Chef Timothy Ng - Sarawak Conspiracy

"Sarawak Historical Events" 1946-1960 — Compiled By HO AH CHON —

Copyright Ho Ah Chon All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the author.

Printed in Kuching by See Hua Daily N e w s Bhd.

Preface As far as 1952 was concerned, it was an eventful year in the history of Sarawak, unquestionably the most eventful since the cession of the territory to the crown.

One of the last honours bestowed by His Late Majesty King George XI before his death was the conferment of knighthood upon His Excellency the Governor, an honour which was received with pride and satisfaction by people throughout Sarawak. His Excellency was absent from the country on furlough for five months in the middle of the year and during that period the Chief Secretary, Mr. R.G. Aikman, was Officer Administering the Government.

Probably the most important event of the year— at any rate to the citizens of Kuching and Sibu—was the visit in October of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, accompanied by her son the Duke of Kent. This was the first visit of a member of the Royal family to Sarawak. Her Royal Highness arrived in Kuching on the 14th of October from Singapore and with three day's stay she attended many a interesting functions. The Duchess spent most of Thursday, 16th October, at Sibu, flying to and from that town in the Sunderland flying boat which had brought her to Sarawak. The Duchess was welcomed both in Sibu and in Kuching with wholehearted and sincere demonstration of affection and loyalty, and the drive through the brilliantly decorated streets of these towns was a most moving experience for all those who took part in it.In the words of His Excellency the Governor, Her Royal Highness left behind Sarawak a gay and happy memory and a great example of unselfish public service which we will always remember and treasure."

1953 was in Sarawak, most emphatically Coronation Year; a number of other important events occurred but none of these are likely to be as well remembered as the joyful and spontaneous manifestations loyalty throughout the whole country on the occasion of Her Majesty's Coronation. In addition to the services held in churches of all denominations, there were celebrations in towns and villages everywhere, regattas, processions, sports, dancing, dinners and presentations of addresses and sentiments of loyalty to Her Majesty from all classes and races of the community. Some of the gatherings to celebrate the Coronation are shown in photographs in this issue; special mention of any particular event is, perhaps, invidious but those who saw them will long remember the decorations and the great evening procession in Kuching.

Ho Ah Chon BBS,

AMN.

Acknowledgement The compilation of this No. 6 Pictorial Book is the third volume in the series of Kuching during the Third Governor of Sarawak, Sir Anthony Foster Abell.

The illustrations and descriptions of the varies events had been reported through the Sarawak Gazette issued by the Sarawak Government Sarawak By the Week' issued by the Sarawak Information Service, Sarawak Tribune issued by the Sarawak Press Sdn. Bhd. I wish to put on record my sincere thanks to Mr. Au Young Nang Gan for his kind permission in using many of his picturs for the publication of this Pictorial Book.

A.R.P.S.

Ho Ah Chon BBS,

Compiled and edited by HO AH CHON No. 11 Park Lane, Jalan Central Barat, 93300 Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Printed by See Hua Daily News Bhd. Lot 1125, Section 66, Jalan Kemajuan, Kawasan Perindustrian Pending, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

AMN.

CONTENTS Page Clock Tower

1

Administration

3

Pre-war Sarawak, the effects of the war and the events leading up to Cession ....

1946

3-8 8-13

Message from His Highness The Rajah to the people of Sarawak - Cession Day 1st July, 1947 Malay Text Iban Text Chinese Text

14 15

16 17

Installation of The Governor (1st)

18-21

Installation of His Excellency the Governor (2nd)

22-25

Installation of His Excellency the Governor (3rd)

26-29

Installation of His Excellency the Governor (4th)

30-32

The cession of Sarawak to the British Crown - The Anti-Cession Movement Secretariat Circular No.9/1946 The Visit of His Excellency the Governor to Sibu from 5th May to 9th May, 1948 Tour of the Third Division by Their Excellencies the Commissioner-General and the Officer Administering the Government, 1949

33 34-36 37 38-42

His Excellency The Governor, Mr. Duncan George Stewart Visit to Sibu on 3/12/49 H.E. The Governor Flown To Singapore

43 44

Arrests In Sibu, Attack on the Governor - Preliminary Inquiry at Sibu

45-46

Obituary

46-48

Funeral Of His Excellency The Governor

49

The Sibu Murder Trial

50-52

The Sibu Conspiracy Case - Preliminary Inquiry

53-55

L/C Natu Laid To Rest With Military Honours

56-57

Visits of His Excellency the Governor to Sibu and Brunei

58

Visit of His Excellency the Governor to Coastal Districts 1953

59

Governor's Broadcast On The Royal Visit To Sarawak

60-64

Duchess Performs Laying Of Foundation Stone Ceremony

65-66

Sibu Turns Out Thousands To Welcome Royal Visitor, Natives From Rural Areas Join In Loyalty Demonstration H.R.H. Opens New Clinic At Sibu Witness To Stubborn and Courageous Spirit Teach Your Children The Pride and Love Of Your Town.

See That You Stick To This High Standard: Governor Sarawak Representatives Off For The Crowning Big Send-Off At The Airport

67 68-69 70 70

England at Coronation Time by Datu Abang Openg Bin Abang Sapi'ee

71-73

Grand Coronation Tuba Fishing

74

Mass Parade Of School Children

75-79

The Open Air Non Denominational Prayer-Meeting

80-81

The School Children Fancy Dress Competition

82-85

A Most Colourful Pageant

86-88

Coronation Celebrations In Kuching The Coronation Of Queen Elizabeth Trumpets and Guns To Signal Crowning ...

89-94 94-107

The Queen's Birthday Parade

108-111

Happiness Springs From Simple Things - 1955

112-114

Royal Visit

115-118

The Suite of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh

118-119

I - Kuching (Royal Visit)

119-120

The Loyal Addresses

121-123

Prince Philip's Reply

124-126

II-Sibu (Royal Visit)

127-129

III-Miri (Royal Visit)

130-131

The Procession

125-126

Speech by His Excellency the Governor at the Opening of the Council Negri, 21st May, 1951

132-138

His Excellency's Address to Council Negri — 5.5.53

139-146

1

ADMINISTRATION As from the beginning of the year 1957 the w h o l e population of the country, about 600,000, were under the jurisdiction of local authorities except for an area, on the northeast coast between Miri and the Brunei border containing about 15,000 people, the inclusion of whom in an area administered by a local authority has so far not been possible. All local authorities have a dual function: local government within the limits defined in the Local Authority Ordinance and, as electoral colleges, the election of representatives to Divisional Advisory Councils, which in turn elect members of the Council Negeri. In this electoral function three urban councils also elect one representative each direct to the Council Negri. Local authorities are themselves constituted by election.

In 1941, to commemorate the centenary of Brooke rule, His Highness the Rajah granted a Constitution, and in 1946, when Sarawak became a Crown Colony, the Supreme Council and the Council Negri retained the authority granted to them in that Constitution. This gave legislative and financial jurisdiction to the Council Negeri, a body of twenty members of whom fourteen were official members appointed from the Sarawak Civil Service and eleven unofficial, representative of the several peoples of the country and their interests. In addition, there were certain Standing Members — natives of Sarawak who had been members of the Council Negeri immediately before the enactment of the new Constitution Ordinance. The Council had the power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the country, and no public money could be expended or any charge made upon the revenues of the country without the Council's consent. The Constitution also provided for a Supreme Council of not less than five members, of whom a majority should be members of Sarawak Civil Service and of the Council Negri.

All powers conferred upon the Rajah or the Rajah-in-Council by any written law enacted before the date of operation of the Cession of Sarawak to His Majesty were vested in the Governor-in-Council. In the exercise of his powers and duties the Governor consulted with the Supreme Council, except in making appointments to the Supreme Council and in cases

Sarawak is divided for administrative purposes into five Divisions, each in charge of a Resident.

These Divisions are the First Division, with headquarters at Kuching; the Second Division, with headquarters at Simanggang; the Third Division, with headquarters at Sibu; the Fourth Division, with headquarters at Miri; the Fifth Division, with headquarters at Umbang.

Each Division is sub-divided into a number of Districts, administered by District Officers, and most of the Districts into smaller areas or sub-districts each in charge of a member of the Native Officers Service. The District Officers are advised by District Advisory Councils and sometimes Chinese Advisory Boards set up in each District, whilst Residents have the benefit of the advice of Divisional Advisory Councils which meet at frequent intervals at Divisional Headquarters. As far as is practicable, Government attempts to free Residents and District Officers from as much office work as is possible in order that they may tour their areas and maintain the close contact with the people which has always been the keynote of administration.

Progress in local government continued in 1957. Before the war the Native Administration Order was published as a enabling Ordinance to allow the gradual introduction of the people themselves into the administration of their own affairs. This Order contemplated the setting up of village committees to replace the individual chiefs, but the first experiment on these lines did not get very far owing to the outbreak of war and the impossibility of prov i d i n g adequate supervision. In 1947 a scheme was drawn up for the development of Local Government through local authorities with their own treasuries. The Local Authority Ordinance, 1948, forms the basis for the powers of these Authorities, and their revenues are made up of direct taxes, fines, and fees, supplemented by a grant from the central Government calculated according to the number of tax-payers.

Most of the authorities first constituted were established on a racial basis, but this proved to be an unsound foundation, and the pattern on which they are now organised is the M i x e d , o r Inter-racial, Authority, with jurisdiction over people of all races in the area.

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(a) of such nature that, in the Governor judgement, Her Majesty would sustain material p r e j u d i c e by consulting the S u p r e m e Council thereon; or

namely the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary and the Attorney-General, two nominated members and five elected members w h o are elected, nominated or standing members of the Legislative Council. Councils representing the five Administrative Divisions of Sarawak, or Divisional Advisory Councils, as they are designated, elect twenty-one of the twenty-four unofficial members, and the remaining three members are elected by the Kuching Municipal Council, the Sibu Urban District Council and the Miri Urban District Council. To qualify for election as an unofficial m e m b e r a person must be, amongst other things, over twenty-one years of age and a British subject or a British protected person, and must, with certain exceptions, have resided for at least seven out of the last ten years in Sarawak. This Constitution came into force on 1st April, 1957, the day appointed by His Excellency the Governor for this purpose.

(b) of matters in his judgement too unimportant to require their advice; or (c) of matters in his judgement too urgent to admit of their advice being given by the time action might be necessary.

In August 1956 an Order-in-Council was made and Letters Patent and Royal Instructions w e r e promulgated which between them contained a n e w Constitution for Sarawak. It provides for a new legislative body consisting of forty-five members of whom twenty-four are elected unofficials, fourteen are ex-officio, four nominated to represent interests which the Governor considers inadequately represented, and the remaining three are standing members. T h e n e w Supreme or Executive Council consists of three ex-officio members,

Pre-war Sarawak, the effects of the war and the events leading up to Cession It had long been apparent that the oilfields At the outbreak of the war Sarawak had fought its w a y back from the doldrums of the at Miri might be one of the enemy's objectives great slump to a state of comparative affluence and during the t w o months i m m e d i a t e l y for so small a country. Though it was not until preceding the outbreak of war with Japan 1941 that revenue was restored to the 1929 much important machinery was dismantled level, nevertheless r e v e n u e was regularly and removed to Singapore in accordance with e x c e e d i n g expenditure, sums w e r e b e i n g a pre-arranged plan.

During the w e e k succeeding the declaraplaced in reserve to meet future contingencies and social services w e r e being gradually im- tion of w a r by Japan the w e l l s and such proved, though they still fell far below the installations as had not had their machinery removed w e r e blown up by members of the country's needs.

From the very beginning of the war the Sarawak Oilfields staff assisted by a small State g a v e all the assistance possible to the party of Royal Engineers. These persons w e r e A l l i e d War effort. Donations and loans w e r e e v a c u a t e d f r o m M i r i in S/S " L i p i s " and made by the Government to the Imperial Ex- reached Kuching on 14th December, 1941.

T h e European Government Officers and chequer totalling ÂŁ312,000. Local bodies and members of the public contributed generously General Manager of the oilfields remained beto various funds. Local defence forces w e r e hind to help and advise the population and the raised, river patrols and coast watchers w e r e f o r m e r s u r r e n d e r e d w h e n t h e J a p a n e s e organised and, at the request of the British landed early in the morning of 16th December, Government, an aerodrome was constructed, 1941.

On 19th December, Kuching was raided at the cost of which was borne by the State.

Some time before the entry of Japan into about mid-day by seventeen Japanese planes. the war almost all the European w o m e n and On the night of 23rd December, 1941, in con_ sequence of information received to the effect children w e r e sent to Australia for safety.

3

during the short period of Military Administration towards the restoration of normal conditions and the re-establishment of health and other essential services.

In April, 1946, H.H. The Rajah returned and resumed the Government of the country.

He was accompanied by a f e w more of the pre-war European Civil Service, but the serious loss of European personnel by internment, murder and war casualties was a handicap which could not be entirely overcome and which will, in fact, be felt for some time to come.

The rest of the year 1946 brought steady improvement in the life of the country in all its aspects. The foundations of the future were laid and reconstruction, though handicapped by shortage of staff and material, was begun.

Health and morale immediately began to improve but the mental and physical deterioration caused by the long enemy occupation was such that some time must elapse before it can be completely overcome. A serious w a v e of crime, mainly theft and robbery, marked the beginning of the year 1946 but was slowly but surely quelled.

Until November, 1941, relations between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and Sarawak w e r e g o v e r n e d by the Agreement concluded with Rajah Brooke in 1888, which placed Sarawak under the protection of the United Kingdom. This Agreement vested in the British Government the power of decision in any question arising in respect of the right of succession to the Raj, and control of Sarawak's foreign relations. It accorded mostfavoured-nation treatment to British subjects, commerce and shipping, and provided that the Rajah and his successors should not make any cession or other alienation of any part of Sarawak territory to any foreign State or subjects w i t h o u t the consent of the British Government. Under this A g r e e m e n t , His Majesty possessed no jurisdiction in Sarawak, and the formal powers and rights of control of H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t w e r e strictly limited.

In the years between the two World Wars it became increasingly apparent that the Agreement of 1888 w a s inconsistent w i t h His Majesty's Government's responsibilities for S a r a w a k , and on s e v e r a l occasions His Majesty's Government proposed inviting the Sarawak Government to consider a revision of the existing Agreement, but in the event on each occasion circumstances necessitated the

that a Japanese fleet was in passage from Miri towards Kuching, the airfield was blown up and parts of various ships and launches were removed in order to deny their use to the enemy. The 2/15 Punjabi Regiment together with units of the Sarawak Constabulary and Sarawak Rangers were concentrated near the airfield but, on it becoming apparent that the Japanese w e r e landing large forces at Kuching, these troops comprising the Kuching garrison retired on Bau and the Dutch border.

A Company was left behind at the seventh mile and fought a delaying action with the Japanese until surrounded on 25th December.

T h e first J a p a n e s e troops a r r i v e d in Kuching at about- 4 p.m. on 24th December and by noon on Christmas Day several thousand men had been landed and, for all practical purposes, the conquest of Sarawak was complete.

From then on until the liberation in September, 1945 conditions throughout the country deteriorated with gathering momentum.

In the matter of devastation Sarawak may perhaps be considered lucky in comparison with her neighbour North Borneo. Extensive damage was done in the north during the reoccupation by the Australian forces and by air attack. In the Third Division, particularly in the areas bordering the Rejang river, damage was caused during the guerilla fighting, but in the First and Second Divisions property suffered little damage.

As is usually the case the hardships suffered in the towns during the long period of occupation were generally much more severe than i n the v i l l a g e areas. T h i s a p p l i e d particularly to Kuching where there was a large Japanese garrison, with Military Police playing the role that has brought Japanese occupation forces into contempt and hatred everywhere. It was not until September, 1945, that the Australian Forces landed in Kuching and purged the town. The administration was handed over by them to the "British Military Administration" in November.

The difficulties that faced the Military Administration were serious, lack of trained officers b e i n g not the least important, but Sarawak was fortunate in that a f e w experienced officers of the Sarawak Civil Service were serving in the unit. This gave confidence to the people who were not unnaturally in a state of mind which was ready to be suspicious of anything new. Good progress was made

4

postponement of a formal approach to the Rajah were thenceforth to be exercised by the Rajah acting with the advice and consent of Sarawak authorities.

After the outbreak of the late war the late the Supreme Council, whilst all legislative and Lord Moyne, at the time Secretary of State for budgetary power was vested in the Rajah the Colonies, addressed an official despatch in acting with the advice and consent of the March, 1941 to the British Agent for Sarawak Council Negri.

The negotiations between the Sarawak on this subject. Lord Moyne stated that, after considering his position as the person charged G o v e r n m e n t and the British A g e n t f o r with the responsibility of representing the Pro- Sarawak in 1941 resulted in the conclusion in tecting Power in regard to Sarawak, he had November of that year of a Supplementary come to the conclusion that the limits imposed Agreement between His Majesty's Governby the Agreement of 1888 were unduly restric- ment and the Government of Sarawak. This tive in present times, and that they prevented Agreement provided for the appointment of a the Secretary of State for the Colonies from British Representative whose advice had to be providing himself either with the requisite sought and acted upon on all matters affecting information about affairs in Sarawak, or with Sarawak's foreign relations or the rights and the necessary authority and influence to help status of foreign nationals, and on all matters and direct the State administration towards of defence. His services were to be available the higher standards which w e r e b e i n g for consultation and he was to be entitled to achieved in Colonies and Protectorates else- offer his opinion on matters touching the where. The British Agent was therefore in- general administration of the State. He was to structed to seek the consent of the Rajah to the have access to state documents and records conclusion of a supplementary formal Agree- concerning matters in respect of which his adm e n t w i t h H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t , vice was sought, and to have the right to providing for the acceptance of a British Resi- attend, but not to vote, at meetings of the Sudent Adviser. The British Agent for Sarawak preme Council when such matters were being . accordingly entered into negotiations with the discussed. He was to have the right to attend, but not to vote, at all meetings of the Council Government of that territory to this end.

Negri. But in the event there was no time to In September 1941, whilst these negotiaappoint a British Representative under this tions were in progress, the Rajah enacted a Agreement before Sarawak was overrun by Constitution to mark the Centenary of the rule the Japanese. of the White Rajahs. Previously the internal constitution of the State had been in theory an When Sarawak was invaded the Rajah was absolute monarchy (the Constitution Order in Australia. His original intention was to refers to "Our will and intention to commemo- continue the administration of Sarawak affairs rate this centenary year .... by terminating for from Australia, but in April of 1942, with the ever the era of autocratic rule which has so far concurrence of His Majesty's Government, he characterised our government ...."). In prac- appointed instead a Sarawak Commission in tice there had come to be associated with the London, under the Chairmanship of his Rajah, as the Supreme Head of the State and brother, the Tuan Muda, to be responsible to the sole legislative and financial authority, va- the Rajah for the control and administration of rious bodies with more or less loosely defined Sarawak funds, and to safeguard Sarawak's functions. Amongst these were the Supreme interests. The Commissioners were selected Council, established in 1855, and the Council by the Rajah and held their appointments at N e g r i , established in 1867. T h e Supreme his pleasure.

Council had ceased to hold formal meetings In 1943 and 1944 His Majesty's Governsince 1927, and the practice of the Council ment again reviewed the question of AngloNegri had been to meet every two or three Sarawak relations, as part of their general years to hear an address from the Rajah on the survey of the future of the British territories in progress of the State since the last meeting, South East Asia for which the Secretary of The Constitution of 1941 however vested in State for the Colonies is responsible. In the the Supreme Council and Council N e g r i case of Sarawak they concluded that a fresh powers approximately equivalent, respective- Agreement was desirable in order that His ly, to those of the Executive and Legislative Majesty's Government should be in a position Councils of normal colonial constitutions. to discharge its responsibilities in respect of Generally speaking, the prerogatives of the the territory.

5

The Rajah did not in fact form a n e w "government," but soon after informed the Secretary of State that, having given further study to the proposals, he had come to the conclusion that they did not go far enough. He expressed the view that the continuance of the White Raj was no longer wise or expedient, and stated that he had in mind the cession of the territory to His Majesty in the interests of the native inhabitants themselves.

The Rajah expressed the wish to consult certain of his principal native counsellors in regard to his proposal for the future of his territory, through the intermediary of his personal private secretary, before making any definite proposal to His Majesty's Government.

Arrangements were accordingly made for his personal private secretary to visit Sarawak, which was then being administered by the Australian military authorities, accompanied by a senior official of the Colonial Service acting as the Secretary of State's observer.

These consultations took place in January, 1946. Although they took the form of meetings of the Sarawak State Councils, the Rajah decided that they should nevertheless be regarded only as exploratory discussions. The resolutions passed at those meetings were not therefore gazetted, and were not regarded as constituting in any sense formal or final agreement of the Councils to the Rajah's proposal.

With these and other indications of local opinion, however, the Rajah felt able to make a definite proposal for the cession of his territory to the British Crown. His Majesty's Government informed the Rajah that this proposal would be acceptable to themselves, provided it was agreed to by the Sarawak State Councils upon the Rajah's return to the territory, and subject to the necessary legal and constitutional measures being taken.

Subsequently doubts were expressed in the House of Commons as to whether the Sarawak State Councils, as constituted, were sufficiently representative to ensure that the views of the inhabitants of the territory would be properly reflected in their decisions on this important question. In agreement with the Rajah, therefore, arrangements were made for Lt. Col. D.R. Rees Williams, M.P. (Labour) and Capt. L.D. Gammans, M.P. (Unionist) to visit Sarawak, to undertake an informal but independent enquiry on behalf of His Majesty's Government for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not the Rajah's proposal was broadly acceptable to the native communities

In the summer of 1944 the Secretary of State for the Colonies communicated to the Rajah His Majesty's Government's view that the existing Agreements did not sufficiently provide them with the means of discharging to the full their responsibilities for the policies to be followed in Sarawak's future political, social and economic development, and proposed that discussions should be opened with a view to clarifying the lines on which AngloSarawak relations should develop in the postwar period. At the Rajah's suggestion a preliminary discussion was held at the Colonial Office in October, 1944 at which the Rajah was represented by his brother the Tuan Muda.

Later the Rajah informed the Secretary of state that his brother had for reasons of health asked to be relieved of his office as Chairman of the Sarawak Government Commission, and that after consulting his brother and the Commission he had d e c i d e d to appoint his nephew, the Rajah Muda, to administer the Government with the advice of the Commission, thus constituting a "Provisional Government of Sarawak" with full powers.

His Majesty's Government were advised that they should not accord formal recognition to this body, and did not in fact do so. Its members were therefore regarded merely as the Rajah's representatives for the purpose of continuing the discussions already opened with Captain Bertram Brooke.

Discussions were eventually opened with members of the "Provisional Government of Sarawak" during the first half of 1945. It was made clear that it was not the intention of His Majesty's Government to ask the Government of Sarawak to enter into a binding agreement at that stage, but that they wished to undertake the necessary preparatory work to seek a formula which would be acceptable to both sides and could be embodied in a further Agreement to be negotiated with the Sarawak Government after its restoration in the territory.

The talks had not progressed very far when the Rajah announced that, consequent upon the conclusion of hostilities in the Far East and the liberation of Sarawak, he had decided to re-assume his powers and prerogatives under the 1941 Constitution, thus terminating the appointment of his nephew as "Officer Administering the Government" and also the functions of the "Provisional Government" itself, which the Rajah dismissed.

6

Malayan Union. Sarawak subjects would become British subjects. The cardinal principles set out in the 1941 Constitution are in general in accord with those Which govern the administration of other parts of the Colonial Empire. The Constitution of 1941 would be continued in the first place subject to such amendments as are necessitated by cession. But it would be necessary quite soon to introduce other changes (in particular to provide for the Royal Assent to legislation and for His Majesty's power of disallowance) in order to adapt the Constitution to the n e w status of Sarawak as part of His Majesty's dominions. As a preliminary to that the Governor of Sarawak would be asked too into the whole constitutional .question with the representatives of the communities and other persons concerned on the spot, with a view to recommending what steps should be taken, at the time when these changes are made, to associate the people of Sarawak with its government and administration on a basis as broadly representative as conditions permit. It is hoped in this way to secure the maximum progressive constitutional development. In all legislative and administrative measures the fullest regard would be paid to the religions and existing rights and customs of the various communities. There is no intention of exploiting the people of the country or its resources, and among the most important objectives would be rehabilitation, improvement of social services and communications, and controlled development of trade and resources with a view to raising the standard of living of the inhabitants."

On 1st July, 1946, His Excellency the Governor-General of Malaya, Mr Malcolm MacDonald, installed Mr C.W. Dawson as Acting Governor of Sarawak. In his inaugural address Mr Dawson made it clear that the change of Government would not, as had been rumoured, be the signal for drastic changes in the customs of the people at large. This statement and the subsequent conduct of public affairs did much to restore confidence.

as a whole. The Rajah, accompanied by a Senior official of the Colonial Service who had been appointed to act as the British Representative under the 1941 Agreement, and by a Colonial Office Legal Adviser, arrived in the territory to resume his administration from the military authorities on the 15th April, 1946.

The two Members of Parliament arrived in Sarawak on the 2nd May. After an initial public meeting in Kuching with representatives of all communities on the 3rd May, the two Members of Parliament set out on tour.

Public meetings were held with representatives of the various communities in several centres.

T h e two M e m b e r s reported to His Majesty's Government their conclusion that there was sufficient acquiescent or favourable opinion in the country as a whole to justify the question of cession being brought before the Council Negri of Sarawak, and they strongly urged that there should be no postponement of that action. After considering this report His Majesty's Government informed the Rajah that, in view of the conclusion reached by the two Members of Parliament, His Majesty's Government were able to confirm that the cession would be acceptable to them provided the Sarawak Councils passed the necessary legal and constitutional measures.

T h e Cession Bill was accordingly submitted to the Council Negri on the 15th May, and on the 17th M a y was passed by 19 votes to 16. The Instrument of Cession was executed by the Rajah and the Supreme Council, and by the British Representative on behalf of His Majesty, in Kuching on the 21st May. His Majesty's Order in Council bringing that Instrument into force as from the 1st July was made on the 26th June. Sarawak thus became a Colony on the 1st July, 1946.

On the 9th May, previous to the Council Negri Meeting in response to a request from the native communities in Sarawak for a statement of His Majesty's Government's policy in the event of the cession of the territory, supported by a recommendation from the two Members of Parliament that such a statement should be issued, His Majesty's Government authorised the Rajah to make the following official statement on their behalf:-

Sir Chalres N o b l e Arden Clarke, Kt., C.M.G., was installed as Governor and Commander-in-Chief in October, 1946, and on December 2nd addressed a meeting of the Council Negri. This was the first meeting of

" I n the event of cession Sarawak would become a Colony and would be administered generally on the same lines as other Colonies within the British Empire. It w o u l d not form part of the

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The supply position showed steady improvement, but the need to grow more food, particularly rice, was still paramount.

Mr C.W. Dawson, as Acting Governor, had visited many of the outstations and the Governor at once started on an extensive programme of tours covering the whole country.

As the whole basis of Brooke Administration had been unceasing personal contact with the people by the Rajah himself and all his administrative officers the reassurance provided by this proof of the intention of the 'Government to keep in touch with the people had an excellent effect and allayed the fears that the new administration would be impersonal and remote.

the Council to be held since Sarawak became a Crown Colony.

After touching on the past history of the Council, the Governor pointed out that the e v e n t u a l aim o f C o l o n i a l p o l i c y w a s s e l f - g o v e r n m e n t and that this would be achieved all the sooner by mutual trust and co-operation between the various races and between the people and their Government.

The basis of representation in the Council would be broadened, but changes would only be introduced after full consultation with the people and with the advice and consent of the Council. His Excellency pointed out how timely was the grant of $5,000,000 from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund, which would serve to start the task of development.

Kuching town as seen from Thompson Road in 1952.

1946 1946, the first year of peace, has departed to its fathers. Its birth found Sarawak still in the throes of the military administration, and it is difficult for those of us who were not in the country at the time to assess fairly the duty that was done and the work that was accomplished. "The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interr'd with their bones." So let it be with the B.M.A. The difficulties of that first attempt at recovery and

rehabilitation must have been enormous, and the civil government owes a great debt of gratitude to its predecessor for the conditions of comparative calm under which it resumed the helm. Sarawak is a difficult enough country to understand and administer even to those who have spent years on the job, and to complete newcomers, to whom the people were strange and the language incomprehensible, it must indeed have seemed a formidable under-

8

necessary to stop the distribution of milk in such cases and the demand for birth certificates closed down as suddenly as it had begun.

This story lifts only one small corner of the curtain. No other information has come to hand concerning the hectic early months of the year. On April 15th His Highness the Rajah arrived in Kuching and on the following day the civil authorities took over from the military administration. His Highness was accompanied by a f e w officers who thus joined their colleagues, now released from the control of senior army officers who inevitably knew less, both about Sarawak and about the government of backward peoples, than these trained subordinates. Little by little other members of the service trickled back, some after, demobilisation from the forces and others after recuperating from a long period of internment. Familiar figures arrived on practically every boat and plane, but as they came back the gaps that the war has left became more apparent. The proportion of officers of the Sarawak Civil Service, who in one way or another lost their lives since the day the Japanese landed in Kuching, is probably almost as high as that of any similar body of men in the world. It is believed that one-third is not a very inaccurate estimate. Those who returned did not find Kuching very different.

taking. Some of the officers were of course members of the Civil Service; a few, who were not, have since been given appointments; and, while it is impossible to regret the disappearance of certain names now only too familiar, the majority carried out a difficult task with determination, and on the whole carried it out well.

One event during the military regime must not be allowed to pass unrecorded. Early in December, 1945, an application was received in the Legal Office, Kuching, for registration of a birth which had occurred some twelve months previously. In these circumstances it has been the practice to require an affidavit and within a f e w days several applicants appeared. By the new year there were forty women in the office every day, each carrying a baby and generally accompanied by several other children. To cope with the work it became necessary to print urgently one thousand affidavit forms. These were rapidly exhausted and another thousand w e r e obtained. To cope with the noise a special office had to be opened. It soon came to light that with the aid of a birth certificate milk could be obtained at the Supply Depot. A rush of work was caused at the Depot and great concern as to the adequacy of the supply. In several instances the father collected the milk and sold it on the black-market. In the end it was

Main Bazaar along the Sarawak River as appeared in 1950.

9

Astana.

Kuching: the residence of His Excellency the Governor,

an formerly of His Highness the Rajah.

the a p p o i n t m e n t of a G o v e r n o r . On O c t o b e r 28th Sir C h a r l e s N o b l e A r d e n C l a r k e , C . M . G . , arrived in Kuching and took the oaths as G o v e r n o r a n d C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f o f Saraw a k on the following day.

O n e of t h e most i m p o r t a n t i n n o v a t i o n s w a s a d a i l y p a p e r iri English, the Sarawak Tribune, w h i c h r e p r e s e n t s a d e f i n i t e i m p r o v e m e n t in local amenities.

I n M a y the C o u n c i l N e g r i m e t a n d t h e e y e s of a c o n s i d e r a b l e part of the w o r l d a p p e a r e d to be f o c u s s e d on its p r o c e e d i n g s . It m a d e p r o v i s i o n f o r the p u b l i c s e r v i c e for the rem a i n d e r of the y e a r ; p a s s e d the n e c e s s a r y a n d c o n v e n t i o n a l i n d e m n i t y l a w ; a d o p t e d certain m i l i t a r y p r o c l a m a t i o n s ; a n d authorised the p a y m e n t of m o n e y to d e p e n d a n t s of the R a j a h a n d other persons; but all this w o r k w a s o v e r s h a d o w e d b y the Bill e m p o w e r i n g H i s H i g h ness t o c e d e S a r a w a k t o the British C r o w n .

T h i s Bill w a s p a s s e d b y a n a r r o w m a j o r i t y , a n d His Highness, together with His M a j e s t y ' s accredited representative, forthwith signed an i n s t r u m e n t of cession. On July 1st S a r a w a k b e c a m e a C r o w n Colony by Order-in-Council i m p l e m e n t i n g that a g r e e m e n t , a n d a n imp r e s s i v e c e r e m o n y a t t e n d e d b y His Exc e l l e n c y the G o v e r n o r - G e n e r a l , M r M a l c o l m M a c D o n a l d , took p l a c e in K u c h i n g on that d a y . T h e f o r m e r British R e p r e s e n t a t i v e a p p o i n t e d u n d e r the 1941 treaty, M r C . W .

D a w s o n , b e c a m e C h i e f S e c r e t a r y , and, b y virtue of a d o r m a n t commission, a s s u m e d the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f the g o v e r n m e n t p e n d i n g

It is to be r e g r e t t e d that no r e v i e w of t h e y e a r 1946 w o u l d b e c o m p l e t e w i t h o u t s o m e a c c o u n t o f the cession c o n t r o v e r s y w h i c h c o n t i n u e d i n v a r y i n g d e g r e e s until the e n d . T h e f i r e w a s lit a n d the f l a m e s w e r e f a n n e d outside Sarawak. Repeated reference is m a d e by M r A n t h o n y B r o o k e a n d his f r i d n d s i n t h e Malay

National

Union

and

the

Dayak

A s s o c i a t i o n , but o n l y t h e f o l l o w i n g w o u l d contend

that the f o r m e r

represents

the

M a l a y s a n d o n l y the i g n o r a n t c a n b e l i e v e that the latter represents the D a y a k s .

If Mr.

B r o o k e ' s o b j e c t h a d b e e n t o retard r e h a b i l i t a tion in this country, and to w a s t e t h e t i m e a n d e n e r g i e s of a d e p l e t e d staff of G o v e r n m e n t servants,

his

agitation

might have

been

u n d e r s t o o d . I t i s t h o u g h t h o w e v e r that h e himself is sincere, a l t h o u g h t h e s a m e c a n n o t be said of s o m e of his supporters, s p o k e s m e n , and satellites, w h o had hitherto r e f r a i n e d f r o m r e v e a l i n g their d e e p concern for the liberty of d e p e n d e n t peoples, and w h o s e m o t i v e s are a p p a r e n t t o the least d i s c e r n i n g . O n e is e q u a l l y astonished at the r e a s o n i n g w h i c h

10

The Fort Margarita

e q u a t e s " i n d e p e n d e n c e " t o the p e r s o n a l rule

destruction had b e e n occasioned by the w a r

of a British subject, at the s h a m e l e s s chatter of

than

e d i t o r s a n d politicians, w h o h a v e n e v e r b e e n

p a r t i c u l a r l y malaria, w a s r a m p a n t ;

e l s e w h e r e in the

Colony.

Disease,

i n t h e c o u n t r y a n d w o u l d not k n o w h o w t o

e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e U l u B a r a m , w e r e short o f

c o n d u c t t h e m s e l v e s i f t h e y a r r i v e d here, a n d

f o o d ; t h e n e m e r o u s b o m b craters i n Bintulu

natives,

at the self-complacency of Mr Brooke, w h o

District w e r e not f i l l e d in; a n d t o t h e s e w o e s

a p p e a r s t o t h i n k that m o s t o f S a r a w a k i s

w a s a d d e d t h e destruction o f M a r u d i b a z a a r

n i g h t l y d r i n k i n g a toast, in o r a n g e a d e a n d

b y f i r e i n t h e m i d d l e o f the y e a r . O n t h e other

luak, to t h e r a j a h let across the w a t e r . T h i s h e i r

h a n d , a s far a s prices a n d s u p p l i e s w e r e c o n -

p r e s u m p t u o u s is in d a n g e r of c o n f u s i n g the

c e r n e d . Bintulu a p p e a r e d t o b e w e l l i n t h e

d i v i n e w i l l o f the h e a v e n l y f a t h e r w i t h the

v a n g u a r d of recovery. Bad health and mal-

" p o l i t i c a l w i l l " o f a n earthly g r a n d s i r e . M a n y

nutrition w e r e c o m m o n all " o v e r t h e C o l o n y

S a r a w a k officers served for some years as

a n d District O f f i c e r s c o n t i n u a l l y c o m p l a i n e d

colleagues of Mr Brooke. T h e y k n o w him as a

o f the s h o r t a g e o f m e d i c i n e s . O t h e r c o m m o -

l i k e a b l e f e l l o w , but t h e y also k n o w the c o u n -

dities, the a b s e n c e o f w h i c h , w a s s e v e r e l y felt,

try w e l l e n o u g h to r e c o g n i s e his claims a n d his

w e r e g u n s a n d c a r t r i d g e s ; the d e p r e d a t i o n s o f

p r e t e n s i o n s f o r t h e t w a d d l e that t h e y are. O n

m o n k e y s and pigs causing great d a m a g e to

D e c e m b e r 13th the C h i e f S e c r e t a r y i s s u e d a n

p a d i crops.

o r d e r p r o h i b i t i n g t h e entry o f this e f f e r v e s c e n t

Agriculture indeed loomed large in the

e m a n c i p a t o r into the C o l o n y . T h e r e the m a t -

e c o n o m y o f the C o l o n y . T h e p r e - w a r s c h e m e s

ter r e s t e d at t h e e n d of the y e a r .

w e r e p u s h e d o n a s far a s f i n a n c i a l s t r i n g e n c y

I t i s w i t h relief that w e turn f r o m t h e s e

p e r m i t t e d a n d the A g r i c u l t u r a l D e p a r t m e n t

B o n n i e P r i n c e C h a r l i e futilities to the r e a l l y

i n c r e a s e d in stature as t h e y e a r p r o g r e s s e d . Its

i m p o r t a n t m a t t e r s of the latter half of t h e y e a r .

activities w e r e d i v i d e d b e t w e e n the d e v e l o p -

T h e p o s i t i o n w i t h r e g a r d t o essential c o m m o -

m e n t o f t h e l a r g e - s c a l e p r o j e c t s , t h e distribu-

d i t i e s g r a d u a l l y i m p r o v e d and t h e r e w a s a

tion of p r o p a g a n d a d e s i g n e d to e x p a n d pro-

s l i g h t r e d u c t i o n in the cost of l i v i n g in m o s t

ductivity and e n c o u r a g e e v e r y o n e to plant

Districts. T h e hardest hit D i v i s i o n w a s p r o -

food, and the rendering of practical help to

b a b l y the Fourth w h e r e rather m o r e p h y s i c a l

f a r m e r s a n d a m a t e u r cultivators. It is not o n l y

11

Thompson Road along Sarawak River.

glaries in Kuching w e r e frequent, but they almost ceased in the last two months of the year. This was possibly due to the arrest of a Labuan Malay who admitted to being concerned in two cases. He was placed on probation, and this leniency does not appear to have been attended with untoward consequences.

After the Kuching burglaries ceased a similar outbreak began in Mukah, but this seemed to have been terminated by the arrest of a Malay woman. A distressing feature of the "crime w a v e " , if it can be properly so called, was Ihe high proportion of youthful offenders. It is difficult to deal with these in the absence of any reformatory or industrial' school, but a. convenient expedient has been found by sending those convicted on serious charges to work on agricultural stations. The success of this experiment depends on the maximum amount of co-operation between the department and the boy. The assistance of the former is never failing, but in some instances the attitude of the culprit has resulted in his being sent to prison after all. In Kuching children have been prominent amongst the principal perpetrators of minor nuisances, notably in conducting small-scale black-market activi-

the exintemees w h o are now more competent at swinging a changkol than they were in 1941.

The work of this important department culminated in the Kuching Show in December which is dealt with elsewhere. Engkabang flowered and fruited profusely, but until towards the end of the year it appeared that the uncertainties of the market would once again render this crop less profitable than it ought to be. Arrangements were, however, then made for purchase by the agents of the British Ministry of Food at the price of $16.20 per picul ex-ship's side, Singapore, for minimum quantities of twenty tons. It remained to be seen how far the Sarawak producers and dealers would take advantage of this good fortune.

C r i m e c a n n o t b e said t o h a v e b e e n non-existent, but Sarawak can congratulate herself that it was less serious than might reasonably have been expected. Armed robbery was extremely rare but once Chinese fired at the Sibu police, who were attempting to arrest him, in November, and was shot dead in return. Bau District was in an unsettled condition, but this neighbourhood has always sheltered more than its fair proportion of antisocial elements. Until about October bur-

12

ties a n d i n g a m b l i n g o n t h e f i v e - f o o t w a y .

that f a c i l i t i e s w i l l b e ' a v a i l a b l e f o r t h e e n -

T h e r e w a s n o D a y a k " t r o u b l e " i n the f a m i -

c o u r a g e m e n t a n d g u i d a n c e o f this m o v e m e n t .

liar s e n s e d u r i n g t h e y e a r a l t h o u g h v a r i o u s

It is not e n t i r e l y to be r e g r e t t e d that a M a l a y

u n f o u n d e d rumours c a u s e d m i n o r stirs f r o m

s h o p w i l l p r o b a b l y a l w a y s b e a rarity, but

t i m e t o t i m e , a n d f e e l i n g b e t w e e n the n a t i v e s

m a n y m e m b e r s o f that r a c e are a s e a g e r a s

and

the

Chinese

in

the

upper

Rejang

o t h e r i n d i g e n o u s p e o p l e s t o r e a p t h e fruits o f

appeared to be getting more and more exa-

m o d e r n l e a r n i n g a n d culture, a n d t o t a k e their

c e r b a t e d . It is to be h o p e d that the r e c e n t visit

p a r t i n t h e p r o g r e s s o f the nations. T h e r e l u c -

o f t h e C h i n e s e C o n s u l - G e n e r a l has h e l p e d t o

tance of s o m e to look ahead instead of over

r e s t o r e h a r m o n y i n that area. T h e C o l o n y w a s

t h e i r s h o u l d e r s can b e u n d e r s t o o d but i t must

little d i s t u r b e d by l a b o u r disputes but a s e -

b e a l l o w e d t o r e t a r d the a d v a n c e o f others.

rious strike o c c u r r e d i n M i r i i n A u g u s t a n d

T h e interest that the n e w authorities t a k e in t h e w e l f a r e of all races, their r e p e a t e d assur a n c e s that t h e r e w i l l b e n o drastic i n n o v a tions w i t h o u t prior consultation w i t h the rep r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e p e o p l e , a n d their o b v i o u s d e s i r e to listen to s u g g e s t i o n s a n d r e q u e s t s a n d r e n d e r e v e r y assistance i n their p o w e r , h a v e m a d e a d e e p impression. His Excellency t h e G o v e r n o r - G e n e r a l has v i s i t e d K u c h i n g o n several occasions and in A u g u s t he m a d e a m o s t s u c c e s s f u l a n d p o p u l a r tour of the outstations. T h e O f f i c e r A d m i n i s t e r i n g the G o v e r n m e n t , M r C . W . D a w s o n , also v i s i t e d o t h e r parts of the C o l o n y in O c t o b e r , a n d in N o v e m b e r H i s E x c e l l e n c y the G o v e r n o r w h o h a d o n l y just a r r i v e d i n the country, v i s i t e d Miri, Sibu and S i m a n g g a n g . T h e a g e - o l d c o m p l a i n t that K u c h i n g g o t all the attention a n d n e a r l y all t h e m o n e y l o o k s as if it is g o i n g t o l o s e its substance. A t t h e turn o f t h e y e a r t h e C o l o n y s q u a r e d its shoulders, b r u s h e d a w a y the irritating gnats, took up the burdens w h i c h a r e s o m u c h l i g h t e r than t h e y w e r e t w e l v e m o n t h s a g o , a n d s t r o d e out h o p e f u l l y a n d c o n f i d e n t l y a l o n g the p a t h l e a d i n g t o t h e future.

S e p t e m b e r . A particularly n o t i c e a b l e f e a t u r e o f t h e y e a r w a s the n u m b e r o f n e w s o c i e t i e s that w e r e r e g i s t e r e d , a n d it is p r o b a b l e that a p r o p o r t i o n of t h e s e w i l l h a v e to transfer to the r e g i s t e r o f t r a d e unions w h e n the a p p r o p r i a t e l e g i s l a t i o n is p a s s e d .

T h e C h i n e s e a n d the u p - r i v e r r a c e s s e e m t o b e r e c o v e r i n g f r o m the c o m a t o s i t y i n d u c e d b y the y e a r s o f o c c u p a t i o n rather q u i c k e r than t h e M a l a y s . Particularly i n the f i e l d o f e d u c a tion the latter w e r e b e i n g l e f t b e h i n d . T h e proportion of Chinese

children attending

s c h o o l is far a b o v e that of a n y other race, b u t the most b a c k w a r d p e o p l e s h a v e recently e v i n c e d a n u r g e n t d e s i r e f o r the e d u c a t i o n o f t h e i r c h i l d r e n a n d schools h a v e b e e n started amongst the Kenyahs, Kayans, and Kelabits.

T h e S e a D a y a k s h a v e o f course a l w a y s b e e n w e l l to the f r o n t in such matters, a n d their bent for trading, which w a s b e c o m i n g obv i o u s b e f o r e the w a r , i s n o w e x p a n d i n g m o r e a b u n d a n t l y than e v e r . T h e r e s e e m s t o b e a w i d e f i e l d , a m o n g s t the M a l a y s a s w e l l a s the o t h e r races, f o r the d e v e l o p m e n t o f p r o d u c e r s ' c o - o p e r a t i v e societies, a n d i t i s t o b e h o p e d

13

MESSAGE FROM HIS HIGHNESS THE RAJAH TO THE PEOPLE OF SARAWAK CESSION DAY 1ST JULY, 1947 On this day July 1st, I send warm greetings to all my friends in Sarawak. A year has passed since Sarawak was ceded to His Majesty the King.

I gave deep thought to his proposal for cession before making it to the British Government and placing it before the Councils in Kuching. I knew that it meant the end of Brooke rule, an event which, I was proud to realise, would be a matter of sorrow to very many of you. Nevertheless I took the decision because I knew that it was the best interests of the people of Sarawak and that in the turmoil of the modern world they would benefit greatly from the experience, strength and wisdom of British Rule.

I have followed very closely the events of the last year and I am more than ever convinced that the decision taken was the right one. The assurances given at the time of cession that there would be no interference with your ancient customs are being scrupulously observed. At the same time large schemes for the welfare and betterment of the people have been worked out and will be put into force with the aid of funds provided by the King's Government in Britain. I am glad that all these plans adhere to the main principles of the policy of the three Rajahs in the past, that the interests of the local population shall be paramount and that development shall be undertaken by the people and for the benefit of the people of Sarawak.

I know that there are still some in Sarawak, encouraged by persons living outside the country, who maintain their opposition to what has been done. Their cry is that they have lost their "independence" and wish to recover it. What in fact is the position? You have transferred your loyalty from the Rajah who was like your father to a greater father, the King, who has for so long been our Protector. Your feet are firmly set on the road which leads to true independence. Your local institutions are being developed, your power to express your views on laws and forms of Government is being increased, and your will gradually approach that goal, already reached by so many peoples who have had theprivilege of Britain's guidance, where you will be completely self-governing.

The length of time which must elapse before you arrive at that goal will depend largely on the willingness with which you grasp the hand of friendship and support held out to you by His Majesty's Government. This is the greatest opportunity for progress that Sarawak has ever had. With unaltered devotion for your interests and well-being I say, "Long Live the people of Sarawak. Long Live the King."

14

SABDA SERI PADUKA DULI YANG MAHA MULIA TUAN RAJA KAPADA RA'AYAT SARAWAK BAGI HARI PENYERAHAN 1 HARIBULAN JULY, 1947 Pada hari ini ia-itu 1 haribulan July, saya memberi tahni'ah kapada sekalian kawan2 saya di-Sarawak. Bahawa genap-lah sa-tahun sudah Negeri Sarawak ini terserah kapada Seri Baginda King.

Bahawa saya sudah chukup timbangkan dengan halus-nya terhadap cadangan saya bagi serahan ini tadi, sebelom saya hadapkan ia kapada Keraja-an British, juga sebelom saya bentangkan ia kapada kedua2 Majlis Council di-Kuching. Saya ketahui bahawa langkahan ini ialah berma'ana hapus-nya Pemerintahan Brooke, ia-itu suatu peristewa yang saya telah berbesar hati mengatahui-nya ada-lah ia menyedehkan hati banyak di-antara kamu. Sunggohpun demikian saya juga lansongkan terns kerana saya ketahui ada-lah ia untok faedah yang baik ka-atas ra'ayat Sarawak jelata, bahawa dengan kekusutan dunia di-zaman sekarang, mereka pula akan dapat beberapa faedah yang baik dari kepandai-an, kekuatan dan kebijaksana-an-nya Keraja-an British.

Saya sudah tatapkan betol2 segala kejadian2 pada tahun yang lalu, dan saya dapati lebeh dari awal-nya tadi bahawa langkah yang telah di-jalankan itu ada-lah perkara yang sebaik2-nya. Bahkan saperti yang telah di-janjikan pada masa awal serahan-nya tadi bahawa segala adat2 lama itu ada-lah maseh di-jaga dengan chermat-nya. Begitu juga chadangan2 yang mustahak ada di-atorkan dengan perbelanja-an Keraja-an Baginda King dari Negara British bagi memperbaiki kehidupan dan kemajuan ra'ayat Sarawak jelata.

Saya bersukachita bahawa segala chadangan2 itu sunggoh bersetuju dengan segala tujuan muslihat ka-tiga2 Raja yang telah lalu, ya'ni segala keperluan2 bagi ra'ayat hendak lah di-utamakan, juga segala kemajuan pula maulah di-usaha oleh ra'ayat sendiri untok faedah ra'ayat Sarawak jua, adanya.

Saya juga mengatahui bahawa ada sedikit orang2 dalam Sarawak yang suka mengekal bantahan mereka ka-atas apa yang telah di-jalankan, dengan galakkan orang2 dari luar negeri. Mereka berseru bahawa mereka telah kehilangan "kemerdeheka-an" mereka, dan bermaskud supaya mendapatkan ia balek semula. Apakah sebenar keada-an-nya tentang ini? Kamu sudah memindahkan ta'at setia mahu terhadap Raja yang sebagai bapa itu kapada saorang bapa yang lebeh besar lagi tinggi ia-itu Seri Baginda King, siapa yang telah beberapa lama itu tadi menjadi Penaong kita. Bahkan kaki kamu sekarang sedang berdiri dengan tegap-nya arah jalan yang menuju kapada kemerdeheka-an yang sebenar-nya.

Bahawa adat lembaga kamu sedang diatorkan, kebebasan kamu bagi bersuara tentang hal Undang-undang kamu serta pula tentang chorak perintahan kamu ada-lah di-perlebeh-kan, maka kamu akan berunsor hampir kapada taraf saperti yang telah di-perolehi oleh beberapa bangsa yang telah berpeluang mendapat penduan dari Negara British, bahawa di-sini-lah kamu kelak akan berperintahan sendiri dengan sepenoh2-nya.

Bahawa tentang masa yang harus di-gunakan pula, sebelom kamu menchapai kapada taraf itu, ada-lah bergantong kapada keredza-an bagi kamu sendiri pada menyambutkan jabatan persehabatan dan sukongan yang di-unjok oleh Keraja-an Seri Baginda. Ini-lah sabesarZ peluang bagi kemajuan Sarawak yang belom pernah terbuka. Bahawa dengan hati yang tiada berubah walau sadikit pun kerana muslihat serta keselamatan kamu sekalian, maka saya berseru "Berkekalan-lah ra'ayat jelata Sarawak. Berkekalan-lah Seri Baginda King"

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LEKA PESAN TUAN RAJA SOH AMBA R A Y A T DALAM MENOA SARAWAK HARI CESSION SARI BULAN JULY, 1947 Hari tu sari bulan July, aku ngirum tabeka samoa pangan-pangan aku di menoa Sarawak. Sa taun udah genap menoa Sarawak di serah ka Iya Ke Mulia Raja King.

Aku udah bepikir enggau pengambis ia apin aku nyerah menoa tu ka Prentah Britis lalu ngengkah pekara nya di moa Konsil Konsil di Kuching. Aku tau ka reti ia ke pia ngapus ka pegai Raja Brooke, ia ke ni, aku udah tau mega enggau ati ke sumbong, ngenyinu ka ati kita maioh. Entang aku udah netap ka ati laban aku nemu ari jalai ke pia tau mri pengelantang ka orang dalam menoa Sarawak lalu ulih laban penusah dalam dunia ke bam diatu sida ia tau bulih untong dalam penemu, pengering enggau akal ari pegai Britis.

Aku udah mrati bendarpengawa dalam taun ke udah lalu akupuas amat ati ulih ke diator aku nya jalai ke betol. Janji-janji ia ke di semaia leboh beserah (Cession) baka ia ke enda ngachau adat lama udah mega di pegai rat. Serta pengawa besai udah di adang awak ka ngemansang enggau ngelantang ka orang samoa udah mega di perunding lalu di pejalai enggau ari tulong wang ke kluar ari Prentah King dalam menoa Britis (Britain).

Aku andal ati samoa perunding kepia nitih ka asal adat ke di pegai tiga Raja ke udah, baka ke nguntong ka amba rayat di pejalai brat lalu pemansang pengawa di pejalai amba rayat empu lalu mri untong ka sida ia empu di Sarawak.

Aku nemu agi bisi skeda dalam Sarawak, di pransang orang bukai ari luar menoa, sapa ke agi ngidup bantah-bantah ka penyadi ke udah. Sida ia besru ka kuasa-diri empu (independence) nyau lenyau lalu deka ngambi iapulai baru. Nama pemendar ia reti ke pia? Kita udah mindah pengelwrus ati ari Raja sapa ke baka apai kita ngagai ke besai agi, ia-nya Raja King, ia ke udah lama nyadi peninding nyaga kitai. Kaki kita trengkah tegot ba jalai ngiring kita nujupenguasa diri empu ke bendar. Adat-adat kita udah di pansang manah, kita be-empu kuasa bejako mandang ka pikir ke dikedeka kita dalam adat kita empu lalu dalam jalai mrentah pun ditambah mega, lalu beserunyut mansang nyapai kapeneka kita, baka ke udah di japai maioh mensia mana ke udah betuah di iring ka Prentah Britis (British guidance), ari ni kita legi tau mrentah kita empu.

Pengelama ia maia ngelebus apin kita nuntong ka adan ke pia bepanggai bendar ari bepagut bajari ke di unjor soh kita ari Prentah Raja King. Tu meh tuah ke pemadu besai nuju pengelantang ia ke baru ditemu menoa Sarawak.

Enggau ati ke enda berubah kaseh sayang aku ngemata ka pengelantang enggau pemansang kita lalu aku nelah, "Slamat kekal amba rayat di Sarawak. Slamat kekal Raja King."

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17

Installation of the Governor CEREMONY IN KUCHING official members should be permitted to vote freely in cases in which, in the judgement of the Governor, the public interest does not forbid. In the opinion of Mr Wight: "The discipline imposed upon official members by a liberal governor today is no greater than that imposed in the House of Commons by party whips." It will be remembered that the cession bill at the last Council Negri was left to a free vote.

The subject has been dealt with at length because the Council Negri is still in the first flush of expeprience as a legislative body, and it is important that it should develop into a useful instrument of Government, if it is decided to persist with the present constitutional framework. It may well be that the typical Colonial model is not suited to the conditions of Sarawak, and that it would be better to develop institutions with firmer roots in the soil of the land. Whatever the final decision on that point the fact remains that it is the declared policy of the British Government to train up Coionial peoples to rule themselves.

The process may have to be long and gradual, but with the present Council Negri a start has at any rate been made. That is the machinery we are using at moment although better training schools will perhaps be produced in the future. The officials may look upon their lot as tedious; and the unofficials may regard themselves as impotent; but, if both will realise that they are playing an essential part in the political development of the Colony, the constitutional reforms of 1941 will not have been enacted in vain.

The Governor General was already present, Mr MacDonald had arrived in Kuching three days previously, and had spent the first night of his visit with the Land Dayaks in Kampong Singgeh in Bau District. After Sir Charles Clarke had entered the Court the oath of allegiance and the oath of office were administered by the Chief Justice of Sarawak, the Hon. Mr R.Y. Hedges, and the Chief Secretary, the Hon. Mr C.W. Dawson, officially welcome His Excellency. Addresses were then presented by the Malay representative, the Hon. the Datu Bandar in Malay, the Chinese representative Mr Lim Chong Chiew in Mandarin, and the Indian representative

At 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29th, 1946 Sir Charles Noble Arden Clarke, KT., C.M.G., was formally installed as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Sarawak. His Excellency had arrived with Lady Clarke in the previous e v e n i n g on H.M.S. "Black Swan". He came ashore at Pangkalan Batu shortly before half-past eight and was received by a guard of honour consisting of men from H.M.S. "Black Swan," a detachment of the Sarawak Constabulary, and a large contingent of boy scouts and girl guides. The national anthem was played by the Constabulary Band. Kuching was gay with flags; Union Jacks and Sarawak flags being most prominent in the streets and Chinese national flags hanging out from the upper storeys of shophouses. Two American flags also seemed to have secured a favourable position. His Excellency proceeded to the main Court where His Excellency the Governor-members who had not seats on the executive council, at a special meeting of such members. It was added that once the Government's policy was decided it was important that official members should present a united front. On the other hand it was expressly recognised that

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Mr S.M. Deen, in English. His Excellency the Governor replied, his speech being translated

by Native Officer Abang Openg into Malay.

His Excellency then returned to the Astana and the proceedings terminated.

The following is the test of the speeches:f55The Hon. Mr C.W. Dawson: Your Excellency, on behalf of the councils and on behalf of branches of the Government Services in Sarawak I would like to extend to you congratulations on your appointment and to extend to you and Lady Clarke our welcome to this country. Sarawak is a pleasant place inhabited by people of many different races and religions, having a happy knack of getting on well with one another. This, I think, is one of the chief assets we have in the combined effort which is now being made towards the rehabilitation of the country after so many years of Japanese misrule.

Some sections of the population are under the impression that the recent change for the rule of the Rajah to that of the British Crown may carry with it some interference with the w a y of life and ancient customs. We have been assured by His Majesty's Government that this is not the intention, and I have no doubt Sir that you will see to it that, except in so far as changes may be clearly beneficial and agreed to by the people at large, the cus'toms of the people will be observed. We look forward to working with you in loyal co-operation towards the general prosperity and happiness of this country which is very near to the hearts of many of us.

member of the Colonial Empire. For this reason such effort and patient understanding will be needed to bring Sarawak back to its former prosperity and contentment again. However, w e h a v e e v e r y c o n f i d e n c e i n your Excellency's wise guidance and in the traditional fairness of the British rule which ensures that all our rights will be respected.

In conclusion I have not hesitation in giving your Excellency our assurance that we shall spare no effort on our part to co-operate with the Sarawak Government in order to create a better country for the peoples of Sarawak and to achieve then high ideals of freedom and justice.

The Hon. the Datu Bandar: Your Excellency, on behalf of of the Malay Community I take this opportunity of extending to your Excellency our heartiest congratulations on your Excellency's installation as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Sarawak; I take this opportunity further of welcoming your Excellency and Lady Clarke to our country.

We have learnt of your Excellency/s brilliant career and meritorious services in East Africa: particularly of your Excellency's wise and benevolent administration over the African natives. It is, therefore, most fitting that the choice to this high office should fall upon your Excellency. It may be said with truth that the natives of this country will greatly benefit under your Excellency's illustrious guidance.

Your Excellency is undoubtedly aware that this country has just emerged from the throes of war and has only recently become a

Mr L i m Chong Chiew: Your Excellency, on this momentous occasion when Your Excellency is being installed as the First Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Sarawak, we, on behalf of the Oversea Chinese of Kuching, beg to offer to Your Excellency our congratulations and our staunch loyalty and support.

Sarawak is indeed very fortunate in having Your Excellency as its Governor and Commander-in-Chief, and every one of us is confident that Your Excellency will steer the course of the Colony of Sarawak towards prosperity and contentment.

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in spite of differences of race and religion. I appreciate what an asset this is to the country and will spare no effort to maintain and foster this spirit. Without mutual trust, confidence and goodwill between the various peoples and between the peoples and their government there can be no progress.

I am told that some of the people are under the impression, a false impression, that the change which Sarawak has recently undergone from the rule of the Rajah to that of the King will mean sudden and abrupt changes in the ancient customs and the life of the people.

I can assure you, and through you the people at large, as you have already been assured by the Secretary of State and by His Excellency the Governor-General that there is no intention to the part of Government to introduce any abrupt or sudden change contrary to the wish of the people. Rather it is our aim to preserve all that is good in the ancient customs. Some changes there must inevitably be in course of time; for no man and no country can remain static and unchanged in a progressive and changing world. It would be absurd and wrong to guarantee that Sarawak should stay immobilized for all times at the stage of development it had reached on July 1st, 1946. Changes, when the time for them is come, will only be introduced after consultation with the people and with the consent of their representatives in Council.

I have studied the "Nine Cardinal Points" set out in the Constitution Order. I find them to be in accord with the principles which govern the administration of other parts of the British Empire. There is, therefore, no reason whatsoever to apprehend that I shall attempt to change or disregard them. In thfe constitutional sphere the aim of the Government will be to associate the people more and more with the management of their own and their country's affairs and, as a first step towards this end, to broaden the basis of representation as rapidly and as far as conditions permit.

In the material sphere I appreciate that there is much to be done in the way of rehabilitation before the country can recover its pre-war prosperity. But when that prosperity is recovered, we must not be content with the pre-war standards. We must aim higher. Our objective must be to survey and plan the controlled development by and for the people of this country of its trade, its communications and its agricultural and mineral resources and at the same time to improve the health and the

All the various races of Sarawak look to Your Excellency for guidance towards the goal of living in harmony, freedom and prosperity.

We take this opportunity to request Your Excellency to convey to His Majesty the King our loyalty to the Crown.

Mr S.M. Deen: Your Excellency, we, the Indian Community in Sarawak, take this opportunity to express our congratulation upon Your Excellency's installation as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Sarawak and further express our great pleasure to welcome Your Excellency and Lady Clarke to Sarawak.

Your Excellency's meritorious administration in Africa and the goodness to the various types of the natives in Africa is all known to us and at present we are hopeful that Your Excellency's benevolent administration would be extended to us to bring peace and prosperity to this country.

After a long peaceful and happy period during Brooke rule we suffered a good lot, as Your Excellency knows well, during Jap's occupation, and now it is our hope that Your Excellency's broad-minded policy and administration will continue to bring back to us freedom, justice and prosperity.

In conclusion we have to give our assurance to Your Excellency to be obedient, aiding and assisting in full-cooperation as loyal British Subjects.

His Excellency the Governor: Your Excellency, Members of the Councils — Ladies and Gentlemen.

I thank you for the welcome you have accorded me and for the addresses you have made to me on my installation as the representative of His Majesty the King and the first Governor and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Crown Colony of Sarawak.

It is too early yet for me to have formed personal impressions about Sarawak and its peoples or for you to have made up your minds about me. Our first task will be to get to know each other better and with better knowledge I hope and believe will come mutual trust, respect and liking.

In the short time at my dispoal since I left Africa I have done what I can to learn about this country, and its peoples, and in London I twice had the pleasure of meeting and talking with His Highness the Rajah. I have heard much about the friendliness which all communities in Sarawak bear towards each other

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educational services.

1 have no doubt that these aims can be achieved provided that the peoples of Sarawak co-operate with each other and with the government in the future as they have done in the past.

pehak pamerentah tidak b e m i a t sekali2 m e n d a t a n g k a n perubahan yang tidak semana di-atas kemahuan ra'ayat. Bahkan tujuan kita mameliharakan segala 'adati s i t i ' a d a t asli y a n g sampurna. S a d i k i t perubahan mesti di-adakan mengikut masa, kerana tiada suatu manusia atau sabuah n e g e r i akan berdiri t e g a k dengan tidak berubah di-dalam peridaran di-'alam kemajuan. Bahkan tidak berarti dan tidak patut menjamin iaitu Sarawak tidak akan berubah untok selama2-nya. Kalau ia dapat melangkah kaneracha kemajuan sebagaimana yang telah di-dapatinya pada satu haribulan 7 tahun 1946. Pertukaran bila tiba masa-nya untok mereka akan datang, hanya akan di-kenalkan satelah dirondengkan dengan ra'ayat dan mendapat persetujuan daripada Wakil2 mereka didalam Majlis mashuarat.

Tuan Yang Terutama—Ahli2 Majlis2 Mashuarat-Nona2 dan Tuan2.

Saya menguchap terima kaseh diatas persambutan yang indah ini juga pada uchapan2 tahni'ah terhadap perlantikan diri saya sebagai Wakil Baginda King dan Governor yang pertama dan Penglima A g o n g bagi Jajahan Baginda King di Sarawak.

Belom tiba masa-nya bagi diri saya buat menghuraikan perkara yang berkena'an dengan Sarawak serta pendudok2-nya atau b a g i kamu untok mangetahui ke-ada'an saya. Terlebih awal hendaklah kita pada kah yang pertama berkehal-kenalan, dan dengan pangetahuan yang sampurna saya harap dan yakin kamudian itu akan mendatangkan pertukaran kaperchaya'an, kahormatan serta kasuka'an antara kita.

Pada sadikit masa sahaya satelah saya berangkat dari Africa saya telah berusaha saberapa dapat buat mangetahui ke-ada'an n e g e r i ini serta pendudok2-nya, juga di L o n d o n saya telah berpeluang dua kali berjumpa serta beramah2 dengan Duli Yang Maha Muha Tuan Rajah. Saya dapat ketahui di-atas perikatan mahebah di-antara sekalian b a n g s a d i - d a l a m Sarawak sunggohpun berlainan bangsa dan Ugama. Keada'an yang serupa ini saya sangat m e g a h k a n dan semangat yang semacham itu tidak shak lagi akan mendatangkan fa'edah yang besar bagi n e g e r i ini. Dengan tidak-nya pertukaran kaperchaya'an, dan 'azam di-antara sekalian bangsa 'am-nya dan pendudok2 khas-nya serta p a m e r e n t a h - n y a n e s c h a y a t i d a k beroleh kemajuan.

Saya dapat ketahui sabahagian dari orang a w a m ada m e n a r o h p e r a s a ' a n , i a - l a h p e r a s a ' a n y a n g karut, terbitnya dari pertukaran p e m e r e n t a h Brooke k e p a d a Baginda King bereti akan mengubahkan adat-isti.'adat d a n chara p e n g h i d u p a n p e n d u d o k 2 d e n g a n tidak semana. Saya b e r a n i berkata pada kamu sekalian p e n d u d o k 2 'am-nya, sebagaimana yang telah di-kata oleh Setia Usaha Jajahan dan Tuan Yang Terutama Governor Agong, iaitu

Saya telah berpaham di-atas 9 sharat2 yang terutama yang-mana telah di-siarkan didalam rang Undang2. Saya dapati kasemua-nya ia-lah puncha pentadbiran yang di-jalankan didalam bahagian Jajahan Maha Britain. Oleh kerana itu tidak-lah ada jalan sakali2 bagi saya buat membatal atau mehampakannya. Didalam rang Undang2 t u j u a n p e r e n t a h akan m e m p e r s a t u k a n ra'ayat terlebih2 supaya dapat berdaya kadiri juga berkena'an dengan hal-ehwal tanah airnya, dan b a g i l a n g k a h y a n g pertama terhadap natijah ini, hendaklah m e n a m b a h k a n wakil2 dengan s a b e f a p a segera-nya sebagaimana di-kahendaki.

Berkena'an dengan benda2 saya yakin bahwasa-nya banyak perkara akan di-buat untok memulangka semula negeri ini kapada kema'muran-nya sebelum pechah peperangan. Tetapi manakala kema'muran itu balek semula, hendaklah kita tidak berpuas hati dengan keada'an sabelum pechah peperangan. Kita hendaklah berchita2 tinggi, tujuan kita mesti disukat dan menchadang perbina'an yang tersekat oleh dan untok ra'ayat negeri ini bagi perniaga'an-nya, perhubungan-nya dan tanam-tanaman dan mahsul tanah, ketika'itu jua akan memperbaiki kasehatan dan pelajaran.

Saya tidak shak lagi chita2 ini tidak akan didapati melainkan manakala ra'ayat Sarawak bakerja-sama di antara satu dengan lain serta dengan pamerentah-nya pada kamudian hari sebagaimana yang telah dibuat oleh mereka dahulunya tadi.

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Installation of His Excellency the Governor

Large, M.C.).

The Chief Secretary read the Royal Commission and the Chief Justice administered the Oaths.

The Chief Secretary then rose and read the following address:"Your Excellency,

His Excellency Mr D.G. Stewart, C.M.G., arrived in Kuching in the Rajah Brooke at about 8.15 a.m. on the 14th November 1949, and went straight to the Astana.

At 10.55 a.m. he landed at the Pangkalan Batu, accompanied by the Private Secretary (Mr T. St. J. Dilks), and inspected the Constabulary Guard of Honour. He was then met by the Hon'ble the Chief Secretary (Mr C.W. Dawson, C.M.G.), and conducted through welcoming lines of Sea Scouts and Boy Scouts to the Main Court House, where a large gathering of representatives of the various communities, Government officers and their wives, had assembled. On the platform, with His Excellency, the Chief Secretary and the Private Secretary, were the Hon'ble the Chief Justice (Dr R.Y. Hedges), the Members of the Supreme Council, and the Acting Commissioner of Sarawak Constabulary (Mr R.W.

On behalf of the Councils and of all branches of the Government Service of Sarawak, I congratulate you on your appointment as Governor and Commander-in-Chief, and have great pleasure in welcoming you to this country.

Sarawak is a pleasant and beautiful country and one with a character of its own. It is inhabited by people of many different races and religions, who, however, seem to have the happy knack of getting on well with one another. This is one of our chief assets in the

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shall spare no effort on our part to co-operate with the Sarawak Government in order to create a better country for the peoples of Sara-j wak and to achieve their high ideals of freedom and justice."

Speaking for the Dayaks, Mr Edward Jerah said:"Your Excellency,

combined effort which is now being made by all towards the rebuilding of the prosperity of the country.

T h e f e e l i n g that some sections of the population once had, that the change from the rule of the Rajah to that of the British Crown might mean interference with the way of life of the people and with their ancient customs, has now almost entirely disappeared; and I have no doubt, Sir, that you will see to it that, except in so far as changes may be clearly beneficial and agreed to by the people at large, the customs of the people will be preserved.

I am sure that members of the Councils and of all branches of the Government Service will work with you towards the general prosperity and happiness of this country, which lies very near to the heart of so many of us, in the same spirit of loyal co-operation that they have extended towards me during the past year."

T h e H o n ' b l e A b a n g H a j i Mustapha, O.B.E., Datu Bandar of Sarawak, nest welcomed His Excellency on behalf of the Malay Community, as follows:"Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Dayak Community, I take this opportunity of extending our congratulation on Your Excellency's installation as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Sarawak; and to bid welcome to Your Excellency.

The news of Your Excellency's brilliant and extensive career in many parts of the British Empire has preceded Your Excellency's arrival in Sarawak and the choice to this high office is a most fitting tribute of Your Excellency's meritorious services.

The Dayaks are proud to have gained a great name for themselves through their energy, courage and their loyalty to the Government since the earliest days in the history of Sarawak, and it will be our constant aim th at this high tradition shall be maintained.

In recent years much has been accomplished in order to implant the ideal of local government among our people who are now learning to conduct their own affairs, and their own Schools, so that we may advance in c l o s e h a r m o n y w i t h the other races in Sarawak.

On behalf of the Malay Community I take this opportunity of extending to Your Excellency our heartiest congratulation on Your Excellency's installation as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Sarawak; I take this opportunity of further welcoming Your Excellency to our country.

We have leamt of Your Excellency's brilliant career and meritorious services in various parts of the British Empire and of Your Excellency's wise and benevolent administration. It is, therefore, most fitting that the choice to this high office should fall upon Your Excellency. It may be said with truth that the natives of this country will greatly benefit under Your Excellency's illustrious guidance.

Your Excellency is undoubtedly aware that this country has not yet fully recovered from the ravages of war, and is the youngest but one of the Colonies. For this reason much effort and patient understanding will be needed to keep Sarawak prosperous and eontent. However, we have every confidence in Your Excellency's wise guidance and in the traditional fairness of the British rule which ensures that all our rights will be respected.

In conclusion, I have no hesitation in giving Your Excellency our assurance that we

But much remains to be done and we are happy to go forward under Your Excellency's wise and illustrious guidance in these important matters.

Before I conclude I can assure Your Excellency that our people will exert every effort in co-operating with the Government and to foster and create an atmosphere of friendliness and mutual confidence between the Government and its people."

Mr Tan Kui Choon spoke for the Sarawak Chinese:"Your Excellency, On behalf of the Chinese Community, I have the honour to express our warm welcome and hearty congratulations to Your Excellency upon your appointment to the post of G o v e r n o r and C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f of Sarawak.

We, the Chinese of Sarawak, have always prided ourselves on the harmonious relations

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Coming, indeed, as a stranger to a strange land, I am not ashamed to admit that I stand in real need of that warmth of welcome, as, indeed, I shall stand in need of your co-operation in the tasks which still he ahead of us. The tasks of Government never end, indeed they never should end, because, whatever stage of development a country has reached, there must always be some advances which can profitably be made. It is because of this that I was very glad to hear, and indeed I have heard it also in other quarters, that there exists between the races of Sarawak this happy understanding and mutual goodwill. It is a priceless asset, and one which forms a sure foundation, perhaps the only sure foundation, upon which to build a contented, industrious and prosperous State. It is also because of this spirit of goodwill that I look forward all the more sincerely to what will be my first duty in this country, namely, to get to know as soon as I can, and as well as I can, the various peoples, their customs, their pursuits, and their aspirations. In this happy task, I know that my w i f e is looking forward to joining me in the near future.

Now, you will not expect me to speak at great length on this occasion, much less will you expect me to attempt to deal with matters of political or economic importance, but there is one matter to which it is very appropriate that I should refer on this occasion. The arrival and installation of a new Governor does not, in any way, herald a change in the policies of Government, nor will it result in any break in the continuity of administration. The Governor is, as you know, first and foremost, the personal representative of His Majesty the King; and it is because the countries which form the British Commonwealth are so far spread over the globe that it is only through such personal representatives that the King is able as it were to keep in touch with and be accessible to the many peoples who give him their allegiance. A change of Governor is, therefore, no more than a change in the identity of one of the King's many representatives. The administration, that is to say the Government, goes on just the same, and its policy remains founded on that stable and continuing basis which is provided by the advice tendered by councillors and official advisers. The advice which they will give to one Governor will not normally vary from that which they have given to his predecessor, nor, in due course, is it likely to vary from that

which have existed and which still do exist between ourselves and the Government and b e t w e e n ourselves and the various other races of this Colony. Our earnest wish is that this harmony may be maintained throughout the years to come.

We, therefore, assure Your Excellency of our loyalty to you personally and to your Government and we affirm our earnest desire to do all that we can to co-operate in ensuring the p e a c e , happiness and prosperity of Sarawak.

M a y we again present to Your Excellency our sincere felicitations and good wishes."

A n d finally Mr Abdul Hamid welcomed His Excellency on behalf of the Sarawak Indian Community:"Your Excellency, We, the Indian Community of Sarawak, take this opportunity to express our congratulations upon Your Excellency's installation as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Sarawak and further express our great pleasure in welcoming Your Excellency to Sarawak.

We understand that Your Excellency possesses great-experience by the opportunities afforded you as a District Officer, Nigeria, as Colonial Secretary in the Bahamas, as Financial Secretary, Palestine, and as Secretary to the West African Governors' Conference.

It is an undeniable fact that each and every citizen of this country is enj oying his full rights and privileges under our present Government.

We have no doubt that Your Excellency will study the interests of all sections of the peoples of this country and will direct them wisely in their paths of life as your predecessor has done.

In conclusion we give our assurance to your Excellency that we shall be obedient, abiding and assisting and give our full cooperation as loyal British Subjects.

His Excellency replied as follows:" M r Chief Secretary, Your Honour, Ladies and Gentlemen:I thank you all sincerely for the honour which you have done me by assembling here this morning, and I thank you, and through you the communities whom you represent, for the welcome extended to me and for the words which have been addressed to me.

24

from the people of Sarawak to Her Royal Highness comprised a set of gold and silver brooches, the work of Sarawak craftsmen. It acknowledging this gift the Princess writes:-

which they will give to his successor. Even were it not so, I can assure you that I myself have no inclination whatsoever to diverge from the sound policies which have been laid down by my predecessor Sir Charles ArdenClarke, with the help of his advisers and with the co-operation of the community.

In spite of the fact that I know I can rely upon so much goodwill and co-operation, there is one cause for regret which I would like to refer to today. It is that so soon after my arrival I shall be deprived of the services of one who has for the last three or four years — years of great importance, of rehabilitation and reconstruction — been the principal adviser and the lynch-pin of the administration. I refer, of course, to the Chief Secretary, Mr Dawson, who I understand is leaving shortly on the eve of his retirement. As you know, Mr Dawson has, moreover, borne the w h o l e w e i g h t and responsibility of administration almost without a break since the end of January last, and I know that there will be many of you besides myself who will, in the months to come, very much miss his help and guiding hand, and I know therefore that I am speaking for you if I say here how deep is the debt of gratitude which Sarawak owes to him.

That debt can only be paid, and I know it will be paid, in the abundance of goodwill and good wishes which he and Mrs Dawson will carry with them when the day comes for them to leave these shores.

Lastly, I would like to take advantage of this occasion to read out to you a letter which I have recently received from the Princess Elizabeth. As you will remember, a wedding gift

"I am delighted with the Wedding Present which the Government and People of Sarawak have had the kindness to send me. The two sets of brooches, made from gold and silver mined locally, are perfectly charming, and I know that they bring with them the good wishes of the People of Sarawak for my happiness and that they represent much loyalty and affection on their part.

Would you please tell all concerned how grateful I am for this most acceptable present."

The signature, of- course, is that of Her Royal Highness. Steps will be taken during the course of the next f e w days to give publicity to this gracious acknowledgement of Sarawak's gift.

A n d now, in conclusion, it only remains for me to assure you that in matters of administration during my tenure of office my single purpose will be to serve the People pf Sarawak to the best of my ability. Where any actions for decisions which are my responsibility come to be regarded as right or come to be regarded as wrong, I can at least promise you that I shall have been guided only by that which I honestly believe to be in the best interests of the country. I look forward, ladies and gentlemen, to making your acquaintance personally during the next f e w days and weeks."

25

dest and most pleasant way. I shall always remember with gratitude the very cordial and friendly welcome I have received today. I shall make it my first duty, by travelling extensively, to get to know the country, the various peoples who inhabit it, their customs and aspirations.

While in London recently I had the pleasure of meeting His Highness the Rajah and we had a most interesting and useful discussion concerning your affairs. I can assure you that the orderly progress and the happiness and welfare of this country is always uppermost in the Rajah's mind. I also went by aeroplane to Accra on the West Coast of Africa to pay short visit to an old friend of yours Sir Charles Arden Clarke. We talked far into the night about Sarawak and your problems and I left Accra convinced that the far-sighted policy initiated by Sir Charles should be followed and would be followed by me with your assent and co-operation. There will therefore be no break in the continuity of the policy of the administration.

My aim will be to continue the policy of associating the people of the country with the administration by the creation of Local Authorities as fully representative of all races and conditions of men as is practicable and acceptable at the present time. By this means we can advance the education of the people in political responsibility and build up a tradition of service in their local Governments which will provide in the future the main supports on which our system of democracy will rest. But our rate of progress in the political field and the social services we can provide are conditioned by and dependent upon the state of your finances. I will therefore do my best to ensure that the economic development of the country is achieved on sound lines and by properly coordinated plans with that sense of urgency which your present position demands.

Your ambitions ' a n d my aims cannot however be fulfilled nor can this country make any economic or political advance unless law and order are maintained. We have seen here in Sarawak and we see many examples around us of the misery and tragedy and interruption to progress which indiscipline and contempt for the laws of the land bring to 9 community. This country has long enjoyed an enviable reputation among the countries of the Commonwealth for the spirit of co-operation and mutual goodwill which exist be-

B e f o r e concluding this address I can assure Your Excellency of the full co-operation of the Chinese community and I now again convey to Your Excellency our sincere felicitations and the best wishes of the community I represent."

The final address of welcome to His Excellency was that from the Indian Community, which Mr Abdul Hamid presented in the following terms :"Your Excellency, we, the Indian Community of Sarawak, take this opportunity to express our sincere congratulations upon your Excellency's installation as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Sarawak and further express our great pleasure i n w e l c o m i n g y o u r E x c e l l e n c y t o Sarawak.

We understand that Your Excellency possesses great experience and has won the hearts of the peoples of Nigeria, by Your Excellency's benevolent, exalted, and meritorious service.

It is an accepted principle of Colonial Administration throughout the British Commonwealth that the welfare of the indigenous inhabitants must be the first object of Colonial Administration. In accordance with that cardinal fact, our present Government is by all means, looking after the welfare of the peoples concerned and is devoted to the cause of peace and progress.

We hope that Your Excellency will take a genuine interest in promoting good-feeling, confidence, and peace among the people of diverse nationalities in Sarawak and thus lay Your Excellency's fame in the History of this Country, by giving a lead in the right direction.

In conclusion, we give our assurance to Your Excellency that we shall be obedient, law abiding and active in co-operation with your Government and we pledge our unhesitating support in everyway.

His Excellency replied to these addresses, saying:" M r Chief Secretary, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you most sincerely for the honour you have done me by assembling in this Hall to meet me this morning, and I thank you and the communities you represent for the addresses of welcome which you have presented to me.

As you are aware I am a stranger to the East and I have everything therefore to learn and you have started my education in the kin-

28

Just over a month ago I had the great honour of being received by the King in audience.

For a quarter of an hour His Majesty talked about Sarawak and its problems. I can assure you of the very great interest he takes in your progress and welfare. He was however deeply shocked that so soon after becoming a C r o w n Colony this tragedy should have occurred. I am sure that it is the wish of all men of goodwill in this Colony to prove to His Majesty and the rest of the world that our heart is sound and that this great tradition of mutual respect among races which this country has built up over one hundred years is no empty boast but will lead in time to the disappearance of racial difference in a common desire to promote the welfare of Sarawak.

tween the races of Sarawak. This happy understanding has, I believe, been based on a regard for one another's customs and mode of life and respect for law and order. I know that recent events here do not indicate any deterioration in the basic soundness and loyalty of the people of this country but I am aware that there is still some opposition on the part of a section of the people to the Cession of Sarawak to the Crown. This opposition led to the senseless and criminal murder of my predecessor who was the innocent victim of a cruel and cowardly conspiracy and who was struck down in the course of duty. This outrage profoundly shocked your fellow members of the British Commonwealth and in particular your friends and admirers who know your country.

Four men have paid the extreme penalty for a despicable and degrading crime.

I intend to carry on the tradition of personal accessibility established by the Rajahs of Sarawak. This tradition has been a notable feature of the administration of this territory for over one hundred years and is, I believe, a privilege much valued by most of the people of this country. I will always be ready to give a healing to anyone who presents his case in a straight-forward honest and law-abiding fashion but I am not prepared to parley with those who feel bound to support their cause by indulging in conspiracy and political assassination. I now hope that better counsel will prevail and that these people will decide that their interests and their interests of their country will best be served by loyal cooperation with Government in its plans for the economic and political advance of the peoples of Sarawak.

In conclusion I thank you again most sincerely for your welcome today and for the offer of co-operation you have made to me in your addresses, and I know that I can count on you. For myself I can promise you that I will work wholeheartedly and to the best of my Ability for peace, happiness and prosperity of the people of this Colony. Confident in your cooperation and sustained by your goodwill and with God's grace I should be guided only by that which I honestly believe to be in the best interests of the country. Before closing I should like to say how much I appreciate the kind gesture of the Governor of our neighbours and friends in North Borneo in sending the Chief Justice of that Colony to represent him this morning.

Ladies and gentlemen, I look forward to being of service to you in the future and of making your personal acquaintance in the course of the next f e w days and weeks."

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Installation of His Excellency the Governor

w h i c h the C h i e f S e c r e t a r y p r e s e n t e d to Sir

Sir A l e x a n d e r N i c o l Anton W a d d e l l , K.C.M.G., D.S.C., was installed as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Sarawak in a ceremony held in the afternoon of the 23rd February, 1960 in the Council Negri Chamber in Kuching. Sir Alexander and Lady Waddell, accompanied by the Private Secretary, Mr. G.T. Barnes, disembarked fom the Bentong into the Astana barge and landed at Pangkalan Batu at 4.00 p.m. Waiting to receive them were the Chief Secretary and Mrs. Jakeway, the Commissioner of Sarawak Constabulary, Mr. P.E. Turnbull, and the A.D.C., Abang Marzuki. Sir Alexander, in ceremonial dress, then inspected the Guard of. Honour mounted in front of the Brooke Memorial, after

A l e x a n d e r a n d L a d y W a d d e l l , the C h i e f Justice a n d L a d y A i n l e y ; Bishop V o s ; M r . G . L .

Gray, Acting Chief Secretary of North Borneo; m e m b e r s o f the S u p r e m e C o u n c i l a n d their w i v e s , a n d the P u i s n e J u d g e , M r . Justice G . G .

Briggs.

I n the C o u n c i l C h a m b e r the C o m m i s s i o n a p p o i n t i n g Sir A l e x a n d e r W a d d e l l , K . C . M . G . , D.S.C., w a s r e a d b y the C h i e f S e c r e t a r y a n d the O a t h o f O f f i c e w a s a d m i n i s t e r e d b y the C h i e f Justice. T h e l o y a l a d d r e s s w a s then r e a d b y A b a n g H a j i Mustapha bin A b a n g H a j i M o a s l i , the Datu Bandar, on b e h a l f of t h e p e o p l e s of S a r a w a k , to w h i c h a r e p l y w a s m a d e by H i s E x c e l l e n c y the G o v e r n o r .

30

Loyal Address by the Datu Bandar, Abang Haji Mustapha Your Excellency,

me in my language by addressing you in Malay, but my Malay is too unsure for me to address you in that language today. I thank you Datuk Bandar for the very kindly welcome which you have given me not only in the address which you have just presented to me, but one senses behind the official proceedings a warmth of welcome which I have long anticipated and which in the event much exceeds the pleasure which we have had in anticipation. My wife and I have for a long time been looking forward to the time when we might come back to this part of the world. We never thought we would but in the years between that when we left North Borneo and today we have always hoped that it might be our fortune though we never hoped that we would come to serve you in this capacity.

On behalf of all the peoples of Sarawak, I feel greatly honoured this day to be able to extend our warmest congratulations on the installation of Your Excellency as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Sarawak, and to welcome Your Excellency with great joy to our country.

It is our earnest hope that Your Excellency and Lady Waddell will find the climate of our country hospitable and its peoples friendly and law abiding.

We have learned that Your Excellency has served for many years in the Western Pacific a n d S o u t h - E a s t A s i a and has s e e n constitutional changes in West Africa and has therefore vast knowledge and experience of the problems and aspirations of the people in those territories.

I wish to thank you the Honourable Chief Justice for administering to me the oath on this the most solemn day of my life. You too are a newcomer and if one newcomer may say to another how glad I am to meet you, you will know it is true and I hope that you will have many happy days in our midst.

The thoughts of many of you indeed of all of you must today be turning back to my distinguished predecessor, Sir Anthony Abell, who, I know, is held in the highest esteem and affection by you all. His fame has spread far beyond the shores of this country and he has made known the ways of pleasantness and the paths of peace which the people of this country have trod for so many years. I know from him how much he loved Sarawak and I know that he will follow with interest the fortunes of this country in the future. He is a part of a great tradition and it was only the other day that I had the priviledge and pleasure of meeting His Highness the Rajah and from him I learnt much of earlier days in this country.

Sarawak is but a small country and is possibly the youngest among Her Majesty's dependent territories. It is very much behind those territories which Your Excellency has just served in its economic an constitutional development. We have every hope that Your Excellency's wide experience of democratic and economic progress in those territories will guide us in our plans for social, economic and political progress in the years to come.

In conclusion, I am giving Your Excellency our assurance that we shall spare no effort on our part to co-operate with the Government and we are c o n f i d e n t in H e r M a j e s t y ' s declared policy to guide us by stages to ultimate self-government.

Reply by His Excellency the Governor of Sarawak, Sir Alexander Waddell The Honourable Datu Bandar, My Lord Bishop, the H o n o u r a b l e Chief Justice, honourable and distinguished guests from neighbouring territories, ladies and gentlemen.

You will, I know, Datu Bandar, forgive me if on this occasion I cannot as yet repay the' compliments you've done me in addressing

31

It is right today to think of the past so that we may set our course for the future taking advantage of the favourable winds that have blown over this country for so long. Let us make a firm resolve to guard the spirit of harmony, let us treasure the inheritance of goodwill and understanding which is ours. Let us preserve the friendly relations and the mutual respect on which this country has been built.

Let us in fact all regard Sarawak as our true home. It is in the furtherance of such a policy of unity and trust that I pledge myself today for that is the only true, the only firm basis of lasting progress whether it be economic, political or social. Let us be united in this.

As I take up my high office today I have in mind the Cardinal Principles which were set down as long ago as 1941 and I will daily remind myself of the duty laid upon me by Her Majesty the Queen in the Royal Instructions and these instructions bear repeating to me daily and to you from time to time and one of the most important of these is "the Governor is to the utmost of his power to ensure that the fullest regard is paid to the religious and existing rights and customs to the inhabitants of Sarawak, to promote religion and education among them, and, by all lawful means, to protect them in the free enjoyment of their possessions and to prevent all violence and injustice against them."

I c o m e to this c o u n t r y w i t h s o m e knowledge of how you suffered in war, with a great admiration for the valour and stout hearts with which you withstood the enemy and cast him out, writing by your actions and by your bravery against overwhelming odds, unique and illustrious pages in the annals of war. The war is long over but those qualities remain and have been demonstrated in equal measure by the Sarawak Rangers whose prowess overseas in the cause of freedom is already legendary.

T h e resources of the country lie not primarily, in fact they lie not in its products or its material worth but in the character, steadfastness and the c o u r a g e of its p e o p l e .

Knowning something as I do of the quality of the people in Sarawak in peace and in war I

32

am confident that there is no limit to what can be achieved. It is a great priviledge for me now to be associated with the civil service of Sarawak, a service whose reputation is second to none. The service in Sarawak is well known for its devotion to the interests of the people, for its skill and humanity and all progress depends very largely on an active, strong and able civil service, such as we have.

I have today propounded no new policies, nor will you expect me to. But I hope I may have shown by what principles I shall be guided and I hope I have expressed my conviction and faith in the future of Sarawak. M a y I say that it is my intention to maintain the tradition of accessibility which has been long a happy feature of this country for to govern is to serve and one cannot serve without meeting and understanding those whom one would seek to serve.

Sir Alexander then spoke in Malay. He said: "I am sorry for not being able to speak Malay well. Although today I am giving my good wishes to you in my own language, I do hope that when I go out travelling in all parts of Sarawak I will be able to learn the language.

My intention in Sarawak is to make a visit to all parft of the country which will enable me to meet the people either in their houses, in the kampongs, in their gardens, in the shops and in their offices in order to acquaint myself with their traditions, aspirations and their hopes.

Thank you."

Anti-Cession demonstration in Sibu of members of the Pergerakan

The cession of Sarawak to the British Crown

Pemuda

Melayu (P. P.M.).

people had not been consulted on the matter.

E v e n t u a l l y i t w a s d e c i d e d that t w o members of the British Parliament would visit Sarawak to ascertain public opinion upon the matter of cession. Their recommendation was that there was sufficient approval for the matter to come up before the Council Negri.

In May 1946, a debate took place and the Cession Bill was passed with a slender majority — by the votes of the European members who were not citizens of Sarawak.

Soon after the liberation of the whole of Sarawak on February 8, 1946, Sir Charles Vyner Brooke made known his intention to give up Sarawak to the British Crown. The reason given for this was that, as a Colony, the people of Sarawak could enjoy, with financial and technical help from Britain, "an era of widening enlightenment, stability and social progress such as they have never had before".

The feelings and reactions were mixed. The initial sense of bewilderment soon crystallised either for or against the move. But Sir Charles airily dismissed any idea that any one should question his decision on the matter, declaring, "I am spokesman of the people's will. No one other than myself has the right to speak on your behalf. Not one of you will question whatever I do in his high interests. There will be no Rajah of Sarawak after me. My people will become subjects of the King. This is for your good. By Royal Command."

The Anti-Cession Movement

Such a remark reflected the authoritative and arrogant attitude of the Brooke rulers towards the people of Sarawak. However, on this occasion, many did disagree. The people of Sarawak were, for the first time, reluctant to have their future arranged in so arbitrary a manner, and a major protest was organised by the Malay National Union saying that the

33

The passing of the Cession Bill caused bitterness and dissatisfaction among many Natives. They joined forces With members of the Malay National Union to form a strong and vocal movement against Cession which grew until eventually it claimed to have no less than 35,000 members throughout the State. These members, who were mostly Native Government servants and teachers, denounced cession as being illegal and demanded a restoration of the independent status. It was claimed that an anti-cession rally at the Central Padang in Kuching was attended by about 15,000 people. Acutely embarrassed by the anti-cessionists, who were mostly Government servants, the new colonial government issued a notorious Secretariat circular— "Circular No. 9" to curb their activities, which was signed by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Mr C.W. Dawson.

Anti Cessionists in Sibu

Secretariat Circular No. 9/1946 "In view of the political change in the Status of Sarawak by which on 1st July, 1946, it became a Crown Colony, His Excellency the Governor has directed that this circular should be sent to all Government officers on the Establishment. (a) Government expects and requires absolute loyalty from all servants. (b) Since there is no question of any change in the present regime or any reversion to Brooke Rule, Government will not permit or tolerate any association by its servants with any activities designed to keep alive the question of cession. (c) There will be no victimisation for any speech or act of any Government servant

34

in the past relating to the question of cession, but each Government servant must now make up his mind whether he wishes to serve the present Government loyally and faithfully or not. (d) If you do not feel that you wish to continue in the Government Service under these conditions, you should inform your Resident, District Officer, or Head of Department, as the case may be, before 31st December, 1946 and he will advise you as to the course you should pursue. (e) Any Government servant in future who associates himself with any activity designed to k e e p open the question of cession or commits any act of deliberate disloyalty to Government will render himself liable to instant dismissal."

Wanita members of P.P.M.

demonstrating against cession in Sibu.

If the circular was designed to instil fear others were imprisoned and detained from among those public servants who were active three weeks to 12 years. However, this antiin the anti-cession movement, it misfired mis- cession movemet cearly showed the British erably. A total of 338 teachers and Govern- that the people of Sarawak were concerned ment servants, mostly Malays, representing about their future. It also served as an awakenabout 13% of the Civil Service, resigned. This ing of the political consciousness of the people episode of mass resignation now known in the of Sarawak. history of the State's struggle for Independece A number of the anti-cessionists continued simply as "338". The climax of the anti-ces- their involvement in politics and won for the sion activities was murder of the Second Gov- State its "second independece" by supporting ernor of the Colony of Sarawak, Duncan Ste- the formation of the Nation of Malaysia wart, by two members of the Sibu-based Gera- mooted by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alkan Pemuda Melayu on December 3, 1949. Haj, then the Chief Minister of independent The Government's reaction to the attack was Malaya. Among them were Datuk Haji Noor swift and thorough when four young Malays Tahir, the late Datuk Ajibah Abol, the late involved in the assassination, Rosli bin Dhoby, Datuk Amar Abang Ikhwan Zaini and the late Morshidi bin Sidek, Bujang bin Suntong and Tan Sri Mohd Su'ut Tahir.

A w a n g Ramli bin Haji Matsaruddin, were In 1963 Sarawak achieved independence convicted and sentenced to death. Fifteen —within Malaysia.

35

The Malay National Union members protesting against me cession

Anti-Cessionists in the grounds of the Dutu Patinggi's house, Darul Kernia 2nd April 1947. They are grouped to represent the Malay National union's slogan "No Circular No. 9. "

36

The Visit of His Excellency the Governor to sibu from 5th May to 9th May 1948.

This photograph shows the recipients with his Excellency (5th from the left)

In a v e r y c r o w d e d f i v e days in Sibu, His E x c e l l e n c y m a n a g e d to c o m b i n e a great deal of business with, apparently, a great deal of pleasure.

g a i l y d e c o r a t e d and p r e s e n t e d a pretty picture.

At 9 a.m. on the 6th, H i s E x c e l l e n c y pres e n t e d m e d a l s a n d ribbons outside the G o v e r n m e n t buildings. A G u a r d of H o n o u r w a s present. T h e f o l l o w i n g g e n t l e m e n are t o b e c o n g r a t u l a t e d on their a w a r d s : -

T h e " L a F o l l e t t e " w i t h His E x c e l l e n c y o n board, a c c o m p a n i e d by his Private secretary and M r . Paul A r d e n C l a r k e arrived at Sibu at 12 n o o n on W e d n e s d a y 5th M a y from Brunei.

T h e party w a s m e t at K u b u Wharf by the H o n o u r a b l e the R e s i d e n t and the Divisional Datu.

W h i l e His E x c e l l e n c y w a s inspecting the Saraw a k Constabulary Guard of Honour and m e e t i n g the dignitaries f r o m e v e r y district in T h i r d Division, the y o u n g e s t " M e r m a i d " arrived from Kuching bearing Mrs Middleton and M i s s J e n n i f e r A r d e n Clarke. L a d y A r d e n C l a r k e had most unfortunately b e e n detained in K u c h i n g to l o o k after her daughter w h o wr-s indisposed.

BRITISH EMPIRE M E D A L 1. M r . Yu Sut M o i , Sibu.

2. P e n g h u l u J u g a h anak L a p e k , S o n g .

3. M r . P e t e r L i e w S h o n g M e n g of the Lands and S u r v e y s D e p a r t m e n t , Sibu.

4. S e r g e a n t E m b a h of the S a r a w a k Constabulary, Sibu.

5 . M r . C h o n g A h O n n o f the M e d i c a l Department, Sibu.

Sibu w a s full to capacity b e f o r e the arrival of His E x c e l l e n c y , but it w a s surprising h o w m a n y m o r e p e o p l e of e v e r y race race arrived f r o m all o v e r the Division and then the C o l o n y o n e v e r y s u b s e q u e n t d a y and w e r e s o m e h o w a b s o r b e d a n d m a n a g e d to g e t a home. Bungal o w s b u l g e d w i t h guests, dapors w e r e full, visitors w e r e u n d e r n e a t h and on top of houses, and e v e n a bicycle shed was transformed o v e r n i g h t into a miniature K a y a n longhouse, w i t h g a y sarongs and beautifully b e a d e d hats h a n g i n g out to air. On such a f e s t i v e occasion the residents of Sibu did not bear the slightest g r u d g e as a result of the o v e r c r o w d e d conditions and the local discomfort. T h e t o w n w a s

37

K I N G ' S M E D A L S FOR COURAGE, ETC. 1.

2.

3.

4.

Mr. Thomas Nyandau, Kanowit.

Mr. T e o Ah Chong, Belaga.

M r . John C. Liu, Sibu.

P e n g h u l u J u g a h anak B a r i e n g of M e r i r a i , Kapit.

5. P e n g h u l u Sibat anak S e m a d a of M e l i n a u , Kapit.

6. M r . H e l b o u m e S e m i g a a t of the Posts and T e l e g r a p h s D e p a r t m e n t , KanoWit. W h e n this w a s over, His E x c e l l e n c y presented suratkuasa and f l a g s to T u a K a m p o n g s and P e n g h u l u s . Practically all the chiefs of T h i r d Division w e r e here.

Tour of the Third Division by Their Excellencies the Commissioner-General and the Officer Administering the Government, 1949.

38

Commis-

T h e f o l l o w i n g m o r n i n g at 7 a.m. t h e party,

s i o n e r - G e n e r a l a n d the O f f i c e r A d m i n i s t e r i n g

Their

Excellencies

j o i n e d b y the R e s i d e n t , set out f o r Kapit. T h e

he

Government

the

and

Mrs.

Dawson,

first part o f t h e j o u r n e y w a s m a d e i n h e a v y

Gilliat, M . B . E .

mist but w a s w i t h o u t i n c i d e n t . K a n o w i t w a s

Commissioner-General's

p a s s e d at 10.45 a.m. a n d S o n g at 2.15 p.m.

a c c o m p a n i e d by M a j o r M.J. Comptroller of the household,

and

the

Private

Secretary,

H e a v y rains h a d s w o l l e n the R e j a n g and

e m b a r k e d at Pending on M.L. " L a Follette" at

progress b e c a m e slower. A f t e r a f e w inevit-

10.15 p . m . on the 4th A p r i l en route to the

a b l e calls o f " S a t u T a n j o n g l a g i " , K a p i t w a s

T h i r d D i v i s i o n . T h e j o u r n e y b e g a n i n a slight

r e a c h e d a t 5.15 p . m . T h e r e T h e i r E x c e l l e n c i e s

d r i z z l e of rain a n d t h e party r e t i r e d almost

w e r e w e l c o m e d b y the N a t i v e O f f i c e r A b a n g

i m m e d i a t e l y , h o p e f u l of an undisturbed night

Indi, in t h e a b s e n c e of the District O f f i c e r , M r .

crossing the bay.

I . A . N . U r q u h a r t w h o , u n f o r t u n a t e l y , w a s ill i n

A l l w a s w e l l until 5 a.m. o n the 5th w h e n " L a F o l l e t t e " ran into r o u g h w e a t h e r and w o u l d - b e s l e e p e r s h a d d i f f i c u l t y i n staying i n their b u n k s .

S a r i k e i w a s r e a c h e d at 11 a.m. and an uno f f i c i a l call p a i d u p o n t h e District O f f i c e r , M r .

A . R . Snelus, a n d M r s . Snelus.

A visit w a s m a d e to the P e p p e r G a r d e n s at the T h i r d M i l e R e p o k R o a d and the party w a s then e n t e r t a i n e d to lunch at the District Officer's Bungalow.

L e a v i n g S a r i k e i a t 1.30 p.m., Sibu w a s s i g h t e d at 5.30 p.m., a n d the a p p r o a c h of T h e i r E x c e l l e n c i e s w a s h e r a l d e d by a 17 g u n salute.

Their

Excellencies

were

Sibu Hospital.

A W e l c o m i n g Arch had b e e n erected over t h e p a t h f r o m t h e j e t t y t o the o f f i c e a n d the p a t h w a s l i n e d b y l e a d i n g m e m b e r s o f all communities and by school children carrying flags.

After inspecting

the

Guard of Honour

Their Excellencies talked for some time with the w e l c o m i n g party b e f o r e w a l k i n g u p t o the District O f f i c e r ' s B u n g a l o w .

A short tour of the b a z a a r b e f o r e d i n n e r c o n c l u d e d t h e e v e n t s o f the d a y .

At 9 a.m. the n e x t d a y H i s E x c e l l e n c y the

at

the

O f f i c e r A d m i n i s t e r i n g the G o v e r n m e n t h e a d

Hon'ble

met

the

r e q u e s t s in C o u r t a n d this w a s f o l l o w e d by a

R e s i d e n t , T h i r d D i v i s i o n , M r . J . C . H . Barcroft,

tour of t h e Station a n d a visit to the M e t h o d i s t

a n d Datu A b a n g Y a n , and, a f t e r i n s p e c t i n g a

M i s s i o n . A f t e r l u n c h the party d i v i d e d t o p r o -

smart G u a r d of H o n o u r u n d e r the c o m m a n d of

c e e d u p the B a l l e h i n f o u r p e r a h u s d r i v e n b y

M r . K.S. L e e s t o n - S m i t h , w e r e i n t r o d u c e d t o

outboard

Senior G o v e r n m e n t officials and l e a d i n g

p e r a h u s w a s k e e n a n d the " A d m i r a l - d r i v e r "

m e m b e r s of all c o m m u n i t i e s .

h a d d i f f i c u l t y i n k e e p i n g his f l e e t i n f o r m a t i o n .

Government

Wharf

by

the

engines.

Competition

between

T h e R e s i d e n t k i n d l y h a d put the R e s i d e n c y

A l t h o u g h the r i v e r w a s h i g h the j o u r n e y

at the d i s p o s a l of T h e i r E x c e l l e n c i e s a n d in

w a s u n e v e n t f u l a n d the noise of 4 e n g i n e s

v i e w of a rather l o n g j o u r n e y to c o m e , the

m e a n t that not a s i n g l e b i r d or a n i m a l w a s

e v e n i n g w a s spent quietly.

s e e n o n the b a n k s .

39

Rumah Penghulu Jinggut was reached at 5 p.m. where the party was given a traditional welcome by the Dayaks. During the firing of salutes a small brass cannon e x p l o d e d , injuring a woman in the leg. The Dresser who accompanied the party treated the injury and pronounced it to be superficial, so that the welcome was not marred by any bad omen.

In the evening, offerings of ritual food (bedarah) were made either in each "bilek" or on the "ruai" of the house. The party split up in order to carry out the ceremonial, which ensured reasonable abstinence and an early night.

At 7.30 a.m. the following morning the party o n c e more e m b a r k e d en route to Temonggong Koh's house. A brief halt was made at a house close to the confluence of the Balleh and the Ga'at in order to have a picnic lunch.

The inmates of the house were a little bewildered at so many Europeans descending upon them unannounced and in such a hurry, and o n e old man w h o r e m e m b e r e d the Krakatau eruption felt that this new upheaval was no less impressive.

Temonggong Koh's house was reached at 4.15 p.mn. and after a welcome at the jetty

Their Excellencies mounted to the house through lines of assembled Penghulus and other notables and girls in traditional costume dispensing "tuak ".

Once inside the house, a "bedarah'' was performed on the "ruai" and a "pantun" sung to each of the guests. A welcome pause then followed and later the party assembled in Temonggong Koh's room where Penghulu Gerinang acted as Master of Ceremonies with startling efficiency.

After dinner the real business of the evening begin:- a "bedarah" in each room or on the " r u a i " followed by dancing in which the visitors joined. During the performance of these "bedarah" Mrs. Dawson was in great demand, and all the male "pantun" singers vied with each other in singing her praises.

The next morning a "Gawai", stated to be "Gawai Nanga Rumah", one of the "Ranyai Gawai", was performed. Their Excellencies went down to the jetty and made a ceremonial entry into the house, in which the killing of a pig figured. A' 'piring" (dish of ritual food) was prepared which included, to the momentary discomfort of the guests, cups if fowls blood.

This was described as a "Piring Pengalu", the _ normal offering made to the gods in honour of

40

the

arrival of d i s t i n g u i s h e d visitors.

Excellency the

His

"bedarah"

Commissioner-General then

u n d e r t o o k the c e r e m o n y o f " N a n a m " . made

beforehand.

small

and

a

fowl

was

p l a c e d o n a p o l e set u p i n " R u m a h M e n i g a " :

house

This c e r e m o n y concluded, each of the

( R u m a h M e n i g a ) s y m b o l i c o f the d w e l l i n g o f

g u e s t s in turn, attired w i t h hat, s w o r d , s h i e l d

the g o d s i n h e a v e n , h a d b e e n constructed o n

a n d m o n k e y skin,

t h e r i d g e of the roof of the l o n g house. A l a d d e r

R a n y a i " (the s w e e p i n g o f the " R a n y a i " ) u s i n g

l e d u p t o " R u m a h M e n i g a " f r o m the " r u a i " o f

a

the h o u s e a n d a f u r t h e r l a d d e r f r o m outside on

a c c o m p a n i e d b y a sponsor w h o l e d t h e m i n

the v e r a n d a h . A l o n g p i e c e of cloth, s i g n i f y i n g

s w e e p i n g e a c h m a i n post o f the h o u s e a s w e l l

continuity b e t w e e n earth and h e a v e n and

a s the " r a n y a i " a n d i n uttering l o u d shrieks

p r o m i s i n g l o n g l i f e a n d g o o d luck, w a s h u n g

opposite

f r o m " R u m a h M e n i g a " t o the " r u a i " . A f e n c e

o f f e r e d a glass of " t u a k " . T h e s t r e n g t h of the

m a d e of a r o t a n m a t a n d a D a y a k b l a n k e t w a s

shriek s e e m e d to d e p e n d entirely on the

t h e n c o n s t r u c t e d a r o u n d the l a d d e r l e a d i n g

q u a l i t y of " t u a k " o f f e r e d or p e r h a p s it w a s that

from the

as the libations increased the vocal effort

"ruai",

A

place

blood o f f e r e d to the gods. This " p i r i n g " w a s

O n this o c c a s i o n all the p r e p a r a t i o n h a d been

took

s l a u g h t e r e d d u r i n g the p e r f o r m a n c e a n d its

the w h o l e b e i n g called

" R a n y a i " a s y m b o l i c t r e e a n d l o n g house.

At

the

same

time

His

performing

mop

each

of

grass.

door w h e r e

They

were

the inhabitant

b e c a m e easier. " N e p a s R a n y a i " w a s f o l l o w e d by

E x c e l l e n c y the

Commissioner-General was

circular

proceeded with " N e p a s

"Nimang",

the recitation of traditional

m y t h s c o n n e c t e d w i t h the deities, p e r f o r m e d

a

f u r t h e r " b e d a r a h " ( P i r i n g N a n a m " the plant-

by tour p e r s o n s . A f i n a l " b e d a r a h " w a s p e r -

i n g of p l a c i n g of the o f f e r i n g to be m a d e to the

f o r m e d b e f o r e the party l e f t the h o u s e a n d the "piring"

gods).

T h e " b e d a r a h " concluded, His Excellency t h g e O f f i c e r A d m i n i s t e r i n g the G o v e r n m e n t b o r e the

"piring",

by w a y of the outside

ladder, to " R u m a h M e n i g a . " T h e r e another

41

given

to

His

Excellency

the

C o m m i s s i o n e r - G e n e r a l , w i t h the injunction that it s h o u l d not be d i s p o s e d of f o r t h r e e days.

T h e " p i r i n g " was ceremoniously consigned to the S a r a w a k r i v e r t h r e e d a y s later.

This whole " g a w a i " appeared to be a portion of the larger "Ijok Pumpang" ceremony, in which the gods are persuaded to come and stay in the house especially constructed for them, when, after a night of festivity in which the gods have shared, a pig will be offered to the G o d Singalang Burong, who in gratitude will given an omen and enter the room of the giver of the feast, in this case Temonggong Koh. It was also explained that the ceremony was symbolic of Temonggong Koh's ascending to the house of the gods and consorting with them.

It was a very reluctant party who left Temonggong Koh's house, amid many sincere and often fond farewells, for Kapit. The following day the "La Follette" was boarded once more and, on the way to Sibu, the newly built Song Station was visited. Their Excellencies were given a rousing welcome and after

42

hearing requests and inspecting the Station were entertained to light refreshments at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

A further stop was made at Kanowit where Their Excellencies were met by the District Officer, Mr. J. F. Drake-Brockman, and the Principal of the Rural Improvement School, Mr. R.A. Bewsher, and Mrs. Bewsher. A most instructive hour was spent in touring the School with Mr. Bewsher who explained it activities.

Sibu was reached at 4.30 p.m., and in the evening the Resident gave a party at the Island Club in honour of Thier Excellencies' visit.

An enjoyable evening was spent with Government officials and leading citizens of Sibu, to bring to a close a most memorable tour.

The journey back to Kuching was accomplished on the 11th. - (Contributed).

His Excellency The Governor, Mr Duncan George Stewart Visit to Sibu on 3/12/49

Attack on H.E. The Governor The

newly

appointed

governor

of

tion, a small c o r e of w h i c h has, s i n c e t h e arri-

S a r a w a k , w h i l e p a y i n g his first visit to Sibu on

val of the Governor,

S a t u r d a y last 3/12/49 w a s s u d d e n l y a t t a c k e d

o p p o s i t i o n to the C e s s i o n of S a r a w a k to t h e

b y t w o M a l a y s w h i l e o n his w a y f r o m the

Crown.

wharf to the G o v e r n m e n t offices. He received

f o r m e d a n d further surgical h e l p w a s q u i c k l y

a stab w o u n d i n t h e a b d o m e n . T h e assailants

sent b y R . A . F . f l y i n g b o a t f r o m S i n g a p o r e a t

h a v e b e e n arrested and investigations are

the r e q u e s t o f the S a r a w a k G o v e r n m e n t . T h e

p r o c e e d i n g . T h e y a r e m e m b e r s o f a n associa-

G o v e r n o r ' s c o n d i t i o n is serious.

43

continued to show

A n i m m e d i a t e operation w a s per-

H.E. The Governor flown to Singapore There are more details of the attack on His Excellency the Governor of Sarawak, Mr D u n c a n G e o r g e Stewart, w h i l e h e w a s making his first official visit to the town of Sibu in the Third Division. His Excellency was walking up the road to be present at an investiture to present medals to some persons in the town and was in uniform. He had passed rows of school children who had lined up to welcome him, holding flags and cheering him, when a Malay rushed out from the crowd and stabbed Mr Stewart in the stomach. The assailant fell when he had done this and was immediately held by the police. Although he was wounded. His Excellency proceeded to the place for the investiture and acknowledged the greetings of the crowd. Soon after the first attack another Malay tried to stab His Excellency but he was caught by Mr T. St. J. Dilks w h o was immediately His Excellency.

Mr Dilks frustrated his attempt and held him until he was arrested by the police. The Malay who wielded the knife is stated to be a youth of sixteen years of age.

His Excellency's condition was found to be serious as the stab wound had perforated the intestine and an emergency operation was performed on him by the surgeon in Sibu, Dr E.H. Wallace. A message for help was sent to Singapore. At three o'clock in the morning of Sunday, Professor M e k i e a w e l l - k n o w n

44

Singapore surgeon took off in a Sunderland and arrived in Sibu four hours later. Professor M e k i e made his examination and decided that another operation was necessary and His Excellency should be flown to Singapore the same day for this purpose. He paid tribute to the work of Dr Wallace in the emergency operation. The plane carrying His Excellency arrived in Seletar where the Commissioner General, Mr Malcolm MacDonald, and the Officer Administering the Government of Singapore, Mr P.A.B. McKerron, were waiti n g . His E x c e l l e n c y w a s rushed to theHospital. It is stated that during the flight to Singapore blood transfusion was given to Mr Stewart.

A bulletin issued by the General Hospital at nine o'clock yesterday morning stated that his Excellency had passed a calm night on Sunday and had got over the danger of the attack but his condition was still serious. The Officer Administering the Government of Singapore, Mr P.A.B. McKerron, received a message from the Officer Administering the Government of Sarawak, Mr C.W. Dawson, who said that he was glad that His Excellency was doing well and added that a public meeting was held in Sibu of all communities in which they expressed horror at the crime and their sympathy for the Governor.

Arrests In Sibu In connection with the attack made upon the Governor of Sarawak at Sibu on Saturday last, in addition to the two assailants, nine other persons have been arrested. It is proba le that two further arrests will be made in the near future.

The two assailants, whose names are Rosli bin Dobie and Morshidi bin Sidek, have been produced before a Magistrate and a preliminary inquiry will shortly be held at which it is understood that the prosecution will ask for committal for trial on charges of attempted murder.

The other arrested persons have been remanded in custody and enquiries are proceeding.

A public meeting was held at Sibu on Monday, at which the Governor's Deputy, Mr C.W. Dawson, was present. It was attended by l a r g e numbers of representatives of the Malay, Dayak and Chinese Communities, and a solution was unanimously passed condemning the outrage and expressing their support of the Government.

Messages of sympathy and loyalty have been received from all communities throughout Sarawak. It is satisfactory to note the incident has not been accompanied by any disturbances.

The latest news of His Excellency's condition is that he passed a fair night on Monday and his condition is satisfactory.

Attack on the G o v e r n o r — Preliminary Inquiry at Sibu The preliminary inquiry into the death of the Governor of Sarawak opened on the afternoon of the 15th December before Mr F.B.K. Drake in the Court Room of the Government Offices, Sibu, and was concluded the following morning. The two men, Roslie bin Dobie, aged 19, and Morshidi bin Sidek, aged 25, who were originally arrested on a charge of attempted murder, were in Court throughout the proceedings, and were able to question witnesses who were called by the prosecuting o f f i c e r , Mr A . C . Eattell, Assistant Commissioner of Constabulary.

Sgt. Kiker Singh explained that he was in charge of traffic outside the Government Offices when the Governor arrived at Sibu.

Just after the Governor had passed in front of him, he noticed someone came out and then saw blood on the Governor's left side. He saw a youth holding a knife, and this youth slipped down in front of him. He quickly caught hold of the youth's right hand, in which he still held a knife. A constable came to his assistance and together they took the youth to the Police Station. He recognised the youth whom he arrested as Roslie bin Dobie. He also identified the knife which the youth had in his hand at the time. He said that at the first attempt the

45

youth stabbed the Governor and that he tried to do so again, but fell and was caught.

Dr E.H. Wallace, Medical Officer, Third Division, described seeing a man holding a dagger in his hand and making an attempt to stab the Governor. He was then called over to the Governor, whom he helped to the nearest taxi, a distance of about twenty yards. He assisted him into the taxi and they immediately drove to the hospital, where the Governor was taken to the operating table. Dr Wallace added that he found out that an immediate operation was necessary, and then described the nature of the Governor's wounds.

Professor D.E.C. M e i k i e , Professor of Clinical Surgery, Singapore, said that on arrival in Sibu he examined the Governor with Dr Wallace and decided that he should be transferred to Singapore General Hospital, because the nature of. his injuries demanded greater facilities than were available in Sibu.

Mr J.C.H. Barcroft, Resident, Third Division, described the arrival of the Governor and his progress down the road between lines of school children. He continued: "I pointed out to His Excellency the various schools and explained the initials of their badges as we came abreast the entrance to the Offices. I

said to His Excellency:- "Here we wheel right.

Suddenly from the left from the ranks of the Methodist School someone collapsed at the feet of His Excellency and myself. I thought a school boy had fainted. Immediately there was a commotion. I saw another man advancing upon us with a knife in his hand. I stepped towards him, but he seized from be-

hind by Mr Dilks, the Private Secretary." Mr Barcroft added that he also grabbed the man by the wrist with which he held the dagger.

He then turned round to see a Sikh policeman with a Malay youth, whom he had seized round the throat. Only after that did he realised for the first time that the Governor was wounded.

Obituary HIS EXCELLENCY MR. DUNCAN GEORGE STEWART, C.M.G. Air Force to send a flying boat to Sibu the next morning with a surgeon and nurse. It left Singapore at 4 a.m. After consultation the doctors decided that the patient could be flown to Singapore, and this was done the same day.

First reports of Mr. Stewart's condition from the Singapore General Hospital were encouraging, but it was later learned that a further operation had been found necesary.

This was not successful, and his condition deteriorated rapidly till at 11.10 a.m. on the 10th December, exactly a w e e k after the attack, he died.

The funeral took place with full military honours in Singaore on the 11th December.

The pall-bearers were the CommissionerGeneral (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald), the High Commissioner for the Federation of Malaya (Sir H e n r y G u r n e y ) and the O f f i c e r s Administering the Governments of Singapore (Mr. P.A.B. McKerron) and Sarawak (Mr. C. W. Dawson). TheCommissioner-General was also present as the personal representative of His Majesty the King. The funeral service wa broadcast over Radio Malaya and' many in Sarawak were able to hear it.

Mr. Stewart was in Sarawak for so short a time that we were hardly able to assess his qualities as a Governor. Those, however, who were privileged to meet him were impressed by his youthfulness, his keenness and his unassuming manner. We could not doubt that he would have made a worthy successor to Sir Charles Arden-Clarke, and that Sarawak is the poorer for his untimely death.

We cannot do better than reproduce the words spoken over Radio M a l a y a by the C o m m i s s i o n e r - G e n e r a l o n t h e 10th December:*

Dncan George Stewart was born in the Transvaal in 1904. Educated at Winchester and Oriel College, Oxford, he was appointed to the Colonial Administrative Service in 1928 and posted to Nigeria. After sixteen years in West Africa, he became successively Colonial Secretary of the Bahamas and Financial Secretary, Palestine. H e w a s appointed G o v e r n o r and C o m m a n d e r - i n r Chief of Sarawak in September, 1949, in succession to Sir Charles Arden-Clarke, and he arrived in Kuching and was formally installed on the 14th November.

He was detained in Kuching for a little over a forthnight owing to the meeting of the Council Negri and the accompanying social activities, but he had intended as soon as he could to visit every Division in Sarawak and the State of Brunei. He left for his first tour, to the Third Division, on the 2nd December, and it was after landing the following day at Sibu and inspecting the guard of honour that he received the stroke from a dagger which finally proved fatal to him.

He was moving from the guard to the government office between the customary rows of school children, when a young Malay, who had been standing among the children, rushed f o r w a r d and stabbed him in the abdomen. Another Malay, who was standing in the front of the crowd, pretending to take photographs, also made as if to attack him, but was prevented by the Private Secretary, who handed him over to the police.

The Governor walked the remaining f e w y a r d s to t h e o f f i c e , a n e a r b y car w a s summoned and he was taken to the hospital, where an operation was performed. News of the incident was at once passed to Kuching, and arrangements were made for the Royal

46

" W e h a v e l i s t e n e d h e l p l e s s t o the h e a r t - b r e a k i n g n e w s that this morning Duncan Stewart, Governor and Commanderin-Chief of Sarawak, died of his wounds. Of the blow which struck him down I shall say nothing. On that we must withhold opinion until the processes of justice reveal their sorry tale and pronounce their solemn judgement.

But this I must say. I know the peoples of Sarawak. This crime does not represent them.

They are the salt of the earth; they are the most friendly, most peaceable and the most kindly people whom one could wish to meet.

They detest this deed. It is a blow, not for them, but against them. It leaves them bewildered and stricken, mourning the loss of a noble Governor and friend.

strivings there is peace. Such a blow falls heavily upon the dead, but even more heavily upon the living.

"Mrs. Stewart has been at her husband's bedside, facing the grim chances of life and death with superlative courage. That young and gracious and lovely lady was to have been the ideal partner for a Governor of Sarawak.

"With bowed heads we express to her our unspeakable grief and our most Tespectful and profound sympathies. " M a y G o d in his infinite mercy and kindness sustain and comfort her and her children and us all."

Telegrams of condolence have been sent to Mrs. Stewart and to the O f f i c e r Administering the Government from many parts of the world and from many communities, associations and commercial firms in Sarawak. We are unable to print all of them, but we give below a f e w that are of especial interesti-

"Duncan Stewart was a man of great and attractive qualities. In several lands his work marked him out for early and high promotion in the service of his fellow men. He was modest and simple, energetic and fearless, charming and friendly, able and wise. At the comparatively youthful age of forty-five he was chosen for-his new post, because His Majesty the King wished to give Sarawak the finest and best that was in his gift in the way of Governors.

From His Majesty the King:"The Queen and I are grieved to hear the news of your husband's death and send you our sincere sympathy in your sad loss."

From His Royal Highness the Duke of Windsor: " T h e Duchess and I send you all our sympathy and are thinking of you at this sad time.

From the S e c r e t a r y of State for the Colonies:"It is with the greatest sorrow and regret that I have heard the news of Mr. Duncan Stewart's death. His brave demeanour after the foul attack made upon him last Saturday and his splendid struggle for life were typical of the fine qualities of one whose loss will be deeply felt not only among his family and friends and colleagues but also among the people of Sarawak whom he had so recently gone to serve. The cowardly murder of a man so devoted to the welfare of the Colonial peoples and with so much to give to their service is abhorrent to all men of good will.

The deepest sympathy of myself and of His Majesty's- Government goes out to his wife and children and to all those who knew and

"Stewart himself was a man incapable of unkindness or cruelty. He could bear no malice. With all his distinctions and brilliance and success, he retained a young and gay heart.

"When he landed at Seletar from Borneo the other day, carried ashore on a stretcher, Pat McKerron and I talked with him for a f e w minutes. In the course of the brief conversation he spoke only two sentences about the deadly attack made upon him. With a smile, he said: " Y o u know, in some ways it was really rather funny. I must tell you about it when I have got the time."

"Alas, he was not to have the time for that, nor to f u l f i l the splendid destiny which awaited him amongst us. " A t Sibu and Singapore he r e c e i v e d devoted medical care. Skilful doctors and nurses did everything that was possible to save his life. They found a magnificent ally in his own stout heart. By sheer healthiness of body and staunchness of spirit, he kept himself alive a day or two longer than in the end the effect of his, wounds seemed to make possible.

loved him."

Also from the Secretary of State for the Colonies:"I should be grateful if you would convey my profound sympathy in the loss sustained

"But this morning he lost his gallant fight and passes to w h e r e b e y o n d all earthly

47

in Bahamas with feelings of deep shock and personal concern. Expressions I have heard indicate deep-seated regard with which both he and you were held in this Colony. On behalf E x e c u t i v e C o u n c i l and C o l o n y of Bahamas generally I wish to express sincere condolence and sympathy.

From the Acting Governor of St. Helena:" G r a t e f u l if you will c o n v e y to Mrs. Stewart deepest sympathy from members of Colonial Service here and the people of St. Helena Colony."

From the A u s t r a l i a n C o m m i s s i o n e r , Singapore:"Please accept deepest sympathy of my Government and this Australian Commission in your tragic loss."

From the Swiss Consul, Singapore:"Please accept my sincere condolences and the expression of my heartfelt sympathy for the untimely loss of His Excellency the Governor of Sarawak."

From His Highness the Sultan of Brunei :"Beta dukadta kematian Tuan governor D.G. Stewart sampaikan kepada isteri dan ahlinya."

From the British Resident, Brunei:" I and all p e o p l e i n B r u n e i d e e p l y distressed at tragic news and send our sincere sympathy to you and g o v e r n m e n t of Sarawak."

From His H i g h n e s s the Sultan of Selangor:"It is with the greatest sorrow that my wife and I heard of the death of Mr. Stewart. Please convey our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Stewart in her hour of bereavement."

From His Highness the Regent of Johore:" P l e a s e c o n v e y t o Mrs. S t e w a r t m y deepest sympathy and condolence in her very sad bereavement and the great loss."

by the death of the Governor in such tragic circumstances to all members of Councils, Public Services and People of Sarawak."

From Sir Charles Arden-Clarke, Governor of the Gold Coast:" T h e peoples and Government Service of Sarawak must be as deeply shocked as we cue by this insane outrage against the Governor, so utterly at variance with its tradition of friendliness and hospitality. My wife and I send the Colony our deepest sympathy."

From His Highness the Rajah*:"Ranee and I deeply shocked at news of Sarawak outrage. At first suitable opportunity shall be g r a t e f u l if you w i l l c o n v e y to Governor our sincere wishes for a speedy recovery and early return to duty."

F r o m the O f f i c e r A d m i n i s t e r i n g the Government of North Borneo:"Deeply regret to hear sad news, of Mr. S t e w a r t ' s d e a t h . M e m b e r s of A d v i s o r y Council now in session and people of North Borneo send their deepest sympathy to widow and children in their sad bereavement."

From the H i g h Commissioner for the Federation of Malaya:"I have been deeply shocked to learn of the death of Mr. Duncan Stewart and offer you and the Government and p e o p l e of Sarawak sincere sympathy in your great loss."

From the Governor of Hong Kong:"Please convey my deepest condolences to Mrs. Stewart."

From the Governor of the Gambia:"Please accept my sincere sympathy and that of all communities in the Gambia in the great loss your Colony has sustained."

From the A c t i n g G o v e r n o r of the Bahamas:"Tragic news of your bereavement has been received by all who knew your husband

48

Funeral Of His Excellency The Governor The following account of the-funeral of His Excellency the Governor of Sarawak has been received from Singapore.

C r o w d s b e g a n to g a t h e r outside St. Andrew's Cathedral two hours before the huleral service was due to begin. Close by the Scots Guards were waiting as escort and with them w e r e the bank of the S e a f o r t h Highlanders whose drums were draped in black, the buglers of the Scots Guards and a detachment of the Singapore police. At 4 p.m. the hearse with its police escort arrived outside the Supreme Court (which is four hundred yards from the Cathedral) where the coffin was transferred by the military bearer party of eight Scots guardsmen to a guncarriage. The coffin was draped with the union Jack and on top were two personal wreaths and the white plumed dress helmet of the late Governor. His insignia were carried on a red insignia cushion.

T h e o f f i c i a l p a l l - b e a r e r s w e r e the Commissioner General, Mr. Malcom MacDonald, the Officer Administering the G o v e r n m e n t , Sarawak, M r . Christopher Dawson, the H i g h Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya, Sir Henry Gurney and the Officer Administering the Government, Singapore, Mr. P.A.B. McKerron. As the cortege m o v e d off the gun-carriage was pulled by a party of fourteen Singapore Police.

Behind the carriage walked representatives of the British Services and the representatives of the people of Sarawak who had accompanied Mr. Dawson to Singapore in the morning.

It was most moving scene as the cortege, headed by the band, which was playing Chopin's Funeral March, moved at the slow march into the Cathedral grounds. The road was lined four and five deep all'the way and the lawn in front of the main door of the Cathedral was carpeted with wreaths. At the Cathedral porch the Venerable Archdeacon

Gregory, who was officiating in the absence of the Bishop of Singapore in Bangkok, met the procession and preceded it into the church.

While the 23rd Pealm was sung the draped coffin was carried up the aisle to its place in the Cathedral Choir. Mrs. Stewart sat with Mrs. Mckerron and Mr. T. St. J. Dilks, who had been Private Secretary to her husband. At the conclusion of the service a party of eight buglers from the Scots guards sounded the R e v e i l l e and the Last Post w h i l e the congregation stood in final respect. The coffin was then carried down the aisle by the bearer party, and the official mourners followed. It was placed on a hearse which moved off while the Singapore Artillery Regiment fired a seventeen-gun salute. The burial at Bidadari Cemetery was, at the request of Mrs. Stewart, private.

In addition to the wreaths from Sarawak, mentioned in yesterday The secretary of State for the Colonies.

The Commissioner General.

T h e Governor of Singapore, Sir Franklin Gimson and Lady Gimson.

The Officer Administering the Government, Singapore and Mrs. McKerron.

His Highness the Rajah.

T h e n e w l y appointed Governor of North Borneo, Sir Ralph Hone and Lady Hone.

The Government of Singapore.

The High Commissioner for the Federation of Malaya, Sir Henry Gurney and Lady Gurney.

The Government of the Federation of Malaya.

The Sultan and Government of Brunei.

The British Resident of Brunei, Mr. Pretty and Mrs. Pretty.

The Government and people of the Bahamas, w h e r e the late G o v e r n o r w a s f o r m e r l y Colonial Secretary.

49

The Sibu Murder Trial murder. He then explained the law of common intention. If two people agree to commit murder and one attracts the attention of the victim or does something to halt his progress, in order to enable the other to deliver a fatal blow, and the other does deliver that blow, according to the law both are equally quilty of murder.

The trial of Rosli bin Dobi and Morshidi bin Sidek for the murder of the late Governor Mr. Duncan Stewart opened in the Second Circuit Court, Sibu, on the 5th January. His Honour Judge D.R. Lascelles sat with five assessors, of whom three "were Malays, one Dayak and one Chinese. Both accused were defended by Mr. J. Pike, Assistant District Officer, Binatang.

The public benches of the Court Room, which had been almost empty for the preliminary inquiry three weeks earlier, were filled with spectators, many of them Ibans.

Both Rosli and Morshidi pleaded guilty, though at the preliminary inquiry the latter had p l e a d e d not guilty. T h e pleas w e r e accepted, but it was decided to hear evidence.

T h e case was opened by the AttorneyG e n e r a l , M r . A.J. G r a t t a n - B e l l e w , w h o p r o s e c u t e d . H e e x p l a i n e d h o w the late G o v e n o r h a d c o m e to Sibu on the 3rd December, and how he was attacked by Rosli, who came out from the side and stabbed him in the abdomen, being immediately caught by two policemen. Morshidi had meanwhile p r e t e n d e d tQ take a photograph of the Governor, in order to check him; after the first accused had made his attack he (Morshidi) came forward with a dagger upraised in his hand, but was immediately overcome by Mr. Barcoft, Resident, Third Division, and Mr. Dilks, Private Secretary to the Governor. The two accused were then taken to the Police Station with their weapons. The AttorneyGeneral produced in Court a small camera, which he said was found on Morshidi, but which could not have been used for taking pictures as it was broken, the Governor was s t r a i g h t w a y rushed to hospital and an operation was performed; the wound, which was one and a third inches in breadth, had penetrated three inches. Next morning he was taken, on medical advice, to Singapore, where he died on 10th December. On 5th December both accused made confessions. The Attorney-General said that, as far as the first accused, Rosli, was concerned, he had been caught in the act of murdering the Governor and that was all it was necessary to say. As to Morshidi, the evidence would show, Mr. G r a t t a n - B e l l e w submitted, that the two accused were acting on an agreement having the common intention of killing the Governor and that Morshidi assisted in carrying out the

50

T h e rest of the morning session was occupied with the evidence of witnesses, including Mr. Barcroft, Mr. Dilks and a number of policemen. They gave substantially the same evidence as they had given at the preliminary inquiry.

W h e n the Court r e a s s e m b l e d in the afternoon, statements m a d e by the t w o accused were read out, which alleged that there had been in existence for more than a year an organisation called the "Thirteen essential ingredients", whose object was to assassinate the Governor and other British officials.

In his statement Rosli bin Dobi said that three or four months previously he was walking in Sibu when he was hailed by a man named Bujang bin Suntong, who asked him if he knew of a party called the "Thirteen essential ingredients", which was headed by Awang Rambli, who was Secretary-General of the Pergerakan Pemuda Melayu. Rosli said he had never heard of it, and Bujang explained that the party's first object was to sacrifice themselves, if necessity arose, because they had been resisting for three years without gaining anything. It was essential to get liberation restored as soon as possible. They must take action because the justice they had awaited from the British Government had not materialised. Secondly, they must await a future occasion when they could take precise action and assassinate the Governor and other British officials. Bujang added that there were about thirteen members of the society and gave their "names.

Later, Rosli went on, he was hailed by Rambli, who asked him to come to his house, where he was told about the Governor's impending visit. Rosli suggested that they should put up posters as they had done in the past, but Rambli replied:- "It is useless to carry on the old style of opposition; it is like awaiting rain of gold from heaven. We must remember that freedom is certainly in our hands if we are

them that they would take an oath in the form of drinking water; what was said at the meeting must not be repeated to anybody, and whoever related what was said would commit a mortal sin and would be cursed. Rambli then said, according to the statement. " W e have been fighting for three years and have not yet recovered our country, Sarawak. N o w the time has come when we must assassinate the Governor and the Resident, but the exact time w e d o not k n o w . T h e r e must b e this assassination that our country may revert to the status quo ante." He (Morshidi) was very frightened at hearing this statement and remained silent, as did the others. Rambli said that the m e e t i n g w o u l d b e n a m e d the " T h i r t e e n essential i n g r e d i e n t s " . T h e statement went on to say that on the last visit of the Governor, Sir Charles Arden-Clarke, they did not decide to do anything.

ready to sacrifice ourselves." Rambli said there was no better person to sacrifice than the Governor. When Rosli expostulated that this was a difficult affair, Rambli answered:- " O n the contrary, it is a very easy one. If we kill the Governor, our country will quickly regain freedom, and we will certainly receive an honourable name which will be known by all within and without the country." He added that Rosli was the best person to do the deed because he was young and still in school and because of this Government would have no suspicion. Rambli added that, if Rosli got into trouble and was imprisoned, he (Rambli) would definitely assist him. On this occasion Rosli would not agree to act.

A week later Rambli came to his house and, after cigarettes had been handed round, he repeated what he had said before. Rosli said that they should have another meeting, and Rambli said no more. They eventually parted, but at 5 p.m. that evening, when Rosli went on his bicycle to the mosque, he was called by Rambli, who was in nearby house.

There was further conversation and, after five minutes' thought, Rosli said that he was preparing himself for the deed.

Rosli's statement then described other meetings which took place in the three days prior to the arrival of the Governor in Sibu.

At 6 a.m. on the 3rd December, Rosli went to M o r s h i d i ' s house and discussed arrangements. The statement continued:- "I r e t u r n e d h o m e and took a bath and refreshment. I then dressed and took with me one camera and one knife. I went to the Methodist School, fell in with them and marched to the Offices, where we were drawn up in front of the main office. Morshidi was standing close by and I called him over and gave him the camera." Rosli then described the attack thus:- "When the Governor came abreast of me, I took the knife from my pocket and d i v e d a t t h e G o v e r n o r . M o r s h i d i advanced with me. When I first tried to stab the Governor, I did not hit him. I saw the police were about to seize me and I threw my knife at the Governor. I was straightway seized and I do not k n o w w h e t h e r the k n i f e got the Governor or not."

Morshidi bin Sidek's statement started by describing a meeting which took place "over a year ago". He was taken by Rambli to a house where he saw "a qreat number of friends".

The statement described how, after a passage from the Koran had been read, Rambli told

Morshidi's statement then referred to a meeting which took place in a public school at Sibu on the Thursday before the Governor's arrival. He was called to the meeting by a circular which was sent by Rosli, who opened the meeting by saying that he and Rambli had agreed to the step which they intended to take to kill the Governor. He wished to select two friends to join him. He chose Morshidi. Morshidi protested that the affair must be carefully thought out, but Rosli assured him that Rambli approved the proposal and would be responsible for Court proceedings, were they arrested.

The statement later described a meting at the P.P.M. Club on the evening of 2nd December. At the end Rambli called to Morshidi to go with him to the bazaar, and there Rambli said to him and Rosli:- "This is your opportunity.

You kill the Governor on his arrival." Rambli added that, if the two did not do the deed, he himself must do it. On his way home Morshidi called for a short while at a house where a dance was going on. Morshidi's statement concluded with a description of his part in the attack.

After the two statements, each of which totalled about 2,000 words, had been read in Court, Rosli went into the witness box and confirmed in a firm, unemotional voice that his statement was all correct. He added, in reply to a question by Mr. Pike, defending, that he was sorry for what he had done; he had been pushed into doing it by Rambli, but he was now reallu sorry for himself and put himself affile mercy of the Court. Morshidi, who followed him into the box, nodded when he was

51

asked if his statement was correct. He also said that he was sorry for What he had done and said that he had been pestered by Rosh and Rambli. He asked the Court to have pity on him.

In his speech for the defence, Mr. Pike asked the Court to take into consideration the youth and impressionability of the accused and suggested that they had been talked into their action by Rambli. He spoke of the background of the Japanese occupation, "when a true appreciation of values and a proper appreciation of law and order" was lacking; the accused, who were children when the Japanese came, had very little chance of growing up. Mr. Pike finally asked the Court to take into consideration the way the accused had helped the Crown and that they had been driven to do what they had by a "discredited Government servant who has not the courage to act for himself and drives small innocent people to do his dirty work for him."

cused guilty, they could make such recommendations for clemency as they deemed fit.

But they must bear in mind that an innocent man was done to death and that either of the accused could have reported the matter to Government and saved the deceased's life. It had appeared in evidence that at one stage in the plotting Rambli said that, if the accused would not do the deed, then he would do it himself. "You may ask yourselves why they did not leave it to Rambli", the Judge concluded.

The assessors were out of Court for barely ten minutes and, on returning, they each told Judge Lascelles in turn that they found both the accused guilty. There were no recommendations to mercy. The accused were then found guilty by the Judge.

Rosli then made a statement standing in the dock. His voice was firm and storng, but he was obviously labouring under strong emotion. He said he realised he had done wrong, The day's proceeding closed with a short admitted his guilt and asked for clemency. If it had not been for Rambli, he would have done summing-up by the Attorney-General.

When the Court resumed on the following nothing. He added that, if the Court would not morning, Judge Lascelles summed up for the give him clemency, he would ask for the matfive assesors sitting with him. He said it was ter to be considered by the Supreme Council almost certain that never before in the history in Kuching.

Morshidi then spoke in similar vein, but of Sarawak had there been a case in Court which had aroused the interest that this had said that both Rambli and RosU had instigated done. He advised the assessors that, although him and that he was afraid and gave in. they might have heard much discussion about Finally Judge Lascelles passed sentence. the killing of the Governor, they must view the He said to the two accused:- " Y o u may have case with open minds and must now allow hoped to achieve names for yourselves and outside opinion to affect their judgement, as you have done so. Your names will go down in they had been asked to serve as assessors so the history of Sarawak as the two men who that he (the Judge) might have the benefit of cowardly murdered an innocent man, a man their considered opinion. He then made cer- who a few weeks earlier at his inauguration in tain legal explanations and, after reviewing Kuching as Governor had dedicated himself to briefly the proceedings of the trial, made this the furtherance of the interests of the country point. Mr. Pike, for the defence, had stressed, and the people. The Malay people in Sarawak he said, that the event would not have taken have a fine record of service and loyalty, and I place without the instigation of Awang Ramb- am sure all decent Malays will regard this li, that it was entirely due to that man's influ- deed as a blot on that record, and that your ence that the deed was carried out. He must names will be regarded by future generations direct them that the fact that the accused with abhorrence." After saying that the law might have acted under the influence of someprovided but one penalty for the offence of one else was no legal defence to a murder which they had been convicted, the Judge charge. He added that, if they found the acsentenced both accused to death by hanging.

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The Sibu Conspiracy Case Preliminary Inquiry Ten Malays, all of them members of the Pergerakan Pemuda Melayu (P.P.M.), who were arrested on a charge of conspiracy to murder, following the attack on the late Gover nor at Sibu on the 3rd December, appeared in Court on the afternoon of the 6th January, when the preliminary inquiry began before Mr F.B.K. Drake at Sibu. The accused persons were:1. A w a n g Rambli bin Mohammed Deli, aged about 38. General Secretary of the P.P.M. Born in Brooketon (Brunei), joined the Sarawak Customs Department in July, 1929, and resigned in 1946.

2. Abang Han bin Abang Ahmat, aged 25.

Employed in Sarawak Oilfields Limited laboratory at Lutong.

3. Bujang bin Suntong, aged 58. Casual labourer.

4. A w a n g Osman bin Awang Mat, aged 48.

Rubber tapper.

5. Osman bin Abdullah, aged 40. Rubber tapper and formerly syce.

6. Morni bin Jurit, aged 30. Rubber tapper.

7. Chee (alias Osman) bin Mohammed, aged 28. Formerly electrician.

8. A b a n g A h m a t bin A b a n g Haji Abu Bakar, aged 23. Rubber gardener.

9. Wan Zen bin Wan Abdullah, aged 20.

Rubber tapper.

10. Jack bin Haji Usop, aged 17. Temporary clerk in National Registration Office, Sibu.

object was to promote anti-cession feeling in Sarawak. Among the fourteen were the President and the General Secretary of the society.

A f e w months b e f o r e the Governor was murdered, another man was brought into the conspiracy by Rambli and Bujang; this was Rosli, who had that morning been convicted of the murder of the Governor. After briefly narrating the events that had led up to the attack on the Governor, the Attorney-General said that the date of the meeting and the names of those present were known because one of the conspirators had recorded them in his diary.

After Professor Mekie's evidence had been taken, the Court adjourned till Monday, the 9th January, when the inquiry was resumed and lasted till mid-day on Thursday, the 12th.

The most important evidence was that given by the two men convicted of the Governor's murder, Rosli and Morshidi, each of whom spent a whole morning in the witness box. The chain of events revealed by the prosecution witnesses was as follows:In August, 1948, one Tambek bin Adon was employed by Mr Marjoribanks to move into his empty house, "Journey's End'' in Telephone Road, and to act as caretaker. A few days later he was approached by the accused Awang Rambli, Bujang and Abang Han and

by Mohammed Sirat, President of the P.P.M., and asked to lend the house for a makan ulap.

This duly took place on the 20th August.

Those present included all ten accused and Mohammed Sirat, Morshidi, Amin bin Jenal and Tambek himself, and a radio was brought from the P.P.M. Club.

The inquiry opened four hours after Rosli and Morshidi had been sentenced to death in the same room for the murder of the Governor, in order that Professor D.E.C. Mekie, Professor of Clinical Surgery, Singapore, might give his evidence relating to the Governor's death and then return to Singapore.

The case for the prosecution was conducted by the Attorney-General (Mr A.J. Grattan-Bellew). In his opening statement he said that evidence would be called to show that in August, 1948, a conspiracy took place.

Fourteen people, including the ten in the dock, met in a house in Sibu and there conspired to murder the Governor and other officials. They were all members of the P.P.M., which was a purely political society whose

All these persons went into a room, where Awang Rambli addressed them. He said that they w e r e the leaders of the anti-cession movement in Sibu. They had fought against the cession for a long time, but with no result.

The Rajah Muda Anthony Brooke was refused admittance to Sarawak because the Governor continued to advise London that his return would cause trouble. It was therefore necessary to take action in order that the British Government might know their wishes, and this action must take the form of killing the Governor, the Resident, other British officials and the elderly Malays who supported the

53

British Government. He himself, said Awang R a m b l i , w o u l d take the G o v e r n o r . T h e meeting agreed on the action proposed, and various members accepted responsibility for killing the Resident, the Datu and others.

A w a n g Rambli impressed on those present the need for extreme secrecy and said that anyone who gave information of what had been discussed would be accursed. It was decided to take an oath (the ayeryasin). Water was sent for, the accused Wan Zen read the yasin and all present took a sip of the water. It was decided to call the party "Rukun tigabelas," as there were thirteen members in addition to Awang Rambli, the leader. (Rukun tiga-belas are the thirteen essentials which must be included in a prayer, according to Moslem practice, if the prayer is to be effective). The objects of the party were stated to be (1) to kill the Governor and the other persons mentioned above and (2) to spread propaganda among the Malay youth to persuade them to join in the killing. If any member designated to perform a killing refused to do so or withdrew, he was to be killed before the persons listed.

Notebooks found in the possession of the accused Abang Han contained a list of the persons present at the meeting of 20th August, 1948. There was also a list of persons to be killed, which appeared to have been written at an earlier date. These latter were:"Datuk Abang Yan Abang Razak Abang Mentrang Abang Ibrahim Inspector Dahlan

Tuan Large Willie Geikie Abang Kiprawi, N.O. Abang Mustapha, N.O. Abang Morshidi, N.O. Sarikei."

There was also a smaller list of persons to be attacked (di-pukul). These entries w e r e confirmed by Abang Han in a statement which he made before the District Court Magistrate, M r A . C . W a i n e . M r W a i n e p r o v e d the statement in Court.

No immediate action was taken. Some of the witnesses stated that this was due to the opposition of Mohammed Sirat, President of the P.P.M., to the taking of blood.

Some four months before the murder Rosli bin Dobi, Assistant Secretary of the P.P.M., w a s informed by the accused Bujang bin Suntong of the existence of the Rukun tigabelas and its objects, and the need for secrecy was impressed on him.

54

On the 26th November, 1949, according to Rosli's statement, he was cycling past Awang Rambli's house, when the latter called him up, and told him that the Governor would be visiting Sibu on the 3rd December. He said that, in spite of posters to the effect that a Governor was not wanted, the British Government had sent out a new Governor, and means must be found to wipe him out or Sarawak's fight for independence would seem useless in the eyes of the world. " W e know," said Awang Rambli, "that the Government is collecting taxes from us, and the money is being used for building bungalows and houses for white men, but our kampong roads have not been repaired. A final settlement must be made by killing the Governor, and after this I fully believe that the complete independence at which we have been aiming will become effective. If we do not carry this out, our good way of living will be endangered. We have waited four years for our independence and it is just like waiting for golden rain to fall from the sky (hujan mas turun dari langit). I ask you, the Malay youth, to play your part in the killing of the Governor.

If a youth undertakes this, the Government will have no suspicion." Rosli demurred and A w a n g Rambli told him that now was the chance for him to make a name for himself.

The next day, however, A w a n g Rambli came to the Sekolah Ra'ayat, where Rosli was teaching, and again urged him to undertake the deed. Eventually Rosli agreed and Awang Rambli thanked him and suggested that he should ask the accused Bujang or Morshidi or Moss bin Takip to assist him.

Rosli called a meeting at the Sekolah Ra'ayat on the 1st D e c e m b e r , at which Morshidi, Moss and certain other witnesses were present. Rosli said, that A w a n g Rambli had asked him to kill the Governor on his arrival in Sibu, and had said that he (Awang Rambli) would support him in any Court proceedings that might result. He called for volunteers, but only Morshidi was willing. After leaving the meeting he went with Morshidi to Bujang's house and asked him to assist; Bujang, however, advised waiting for four or five days, when the Governor could be killed in the kampong, where there would be many of the British officials and elderly Malays also present. But Rosli said he could not wait.

On two occasions on the following day, said Rosli, Awang Rambli met him, to confirm him in his resolve and to assure him of his

support in a n y C o u r t p r o c e e d i n g s . A m e e t i n g

T h e M a g i s t r a t e s a i d that e v i d e n c e h a d

w a s h e l d i n the P . P . M . C l u b that e v e n i n g , a n d

b e e n a d d u c e d t e n d i n g t o s h o w that all the

w h e n i t w a s o v e r A w a n g R a m b l i w e n t off w i t h

a c c u s e d w e r e p r e s e n t at a m e e t i n g h e l d in

Rosli,

M o r s h i d i and some others. A w a n g

T e l e p h o n e R o a d on the 20th A u g u s t , 1948, at

Rambli finally obtained Morshidi's ag ree-

w h i c h i t w a s a g r e e d t o m u r d e r the G o v e r n o r o f

m e n t t o t a k e part i n t h e m u r d e r , telling h i m

S a r a w a k a n d others. O n e of the parties to this

that this w a s an o r d e r f r o m the Rukun tiga-

m e e t i n g , a c c o r d i n g t o the e v i d e n c e , h a d b e e n

belas a n d that, if he r e f u s e d to o b e y , A w a n g

c o n v i c t e d in the S e c o n d Circuit C o u r t of the

Rambli must take action against him. T h e

m u r d e r of the G o v e r n o r . In t h e p r e s e n t p r o -

f o l l o w i n g m o r n i n g the attack o n the G o v e r n o r

c e e d i n g s a g r e a t d e a l of e v i d e n c e h a d also

took p l a c e .

b e e n b r o u g h t t o s h o w that a n o t h e r p a r t y ,

T h e A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l , c l o s i n g his case o n

A w a n g Rambli, w a s a c t i v e i n p r o m o t i n g the

the 12th January, s u b m i t t e d that the e v i d e n c e

murder. T h e Magistrate e x p l a i n e d section

s h o w e d that a c o n s p i r a c y h a d t a k e n p l a c e on

1 2 0 A of the p e n a l C o d e , w h i c h states that,

the 20th A u g u s t ,

1948, t o w h i c h t h e t e n

w h e n t w o o r m o r e p e r s o n s a g r e e t o do, o r

a c c u s e d a n d others w e r e p a r t i e s — a conspira-

c a u s e t o b e d o n e , a n i l l e g a l act, such a n a g r e e -

cy to murder, if apportunity a l l o w e d , the

m e n t is d e s i g n a t e d a criminal conspiracy. He

G o v e r n o r a n d o t h e r o f f i c i a l s . A y e a r later Rosli,

accordingly framed the f o l l o w i n g charge

b y his a g r e e m e n t , j o i n e d the c o n s p i r a c y a n d

a g a i n s t all the a c c u s e d : -

b e c a m e o n e of t h e conspirators. As a result of

" T h a t y o u o n o r a b o u t t h e 20th A u g u s t ,

this c o n s p i r a c y , t h e l a t e G o v e r n o r w a s mur-

1948, d i d at a h o u s e in T e l e p h o n e R o a d , Sibu,

d e r e d . W h e n t h e r e is a c o n s p i r a c y , said the

k n o w n as "Journey's End,"

A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l , e a c h conspirator i s l i a b l e

other p e r s o n s t o m u r d e r H i s E x c e l l e n c y t h e

conspire with

for acts d o n e by t h e o t h e r conspirators in pur-

G o v e r n o r of S a r a w a k a n d others, a n d that as a

suance of t h e c o m m o n e n d s of the conspiracy,

result of the c o n s p i r a c y H i s E x c e l l e n c y t h e

and it is immaterial w h e t h e r he w a s at the

G o v e r n o r w a s i n f a c t m u r d e r e d o n t h e 3rd

place w h e r e the murder w a s committed or

D e c e m b e r , 1949."

w h e t h e r h e h a d a n y k n o w l e d g e o f w h e n the

A l l t e n a c c u s e d e l e c t e d t o r e s e r v e their d e -

particular m u r d e r w a s g o i n g t o b e ; his liability

f e n c e , a n d w e r e c o m m i t t e d f o r trial b e f o r e t h e

continues until h e dissociates himself f r o m the

Circuit Court.

conspiracy.

Rosly bin Dhobie under arrest in Sibu, December 1949, after totally stabbing Governor Duncan Stewart in an anti-cession protest.

L/C Natu Laid To Rest With Military Honours DETERMINATION TO RID LAWLESS ELEMENTS STRENGTHEN Lance Corporal Natu of the Sarawak Constabulary who was cold-bloodedly killed while on duty in the early hours of Wednesday morning at the 27th Milestone, Kuching/Serian Road, was yesterday laid to rest in the Malay Community cemetery with full military honours.

The coffin of the deceased was brought over from Across River shortly after 9.30 a.m. draped with a Union Jack and carried by a group of his brother officers and followed by his widow, and relatives. A guard of honour was mounted at the Pangkalan Batu and as the coffin was carried past the men stood at attention.

T h e S a r a w a k Constab u l a r y Band m a r k e d the commencement of the solemn procession when it marched forward playing the solemn funeral march. Immediately behind the Band walked the Acting Chief Secretary Mr J.H. Ellis, the Resident First Division, Mr W.P.L.N. Ditmas, the Acting Attorney General, Mr R.H. Hickling, The Datu Bandar, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Mr T.P. Cromwell, Mr Ong Hap Leong, Mr C.O. Adams, Mr H. Bomphrey and Abang Mustapha. Then came the coffin carried by 10 policemen in Mosque Parade uniform, followed by the widow and relatives of the deceased and behind them marched 11 inspectors and more than 240 m e m b e r s of the Sarawak Constabulary.

The cortege arrived at the cemetery at 10.20 a.m. and

56

last r i t e s w e r e p e r f o r m e d b y H a j i Bol, B e l a l of the M a l a y Mosque.

S p e a k i n g at the graveside, the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f P o l i c e , M r P.J. S h a n n o n s a i d " T o d a y the m e m b e r s o f the S a r a w a k C o n stabulary, G o v e r n m e n t a n d the l a w a b i d i n g p e o p l e o f this c o u n t r y m o u r n the loss of a loyal and b r a v e m e m b e r of the Sarawak Constabulary. Lance Corporal Natu was murdered in cold w a y s be proud. I wish to e x p r e s s w i t h his w i f e a n d f a m i l y the s i n c e r e s y m p a t h y o f e v ery m e m b e r of the Sarawak Constabulary.

A two-minute silence was o b s e r v e d w h e n t h e b u g l e called the " L a s t P o s t " and " R o u s e " . W r e a t h s w e r e sent b y the C o m m i s s i o n e r a n d O f f i c e r s of the S a r a w a k Constabulary; the Commissioner, Inspectors and m e m b e r s of the Sarawak Constabulary; Squad N o . 1, Police Training School; and the Fire B r i g a d e Staff.

Lance Corporal Natu, w h o l e a v e s behind a w i d o w and four children, w a s 33 years of a g e .

H e j o i n e d the S a r a w a k C o n s t a b u l a r y in 1937 g i v i n g h i m a rec o r d o f m o r e than f i f t e e n y e a r s

57

Visits of His Excellency the Governor to Sibu and Brunei

His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by his Hon. A.D.C., Abang Othman, and the Private Secretary, left Kuching for Sibu on Tuesday, 18th April by "La Follette" and, after a smooth voyage, arrived at Sibu at 9.00 a.m. the following day. The Honourable the Resident, Third Division, (Mr J.C.H. Barcroft) met His Excellency at Bukit Lau which is about an hour's journey from Sibu. His Excellency was recieved by a Guard of Honour and was met at the jetty by Mr A.C. Waine (District Officer Sibu), Mr K.S. Leeston-Smith (O.S.S., Sibu), Mr J. Pike (Acting District Officer Binatang), Mr J.F. Drake-Brockman (District Officer Kanowit), Mr I.A.N. Urquhart (Acting District Officer Kapit) and by the Hon. Mr L.K. Morse, Resident-Designate Third Division. After walking through lines of welcoming school children, His Excellency went to the Government Offices, where he heard requests in court and where addresses of welcome were p r e s e n t e d . H i s E x c e l l e n c y also r e c e i v e d the l e a d i n g m e m b e r s o f the M a l a y , D a y a k and Chinese communities, s p e a k i n g personally to everyone who came. He presented Mr Geok Lin with the insignia of the M.B.E. conferred on the latter for service as an outstanding member of the Sibu community — a long citation was read before the presentation was made. In the evening, His Excellency was entertained at a drinks party, to which members of all communities w e r e invited, and afterwards he dined at the Residency.

O n T h u r s d a y , t h e 20th, H i s E x c e l l e n c y attended the Divisional Council meeting during its morning session and said good-bye to all members before his departure for Brunei at midday.

58

Visit of His Excellency the Governor to Coastal Districts 1953 His Excellency the Governor, a c c o m p a n i e d by the Private Secretary, embarked in the Mermaid at Pending at 2.00 p.m. on 12th July and after a short stop to visit Kidurong arrived at dawn on the 14th July off Kuala Sibuti w h e r e he was met by the Honourable the Acting Resident, Fourth Division (Mr A.F.R. Griffin), the Acting District Officer, Miri (Mr E.G. White) and the Assistant Superintendent of Police (Mr R.W. Gambrill).

Off Kuala Bintulu, His Excellency transferred once more to the Lorna Doone and reached Bintulu about 3.00 p.m. in a driving rainstorm. He was met by the Acting District Officer (Mr P. Scanlon) and his wife, and by Senior Native Officer (Abang Zainudin) and Native Officer (Abang Adenan), and after inspecting a smart Guard of Honour and the school children and being introduced to the local dignitaries, he went to the District Officer's bungalow.

W i t h much t r e p i d a t i o n Mr and M r s Scanlon d e c i d e d to have the scheduled garden party in their garden and not in the house, and mercifully the weather played up and His Excellency was able to meet representatives of all communities at a most successful party which well repaid the hard work that had obviously been put into it. Throughout the party a new but promising local band was performing.

His Excellency had a well-cooked dinner with the Kapitan China and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and then went to the new and very fine Malay School to watch a banasawan and have refreshments.

59

Governor's Broadcast On The Royal Visit To Sarawak A f e w days ago His Excellency the Governor recorded an address at the Astana on the occasion of the visit to Sarawak and Brunei of Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent and the Duke. An official of Radio Malaya flew over from Singapore specially for this purpose.

The text of the address which follows was scheduled to be broadcast last night over Radio Malaya at 7.15 local time. " T o m o r r o w morning the Sunderland flying boat bearing Their royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent and the Duke of Kent will touch down at a small place called Pending, on a wide stretch of the Sarawak River a f e w miles downstream from Kuching, the capital of this country. Pending is where sea-going vessels bound for Kuching wait for the tide.

"Sarawak, was for more than a hundred years, under the beneficent personal rule of the Brooke Rajahs, but after the liberation from Japanese occupation it was ceded by the Rajah to the British Crown.

"In the sic years that have passed since then, communications and transport, and all the advantages they bring, have developed fast, both within Sarawak and with the outside world, and now opportunities are being given to the country. When the Rajahs ruled, they and their officers were concerned above all to keep in close personal touch with the people and their needs. Since July 1946, when the last Rajah left Sarawak, it has been the policy of the Government to continue this long and wise tradition.

"Both Sarawak and her neighbour, the sovereign State of Brunei, which Their Royal Highnesses, are also visiting, have long held in high regard the principle of hereditary rule, and it is therefore with unique pleasure that we in these two countries look forward to this, the first visit in our history, of a Princess and a Prince of the Royal House of Britain and the Commonwealth.

"When the Duchess of Kent and her son, the Duke, come to Sarawak, they will be received with flags and music, with the traditional dances of the Dayaks and the Chinese, the Malays, the Kayans and the Kenyahs, and with many other, manifestations of the warmth of our welcome. But they will not leave us without also seeing concrete evidence of the progress this country is making.

" A t Batu Lintang, in Kuching, they will visit the Teachers' Training College. During the war, Batu Lintang was a Japanese internment camp. Now, in the same building but in a very, very different atmosphere, nearly two hundred students f r o m all the races of Sarawak, are learning to be teachers. The College is a remarkable,'perhaps unique, example of human and spiritual co-operation.

The Principal has a distinguished record of service in the Royal Air force during the war.

His two assistant Principals are a Minister of the Church of England and a Father of the Catholic Church, and there is a Muslim Kathi also on the staff. " A t Sibu, the second town of Sarawak, Her Royal Highness will open the new Out Patient Department of the Lau Kheng Howe Hospital, and in Kuching, she will lay the Foundation Stone of the new Anglican Cathedral there.

The new Cathedral is being built to celebrate, in 1955, the centenary of the first installation, at the invitation of the first Rajah, of an Anglican bishop in Sarawak. " W h e n Tlf&ir Royal Highnesses l e a v e Sarawak they will fly to Brunei Town, the capital of the ancient State of Brunei, and there they will be received and entertained by His Highness the Sultan of Brunei. During their stay in this country the Royal visitors will also go to Seria on the coast of Brunei to inspect the great oilfields, there. They will see the tremendous developments which have taken place since the end of the war. Their oilfield is the largest oil producing centre in the British Commonwealth, and in the town of Seria men, perhaps of as many different races as are collected together anywhere in the world, work together in harmony and in an excellently designed modern town.

"From Kuala Belait, near Seria, the Duke and Duchess and their party will fly back to Singapore and it is my hope, shared, I am sure, by all the people of Sarawak and Brunei that the deep pleasure and great benefit their visit will confer upon us will also, in a large measure, be felt in their hearts, and have made this part of their long and arduous journey well worth while."

History was made in Sarawak yesterday morning when at 12.05 p.m. the Royal Air Force Sunderland touched down at Pending

60

Her Royal Highness about to enter the Astana Barge yesterday morning after, her arrival at Kuching.

a m o n g s t the e x p e c t a n t c r o w d .

a n d T h e i r R o y a l H i g h n e s s e s the D u c h e s s o f Kent a n d the y o u n g D u k e o f K e n t set f o o t o n

A t 12.35 p.m. sharp the R o y a l Party f r o m

S a r a w a k soil. T h i s is the first t i m e in the history

P e n d i n g a r r i v e d a n d turned into P a n g k a l a n

o f S a r a w a k that a n y m e m b e r o f the R o y a l

Batu. H e a d s e a r n e d f o r w a r d to catch a g l i m p s e

Family has v i s i t e d t h e country.

o f T h e i r R o y a l H i g h n e s s e s w h o w e r e i n the first car. As the cars c a m e to a stop H i s

T h e p o p u l a t i o n o f K u c h i n g t u r n e d out early t o p r e p a r e t h e m s e l v e s f o r the R o y a l w e l -

Excellency the Governor,

c o m e . F i n i s h i n g t o u c h e s to the d e c o r a t i o n s in

A . D . C . s t e p p e d out o f the car. H i s R o y a l H i g h -

the t o w n w e r e c o m p l e t e d the d a y b e f o r e a n d

ness t h e D u k e o f K e n t then s t e p p e d out a n d

a s d a w n b r o k e o v e r the t o w n y e s t e r d a y m o r -

f i n a l l y H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s the D u c h e s s o f

ning t h e r e w a s distinctly an air of festivity

Kent. H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s w o r e a p a l e p i n k dress w i t h a hat of the s a m e colour, p e a r l

everywhere.

e a r r i n g s a n d of t h r e e r o p e s of pearls.

V e s s e l s i n port w e r e d r e s s e d ; U n i o n Jacks and S a r a w a k

a t t e n d e d b y his

T h e Bishop o f Borneo, the Rt. R e v N i g e l

flags and coloured bunting

fluttered g a i l y i n t h e m o r n i n g b r e e z e , e v e r -

Cornwall,

g r e e n s a n d p a l m s contributed a colour of

A i k m a n , C . M . G . , and the C o m m i s s i o n of

freshness to the g a i l y d e c o r a t e d a r c h e s in the

P o l i c e , M r P.J. S h a n n o n w e r e then p r e s e n t e d

bazaar,

t o T h e i r R o y a l H i g h n e s s e s the D u c h e s s a n d

s h o p h o u s e s and institutions. T h e

weather w a s exceptionally fine and there w a s

the

Chief Secretary,

Mr

R.G.

the D u k e .

thankfulness in the hearts of m a n y e s p e c i a l l y

T h e N a t i o n a l A n t h e m w a s p l a y e d a n d then

after the w e t ' e x p e r i e n c e i n the past f e w days.

H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s i n s p e c t e d the G u a r d o f

A s the t i m e d r e w n e a r e r t o b e e x p e c t e d

Honour. H e r Royal Highness then joined His

arrival of the R o y a l Party c r o w d s b e g a n to

E x c e l l e n c y a n d the party at the steps of the

g a t h e r b e h i n d the p o l i c e c o r d o n d r a w n u p

Pangkalan

round the S e c r e t a r i a t b u i l d i n g . T h e c r o w d s ,

Astana,

numbering thousands,

p a u s e d at the steps of the P a n g k a l a n Batu

comprising a really

cosmopolitan gathering, w e r e mainly formed

Before leaving

Royal

Highness

for the

graciously

w h i l e press p h o t o g r a p h e r s took pictures.

Their

of the t o w n ' s p o p u l a t i o n but at o n e corner of

Batu.

Her

Royal

Highnesses

and

His

the S e c r e t a r i a t c o m p o u n d c o u l d b e s e e n a

E x c e l l e n c y then left the P a n g k a l a n Batu in the

g r o u p of outstation r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s in their

A s t a n a b a r g e f o l l o w e d b y the other m e m b e r s

colourful a n d n o v e l attires a n d h e a d - d r e s s e s .

o f the R o y a l Party, L a d y R a c h e l D a v i d s o n ,

T h e Guard of Honour mounted by the.

L o r d A l t h o r p , M r Philip h a y a n d M a j o r B u c k l e .

S a r a w a k C o n s t a b u l a r y a n d the S a r a w a k C o n -

A s H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s s t e p p e d into t h e

stabulary B a n d t o o k up p o s i t i o n in front of the

A s t a n a b a r g e the n a t i v e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m

Brooke M e m o r i a l and w h e n they w e r e called

the outstations w h o w e r e a m o n g the s p e c t a -

to attention at 12.30 p.m., a s u d d e n hush f e l l

tors, c h a n t e d a n a t i v e w e l c o m e s o n g .

61

The prize winning Pompous and Noble' arch at Padungan Road, being inspected by Her Highness during her tour round Kuching town.

T h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e f r o m the t o w n , k a m -

t a k e pictures of the D u c h e s s s h a k i n g h a n d s

p o n g s , rural areas and from the remote

arid s p e a k i n g to s o m e of the l e a d e r s of the

v i l l a g e s o f S a r a w a k l i n e d u p b e h i n d the P o l i c e

c o m m u n i t y as t h e y stood u n d e r t h e arches.

c o r d o n in the g a i l y d e c o r a t e d streets in the

L o n g b e f o r e the R o y a l Party f e r r i e d across

t o w n a n d the k a m p o n g s areas w h e n H e r R o y a l

t h e S a r a w a k R i v e r f r o m t h e A s t a n a t o the

Highness,

Kent toured

P a n g k a l a n Batu c r o w d s o f s p e c t a t o r s t o o k

K u c h i n g t o w n y e s t e r d a y m o r n i n g during the

their p l a c e s round the Sectariat b u i l d i n g . T h e

s e c o n d d a y of the R o y a l visit to S a r a w a k .

R o y a l Party a c c o m p a n i e d by the G o v e r n o r , Sir

the

Duchess

of

T h o u s a n d s of school children f r o m almost

A n t h o n y A b e l l a r r i v e d a t the P a n g k a l a n Batu

e v e r y s c h o o l i n K u c h i n g w a v e d U n i o n Jacks a s

just after n i n e o ' c l o c k . H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s ' s

t h e R o y a l cars p a s s e d b y . U n i o n Jacks, s o m e

Standard fluttered on the b o n n e t of t h e car as

Sarawak flags and brightly coloured banners

H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s b e g a n her tour o f the

f l u t t e r e d i n the tropical m o r n i n g b r e e z e a n d

t o w n f r o m the P a n g k a l a n Batu i n t o ' G a m b i e r

e v e r y w h e r e a l o n g the route of the R o y a l tour

R o a d w h e r e she p a s s e d u n d e r the first arch,

t h e r e w a s an a t m o s p h e r e of festivity.

a n d all a l o n g t h e s t r e e t s s c h o o l c h i l d r e n w a v e d f l a g s a s the R o y a l Party p a s s e d b y .

Strict m e a s u r e s w e r e also b e i n g carried out and Policemen and Auxiliary Policemen lined

T h e first p e r s o n t o s h a k e h a n d w i t h H e r

up in front of the c r o w d e d spectators in almost

Royal Highness was L e m b o n g bin Bujang

e v e r y t e n f e e t a l o n g the route of the R o y a l tour

w h e n the Duchess m a d e her first stop to h a v e a

right up to Batu L i n t a n g T e a c h e r s T r a i n i n g

g o o d v i e w of an arch at K a m p o n g N o . 3, Datu's

C o l l e g e w h e r e the tour e n d e d .

Road. T h e others w e r e A b g . A m i n bin A b g . H j .

T h e R o y a l Party p a s s e d b y g a i l y d e c o r a t e d

D r a h i m a n d A b a n g Kushairi b i n A b g . D a w i .

a r c h e s at the m a i n streets of the t o w n and on

T h e attractive a p p e a r a n c e o f the d e c o r a t i o n s

m a n y sections of the roads in the k a m p o n g

at K a m p o n g N o . 4, Datu's R o a d attracted H e r

areas a l o n g Datu's Road, G r e e n Road and

R o y a l H i g h n e s s a n d h e r e also s h e s t o p p e d .

Satok

Brightly clad M a l a y girls,

Road

and

as Her Royal Highness

s t o p p e d to s e e s o m e of the i m p r e s s i v e arches,

boys,

m e n and

w o m e n l i n e d up the r o a d f r o m the j u n c t i o n of

p r e s s c o r r e s p o n d e n t s , p h o t o g r a p h e r s and the

M o s q u e R o a d a n d Datu's R o a d r i g h t u p t o the

M a l a y a n Film Unit c a m e r a m e n w h o w e r e

junction of Satok R o a d a n d G r e e n R o a d and

t r a v e l l i n g b e h i n d the R o y a l Party rushed to

t h e y w a v e d a s the R o y a l Party p a s s e d by.

62

HRH Inspects Training College Personal of Youth Bodies and Social Service Presented.

Her Royal Highness also stopped at the James, Mr Chew Oui Cheng. Her Highness attractive arch at Padungan Road and shook also inspected the British Red Cross Amhands with Mr Quek Siak Hong who was in bulance and paused to talk to Mrs Barbara traditional Chinese apparel. Before Her Royal Bay. Highness proceeded to Batu Lintang she Her Royal Highness then carried out an stopped awhile at the arch at the cross roads of inspection of the Training College, visiting Rock Road and Carpenter Street. first the Reception Room w h e r e tea was Lovely weather and the clean and neat en- served, and then later inspected the recreation vironments at the Batu Lintang Teachers hut, the sick bay, the carpentry hut, the dormiTraining College presented a perfect setting tories, concert room and a class room before for the visit of Her Royal Highness the Duchess calling in the Office where Her Royal Highof Kent yesterday morning. ness signed her name in a specially prepared The Sarawak Constabulary Band, under page of the College Log book, to commethe baton of Mr A.D. Bisset, played the Na- morate the visit. tional Anthem immediately after Her Royal During the inspection tour her Royal HighHighness in a grey and white striped cotton ness was given a special entertainment of dress and a large white straw hat stepped out Malay dancing and sea-Dayak dancing by the of the car on arrival at the College grounds at students of the Centre. The Principal, Mr J.K. 10.15 a.m. Her Royal Highness was accom- Wilson, conducted Her Royal Highness on the panied by His Excellency the Governor and inspection tour and he said afterwards that attended by Lady Rachel Davidson, and Major Her Royal Highness was very much impressed Buckle. with the principle of the Centre in preserving Contingents of the Girl Guides, the Life- traditional art of the country and also with the guards, the Boy Scouts, the British Red Cross various native designs and handicraft. Mr Society (Sarawak Branch) and th Police Wilson told the Tribune that Her Royal HighService Corps stood information in the ness is 'most c h a r m i n g and puts o n e grounds of the College and Her Royal High- immediately at ease.' ness then made an inspection of parade of The following gentlemen were presented these organisations. to Her Royal Highness: Mr H. Earnshaw, The following people were presented to Director of Education, Mr J.K. Wilson, Rev. Fr. Her Royal Highness: Girl Guides: Mrs Ella A.D. Galvin, Rev. Fr. D.R. Rawlins, Chegu Leach (Commissioner), Miss Mary Ong, Che Abang bin Said, Mr Wong Syn Ted, Mr John Nyachi binte Ah, Miss W. Dixen-Lennett, Miss Timban, Chegu Wan Zain.

Melly Carroll; Lifeguards: Major E.C. Willis of Her Royal Highness and party left the the Salvation Army; Boy Scouts: Mr R.H. Training Centre at 11.00 a.m. amidst the Hickling (Chief Commissioner), Mr Y e o cheers of the members of the Voluntary orCheng Hoe, Mr Lee Part, Mr Raymond Reggie ganisations, the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides Adai, Mr Zainuddin bin Mat; Red Cross: Mrs and the students of the school who sang their Phyllis Kennedy (Colony President), Mr A.P. school song.

Charles, Miss Zena Zehnder, Mrs Margery

63

Photograph by Atlas & Son The Duchess inspecting the Girl Guides at Bum Lintang with the Colony Commissioner Mrs D.L. Leach.

Photograph bv Anna' Studio The Duchess at Batu Lintang with Chief Commissioner Mr R.H. Hickling inspecting the Boy Scouts

64

Duchess Peforms Laying Of Foundation Stone Ceremony

Her

Roval

Highness

laying

the foundation stone of the new

Cathedral Kuching.

Photograph by Anna Studio The

foundation

Cathedral

of

St.

Stone

Thomas

of

afternoon laid

in a

ceremony

performed

Her

Royal

by

the

spirit o f h u m b l e t h a n k s g i v i n g a n d b u r n i n g faith that w e a r e g a t h e r e d h e r e this a f t e r n o o n f o r this c e r e m o n y . T h i s is t h e first act w h i c h truly inaugurates the celebration of the C e n t e n a r y o f the D i o c e s e , a n d w e l o o k b a c k o v e r t h e p a s t 100 y e a r s w i t h h u m b l e t h a n k s g i v i n g . N e x t S a t u r d a y O c t . 18 is t h e 79th a n n i v e r s a r y , a n d our act t o d a y i g n i t e s t h e f u s e w h i c h l e a d s directly t o w h a t w e h o p e w i l l be a g r e a t c e l e b r a t i o n in 1955.

new

was yesterday graciously

Highness

the

Duchess of K e n t ; w a t c h e d in f a s c i n a t i o n by a large number of spectators numbering nearly a thousand.

T h e w e a t h e r w a s ideal and though there w a s a slight d r i z z l e l a t e r it w a s w e l l past the performance

of

the

ceremony,

thereby

p r o v i n g the o l d C h i n e s e s a y i n g that " t h e star

We look with affection and w o n d e r at the

of R o y a l t y is a l w a y s b r i g h t " .

a c h i e v e m e n t o f t h e first B i s h o p b e f o r e h e afternoon

b e c a m e a Bishop, in the b u i l d i n g of our o l d St.

everybody w a s in position and five minutes

T h o m a s ' s C h u r c h i n 1849. W e r e m e m b e r w i t h

b e f o r e the arrival o f H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s a n d

d e e p a d m i r a t i o n t h e faith w i t h w h i c h h e t h e n

His E x c e l l e n c y ,

the procession of Clergy,

b u i l t - b e f o r e t h e r e w a s a n y Christian i n t h e

h e a d e d b y the C h o i r (in their n e w u n i f o r m ) l e f t

land. W e r e m e m b e r w i t h g r a t i t u d e t h e labours

the " P e o p l e ' s C l i n i c " t o t a k e u p position o n the

o f those w h o h a v e s e r v e d h e r e i n s u c c e e d i n g

matted r a i s e d dais.

g e n e r a t i o n s , e x t e n d i n g a n d b e a u t i f y i n g the

By

3.40

p.m.

yesterday

old Church, and filling it with prayer and love.

H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s , in a f r o c k of l i g h t b l u e and a small hat of the s a m e colour to match,

" O t h e r s b e f o r e us h a v e aimed at a n e w

arrived w i t h H i s E x c e l l e n c y t h e G o v e r n o r a n d

C a t h e d r a l but h a v e h a d t o p o s t p o n e the d a y .

w a s r e c e i v e d b y the L o r d B i s h o p o f B o r n e o

W e , i n our g e n e r a t i o n , a r e d r i v e n t o t h e w o r k :

w h o p r e s e n t e d t h e V i c a r , t h e R e v . S . J.E. P e a c h

firstly a n y r e a l l y a d e q u a t e r e p a i r t o t h e o l d

to Her Royal Highness.

structure a f t e r its w a r - t i m e d a m a g e w o u l d cost so l a r g e

T h e N a t i o n a l A n t h e m w a s f o l l o w e d b y the

a sum

as

to

be u n e c o n o m i c a l .

S e c o n d l y w e h a v e n o w o u t g r o w n the old

singing o f the first h y m n a n d p r a y e r s w e r e then said b y the V i c a r . T h e L e s s o n w a s r e a d b y

b u i l d i n g a n d t h e r e is no further r o o m on that

the V e n .

Archdeacon of

site f o r e x t e n s i o n ; w e n e e d m o r e r o o m for the

S a r a w a k . T h i s w a s f o l l o w e d b y the D e d i c a t i o n

g r o w i n g family w h i c h gathers here to worship

of the

God.

A.W.

Stonton,

S t o n e by the

Bishop and a

hymn

followed.

It w a s in faith that M a c - D o u g a l l in 1849 set his h a n d t o t h e b u i l d i n g o f St. T h o m a s ' s

H i s L o r d s h i p , in his a d d r e s s said " I t is in a

65

of n e w birth, a n d of h o p e , at a p e r i o d in t h e

Church.

I t i s i n f a i t h w e t o d a y set o u r h a n d s t o t h e w o r l d ' s h i s t o r y w h e n t o l o o k f o r w a r d w i t h t a s k o f b u i l d i n g a n e w C a t h e d r a l ; thi must b e c o u r a g e i s o f t r e m e n d o u s i m p o r t a n c e t o u s all; l a r g e e n o u g h f o r t h e s e c o n d h u n d r e d years, a n d i t i s w i t h t h e g r e a t e s t p l e a s u r e that m y a n d i t m u s t k e e p s t e p w i t h t h e o t h e r short visit t o y o u r b e a u t i f u l c o u n t r y g i v e s m e d e v e l o p m e n t s i n this t o w n o f K u c h i n g a n d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y o f u n d e r t a k i n g this c e r e m o n y D i o c e s e of Borneo. We are not ignorant of the today. " D u r i n g the last f i f t y y e a r s w e

m a g n i t u d e o f t h e task; but w e r e j o i c e that w e

have

h a v e t h e g r e a t p r i v i l e g e o f p l a y i n g our part, w i t n e s s e d t h e s p r e a d o f mistrust b e t w e e n n o t i n p a t c h i n g s o m e t h i n g o l d a n d s o m e w h a t p e o p l e s o f all nations, c u l m i n a t i n g i n t w o w a r s of a M u s e u m p i e c e , b u t in t h e b u i l d i n g of a w i t h all t h e i r d r e a d f u l c o n s e q u e n c e s , a n d a t this v e r y m o m e n t t h e g r o w t h o f m a t e r i a l i s m ,

beautiful Cathedral, suitable for our n e e d s a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e p r o c l a i m i n g t o all w h o

and the forces of evil, threaten man's

l o o k u p o n i t that this G o d i s our G o d f o r e v e r

existance " W i t h all t h e i r s t r e n g t h m e n o f g o o d w i l l

a n d e v e r , that i n H i m r e s i d e s a l l Truth, all

g o o d n e s s ; a n d that i n t h e Cross, w h i c h i n d u e a r e w o r k i n g t o p r e v e n t t h e r e c u r r e n c e o f y e t c o u r s e w i l l s u r m o u n t t h e w h o l e e d i f i c e i s our a n o t h e r t r a g e d y of this k i n d ; b u t t h e r e is, I am certain,

g l o r y and our victory.

only

one

sure

way

out

of

our

" T o H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s w e shall e v e r b e d i f f i c u l t i e s , a n d that is a return to t h e h u m b l e g r a t e f u l f o r t h e s i g n a l h o n o u r w h i c h s h e has w a y o f faith, w h i c h i s t h e o n l y f o u n d a t i o n f o r b e e p g r a c i o u s l y p l e a s e d t o b e s t o w u p o n us. I t

our lives.

w a s t h e first R a j a h w h o c a l l e d f o r t h e Christian

" I n E n g l a n d w e are fortunate i n possessing

C h u r c h to c o m e to his land, w h o g a v e to the

a splendid l e g a c y of Cathedrals a n d Churches

C h u r c h this site, a n d w h o e n c o u r a g e d M a c -

b e q u e a t h e d to us by our forefathers; buildings

D o u g a l l in t h e f o r m i d a b l e task of b u i l d i n g a

of great a g e and supreme beauty, they are the

C h u r c h w h e r e i n a t first o n l y a tiny h a n d f u l

w o r k of many hands w h o h a v e adorned and

g a t h e r e d to worship. It s e e m s w h o l l y fitting

a d d e d to t h e m as generation has s u c c e e d e d

that on t h e first visit of a m e m b e r of t h e R o y a l

generation. Their beauty symbolises the faith

Family

in w h i c h our fathers l i v e d and w o r k e d ; h e r e

to

Sarawak your Royal Highness t o d a y to g i v e us in our

too, y o u r first B i s h o p w o r k e d w i t h t h e s a m e

g e n e r a t i o n t h e e n c o u r a g e m e n t that w e n e e d

spirit o f d e v o t i o n , b u i l d i n g n o t f o r h i m s e l f , b u t

as

f o r t h e g l o r y o f G o d , a n d t h e w e l l - b e i n g o f his

should be here we

face

our

great

task.

With

that

e n c o u r a g e m e n t , s t r o n g i n t h e f a i t h o f our L o r d

people.

J e s u s Christ, w e w i l l b u i l d h u m b l y , b r a v e l y ,

" I r e j o i c e t h e r e f o r e that I a m a b l e t o b e w i t h

confidently and w e l l upon the stone which I

y o u this a f t e r n o o n , a n d t o w i t n e s s t h e first s t a g e i n t h e construction o f this g r e a t b u i l d i n g ;

n o w ask your Royal Highness to lay."

O n t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f his a d d r e s s t h e B i s h o p then invited H e r Royal Highness to lay the Stone. T h e Contractor, M r William T a n then h a n d e d o v e r to H e r Royal H i g h n e s s the trowel w i t h w h i c h she laid the mortar and the representative of the Architect,

Mr Angell

t h e n h a n d e d t o H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s the m a l l e t w i t h w h i c h she laid the Stone.

T h e foundation Stone i s e n g r a v e d : " T o the Glory of God. This Stone W a s Laid by Her R o y a l H i g h n e s s t h e D u c h e s s o f K e n t C.I., G . C . V . O . , G.B.E., on the fifteenth d a y of O c t o b e r , 1952, A r c h i t e c t s : N e l s o n , G a r t o n & Co." Her

Royal Highness

then

graciously

addressed the people. " T o l a y the foundation stone of a n e w Cathedral is a great p r i v i l e g e , " H e r Highness said. "I r e g a r d it as an act of faith, a n d a s y m b o l

66

i t i s m y e a r n e s t h o p e that all C h r i s t i a n s i n this d i o c e s e , a n d Christians t h r o u g h o u t , t h e w o r l d , w i l l u n i t e i n their s u p p o r t o f t h e w o r k w h i c h w e h a v e i n a u g u r a t e d t o d a y , a n d b y their faith and

generous

g i v i n g w i l l bring it to

a

triumphant conclusion."

W h e n H e r Royal H i g h n e s s concluded her address the representative of the Architect, Mr A n g e l l p r e s e n t e d the silver t r o w e l and the mallet to H e r Royal Highness.

At the close of the c e r e m o n y the f o l l o w i n g w e r e presented to Her Royal Highness: T h e Archdeacon

of

Sarawak,

the Ven.

A.W.

Stonton; the Architect's representative, Mr F. A n g e l l ; t h e C o n t r a c t o r , M r W i l l i a m T a n ; the members of the N e w Cathedral Committee; Messrs. E d w a r d Brandah, H . M . Cockle, N g u i A h Shin, C h a i A h J a p p , K u e h C h o o S e n g , L e e Khi Chung, W . G . Morison, Dennis L a w , Y e o C h e n g H o e a n d Dr. T a n S i m P o h .

Sibu Turns Out Thousands To Welcome royal Visitor.

Natives From Rural Areas Join In Loyalty Demonstation.

N o t for a l o n g t i m e h a d Sibu b e e n s o g a y

f i n e r y a n d the P e n g h u l u s in their w a r dress

and h a p p y a s y e s t e r d a y m o r n i n g w h e n the

a n d h e a d g e a r s w h o w e r e l i n e d u p t o g r e e t her.

population of the Third Division including

A f t e r a brief rest in the R e s i d e n c y H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s , in a mustard c o l o u r e d silk dress w i t h b l a c k spots a n d small hat of the s a m e colour graciously s h o o k h a n d s w i t h f i f t y leading representatives of government, commerce and community who were p r e s e n t e d t o her b y the Resident.

m a n y f r o m the Rural areas, the L o w e r a n d U p p e r R e j a n g a n d the C o a s t a l District turned up to d e m o n s t r a t e their d e v o t i o n a n d l o y a l t y to the

C r o w n w h e n H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s the

D u c h e s s of K e n t p a i d a f l y i n g visit there.

T h e S u n d e r l a n d aircraft, c a r r y i n g f o r e i g n

H e r Royal H i g h n e s s had a brief conv e r s a t i o n w i t h T e m o n g g o n g K o h w h o told h e r that h e h a d c o m e a l o n g w a y t o w e l c o m e her.

H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s said that she w o u l d l i k e t o visit the T e m o n g g o n g ' s h o u s e at K a p i t but unfortunately she h a d not the t i m e to do so. S h e told h i m also that she h a d w i t n e s s e d I b a n d a n c i n g at the Astana. Others w h o w e r e h o n o u r e d w i t h short c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s w e r e M r . T e o C h o n g Loh, H a j i Z a w i e , A b a n g A h m a d , M r . Sirdram, M r . a n d Mrs. H.P.K. Jacks, Mr. and Mrs. A . J . N .

Richards, M r . Ling C h e e M i n g , Datu and Datin A b a n g Y a n , M r . a n d M r s . D i c k i e , Dr. and Mrs. Xavier, Mr. Bumford and Mr. and M r s . Igantius Klumai.

c o r r e s p o n d e n t s a n d p h o t o g r a p h e r s a r r i v e d at Sibu e a r l i e r i n the m o r n i n g a n d f o u n d the l a r g e c r o w d s of officials, r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of c o m m u n i t i e s , s c h o o l c h i l d r e n a n d the p u b l i c r e a d y a n d e x p e c t a n t l y w a i t i n g f o r the R o y a l arrival.

The

G o v e r n m e n t Wharf was decorated

w i t h f l a g s , p l a m s a n d e v e r g r e e n s a n d school children l i n e d the p a t h that l e d to the R o y a l car.

A t 10.40 a.m. t h e p l a n e c a r r y i n g the R o y a l party m a d e a p e r f e c t a n d g r a c e f u l l a n d i n g o n the r i v e r . S o o n a s p e e d b o a t c o n v e y e d the party to the p o n t o o n a n d H i s E x c e l l e n c y the G o v e r n o r s t e p p e d out, f o l l o w e d b y H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s a n d the rest of the party. H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s in

a

pink

dress

and

T h e tour o f the K a m p o n g s a n d the B a z a a r t o o k p l a c e after the presentation. U n i o n Jacks, bunting, palms, e v e r g r e e n s could be seen e v e r y w h e r e w h i l e a n u m b e r o f arches w e r e also e r e c t e d . S m i l i n g a n d h a p p y f a c e s g r e e t e d the R o y a l Party a l o n g the route w h i c h t h e y passed.

hatless,

p r o c e e d e d to the wharf and the Resident, Third Division, Mr. D.C. W h i t e was presented t o her b y the G o v e r n o r . T h e R o y a l e n t o u r a g e walked

along

the

maited

path

to

the

R e s i d e n c y . H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s p a u s e d a t the e n t r a n c e to the p a t h l e a d i n g up to the Resid e n c y , to l o o k at the n a t i v e m a i d e n s in all their

Her Royal Highness, wearing the 'tapo' presented to her by the Melanau people in Sibu. is seen with the Penghulus and men of the Third Division taken on the lawn of the Residency. Sibu yesterday afternoon.

67

H.R.H. Opens New Clinic At Sibu Witness To Stubborn And Courageous Spirit

Photograph by Anna Studio Her Royal Highness at the cereony of opening the new wing of the Lau Kheng

Howe Hospitul. Sibu.

people for being honoured with a visit by a member of the Royal Family.

His Excellency said that this was the first visit made by a member of the Royal Family and therefore it was a memorable day in the history of the town. His Excelency touched on the many changes of fortunes which Sibu had undergone and quoted the fire, the slump and depression and the Japanese occupation which the people had to face. He spoke also of the courage and confidence of the people in the future of the town and of such evidence as could be seen in the bigger and better projects undertaken. His Excellency spoke of the hospital as part of the general plan which Government was having in helping the people in the building of the future of the town and of the encouragement which the visit of Her Royal Highness would contribute by graciously consenting to open the new clinic.

The stubborn and courageous spirit of the people of Sibu in their determination to forge forward in spite of trials and tribulations was expressed by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent when she declared open the new clinic of the Lau Kheng H o w e Hospital in Sibu yesterday noon.

The opening ceremony was performed by Her Royal Highness immediately after a tour of the kampongs and bazaar was made by Her Royal Highness, in the presence of the leading citizens of the Division. On arrival Her Royal Highness was presented with a bouquet of orchids by a young Malay boy in traditional costume, the son of Abang Ali Kaseno.

B e f o r e the o p e n i n g c e r e m o n y , His Excellency the Governor said in his address that he would like, on behalf of the people of Sibu and the Third Division, ask Her Royal Highness to convey to Her Majesty the Queen the expression of pride and gratitude of the

68

In that time, as I h a v e heard, y o u h a v e b e e n a s s a i l e d by a s u c c e s s i o n of d i s a s t e r s that w o u l d h a v e d a u n t e d the stoutest hearts, but y o u h a v e not b e e n d i s m a y e d , a n d h a v e f a c e d e a c h n e w trial, a n d e a c h f r e s h b l o w , w i t h s p l e n d i d resolution.

I k n o w s o m e t h i n g of the s u f f e r i n g s w h i c h the p e o p l e s of Sibu, a n d i n d e e d of all S a r a w a k had to b e a r during the w a r but my short visit has a l r e a d y s h o w n m e that y o u h a v e put all that b e h i n d you, and that y o u h a v e set about the w o r k of r e b u i l d i n g your country w i t h a w i l .

T h i s hospital, a n d its d e v e l o p m e n t , is, I understand, one of the s c h e m e s to w h i c h much thought and m o n e y have b e e n d e v o t e d a n d I can think of no m o r e fitting o b j e c t .

For, after all, g o o d h e a l t h the p r e s e r v a t i o n of it, and, a b o v e all, the restoration of it, is s o m e t h i n g of such i m p o r t a n c e in all our l i v e s that no c o m m u n i t y can a f f o r d to n e g l e c t its m e d i c a l s e r v i c e s a n d facilities.

I w o u l d l i k e t h e r e f o r e to c o n g r a t u l a t e all those w h o h a v e b e e n c o n c e r e n e d w i t h the p l a n n i n g and d e s i g n of this n e w b u i l d i n g , a n d t o g i v e m y b e s t w i s h e s t o all w h o w i l l w o r k here.

Her Royal Highness then graciously a d d r e s s e d the p e o p l e . She said: I h o p e that t h e citizens of Sibu w i l l c o n t i n u e to g i v e all possible support to theri hospital, a n d that it w i l l flourish a n d d e v e l o p a s the y e a r s g o b y .

Photograph by Heddu Morrison Her Royal Highness at Sibu with (from left to right) son of Abang Tliairani, Malay Native Officer; son of Mr. Chew Geok Lim. M.B.E. Chairman Chinese Chamber of Commerce; and grandson of Penghulu Nanta (Sea Dayak) from Bawang Assan Lebaa'n. The boys are in traditional costumes.

I n o w have very much pleasure in d e c l a r i n g o p e n this n e w out-patient d e p a r t ment.

O n the c o n c l u s i o n g o f the a d d r e s s H e r Royal Highness w a s presented with a g o l d e n pair of scissors on a silver p l a t e by a y o u n g I b a n lad i n w a r dress, M a l a n g anak L i a n g o n behalf of the contractor of the b u i l d i n g M r .

C h e n g Ek Kim. W i t h the pair of scissors H e r R o y a l H i g h n e s s cut the r i b b o n a n d d e c l a r e d t h e b u i l d i n g o p e n . A scroll c o n t a i n i n g an address o f l o y a l t y a n d w e l c o m e w a s p r e s e n t e d by a y o u n g C h i n e s e b o y also in traditional dress, C h e w P e n g C h o n g .

Y o u r kind w e l c o m e , on behalf of the p e o p l e s of Sibu a n d the T h i r d Division, has greatly touched me.

Y o u m a y be sure that I shall not fail to d e l i v e r t o T h e Q u e e n your m e s s a g e s o f loyalty and affection, for H e r M a j e s t y is d e e p l y i n t e r e s t e d in the w e l l - b e i n g of her p e o p l e s o v e r s e a s , a n d is a l w a y s a n x i o u s to l e a r n anything a f f e c t i n g t h e m .

H e r Royal H i g h n e s s w a s then c o n d u c t e d round the n e w C l i n i c b y the M e d i c a l O f f i c e r , Dr. Rozalla. T h e n e w clinic w a s built at a cost of $72,000.

T h e r e is, I am sure, no b e t t e r w i t n e s s to the stubborn a n d c o u r a g e o u s spirit of the citizens of Sibu than their c o n d u c t d u r i n g the e v e n t s of the last t w e n t y - f i v e years.

A f t e r the c e r e m o n y l u n c h e o n w a s s e r v e d at the R e s i d e n c y .

69

Sarawak Representatives Off For The Crowning Big Send-Off At The Airport

The picture above shows from left to right.

Dalit Abang Openg.

Mr R.G.Aikman. Mr Chew Geok Lin

and Penghulu Jugah at the Airport yesterday.

T h e H o n o u r a b l e the C h i e f Secretary, M r

the A i r p o r t to s e e the f o u r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s off

R . G . A i k m a n , M r C h e w G e o k Lin f r o m Sibu,

w e r e G o v e r n m e n t Officials and m e m b e r s of

P e n g h u l u J u g a h f r o m Balleh, K a p i t a n d Datu

the C o u n c i l N e g r i a n d friends.

A b a n g O p e n g , District O f f i c e r , K u c h i n g l e f t

T h e party w i l l l e a v e S i n g a p o r e b y B O A C

K u c h i n g A i r p o r t b y M a l a y a n A i r w a y s aircraft

for the U n i t e d K i n g d o m on S a t u r d a y ,

f o r S i n g a p o r e y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n o n their Sarawak

during

the

Coronation

of

16th

M a y . W h i l e t h e y are i n G r e a t Britain t h e y w i l l

w a y to the United K i n g d o m to represent

b e the guests o f H e r M a j e s t y the Q u e e n .

Her

M a j e s t y Q u e e n E l i z a b e t h II.

H i s E x c e l l e n c y t h e G o v e r n o r has b e e n

H i s E x c e l l e n c y the G o v e r n o r arrived a t the

p l e a s e d t o a p p o i n t M r L.K. M o r s e , R e s i d e n t , t o

A i r p o r t f r o m K u c h i n g just in t i m e to say f a r e -

act t e m p o r a r i l y as C h i e f S e c r e t a r y , a n d Mr

w e l l t o t h e f o u r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s b e f o r e the

D.L.

p l a n e took off.

Secretariat, to act t e m p o r a r i l y as D e p u t y Chief

A m o n g t h e m a n y p e o p l e w h o w e r e there a t

Bruen, Principal Assistant Secretary,

Secretary.

70

England at Coronation Time

by DATU ABANG OPENG BIN ABANG SAPI'EE Before I begin this note, I should like to express my sincere thanks to His Excellency the Governor of Sarawak for nominating me as one of Sarawak's Representatives to attend the Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen in London.

I l e f t Kuching on 14th M a y , 1953 by M a l a y a n A i r w a y s t o g e t h e r w i t h the Honourable the Chief Secretary of Sarawak, Mr R.G. Aikman, C.M.G., Penghulu Jugah and Mr Chew Geok Lin, M.B.E. We stayed in Singapore for three nights, as the schedule for the Comet to fly on the 16th May, 1953, was amended until 17th May, 1953, owing to some repairs on the wire service of the aeroplane having to be carried out. We put in His Excellency the Commissioner General's house where a nice room and other good things were provided. We should like to express our sincere thanks to His Excellency for this. We left Changi airport at 8.30 a.m. on 17th May, 1953 in the Comet and flew up 38,000 feet high, at an average speed of about 480 miles an hour.

On our way to London we called at Bangkok, Rangoon and Calcutta. At Calcutta we were delayed for seventeen hours as we were advised from Delhi not to fly owing to dust storms near Delhi. At Calcutta we put in the Great Eastern Hotel. It was very hot at the time. On the night of the 17th we could not sleep. We took a bath five times and even then we still could not sleep until 3 a.m. On 18th May, 1953, we were asked to go down to Dum Dum airport. At 6.30 a.m. advice was received from Delhi that the weather was good and the Comet then flew to Delhi, Karachi, Bahrain and Rome and we arrived at London Airport at 1 a.m. on 19th May, 1953. There we were met

by Sir Gerald Whiteley, who took us to the South Kensington Hotel. At 9 a.m. we went to the Chartered Bank in London to have our travelling cheques changed. There we met Mr Marline, the former Manager of the Borneo Company Limted in Kuching and had lunch at Veeraswamy's Restaurant in Regent Street.

Mr Aikman then told us to take the opportunity of seeing the country and some interesting places in it, because there might not be a chance later. We should not stay in London or in our hotel.

71

In the afternoon, Mr Martine was very kind and took us all three, Penghulu Jugah, Mr C h e w Geok Lin and myself to Whitehall Court, where he introduced us to friends of his and we went round the city. Later we had dinner at the Trocadero Restaurant.

On the 20th May, 1953, Mr Aikman very kindly took us to the Chelsea Flower Show w h e r e we watched thousands of p e o p l e attending the Show. It was really very interesting to see a great many kinds of flowers which we never saw in Sarawak. After this we went to Harrods Restaurant for lunch where we found a very good choice of food. There we also went shopping. The shop is a very fine building and very large.

On May 21st the Chief Secretary took us to the Colonial Office where we met Senior Officers and had a talk with them about our visit to London. One of the Information Office staff took our photograph in front of No. 10, Downing Street, and then we had our lunch in a Chinese restaurant.

On 22nd May, Mr Maritine took us to see Pascalls' Sweet Factory where we were introduced to the people working there. We saw about fifteen hundred people working. It was really very interesting to see this and we were told that this factory exports sweets and chocolates to many countries all over the world.

The following day Mr M.G. Dickson of the Education Department very kindly took us to visit the Tower of London where we had an opportunity of seeing many very old war instruments, and buildings and rooms. We were told that the Tower is a thousand years old. In the afternoon, Penghulu Jugah and I went with Mr Aikman to see the cricket match at Lords cricket ground in which Middlesex played against Sussex. Mr Aikman went with us on May 24th to Petersfield, about 70 miles from London. There we met Mr Spurway, the former Conservator of Forests in Sarawak. He took us to Alton village where we had lunch at the Swan hotel, and we went on to Mount Wood to see the Forest Reserve. There we saw many people spending a day's pleasure trip.

Mr Spurway took us on to is cousin, Mr Wayter who has a thousand acres of grazing land at Lanham. We saw a large number of cattle and

poultry on this estate and Mr Wayter took us round the estate in his car and we saw about twenty people w h o work with him. We visited the mill in his garden and w e r e taken to his house and had tea in the garden which is really very fine. His w i f e is a very nice woman and she seemed to be very pleased to meet us men from Sarawak. After tea we returned to Stoner Hill to meet Mr Aikman at his sister's house, and there we w e r e introduced to his sister and brother-in-law. Here again is a very nice place. We had drinks in the garden until nearly 7 p.m. and then we returned to London by train.

On the next day we had a tour of London in the Underground train.

On M a y 26th after breakfast we went to John Barker & Company, and in the afternoon we accepted an invitation from the Imperial Institute, w h e r e we met Sir George Beresford Stooke w h o left Sarawak nearly thirty years ago. We w e r e taken round to see the Sarawak Court, etc. In the evening, Mr Aikman took us to see the Ice Revue which was very interesting to us and something we never saw in our life in Sarawak.

O n 27th M a y w e a t t e n d e d the C o m m o n w e a l t h Parliamentary Association lunch in Westminster Hall. We met Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Councils of the C o m m o n w e a l t h . Mr D.C. White, Resident, Third Division was also with us. H e r Majesty the Queen was present at the party. In the afternoon we w e r e invited to a tea party at Mr Dawson's house — the former ChieSecretary of Sarawak. Later Mr Dawson took us to see Derry & Toms' Garden on the top floor of the building. This was very strange to us because not only is the garden on the top of the building, but there is also a fish pond and a stream similar to up-river streams in Sarawak, with rocks and sand.

On the following day we went round the town i n ' t h e morning and in the afternoon a t t e n d e d the B u c k i n g h a m Palace garden party with Mr Dennis White and Mr W e e K h e n g Chiang and Mr Ong K e e Hui, and there we met Mr and Mrs Cromwell, Mr and Mrs Hickling and many other people. We understood about five thousand people w e r e there in all.

On M a y 29th we w e n t to the Houses of Parliament and in the afternoon to the Secretary of State's cocktail party at Claridges hotel.

At this party we met the Sultans of the Malay States, the Sultans of'Bahrain and Lahej and

72

many other representatives from all over the world.

For M a y 30th the programme for our visit to the country had been fixed, and it was very unfortunate that our friend Mr C h e w Geok Lin was not well and unable to accompany us. He was left behind in the hotel. Penghulu Jugah was taken by Mr Freeman to Cambridge and I w a s taken by Mr Dickson to O x f o r d . Mr Dickson and I left Paddington Station by train and c h a n g e d i n t o an u p r i v e r l a u n c h at Abingdon. It was very strange to me when the launch was about to reach the rapids. I heard the noise of a w a t e r f a l l and I asked Mr Dickson: " W h e n we reach the rapids do we have to use other transport?" Mr Dickson said: " N o , there will be a lock." When we reached the bottom of the rapids, I saw there w e r e two gates. As soon as the launch was inside the gate, the water came in from the other gate until it was level and then the launch moved out and w e n t straight upriver. We passed three locks altogether b e f o r e w e reached Oxford. In Oxford, I was taken by Mr Dickson to the colleges and he pointed out to me the place where he stayed while he was a student.

This was very interesting to me. I was lucky to be with Mr Dickson and it was very kind of him to take me to this place.

On Sunday, 31st M a y , Mr C h e w Geok Lin and I went with Mr Aikman to see the London Zoo. This again was very interesting to us and we w e r e very much impressed, because we saw a large number of living animals of many kinds. In the afternoon we attended a party at Hatfield House where Her Majesty the Queen Mother was present.

O n June 1st, M r A i k m a n , M r W h i t e , Penghulu Jugah, Mr C h e w Geok Lin and I went to see H.H. the Rajah and H.H. the Ranee both of w h o m are w e l l and s e e m e d v e r y pleased to see us.

June 2nd was Coronation day. At about 5.30 a.m. we got up and after our early breakfast we left the South Kensington hotel and reached Westminster A b b e y at 6.40 a.m. We w e r e really very lucky, because our adssion card was at Entrance No. 10 and we w e r e able to see Her Majesty the Queen at her Crowning from the beginning to the end. At about 10.30 a.m. the Royal family arrived in the A b b e y and at 11.20 a.m. Her Majesty came. She is very handsome and young queen and she wore a large number of diamonds. T h e ceremony went on until 3 p.m. We got out at 3.30 p.m. and had our buffet in Westminster Hall. Then

we went out and saw the Procession passing Westminster Hall on the way to Buckingham Palace. We saw a large number of soldiers who took part in the Procession, and some these are able to play as a brass band on horseback, blowing trumpets and beating drums. It also impressed us very much that there were so many hundreds of thousands of people and so many thousands of cars and yet the police on duty did not have even a piece of wood in their hands, let alone a pistol or a gun. There were no accidents and no trouble at all. The policemen are really very good and kind to the people. Whenever they saw we were losing our way, they'came to us at once to find out from us whether we had lost our way or our friends. I f - w e said that we were lost they pointed out to us the proper road to go. It was also very interesting to see such wonderful fireworks on the night of the coronation as we never saw in our life.

After the Coronation, we also visted the sea-side at Brighton where we met Mr Smith; the father of Mr P.B. Smith, District Officer, Lundu. Mr Smith was very kind and took us to his house near the beach, where there was a

very lovely view. We had lunch at the Albion Hotel and after lunch we were taken by Mr Smith on a tour.

Later on in London we were taken to see the London Times by Mr Aikman's brother-inlaw. This was most interesting and we were informed that their press can produce 35,000 newspapers in one hour. There are about 2,000 people working there.

We also went to Lambeth Palace and to the Sarawak Association cocktail party where we met old Sarawak officers who seemed very pleased to see us. While in London we met several students notably Sarawak students Mr Ahmed Zaidi, Mr Teo Choon Huat, Mr Lee Hun Hoe son of Mr Lee Swee Hock, Abang Kiprawi and Mr Ngui Chong Jin. We left London Airport on the 7th June at 9.30 a.m. on our return to Kuching and called at Rome, Cairo, Basra, Karachi, Bombay and Colombo. Singapore was reached at 9.20 p.m. on the 9th and we stayed at His Excellency the Commissioner General's house until the morning of June 11th when we left Kallang Airport at 6.30 a.m. and arrived in Kuching at 9.30 a.m.

73

Grand Coronation Tuba Fishing

Craft of all types swarm the Sarawak River 1217153 morning to join the fun of the Coronation Tuba Fishing.

O n e of the latest events seld o m s e e n h e r e , the G r a n d Coronation Tuba Fishing, as it was called, took place on Sunday, 12th July, in the main Sarawak River. This was considered by many to be a superb finale to the long series of joyous celebrations of a revered monarch, whose coronation happened the previous month.

T h e last tuba fishing ever allowed in the Sarawak River happened about 23 years ago, during the reign of H.H. the Rajah, and it was an occasion still remembered by old Malays and domiciled people here. But during the Japanese occupation period sporadic tuba fishing, w i t h or w i t h o u t permission, w e r e held mainly in the ulus of the various rivers and streams in this Colony. It was also learnt that sometime the Japs even tried to fish by using hand-gre-

nades and bombs, both methods quite dangerous to use to the uninitiated.

Early before dawn yesterd a y o v e r a thousand boats, ranging from fast, streamlined s p e e d - b o a t s to the flimsy, shallow prahus (dugouts), c o n g l o m e r a t e d at the river, mainly at the lower end of Pasir Paroh stretching for about a mile from there to the Matang suspension bridge. Each boat had a coloured flag stuck on its bow and it carried from two to 15 occupants, depending on the size of the craft. It w a s the greatest gathering of fishermen ever seen here, thousands of spectators lined both banks of the river to catch glimpses of the fish and to watch the boats making the attempt to catch all sorts of fish. Some even brought nets tied to long poles to swoop up small fish that might float near the banks.

74

When asked, a young Malay amateur fisherman of the local k a m p o n g s said: I had a successful morning. I was about half a mile away from the official starter of the fishing and when the two-gun signal was given and crackers fired I was ready with three kinds of fishing e q u i p m e n t — a long p o l e net ( c h e l e d o k ) , a l o n g spear (tamburin) and a threeprong spear (srampang).

According to adat' the headmen and officials of the fishing were the first to catch any fish that might c o m e up 20 to 30 minutes after the tuba extracted juice was thrown into the water.

T h e fish of m a n y kinds the majority of which w e r e Ikan Bulu, Sharks, Ikan Sembilang, Ikan T e l a n g , K i t a n g (Sting Rays), Ikan Yu, Ikan Parang and so on. I got about 30 to 40 catties of the mixed varieties. But some of my f r i e n d s a n d r e l a t i v e s s p e a r e d o r c a u g h t b i g fish weighing from 10 to a picul in w e i g h t . T h e fish, l a r g e and small floated up to the surface at continuous intervals in all parts of the river. Most of these were still wriggling when speared or c a u g h t in the n e t s as t h e y appeared to be stupefied rather than dead. When there was a good catch the spectators on the banks or in the boats roared and shouted in approval.

Some of the participants in the fishing used ingenious methods of catching and paddling their boats simultaneously.

T h e y t i e d t h e n e t s to the paddles and when there was no fish they used the paddles instead. In the early morning two small outboats collided when they attempted to get into the nets the same fish seen by both.

T w o persons w e r e thrown into the water but they were none the worse for the soaking. The weather w a s fine throughout the day and it was a glorious event seen for the first time by many of the local people.

MASS PARADE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

Coronation Day b e g a n with a Mass Parade o f school c h i l d r e n ; a n d s o m e f i v e thousand strong, r e p r e s e n t i n g t w e n t y - o n e schools a n d under the c h a r g e of n i n e t y teachers, took part i n a m a r c h past w h i c h w a s o v e r t h r e e miles long.

uniform w a s a Coronation m e d a l l i o n specially

A f t e r 7.00 p . m . c h i l d r e n f o r p a r t i c i p a t i n g

of t h r e e v e r s e s of the N a t i o n a l A n t h e m in

arrived

at the padang.

While

the

C o n s t a b u l a r y B a n d p l a y e d the R o y a l Salute, the s c h o o l c h i l d r e n j o i n e d i n the mass s i n g i n g English, C h i n e s e , M a l a y a n d D a y a k . H i s E x -

contingent

c e l l e n c y t h e n i n p s e c t e d the d i f f e r e n t contin-

under a distinctive banner.

gents and called for three cheers for the

to

assemble

S c h o o l padang.

g r o u p e d itself

P r o m p t l y at 8 a.m., His E x c e l l e n c y the Governor

St.

schools b e g a n s Thomas's

m a d e f o r the o c c a s i o n .

Each

on the

Queen.

P i n n e d on the b r e a s t of e a c h c h i l d in school

75

76

The St. Joseph School

His

Excellency the Governor,

Sir Anthony Abell,

K.C.M.C.

was at the Saluting Base on 2nd June 1953.

The school children Mass Parade look about fifty minutes to pass through the Saluting Base.

A t 8.30 a.m., H i s E x c e l l e n c y l e f t for the

School contingent.

Saluting B a s e at t h e h e a d of the steps f a c i n g

T h e school children t h e n r e t u r n e d t o the

the M u n i c i p a l padang, R o c k Road, and took

M u s e u m grounds w h e r e they participated in

the salute as g r o u p a f t e r g r o u p of children

a n o p e n - a i r n o n - d e n o m i n a t i o n a l p r a y e r ser-

m a r c h e d past, l e d b y the C o n s t a b u l a r y B a n d

vice.

and the Batu L i n t a n g T r a i n i n g C e n t r e a n d

77

St.

St.

Mary's School

Thomas's School

Chinese School

78

The various schools march past the Saluting Base.

79

The Open Air Non Denominational Prayer—Meeting

Arrival of His Excellency at the Museum Ground.

The National Anthem

God Save The Queen'.

80

The "mixed congregation" of school children who intended the open air non

denomination prayer meeting

on the Museum Ground after the Mass Parade on Coronation Day.

C h i l d r e n o n arrival a t the M u s e u m G r o u n d w e r e d i r e c t e d b y t h e S t e w a r d t o their p l a c e a c c o r d i n g l y . A l l their b a n n e r s a n d f l a g s h a d

b e f o r e His

Excellency departed with

the

o f f i c i a t i n g priest.

T h e occasion was befitting,

concluded

b e e n carried a n d p l a c e d a g a i n s t the w a l l s of

w i t h a s p e e c h b y M r E a r n s h a w w h o g a v e his

the m u s e u m b u i l d i n g .

thanks to all teachers and c h i l d r e n f o r the e x -

T h e C o r o n a t i o n o p e n air s e r v i c e started at

c e l l e n t ' M a r c h Past'. He said that it turned out

9.30 am, 2nd J u n e 1953, in c o o l w e a t h e r on the

t o b e better than h e h a d thought, m o r e o v e r ,

m u s e u m g r o u n d . I m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r the arrival

he h o p e d that t h e y w i l l think of the g r e a t e v e n t

of His E x c e l l e n c y the G o v e r n o r a h y m n w a s

— the c r o w n i n g of H e r M a j e s t y the Q u e e n

sung

w h i c h took p l a c e at 7.30 pm last night. Mr

by

the

Christians

followed

up

by

Christian p r a y e r a n d later p r a y e r in Islam a n d

E a r n s h a w said that h e w o u l d l i k e e v e r y o n e t o

Buddhistism t h e n f o l l o w e d . T h e s i n g i n g o f the

b e o f g o o d c h e e r s a n d think o f the h a p p y

A n t h e m n ' G o d S a v e the Q u e e n ' w a s held

occasion.

81

Part of St. Teresa's School contingent for Fancy Dress Competition.

w e r e a k i n g w i t h his b e a u t i f u l q u e e n a n d her

T h e j u d g i n g of the school children's F a n c y

retiue.

Dress a n d D e c o r a t e d V e h i c l e s C o m p e t i t i o n , w h i c h w a s p o s t p o n e d f r o m 3rd to 5th June,

In the d e c o r a t e d bicycles and tricycles

o w i n g t o b a d w e a t h e r , w a s carried out at-5

section the First P r i z e w a s a w a r d e d to St.

p.m. on St. T h o m a s ' S c h o o l padang. T h e First

Joseph's and two Second Prizes w e r e respec-

P r i z e w a s a w a r d e d t o the C h u n g H w a M i d d l e

t i v e l y to St. T h o m a s ' S c h o o l a n d Batu L i n t a n g

S c h o o l for e x h i b i t i n g the best in f a n c y dress

Training

( S e n i o r s e c t i o n ) , w h i l e St. Joseph's and St.

School N o . 1 w o n First P r i z e f o r the lanterns

T e r e s a ' s S c h o o l e a c h w o n a S e c o n d Prize. T h e

w h i l e the First P r i z e for the b e s t b a n n e r s w e n t

c h i l d r e n o f the C h u n g H w a School t e a m w o r e

to St. T e r e s a ' s .

Centre and School.

Chung Hwa

silk c o s t u m e s a n d w e r e m a d e up to represent

W h e n the j u d g i n g w a s o v e r , t h e school

t h e m y t h i c a l C h i n e s e f i g u r e s o f the " E i g h t

children, still in f a n c y dress a n d c a r r y i n g lan-

F a i r i e s C r o s s i n g the S e a " ;

a n d supporting

terns, m a r c h e d in procession t h r o u g h the main

characters w e r e p r o v i d e d by a quintette to re-

streets. H u g e c r o w d s turned out t o w a t c h the

s e m b l e a q u e e n a n d her maids. T h e b o y s of St.

p a g e a n t , a n d as the e v e n i n g d e e p e n e d into

Joseph's

became

night a n d the lanterns w e r e lit, the m o v i n g sea

armour,

representing

mediaeval a

knights in

scene

from

of lights p r e s e n t e d a most m e m o r a b l e spec-

S h a k e s p e a r e ' s " H e n r y V " . St. T e r e s a ' s girls

tacle.

82

The Fancy Dress and Decorated Vehicles Competition walk in procesion

83

through Kuching town.

The School Children Fancy Dress Competition

The various school children in a procession whom are all constestants in the Fancy Dress Competition.

The King and Queen and their page boys together with the Queen's maids of St.

Teresa's School.

The St. Joseph's School contingent of their Fancy Dress Competition.

85

A Most Colourful Pageant T h e L a n t e r n a n d F a n c y Dress Procession

V " ; b e h i n d w h i c h c a m e a party o f g r o t e s q u e

of the K u c h i n g schools last Friday e v e n i n g ,

black masked figures belived to be execution-

w h i c h started at a b o u t 6 p.m. and w e n t round

ers w h o e v e n c a r r i e d t w o h e a d s ; this " i t e m "

the t o w n t w i c e , w a s a v e r i t a b l e c a v a l c a d e of

w a s f o l l o w e d b y a n o t h e r f r o m St. T h o m a s ' s

colours a n d p r e s e n t e d a p a g e a n t s e l d o m seen

S c h o o l in w h i c h a t r o u p e of c h i l d r e n w o r e

in this t o w n . It r e s e m b l e d in s o m e respects the

c o s t u m e s of m a n y races l e d by a s m a l l b o y on

e n d l e s s v a r i e t i e s a n d surprises of a miniature

a black horse; then f o l l o w e d a l a r g e conglom-

M a r d i G r a s p r o c e s s i o n , a n d must h a v e b e e n

e r a t i o n o f g a u d i l y - d r e s s e d f i g u r e s i n the

t a k e n s o m e w e e k s o f c a r e f u l p l a n n i n g and

national d r e s s e s of all r a c e s in t h e w o r l d ; the

p r e p a r a t i o n s to m a k e it such a success.

M a l a y schools e v e n put u p t w o s m a l l tanks; main

a n d f i n a l l y the last a n d the w i n n e r of the Fan-

streets o f the t o w n must h a v e b e e n i m p r e s s e d

cy Dress C o m p e t i t i o n - a party of C h u n g H w a

by t h e c r e d i t a b l e displays put up by s o m e of

M i d d l e S c h o o l c h i l d r e n d r e s s e d i n a n c i e n t silk

the K u c h i n g schools, the most n o t e w o r t h y of

costumes from a

w h i c h w e r e a party of St. T e r e s a ' s school girls

w h i c h i s e n t i t l e d " E i g h t Fairies C r o s s i n g T h e

dressed as a q u e e n w h o was accompanied by

S e a " ( t h e s e f a i r i e s a r e s u p p o s e d t o l i v e i n the

t w o P a g e B o y s a n d six b e a u t i f u l girls a s M a i d s

utmost h a p p i n e s s in p a r a d i s e ) a n d at the rear

o f H o n o u r ; this w a s i m m e d i a t e l y f o l l o w e d b y

of these w a s a q u i n t e t t e of b e a u t i f u l girls dres-

a p a r t y of girl d r e s s e d as Scottish m a i d s in

s e d to r e s e m b l e a q u e e n w i t h her m a i d s .

The

c r o w d s w h i c h j a m m e d the

C h i n e s e historical play

traditional kilts; then right b e h i n d this party

B e f o r e the start of the L a n t e r n Procession,

w a s a n o t h e r o n e f r o m the S t J o s e p h ' s School,

the F a n c y Dress a n d D e c o r a t e d B i c y c l e s w e r e

w h o w e r e d r e s s e d a s K n i g h t s i n A r m o u r rep-

l i n e d up in the St. T h o m a s ' s S c h o o l a n d St.

resenting a scene from Shakespeare's " H e n r y

M a r y ' s School respectively for j u d g i n g .

86

The lantern procession as seen along Carpenter Street

87

Representing the mythical Chinese figures of the

-Eight Fairies Crossing the Sea

and supporting characters

provided by v quintette to resemble a queen and her maids by the children of the Chung Hwa Middle School.

Chung Hwa School No. 1 won First Prize for the lanterns competition.

88

Coronation Celebrations in Kuching

The Lorry Decoration by the Kuching Chinese General Chamber of

HIS EXCELLENCY'S MESSAGE. Coronation commenced

a f f i r m our l o y a l t y a n d h u m b l e duty

30th

in

this

solemn

and

ancient ceremony at which

Week

on

May

with a stirring m e s s a g e f r o m

our

young

and

beautiful

Q u e e n w i l l d e d i c a t e her l i f e t o the s e r v i c e of her p e o p l e .

His E x c e l l e n c y the G o v e r n o r .

I h o p e that e v e r y o n e in

I t reads: " T h e w e e k f r o m 30th

S a r a w a k will be able to take

M a y to 6th June, 1953, w i l l be

a n a c t i v e a n d e n j o y a b l e part

a m e m o r a b l e w e e k in our

in our local c e l e b r a t i o n s . But I

lives; a w e e k of r e j o i c i n g a n d

w a n t y o u all t o r e g a r d this

thanksgiving.

Elizabeth our

great occasion as b e l o n g i n g

Queen is to be c r o w n e d in

particularly to the youth of the

Westminster

Abbey

in

Commerce.

he

country.

We want them to

heart of our g r e a t C o m m u n i t y

look back upon these June

g a t h e r i n g . S o m e m a y not b e

of N a t i o n s ,

before a great

d a y s of 1953 w i t h e x c i t e m e n t ,

used

Assembly

of

wonder

urban ways.

the

most

and

enchantment.

to

our sophisticated Let us m a k e

distinguished figures in the

L e t it be a l a n d m a r k in their

them

world of t o d a y .

l i v e s as it w i l l be in history.

them hospitality

A m o n g the

Royalty and

welcome

and

show

and

kind-

T h e r e a r e others too w h o

ness so that t h e y w i l l return to

the

d e s e r v e s p e c i a l consideration

their distant h o m e s with a

celebrities o f m a n y l a n d s w i l l

- the visitors to the t o w n s of

d e e p feeling of kindship and

sit t h e

Sarawak - people who have

the h a p p i e s t m e m o r i e s of this

travelled long

g r e a t occasion.

Nobility

and

among

President

members

of

Negri.

They

invited

to

our

and

two

Council

have

been

represent

people of S a r a w a k and

distances to

join our h a p p y throng and

A n d a m i d all the e x c i t e -

the

g i v e t o our c e l e b r a t i o n s the

m e n t a n d m e r r i m e n t , the dis-

to

c h a r a c t e r of a g r e a t f a m i l y

p l a y a n d the glitter let us all

89

find time to remember what the Q u e e n said in her C h r i s t m a s b r o a d c a s t to us " Y o u w i l l be k e e p i n g it as a h o l i d a y : but I w a n t to ask y o u all, w h a t e v e r y o u r r e l i g i o n m a y b e , t o p r a y f o r m e o n that d a y - to p r a y that G o d m a y g i v e m e w i s d o m a n d strength to carry out the solemn p r o m i s e s I shall be m a k i n g , a n d that 1 m a y f a i t h f u l l y s e r v e H i m a n d you, all the d a y s of my life."

ALL-COMMUNITY PROCESSION T h e most colourful of the celebration pageantry and the c u l m i n a t i o n of the united efforts and preparations for m a n y w e e k s past of all c o m m u n i t i e s , the procession of lanterns and decorated floats d r e w a r e c o r d c r o w d of f i f t e e n thousand. N o t since the Centenary Celebrations i n K u c h i n g h a v e the inhabitants a n d visitors w i t n e s s e d such s p l e n d o u r . It w a s a g l o r i o u s s h o w of l o y a l t y a n d a f f e c t i o n f o r H e r M a j e s t y the Queen.

L o n g b e f o r e the a p p o i n t e d time (7.30 p.m.) for the procession, huge crowds l i n e d the streets and p a c k s all a v a i l a b l e s p a c e a l o n g the route. In addition to the t o w n s f o l k , t h e r e w e r e visitors o f all races w h o c a m e f r o m distant parts to see the procession. T h e i r v a r i e g a t e d d r e s s e s a n d c o s t u m e s stood out in b o l d relief against the d r a b b a c k g r o u n d of buildings and formed an effective d e c o r a t i v e s c h e m e . For a short spell it w a s f e a r e d that rain w o u l d ruin the s h o w , but apparently the gods w e r e c o n d e s c e n d i n g , f o r the Sky c l e a r e d at 8.30 p.m., a l l o w i n g t h e procession to b e g i n .

Altogether some fifty organisations representing

A Symbol of the Coronation of Her Majesty with a Malay girl representing the Queen silting on her throne and beside whom also sal a Malay man who was said to represent the Duke of Edinburgh. Standing by the raised dais were two figures dressed in the fashion of the Queen's Yeoman of the Guard.

the M a l a y , D a y a k , Chinese, European, Indian and Javanese communities took part in the procession, with a b o u t f i f t y d e c o r a t e d floats, v e h i c l e s a n d m o b i l e tableaux.

O u t s t a n d i n g a m o n g the tableaux may be mentioned the M a l a y boy and girl dressed as the Q u e e n and her Consort, w i t h t w o m e m b e r s ol the Q u e e n ' s Y e o m e n of the Guard, the g l e a m i n g C h i n e s e Unicorn and the w r i g g l i n g y e l l o w dragon chasing a fireball. A y o u n g and smiling girl m a h o u t on a w h i t e e l e p h a n t , w h o w a v e d her g o a d as she passed His E x c e l l e n c y ' s stand, the Indian m a r i o n e t t e p l a y e r s and the snowy white dove with electrically lit orbs for e y e s to represent P e a c e , w e r e other n o t e w o r t h y attractions.

JOINT MUSEUM AND BRITISH COUNCIL SPECIAL CORONATION EXHIBITION AND FILM SHOW.

90

A

Joint

British

Museum

Council

and

Special

C o r o n a t i o n E x h i b i t i o n in the Sarawak

Museum

informally

opened

was

by

His

E x c e l l e n c y t h e G o v e r n o r at 11 a.m.,

on

30th M a y .

extremely

Some

interesting

old

B r o o k e d o c u m e n t s f r o m the Museum archives w e r e on display

together

with

fine

portraits a n d p h o t o g r a p h s of the

Royal

Exhibition

Family. was

The

open

from

9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p . m . each day during Coronation W e e k and p r o v e d v e r y popular. In a d d i t i o n t h e r e w a s a special f i l m s h o w e a c h d a y at 10.30 a.m.

and

4.30

p.m.

for

o r g a n i s e d p a r t i e s of visitors to the

Exhibition.

selected

for

The

the

films

ocassion

i n c l u d e d "British M o n a r c h y " a n d a c o l o u r e d f i l m of the Brunei Coronation,

together

w i t h a r e c o r d e d filmstrip talk on

the

meaning

Coronation by

the

of

ceremony

the given

Archbishop

Canterbury.

of

This enterprising model of the Royalist links Sarawak's past history with the present.

The

celebrations

honour

of

Her

E l i z a b e t h II, nation were

during

Week

in

perhaps

in

Majesty, Coro-

Kuching, the

most

stupendous that this c o u n t r y

programme,

well-planned

g r e a t occasion point to the

a n d e v e n l y s p a c e d through-

f a c t that H e r M a j e s t y is our

out

the

week,

Queen",

as

w i t h w h i c h all c o m m u n i t i e s ,

C o m m o n w e a l t h of N a t i o n s of w h i c h w e a r e a part.

schools,

organisations individuals

the

"undoubted

m u c h as s h e is the H e a d of the

churches,

extent

variety of

the

e n t h u s i a s m a n d spontaniety

has e v e r w i t n e s s e d . Both t h e and

and

and

public private

celebrated

91

this

AGRI-HORTICULTURAL SHOW The

Coronation

Agri-Horticultural Show held u n d e r the joint auspices of the Floricultural Improvement S o c i e t y a n d the D e p a r t m e n t s of A g r i c u l t u r e a n d Forestry, on 30th May at the Maderasah Melayu, was an u n q u a l i f i e d success.

The Maderasah Melayu was gaily decorated with flags and bunting, while m u l t i - c o l o u r e d lights lent an a d d e d air of festivity to the occasion.

T h e S h o w w a s o n e o f the m o s t s p e c t a c u l a r t o b e org a n i s e d since the W a r . It w a s e s t i m a t e d that nearly four thousand spectators passed t h r o u g h the portals of the s c h o o l to relish the k a l e i d o s c o p i c array of rare plants and e x h i b i t s h o u s e d in the building.

In t h e Floricultural G r o u p there w e r e hundreds of f l o w e r s of the herbaceous g r o u p , shrubs a n d ferns, orchids in profusion, b o t h local a n d exotic, a n d aquatic plants in their little aquaria. In the Agricultural Group there w e r e nearly one hundred e x h i b i t s o f f o o d crops, products for the market and home preserves. T h e Livestock S e c t i o n c o n t a i n e d e x h i b i t s of w h i t e p i g s , a H e r e f o r d bull with some Scindhi cattle and Saanen goats. T h e most striking of the Agriculture Department's entries w e r e m o d e l s o n disp l a y illustrating p a d i irrigation, anti-soil erosion and m o d e l s of s m o k e - h o u s e s and a c o p p e r kiln.

T h e s p l e n d i d collection o f the b e s t t i m b e r s p r o d u c e d in our forests, e x h i b i t e d by the F o r e s t D e p a r t m e n t for the first t i m e since the War, e x -

The Lorry Decoration depicting the Coronation Crown contributed by the Foochow Association. Her Majesty the Queen's portrait by the Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

cited much comment.

favourable

A m o n g the highlights of the S h o w should be ment i o n e d the paintings of local

HIS EXCELLENCY VISITS THE LEPER SETTLEMENT A c c o m p a n i e d b y the Di-

orchids by Mr C.J.H. Blake of

rector of

K u c h i n g , w h i c h w e r e much

Dr. W . G l y n E v a n s , a n d the

Medical

Services,

a d m i r e d b y the s p e c t a t o r s .

Private Secretary,

P e r h a p s the most unusual en-

Urquhart,

tries w e r e those of cardinal

v i s i t e d the L e p e r S e t t l e m e n t

creepers

quamoclit)

a t 13th M i l e R o c k R o a d , t o

submitted by Mr Kho Leng

t a k e part in t h e s e t t l e m e n t ' s

G u a n w h o trained them to

coronation celebrations.

(ipomoea

His

Mr I.A.N.

Excellency

g r o w around metal frame-

H i s E x c e l l e n c y s p o k e to a

w o r k to r e p r e s e n t a floral

n u m b e r o f i n m a t e s w h o had

C r o w n , two dragons and a

gathered

rotary w h e e l . M r K h o ' s e x -

then the p a r t y m o v e d on to a

hibits attracted a l a r g e c r o w d

p l a t f o r m w h e r e a d d r e s s e s of

and he is to be congratulated

loyalty to the Q u e e n w e r e

for his p a t i e n c e and ingenuity

p r e s e n t e d b y t h e staff a n d in-

in

mates.

producing

ordinary

yet

specimens.

such

extra-

very

lovely

welcome

him;

In a m o v i n g r e p l y H i s Excellency

92

to

spoke

of

a

great

This wavy yellow dragon carried by sixteen persons chasing after the fireball.

A

brotherhood

thrilling

of

the

performance

of two

British

the

Commonwealth

of

Nations

and e x p l a i n e d

the

green

lions from

Chinese

Commerce

on

the

Kwong

Chamber Friday,

of

Wui

the

Siu

association.

Chinese

enjoyed,

he

5th

w a r n e d that t h e y w e r e a p t t o

signifi-

June, at w h i c h His Excellency

take for granted these advan-

cance o f t h e C o r o n a t i o n c e r e -

t h e G o v e r n o r w a s the g u e s t o f

tages and think nothing of

mony. H e n e x t p a i d a w a r m

honour. S p e a k i n g on behalf

them. It w a s good, therefore,

tribute to the Supt.

of the

Chinese community,

that t h e y s h o u l d s o m e t i m e s

had

M r T a n B a k L i m , O.B.E., said

remind themselves of them,

work

that in S a r a w a k , as i n d e e d in

on great occasions like the

among lepers in W e s t Africa.

all c o u n t r i e s of the British

present,

His E x c e l l e n c y e n d e d b y p r e -

C o m m o n w e a l t h , the C h i n e s e ,

a n d g r a t i t u d e . H e t h e n said

senting

that i n S a r a w a k t h e C h i n e s e

MacGregor much

who

Mr H.

had

experience

of

with

thankfulness

dis-

i n c o m m o n w i t h o t h e r races,

c h a r g e to a n u m b e r of in-

e n j o y e d a f o r m of g o v e r n m e n t

community

mates a n d by g o i n g on a tour

d i s t i n g u i s h e d f o r its b e n e v o -

p l a y its part in the p r o g r e s s of

of i n s p e c t i o n of the settle-

l e n c e , a n d also f o r the strict

the country side by side with

ment.

maintenance

and

all o t h e r r a c e s f o r t h e c o m m o n

Rule,

g o o d , a n d that this w a s , m o r e

encouraged,

than a n y t h i n g e l s e , t h e b e s t

certificates

of

order.

CHINESE COMMUNITY'S CORONATION DINNER A d i n n e r to c o m m e m o r a t e the C o r o n a t i o n w a s g i v e n b y the C h i n e s e C o m m u n i t y a t

of

law

U n d e r British

education

was

would

always

the p r i n c i p l e s of l i b e r t y a n d

w a y in w h i c h the

f r e e d o m w e r e cherished, and

could express their d e v o t i o n

justice w a s administered with

a n d l o v e t o H e r M a j e s t y the

an impartially unknown in

Q u e e n a n d their l o y a l t y t o t h e

m a n y f o r e i g n lands. R e f e r r i n g

C r o w n . Replying on behalf of

to the inestimable benefits

himself a n d all the guests, H i s

93

Chinese

"As

h a v e all, I think, f e l t an up-

w h i c h b e c o m e a part of our

r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of the Q u e e n I

lifting of the spirit a n d a g r e a t

lives. T h e

E x c e l l e n c y said in part:

w o u l d l i k e t o thank y o u most' a n d m o v i n g s e n s e o f unity s i n c e r e l y for y o u r gracious under the inspiring leader-

Queen

dedicated

herself to t h e s e r v i c e of her p e o p l e ... w, too, t a k e our oath

e x p r e s s i o n of l o y a l t y to the

ship o f H e r M a j e s t y . During

t o b e f a i t h f u l a n d true a n d t o uphold

course

of

this

week

the

young

Queen

C r o w n a n d f o r y o u r support

the

f o r t h e i d e a l s f o r w h i c h our

throughout Sarawak w e h a v e

throughout her reign and do

f a m i l y of nations stand; l o y a l -

s e e n m a n y a n d d e e p l y sin-

our b e s t to m a k e of this c o u n -

ties, M r C h a i r m a n , o f w h i c h

cere

expressions of loyalty

try a n d the w o r l d a k i n d l i e r

y o u and the Community you

f r o m p e r s o n s for e v e r y rank

and happier p l a c e in w h i c h to

represent h a v e g i v e n abun-

a n d d e g r e e , o f e v e r y race a n d

d w e l l ..."

dant p r o o f o v e r the years. W e

r e l i g i o n . T h e s e are p r i v i l e g e s

The Coronation Of Queen Elizabeth Trumpets And Guns To Signal Crowning 2nd June, 1953.

By Ranald Macklurkin ( N o t e : A l l times in this story a r e B S T ( o n e hour a h e a d of G M T a s times a r e part o f the story.)

London:-(Reuter)-Trump e t s in E n g l a n d ' s historic Westminister A b b e y and g u n s f i r e d f r o m the T o w e r o f L o n d o n w i l l signal the crowning to-day of Queen E l i z a b e t h II. W h e n the trumpets sound and the guns fire, those i n the A b b e y a n d the millions outside w h o w i l l b e l i s t e n i n g t o the c e r e m o n y b y radio and seeing it on t e l e v i s i o n w i l l k n o w that the c r o w n o f St. E d w a r d h a s b e e n p l a c e d o n the h e a d o f the Queen. T h e y will know, too, that she is t h e n h a l f w a y through a long ceremony w h i c h f r o m start to finish w i l l last t w o a n d a half hours, and that she is henceforth " E l i z a b e t h the Second, by the G r a c e of G o d , of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of her other Realms and Territories Queens, Head of the Commonwealth, Defence of t h e F a i t h , " the f o r t y first

The Westminster Abbey, the place where the Coronation Ceremony will take place today.

the

officials, visiting K i n g s and

T h r o n e s i n c e the N o r m a n ,

Sovereign

to

ascend

Q u e e n s , n a t i v e rulers f r o m

W i l l i a m the C o n q u e r o r .

the

It w i l l be the s u p r e m e

Queen's

realms,

m o m e n t of the Coronation,

watched

which

people.

will

be

followed

d u r i n g t h e a f t e r n o o n by a Coronation

overseas

and w h i c h will be' by

millions

Throughout

the

of

early

procession

m o r n i n g h o u r s ' of J u n e 2,

through London two miles

p e o p l e f r o m all part of Britain

l o n g , in w h i c h thousands of

a n d a b r o a d w i l l b e g i n t o line

troops f r o m e v e r y part of the

the route f r o m B u c k i n g h a m

Commonwealth

Palace

will

take

to

part, in w h i c h w i l l ride the

Abbey

to

Prime

leave

the

Ministers

Commonwealth,

94

of

the

State

Westminster see

the

Palace

Queen in

the

g o l d e n C o a c h o f State. T h e y

will have come through the darkness and the dawn by underground trains, steam trains, coaches, omnibuses and on foot, many of them with tickets for seats on the route, the majority of them ready to stand for hours packed shoulder to shoulder see the procession.

Thousands of the women spectators who will line the route will be wearing special dresses with a patriotic motif of red, white and blue.

T h e y w i l l have a long wait, for not until 0840 will the first cars, carrying some members of the British Royal Family, leave Buckingham Palace for the Abbey.

Ten minutes later, a long procession of more than 70 limousines will drive out of the p a l a c e g a t e s b e a r i n g foreign Royalty and other foreign representatives.

The first glamorous touch of the day's spectacles will come at 0915 when the first procession appears from the Palace courtyard. In it will ride rulers f r o m Britain's tropical colonies and protectorates in native dress.

Among them will be 6th tall Queen Salote of the Tonga Islands, in the Pacific, who has been the guest of Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace since she arrived in Britain and the Sultan of Zanzibar, Johore, Selangor, Kelantan, Perak, Brunei and Lahej.

Then, in fairly quick succession, will come some of the leading personalities in the day's pageantry.

A new procession of nine carriages from the Palace will carry to the Abbey the prime M i n i s t e r s of the Commonwealth, including Sir Winston Churchill.

Next will come carriages

containing the Princes and P r i n c e s s e s of the B l o o d Royal, among them the Queen's aunts and cousins, followed by Queen Mother, with Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister, seated at her side in a carriage which will d r i v e t o the A b b e y f r o m Clarence House, the Queen Mother's residence.

B y 1020 t h e c r o w d s packed around Buckingham Palace and the long w i d e drive of The Mall will hear the roll of drums and the blare of brass as bands of the Guards strike up to l e a d Queens Elizabeth's own procession from Palace to Abbey.

One single officer, C o l o n e l B.J.O. Burrows, Inspector of Trooping at the War O f f i c e , will lead this procession on horseback.

Behind him will follow four m o u n t e d troopers of the H o u s e h o l d C a v a l r y , and f o l l o w i n g this simple beginning, 1000 Guardsmen and a cavalcade of Admirals, F i e l d Marshals, Generals and Air Marshals, some on horse-back, some walking, some in landaus.

Behind them, drawn by eight Windsor Greys from the Royal Stables will come the Queen in her 192 yearsold coach, with its figures of g i l d e d palm trees and s e a g o d s rising from each corner of the s w i n g i n g undercarriage.

T h e Queen will wear a r o b e of crimson velvet, a diadem on her head, and by her side will sit her husband, the D u k e of E d i n b u r g h , wearing the gold-braided, blue uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet.

D o w n the broad, gaily decorated Mall, the w i d e avenue which leads to the

95

v e r y heart of Londoii, the procession will pass under four spectacular arches of tubular steel, surmounted by dancing lions and unicorns.

H u g e coronets w i l l h a n g from th 65-foot arches, looking as though they were h a n g i n g i n air w i t h o u t support.

Behind w i l l r i d e more h o r s e m e n - t h e Lord H i g h Constable, F i e l d Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke; the Queen,s Master of the Horse, the Duke of Beaufort; The Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard; and others.

Then will follow the Royal Standard and, riding i m m e d i a t e l y b e h i n d it as personal aides-de-camp to the Queen, her uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, and Earl Mountbatten of Burma. At the e n d of the g i l t t e r i n g parade will follow eguerries to the Queen and two more divisions of the Sovereign's Escort.

The procession will pass from The Mall into Trafalgar Square, dominated by thfe column and statue of Admiral Lord Nelson, where even the high rooftops will be crammed with spectators, down Northumberland Avenue to the Embankment along the River Thames.

There, along the w a t e r f r o n t , ships w i l l be flying almost every flag ever seen on the oceans of the world.

Then just as Big Ben, the clock on Houses of Parliament, is striking 11 o'clock, the golden coach will halt outside Westminster Abbey.

From early morning, 7,000 guests will have been arriving at the Abbey, where English monarchs have been c r o w n e d f o r 900 y e a r s .

Statesmen, poets, peers and peeresses will have stepped from the constant f l o w of cars; men and w o m e n in striking native garb from every part of the Commonwealth will have mingled with thousands of Britons in their Court Dress of silk velvet breeches with buckled shoes, silken hose and their ladies in silks and ermine.

Queen Elizabeth will step from her coach on to a blue carpet running from the N a v e of the A b b e y to the entrance of a ÂŁ50,000 annexe of white timber and pillars of tubular steel specially built for the Coronation.

Flowers f l o w n from all parts of the Commonwealth w i l l be b a n k e d in the A n n e x e , w h e r e a line of s c u l p t u r e d mythical and heraldic animals look on the s c e n e of p a g e a n t r y . T h e "Queen Beasts," as they are c a l l e d , i n c l u d e fabulous monsters such as the Griffin, with the head of an eagle, the body of a lion and the tail of a serpent.

T h e Duke of N o r f o l k , E n g l a n d ' s Premier Duke who, as Earl Marshal, has been the chief planner of the coronation, will meet the Queen at the entrance to the Annexe.

And in the entrance hall, flooded with rainbow light from the coloured glass of the windows, the Queen will be r e c e i v e d by high c e r e m o n i a l o f f i c e r s , the Lords w h o w i l l carry the Regalia, and the Arcbishops of Canterbury and York.

T h e Q u e e n , w i t h tne Duke of Edinburg, will pass between a guard of honour of the Queen's Company, Grenadier Guards, e v e r y man in it over six feet three

inches in height, and will go on to a robing room in the Annexe, its floor covered her in gold carpet, to complete her robing for the big ceremony still to come.

In the vestibule, at 1115, she will join the procession which has meanwhile been f o r m i n g . Six M a i d s o f honour, daughters of British Dukes and Peers, w i l l arrange themselves, three on each side, to carry the long train which flows from the Queen's robe.

A n d from this point b e g i n s the C r o w n i n g Ceremony from which the Queen, two and a half hours l a t e r , w i l l e m e r g e as a crowned monarch.

Slowly and solemly the Procession moves into the A b b e y through the West Door.

At its head are the Royal Chaplains followed by the representatives of the Free C h u r c h e s and r e l i g i o u s dignitaries of Westminster.

Behind them, like figures on a pack of'playing cards in their gold and velvet tabards (tunics) come the Heralds and the Kings of Arms, ceremonial officers in attendance on the Sovereign.

Standard Bearers carry the flags of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The Union Standard is borne by Captain J.L.H. Dymoke, the Queen's Champion, whose ancestors used to appear fully armed on horse-back at the Coronation Banquet and challenge to fight anyone who disputed the Monarch's right to the Crown. This custom has now died out and the right to carry a Standard has been given to the Dymoke family as a compensation.

Carrying the Royal Standard is one of Britain's out-

96

standing soldiers, Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamin.

In another section of the Grand Procession walk the Prime Ministers of the Comm o n w e a l t h nations, preceded by their High Commissioners carrying the flags of their countries.

F i f t e e n t r u m p e t e r s in mediaeval uniform, gold and crimson bannerets hanging from their instruments, sound a fanfare as the Queen herself is due to enter the Abbey.

As the brassy notes break off, the choir of 202 men, 20 women and 178 boys sing the anthem from Psalm 122; Through the body of the Church walks the Queen, into and through the Choir, where she is acclaimed by 40 Queen's Scholars of Westminsters School chanting " V i v a t Regina Elizabetha, Vivat! Vivat! Vivat!", on to a raised platform called the C o r o n a t i o n T h e a t r e , oarp e t e d i n g o l d , p a s t her Throne to her Chair of Estate to the right of the Altar, in w h i c h i c h , a f t e r short prayers, she sits.

The Bible is placed upon the Altar.

One by one, the objects of the Regalia are brought by the Lords, who carry them in procession, to the Dean of Westminster, Dr Alan Don. He places them on the Altar.

Then, as the last bars of the anthem die away, the Q u e e n m o v e s to the oak Coronation Chair in which all monarchs of England have b e e n crowned since 1308 Standing beside it, a slim figure under the arching roof of the old Abbey, she waits w h i l e the A r c h b i s h o p of Canterbury, the V e r y Re-

verend Geoffrey Fisher, Primate of the Church of England, goes slowly and gravely in turn to each of the corners of the Theatre.

A f t e r the R e c o g n i t i o n Ceremony the Bible is then presented to the Queen by the Right Rev. George Jeffrey, M o d e r a t o r of the General A s s e m b l y of the Church of Scotland. It is the first t i m e the S c o t l a n d Church, which is Presbyterian and differs in its ritual from the Chuch of England, has had its place in this ceremony.

As the Queen receives the Bible, the Archbishop of Canterbury speaks: "Our Gracious Queen, to keep Your M a j e s t y ever mindful of the Law and the Gospel of God as the rule for the whole life and Government of Christian princes we present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords."

The atmosphere, amid the blue and g o l d fabrics draping the Coronation Theatre, changes to one of devotion and deep religious feeling as the Communion Service begins.

The v o i c e or the great choir, with an orchestra of 60 o f B r i t a i n ' s b e s t instrumentalists and the famous organ of the Abbey sonorously in the b a c k ground, soar in a psalm:' 'Behold, O God our defender: and look up on the face of thine Annotated."

The Queen and her people kneel as the Archbishop prays.

And as the mass voices rise in a great "Hallelujah," Elizabeth rises f r o m her knees. The Lord Chamberlain and the Mistress of the Robes gently draw from her

shoulders the heavy robe she was worn till now.

The young Queen walks slowly to the plain, 650-yearold Coronation Chair with its high back and the Stone of Destiny tucked under the seat.

As she seats herself a b o v e the rough block of read sandstone, on which the old kings of Scotland were crowned, four Knights of the Garter, England's highest Order of chivalry, hold over her a canopy of Cloth of Gold.

Clad a mantles of blue velvet with surcoats of crimson they screen the Queen from the on-lookers while the Archbishop of Canterbury anoints her in form of a cross with holy oil.

The Dean of Westminster, Dr Alan Don, stands beside the Archbishop pouring the scented amber oil from the Ampulla, a golden receptacle in the form of an e a g l e with outstretched wings, into the Spoon, also of gold, with four pearls set in the handle, 700 years old and the most ancient vessel used during the ceremony.

The Archbishop dips his fingers into the oil which is made from a 17 th Century formula and contains oils of orange flower, roses, cinnamon, jasmin, sesame and flowers of benzoin.

In the deep silence his voice intones as he anoints both the Queen's palms.

N e x t , the Sceptre with the Cross, emblem of regal power and justice, is put into the Queen's right hand as she sits erect. It is three feet long, of gold, with the lower end richly jewelled. From the upper end, among a cluster of stones, gleams the great, twinkling Star of Afri-

97

ca cut from the world's biggest diamond, the Cullinan, found in South Africa near the beginning of the Century.

Into the Q u e e n ' s left hand the Archbishop places the Rod with the Dove, symbol of equity and mercy.

This is also of gold, surmounted by a cross on which stands a d o v e w i t h outstretched wings. It was made in 1661 for the Coronation of King Charles II. "Be so merciful that you be not too remiss; so execute justice that you forget not mercy. Punish the wicked, protect and cherish the just, and lead your people in the w a y w h e r e i n they should go", the Archbishop adjures the Queen, as he places it in her hand.

It is nearing 1330. T h e ceremony has gone on for nearly 90 minutes, and the atmosphere is tense as the supreme moment of the crowning approaches.

There is a rumble and the clatter of fget against woodwork as the A b b e y guests rise.

The Archbishop, standing before the Altar, takes up St. Edward's Crown from the A l t a r , then l a y s i t d o w n again, saying: "O God the Crown of the faithfully: Bless we beech thee this Crown, and so sanctify thy servant Elizabeth upon whose bead this day thou dust place it for a sign of royal majesty, that she may be filled by thine abundant grace with all pricely virtues".

Slowly the Archbishop, with his Bishops behind him, walks over the gold carpet, the Dean of Westminster beside him holding the Crown, a circlet of gold studded with

diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls, and two gold arches holding an orb and a cross rising from the rim.

Carefully, reverently, the Archbishop takes the crown.

T h e r e is a moment of almost breathless silence as he places it on Elizabeth's head.

Then the stillness is shattered, suddenly, by the cry from 7,000 voices echoing to the high roof of the ancient shrine: "God save the Queen."

Again and again the cry, fervent and emotional, rings out from the princes, from the dukes, the peers and their wives, the great statesmen of the Commonwealth, the commoners: " G o d save the Queen."

Outside the Abbey, at the v e r y s e c o n d the C r o w n touches the h e a d of the y o u n g Q u e e n , guns roar f r o m the o p e n spaces of H y d e Park and from the Towers of London and the air shakes with the cheers of the patiently waiting crowds.

I n s i d e thâ‚Ź A b b e y the trumpets blow a triumphant fanfare. Hundreds of whitegloved hands suddenly rise as the princes and princesses, peers and pesresses put on their coronets and caps.

And then the cries in the A b b e y d i e a w a y a s the Archbishop's calm, solemn voice is heard: "God crown you with a crown of glory and righteousness, that having a right faith and manifold fruit of good works, you may obtain the crown of an everlasting kingdom by the gift of him whose kingdom endureth for ever. Amen."

T h e choir sings: " B e strong and of a good cour-

a g e : K e e p the commandment of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.

T h e Q u e e n has b e e n anointed and crowned, and now the Archbishop blesses her, with the Abbey guests loudly intoning " A m e n " at intervals as he does so.

U p t o this p o i n t the Queen has for the most part had her back to the congregation. N o w she rises from the Coronation Chair and, f o l l o w e d by the Archbishop, the Great Officers of State, and the Lords who have borne the Begalis, she walks to a raised Throne in the centre of the Theatre.

The churchmen and the peers around her lift her into the Throne as the Archbishop exhorts her: "Stands firm, and hold fast from henceforth the seat and state of royal and imperial dignity, which is this d a y delivered unto you..."

N o w follows another great moment of the dramap a c k e d ceremony as the newly crowned Queen receives the Homage of the princes and peers.

The Archbishop of Cant e r b u r y and the other Bishops first kneel round the Throne swearing to be " f a i t h f u l and t r u e . " T h e Queen holds out her right hand and the Archbishop kisses it.

Then the Duke of Edinburgh, Elizabeth's husband, with a robe of red velvet "pow e r e d " with four bars of ermine, comes from his seat at the side of the throne.

He takes of his coronet and kneels b e f o r e the woman who is his wife but also his Queen. Placing his hands between those of Elizabeth he pledges clearly that.

98

"I Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, do become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die, against all manner of folks. So help me God.: Rising from his knees he touches the Crown, then, bending, kisses the Queen's left cheek.

It is a breath-taking moment.

The Duke of Gloucester, the Queen's uncle, and the y o u n g Duke of Kent, her cousin, come to the Throne, to pledge themselves similarly. Then the seni- or peer of each degree, a duke first followed by a marquess, an earl, a viscount and a baron, to the Queen's feet one by one to promise that they will be "her liege men".

Each touches the Crown as a symbol that he and all of his rank will be ever ready to support it. A n d each kisses the Q u e e n ' s r i g h t hand, w h i l e the choir sings anthems.

A s the last n o b l e m a n p a y s his h o m a g e , drums beat, the trumpets blare and the congregation shouts. " G o d save Queen Elizabeth. " M a y the Q u e e n l i v e forever."

T h e giant organ plays and the greatest choir the world has ever known - a choir numbered in millions and spread throughout every city, town and village of the nation - sings. " A l l people that on earth do dwell, "Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; "Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell; " C o m e y e b e f o r e Him and rejoice."

For it is not only those in

Sceptre and the Rod, leaves

Q u e e n and the D u k e of Edin-

the A b b e y w h o w i l l s i n g this

h e r T h r o n e and, w i t h t h e f o u r

burgh, draws a w a y from the

hymn. At the suggestion of

S w o r d s carried b e f o r e her,

A b b e y t o t a k e u p its p l a c e i n

the A r c h b i s h o p of C a n t e r -

passes through the Theatre

the t w o miles long proces-

bury, p e o p l e w a t c h i n g t h e

o u t of s i g h t to a part of t h e

sion.

ceremony on their televison

A b b e y c a l l e d t h e Recess.

I t i s t o b e g a y , thrilling

T h e r e the Robe Royal is

parade, full of music from

homes and singing the old

t a k e n o f f a n d i n its p l a c e s h e

2,000 b a n d s m e n i n 4 7 m a r -

hymn.

is a r r a y e d in a r o b e of p u r e

ching bands, full of colour in

silk

t h e startling rirmson tunics

sets w i l l b e s t a n d i n g i n their

As the g r e a t chorus re-

purple

velvet richly

sounds t h r o u g h t h e A b b e y ,

embroidered

the Q u e e n d e s c e n d s f r o m

national e m b l e m s of the Un-

her T h r o n e t o t h e s t e p s o f t h e

ited K i n g d o m - the English

Altar w h e r e , l a y i n g a s i d e h e r

rose

and

with

oak-leaves,

the

the

o f t h e soldiers, e x c i t e m e n t i n t h e p r a n c i n g o f t h e horses.

A t its h e a d w i l l a g a i n b e t h e solitary f i g u r e o f C o l o n e l

Crown, the Sceptre and the

Scottish thistle, the W e l s h

Bert Burrows,

Rod, she k n e e l s t o o f f e r t h e

l e e k a n d t h e Irish s h a m r o c k .

had led the Queen's proces-

Bread a n d W i n e f o r t h e C o m -

N o w she w e a r s the Impe-

w h o earlier

sion to the A b b e y .

rial state C r o w n , m u c h l i g h t -

O n a g r e y c h a r g e r , this

e r a n d m o e c o m f o r t a b l e than

Englishman w h o joined the

tion an o f f e r i n g - r e c e i v e d

t h e C r o w n o f St.

Edward,

N e w Zealand A r m y as a gun-

from her by the A r c h b i s h o p

w h i c h w e i g h s seven pounds.

ner, a n d w h o s e f a m i l y l i v e d

of C a n t e r b u r y . T h i s t a k e s t h e

T h e Grand procession is

form, traditionally, of " a n

m a r s h a l l e d again, and the

1914-1918, w i l l a g a i n b e f o l -

ingot or w e d g e of g o l d of a

Q u e e n , holding the Sceptre

l o w e d b y four State T r o o p -

pound w e i g h t , " and an A l t e r

in her right hand and the Orb

ers, b e h i n d t h e m this t i m e

Cloth.

in her left, passes from the

will come

A b b e y w h i l e the assembly

a r r a y o f troops, c a r r i a g e s a n d

munion.

She then m a k e s her obla-

The Queen kneels again.

N o w , o n his k n e e s b e s i d e her, is t h e D u k e of E d i n burgh,

for

Archbishop

A f t e r t h e Q u e e n has h a d

New

Zealand

during

a long winding

bands which will take 45 min u t e s to pass a g i v e n p o i n t .

the

a short rest a n d has l u n c h e d

For bands w i l l f o l l o w b e -

Cantebury

w i l l c o m e the m o m e n t for

hind Colonel Burrows and

whom of

sings the National Anthem.

in

w h i c h the hundreds of p e o -

his t r o o p e r s a n d t h e n the

"... m u l t i p l y t h y b l e s s i n g

p l e t h r o n g i n g the g a y streets

procession proper h e a d e d by

upon this thy s e r v a n t P h i l i p

of London have been waiting

c o n t i n g e n t s of police,

w h o w i t h all h u m b l e d e v o -

so patiently e v e r since early

men,

soldiers

and sailors

tion o f f e r s h i m s e l f f o r thy ser-

morning.

from Britain's

Colonies -

says a p r a y e r :

vice in the dignity to w h i c h

air-

Still c r o w n e d a n d car-

f r o m the S o l o m o n Islands,

r y i n g the Sceptre and the

from M a l a y a , from the W e s t

all

O r b , t h e Q u e e n w i l l later e n -

I n d i e s , f r o m t h e sub-tropics

dangers, g h o s t l y a n d b o d i l y ,

ter a g a i n h e r g o l d e n c o a c h

of West Africa.

m a k e h i m a g r e a t e x a m p l e of

for her procession through

virtue a n d g o d l i n e s s , a n d a

t h e streets o f L o n d o n .

thou has c a l l e d h i m .

"Defend

him

from

blessing t o t h e Q u e e n a n d t o her P e o p l e s ..."

W h i l e s h e is l u n c h i n g a g r e a t p r o c e s s i o n w i l l b e lin-

T h e n the

might of the

Commonwealth will follow, led by

detachments

from

Southern Rhodesia, O n e b y

The Communion service

i n g u p t o m o v e off a l m o s t a s

o n e t h e y w i l l m a r c h past t o

marks the e n d o f t h e C o r o n a -

soon as the C r o w n i n g Cere-

the cheers and the flags of

tion rites.

m o n y ends. Carriages w h i c h

t h e spectators - t h e m e n a n d

will

important

w o m e n of C e y l o n , Pakistan,

takes the S c e p t r e a n d t h e

guests w h o h a v e seen the

South Africa, N e w Zealand.

Rod

her

A b b e y Service will begin to

Throne, w h i l e the D u k e of

p i c k t h e m u p a n d t a k e their

by

Edinburgh,

places in the procession from

head, with policemen from

ceives

T h e Q u e e n re-

back

and

her

returns

Crown, to

wearing

his

coronet, returns to his p l a c e .

While the choir sings the "Te Deum" crowned,

- the Queen,

still h o l d i n g t h e

carry

the

1415 o n w a r d s .

A t 1450 c o m e s the g o l d e n splash of colour w h e n the C o a c h of State, c a r r y i n g t h e

99

Australia will follow, l e d Brigadier

Papua

and

among

her

Then

D.A. New

Guinea

contingents.

Canada,

romantic

White-

with

Mounted

her

Police

riding in front of marching m e n w h o h a v e fought i n Korea.

Led by four more bands, the sailors, soldiers and airmen of Britain herself will come into view, the Royal Air Force leading.

The wild skirl of the bagp i p e s w i l l h e r a l d the approach of the Scottish regiments, with kilts swinging as they march.

Oddly- but yet not incongruous in this great cavalcade of an Empire and Commonwealth on the day of its Queen's crowning - there is a p i p e band f r o m Pakistan among the Scots, and one formed from the Brigade of Gurkhas, the fierce, loyal fighters from the Indian subcontinent.

A n d after the servicemen follow the carriages of the Sultans.

T h e n an escort of mounted military police and more carriages - this time bearing the Commonwealth prime Minsters.

Each Prime Minister, exc e p t Mr N e h r u , has a mounted escort from his own country behind his carriage.

Last of the Prime Ministers is Britain's own Sir Win-

ston Churchill with Lady Churchill beside him and an escort of Husars riding behind.

Cavalry, carriages carrying members of the Royal Family - the Earl and Countess of Athlone, Princess Marie Louise, The Duchess of Kent with the Duke and her other son and daughter, the Princess Royal, aunt of the Queen; Queen Elizabeth the Q u e e n M o t h e r , w i t h Princess Margaret beside her, riding in the Irish State Coach, one of the famous Royal carriages,A l o n g p a r a d e of mounted officers; Marshals of the Royals Air Force and Admirals go past-some in carriages, some on horse-back.

So the procession will go on.

Four heroes of the last war will come riding four abreast Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, Field Marshal Earl Alexander of Tunis, Field Marshal Lord Ironsie, and Field Marshal Viscount M o n t g o m e r y of Alamein.

Then the Queen's coach at last draws into view, preceded by escorts of Colonial

100

and Commonwealth officers and colourful Y e o m e n of Guard.

Following is the Royal Standard, the Queen's officals and aides-de-camp, and, last of all the jingling divisions of t h e S o v e r e i g n ' s Escort.

The Huge procession will w i n d on a c i r c u l a r route round the centre of London.

A b o u t 10,000 s e r v i c e men and women in the parade; including 2,500 from the Colonies and Commonwealth will be in it.

It will take one hour and 40 minutes for the Queen's coach to travel the five miles of the route.

The great parade will end at Buckingham Palace at 1630, when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will come out on to the Palace balcony to w a v e to the cheering crowds outside and to watch a fly-past of the Royal Air Force.

T h e c e r e m o n y and Pageantry of an historic day is over-but the rejoicing goes on as Londoners dance in the streets and make merry until the small hours of the morning.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in her Coronation Gown, whieli was designed by Norman Hartnell.

101

Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family. The photograph was taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. In this delightful group are: left to right (front row) H. R. H. Princess Alexandar of Kent. H. R. H. Prince Michael of Kent. H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent. H.R.H. Prince Margaret. Her Majesty the Queen, wearing the Imperial State Crown. H. M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. H.R.H the Princess Royal. H.R.H. the Duchess of Gloucester and her two sons Prince William and Prince Richard. Behind Her Majesty are the three Royal Dukes, left to right. H.R.H. Duke of Gloucester. H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince Consort, and H.R.H. the Duke of Kent.

Part of the Commonwealth and Colonial contingents taking part in the Coronation procession en route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

102

Perayaan2 Hari Kemahkotaan Di-Kuching P e r a y a a n 2 b a g i mera'ikan upachara Hari

Hari Kemahkotaan. Di-tepi jeraya2 dalam kawasan pasar telah di-gantong d e n g a n lampo electric y a n g berwarna warni dan bendera2 l a m b a n g diraja dan tanglong2 k e m a h k o t a a n y a n g berlukis d e n g a n g a m b a r Baginda Q u e e n dan D u k e of Edinburgh.

Dapat-lah pula di-saksikan p e m a n d a n g a n 2 y a n g e n d a h d e n g a n a n e k a w a r n a d a n sulohsulohan p a d a b a n g u n a n 2 K e r a j a a n , g u d a n g 2 k o m p e n i , rumah2 persekutuan, k e d a i 2 d a l a m pasar, d a n tidak pula k e t i n g g a l a n m a s j i d 2 d a n g e r e j a 2 , serta d i - t a m b a h pula d e n g a n pintu2 gerbang yang elok berpasang dengan lampo e l e c t r i c d i - s a g e n a p k a m p o n g itu. M a k a Bandar Kuching pada malam2 perayaan tersebut ada-lah t e r a n g b e n d e r a n g salurohnya. D a r i j a o h diluar b a n d a r d a p a t - l a h di-lihat k a w a s a n b a n d a r itu bersinar-sinaran sa-olah2 padang terbakar, entah demikian-kah g e r a n g a n - n y a p e m a n d a n g a n y a n g di-saksi o l e h W a n U m p o k d a n W a n M a l i n i kutika a n a k R a j a S u r a n itu t u r u n d i - B u k i t S a g u n t a n g saperti di-cherita d a l a m S e j a r a h M e l a y u itu.

Kemahkotaan Seri Baginda Q u e e n Elizabeth Y a n g K e d u a itu t e l a h d i - l a n s o n g k a n b u a t B a n d a r K u c h i n g s a - l a m a satu m i n g g u p e n o h , mulai' d e n g a n r a s m i - n y a d a r i p a d a 3 0 M a y sehingga 6 June, dan tamat-nya pun berbetolan pula d e n g a n S a m b u t a n H a r i j a d i Seri B a g i n d a sendiri.

Di-kampong2

pada

sa-minggu

dua

t e r d a h u l u d a r i p a d a m i n g g u p e r a y a a n itu d a p a t - l a h di-lihat m u r i d 2 s e k o l a h telah m u l a g a g a u d e n g a n persediaan mereka. Dapat-lah di-perhatikan

betapa

giat

dan

gembira

kanak2 itu m e m e n o n g b a g a i m a n a h e n d a k m e m b e n t o k t a n g l o n g 2 d a r i p a d a kertas w a m a dan b a t a n g 2 b u l o h y a n g telah d i - b a h a g i k a p a d a m e r e k a itu — m a u b e r u p a b i n t a n g kah, atau i k a n atau k a p a l t e r b a n g ? — s u p a y a dapat m e n g a l a h k a n b u a t a n 2 r a k a n m e r e k a y a n g lain. I b u b a p a j u g a t i d a k k h a l i d a r i p a d a runsing

kerana

a n a k 2 m e r e k a itu telah

menuntutkan supaya dapat pakaian uniform baharu g a n t i y a n g t e l a h l u r c h w a m a k e r a n a mereka

telah

bahagian

khayal

akan

mengambil

dalam temasha2 yang

di-untok

utama-nya buat P e m u d a dan Pemudi bagi mera'ikan pertabalan Baginda Q u e e n yang j u g a m u d a julita y a n g m e n j a d i Ratu p a d a zaman mereka. Sambil menantikan ketibaan H a r i K e m a h k o t a a n itu b u d a k 2 itu j u g a m e n g hafalkan l a g u k e b a n g s a a n y a n g akan din y a n y i b e r a m a i - r a m a i p a d a hari y a n g b e r sejarah itu. P e r m a i n a n m e r e k a y a n g biasa itu tertinggal lansong;

kadang2 mereka ber-

duyun p e r g i k a - s e k o l a h m a s i n g 2 k e r a n a b e r m a c h a m l a t e h a n y a n g p e r l u atau bersiar2 k a pasar d a n d i - k a m p o n g k e r a n a m e l i h a t a n e k a p e r s e d i a a n itu. A h ! d a p a t - l a h d i - p e r h a t i k a n ayer

muka

mereka

yang

penoh

dengan

g e m b i r a d a n k e s u k a a n w a k t u m e l a l u ' i pintu g e r b a n g atau m e l i m p a s b a n g u n a n y a n g terhias.

Walau pun pada mula-nya chadangan2 t e n t a n g p e r s e d i a a n d i - k a m p o n g 2 itu t i d a k b e r k e h e n d a k k a n t e n a g a t e r u s dari a n a k 2 kampong

salain

daripada

dengan

jalan

kutipan, t e t a p i d i - b e l a k a n g dari itu pula T u a 2 K a m p o n g serta anak2 telah

di-kerah

gerbang

dan

juga

kampong mendirikan

perhiasan

sakalian pintu2

dalam kampong

masing2.

A p a b i l a sampai 30 M a y m a k a musta'id-lah

P a d a tiap2 m a l a m pula dalam m i n g g u t e r m a ' a l u m itu t e r d e n g a r - l a h r i o h r e n d a h bunyi kaki orang2 lalu lalang di-jeraya2 d a l a m pasar d a n k a m p o n g , tetapi d i k a w a s a n pasar-lah tempat orang2 bergumpol p e n o h sesak d i - s a g e n a p j e r a y a d a n l o r o n g , s a h i n g g a gerak peijalanan pun menjadi berlambatan.

D i - s a p a n j a n g m i n g g u itu telah d i - a d a k a n b e r m a c h a m permainan, p e r t u n j o k a n , isti'adat rasmi dan layanan. Pertunjokan sarempak b a g i Bunga2, T a n a m a n d a n K e h u t a n a n telah di-adakan di-Medarasah Melayu; Lomba Kuda di-Padang Sarawak Turf Club; P e r t u n j o k - k a n Surat2 b e r s e j a r a h d i - r u m a h M u s e u m ; satu m a j h s D a n c i n g b e r u p a international di-Sarawak Club; Pertandingan chontoh2 k a p a l t e r b a n g d i - P a d a n g M a t a m a t a ; P e r t a n d i n g a n Basketball d i - g e l a n g g a n g p e r m a i n a n H a p p y W o r l d . Jamuan d a n h i b o r a n b a g i o r a n g 2 sakit kusta d i - B a t u T i g a Belas d a n o r a n g 2 d z a ' i f p u n t i a d a j u g a di-lupa, d a n m e r e k a telah di-layan d e n g a n j a m u a n t e h d a n pertunjokan w a y a n g gambar dan kumpolan o r a n g 2 s a k i t kusta p u n d a p a t m e n d e n g a r l a g u 2 m e r d u dari P e n c h a r a g a m S a r a w a k Constabulary. M u r i d 2 dari sakalian s e k o l a h pula b e r g i l i r p a d a tiap2 hari d a l a m s a m i n g g u itu di-hibor d e n g a n p e r t u n j o k a n w a y a n g g a m b a r p a d a t i g a buah p a n g g o n g ia-itu R e x , S y l v i a d a n Lilian.

segala persediaan dan perhiasan m e n y a m b u t

103

Kemudian-nya tiba-lah 2 June ia-itu Hari Keamasan, Hari Bertuah dan bersempena, Hari terchatit-nya lagi Sejarah British dengan peridaran zaman baharu — Zaman Elizabeth yang di-perchaya akan memuleh samula kuasa dan kema'amoran British di-'alam ini.

Dinihari lagi, adek2 atau anak 2 sekalian telah bangun dan mandi — dingin pun ditahan j u g a — berhias dan memasokkan pakaian uniform mereka. A d a yang tiada berselira lagi hendak makan atau minum pada pagi itu kerana fikiran-nya telah tertumpu atau melayang nun di-Padang Sekolah St, Thomas. Terpaksalah kakak atau mak* itu memujok mereka makan supaya jangan kena k e b u l o r a n dan. k e p e n i n g a n dalam temasha yang akan di-hadziri mereka ia-itu upachara pereksaan murid2 dari semua sekolah oleh Yang Terutama Tuan Governor dan di-iringi kemudian itu dengan baris kehormatan melimpas Tuan Governor di-hadapan Gudangubat Peoples Clinic. Wah! bukan kepalang ramai peninjau bergumpol di-situ kerana hendak menyaksikan upachara itu.

Dengan suara yang gemuroh sarempak dengan bahasa masing2 dan di-temani pula oleh pencharagam, murid2 itu menyanyi-kan lagu kebangsaan. Satelah kena panas pagi itu waktu pereksaan, wajah murid2 itu pun jadi kemerahan dan bersinar dengan rinchek2 peloh dan dengan keadaan demikian-lah mereka berbaris melimpas sambil menghala muka kerana memberi honnat kapada Tuan Governor yang sedang membalas pula dengan tabek kapada mereka. Langkah2 mereka itu tetap chergas mengikot bunyi pencharagam yang membawa jalan mereka itu.

Kemudian daripada itu sakalian mereka bergumpol pula di-Padang Museum sama2 berdo'a atas keselamatan Baginda Queen.

P a d a s a b e l a h m a l a m itu pula, telah di-adakan perarakan lampo dan usongan2 berhias dari sakalian bangsa. Sakali lagi orang2 berduyun menuju kapasar. Sunggoh pun chuacha gelap bahkan memang hujan rintek2 pada malam itu, tetapi kawasan pasar terutama jeraya2 yang di-lalui' oleh perarakan itu telah penoh tumpat dengan manusia yang tidak menghiraukan ugutan kuyup dan demam. Kereta2 tertahan. Pasokan Matamata pula tiada alpa dari beijaga kerana mengelak langgaran dan kechedaraan di-atas orang ramai. Perarakan itu bergumpol dan mula bergerak dari Padang Football Padungan, tetapi orang2 telah sedia menantikan-nya disapanjang jeraya2 yang dilintas-nya. Kemudian datang-lah kereta Pasokan Matamata yang membuka jalan. Sabentar lagi sampai-

lah usongan2 yang di-hias dengan macham2 ragam. Lepas sabuah, sabuah lagi melimpas, dan tiap2 sabuah ada sahaja menerbitkan keelokan bersendiri dari tenaga tiap2 bangsa itu dan pada itap2 usongan itu ada-lah terbentang lafaz "Allah Selalmatkan Queen" iaitu lafaz yang suchi morni terbit dari senubari tiap2 bangsa y a n g mempersembahkan usongan2 itu untok menzahirkan ta'at setia mereka ka-bawah Seri Baginda. Perjalanan bagi perarakan itu termasok juga sabahagian kawasan kampong, jadi mana2 orang yang tiada berpeluang hendak pergi ka-pasar pun dapat-lah juga peluang menyaksi perarakan yang endah itu.

Lain2 keramian ia-lah satu jemputan Garden Party di-Astana pada petang hari itu.

Astana juga di-bebas buat lawatan orang ramai pada 3 June. Temasha yang j u g a m e n a r e k perhatian ia-lah Perhimpunan Pemuda2 dan permainan2 dari mereka yang telah di-adakan di-Padang Sekolah St. Thomas. Pada malam di-adakan perhimpunan itu dapat-lah di-lihat di-situ kanak2 dari semua sekolah dengan tanglong bergumpol dan ada juga yang mengambil bahagian di-atas pentas menunjok bermacham lakunan. Sapatutnya perhimpunan itu di-lansong pada sabelah petang 6 June tetapi malang-nya hujan telah menggendala dan terpaksa di-tukar pada mala/n yang lain. Banyak lagi permainan yang lain saperti majlis Dancing diSarawak Union Hall, Sukan bagi sakahan sekolah, Bunga api, Pertandingan Football diPadang Padungan, Pertandingan Badminton di-antara daerah, majlis Tarian Kemahkotaan di-Astana dan pada 6 June di-adakan Baris Kehormatan di-Padang Sekolah St. Thomas kerana menyambutkan Harijadi Baginda Queen. Lomba Perahu juga akan di-adakan pada 1 July dan Temasha Menuba lepas itu kelak, dan semua keramian ini ada-lah atas nama Kemahkotaan.

Buat penutup renchana ini, penulis suka menerang perasaan bangga terhadap tenaga yang telah di-tunjok oleh pehak M e l a y u dalam masa perayaan2 itu. Walau pun persediaan dan perhiasan itu di-jalan dalam bulan Puasa, tetapi sakahan muafakatan dan ikhtiar itu berjalan dengan memberi puashati dan menerbitkan bekeijasama dan bersatu padu pada melansongkan perayaan2 yang akan m e n j a d i ingatan khas-nya kapada adek2 atau anak2 mereka dan kapada sagenap lapisan ra'ayat am-nya, ada-nya.

104

T.A.

The Coronation through Chinese Eyes.

The Coronation is over. Not only in the British Isles but throughout the Commonw e a l t h w e h a v e acclaimed H e r M a j e s t y Elizabeth II, as our rightful Queen. The pomp and pageantry, on .a scale unrivalled heretofore, with which her peoples of all races, faiths and creeds everywhere in the Commonwealth celebrated this occasion were the sincere outpourings of loyal hearts who take pride not only in their young and radiant Queen now gloriously reigning, but also in the Coronation as reaffirming the faith of those men and women who regard the Crown as a symbol of the unity and free association of peoples of the same ideals and hopes, around the leadership of a noble Queen who has so early dedicated her life to this purpose.

This realization by Her Majesty's peoples of different races has been, above all else, the m a i n s p r i n g o f t h e w i d e l y s p r e a d and spontenous rejoicings which characterized the C o r o n a t i o n c e l e b r a t i o n s , and is undoubtedly an encouraging sign that augurs well for the harmonious relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Commonwealth of Nations in these times of storm and stress.

No less encouraging is the fact that this r e a l i z a t i o n i s e q u a l l y u n d e r s t o o d and treasured by the Chinese Community Overseas in her far-flung territories. This is evident from the recent mammoth efforts on the part of the Chinese Community in Hong Kong, the Federation of Malaya and Singapore, in our own Sarawak and the North Borneo territories, to celebrate Coronation week in such fitting mariner as has won unstinted praise from the local press that Her Majesty the Queen would have been proud of the homage paid to her.

Her Majesty would truly be proud when she reflects on the knowledge that she can count on millions of Chinese in her overseas realms whose hearts throb and thrill with pleasure at the thought that, she is, no less than to her other peoples, their Queen, and that if among these vast throngs there is a minority who think and act otherwise, she will appreciate that this fact is as much deprecated by their own community.

The overseas Chinese is often described as an enigma. He is regarded as indispensable to

a colony's progress owing to his inustry and his control over local finances, and he is presented as a potential source of trouble especially if he fails to recognize that his first duty is to the land of his adoption.'He is the inveterate, proud upholder of hiw own culture and tradition, in the belief that he is helping to preserve something ancient and noble; and he may resist attempts to initiate him into modern ways, yet he readily aligns himself with progressive thought and sends his children to English schools. Thus the ordinary overseas Chinese may find himself in the unusual position of trying to keep up a link with his fatherland on the one hand, while on the other he strives to confirm with the requirements of the country in which he lives. Yet in spite of this situation, which is at once puzzling to others and embarrassing to himself, he belongs essentially to a race of peaceloving people whose interests overseas are perhaps entirely financial, actuated by the time-worn principle of providing adequately for his dependants.

The subject of politics does not appeal to the majority of them who neither seek to unravel its mysteries nor care to be engulfed in its meshes, because they are heirs to a race that had always attached greater significance to proceeding nonchalantly with the business of their farms and livelihood than to the subterf u g e s and machinations of s u c c e e d i n g regimes. And where they live under colonial rule they have, since early days, shown their willingness to co-operate with the authorities and m a n i f e s t their l o y a l t y , either unobtrusively as in the grim days of the Occupation or with the colourful pageantry, of which the best Chinese minds can conceive, as the recent Coronation processions bear witness.

A year ago, the despicable behaviour of a minority group who attempted to introduce chaos and anarchy into Sarawak and to foist ideologies, foreign and dertrimental to her interests, on her peoples particularly her youth, had necessitated the coming into force of the Emergency Regulations. The Chinese community in Sarawak rose to the occasion as one man and were at one with Government in its determination to enforce law and order, realizing, as they have always done, that it is through peace, goodwill and friendship that

105

with her Coronation the ushering in of a new Elizabethan age of prosperity. The love and esteem in which she is held by her subjects, as head of a wondrous family of peoples and nations of every clime, is likewise held in their hearts. But they also rejoiced because they know that the worst is now over and that henceforward they can go forth with a new confidence, and a new trust that they can work together again with other races on the road to nationhood and fulfilment on the basis of mutual respect and goodwill which had been conspicuous of their relations with others in the past.

progress is made possible and that force and disorder would reap only destruction. They realized, too, that the firm measures imposed by the Government did not in any way reflect on the loyalty of Chinese community. Today, thanks to the vigilance of the authorities and the active co-operation of all communities, peace and prosperity have returned to the land.

A n d so w h i l e all races living in Her M a j e s t y ' s realms w i d e l y rejoiced at her C o r o n a t i o n , the C h i n e s e community in Sarawak, like their brothers in Malaya, have had an added reason for celebrating. They rejoiced that a new Queen was crowned and

Hari Elizabeth II Di-Pasok Nyadi Queen.

Nama enggau brita nya utai ti di kaangkun lalu di ka-rindu ka mensia maioh. Nya alai dalam bulan enam taun 1953 tu kamari, nama enggau brita ti pemadu iya di dinga kitai pansut ari England. Laban 2 hari bulan 6 tu kamari nya maia Elizabeth II dipasok ka nyadi Queen di menoa England. Nyadi laban leka timang enggau sampi enggau mimpi indai iya ti beranak ka iya udah tepantup, nya alai semoa dunya datai ka kitai di Sarawak tu pen enggau orang gaga ngerami hari nya enggau naka olih.

Nya alai ninga gerah Perintah hari nya ka di rami enggau pengaga enggau pengerindu, semoa bansa di Sarawak sedia magang-ngereja pengawa diri leboh hari nya. Kited Dayak pen kiroh diri ga enggau bansa China, bansa Melayu, bansa Tambi enggau bansa orang Putih ti di menoa itu. Lalu gaga bendar bansa kitai meda Penghulu Jugah pen kena pilih ga nyadi pengari bansa Dayak lalu di kirum enggau bansa bukai meda pengerami hari nya di England. Ditu meh kitai meda bansa kitai enda ditinggal ka orang ga dalam pengawa besai tu.

Kena ngerami hari nya Perintah ngasoh sida ti tuai-tuai mai nembiak diri, baum. Tuan China pen baum enggau membiak diri, Tuai Melayu pen baka-nya mega, lalu Tuai kitai Dayak pen ngerah nembiak diri mai baum, ngadu ka jalai gaga lalu ngerami pengerindu enggau pengandal Queen ti dipasok nyadi besai.

Nya alai di Kuching Tuai China ngadu ka aum sida ba club China, Melayu ba club Melayu, Tambi ba club Tambi, tang kitai Dayak deh, laban nadai club puas mimit ngadu ka aum, tang seninjik enggai malu, nyadi'ga pengawa laban pemanah iring sida ti tuai. Udah baum dua tiga kali nya baru temu pengawa ti ka di sanggup di kerja sida ti TuaiTuai Kampong ti semak Kuching. Bisi ti nyanggup ngada ka prengka gendang, bisi ti nyanggup mai orang ti endang landik ngajat, skeda nyanggup mai indu dara ti bajik-bajik awak ka bengepan Dayak di iring bejalai leboh rami nya. Nya alai kena ngaul pengawa nengri, berunding ga sida ti tuai nyukai motor-lorry dua buah lalu di lagu enggau mendira, di-umba enggau ngepan kena ngenulu ka bala Dayak leboh bejalai musin nengri Kuching. Laban nya enang udah putus d a l a m aum besai, s e m o a bansa dalam Sarawak, enggau indu enggau nembiak bejalai berintai bulih empat batu. Angkat ari Pasar Padungan lalu musin nengri Kuching.

Hari besai pen yau semak ka semak semua ati mensia maioh, dipeda pen, mansang besak ka besak lalu betambah enggau ati gagit enggau ati rindu ngemesai ka haii nya.

Hari Besai pen nyau datai, semoa bansa bela pen udah tembu magang sedia ka nembiak diri di bai bejalai.

Udah nyau bejalai semoa bansa bela nyukai motor-lorry magang kena ngenulu ka bala. Lalu semoa lorry tu tadi di lagu maioh

106

macham. O r a n g ti n e p a n dia p e n nadai e n d a

p a n g g o n g besilih berari muka gambar ka

n g e p a n , l a l u n a d a i e n d a m a i n . Bisi t i n g a j a t ,

sida, l a l u s e m o a utai t u n a d a i b e b a y a r . N y a d i

bisi t i n g e l u l u k a diri n g e n a n g e p a n Q u e e n ,

sekumbang p e n g e r a m i nya, semoa mensia ti

bisi t i n g e l u l u k a diri n g e n a p e k a y a n s o l d a d u

enggau

— e n g g a u m a i o h jalai bukai m e g a , jalai ti

m a g a n g g a m a l m o a . N a d a i s i k o sida t i tusah

bepansa

endang

brupai

rindu

m a d a h ka p e n g a g a e n g g a u p e n g a b i s basa ka

gamal moa dipeda, semina orang ti enda

p e n g a w a Q u e e n d i E n g l a n d . Bisi lorry t i d i

s a b a k a p e n g e r i n d u e n g g a u kitai, i a - n y a sida

gaga baka gamal gajah, baka gamal burong ti

ti g i l a .

besai, b a k a g a m a l k a p a l p e r a n g , t a n g e n g g i

S e m o a pasar-pasar e n g g a u rumah-rumah di Kuching, naka penmanah dipeda laban di lagu magang-magang enggau mendira e n g g a u s e m o a utai t i n g a s o h m a t a t a u r i n d u .

A p i p e n m a i o h g a d i p a s a n g . M a l a m siti j a m p u k o l 8 bisi m a i n b u n g a a p i b a p a d a n g K u b u d i s e b r a i p a s a r lalu m a i o h b e n d a r m e n s i a t i n e n g k i l a . N y a alai l e p a s s e m o a j a l a i p e n g e r a m i tu tadi, k e n a s e m o a bansa d a l a m Sarawak n g a k u Elizabeth k a Q u e e n sida n y a sambeyang. Tang dalam Sarawak maioh bansa, l a l u p e n g a r a p p e n m a i o h , l a l u m a i o h g a j a l a i sida m a n t u p k a ati t i b e n d a r k a b e t u a i ka Elizabeth.

kitai D a y a k di l a g u e n g g a u mendira lalu ngundan orang ti betaboh lalu ngajat. Lalu lorry kitai t i d u l u b e n d a r , d i s a n g k i n g k a b a tiang p e r a b o n g — g a m b a r Q u e e n t i besai, lalu iya t i d u d i a g i d i d u d o k k a sida K e n y a l a n g r a k o n g b a t i a n g l u a n . N a d a i tuai n g e m a n a h nya g a m a l di peda.

D a l a m pejalai tu tadi semoa bansa ti meda, begulai, bechampor-gaul, manjong, ketawa sama n g e l a n t a n g k a diri.

Semoa orang ti

besai-besai e n g g a u semoa orang, nadai b e pilih bansa, n a d a i b e p i l i h g a m a l , n g e r a m i hari t u s e m o a e n g g a u j a l a i diri e m p u m a g a n g .

U k a i s e m i n a n y a g a j a l a i o r a n g n g i n t u hari b e s a i t u tadi, l a l u b i s i g a l u m b a d i p a d a n g , bisi ga p e n g e r a m i ti e n d a n g di b a g i ka sida ti nembiak agi, a w a k ka pengerami ka Q u e e n tu tadi n y a d i k a p e n g i n g a t l e b i h a g i k a sida t i n e m b i a k , a w a k k a brita e n g g a u n a m a t u bisi d i k e n a n g sida n g a g a i s e r a k d i d u d i .

N a m b a h k a s e m o a p e n g e r a m i t u tadi, sida n e m b i a k s k u l a e n d a n g bisi d i b e r i alai m a n tup k a p e n g a g i t ati l a b a n s e m o a p a n g g o n g -

N a k a t i d i p e d a t a k rindu, t a k g a g a m a g a n g bansa dalam Sarawak, lebih agi j a k o k e n a n g sida k a indu, t u m e h b a r u k a p r a n s a n g b e sekula lalu n g e m a n s a n g ka anak indu k e n a ngelai ketungkah indu nyadi Queen dunya baru, l a l u hari n y a b e s a i b e n d a r k a i p r a n s a n g sida ti i n d u .

P e s a h ari s e m o a b a n s a D a y a k , k a m i n g a j i h ka Q u e e n g a y u guru gerai nyamai nguan menoa.

107

The Queen's Birthday Parade

The National Anthem was played.

The new look of the Sarawak Constabulary.

Three cheers to Her Majesty the Queen leading by His Excellency the Governor.

T h e o f f i c i a l b i r t h d a y o f the Q u e e n w a s

playing ground.

c e l e b r a t e d i n K u c h i n g o n 8/6/1953, w h e n

A r e c o r d c r o w d of spectators c o m p r i s i n g of

units of the S a r a w a k C o n s t a b u l a r y (in their

various races s u r r o u n d e d t h e d e c o r a t e d p l a y -

new black

ing

and

white

uniform

for other

ground

to witness the

G o v e r n o r of

R a n k s ) , t h e F i e l d F o r c e , B o y Scouts, G i r l

S a r a w a k t a k i n g the salute a n d the b e a t i n g of

Guides,

R e d C r o s s S o c i e t y and the

the R o y a l Standard a f t e r i n s p e c t i n g the units

S a r a w a k C o n s t a b u l a r y Bank took part in the

on p a r a d e . H i s E x c e l l e n c y t o o k the S a l u t e at

g r a n d p a r a d e a t t h e St. T h o m a s ' s s c h o o l

the M a r c h Past.

the

108

His Excellency the Governor Sir Anthony Abell in uniform inspecting the Boy Scouts. Girl Guides from the different schools and the Red Cross Society during the Queen's Birthday.

109

A recepienls received his Coronation Medals.

Mr Ling Siew Iug

The rending of the honour of Rev.

Earlier

during

the

ceremony

His

Fr. A.W. Sionion

Stonton of

the

S.P.G.

Mission.

He

also

E x c e l l e n c y p r e s e n t e d the insignia of M.B.E. to

p r e s e n t e d C o r o n a t i o n M e d a l s to a n u m b e r of

M r L i n g S i e w I n g o f Sibu a n d R e v . Fr. A . W .

recipients.

110

The March Past

The Sarawak

Constabulary

The Red Cross Society (Men)

The Girl Guides

The Boys Scouts

111

Happiness Springs From S i m p l e Things -1955 H a p p i n e s s s p r i n g s f r o m s i m p l e things, a n d t h e p e o p l e i n S a r a w a k - a n d i n Brunei a n d N o r t h B o r n e o a s w e l l , still h a v e t h e w i s d o m t o l i v e c o m p a r a t i v e l y s i m p l e lives, M r M a l c o l m M a c - D o n a l d , Commissioner General for South East A s i a , said in a r e c o r d e d f a r e w e l l broadcast over Radio Sarawak.

H e said:

T h a t d o e s not m e a n that S a r a w a k i s b a c k w a r d . Far f r o m it. D u r i n g t h e n i n e y e a r s s i n c e I first

came

here

you

and

I

have

seen

t r e m e n d o u s c h a n g e s i n this c o u n t r y . T h e r e has b e e n steady, e v e n rapid, p r o g r e s s . U p t h e rivers f o r e x a m p l e , t h e r e has b e e n a n a l m o s t r e v o l u t i o n a r y a d v a n c e f r o m rather p r i m i t i v e t o m o r e m o d e r n conditions. In Iban, K a y a n ,

I first c a m e to S a r a w a k on July 1st, 1946, on t h e historic d a y w h e n , as G o v e r n o r G e n e r a l , I accepted on behalf of His Majesty King G e o r g e VI the d e e d of Cession m a d e by His H i g h n e s s t h e R a j a h . I t h e n f e l l i n l o v e w i t h this c o u n t r y a n d its p e o p l e , a n d I h a v e r e m a i n e d a f a i t h f u l f r i e n d e v e r since. N o w I a m l e a v i n g S o u t h East A s i a t o g o t o India. I n d i a i s o n e o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t countries i n t h e w o r l d , a n d it will be a great experience to live and w o r k t h e r e . But t h e r e a r e t w o j o b s that I w o u l d rather h a v e than that o f H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r i n N e w D e l h i . O n e i s District O f f i c e r , K a p i t a n d t h e o t h e r is District O f f i c e r , M a r u d i . I should d e a r l y l i k e t o stay a m o n g s t m y I b a n f r i e n d s o n the R e j a n g and my K e n y a h and Kayan friends o n t h e B a r a m , a n d t o m a k e occassional jaunts also to t h e busy, p o p u l o u s capital, K u c h i n g to m e e t m y M a l a y a n d C h i n e s e a n d British friends there.

Kenyah

M a n y nations in the modern world h a v e g o n e crazy. In their pursuit of material p r o g r e s s a n d p o w e r their g o v e r n m e n t s h a v e g o t i n v o l v e d i n political r i v a l r i e s , quarrels a n d a m b i t i o n s w h i c h cause their p e o p l e a lot of frustration and misery and danger. Those nations k n o w not contentment, because they h a v e f o r g o t t e n that h a p p i n e s s springs f r o m s i m p l e things; a n d they k n o w not p e a c e b e c a u s e t h e y d o not r e m e m b e r that o n e o f t h e S u p r e m e V i r t u e s is mutual I t o l e r a n c e a n d g o o d w i l l b e t w e e n neighbours.

communities. P e o p l e w h o left Kuching or

In S a r a w a k - and in Brunei and North B o r n e o a s w e l l - p e o p l e still h a v e the w i s d o m to live comparatively simple lives.

U n c o r r u p t e d b y vast, soaring, stupid unattaina b l e ambitions, m o s t of t h e m a r e content so l o n g as t h e y h a v e e n o u g h f o o d to eat, a roof o v e r their heads to protect them from the t r o p i c a l w i n d a n d rain a n d sun, interesting w o r k t o d o , a n d the a f f e c t i o n o f their f a m i l i e s a n d f r i e n d s to m a k e l i f e s w e e t . So in a t r o u b l e d w o r l d S a r a w a k a n d its n e x t d o o r n e i g h b o u r s r e m a i n p e a c e f u l lands inhabited by happy populations.

and other native

districts

many

schools h a v e s p r u n g u p w h e r e n o n e e x i s t e d before; mobile dispensaries h a v e brought public

health

provisions

to

hitherto

undoctored regions; up-to-date agricultural training has g r e a t l y i m p r o v e d m e t h o d s of husbandry, a n d a w i d e s p r e a d s y s t e m of l o c a l self-government is teaching the p e o p l e to m a n a g e all their o w n affairs. A s f o r t h e latest scientific a m e n i t i e s o f m i d - T w e n t i e t h C e n t u r y s o c i e t y , w i r e l e s s sets a r e n o w i n s t a l l e d i n m a n y l o n g - h o u s e s i n B o r n e o ' s r e m o t e interior, a n d r e v e r e d D a y a k c h i e f t a i n s g i v e talks a n d e n c h a n t i n g D a y a k girls '."pantuns" in the p r o g r a m m e s of Radio S a r a w a k . T h a t is a d r a m a t i c e x a m p l e o f t h e p r o g r e s s w h i c h has o c c u r r e d i n t h e last n i n e y e a r s .

Similar d e v e l o p m e n t s i n e c o n o m i c , social a n d political affairs h a v e t a k e n p l a c e e v e r y where

throughout Sarawak,

a m o n g s t all

Sibu, S i m a n g g a n g o r M i r i a n d t h e i r h i n t e r lands a decade ago, and w h o h a v e b e e n absent e v e r since, w o u l d find it hard to r e c o g n i s e m a n y f e a t u r e s i n their w a y s o f l i f e , i f they suddenly returned now.

No violent

u p h e a v a l has caused the trasnformation.

T h e r e has b e e n n o revolt, n o clash, n o f i g h t i n g here, as there h a v e b e e n in some other places.

B y g r a d u a l , p e a c e f u l , constitutional p r o c e s s e s s o m e t h i n g l i k e a r e v o l u t i o n is o c c u r r i n g in Sarawak.

T h a t is partly b e c a u s e it is Britain's p o l i c y h e r e , a s e l s e w h e r e , t o g i v e t h e l o c a l p e o p l e all the b e n e f i t s o f m o d e r n l i v i n g , t o e n c o u r a g e t h e m t o d e v e l o p their o w n c a p a c i t i e s t o the u t m o s t , a n d t o train t h e m t o a s s u m e o v e r g r e a t e r responsibilities i n m a n a g i n g their o w n affairs

in

public

affairs,

placing

less

i m p o r t a n c e o n their d i f f e r e n c e s o f c o l o u r a n d c r e e d a n d culture a n d m o r e i m p o r t a n c e o n their c o m m o n interests as citizens of t h e s a m e l a n d . T h e y f i n d t h e m s e l v e s u n i t e d i n their l o y a l t y to S a r a w a k a n d so a u n i t e d n a t i o n is gradually being formed.

112

peaceful and happiest people on earth.

In some countries in South East Asia the The progress is partly due, too, to the facts picture has been very different during the last that the various races who compose Sarawak's nine years. In them violent stifle has been stirred up, fighting and bloodshed and misery population are all gifted; they can take full have been constant features of their national advantage of new ideas and methods; and life. Race has been turned aginst race, creed they wish to advance with the times, and to against creed and class against class. It has create here a modern, liberal society. So been largely the work of Communists, who progress in Sarawak has been the result of a preach the doctrine of jealousy and hate. Do continuous act of co-operation between the not ever listen to Communists in Sarawak. government and the governed, between the They would soon break the peace and friend- British authorities and the local Bornean ship, the progress and prosperity to which you people.

Another reason why changes have come are accustomed.

Remember that not only in national affairs, here peacefully is that there are no suspicions, but also in international affairs all men are no rivalries b e t w e e n the different racial brothers. Just as you give a fine, practical, groups in Sarawak. The Malays, the Chinese, example of that in your own small scattered in the Dayaks, the Melanaus and others are all territories across all the five continents and on tolerant, friendly people, who recognise each islands in all the seven seas, live in perfect other's good qualities, who regard each other peace and permanent concord together. War as fellow citizen of their common homeland, between any member of the British Common- and who work naturally as partners together wealth is unthinkable. T h e y are for ever to promote its prosperity.

This co-operation between the different friends. They have attained the ideal towards races is essential. It is the secret of continuing which all humanity is striving.

Those are some of the thoughts provoked peace and well-being in Sarawak. That is why in my mind as I look back on many years of the recently formed local government bodies most pleasant association with Sarawak. And like District Councils and Divisional Councils in bidding you "farewell" I thank you for a are so significant. On them, in centers like million kindnesses, I thank you for some of the Sibu and Mukah and Limbang, the leaders of best and most abiding friendships that I know all the communities are learning to work and I express the prayer that you may long cordially together. maintain your reputation as one of the most

113

His Excellency the Commissioner General for South East Asia

114

Mr Malcolm

Mac-Donald.

R O Y A L VISIT HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE PHILIP CAME TO SARAWAK AND IN A THRILLING 41-HOUR VISIT CONQUERED THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE WITH HIS MAGIC-LIKE CHARM Scout. He and his schoolmates built a cutter, and he took part in several sailing trips to Shetlands, the Hebrides and Norway. He was so expert a sailor that he was allowed - a privilege granted to few - to be in charge of an adult on board.

Prince Philip was head of his school when he left to become, in May, 1939, a Naval cadet.

In choosing a naval career he was following the tradition of the Mountbatten side of his family. Prince Louis of Battenberg was an Admiral of the Fleet and First Sea Lord; his son the second Marquess served in the Roya Navy, like Prince Philip's cousin the third Marquess and his uncle Admiral Lord Mountbatten of Burma, the present First Sea Lord.

He was still at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, when war broke out. At Dartmouth he was awarded the King's Dirk as the best all-round cadet of his term, and the Eardley-Howard-Crockett prize as the best cadet. Later when taking his sub-lieutenant's examination he gained four firsts and one second, winning nine months' seniority out of a possible ten.

In January 1940 he went to sea as a midshipman in the battleship Ramillies, and after serving in the cruisers .Kent and Shropshire he was appointed at the end of the year to the battleship Valiant in the Mediterranean Fleet.

A few month later came the battle of Cape Matapan, when he was in charge of a section of searchlight control in the Valiant; for his work during the action he received a mention in dispatches from Admiral Sir A n d r e w Cunningham (Now Admiral of the Fleet Lord Cunningham of Hyndhope).

After returning home to qualify as sublieutenant Prince Philip was appointed to the destroyer Wallace. Promoted lieutenant in June 1942, he became the Wallace's First Liuetenant in the following October, being one of the youngest officers in the Navy to be second-in command of a large destroyer. In July 1943 he took part in the Sicily landings, His love of the sea showed itself early. He when Wallace covered the Canadian beachhead. was a keen oarsman and qualified as a Sea

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born at Corfu on 10th June, 1921, son of Prince Andrew of Greece.

On his father's side he is of Danish descent; Prince Andrew was a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes, son of King Christian IX of Denmark; however, when Prince Philip, renouncing this royal title, became a British subject, it was under his mother's family name Mountbatten, because his father's family have no family name.

His mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg, eldest daughter of Prince Louis of Battenberg, who was naturalised in 1868 and during the first world war took the name of Mountbatten, renounced his royal title, and became the first Marquess of Milford Haven.

Prince Louis w i f e was Princess Victoria of Hesse, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, so that the Duke of Edinburgh, like Queen Elizabeth II, is one of Queen Victoria's greatgreat grandchildren.

The young Prince came to Britain at an early age to be educated making his home during his holidays with his grandmother the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven or with his sister in Germany. From a preparatory school, Cheam, he went to Mr Kurt Hahn's school at Salem, Germany, and after the Nazis' rise to power moved with him to Gordonstoun, near Elgin in Scotland. He was popular with his school-fellows and known as a g o o d sportsman; he was an enthusiast for games and s w i m m i n g , and w a s captain of the school's cricket and hockey teams. Mr Hahn was a progressive schoolmaster, one of whose educational theories was that his boys should take part in the local life of the town and neighbourhood. Prince Philip, as he was then, was well-known to the towns-people of Elgin and made friends among the local boys, whom he met on the cricket field and on fishing and sailing expeditions: he kept up many of these friendships, and during the war would renew old contacts when on leave in the north.

115

In 1944 he was appointed First Lieutenant in H.M.S. Whelp, one of Britain's newest destroyers, just nearing completion. He sailed in her for the Far East, took part in the war against Japan, and served for a time as A.D.C. to his uncle Lord Mountbatten, then Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia. He was present at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay. After the end of the war he served in two training establishments, at Pwllheli in North Wales, and at Corsham in Wiltshire; at the latter he was one of the two officers responsible for the training of petty officers. Only officers with a high record for leadership are selected for these duties.

In July 1947 the engagement of Lieutenant Mountbatten - he had renounced his royal title on becoming a British subject in February 1947 - to Princess Elizabeth was announced.

T h e marriage took place in Westminster Abbey on 20th November. On its eve King George VI created the bridegroom Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich and a Knight of the Garter, and authorised his use of the prefix "His Royal Highness".

In the years immediately following his marriage, the Duke of Edinburgh continued his naval career. In October 1949 he went to Malta as First Lieutenant of H.M.S. Chequers, l e a d e r o f t h e First D e s t r o y e r F l o t i l l a , Mediterranean Fleet. In July 1950 he was p r o m o t e d L i e u t e n a n t - C o m m a n d e r , and s h o r t l y a f t e r w a r d s t o o k o v e r his f i r s t command, H.M.S. Magpie, a frigate based on Malta. He commanded her until July 1951, when he went on indefinite leave, it being announced that he would take up no more naval appointments until after the return of the King and Queen from their proposed Commonwealth tour. When King George's health made this exertion impossible, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh undertook the proposed tour and began the journey which would have taken them to Australia and N e w Zealand had it not been interrupted by the sudden death of King George VI. Since the accession of Queen Elizabeth II, the D u k e of E d i n b u r g h has p l a y e d an increasingly important part in the nation's life, and has interested himself in many of its aspects, particularly those associated with scientific and industrial development, and with sport.

He had been sworn of the Privy Council in December 1951. In 1953 he was Chairman of the Coronation Commission. As President of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee he was concerned with the choice of the coinage for the new reign.

His interest in science is outstanding. The British Association for the Advancement of Science invited him to be its President in 1951, the year of the Festival of Britain. He made a g r e a t impression w i t h his p r e s i d e n t i a l address, which dealt with Britain's contribution to the development of science and technology during the past hundred years, and which was described by Sir Harold Hartley, the previous President, as "a most discerning survey". In the course of the address he dwelt on a aspect of the subject which particularly interests him, the practical application of scientific discoveries, saying that the concrete measurement and indirect effect of all scientific effort was the general improvement of health, in the expectation of life and standards of living. A nation's wealth and prosperity, he said, were governed by the application of science to its industries and commerce.

The Duke gives further evidence of his interest in the application of scientific discoveries by his eagerness to study scientific work at first hand, and he has visited research stations and laboratories all over the country.

He is interested not only in the industrial applications of scientific research, but in industry as a whole, and many of his visits have been made with the object of getting to know the industrial life of Britain at first hand. He has been down coal-mines, and has toured factories, engineering works and industrial plants. When in December 1955 he paid a visit to the Austin motor works at Birmingham, the occasion was made a private one, at his own request. The Chairman of the British Motor Corporation told the workers: "There will be no flags, no reception committees, no guards of honour, no formal presentations, and no red carpets. The Duke wants to see a factory as it is every normal working day, a thing he can never do on formal occasions."

The Duke of Edinburgh succeeded the late King George VI as patron of the Industrial Welfare Society. It was not, however, as a patron of this Society but on his own initiative that he caused arrangements to be made for a conference at Oxford in July 1956, H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh's Study Conference,

116

attended by men and women from all the Commonwealth, conducted a practical study of the human aspects of industrialisation and, in particularly, those factors which make for satisfaction, efficiency and understanding, both inside industrial organizations and in the everyday relations between industry and the community around it.

His Royal Highness was promoted Commander in the Royal Naval in June 1952. In the following December it was announced that the Queen had approved his appointment as Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel-inChief of the Air Training Corps - appointments previously held by the late King George VI. In January 1953 came the announcement that the Queen had approved his promotion to Admiral of the Fleet and his appointment as Field Marshal and Marshal of the Royal Naval Air Force. He is also Colonel-in-Chief or Colonel of a number of Regiments, including that which is called after the earlier holder of his title, The Wilshire Regiment (The Duke of Edinburgh's).

He takes a keen interest in the three Services. He has attended Fleet exercise, and has visited Royal Air Force and Army units in Germany on many occasions.

The Duke of Edinburgh has consented to be Patron or President of a large number of bodies. He is President of the English-Speaking Union, a position held by Her Majesty the Queen before her accession. An organization in which he takes great interest is the National Playing Fields Association, in whose presidency he succeeded Lord Mountbatten in 1948. This voluntary body, which has affiliated country and city branches in Scotland and Northern Ireland, was founded in 1592 with the object of securing adequate playing fields and playgrounds for children and young people, either directly or in co-operation with local authorities and societies.

The Duke is President also of the Central Council of Physical Recreation, which is composed of nearly two hundred national organizations, including governing bodies of games, sports and outdoor activities, the national voluntary youth organizations, many social services bodies, and of the principal organizations concerned with physical education and health education.

He is still a lover of many kinds of sports, plays polo, races at Cowes Regatta, and is Admiral of the Royal Yacht Squadron. He was from 1949 to 1950 President of the M.C.C., the

famous Marylebone Cricket Club.

A f e w years ago he took up flying, received a course of instruction from the Royal Air Force and qualified as a pilot, and later learned to fly a helicopter. He is Grand Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators of the British Empire.

The Duke Edinburgh holds several foreign decorations and has received honorary degrees from a number of universities. He is Chancellor of the Universities of Wales and Edinburgh, and a Life Governor of King's College in the University of London. In July 1955 he was patron of the Conference of European Rectors and Vice-Chancellors of Universities held at Cambridge, when he delivered the opening address.

In April 1952 the Queen created him a Knight of the Thistle, and the f o l l o w i n g September she declared by Royal Warrant that he has "place, pre-eminence and precedence" next to herself "on all occasions and in all meetings, except where otherwise provided by Act of Parliament." In February 1957 it was announced that Her M a j e s t y had granted to the Duke of Edinburgh the style and dignity of a Prince of the United Kingdom, and that he should in future be known as "The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The Duke has made many visits abroad with the Queen since her accession as well as tours and visits to all parts of the United Kingdom. During their Commonwealth tour of 1953/54 they visited Bermuda, Jamaica, Fiji, T o n g a , N e w Zealand, Australia, Ceylon, Uganda, Malta and Gibraltar. Early in 1956 they visited Nigeria, and in 1957 made a tour of Canada (which they had earlier toured together in the autumn of 1951) followed by a visit to the U.S.A. On this trip the Duke was made a Privy Councillor of Canada. A further visit to Canada is planned for the summer of 1959 when the Queen will open the new St. Lawrence Seaway. The Duke has also accompanied Her Majesty on her State visits to Norway (1955), Sweden (1956), Portugal, France, and Denmark (1957) and the Netherlands (1958).

On his account the Duke has visited a number of overseas countries. When serving in the Mediterranean he paid courtesy visits to rulers of Middle Eastern countries and to the President of Turkey. In November, 1950, he took part in an important constitutional occasion, when he opened Gibraltar's new legislative

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council. In the summer of 1952, w i t h the y o u n g D u k e of Kent, he attended the O l y m p i c G a m e s at Helsinki, and on his journey paid informal visits t o N o r w a y and S w e d e n . H e m a d e a second tour of C a n a d a in the summer of 1954, and in October, 1955, visited D e n m a r k in the R o y a l Y a c h t Britannia, w h e n he attended the British T r a d e Fair at C o p e n h a g e n and w a s entertained by the King of Denmark. In the f o l l o w i n g N o v e m b e r h e o p e n e d the 1956 O l y m p i c G a m e s at M e l b o u r n e , and m a d e his visit to Australia the occasion of an e x t e n d e d tour of that country and N e w Z e a l a n d and of island territories of the C o m m o n w e a l t h . He visited the Brussels International Exhibition in the summer of 1958 on the occasion of the British N a t i o n a l Days. In October, 1958, he a g a i n visited C a n a d a to attend, as President, the W o r l d C o n f e r e n c e of the English-Speaki n g Union of the C o m m o n w e a l t h .

Early this y e a r His Royal H i g h n e s s repres e n t e d the British A s s o c i a t i o n for the A d v a n c e m e n t of Science at scientific m e e t ings in India and Pakistan - the first visit by a

m e m b e r of the Royal Family to either of those countries since they b e c a m e i n d e p e d e n t . N o w he is continuing with an e x t e n s i v e tour of the Far East and the Pacific.

His Royal Highness the Prince Philip.

Duke of Edinburgh

The Suite of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh Sir Alexander F.R.S.

The Private Secretary Mr James Orr is of Australian extraction; an old school f e l l o w of H.R.H. he was a p p o i n t e d Private Secretary in 1957.

The

Equerry

Squadron L e a d e r John de M i l l Severne, A.F.C., is an airman of note; his decoration commemoratesa peculiarly hazardous e x p e r i m e n t w h i c h he carried out with V e n o m jet f i g h t e r in 1955.

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Fleck,

K.C.B.,

D.S.C.,

LL.D.,

Sir A l e x a n d e r Fleck's career is o n e of the most remarkable of the times. A G l a s g o w boy he w a s c o m p e l l e d by p o v e r t y to l e a v e school at the a g e of fourteen. He secured e m p l o y m e n t as a l a b o r a t o r y a t t e n d a n t , but w o r k e d assiduously at night classes until he attained the standard requisite for university entrance.

M e a n w h i l e h e s a v e d s u f f i c i e n t t o p a y his expenses to the University of G l a s g o w . He graduated in chemistry and q u i c k l y a c h i e v e d f a m e as a research w o r k e r in the f i e l d of radioactivity. Later he w a s e n g a g e d in m a n a g e m e n t a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n , a n d i n 1953 w a s elected Chairman of Imperial Chemical Industries. He has maintained a l i v e l y interest in research and w a s e l e c t e d President of British Association in 1958.

Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fraser of North G.C.B., K.B.E.

Cape,

Sir Alexander Grantham, G.C.M.G. Sir A l e x a n d e r Grantham spent m u c h of his y o u t h i n C h i n a a n d i n 1922 e n t e r e d t h e Colonial Service in H o n g Kong, where he s e r v e d f o r thirteen years. H e w a s t h e n sent t o the W e s t Indies, but returned t o H o n g K o n g , this t i m e as a G o v e r n o r , in 1947. H i s k n o w l e d g e of China in g e n e r a l and of H o n g K o n g i n particular e n a b l e d h i m t o d i s c h a r g e his n e w duties in a time of peculiar difficulty to the satisfaction of all. T h e a f f e c t i o n w h i c h he c o m m a n d e d w a s s h o w n b y the extensions o f his term of o f f i c e at popular d e m a n d . In 1955 he visited Pekin, a n d the s a m e y e a r his t e r m of o f f i c e w a s a g a i n e x t e n d e d . H e retired i n 1957 amidst universal regret.

A d m i r a l Fraser w a s a c a d e t on. the o l d training ship Britannia, and early distinguished himself as a mathematician. His interest w a s i n g u n n e r y , a n d h e w a s later responsible for the d e v e l o p m e n t of the fourteen-inch n a v a l gun, w h i c h m a n y at the time thought e x c e s s i v e . During the last w a r he w a s in c h a r g e of the M u r m a n s k c o n v o y , in the course of w h i c h he had many stirring encounters; in one of them he sank the Schamhorst. For his s e r v i c e s he w a s a w a r d e d the S o v i e t O r d e r of S u v o r o v . At the e n d of the w a r on b e h a l f of G r e a t Britain he e n d o r s e d the Japanese d e e d of surrender at the m e m o r a b l e scene i n T o k y o Bay.

I-KUCHING Preparations b e g a n e a r l y f o r the visit a n d one of the first ostensible signs w a s the demolition of the r o w of w o o d e n g a r a g e s at P a n g k a l a n Batu, h o u s i n g the G o v e r n o r ' s cars and those of a f e w cross-river residents. T h i s w a s r e p l a c e d by an e x p a n s e of asphalt, m a k i n g the a p p r o a c h to P a n g k a l a n Batu m o r e o p e n and f o r m i n g a c o n v e n i e n t marshalling ground f o r C o n s t a b u l a r y guards.

Pergam. He w e n t a b o a r d at 3.40 p.m. and b r o u g h t Brittania to K a m p o n g S e j i n g k a t just after 5 p.m. A d m i r a l D a w n a y m u c h r e g r e t t e d that he h a d not b e e n able to a g r e e to b r i n g Brittania to P e n d i n g but h a d the w e a t h e r b e e n unfavourable, this m i g h t h a v e i n v o l v e d s o m e risk and n o chances could b e t a k e n w h i c h m i g h t p r e j u d i c e the R o y a l Tour.

A r c h e s t h e n b e g a n t o blossom forth i n v a rious parts of the t o w n , the M u n i c i p a l i t y put up their colourful h e r a l d i c shields a n d strings of bunting criss-crossed the streets a b o v e the traffice. Policemen, in large numbers, m a r c h e d hither a n d thither. Crush barriers went up around the g a r d e n at Pangkalan Batu. C l e a n i n g a n d p a i n t i n g w e n t o n and floodlights w e r e p r o d u c e d . T h e Courthouse, in the f l o o d l i g h t i n g , l o o k e d r e m a r k a b l y f i n e — as did the Kubu at P a n g k a l a n Batu — a n d justified its claim to be r e g a r d e d as the most pleasing architecture in K u c h i n g .

O n the d a y itself, t h e 26th F e b r u a r y , Kuching w a s c r o w d e d w i t h country visitors from n e a r a n d far. T h e n e i g h b o u r i n g t o w n s o f Bau a n d Serian w e r e r e p o r t e d t o b e d e s e r t e d and a g r e a t concourse of sampans clustered round the w h a r v e s i n d i c a t e d the arrival of many by w a t e r . A c c o m m o d a t i o n w a s a problem a n d parts of the kaki lima w e r e strewn with s l e e p e r s on the night.

H . M . Y . Brittania w a s m e t at T a n j o n g Po in a choppy sea by the Director of M a r i n e in M. V.

At Sejingkat w e r e the Government l a u n c h e s Zahora, f i l l e d w i t h S c o u t s , Kenyalang, Menaul a n d Adeh with two h u n d r e d s c h o o l c h i l d r e n , Tembadau w i t h M a r i n e and Customs staff and their relations a n d m a n y other launches and s p e e d b o a t s .

T h e r e w e r e also sampans, w i t h gongs b e a t i n g , f r o m the v i l l a g e schools. His R o y a l H i g h n e s s b o a r d e d the R o y a l B a r g e at 5.25 p.m. a n d l e f t Brittania, escorted by t w o launches, for S u n g e i B i a w a k . B e f o r e l e a v i n g , in the first of m a n y thoughtful gestures, he w e n t round the w a i t i n g launches w a v i n g to the passengers. A g r o u p of water-skiers f r o m the K u c h i n g Boat C l u b a p p e a r e d , s e e m i n g l y from n o w h e r e and passed and repassed the R o y a l Barge, b e a r i n g b a n n e r s of w e l c o m e a n d miraculously p r e s e r v i n g their b a l a n c e i n the c o m m i n g l i n g washes.

Radio S a r a w a k h a d an airplane o v e r the river and broadcast a v i v i d c o m m e n t a r y on the progress of the Royal Barge. This c o m m e n t a r y was subsequently matched by outside c o m m e n t a r i e s f r o m all the principal points of the Tour.

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At 5.40 p.m. the Duke landed at Sungei Biawak and was greeted by His Excellency the Governor accompanied by the Commissioner of Constabulary. Members of Supreme Council and their wives were then presented to him. The Chief Justice had the illluck to be indisposed and was unable to be present then on subsequently. After the presentations, the Duke entered a white, open car, accompanied by the Governor and the Honorary A.D.C. and drove into the town, waving to the groups of people and school children along the route. From Padungan on there w e r e crowds along the road and a barrage of fire crackers began as the royal car came into Main Bazaar. Here, at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, a special welcome was given to the Duke by a committee headed

by Mr Tan Kui Choon.

The Astana sampan, fresh in white and yellow, was waiting, manned by six paddlers and a helmsman at Pangkalan Batu. The Duke waved gaily to the cherring throng surroundi n g the P a n g k a l a n b e f o r e boarding the sampan and stood up in it all the way to Pangkalan Astana waving cheerfully back to the crowd.

After a private dinner at the Astana, a Reception was held, attended by five hundred guests of all races from all parts of the country, many of them in national dress. The guests were presented to the Duke in the drawingroom and he frequently stopped them for a f e w words of conversation. On the lawns behind the Astana the Constabulary Band was playing and, when the presentations were over, the Duke came down and mingled informally with the guests before crossing the river again to the Union Club where various Malay, Dayak, Chinese and Javanese entertainments took place on a stage erected on Saint Thomas's playing-field. Chinese dragons challenged the Duke's entry to the Club but were appeased by an ang pow. The Duke was presented on the stage with gifts from the people of Sarawak. For himself and for the Prince of Wales he received gold cuff-links, and for the Princess Anne he received a pair of gold bangles. The cuff-link bore the Sarawak

crest and the monogram of the Princes, with the date of the royal visit inside. They and the bangles were made from Bau gold and were handed to the Duke by two Scouts and a Guide. The Governor expressed the hope that the gifts would remind His Royal Highness of the prayer of the people that one day he would return to Sarawak together with Her Majesty the Queen.

A presentation of a different nature was made by three Dayak girls who, after singing a pantun in honour of the Duke, gave him a glass of tuak which in keeping with tradition, he drank at one go. The Duke expressed his thanks for the gifts and said that he hoped to come back one day and have some more tuak and that the gifts would remind him of this.

A display of fireworks from the river-bank below Fort Margherita began as the Duke left the Club to return to the Astana at midnight.

The weather, on the afternoon of the 26th, looked ominious but the rain kept away and it was a fine night. Next morning, the sky was dark again and it began to rain as the Duke, accompanied by the Governor, began to cross the river from the Astana at 8.15 a.m. to the reverberations of a twenty-one gun salute from the signal guns of the Police Training School. C r o w d s l i n e d the r i v e r and surrounded Pangkalan Batu and the approach to the Courthouse where a Special Meeting of the Council Negri was to take place. The National Anthem was played by the Constabulary Band and the Duke, in the tropical uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, with the Garter Star glittering at his breast, inspected a hundred-man Guard of Honour in pouring rain. On the conclusion of the inspection, damp but undaunted, the Duke was received by the President of the Council Negri and Mr Justice Briggs at the Courthhouse.

Inside the Chamber, batteries of lights, put up for the cameras, cast a brilliance over the array of Council Negri Members in traditional dress and uniform. Loyal Addresses were made by the President in English, Datu Bandar in Malay, Temenggong Jugah in Iban and Mr Khoo Peng Loong in Mandarin.

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Address in Council Negri THE LOYAL ADDRESSES From the President of Council Negri, Mr The past ten years have witnessed a steady A.R. Snelus. increase in medical services, reaching out into M a y it please Your Royal Highness: the most remote areas. The foundations of a On behalf of the members of this Council, I nationwide education system have been laid, welcome Your Royal Highness to Sarawak, a f f e c t i n g e v e r y race, no matter h o w illand wish to make it clear how greatly we favoured by geography or by historical backappreciate the honour of Your Royal High- ground. Roads h a v e b e e n built through ness' presence in this Chamber today. It is the swamp and jungle in country presenting unfirst time that a Member of the Royal Family usual and difficulty engineering problems, has taken part in our deliberations. That the and airfields constructed. Quiet riverside Council's first Royal visitor should be no less a bazaars have grown into flourishing towns. person than Your Royal Highness gives to the Meanwhile, under the new Constitution, a Members of Council, and to all the people of substantial measure of self-government has Sarawak, the greatest satisfaction and pride. already been introduced, through urban and This Council consists of the elected and district councils; and it is intended that this nominated representatives of the principal process shall continue. races of the country. Like many of the best and It is, however, felt that constitutional promost enduring institutions of Sarawak, it gress will be fruitless if it fails to maintain and originally came into being under the regime of take account of the present friendly relations the Brooke Rajahs. which subsist between all of Sarawak's diIt may not be unfitting on this Royal and verse races. historic occasion to pay tribute to the great This characteristic respect for the work of the Brookes, who laid in this land the aspirations, the traditions, and also for even foundations of a viable State. the foibles, of neighbours of differing religion, Since the cession of Sarawak to the Crown, language and culture is Sarawak's greatest he Government has inherited, and has sought legacy from the past. It is not a dry legacy, a to maintain and extend, a great tradition of faded parchment, but a reality vital and full of administration, based on close personal con- meaning to every one of us in our daily lives. tacts and understanding between individual I trust that, even on this all-too-short visit, civil servants and the people with whose welfare and progress they have been entrusted. Your Royal Highness will perceive the truth of this, and the importance of it. It is within this The Nine Cardinal Principles enunciated framework that, with God's blessing, Sarawak by the Third Rajah in 1941, when, but for the will develop into a modern state, with a Japanese invasion, Sarawak would have population happy and proud to live here, and t a k e n its f i r s t s t e p t o w a r d s i n t e r n a l w i t h the British and C o m m o n w e a l t h self-government, have been enshrined, with connexion a valued asset, enriching the lives the Queen's consent, in the present Constituof all who have the good fortune to be born tion, and are the basis upon which, under the within its dispensation. guidance of Her Majesty's Government, the present d e v e l o p m e n t of Sarawak is proOn behalf of the Members of this Council, I ceeding. would humbly request Your Royal Highness to This development has proceeded surely, convey to Her Majesty the Queen our deepest and, in v i e w of the country's difficulty, geo- expressions of loyalty and respect and an graphy and diversity of language and race, assurance of the great pleasure which Your with a rapidity which is the more suprising the Royal Highness visit his occasioned us. more deeply one examines the problems involved.

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Translation of the Address of Welcome by the Honourable the Datu Bandar, C.B.E. cern of Her Majesty and of Your Royal Highness for our well-being, for our prosperity, and for our progress towards nationhood. In fraternal association with the United Kingdom and with other Commonwealth countries we look forward to the development of Sarawak in peace and tranquility. We are well aware of Your Royal Highness's interest in, and promotion of, scientific and technical progress. We believe that such will increasingly be placed at the service of Sarawak in the years which he ahead.

M a y it please Your Royal Highness, to give me the honour and the privilege, on behalf of the Malay people of Sarawak, to express our delight and pleasure on the occasion of Your Royal Highness's first visit to our country.

Short as must be the time Your Royal Highness can spend among us on this occasion I believe that the warmth of our welcome will be memorable and that the sincerity of our feelings manifest to all.

The extensive travels which Your Royal Highness is constantly making in the service of our Sovereign and our Commonwealth are a formidable contribution in promoting our common unity and welfare. The strengthening of these ties which unite us in a common sense of purpose and in devotion to those high ideals for which the Commonwealth stands, has ever been Your Royal Highness's greatest endeavour and this is an impressive service to us all.

In formally bidding Your Royal Highness a more cordial welcome to our shores, I request that you will convey to Her Majesty the Queen the sentiments of loyalty and devotion which the Malays of Sarawak feel towards her personally as well as in her august capacity as Head of the Commonwealth. I wish Your Royal Highness the greatest possible pleasure during your stay in Sarawak and it is our greatest hope that in the reasonably near future we maf look forward to a further visit from you, on that occasion accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen.

We Malays are well known for our loyalty towards, and love of, our country, and in our blood lies a deep devotion to the tradition of monarchy. We know well the constant con-

Translation of the Address of Welcome by the Honourable TemenggongJugah Your Royal Highness, On behalf of the Dayaks and other races in Sarawak, I have the greatest pleasure in welcoming Your Royal Highness to this country and in extending to you the good wishes of our people. We are indeed honoured by this first visit to our land by Your Royal Highness.

Ever since we have come under the wise rule of Her Majesty the Queen we have enjoyed peace and happiness. This country is free from any trouble, and peace and progress

are evident everywhere. This is so because we have no racial distinction among us. The local authorities in the various parts of the country are composed of people from many races.

Likewise the Council Negri and the Supreme Council which are functioning in good harmony under the wise guidance of our leaders and His Excellency the Governor.

We hereby extend our best wishes and grateful thanks to Her Majesty the Queen and to Your Royal Highness.

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Translation of the Address of Welcome by the Honourable Mr Khoo Peng Loong, O.B.E.

We are greatly honoured and happy on this occasion of His Royal Highness' visit to Sarawak, a visit that enables all people to see His Royal Highness personally.

We Chinese have been settled here for a long time, and we have long regarded this as our own country, after finding the climate mild and the friendship sincere among the races who have ever lived with us in harmony. Besides that, a good Government has wisely maintained peace. There still exists a certain prejudice among some people who think that the Chinese are people from a foreign country.

But in fact, it is admitted by all that the Chinese have done no less than any other race for the development of Sarawak. And it may be expected that we shall continue to give the country our wholehearted loyalty and make even greater efforts for its prosperity, because we have accepted Sarawak as our country. We sincerely hope that the friendship among the various races will be further strengthened, in order that we may live as a big family, like brothers and sisters, helping and loving each other, never apart.

After the new Constitution received the approval of H e r M a j e s t y the Queen, the majority of the Council Negri members were

elected by the people in accordance with the Constitution. The elected members of various races are devoted to their duties, as provided in the Constitution, with the intention of serving the country and its people. Although we are still in the period of learning, we believe that in the very near future we will be able to show our ability and fulfil Her Majesty the Queen's wishes.

Today, we are living a happy and prosperous life. This achievement is on one hand derived from the unity and co-operation of all races and on the other hand depends on the aid of the British Government, and the wisdom of Her Majesty the Queen who has successfully appointed good Governors to lead us.

His Royal Highness cares not of the great distance, but renders us a visit today showing the Queen's and his own love and care for us, and giving us great honour and happiness.

With pure loyalty, we welcome His Royal Highness and offer him our greatest respect.

We sincerely hope that His Royal Highness will convey our deepest appreciation and highest respect to Her Majesty the Queen when His Royal Highness returns to England.

A g a i n we o f f e r them both our ever best wishes.

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A bound volume of the Addresses was presented to His Royal Highness

PRINCE PHILIP'S REPLY Mr President, Honourable Members: I have always enjoyed travelling especially when it brings me to such a charming and friendly place as Sarawak. I have often heard of your hospitality but even so I was not prepared for the kind and generous welcome I have received from so many people.

It was particularly thoughtful of you to invite me to attend this meeting of the Council Negri to present these four Addresses of Welcome. As you have kindly provided me with translations of what has been said in Malay, Iban and Mandarin I can truthfully say that I greatly appreciate your expressions of loyalty and affection to the Queen. I will see to it that she receives a copy of what has been said as I know it will give her very great pleasure.

The Queen takes a close and personal interest in the well being of all the people of the Commonwealth and Empire but I know that she has a special place in her heart for all those people who suffered loss and damage during the last war. We have been following the progress of your reconstruction with admiration and sympathy.

I hope and believe that this progress will be maintained in peace and growing prosperity but it would be idle to suppose that there are no problems. The four Addresses heard this morning illustrate the problems of a multiracial society, the difficulties arising every day when people of different race and customs live side by side. Only commonsense in deciding what is in the best practical interests of the State and tolerance of the cultural traditions of all will produce a happy and progressive community.

Take the Commonwealth for example.

British Administration from the earliest times has fostered and encouraged local language and culture, but for practical purposes of administration, law, commerce, engineering and science, education is in English. The practical result is that the leaders in every sphere of human activity can understand each other.

This ability to exchange ideas in a common tongue is both a link binding the countries together as well as a very practical advantage in trade, commerce and science.

There is another characteristic of the Commonwealth which I would like to mention. There is an automatic sympathy and interest in the progress and problems of other Commonwealth countries. On the national level there is the Colombo Plan and other similar co-operative schemes but this also applies to individuals. All the Universities of the Commonwealth are willing and anxious to be of service and I am delighted to hear that so many men and women from this country are taking advantage of this.

I am also interested to hear that there are several boys from British schools performing useful voluntary service here in the Government's Community Development projects.

The Commonwealth exists to make this sort of exchange possible and I hope that they will be continued and expanded to the benefit of the countries concerned as w e l l as an example to all the world that the Commonwealth is a brotherhood of nations and a brotherhood of people.

The Queen, as H e a d of the Commonwealth, sends you and all the p e o p l e of Sarawak her best wishes for a happy and successful future.

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Here the Royal Duke alights under a yellow umbrella —a sign of royalty. This arch of modern design was erected by the Malay Community.

Four people each bearing an item of Malay Royal Regalia (sireh box, betel nut box, candle and spitoon) came up to the Prince who touches each article in turn.

The Datu Temenggong then throws yellow rice over the Duke and touches his applied with a gold spatula.

T h e D u k e , a c c o m p a n i e d b y the President of the K u c h i n g M u n i c i p a l Council, then l e f t the C o u r t h o u s e in an o p e n car, h e a d i n g a procession of cars, to b e g i n his tour of the t o w n .

T h e p e o p l e o f S a r a w a k a r e not g i v e n t o public demonstrations a n d it is not their custom to w a v e o r c h e e r but the n u m b e r s w a i t i n g i n the rain a n d l i n i n g the streets testified to their enthusiasm. T h e procession went along G a m b i e r R o a d t h r o u g h d e c o r a t e d arches put up by the C h i n e s e c o m m u n i t y a n d the Indian M u s l i m L e a g u e , past the O p e n M a r k e t w h e r e , appropriately, the rain, w h i c h had d w i n d l e d into a l i g h t d r i z z l e , s t o p p e d a n d on to Datu's Road.

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hands with "Tepong Tawar"

H e r e w a s the first of the M a l a y arches and a dais, d r a p e d in the royal y e l l o w , w i t h an a s s e m b l y of l e a d i n g M a l a y s w a i t i n g for the D u k e . T h e car s t o p p e d just short of the dais a n d the D u k e , f o l l o w e d by the Datu Bandar, d i g n i f i e d in b l a c k and g o l d , w a s led, under a y e l l o w umbrella, by the President of the M a l a y N a t i o n a l U n i o n to a seat on the dais. T h e r e he w a s w e l c o m e d w i t h beras kuning a n d tepong tawar, and a sireh box, pinang b o x , c a n d l e and spittoon, the r e g a l i a of royalty, w e r e p r e s e n t e d to him, touched by him and returned. He r e c e i v e d a gift of an illustrated a l b u m of p h o t o g r a p h s of the six M a l a y arches, all d e p i c t i n g aspects of M a l a y culture, w h i c h he w o u l d pass through on his tour of the M a l a y Kampongs.

T h e p r o c e s s i o n , o n arrival a t Satok Road, w e n t along to the junction with Rock Road a n d t u r n e d up it to t h e r o u n d a b o u t at Badrudd i n R o a d w h e r e it s t o p p e d . A L a n d D a y a k c u m - S e a D a y a k a r c h h a d b e e n e r e c t e d a t this p o i n t a n d t h e D u k e w a s w e l c o m e d b y a pantun f r o m a D a y a k girl a n d g i v e n a glass of

tuak, part o f w h i c h h e d r a n k a n d p a r t o f w h i c h , i n D a y a k fashion, h e r e t u r n e d t o the girl for her to drink.

A t the hospital, the p r o c e s s i o n m a d e a n u n s c h e d u l e d stop so that the D u k e c o u l d visit the C h i e f Justice a n d M r Justice L a s c e l l e s , both o f w h o m w e r e patients.

T h e procession continued along Crookshank Road, Central Road and Ban H o c k R o a d w h e r e the D u k e v i s i t e d o n e o f t h e n e w flats a n d h a d tea w i t h t h e tenant. T h e procession then r e t u r n e d to P a n g k a l a n Batu via W a y a n g Street, C a r p e n t e r Street, d e n s e w i t h c r o w d s a n d b u n t i n g , a n d R o c k R o a d a n d cross e d to the A s t a n a .

By this t i m e the sky w a s c l e a r i n g - c l e a r i n g up for Sibu, e v e r y b o d y said — a n d by t h e t i m e the D u k e r e t u r n e d f r o m the A s t a n a it w a s a brilliant m o r n i n g . T h e t i m e w a s 11.40 a.m. a s h e got, o n c e a g a i n , into t h e car a n d w a s d r i v e n off t o the airport. H e r e h e said g o o d b y e t o K u c h i n g a n d t o those m e m b e r s o f S u p r e m e C o u n c i l not g o i n g t o Sibu, e n t e r e d t h e w a i t i n g H e r o n a i r c r a f t w i t h t h e G o v e r n o r a n d rea p p e a r e d a t the c o c k p i t w i n d o w w h e r e h e w a v e d a final g o o d b y e b e f o r e taking-off, piloting the plane himself, for Sibu.

It w a s a w h i r l w i n d , c r o w d e d visit. O n e can o n l y h o p e that the D u k e e n j o y e d it as m u c h as the p e o p l e did.

T h i s account should not c l o s e w i t h o u t a description of the o r d e r l i n e s s of the c r o w d s .

T h e r e w a s n o p u s h i n g o r b r e a k i n g r a n k s and the r o y a l p r o g r e s s a n d the task of t h e p o l i c e w a s m a d e easy.

126

II - SIBU B e f o r e the D u k e ' s arrival some p e o p l e w e r e h e a r d to say "It is r e a l l y w o r t h his c o m i n g for such a short w h i l e ? " A d m i t t e d l y w e w o u l d all h a v e l i k e d his visit t o b e l o n g e r , a n d n o d o u b t S i b u s e e m s the c e n t r e of the w o r l d to us a n d w e a r e surprised H . R . H . d i d not insist o n staying h e r e l o n g e r , but w h e n t h e fullness o f the D u k e ' s p r o g r a m m e in British B o r n e o is c a r e f u l l y s t u d i e d a n d it is r e m e m b e r e d that British B o r n e o is but just a short e p i s o d e in a v e r y tiring a n d strenuous w o r l d tour a n d Sibu is o n l y a tiny p l a c e c o m p a r e d w i t h Karachi, D e l h i or H o n g K o n g , it is r e m a r k a b l e that he f o u n d t i m e t o c o m e h e r e a t all a n d certainly the p e o p l e i n Sibu s h o w e d i n n o u n m i s t a k e a b l e m a n n e r that t h e y c o n s i d e r e d his visit w o r t h w h i l e , e v e n if it w a s o n l y a short o n e .

G r o w n ups a n d their c h i l d r e n i n c r o w d s h e r e h a v e n o w s e e n the D u k e a n d w i l l o f t e n recall this o c c a s i o n i n f u t u r e a n d those w h o h a v e s e e n h i m w i l l a l w a y s f e e l far superior t o those that h a v e n ' t , e v e n if at the t i m e t h e y w e r e o n l y b a b e s i n arms. F u r t h e r m o r e the D u k e ' s visit m a d e S i b u r e a l i s e i t w a s not satisf i e d w i t h its a p p e a r a n c e , w h i c h i n p l a c e s w a s u n n e c e s s a r i l y d o w d y a n d u n k e m p t , a n d all c o n c e r n e d (the public, the S . U . D . C . a n d the G o v e r n m e n t ) m a d e a g r e a t e f f o r t so that the D u k e a n d his e n t o u r a g e a n d the press w o u l d take a w a y p l e a s a n t m e m o r i e s o f Sibu. R o a d s w e r e h u r r i e d l y m a d e up, b u i l d i n g s w h i c h h a d l o n g n e e d e d a c o a t of paint, but in n o r m a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s w o u l d h a v e g o n e o n w a i t i n g for

Temenggong Juguh unak

it, a r e n o w r e s p l e n d a n t i n m a n y c o l o u r e d

Philip of Edin-

hues. E y e s o r e s , t o w h i c h w e h a d g o t attuned,

Burieng greeting H.R.H.

Prince

burgh. at Sibu Airport February 1959.

such as b r o k e n - d o w n cars or p i l e s of o l d drums off the r o a d - s i d e h a v e b e e n r e m o v e d o r a t a n y

m i n u t e attention to o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d detail of

rate c o n c e a l e d .

An attempt (which proved

the P o l i c e , w h i c h e n a b l e d t h e m a m o n g s t their

successful o n the d a y ) w a s e v e n m a d e t o c o n -

a c h i e v e m e n t s , t o surprise the D u k e b y s e e i n g

trol t h e p i g s , g o a t s , f o w l s a n d d o g s t h a t

the s a m e f a c e s lining the route s e v e r a l times

normally w a n d e r u n c o n c e r n e d l y a b o u t Sibu's

over.

roads a n d airstrip.

R e h e a r s a l s s o m e t i m e s in p o u r i n g rain or

T h e D u k e ' s visit w a s a n o v e r w h e l m i n g

v e r y hot sun t o o k p l a c e , a n d f i n a l l y the g r e a t

success, a n d so far as I k n o w e v e r y t h i n g w e n t

day arrived. T h e w e a t h e r w a s overcast (and

off a c c o r d i n g t o p l a n ! A m o n g s t the m a n y w h o

c o o l ) w i t h b i g rain c l o u d s circling Sibu. Ru-

d e v o t e d a g r e a t d e a l of t i m e a n d t r o u b l e to

mours c a m e i n f r o m K u c h i n g that i t w a s rain-

a c h i e v e this state of affairs, the credit must

i n g there, a n d the m o r e pessimistic of us f o r e -

l a r g e l y g o t o t h e P u b l i c W o r k s D e p a r t m e n t for

s a w a m i s e r a b l e visit for H . R . H . N e v e r t h e l e s s

the hard w o r k t h e y put i n for w e e k s b e f o r e -

S i b u put on a f e s t i v e a p p e a r a n c e w i t h its

hand in w h a t w a s m o s t l y r e a l landas w e a t h e r

arches, banners, l o y a l g r e e t i n g s a n d m a s s e s of

at its w o r s t ; to the e n c o u r a g e m e n t a n d e x a m -

f l a g s . B e f o r e the roads w e r e c l o s e d at 12.30,

ple of the C h a i r m a n of t h e S . U . D . C . ; a n d to the

p e o p l e i n their best clothes w e r e g o i n g r o u n d

127

in a holiday mood on tours of photography and under the magnificent Sibu Chinese cominspection of the decorations. The Ibans in all munity arch (decorated with paintings by a their finery created a stir as they went out to Sarikei boy) to Channel Road where the Rothe airport, where they were much photo- man Catholic School children were on one graphed and interviewed by the press. School side, while on the other near the S.U.D.C. children from within and without Sibu assem- offices the firemen and their engine were on bled alongside the roads until it looked as parade. Sibu's population has never been a though Sibu was 90 per cent composed of chil- demonstrative one and are unused to cheering dren. As guests to the reception in the Resi- and waving, and some strangers to Sibu may dency began to arrive in their smartest clothes have thought the welcome of the public lining the heavens became ever more threatening the streets lacked cordially, but to those who and overcharged with rain, and people re- know the locals of all races it was clear that the called to one another how on the previous day public was delighted with what they saw and it had been about 1 p.m. that the rain had with the Duke and I hope he himself was not abashed when he waved at people and they arrived and it hadn't stopped until nearly 5! were too shy and awkward to wave back.

The rain held off while H.R.H. piloting his own plane, landed and he and H.E. the GoverThe procession carried on to Central Road, nor were greeted by the Resident. The press, where one of Sibu's most unpleasant looking radio and television which had arrived earlier swamps had been transformed by P.W.D. into went into action. The Duke inspected a-very a most unpromising looking morass of filling smart guard of Iban ex-Sarawak Rangers now from near the airport. On this occasion howevin the Field Force Reserve, many of whom had er two grandstands and a bansal had been given up collecting engkabang to come to erected and in the middle was a dais for the Sibu. He then went on and walked close past Duke. T h e grandstands w e r e f i l l e d with the shed with the assembled penghulus and S.U.D.C. and Government's guests, while the their close relations, and got into his car (exbansal was crowded with the penghulus and No. 1 car from Kuching) and drove off down their families who had been whisked there Queensway, while the air-crew were hospitalfrom the airport by a fleet of buses. The Duke ity entertained in the airport. walked to the dais through a corridor of T h e D u k e l e d the p r o c e s s i o n d o w n Chinese, Iban and Melanau boys and girls in Queensway past the very smart-looking staff national costume. He was shown plans showand students of the Teachers Training Centre, ing how it was proposed to transform this mesunder the very attractive arch at Sungei sy looking area into a pleasant square for peMerah, past the Methodist School area and destrains with the future town hall on the side G o v e r n m e n t officers in uniform (Forest, and the post office on the other. At Mr Ting's Nurses, Marine, Customs, Agriculture, Warrequest he agreed that his area be named ders, Court Peons), who were lining Bridge "Edinburgh Place". An Iban boy and girl now Road and swept into the Residency garden present H.R.H. with a fine suit of traditional exactly on time and his personal standard was Iban clothes for H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and hoisted. Here he surprised people by refusing a Malay girl and Melanau girl present him to take time off to refresh himself but immewith a beautiful Melanau Islam set of clothes diately called for the guests to be presented to for Princess Anne. These gifts were from the him and the time saved thereby was spent in people of Sarawak. The sun very nearly shone chatting to many of them. The party at the at this stage!

Residency was a success though I cannot agree with the Singapore newspaper corresThe Duke, with Mr Ting still beside him, pondent who considered it was the biggest went on up Ramin Way and past the Chung party in living memory in Sibu. Incidentally Hua School children and turned left along those who were close enough could see the Kampong Pulau Road, where the procession Duke was wearing his Sarawak cuff links prehalted. H.R.H. got out and inspected the Girl sented to him in Kuching.

Guides lining the street on one side and H.R.H. (with Mr Ting Lik Hung in atten- walked on to the unusual but most attractive dance) now insisted on going in an open Land entrance to the King George VI Memorial Rover, as the weather momentarily looked less Ground. This is another case of the transthreatening, and the procession set off down formation of a swamp. Some years back Sibu's Island Road past cheering school children garbage was deposited in this area and CO-

128

vered over with earth. More garbage had to find a home and Kampong Pulau was moved to a new and better laid out area, and recently working at top speed and under very adverse weather conditions, the P.W.D. has converted this unpleasant two acres into a three quarters finished 440 yards race track with a football field in the centre. The Duke cut a ribbon declaring the Memorial Ground open and went through the arch with its lifesize Kayan portraits of humans on one side, and spoke to the representatives of the Sibu Sports Council and the teams representing various sports from all over the Division assembled there. He then went back under the arch and talked to the Boy Scouts and once more got into the Land Rover, this time accompanied by Datu Tuanku Bujang and the Resident. There was now no hint of sunshine and we were all wondering how much longer the rain would hold off.

The procession slowed down to very nearly a stand-still at Kampong Nyabor arch, which unfortunately the Duke could not see at night, when it is beautifully lit up, and then went on past the mosque and along Kampong Datu Road. T h e crowd was much thinner here (nearly all the Malays had gone into town), but even so there were plenty of colourful spectators and the Duke could see how many compounds had been brigtened up for his visit.

The procession speeded up again near Green Road so that the Duke could see the children of the Abang Ali School and the arch erected at the entrance to Kampong Hilir Road. After this the procession speeded up again as it went along Kampong Hilir and Kampong Nangka Roads to nearly the end of Kampong Nangka where there was another arch and a crowd of people. The Duke stopped his car and watched Melanau children doing their traditional and rather dangerous swinging (itot) near the remains of an old burnt-out Melanau longhouse. By now a faint drizzle could be felt so speed was increased until Sungei Merah was reached when the procession came nearly to a

standstill while it passed under the local people's very attractive arch.

And so back to the airport, a little ahead of time, and it seemed likely the Duke would beat the heavy rain. He said goodbye to the Resident, the Supreme Councillors, Mr Ting l i k Hung and Temenggong Jugah and went to his plane waving at the Guard which gave him three rousing Iban cheers. Once again piloting his own plane, and with the Governor aboard, the Duke took off for Lutong; he had beaten the rain, which gave up the struggle and left Sibu alone for the rest of the day, and there was no doubt in the minds of everybody concerned, that though the Duke's visit had been short (less than two hours) it had been well worth while.

To tidy up the story it should be mentioned that local and outstation tua2 kampong had been clustered round the kampong arches. On the previous day a selection committee had followed the royal route through the kampongs and had decided that the prize for the best kept kampong should go to Kampong Datu/Hilir with 34 points and the second prize to Kampong Nangka with 29 points.

All the arches were very fine but in my opinion the two that were outstanding were the ones raised by the communities at Sungei Merah and Kampong Nangka, for they were in traditional styles and in the case of Kampong Nangka were made out of traditional local materials.

That nights fireworks were let off from the Memorial Ground and though a f e w appeared damp and some of the most appreciated were those that landed in the crowd emitting flame and sparks, the show went off very satisfactorily.

Finally to show how lucky we had been with the weather, the next day from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (the time of the Duke's visit) Sibu was experiencing a tropical downpour which in U.K. would have been called a cloudburst.

I.A.N.U.

129

Ill - MIRI " T h e Fourth Division of Sarawak welcomes H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh". This was the inscription on the arch that greeted the Duke at Lutong Airport when the Heron touched down at 4.20 p.m. - and a wonderful welcome it proved to be.

The Duke's personal standard was broken at the Airport flat-staff. His Royal Highness alighted and the Honourable the Resident, Mr J.C.B. Fisher, O.B.E., moved forward to be introduced by H.E. the Governor. Thereafter the Resident introduced the Division Manager, Sarawak Shell Oilfields Limited, Captain D.R. Gribble and the Paramount Chief of the Baram, the Honourable Temenggong Oyong Lawai Jau, M.B.E., G.M.C. and then The Hon'ble Mr Chia Chin Shin The Hon'ble Mr Chan Yong Kow The Honourable Mr Atahar Khan The Hon'ble Tua Kampong Muip As the royal car, a Humber Super Snipe, set out on its journey, the Datu, in charge of the Royal Salute gunners, gave the order to fire and the guns spoke out their salute. Malay gunners were in national costume and the Sea Dayaks in traditional regalia.

Under the archway "Lutong welcomes H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh", through the oil-town of Lutong, gay with decorated dwellings and banners, past the Anglican church nestling in a clump of casuarinas and the new high-roofed Catholic church, the royal procession swung sharply right-handed to the Pangkalan Bridge. There, at the far end, was the Castle gateway. The bridge spanning the River Miri had been conceived as a drawbridge over a Miri moat, and the Castle gatew a y at the end was a baronial keep, surmounted by a single standard bearing the Union Jack. Over the draw-bridge and off on the six-mile drive to Miri, slowing down only at the gay gateway of the little Chinese School at Pujut where the pupils were aligned and waved a road-side welcome. The grazing buffalo safely tethered by the road-side, the clanking wheels of the oil-wells, the church spire on the horizon, and Miri was in sight.

Here was the magnificent Royal Crown gateway, light and graceful, piping welded locally into the very image of the Royal Crown. Under

the gateway, and then the procession halted. It had reached the Town boundary and here the Chairman of the Urban District Council (Mr J. Woods) and members of the Council were assembled. The Resident introduced the Chairman to His Royal Highness, and the Chairman introduced the Council.

Within the Royal Crown gateway, Miri waited on the tip-toe of expectation. Holiday crowds had assembled in warm sunshine tempered by a cool sea breeze, a breeze strong enough to billow the banners of the processional route. Thousands of upturned faces had scanned the skies for the royal plane and just before ten minutes past four the Heron had passed directly over the Kingsway, its marking clearly visible.

The Duke now entered an open Hillman Minx car and the tour of the town began. The crests of the Mission School saints, Saint Columba to the left and Saint Joseph to the right, to bless His Royal Highness. A little knot of English school children from Piasau, the Urban District Council Chinese school in front of the Council offices, and then the onethousand strong Public School b o w e d its greetings. Past the Union Jacks of Sungei Krokop School, and Prince Philip, seated on the back of the royal car, waved a cheery acknowledgement to the banners of Riam Road and the M i d d l e School. At the junction with Brooke Road a smart team of Bintulu Sea Scouts, and behind them, just peeping over their shoulders, the w e l c o m e gateway of Miri's youngest school—the Chinese Kindergarten. Into the straight, and there was the welcome arch by Community Hall. Anchi School scouts, very smart in their songkoks, pointed the way to Merbau Road and a colourful kampong welcome by the Mosque, newly painted in green and white. Under the Malay arch, the pillars depicting oil-well Number One (1910) and oil-well Number Seven Hundred (1958) and a welcome from groups of Malays beating the "tar". On to River Road, and the High Street where the well-proportioned traditional temple-style arch-way, supported by four red pillars and two green dragons, with lanterns swinging from the red roofs, brought greetings from the Chinese community. The Government offices decorated native style, a rippling wave of sever; hundred souvenir handkerchiefs, and the pro-

130

c e s s i o n w a s b a c k b y t h e S.E.S.Co. o f f i c e s . T h e

His Royal a c c e p t e d gifts

D u k e n o w set out o n t h e j o u r n e y t o t h e R e s i dency,

a j o u r n e y of w e l l - k e p t padangs a n d

flower gardens.

Highness

then

graciously

for himself, from the hands of the T e m e n g -

A g r e e t i n g to the nurses

gong,

assembled at Ferry Corner, a g l a n c e to the left

twelve w o o d e n bottle

stoppers

c a r v e d by T a m a Berasap of L o n g Jigan,

at the spacious grounds of the M i d d l e School,

a n d a w o o d e n fruit b o w l c a r v e d b y T a m a

a w e l c o m e b a n n e r s u r m o u n t i n g its e n t r a n c e

Sidi, also of L o n g J i g a n .

hall, a g l a n c e to t h e right t h r o u g h t h e p a r k l a n e t o t h e sea, a n d u p t h e s t e e p hill t o t h e R e s i -

for H.R.H. T h e Prince of Wales, from the

dency. H e r e the D u k e graciously consented to

h a n d s of A n y e K e b i n g , a set of d a n c i n g

plant a t r e e , t h e F l a m e of t h e Forest, at a p l a c e

r e g a l i a , a tapong ( H a t ) , a sunong ( l e o p a r d

n e a r t h e cliff e d g e w h e r e i t w i l l l o o k out across

skin c o v e r e d w i t h h o r n b i l l fea.thers), a pa-

the b a y t o L u t o n g . N e a r b y t h e b o u g a i n v i l l a e a

rang a n d a shield.

w e r e a riot of c o l o u r — n e v e r m o r e l o v e l y , t h e most d e l i c a t e s h a d e s o f crimson, o r a n g e , p i n k

for H.R.H. T h e Princess A n n e , f r o m the

and purple.

h a n d s of L i g g i n g I b u h (a K e l a b i t girl), a

Dinner privately at the Residency,

and

labong

(head-dress).

then t h e d r i v e t o t h e C o m m u n i t y H a l l , M i r i ' s n e w e s t b u i l d i n g , a c r e d i t to b o t h architect a n d

T h e n f o l l o w e d the royal

dancing pro-

builder. B y n o w t h e t o w n w a s a m i r a c l e o f l i g h t

g r a m m e — I b a n dancers, K a y a n d a n c e r s , t h e

a n d colour, t h e C r o w n g l i t t e r i n g w i t h g e m s ,

C h i n e s e orchestra a n d t h e L i l y D a n c e , K e n y a h

a n d a t r i u m p h a l l a n e of f a i r y l i g h t s criss-cros-

d a n c e r s , a M a l a y zepin a n d mencha, K e l a b i t

sing t h e r o u t e t o t h e R e c e p t i o n .

dancers and a farewell dance by ladies f r o m

S o m e three hundred guests m o v e d around

t h e B a r a m . T h e R o y a l Party rose a n d d e p a r t e d

f r o m t h e L i b r a r y w i n g , u p t h e steps, a n d s o t o

f r o m t h e d a n c i n g arena, h a v i n g w i t n e s s e d a

the r e d c a r p e t a n d H i s R o y a l H i g h n e s s . T o his

f i n e e x h i b i t i o n by experts of six d i f f e r e n t

right, and slightly b e h i n d him, stood the Resi-

races.

dent t o h e l p w i t h i n t r o d u c t i o n s w h i c h l a s t e d

T h e Royal fireworks. Launching frames

for f o r t y m i n u t e s . T h e D u k e t h e n e n t e r e d t h e

w e r e set u p a t t h e b a s e o f t h e d e r r i c k o v e r -

Hall and m i n g l e d with the guests for a m e morable fifteen minutes, circling the Hall clockwise, p i c k i n g up the threads of the loom

l o o k i n g t h e G . C . M . padang. A t m i d n i g h t , t h e dancing over,

pattern o f M i r i ' s c h u r c h e s a n d o i l f i e l d s , h e r schools a n d hospitals, a n d h e r r o m a n t i c u p river races. At the appointed hour His Royal Highness departed for the Gymkhana Club escorted by the Senior Chiefs of the Baram.

T h e b r i e f e s t o f rests, a n d t h e n t h e District O f f i c e r , o f M i r i , B a r a m a n d Bintulu p r e s e n t e d m e m b e r s of t h e A s i a n r a c e s of their districts, a c e r e m o n y p e r f o r m e d o n t h e steps o f t h e C l u b .

T h e D u k e a n d m e m b e r s of the Royal party then p a s s e d t h r o u g h t h e i m p o s i n g Bintulu

bouquet of C o m m o n w e a l t h and Gloria rockets lit t h e s k y . F r o m p r e p a r e d p o s i t i o n s t h e p y r o technists e x p l o d e d a m i n e of J e w e l l e d S e r p e n t s a n d a m i n e of Scorpions. R a i n b o w a n d R a d i o shells a n d a b a r r a g e of T h u n d e r b o l t s .

The

admiring

crowds

below,

who

had

t h r o n g e d the padang f o r t h e d a n c i n g , g a s p e d in sheer delight as the fireworks climbed the s k y a n d c a s c a d e d d o w n i n a rain o f r e d a n d w h i t e a n d b l u e . H e r e a d a z z l i n g feu de joie, t h e r e a s i d e s h o w of R o m a n c a n d l e s a n d f i n a l l y a c a n n o n a d e that s p o k e t h e e p i l o g u e f o r a

g a t e w a y a n d t o o k t h e i r seats i n the Bintulu grandstand.

a startling A e r i a l M a r o o n

announced the Royal fireworks, and then a

o f l i f e i n M i r i a n d w e a v i n g f o r himself a h a p p y

r o y a l d a y a n d r a n g d o w n the curtain o n t h e

Stands and dancing platform

day's events.

were adorned with painted panels of native Before the dancing, T e m e n g g o n g

O n Saturday, 28th F e b r u a r y , P r i n c e P h i l i p

O y o n g L a w a i Jau c a m e forward, supported b y

l e f t the R e s i d e n c y at 8.20 a.m. a n d d e p a r t e d

his B a r a m c h i e f s , s u n g a pantun in h o n o u r of

i n f o r m a l l y t o L u t o n g airstrip t o e m b a r k i n t h e

Prince Philip a n d o f f e r e d

r o y a l aircraft f o r B r u n e i State.

design.

borak in a s i l v e r

tankard.

131

THE SARAWAK GAZETTE, JUNE 12, 1951.

Speech by His Excellency the Governor at the opening of the Council Negri, 21st May, 1951.

Mr President, Members of the Council Negri: I opened my address to you when we last met in November with a reference to the shadow which had fallen upon Asia—the dark shadow of a communist-inspired war.

Since that date the fortunes of war in Korea have swung to and for with advantage now to the aggressors, now to the defenders; perhaps the most important lesson we can to-day draw from the present state of this war is that the force of peace, and the organisation — the United Nations — pledged to support peace, have shown both the determination and the ability to resist aggression. Southern Korea, the victim of sudden and brutal attack nearly a year ago, is still substantially in the hands of its original masters. It has suffered great sorrow and loss; hundreds of thousands of its people have lost lives, relatives, friends and homes, but the greater danger-the danger that its indepedence and the integrity of its people would be swallowed up by Russia and the misguided agents of Russian plans for conquest, has been avoided. It is a lesson which should strengthen us and support our own soul and of our will to do everything in preservation of our own traditions. Here we do not face an immediate military threat such as the people of Korea faced nor, inddeed, have we so far been subject to the particular form of blackmail whereby the agents of Communism have attempted to ruin the peace of other neighbouring territories with the weapons of intimidation and banditry. I hope, however, that all members of Council realise that this should not lull us into any sense of false security. We know, unfortunately, that even here in Sarawak there are individuals and forces pledged to achieve the first stages of a process which can only lead to internecine war and misery— p l e d g e d to create among the peoples of Sarawak suspicion and dislike of each other, dislike for the Government, inter racial feeling and discord and a general atmosphere of social unrest and uncertainty which would be a fertile field for the more active operations of

our enemies. Banditry and violence and civil war can never b e c o m e established in a country in which the great bulk of the population has the determination to make a positive effort to avoid these things. If we here maintain our determination to live our own lives in peace and amity and prosperity, and if we — all the peoples of Sarawak of whatever race — can show clearly and without possibility of misunderstanding our determination to resist the forces of discord introduced from the outside world. I have no doubt in my own mind that we will succeed in doing so.

But first of all it is essential that we should build up a strong and efficient civil police force. Without such a force we cannot protect ourselves from those who contrive and plot to disrupt our way of life nor can we enforce the laws which you make in this Council. There are at the present moment 183 vacancies in the established force and 122 rank and file left the force for various reasons during 1950. The material coming forward as recruits is not of the best, in fact it is not up to the standard which we expect and consider adequate in these difficult days. Government is doing what it can to improve the position by making the conditions of service more attractive, by increasing the o f f i c e r strength, and by modernising the training and equipment. But it is up to the country to produce the raw material and I ask again that you should consider this vital and urgent matter with your district and divisional councils when you return to your homes. I might add that at the present time only 2% of the force are Chinese.

I am sure you all welcomed, as I did, the wise action taken in February last by Mr Brooke in withdrawing from the anti-Cession controversy of which he had been, during the past five years, the central figure. Mr Brooke's appeal to his followers and sympathisers in this country to disassociate themselves further from all opposition towards Government upon this issue, has received a general response. Many valued Government servants who elected to resign from the service following the Act of Cession in 1946 have recently

132

r e q u e s t e d t o b e r e - e m p l o y e d , a n d thus far

A s y o u a r e all a w a r e , i n c o n d i t i o n s such a s those in w h i c h we live in Sarawak to-day, the greatest sufferer is inevitably and invariably the person w h o s e i n c o m e is not directly related to commercial conditions and w h o s e emoluments do not rise or fall with the variations in t h e v a l u e of a particular c o m m e r c i a l p r o d u c t or a particular industrial process. T h e sufferer is inevitably the fixed w a g e earner e m p l o y e d in s o m e non-commerical activity.

T h e G o v e r n m e n t s e r v a n t r e p r e s e n t i n Saraw a k t h e l a r g e s t g r o u p o f such p e r s o n s a n d I wish to m a k e public reference to the loyalty a n d c o - o p e r a t i o n w i t h w h i c h this class has c o n t i n u e d t o s e r v e G o v e r n m e n t i n circumstances in w h i c h the e c o n o m i c advant a g e s o v e r their f e l l o w m e n , o n c e e n j o y e d b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t servants, h a v e a l m o s t e n t i r e l y d i s a p p e a r e d . T h e G o v e r n m e n t has d o n e w h a t it can to r e l i e v e its s e r v a n t s of t h e d i f f i culties w h i c h r i s i n g p r i c e s , a n d t h e i n c r e a s e d cost of c o m m o d i t i e s essential to a d e c e n t standard of living, h a v e brought u p o n them. Since w e last m e t t h e r e has b e e n a n u p w a r d r e v i sion o f t h e cost o f l i v i n g a l l o w a n c e w h i c h has brought some benefit, albeit only a small ben e f i t i n s o m e cases, t o all e m p l o y e e s o f this Government. Since then the G o v e r n m e n t has s o u g h t t h e assistance o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n e r G e n e r a l ' s Economic A d v i s e r to undertake a s u r v e y of t h e cost of l i v i n g a n d t h e r e l a t e d p r o b l e m of the emoluments of G o v e r n m e n t s e r v a n t s , a n d h i s r e p o r t , a n d this G o v e r n ment's recommendations thereon, are e v e n n o w b e f o r e the S e c r e t a r y o f State.

o v e r 7 0 h a v e r e s u m e d their duties. T h e y h a v e all b e e n w e l c o m e d b a c k b y their c o l l e a g u e s i n t h e p u b l i c s e r v i c e a n d i t i s g r a t i f y i n g t o u s all to s e e their e n e r g y a n d ability o n c e a g a i n profitably e m p l o y e d to constructive purpose.

F i n a l l y , on this point, I think it is w o r t h my w h i l e to restate h e r e w h a t the Prime Minister said i n his t e l e g r a p h i c r e p l y t o the f o r m e r antiCession Associations in Sarawak. T h e Prime Minister took the opportunity to reaffirm " t h e unqualified determination of His Majesty's G o v e r n m e n t t o g u i d e a n d assist t h e p e o p l e s o f Sarawak

in

their

progress

towards

self-government within the Commonwealth''.

T h e P r i m e Minister then w e n t on to m a k e the following important statement over w h i c h w e s h o u l d all d o w e l l t o p o n d e r m o s t c a r e f u l l y . I n the f u t u r e , a s i n t h e past, i t w i l l b e f r e e l y o p e n to all in S a r a w a k to e x p r e s s , in a constitutional manner, their v i e w s r e g a r d i n g w a y s i n w h i c h progress towards self-government is to be realized, and any v i e w s expressed by bodies substantially r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e p e o p l e of S a r a w a k w o u l d r e c e i v e the fullest consideration of His M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t . T h e constitutional f o r m w h i c h p r o g r e s s t o w a r d s s e l f - g o v e r n m e n t in the British

Common-

wealth should t a k e could only be settled in the circumstances at the t i m e " .

I h o p e a n d p r a y that t h r o u g h t h e g o o d sense, t h e p a t r i o t i s m , a n d t h e i n b o r n f r i e n d liness o f t h e p e o p l e o f this c o u n t r y w e h a v e e m e r g e d f i n a l l y f r o m a g l o o m y a n d unnatural p h a s e in t h e l i f e - h i s t o r y of S a r a w a k , a p e r i o d w h i c h b r o u g h t s u f f e r i n g a n d distress t o m a n y p e o p l e ; o n e o f t h e s e t i m e s o f trial a n d tribulation w h i c h , i f f a c e d w i t h f o r t i t u d e , h e l p s to b u i l d a n d s t r e n g t h e n t h e c h a r a c t e r of a young a n d v i g o r o u s nation.

W e are, a t t h e m o m e n t , p a s s i n g t h r o u g h what is for Sarawak an unprecedented period of material prosperity. T h e price and v o l u m e of our e x p o r t s has n e v e r r e a c h e d such h e i g h t s a s i t h a s d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d s i n c e w e last m e t ; there i s m o r e m o n e y i n circulation, m o r e g o o d s are b e i n g p u r c h a e d a n d a h i g h e r d e g r e e of g e n e r a l p r o s p e r i t y has b e e n a t t a i n e d than a n y which

anyone of us w o u l d have thought

possible a y e a r a g o . T o - d a y , a l a r g e p r o p o r t i o n of the p o p u l a t i o n of S a r a w a k e n j o y s a p r o s perity g r e a t e r than i t has e n j o y e d b e f o r e ; this, in itself, has c r e a t e d a s t r o n g barrier a g a i n s t discord a n d d i s t u r b a n c e , but I s h o u l d l i k e y o u t o r e m e m b e r that this w a v e o f p r o s p e r i t y has not b r o u g h t a d v a n t a g e to all.

G o v e r n m e n t has b e e n m u c h criticised f o r its s l o w n e s s in d e a l i n g w i t h this p r o b l e m . I do not p r o p o s e to r e p l y to such critics in a n y d e tail, but I must r e m i n d y o u of o n e t h i n g a n d that is that t h e m o n e y p a i d to t h e servants of G o v e r n m e n t comes f r o m the public purse; that G o v e r n m e n t ' s advisers h a v e a m u c h g r e a t e r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a s r e g a r d s t h e distrib u t i o n o f p u b l i c f u n d s than h a v e , f o r e x a m p l e , t h e o w n e r s of a c o m m e r c i a l business or t h e m a n a g e m e n t of an industrial concern for theirs. A l l questions o f G o v e r n m e n t e x p e n d i ture h a v e t o b e v e r y c a r e f u l l y w e i g h e d i n r e l a tion t o t h e w h o l e p i c t u r e o f w h a t s e r v i c e s t h e p e o p l e r e q u i r e their G o v e r n m e n t t o u n d e r t a k e o n their b e h a l f , a n d i t i s t h e r e f o r e i n e v i t a b l e that a G o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d n o t b e a b l e t o m a k e decisions involving the increased exp e n d i t u r e o f v e r y l a r g e sums a g a i n s t o n e o r other of the m a n y conflicting claims a l w a y s b e f o r e then, w i t h o u t c a r e f u l a n d f r e q u e n t l y

133

a satisfactory result and, as the consesion lasts until the end of June, it might be expected to draw off nearly a million dollars for the time being.

lengthy, thought on the subject. There are times like the present when this factor operate to the disadvantage of members of the Public Service, but you will, I have no. doubt, realise that there are other times when it operates v e r y distinctly to their advantage. No responsible Government, when faced with the problems which arise in times of financial difficulty, reduces the emoluments or numbers of its servants without an equally long and careful consideration of the necessity and desirability of such a step.

The expenditure in 1950 was only about $16 million, which is nearly $2Vi million less than the estimate and over $53/4 million less than the provision made. It is important to remember that a great part of this under-expenditure is not saved at all. The main reason why the money has not been pent is that the men or the materials on which to spend it could not be obtained, but it has got to be spend in future, and mostly at a time w h e n the schemes it represents will cost a great deal more. This means that the surplus balances I have mentioned are somewhat less valuable than they appear at first sight to be.

T h e revenue and expenditure figures I have given you do not include receipts of Colonial Development and Welfare Assistance or expenditure on Colonial Development and W e l f a r e Schemes, because although these ought in theory to balance each other, in practice they never do so over a financial year, and bringing them in would distort the picture.

What I have said, h o w e v e r , about underspending applies equally to them and to all the Development programme.

Y o u can judge the extent of the increase in wealth by the fact that about $19 million worth of n e w currency went into circulation in 1950 and by the increase in the Colony's revenue, which turned an estimated deficit of $2 Vi million for the year into an actual surplus of over $13y4 million. The free surplus balance has thus come to exceed $18 million, apart from the $6 million—odd transferred to the Development Welfare and Reconstruction Fund.

T h e revenue received was nearly $29 V2 million and this was $13 million more than the estimate. A great part of this increae was due, of couise, to the rubber export-duty. The price of rubber w e n t to unprecedented heights and with it the duty collected on every picul exported. T h e swiftness of the increase caused some hardship, and to mitigate this we temporarily placed "ceilings" on the duty in the last four months of the year; that is to say, it was not allowed to rise with the price. After the price steadied, the ceilings w e r e removed, and the rate of revenue collection in 1951 has until the last f e w w e e k s been even higher.

T h e export duties have a considerable effect on the cost of living in slowing down inflation by removing surplus wealth: that is to say, if they had not been levied in their present form it is certain that prices and w a g e s would have risen higher than they actually have. Another measure was instituted with the same object, but on a smaller scale. This was an effort to persuade the smaller owners of new-found wealth to save as much of it as possible for the future in the Savings Bank. We increaed the rate of interest in the Bank permanently by one-half percent, and g a v e a special temporary increase of interest to f i v e percent for n e w deposits in accounts w h i c h are not d r a w n upon 12 months. The immediate effect of this was an increase of about $450,000 in deposits in the first quarter of the year. This is looked upon as

The fact that increased prosperity and the increased Government revenues which have followed therefrom should, in any way, make it difficult for Government to implement its d e c l a r e d p o l i c y o f social and e c o n o m i c improvement may, at first sight, be a little difficult to understand, but I can assure you that the benefits of increased revenue have brought with them material handicaps and disadvantages, the immediate effect of which is perhaps more obvious than the long-term benefits which we may expect from our increased wealth. You will appreciate that the rapid and violent change in the levels of w a g e s and in the cost of commodities has created problems in estimating for all our plans.

T w e l v e months ago we laid before the Secretary of State a Development Plan which was based upon contemporary figures — later last year, your Select Committee approved the financial provision required of this Government therefore, and also approved the present year's Estimates. In so far as the latter figures — the 1951 Estimates — are concerned we had, of course, at the time these Estimates w e r e being prepared recieved some warning

134

of the trend in costs and made some adjustment to cover this, but we had not been able to revise the estimates of the Development Plan nor, indeed, were our Estimates for this year's expenditure adequate in the event to implement a programme much of which was drawn up 8 or 9 months ago. These, of course, are minor executive difficulties. The main difficulty, however, is much more serious and that is the problem of staff and labour for the money projects which this Government had in mind at the time these plans were drawn up last year. The rise in prices of our export crops, especially the very great increase in rubber prices, has diverted labour, which would otherwise have been available to Government, to these fields. A l l Departments of Government have, to some extent, b e e n affected by this, but unfortunately the most immediate and serious reaction has occured in some of the Departments whose projects represent the most substantial and important contributions towards Sarawak's progress.

The Director of Public Works' whole construction programme has suffered a severe setback and great difficulties have also been encountered by the Director of Agriculture.

The Departments most concerned, and the Government generally, hope to overcome these problems. A l l I wish to emphasise today is that this change in our economic circumstances has brought with it such problems, and that the immediate effect of this change upon this Government's policy and programme has not been entirely beneficial.

On the other hand, these frustrations serve to emphasise the need for planning further in advance than we have formerly been able to do, and there are directions in which we can usefully lay out more money this year than we planned for at the time when the 1951 Estimates were prepared and when we had to remove from our minds any schemes which yre could not afford with the future revenue that could be forecast at that time. The prospect are now better, and it will be possible to make arrangements for increasing staff, stepping up the house-building programme and ordering materials and plant for works. A supplementary budget will be prepared and presented to the Finance Committee as soon as possible, so that these activities may not be delayed for lack of financial authorisation.

Expenditure in this supplementary budget will include some $350,000 for new Public W o r k s D e p a r t m e n t transport and r o a d

machinery; $200,000 for addition Junior Service Quarters and funds for an additional block of Senior Service flats in Kuching. Provision for Sibu will include $120,000 for expenditure upon the Hospital, including the construction of a new Outpatients Department; and $100,000 for land acquisition with a v i e w to clearing Sinu slum areas. A similar sum will be provided for the acquisition of present slums areas in Miri, and for such part of the construction of the Miri Hospital as can be undertaken this year. There will be supplementary expenditure upon the Simanggang Hospital. Another large single item is a new Native Resthouse for Kuching.

I wish now to let you have a brief summary of the more important activities of the various Departments of Government during the past six months.

The progress of Public Works during this period has, as I have said, suffered greatly from present economic conditions, scarcity of labour and materials and the rapid rise in costs of construction of all kinds. Progress has, however, been made in the erection of quarters for Police and Junior and Senior Government officers and Government office accommodation, which includes the construction of a new Printing O f f i c e in Kuching and the. n e w Government Offices at Miri. 54 Junior Service bungalows have been completed during the last 12 months. Work on the survey of the new trunk road from Serian to Simanggang has been seriously delayed, but the present position is that plans for the first section, from Serian to the river crossing below the junction of the Kedup and Sadong Rivers, have now been completed. It is hoped that with the assistance of heavy machinery already received from America under the Marshall A i d programme we shall be able to push ahead with the construction of this sector without undue delay. There has been an unfortunate and serious deterioration of the existing road system of the Colony which was not planned and constructed to carry modern traffic. It is quite clear that special measures must be taken to remedy this situation, expensive as the process undoubtedly will be, and it has been decided to seek your approval for the provision of another very large sum of money to be devoted to this purpose; the Director of Public Works is preparing a programme for the reconstruction, and provision of all weather surfacing of all the Colony roads, work on which will begin as soon as fluids have been

135

voted to this purpose. The Colony water supplies have r e c e i v e d attention during the p e r i o d — t h e laying of the new main pipe line for Kuching is progressing and the foundations for the new IV2 million gallon storage tank have been completed. At Mukah everything is now ready for the installation of the main pipes, pumps and motors when these arrive. Work has also begun upon the construction of a 1200 yard by 50 yard aircraft runway at Sibu, financed from fund granted under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act for this purpose.

The Medical Department has continued to have serious difficulties on account of shortage of staff but in spite of this its activities have continued to expand.

Nevertheless during 1950 nursing recruits did not suffice to make good wastage and this had the serious effect of leading to the closure of a ward in the Kuching General Hospital. In an endeavour to meet the situation, and f o l l o w i n g p r e c e d e n t in other countries, recruitment of assistant nurses was resorted to and the approved initial establishment of fourteen for the General Hospital, Kuching, was rapidly filled. These girls of lower educational standard than that of the professional nurse, TVill be trained in practical nursing procedures only and will relieve the professional nurses of many ward duties not requiring a high degree of techincal training and skill. Should they prove a success assistant nurses will be recruited for the other hospitals in the Colony.

In January, in spite of limited resources a Chest Clinic Service was initiated in Kuching as a first step to combat tuberculosis. More than a thousand persons have been examined and a number of unsuspected cases have been found and brought under treatment. Supervision of contacts was commenced and in suitable instances protection with B.C.G. vaccination was offered.

In March a restricted domiciliary midwifery service was started in Kuching as an extension of the activities of the Maternity Ward of the General Hospital. This organisations'has the dual function of providing the town with a better service and of providing better training for the midwife trainees who will later work in other parts of the Colony.

T h e domiciliary midwifery service and the training of the midwives is under the charge of the M i d w i f e Tutor lent by United Nations International Childrens' Emergency Fund which has kindly agreed to an extension of this

officer's period of service in the Colony to initiate this work.

Extensions to the Lau King H o w e Hospital, Sibu, are being undertaken and arrangements have been completed for the erection of an additional ward at Simanggang Hospital.

Again, plans have been prepared and preliminary steps h a v e b e e n taken for the development of hospital facilities at Miri.

The most interesting development in the Colony's agriculture over the past six months has been the confirmation, with this year's padi crop, of the effectiveness of the simple technique which has been developed in the Paya Megok Scheme for regenerating derelict lalang-infested land and bringing it into heavy rice production. We can now confidently say that the Paya Megok scheme, where a great proportion of the land is now worked by members of the local Land Dayak community with a minimum of supervision from Government, is not only going to be success in itself, but the model for a wide-spread extension of such schemes which should in time very greatly increase the Colony's production of its most important foodstuff. Results in the Bijat scheme in the Second Division and the smaller water control schemes in the Stapang area near Kanowit have also been very satisfactory.

Activities in connection with export crops h a v e been concentrated upon rubber — increasing quantities of high-yielding planting material, both clonal seed and budwood, have been distributed to smallholders and the Kuap Rubber factory which is financed from the Rubber Fund is now operating successfully and with increasing turnover. There can be little doubt that centralised factories of this type can and will contribute much to improving the present low quality of Sarawak's rubber exports. As far as the Department's own domestic affairs are concerned, the most important progress to report is the start made in the permanent buildings for the Department's staff training school at Batu Lintang, financed with Colonial Development and Welfare fund assistance.

The Director of Education reports to me that the number of children attending school continues to increase. The figures at the end of 1950 showed an increase of 3 1/2 thousand over those at the end of 1949.1 am advised by him that, parallel with an increase in the school'population which has now doubleu since 1941, there has been a steady improvement in the standard of staffing in all types of

136

schools. The results of the activities of the Batu Lintang Training Centre are now beginning to be felt; this institution, in its second year, has sent out 48 certificated teachers to Government, Local Authority, Mission and private schools. A vacation course for teachers of English in Chinese schools was arranged and held in January; two women teachers from Chinese schools are now taking a short teaching course in England. It has been possible, as a result of the improvement of the staff position in the urban Mission schools, to make a beginning at least, in the the teaching of General Science. Twenty-one of the 28 candidates who sat the Cambridge School Certificate Examination from Kuching schools in December were successful, while 91 candidates, including 12 from Sibu were successful in the Junior Cambridge Certificate. During the last six months, 2 scholarships (one to Australia and one to the United Kingdom) have been awarded for Overseas Education.

operating in the Kuching district and a third proposed for Sibu. The excise Tevenue for the first three months of this year amounted to $255,040 as c o m p a r e d with the total of $374,520 collected during the whole of 1950 under the old arrack farm system. You will readily appreciate gentlemen the additional burden of work which these figures have laid upon the stalwart shoulders of the Commissioner and his willing staff.

I would like to refer to a subject which 1 touched on in my last Council Negri address which is, I am certain, of great interest to all members of Council, and that is the progress of local Government both urban dan rural. As you are all aware, it has long been in our minds to grant to the Municipality of Kuching a much higher degree of self determination in the management of its own affairs than has so far been possible, and to constitute it as a fully-fledged municipality collecting the bulk of its own revenues and controlling to a great Since N o v e m b e r last year the Forestry degree its own expenditure. A number of Department has constituted an additional 145 difficulties, including the almost inevitable square miles of reserve, including a large and difficulty of finding the staff necessary to such productive area in the Tinjar. The timber ex- an organisation, have made it impossible to port trade continues to- expand and the final begin the changes proposed before this date, figures for 1950, totalling 45,846 tons, show an but we have at last been able to solve at least increase of 15% on the 1949 figures. An some of the major problems of finance and interesting feature of these exports is the organisation. There is still a great deal of work great increase in the quantity of timber ex- to be done before the change can be effected ' ported direct to the United Kingdom. It has and it will be necessary for this legislature, been necessary, to ensure that supplies are probably at its next session, to approve the available for local building, to place an essential legislative and financial changes, but I can at least assure you with some confiembargo on the export of Belian timber. dence that it may be possible to grant Kuching The Land and Surveys Department, which the status of a Municipality some time in 1952. has also suffered by difficulty of recruitment As regards Rural Authorities, Members to its junior field staff, has, however, maintained good progress and I wish to make par- are aware that one of our greatest difficulties ticular reference to the progress made with in planning the expansion of such authorities the Rejang Delta Settlement Scheme, one of and the assumption by them of services which the biggest schemes of its kind ever under- they cannot at present accept has been the problem of deciding how they can finance taken in Sarawak.

The Department of Trade and Customs such services. It was obviously undesirable has weathered successfully a period in which that they should continue merely to be the it has suddenly been called upon to deal with Agents of the central Government, expending export trade of a value far in excess of that funds the bulk of which were granted to them which it handled in 1949 and the first of 1950. by the central Government. A committee The figures for 1950 show a favourable trade established early this year to examine the balance of no less than $54,026,410, exclusive w h o l e problem of the financing of these of oil, as compared with a figure of only authorities and of the services which they $2,672,340 in 1949. At the beginning of this might undertake has recently completed its year the Excise Ordinance administered by deliberations, and made recommendations the Department of Trade and Customs came which are substantially acceptable to myself into force; there are two arrack distilleries and will, I hope, prove acceptable to Council

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when these are laid before them. They provide for the collection by Local authorities of a number of fees and licences previously collected by the central Government and for the institution of rates, cesses and such other levies as may be required to finance an expanding programme of local social services. It is hoped that it may be possible in the very near future to begin the organisation of a particularly large and important authority in the Sibu district.

I should now like to refer briefly to some of the bills which come before you at this meeting. T w o of them, you will notice, refer to the delegation by the Governor and the Governor in Council of some of their powers. I am sure you will all appreciate that the only reason for the introduction of these measures is the heaviness of the burden now imposed on the Governor in Council by the considerable increase in the number of Ordinances, where it is essential for the efficient working of the Council that I and my advisers should be able to devote ourselves to the deliberation of the more important matters. The proposed delegation of certain powers will, you may rest assured, be e x e r c i s e d with the utmost discrimination.

There is a bill on your agenda to provide for the variation of Native Customary Law which I regard as most necessary for the future progress of the natives people. The bill is designed to enable variations to be made in the recognised codes of their customs which have for long had the effect of law, but which, since the Constitution Ordinance of 1941, have been fixed and incapable of variation in accordance with the natural evolution of the peoples. I wish to stress this point: changes in the customary law will only be made at the instance of the people themselves and in

accordance with the general consensus of their opinion, so that they will themselves govern the rate of their advance and release from the restraining bonds of outworn customs.

The Currency Bill is a measure which will be fully explained to you by my Financial Secretary. The only other bills I wish to mention are the Immigration and Passport Bills. It had been hoped to present these to Council at this meeting, but unfortunately the Secretary of State's approval to these measures has not yet been recieved as they are still under consideration in London. I am convinced of the urgency for replacement of our present inadequate legislation on this subject; the Secretary of State has therefore been asked that his advisers should complete examination of these bills as early as possible and I hope that I shall be in a poition to call a special meeting of Council in the near future at which they will be presented to you.

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You will have heard by now of the very generous invitation we have received from His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. We have been asked to send three of your members to England to attend the Festival of Britain as guests of His Majesty's Government. A most interesting programme has been arranged for them and I am sure that they will enjoy themselves and see much which is of interest and value and which will enrich their minds and widen their field of vision to the future benefit of this Council and the Country. Their days will be busy and many people will wish to make their acquaintance but I hope they will make time to visit the Rajah and convey the humble respects of this Government to His Highness.

The fair name of Sarawak is in good hands and we could not wish for better ambassadors.

T H E S A R A W A K GAZETTE, M A Y 30, 1953

His Excellency's Address to Council Negri — 5.5.53 Mr President and Members of Council Negri: When last I had the honour of addressing Council in December of last year, a state of emergency still existed in the First Division, but shortly afterwards, on the 16th of January, I felt that it was possible to revoke the order since there had been no recurrence of trouble and quite a number of disaffected persons who had shown no liking for our liberal way of life had elected to go elsewhere to seek their earthly paradise. Since that incident in August, 1952, we in Sarawak have not suffered any outward agression at the hands of the Communists but that is not to say that the Government or the people of this country can afford for one moment to relax their vigilance or lower their defences. You will note on your Order Paper that Government still considers it necessary to retain powers allowing for the detention of persons in certain circumstances and with the necessary safeguards, and you will be asked to approve these powers for a further period. Furthermore, although the people of this country have not during the last few months been the victims of violence or disruption of their daily lives — indeed, there have been some encouraging and comforting signs of improvement in public morale and determination — yet the picture in Asia as a whole does not, I am afraid, lead me to any feelings of very great confidence.

In Malaya there has been a steady improvement of the situation in the fighting against the bandits. The success of the security forces is now dearly no temporary phase. The bandits have lost the initiative in the field and are being hard pressed, and they know it as the increasingly frequent surrenders prove. We rejoice in this success and are proud that Sarawak citizens have contributed in some measure to this healthier state of affairs. But let us not delude ourselves into thinking that a victory won in Malaya necessarily lessens the danger in Sarawak.

The Communists in Korea show no desire whatsoever to bring about an honourable and reasonable armistice. They show only a determination to continue their agressive policy of

domination in Asia. Any country which desires to maintain its own way of life, to develop its resources and to progress along the road of prosperity and happiness, must be sufficiently strong to deter the. aggressor.

At your last meeting you voted large sums of money for the purpose of improving the efficiency of the Constabulary. It is essential to continue this process; even though our revenues may suffer a decline, and our enemies remain quiescent or are fully engaged elsewhere. Let us ensure that what is happening at this moment to the little kingdom of Laos, a country of hardworking, God-fearing peasant farmers, wanting only to live in peace and work out their own salvation, does not happen in Sarawak. In Laos we see where inadequate defence and preparation and divided loyalties may lead — a fair and prosperous land laid waste by foreign invasion and the horrors of war.

N o w let us consider what progress we in S a r a w a k h a v e m a d e during the last si$ months.

Y o u will have heard that a meeting was held in Kuching on the 23rd of April last under the chairmanship of His Excellency the Cornmissioner-General, the Right Honourable Mr Malcolm MacDonald, at which His Excellency the Governor of North Borneo, His Highness the Sultan of Brunei and myself were present with our respective advisers. As I consider this meeting and what arose there from to be of considerable importance, I will give you some explanation of its background and purpose.

Since the middle of 1950 a Joint Defence Committee for the Borneo Territories has been in existence. This Committee has met twice a year to consider all aspects of the defence of the three territories in order to make sure that our invidual plans are known to each other, that c o - o r d i n a t i o n is c o m p l e t e , that communications are adequate and that the mobilization of our joint resources can be achieved as efficiently and speedily as possible — in short, to ensure that we can assist each other effectively and rapidly in any emergency. You have witnessed for yourselves that these discussions have proved fruitful. We re-

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c e i v e d v e r y p r o m p t a n d e f f i c i e n t aid f r o m t h e N o r t h B o r n e o p o l i c e last A u g u s t , a s d i d B r u n e i i n M a r c h o f this y e a r . T h e B r u n e i o p e r a t i o n w a s a t r i u m p h o f o r g a n i z a t i o n . W i t h i n six h o u r s of t h e r e c e i p t of our call f o r assistance to t h e G o v e r n o r o f N o r t h B o r n e o , sixty p o l i c e h a d a r r i v e d b y air i n the o i l f i e l d s area a n d h a d b e e n i s s u e d w i t h w e a p o n s a n d rations a n d w e r e at their posts as a f u l l y e f f e c t i v e f o r c e .

c o m e of several years of planning and the c h a n g e - o v e r f r o m t h e status o f G o v e r n m e n t d e p a r t m e n t to that of an a u t o n o m o u s m u n i c i pality w a s e f f e c t e d according to plan with the m i n i m u m o f dislocation. T h e v o l u m e o f business passing through the M u n i c i p a l i t y has continued to s h o w a steady increase w h i c h has b e e n a p p a r e n t f r o m 1950 o n w a r d s . T h e C o u n cil has m a d e a n e n c o u r a g i n g start a n d i s f a c i n g

I t w a s c l e a r that i n matters other than d e f e n c e a c l o s e r c o - o r d i n a t i o n of p o l i c y , a p o o l i n g of t e c h n i c a l resources, t h e e x c h a n g e of i d e a s a n d e x p e r i e n c e a n d t h e unification o f l a w s a n d r e g u l a t i o n s w o u l d b r i n g b e n e f i t t o all t h r e e territories. It w a s t h e r e f o r e a g r e e d at this c o n f e r e n c e that at intervals of six m o n t h s simil a r c o n f e r e n c e s w o u l d b e h e l d u n d e r the chairmanship of the Commissioner-General. T h e p e r m a n e n t m e m b e r s of the Sarawak-North Borneo-Brunei C o n f e r e n c e are the Governors o f S a r a w a k a n d N o r t h B o r n e o , a n d the Sultan of Brunei, all of w h o m w i l l of course be supp o r t e d b y b o t h o f f i c i a l a n d u n o f f i c i a l advisers.

It w a s also a g r e e d to establish a system of p e r i o d i c j o i n t m e e t i n g s b e t w e e n the H e a d s o f D e p a r t m e n t s of t h e t h r e e territories f o r the discussion of p r o b l e m s of mutual a n d g e n e r a l interest, a n d to p r o m o t e as far as p o s s i b l e coo r d i n a t i o n of p o l i c y a n d administration.

its difficulties, a m o n g w h i c h t h e m a t t e r o f p u b -

N o t h i n g but g o o d can c o m e of a s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f t h e ties b e t w e e n t h e s e t h r e e territories in t h e Island of B o r n e o . By sharing t h e b u r d e n o f our p r o b l e m s a n d difficulties a n d d e c l a r i n g our unity o f p u r p o s e w h i l s t e a c h k e e p s his o w n individuality, customs a n d traditions, w e w i l l g a i n i n stature a n d i n the i n f l u e n c e f o r g o o d w e c a n e x e r t i n this part o f the world.

I am sure that I am e x p r e s s i n g the sentim e n t s o f yourself M r P r e s i d e n t a n d the m e m b e r s o f y o u r C o u n c i l w h e n I say h o w p l e a s e d w e a r e t o w e l c o m e h e r e this m o r n i n g t h e M a h a r a j a Laila and the Orang Kaya Di G a d o n g o f Brunei. T h e s e t w o distinguished m e m b e r s of His H i g h n e s s ' s State Council h a v e m a d e the journey here in order to o b s e r v e t h e p r o c e e d i n g s of this C o u n c i l a n d I h o p e . t h e y w i l l f i n d the e x p e r i e n c e u s e f u l a n d i n s t r u c t i v e a n d that t h e y w i l l e n j o y this short s a y in o u r c a p i t a l city.

y i e l d e x p e c t a t i o n s a r e r e a l i s e d , S a r a w a k has,

In t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of l o c a l G o v e r n m e n t a

war. T h e department is tackling the problem

h e r o a d transport i s p e r h a p s t h e m o s t p r e s s i n g , with courage and patience. In January, at the invitation o f the G o v e r n m e n t , M r A . A . F o r w a r d , C o m m i s s i o n e r f o r R o a d T r a n s p o r t i n the F e d e r a t i o n of M a l a y a , p a i d a visit to a d v i s e u p o n this p r o b l e m i n K u c h i n g . H i s r e p o r t has n o w b e e n r e c e i v e d a n d c o n f i r m s w h a t has p r e v i o u s l y b e e n a p p a r e n t — that t h e r e a r e far t o o m a n y public passenger vehicles on the roads a n d that t h e s e r v i c e e x t e n d e d t o t h e p u b l i c i s b y n o m e a n s all that i t should b e . T h e r e p o r t i s b e i n g studied a t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e b y t h e M u n i cipal C o u n c i l .

I shall n o w d e a l w i t h s o m e p o i n t s of interest in the w o r k of the D e p a r t m e n t s of G o v e r n m e n t . Firstly, A g r i c u l t u r e . T h e p r o s p e c t s f o r the 1952/3 p a d d y c r o p a r e g o o d . T h e total a c r e a g e o f this y e a r ' s c r o p h a s b e e n far h i g h e r than f o r t h e 1951/2 c r o p a n d , p r o v i d e d t e m p o r a r i l y a t a n y rate, o v e r c o m e t h e m o s t serious situation i t has h a d t o f a c e w i t h r e g a r d to rice imports for m a n y years. P r o v i d e n c e m a y not a l w a y s b e s o k i n d i n f u t u r e a n d i t i s h o p e d that our f a r m e r s w i l l p r o f i t f r o m this e x p e r i e n c e a n d not b e s o k e e n i n f u t u r e t o n e g l e c t essential p a d d y p r o d u c t i o n f o r t e m p o r a r i l y p r o f i t a b l e cash crops. I t s h o u l d n o t b e f o r g o t t e n that last y e a r , i n 1952, w e h a d t o i m p o r t no less than 28,000 tons of rice at a g r e a t cost t o t h e c o n s u m e r ; a n d t h e p r i c e continues t o r i s e . M o s t o f this r i c e c a m e f r o m S i a m t o w a r d s w h o s e frontiers t h e m e n a c e o f C o m munism marches.

Pepper diseases are causing increasing a n x i e t y and, w h i l s t t h e r e i s n o c a u s e f o r a l a r m and despondency as yet, o n e cannot help r e m e m b e r i n g the h a v o c that d i s e a s e a t times w r o u g h t i n our p e p p e r g a r d e n s b e f o r e the

f u r t h e r step f o r w a r d w a s m a d e . On the 1st of

energetically and outside expert advice is

J a n u a r y , 1953, t h e K u c h i n g M u n i c i p a l O r d i -

b e i n g o b t a i n e d , a n d t h e S e c r e t a r y of State is

n a n c e w a s b r o u g h t into f o r c e a n d o n the s a m e

t r y i n g to recruit a p l a n t p a t h o l o g i s t f o r us.

d a y t h e i n a u g u r a l m e e t i n g o f the K u c h i n g

W h i l s t t h e r e s e e m s little h o p e of e f f e c t i n g a

M u n i c i p a l C o u n c i l w a s h e l d . T h i s w a s the out-

cure o f b a d l y d i s e a s e d v i n e s , i t d o e s s e e m that

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the prospects of preventing the spread of even the worst diseases are g o o d , p r o v i d e d all gardeners w i l conscientiously take the proper precautions. Sarawak's p e p p e r industry is now extremely prosperous and it would be a disaster of the first magnitude if disease extinguished the industry. It is hoped therefore that all gardeners will accept the advice of the Department of Agriculture in this matter and co-operate fully with them.

Due to the fall in prices, the rush to plant a n e w rubber has abated somewhat; there is still however a healthy tendency to plant up n e w areas of h i g h y i e l d i n g material w h e n the material can be obtained. It is perhaps of interest to record that in 1952 the total value of rubber exported from the Third Diviion was almost equalled by the value of pepper, timber and sago, thus indicating a more balanced economy and not the complete dependence on rubber which has caused so much anxiety in the past.

T h e Forest Department is making steady progress in its main tasks of formation and protection of permanent forest, inventories of the Colony's forest resources and the planning of the systematic working of timber in accordance with the principle of sustained yield. By the end of 1952, the area of permanent forests in the Colony totalled 7,506 square miles, and further 2,400 square miles are now in process of constitution. At the end of 1951, only 2 square miles, of forest w e r e being developed under working plans. During the past year this figure has been increased to 84 square miles, and plans for further v e r y large areas are almost complete. Work on forest inventories is proceeding steadily, and special attention is being given to an assessment of the Colony' resources; this project, however, owing to the very uneven distribution of the species, presents peculiar difficulties and will take some years to complete. Until it is completed, future policy with reference to belian timber must remain undecided, but in the meantime every care must be taken to ensure that it is used with the utmost economy.

As foretold in December, the timber industry has continued steadily to expand. T h e total production of timber increased from approximately 110,000 tons in 1951 to 202,000 tons in 1952, but of recent months there has been a decline in local demand. T h e quantity of timber exported, in terms of round timber, increased from 69,500 tons in 1951 to 128,000

tons in 1952. There is no sign of a decline in this trade, and exports during the first two months of the present year totalled approximately one-fourth of the total exports for 1952. Of recent months there has been some revival in the trade with Australia, which had previously fallen to a low level. T h e United Kingdom and H o n g K o n g remain the principal importers. It is pleasing to note that there is a general, though fluctuating, tendency for the number of export timbers to increase and 25 kinds of timber w e r e exported under their own names in 1952, the highest number so far recorded.

T h e decision of the Government to allow the Colonial Timber Company to take over Government land at Rejang for a n e w mill has been w e l l received in the village w h e r e full employment will once again be available after many years of depression.

T h e Director of Lands and Surveys reports that a scheme to settle Chinese on land suitable for rubber, coconut and padi on the coastal lands b e t w e e n Oya and Mukah has been completed and the land w i l l b e made available during the next f e w months.

T h e mapping facilities of the Land and Surv e y Department have been improved by the acquisition of a modern machine used for compilation of maps from air photographs. T h e Department is n o w able to produce sketch maps for special purposes such as agricultural and forestry projects and d e v e l o p m e n t schemes generally.

T h e meteorological staff in Kuching has now m o v e d to the Kuching Airfield, w h e r e the installation of staff quarters and up-to-date equipment and offices has b e e n completed.

Meteorological offices and quarters have also been completed at Miri and Bintulu.

T h e Department of Trade and Customs reports that the year 1952 closed with the aggreg a t e v a l u e of the Colony's external trade being $821,509,270, $70,585,623 down on the previous year, with an apparent favourable trade balance of $55,617,364. T h e large decrease in the trade balance, $79,986,615, as compared with 1951, was due to the decline in both the volume and value of rubber exported.

It would have been reasonable to have expected this decline to have had a greater adverse effect on the general prosperity of the Colony than it did, but, while rubber is still the Colony's main export, the secondary industries, sago, pepper and timber, contributed

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greatly to maintaining a moderately high level of prosperity and resulted in a satisfactorily trading year. The factors most responsible for this continued prosperity were pepper and timber. The rapid recovery of the pepper industry since the war has been remarkable and exports for the year, approximately 4,000 tons, were only a little short of the peak year 1934.

Timber is rapidly becoming an important item in the Colony's economy with exports for the year being 80% over those 1951. The Government's policy of encouraging interest in industries other than rubber has amply justified itself, and the results from the pepper and timber industries over the past year have saved the Colony from what might well have been a slump. If, however, the Colony is to depend less on rubber, a still further expansion of the Colony' secondary industries will be necessary.

T h e Public Works Department's constructional activities, as might be expected, have been hampered in the last f e w months by the exceptional weather conditions, and progress in building works has been mainly confined to completion of last year's schedule and preliminaries for the programme this year. Included in the latter is a considerable expansion of P o l i c e t r a i n i n g f a c i l i t i e s and accommodation throughout the Colony. Work has started on the erection of new Government offices in Kuching and the establishments required for the Broadcasting Scheme.

Progress on re-surfacing of the KuchingSerian Road has been disappointing and the work is not expected to be completed before June. The Bau Road reconstruction also has not gone ahead so well as had been hoped and it may not be finished until the middle of 1954.

Survey of the Serian-Simanggang road trace has been completed and the calling of tenders is in hand. At Sibu, recourse has been made to the import of stone from Hong Kong to enable bazaar road reconstruction to proceed.

A Superintendent has recently arrived to take charge of our Leper Settlement. He has worked for many years for the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association before coming to Sarawak to assist us in this vital work.

The A T A S Clinic was opened in March, and e x c e l l e n t e x a m p l e of what can be achieved by the general public in co-operation with Government. The first B.C.G. vaccination programme for the control of tuberculosis is nearing completion. Five local teams have now been trained to continue the work after the departure of the W o r l d Health Organisation team.

Mr P.J. Shannon has retired from the post of Commissioner, Sarawak Constabulary, and Mr G.S. Wilson arrived from Hong Kong in March and assumed command of the Police Force.

The Constabulary (Special Allowances) Regulations, 1952, came into effect on the 1st January, 1953. Members of the rank and file who qualify under the various headings, Education, Languages, and Specialists, will materially benefit. Payment of these allowances should encourage members of the rank and file to make every effort to improve their professional knowledge and will, it is hoped, react favourably on the morale and efficiency of the Constabulary.

By the courtesy of the Commissioners of Police, Federation of Malaya and Singapore, Gazetted Officers, Inspectors and N.C.O.'s this Force are attending courses both in the Federation and Singapore on General Police Duties, Special Branch work, driving and simple mechanics.

Arrangements for the establishment of a major quarry at Sebuyau have gone forward and it is anticipated that delivery of stone will commence during the second half of the year.

The department is still hampered in its work by the shortage of staff.

T h e M e d i c a l Department has made a promising start in the scheme for the training of midwives; three fully trained women are n o w e n g a g e d in Sibu, Simanggang and Kuching on this programme.

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The establishment of the Inspectorate has been increased by 12. An intensive recruiting drive is under way to fill vacancies in the Inspectorate. The Commissioner of Police of the Federation of Malaya has undertaken to recruit and train a number of Inspectors recruited by him for the Sarawak Constabulary together with those selected from Sarawak.

Preliminary reports indicate that the officers recruited in Sarawak are doing extremely well and creating a favourable impression. There are still ome 240 vacancies in the rank and file of the regular police.

The first platoon of the Field Force has already been recruited from the Second Division and is now undergoing training. On the completion of its initial training at the Police Training School it will be transferred to the

Jungle Training School at Bukit Siol for advanced training. The second platoon has been formed and is now under training at the Police Training School. T h e object of the Field Force is to provide Government with a mobile striking force which can be called out at short notice to deal with emergencies. Further recruiting in the force will be undertaken in the Third, Fourth and Fifth Divisions.

N e w barrack blocks have been completed at the Police Training School providing a w e l come addition to the available accommodation, and a n e w canteen and mess room have also been completed.

In December last I stressed particularly the need for greater vigilance and a higher sense of responsibility on the part of managers, teachers and parents in Chinese schools and I am therefore very glad to report that the tone and discipline at a number of our schools, w h e r e previously the situation was far from satisfactory, have shown a marked improvement during the past f e w months. An improvement in the supervising staff situation of the Education Department is at last enabling more attention and help to be given to schools. T h e appointment of a w e l l qualified Education Officer, on secondment from H o n g Kong, is a w e l c o m e addition to the staff. T h e growing c o - o p e r a t i o n of m e m b e r s of boards of management is an encouraging sign and will result in continued improvement; especially if this is supported by an increasing number of parents beginning to take a more genuine interest in the welfare of their children. This i m p r o v e m e n t r e f l e c t s g r e a t credit on the Director and his staff as well as on the managers of the schools.

T h e expansion of primary and secondary education continues to be encouraging. In the C a m b r i d g e Junior Certificate Examination held in 1952, 110 pupils qualified for certificates as against 76 successful candidates in 1951.

A successful Refreshers Course for teachers in the Batang Lupar District w a s organised by the District Group Supervisor last December. A Conference of all Group Supervisors held at the Training Centre early this year provided a valuable opportunity for the exchange of information and ideas.

During the past f e w months a further thirt e e n students h a v e b e e n a w a r d e d Scholarships for higher education overseas, but some of these are awaiting admission to va-

rious institutions. This higher stage of our educational programme is progressing most satisfactorily. In addition to the recent awards just mentioned, since liberation more than seventy students have b e e n sent overseas, under various scholarship schemes on courses of higher training covering thirty different subjects. It is very pleasing that our first Saraw a k students have obtained degrees at the n e w University of Malaya; two in Medicine and two in Arts.

T h e Batu l i n t a n g Training Centre suffered a sad loss by the resignation of Mr J. K. Wilson at the end of last year. A n e w Principal, a w e l l qualified and experienced officer, has b e e n appointed and should be arriving in June. It is pleasing to be able to report that, as a result of the efforts of those p e o p l e responsible for recruitment, a larger group of young men and w o m e n has entered the centre this year to take the Grade HA Course. It is significant that these student-teachers have been drawn from Chinese M i d d l e schools in Kuching and Sibu, as w e l l as f r o m G o v e r n m e n t and Mission schools. Furthermore, this n e w group is now r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of Malays, D a y a k s and Chinese. T h e standard of entry into the PostPrimary Classes has also improved considerably over the last f e w years which indicates that trained teachers, in spite of thir many difficulties, have helped greatly to improve the quality of some of our local schools. In 1949 not one pupil from Dayak rural schools was found suitable academically for entry into Batu Lintang. For the n e w admissions this year there w e r e over a hundred applications from the rural primary schools, and a class of thirty promising pupils of correct a g e has b e e n recruited.

T h e Immigration Department has b e e n strengthened by the appointment of an additional Passport Examination O f f i c e r in Kuching; there are n o w Passport Officers stationed at Miri, Sibu, Sarikei and Kuching. This has materially increased the efficiency of immigration work and tended to centralise control.

T h e work of the Labour Department has increased considerably owing to the extended P.W.D. road contracts. A considerable number of w a g e disputes, brought to official notice, w e r e due to the malpractice of employing subcontractors and sub-sub-contractors; this has now been taken up and conditions of employment have lately improved.

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A Prisoners A i d Society has been formed to take over the work formerly done voluntarily by certain Rotarians in alleviating distress among the families of prisoners.

The Co-operative Development Department has been fully occupied since the beginning of the year in carrying out the Annual Audit of 109 registered Co-operatives. A few new groups are being prepared for registration, but this will take place only when all audits have been completed. It is not yet possible to supply statistics of 1952 Development, but the increase in assets is expected to be very considerable.

An interesting project has been started at Kampongs Muara Tuang and Bundong in the Samarahan, to which several departments are giving their combined efforts and advice. It is a community development scheme amongst the Malays: an attempt to improve every aspect of their social and economic conditions, in which adult education, more advanced agricultural techniques, co-operative methods and improved hygiene are all playing their part. The success of this pilot scheme must, however, ultimately depend upon the Malays themselves and thier keenness to improve their living standards. I am glad to say that the initial enthusiasm is encouraging.

The Museum has continued to analyse the results of the excavations at Santubong which have attracted widespread attention and interest outside the Colony. Many of the fragments of broken pieces have been fitted together with meticulous care and there are now about 30 complete pieces which give a clear idea of the type of ceramics traded between the Sarawak River Delta and the mainland of Asia eight to ten centuries ago.

A Museum expedition left for the Kelabit country in the headwaters of the Bar am on D e c e m b e r 2nd, 1952. T h e programme of collecting and research in that area has now been completed. The expedition took up tea and hemp plants to Bario, which is probably the highest permanent by inhabitated place in Borneo, at an elevation of 3,500 feet. These plants were doing very well when last seen in March.

The turtles have done well and a nett profit of $28,000 was handed over to the Turtle Trust for religious and charitable purposes.

While the Postmaster-General was on leave in the United Kingdom, he visited the l e a d i n g T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Equipment

Manufacturers. In collaboration with Messrs.

Preece Cardew and Rider, Consulting Engineers to the Crown Agents, he was able to consider Sarawak requirements for material and equipment having regard to price and quality.

Underground cables for Kuching to the value of $500,000 have been ordered and delivery in the United Kingdom is expected not later than June.

A detailed specification for the Kuching Automatic Exchange has been drawn up and tenders called for. The outcome is not yet known but delivery in the United Kingdom should be about January, 1954.

A decision has been made on the contractor to supply and instal the equipment for the V.H.F. Radio Telephone Scheme. The order is about to be placed and delivery in the United Kingdom is expected to commence in September, 1953. The contractor will send installing engineers to Sarawak a f e w months in advance of arrival of equipment to prepare staff and conduct radio surveys so as to be ready to commence installation work without delay.

The appointment of a new Chief Justice, Mr E.H. Williams, Senior Puisne Judge, Hong Kong, has bÂŁen approved by Her Majesty the Queen and he is expected to arrive in Sarawak later this month.

The work of the Judicial Department has gone on unobstrusively and no special comment seems called for. The Courts have been called upon to deal with little serious crime.

Most of the work has been on the civil side The records of the cases tried by the lower courts show that magistrates have on the whole done their work conscientiously and to the best of their ability. One of the Judges has given a course of lectures on Law to the prospective Sarawak Administrative Officers who will thus acquire in advance some familiarity with their Judicial duties.

The Government Information Service continues to expand its activities and there have been two note-worthy developments.

By the generosity of the Director of the Malayan Film Unit, a member of the Information staff has been well trained in "the use of both still and moving picture cameras. The Information Office is now making its own photographs for distribution both within Sarawak and abroad, and several promising films of life in Sarawak have already been mads and shown.

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rents and the intensive demands made on them, has been brought in a f e w years to a very advanced scientific level; and it is natural that in a country where hitherto there has been no broadcasting, there are no experienced men.

Since last year, intensive negotiation, personal enquiry, and advertisement have been carried on, both locally and in Singapore, Malaya and Hong Kong to find and engage the men we need. So far, because the terms we are able to offer consonant which the terms of service in other and comparable branches of Government service are not attractive enough, we have not been able to engage any of the men we need and the Chief Engineer is still working single-handed and at great pressure. Because of these staff difficulties, it is doubtful whether the main service — and I feel bound to give you this warning — can be in operation by the end of this year, as we had hoped. But I am sure that every possible effort will be made by those concerned to achieve this.

The appointment at the beginning of the year of an experienced Chinese writer has made possible the production of original pamphlets in Chinese about Sarawak—an important enterprise which will grow in volume.

Greatly increased help to other Departments of Government in translation to and from English and Chinese has also been made possible by this appointment. This service, working in c o - o p e r a t i o n with the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, is much in demand.

Both these developments help one of the main purposes of the Information Service, which is to provide for the people of Sarawak fuller opportunities to learn what their fellow citizens think and do.

To this same end, more reading rooms outside Kuching have been opened and equipped. Community wireless listening sets have been bought and are installed in the reading rooms as these are opened, and in other approved centres in the smaller outstations.

Mobile cinema units based in Sibu and Miri are now established and working in the Third and Fourth Divisions. The Third Division units has its own outboard motor sampan and the Fourth Division uses the Public Address motor van stationed at Miri.

Turning to the Sarawak Broadcasting Service, I am glad to say that good progress has been made. The Chief Engineer arrived in Kuching in January, and the Programme Organiser early in March, and both officers have been hard at work since their arrival. The Springfield site for the headquarters of the Service, in Rock Road, Kuching, has been cleared and levelled and tenders for the construction of the main building have been received. A temporary building on the same site for housing the pilot broadcasting service has been erected, and, subject to a major difficulty to which I will refer in a moment, this service should be in operation in June or July.

The major difficulty is the problem of finding the experienced technical staff essential for the very complex and skilled task of installing and working both the pilot and the main transmitters and their ancillary equipment. It has been our firm purpose from the beginning to engage, and to continue to employ, Sarawak men and women in the service; but for the senior technical posts it has been possible to do so. This is unfortunate, but understandable.

Broadcasting engineering is a new science which, by the devotion and skill of its adhe-

N o w may I issue a word of caution on the subject of Finance? Although we are not so dependent as formerly on rubber for our revenue, it is still our main industry and we cannot expect a return to the boom prices of 1951 or anything near them. We must also expect in the future to see a reduction in the price that our pepper will fetch.

Our customs and excise revenue for 1952 was S12V2 million less than in 1951, and the tonnage of rubber exported has fallen by 20%.

We cannot afford, therefore, any great expansion of Government services at the present time. In fact, I consider that we may well be faced with the necessity to practise considerable economies in the near future. Our finances are in a healthy state and the country has shown itself economically far more resilient than was expected. However, some of us may still be thinking in terms of boom prices and years of exceptional revenue and I think we should realise that those days over and we must adjust our plans to our present means.

I have no special comment to make on the order of business for this Session or on the bills which are to be put before you. But I would like to draw your attention to an omission.

When you last met I mentioned that some of our Iban trackers in Malaya were being used experimentally in combat duties. That experiment proved a success and the Federation Government with the consent and co-operation of this Government has since been re-

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cruiting Dayaks for combat duties in Malaya.

This force now bear the honoured title and wears the badges of the Sarawak Rangers.

It was clearly desirable that the force so raised should have military status and that provision should be made for this both under the law applicable in the Federation and by the law of this country.

I am happy to say that the immediate step of giving military status to this force while in Malaya has been provided for by Emergency Regulations enacted in the Federation. A Bill has also been prepared here to regularize with retrospective effect the arrangements made and to incorporate the force raised in the Sarawak Volunteer Force. It will I am sure be readily understood that legislation of this character requires careful consideration and it was thought desirable to obtain the comments both of the Federation Government and the Secretary of State. Thelatter's comments have only just reached me and in the circumstances for this Session.

In a f e w weeks' time we and countless others throughout the Commonwealth, and indeed throughout a great part of the World, will be engaged in celebrating the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

I believe the plans for Coronation Week are nearing completion and I hope they will meet with general approval. We want everyone to enjoy himself and we want all to be able to take a part in this great family gathering.

Sarawak has quite a reputation for its' hospital-

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ity and for its capacity for enjoyment and I have no doubt at all that we will make the very best of an occassion which provides us with so excellent an excuse for celebration and merriment. For never has a Queen more beloved or more beautiful ridden forth to her coronation.

Beneath the gaiety and charm of youth shines forth for all who wish to see that deep sense of devotion to duty and consecration to the service of her people which is such a moving inspiration to her loyal subjects.

I want all of you here to-day, the representatives of your people, to make it your special responsibility to ensure that the plans you have made emphasise that our celebrations in Coronation Week are principally for the benefit and enjoyment of the young; let us make of this Week a great festival of youth, at whose head rides our young and gracious Queen. We want every boy ang girl throughout the whole of our rejoicing country to cany, through the rough and tumble of the years to come, a bright and happy and indelibale picture of these great days of 1953.

You Mr President, supported by member of this Council, will be our witnesses to the act of crowning and dedication in Westminster Abbey on the 2nd June and you will carry with you our loyal greetings to Her Majesty and our fervent prayers for a long and glorious reign.

Mr President and members of Council Negri. I thank you for your attention. M a y God guide and prosper your deliberations.