Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/34

 18 LIFE IX JAVA.

lie gave a cursory sketch of what was contained in the more formal statement to be read by the accountant from an official paper. When the last named official rose, after bowing to all pre- sent, he read out the names of the towns and villages in the residency of Madioen where opium was to be sold that year, adding, as a precautionary warning, that all who infringed the rules published by Government, either by the sale of opium, or by smuggling it into the island, would be severely punished.

On the termination of this preliminary proceed- ing, he beckoned one of the attendant lookerson to come forward, and directed him to put his hand into a bowl which was jilaced upon the table, and covered with a white napkin. From this bowl, containing slips of paper with the names of the ])rivileged towns upon them, this individual drew a paper on which was written the name " Ngawie," which he read out in a loud voice.

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