530, 576, 620, 644,

703

Tan Kim Seng, 409, 459. 535, 554. m,

685, 737
Tan Kim Swee. 215
'i'an S»»nj,' Poh. 151
Tan To<k Seng. 630, 554
Tan T,K^k Seng s Hospital, a53. 403,Ul

5i»4. 5:W. 564. ^i)8
Tanj^rliu Barnuks, 126, 152
Taujong Kling. 53

Tanjong Pagar Do«-k. 6S.M, 7iKh 7<4, 72H
Ta|>amana. 56
Tavern Stivt-t. (M>7
Teak, .3<a
Tettr iin Atfe>t, «28
Telekrnii»h IjineB. 674, 708. 7^
Telnk Aver Reclamation. 7<>5
Teinperanee. 22»I
Temperance Soei«*tv. 316
Tenipei-atuiv. 312. 7.38. 7:i5» .

Temj>ei*toii. 2n3
Tenv, 296
T»-utonia iMul*. 629
Thaddcuft. 4:J8

ThamcK Pcnnv Stcaniii-K. 70l
TluNitrc, 8k :m. .37t;, 4:il>. 663. 081, 7U
Tlieatri(?als. nee Amateur.
'i'iiievoH at. \*'W Year, 5iM)
I horn. 621

Thomas, C. 202. 2o3, 28s
Thorn 'lit Com//s. 1J»5
Thomson, . I. T.. 12, 18J», 248. 282. :J49. :\Vi.

363. 393. 4.10, 4,37. 453. 510, &c.,."o3,

670. 576. 658
Thomson, T. S. 232

Thoiiisen. Hev. 55, 77. 106, 122. 203,2«m;
Thomwm*^ Bridge. 6;i0
Tliomson. W. J. A: H.. 647
Thompson. Mrs.. 64
ThvsM'U Timmermaii. 52
riberg*'. 2t>6
Tidal observations, 232
Tide, High. 154
Tidman, :^1. 753
Tigei-K. 219. i»its 221, reward ;i38, .342.

IWk :iV2. ;{8<), 391, hunt :W3. 394,

club 407, 449, 501, 54^;, .553. 565.

56(i, 574. Punch 622, 671, Carnie ;<»9.

710
Thnes, Lond«»n. 602. 6o4, 758
Tin AdulU'rated. 305
Tin Export, 330
Tivendale. 294, 487. 496, 497. 6a3. tlo^.

61 »2
Tomlin. J., 214
Tongka. 709
Tonnage Duty, 318
Tonnage Dues, 64<>
Tonze, 701

Town Committee. 80, 8<>. 97
Town Hall, Institution proposed f<»r 128,

608, 612, 668, 687, hi,, size 732, 749

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OR
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■ ■ri i^i

DO NOT REMOVE

OR
MOTILATE CARD