Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra35361901roya).pdf/187

 Notes of a Tour through the Siamese States on the West Coast of the Malay Peninsula, 1900.

Having assumed charge of the Consulate in April this year and wishing to become acquainted with some of the Western Siamese States which have not been visited since 1894, I left Penang in the colonial launch Seabird at 10 P. M. on

Tuesday 11th December, taking with me Mr. PEEL, District Officer, Bukit Mertajam. I elected to go in December as the weather at this season is settled with a N. E. wind blowing from the land. It was a fine moonlight night and we reached the mouth of the Kedah river before daybreak.

Wednesday 12th December.—The Sultan's Secretary came on board at the entrance to the river and we reached the landing place at Alorstur about 6.0 4. M. Here I was received by some of the leading officials and a guard of honour and we drove in a carriage and pair to the Sultan's country house at Anak bukit. H. M. the RAJA MUDA accompanied us. I arranged to be at the Consulate at 9,0, previous notice having been given of my intended visit some time before. After breakfast we drove to the Consulate which has been lately repaired. Every assistance was given to me by the Kedah Officials. I enquired into several cases of minor importance and a considerable number of British subjects presented themselves for registration. Having des- patched the business in hand and arranged to attend the next day, we drove back to Anak bukit where I discussed various questions with the RAJA MUDA, At 3.0 P.M. I paid an official visit to H. H. the Sultan who is in very feeble health and at times hardly equal to transact public business. Having taken leave of the Sultan we proceeded with the RAJA MUDA to in- spect the Public Offices. The buildings are excellently adapted for the purpose and present quite an imposing appearance, though