Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra35361901roya).pdf/188

 the style of architecture may not be of the highest order. They were completed about four years ago and reflect great credit on the designer who carried out the work—MAHOMED LEBBY TAMBI, formerly employed under me in the Police Court, Penang. He is now building a fine new house for the RAJA MUDA.

The offices are admirably arranged—Treasury, Land and Survey, Courts of Law, and lastly an office for the Auditor Gen- eral. The various officials, including the Judge, were introduced. We were shewn a survey map of the town with all the various lots marked on it. The offices are open from 10.0 to 4.0, Malays being exclusively employed, aud in outward appearance at all events our colonial system is followed. So far as we could ascertain the office of Auditor-General is somewhat of a sinecure. He is said to query and examine accounts but there were no papers or books in his office. A census has lately been taken and we were shewn the figures which, however, are still incomplete for some of the up-country Mukins. I have on form- er occasions inspected the gaol, but did not do so on this visit. I noticed that the outside wall was beautifully white but the in- terior arrangements are I fancy what they have always been and are hardly up to date. Prisoners in chains are employed on outside labour in the town. A Kling dobi prisoner sent me a petition complaining that he was kept in gaol beyond the term of his sentence, but his warrant of commitment, which was pro- duced, proved that his statement was incorrect. The Raja MUDA, his younger brother, a son of TUNCKU DIA UDIN, the Auditor-General and two others dined at Anak bukit. We were the guests of the RAJA MUDA.

Thursday 13th December.—The RAJA MUDA came at 7.30 A. M. and we went down the river to the Consulate in a house boat, the RAJA MUDA pointing out the place where Lieut. THURBURM, R. N., of H. M. S. Hyacinth, was drowned when crossing the river at night after snipe shooting in October, 1891, The current here is strong and the boat must have struck a snag and capsized. The body was recovered opposite the Consulate $1 1⁄2$ miles down the river. The grave in the consular grounds, which has a stone cross over it, is kept in good order. Enquired into a number of cases including a complaint by a Penang China-