For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell
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Straits Times 2 May 1901 page 3. Selangor Club. AGM at K.L. Mr Belfield took the chair. Extract: “ Mr Russell the Vice -President intimated his disinclination to carry on the work of Vice President for another year. He said he thought the Club wanted a gentleman for V.P. who was both a leader of society and a keen sportsman. Mr. Russell said that a gentleman well fitted for the post and one who had always taken an interest in the Club was Dr Travers. A ballot was then taken and resulted as follows;- Mr. R. G. Watson 19 votes; Dr. Travers 19 votes. The President gave his casting vote in favour of Mr. Watson. The election of the new Committee resulted as follows: Dr Travers, Capt Ainslie, Messrs Bellamy. Hubback and Robson; Mr Joacquim and Mr. C. Meikle nominated by Government.
The Straits Times, 26 Jan 1903, page 5 The marriage of Mr. J Brown, of the Government Printing Office, Kuala Lumpur, with Miss Stratton, headmistress of the St. George’s Girls’ School, Penang, takes place at St. Andrew’s Cathedral this afternoon.
Straits Times 2 July 1903, page 10. “ Messrs Russell and Williams..have established two thoroughly efficient Printing Offices.”
The Straits Times, 17 May 1904, page 3 Kuala Lumpur News: The Government Printing office will soon undergo considerable changes and a thorough overhauling, owing to the amalgamation with the Perak printing department. The building will also be considerably extended.
The Straits Times, 3 June 1904, page 4. It is believed at Penang, that Mr. Stuart E Williams, the manager of the Government Printing Office, has been offered the post of Superintendent, Government Printing Office, Singapore, recently vacated by Mr. V. C. Pritchard.
Straits Times 17 June 1904 Page 5 PERAK OFFICIAL MOVES THE Perak and Selangor Printing offices are to be amalgamated into one Federal establishment. In the event of this federation, in all probability Mr. J Russell, Government Printer, Selangor, will be given the Federal appointment. Mr. S E Williams, Government Printer, Perak, has been offered the appointment of Superintendent, Government Printing Office, Singapore.
Straits Times, 25 June 1904, page 2 H.E.’s Tour Doings at Kuala Lumpur. A few days ago we published the itinerary of the Governor’s tour in the F.M.S. The Malaya Mail has supplemented the itinerary by giving the detailed programme, laid down for H.E. at Kuala Lumpur only. The unofficial residents will present H.E. with an address. Towkay Loke Yew offered an elephant’s tusk for a case for the address. The following committee was then appointed to take the matter in hand: - Messrs. G. Cumming, J.A. Robertson, L. Chow Kit, W. Nicholas, San Ah Wing, and J. Russell….“On the 8th, the Victoria Institution, the Gaol, the Tung San Hospital, the Government Offices, the Printing Office and the new Municipal Offices will be inspected during the morning…
From Clague page 192, F.M.S. Annual Report for 1904 PRINTING During the year 1904 it was determined to undertake all printing as a Federal matter and to have but one printing office at Kuala Lumpur where all the work for the various States could be executed. This was carried through successfully, for which the credit is mainly due to Mr. J. Russell, the Superintendent of the Kuala Lumpur office. The Printing Department at Taiping was closed, the Superintendent being transferred to the Service of the Colony, and most of the remaining staff to Kuala Lumpur. A very large amount of work of the usual satisfactory class was turned out by the Kuala Lumpur office under the able direction of Mr. J. Russell.
In 1905, Mr S.E. Williams, The Government Printer at Perak, retired on a superannuation allowance of $1,050 per annum, long before the age limit owing to continual ill health. It was only after his retirement that the printing office and staff were transferred to Kuala Lumpur and a Federal Printing Department formed. Straits Times 30 April 1914 page 10
Eastern Mail and Straits Morning Advertiser, 10 Aug 1906, page 2 The new gas engine at the Government Printing Office was in operation nearly all day yesterday and the unexpected explosions which occasionally occurred elicited a protest from the acting Chief Justice. An aroma of gas and oil also pervaded the Courtroom, and the continued outbursts of escaping steam led to the closing of all the shutters on one side of the room.
Eastern Mail and Straits Morning Advertiser, 11 Aug 1906, page 5 The new gas engine at the Government Printing Office was working much better yesterday. The smell was still in evidence at the Supreme Court, but there was no more of the startling detonations which were so disagreeable on previous days. The only noise heard was that of steam escaping through the exhaust pipe, which excited no comment from his Lordship.
The Malay Mail November 10, 1906 p. 3 King’s Birthday Parade on the Padang Ball at Carcosa (parade.. police..cadet corps..salute.. hockey match.. ball.. dances… dresses..list of guests.. Mr. J. Russell, Mr. G.D. Russell, Mr. J.A. Russell, Mr. P. Russell..)
Straits Times 27 August 1907, page 6. The extension to the Government printing office, Kuala Lumpur, is almost complete.
Straits Times, 18 May 1908, page 7 EMPIRE DAY Proposed Children’s Fete at Kuala Lumpur. Mr. R.G. Watson took the chair at the meeting of those interested in the celebration of Empire Day held at Kuala Lumpur, on the 12th inst. It was agreed to hold a children’ s fete on the Padang…….. Ground Committee: - Messrs. J. Russell, L.B. Von Donop, M.H. Graham and Captain A. McD. Graham….
Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 4 Feb 1909 page 5 The ss. Kamo Maru, one of the four fine new ships the N.Y.K. have put on their European run, left on Tuesday evening. Amongst the passengers embarking from Singapore were.. Mr John Russell head of the Kuala Lumpur Government Printing Department who goes on nine months’ leave.. Feb Jack on 9 months leave
1911 Census Household Transcript for 37 Chesnut Grove, New Malden. Name: Relationship to head: Marital Status: Years married: Sex: Age in 191§1 Occupation: Where born: ROUGH, ARCHILBALD HEAD MARRIED M 47 MANAGER OF WOOL WAREHOUSE BLAIRGOWRINE PERTHSHIRE ROUGH, EMILIE WIFE MARRIED 17 M 36 UXBRIDGE MIDX ROUGH, CECIL DAUGHTER SINGLE F 15 NEW MALDEN SURREY ROUGH, ARCHIBALD SON M 6 NEW MALDEN SURREY RUSSELL, JOHN VISITOR WIDOWER M 56 PENSIONER LONDON- MIDX MITCHELL, LOUISA SERVANT SINGLE F 24 DOMESTIC SERVANT NW MALDEN SURREY Address GRASMERE 37 CHESTNUT GROVE County Surrey District Kingston Subdistrict Kingston Enumeration District 33 Parish New Malden
Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 3 Dec. 1913, page 6. Lady Brockman will open The Selangor Artists exhibition at the old Government Printing Office, Kuala Lumpur, this afternoon…M.M.
Straits Times 30 April 1914 page 10 On March 1, 1911, Mr. J. Russell, Superintendent of Government Printing, went on pension receiving $2,357 per annum. He was very popular, but has left three of his sons amongst us all of whom are doing exceedingly well in private life.
Straits Times, 23 May 1916, page 6 The marriage of Miss Lucy de Alwis, daughter of Mr. Geelis de Alwis, of the Government Printing Office, and Mr. K. Edwin Perera, of the F.M.S. Railways, took place on May 15, before the Registrar of Courts, Kuala Lumpur.
“Bygone Selangor; a souvenir", by “Rimba” Kuala Lumpur 26th March, 1922. page 11 "John Russell was Superintendent of the Printing Establishment and a fine specimen of a man in physique and character, His sons we believe are all out here, except George Deary who took up work at home after being Manager of the Federated Engineering Co., in Kuala Lumpur. They have avoided the Government Service, but hold excellent, positions outside in this part of the world, one being head of the well known firm of J. A. Russell & Co., which he founded; and it is he that is the Chinese Scholar, speaking several dialects of that difficult language. Mr. and Mrs. Russell and family came out here and the younger boys went to school at the Victoria Institution but finished their education at home, and theirs is a very fine record indeed. P. C. Russell has just passed away after an operation, when recuperating in Australia leaving a widow and a host of real friends behind. Mrs. John Russell died in Singapore as the result of a carriage accident, deeply regretted by all."
Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 5 March 1923, p13 Mr. A Augustine de Alwis, Machine Foreman of the Government Printing Department, F.M.S. is retiring shortly, after 47 years service in Ceylon and Malaya. During that period Mr de Alwis has seen the gradual transformation of the printing, and other machines, manipulated by prison labour in the early days of their introduction in Taping, to the up-to-date motor -driven machinery which is now installed in the Government Press Buildings, off Brickfields Road, Kuala Lumpur. -M.M.
18 December 1930 Letter to Bob from Archie about their father's death.
106,Fenchurch Street London 18 December 1930 My dear Bob, I have just cabled you the news of poor fathers passing away last night. He got ill on Friday night and I went down on Saturday morning and had lunch with him, but his mind was wandering at times. I went back on Sunday morning and stayed until midnight, when he seemed to have dropped off to sleep, as I got ready to drive home. He had however; a very restless night and Dolly could not keep him in bed, so on Monday when George arrived we got a male nurse to come down for that night. George unfortunately had to leave early to go to Scotland. On Tuesday morning I engaged a day male nurse as well, and I stayed on at Wimbledon. Ethel was over all day, but I persuaded her to go back at midnight to Epsom and to come back again early on Wednesday morning. He was very gentle and patient, and although he wandered in his mind most of the time, he frequently had periods when he was quite lucid; but his speech was thick and difficult to follow. On Wednesday, that is last night, Ethel also stayed the night; but the poor dear old man passed away at 11.45 pm. He was very peaceful at the end and just seemed to drop off to sleep. He had been conscious for about half an hour at 5.30 in the afternoon and he recognised Dolly, Ethel and myself and smiled at us and murmured our names. He spoke a good deal to us but we could not catch what he was saying. I think however that he was apologising to us for being a nuisance. He held our hands tightly. Although his breathing was so difficult and he was so restless the doctor assured us that he only felt discomfort and no pain. Just towards the end he was quite calm. The cause of death was anaemia due to failure of the kidneys. He died on the anniversary of Birch’s death, which had upset him rather at the time. After his death he looked so peaceful and handsome, quite 20 years younger, with all the lines and wrinkles smoothed from his face and all the over colouring gone. We are burying him at East Sheen cemetery on Monday. It is a very pretty cemetery and he had expressed a wish to be laid there when his time came. When he got ill I told him that I would cancel my passage and I did so on Monday morning. I shall now have to come out by the Markunde? Leaving Marseilles on 16th January and coming on by Athos II ) mess agencies? Maritime from Colombo or by the Rawalpindie from Marseilles on 30th Jan. I suppose that you had better inform the Masonic Lodge of father’s death I think that it was fathers wish to go as he did. His sight was rapidly failing him and he feared going blind. He also feared having a stroke, or lingering on in a helpless condition. He said he had had on the whole a full and happy life and was prepared to leave. He was a wonderful man, the kindest most considerate, brave and honest man I have ever known. He also had a very fine intellect, and, in his younger days was a wonderful worker. But he had no personal ambition as apart from pride in his work, and no desire for personal advancement. His generosity was astonishing and only equalled by his sense of honour. I think he was the finest father in the world and I believe he must have been a good and devoted husband. He left a long lock of mother’s hair to be buried with him. It was a beautiful golden brown. It is hard to understand that we shall not see him in this world again. He was such a lovable man. I think that anybody who ever knew him well must have loved him. God rest his dear soul. Yours with love, Archie.
Malay Mail, Friday, December 19, 1930 Page 8. Death of Mr. John Russell. A cable has been received this morning in Kuala Lumpur announcing the death of Mr. Russell who was for many years in the Government Service here. The news of his death will be received with much regret by his old friends in Selangor, and the sympathy of all will go out to his sons, who are so closely identified with the commercial and business life of British Malaya. Mr. Russell was well on in the seventies and had been ailing for some time past; but the latest mail news was re-assuring. A member of our staff had the pleasure of meeting Mr. John Russell at Richmond in the summer and found him still keenly interested in all Malayan affairs. He was an extremely industrious and capable man. He produced the first magazine to be published in Kuala Lumpur. It was called the “Selangor Journal.” He also played his part in the social life of his town and was for a long time on the committee of the Selangor Club. Soon after his arrival in this country he had the misfortune to lose his wife in a carriage accident, and on his shoulders alone fell the task of bringing up a family of five sons, who, with one exception, survive him. It must have been a source of great satisfaction to him that they have all made good positions for themselves. He was a fine man and a good father.
The Straits Times, 20 December 1930, Page 12 DEATH OF MR. J. RUSSELL. Early Resident of Kuala Lumpur. (From our own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Dec 19 News has been received here of the death in England of Mr. John Russell, who was for many years in Government service in Malaya and one of the earliest residents of Kuala Lumpur. Mr J. A. Russell, managing director of Malayan Collieries Ltd., and Mr. R. C. Russell, also of Kuala Lumpur, are two of his four sons.
Straits Times 7 October 1934, page 15. SELANGOR PADRE WHO WAS EVERYONE’S FRIEND. (Article by J.C.P. about Father Letessier, who went to K.L. when Swettenham was Resident (1882-89). He had a piebald deli pony called Baboo, which he rode through the jungle to visit his parishioners. “As may be imagined, Baboo’s fame spread far and wide and when he died condolences poured in from all sides and John Russell, Government printer and special pal of the Padre, headed the list and sent the hat round to buy him a new pony”..” After a long innings ….Father Letessier was transferred to Penang. He had a great send-off. A dinner was given in his honour and John Russell on behalf of the European community presented him with an illuminated address and, if my memory serves me right, a purse as well..
Perak Printing Office.
Straits Times Weekly Issue 22 Sept 1886, page 2 We are glad to learn that the Foremanship in the Government Printing Office, vacant by the demise of Mr. Francis Nonis, has been given to Mr. Daniel Esbran, the second hand of that establishment, whose long services and experience fully entitle him to promotion.
Straits Times Weekly Issue 25 October, 1886, Page 3. A hard case. IT will be in the remembrance of our readers that Mr Francis Nonis of the Government Printing Office, died lately under very distressing circumstances, leaving a widow and nine children utterly destitute. Mr. Nonis died on the 9th September, and his widow applied for payment of his salary for that month, but this was refused, and only the proportion up to the date of his death was paid. She also presented to the Government a petition for some pecuniary aid, on account of her husband’s long and faithful services, he having been 23 years in the Government Printing Office, during the last 4 or 5 of which he acted as foreman. This application, however, was refused on the ground that Mr. Nonis should have subscribed to the Widows and Orphans’ Fund in connection with the Civil Service lately instituted. We understand, however, that Mr. Nonis really could not afford to subscribe to that fund. He had unfortunately become security for some of his fellow employees, and had for some months before his death to pay on their account a sum of $30 a month out of his salary of $55, leaving only $25 for the support of himself and his large family. Under these circumstances we trust that the Government will see its way to reconsider its refusal to give some assistance to this unfortunate family.
Straits Times 1 Sept 1940 page 6 Sir Hugh Low THE work of the Perak Printing Office was mainly to print government forms for all States. It had just been started when Mr. Alwis joined the office, and the superintendent was Major Tranchell and the foreman printer was Mr. J. Dishman. There were in addition about half a dozen Indians who had come to Taiping and had joined the office as compositors. Composing in Malay and Chinese was done by prisoners who were able to pick out the characters, and as all the work was short and straight, dealing mainly with official notices, expertness was not essential.
Printing: Background Information
On 5th October 1869, when he was 14, the records of the Stationer's Company show Jack was apprenticed as a compositor to George Andrew Spottiswoode of New Street Square, Printer for 7 years.
A dictionary of the art of printing published in 1841 Printed by Spottiswoode
"One of the rarer volumes in our library is a copy of A Dictionary of the Art of Printing, written by William Savage and published at London in 1841 by Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans. The printer was A. Spottiswoode, New-Street-Square. Arranged alphabetically, this book is a collection of practical facts and historical background on everything the nineteenth-century printer might wish to know. Covering topics ranging from the practical (casting-off, page imposition, mechanics, hyphenation rules) to the arcane (the Doomsday Book, Rose Engines) to the exotic (composition rules for Hebrew or Sanskrita), the book remains a valuable a tool for students of fine printing as well as the print historians."
Spottiswoode. Extract from Essex Records Office here. "The Company which eventually became known as Spottiswoode Ballantyne was founded in 1739 in London by a Scotsman, William Strahan (1715-85). Strahan forged for his business a national and even transatlantic reputation with a distinguished list of clients and correspondents. In 1755 the firm printed Dr Johnson's English Dictionary . Strahan's correspondents included the Wesley brothers and the American statesman, Benjamin Franklin. In 1770, with Charles Eyre, Strahan purchased the patent of King's Printer (subsequently renewed by his successors) to run for 30 years. This separate business was known as Eyre and Strahan, afterwards Eyre and Spottiswoode, well known for printing parliamentary publications such as the Statutes at Large series. The Spottiswoodes, Andrew and Robert, nephews of Andrew Strahan, the son and successor of the founder William Strahan, entered the partnership in 1819 on their uncle's retirement. Trading as Spottiswoode & Co. (it was formed into a limited company in 1900) the firm expanded greatly in and around its London site in the 19th century. A general history of the business is to be found in the Company's own publication, The Story of a Printing House... being a short account of the Strahans and Spottiswoodes by R.A. Austen-Leigh, London, Spottiswoode & Co., second edition, 1912. This very useful work contains illustrations, pedigrees of the Strahans, Spottiswoodes and Austen-Leighs (related to the authoress Jane Austen), some imprints of the business, details as to premises occupied and when, and of partnership successions. The third edition of this work, produced by Spottiswoode Ballantyne in Colchester in 1989 to mark the 250th anniversary of the Company, contains an appendix bringing the history of the Company up-to-date. There is a copy in the Library of the Essex Record Office in Colchester. The ledgers and other business records of William Strahan and his successors in the printing and publishing firm later known as Spottiswoode & Company covering the period 1739-1857 were deposited in the British Museum in 1955 as Additional Mss. 48800-49818 and Additional Charters 75421-75427. The relevant papers, including a detailed schedule of company records made on site at 1 New Street Square, London, by Museum staff in 1955, are to be found in D/F 182/12/3/6. The Company scrapbooks (D/F 182/9/1/1-7) throw interesting light on the world of the printing industry particularly for the period 1892-c1950. A brief epitome of the major dates and events in the Company's history is given in the History of Spottiswoode & Comy. Ltd., 1739-1909 (D/F 182/10/2/1)."
"His father, Andrew Spottiswoode, who was descended from an ancient Scottish family, represented Colchester in parliament for some years, and in 1831 became junior partner in the firm of Eyre & Spottiswoode, printers."
Straits Times 4 February 1890 page 9 Selangor News. The establishment of the Government Printing Office, the building of which will be commenced without delay, recommends itself most heartily to the public generally, and will probably prove, not only exceedingly useful to the authorities, but a source of profit as well. With a large and annually increasing revenue, the State funds can meet, without any undue pressure, more than the demands which may be fairly made upon them.
Straits Times Weekly Issue 1 April 1890 page 9 Mr. Russell, the Government Printer, with wife and family have arrived from England. It will be some little time yet before the new printing office will be ready for occupation, but the Government has hired a building for temporary use.
PRINTING DEPARTMENT
Government Printer John Russell
Chief Compositor Bungaroo Reddy
Compositor Lim Teck Choy
Do. J. W. Hendricks
Do. W. D. Fernando
Do. R. A. Naicker
Malay Compositor Mat bin Mahomed
Pressman Ah Ting
Do. R. Chittiar
Do. (vacant)
Book-Binder P. Joseph
Do. A. Emmanuel
Ruling Machineman C. Gnanamarnikam
Numberer (vacant)
Wheelman B. Sami
Clerk M. Jacob
Messenger Gopalasamy
Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 5 August 1892, page 1 The Government, I hear, have sanctioned a vote of $850 for the establishing of a local newspaper. Mr. Skeat, Dr. Travers and Mr. Russell are to be editors. Home and local politics are to be barred from its pages, and it is intended only to circulate news of local interest.
Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 9 August 1892, page 1 Selangor News. The report of the Government Printing office shows that the cost had been $11,306 and the receipts $868. 133 numbers of the Gazette were issued. The heading “Notes” has been seldom used, but Mr. Russell suggests that short papers relating to the State of a nature both useful and interesting might be published in each issue. Mr. Russell employs half a dozen convicts as unskilled labourers.
Sir Hugh Low THE work of the Perak Printing Office was mainly to print government forms for all States. It had just been started when Mr. Alwis joined the office, and the superintendent was Major Tranchell and the foreman printer was Mr. J. Dishman. There were in addition about half a dozen Indians who had come to Taiping and had joined the office as compositors. Composing in Malay and Chinese was done by prisoners who were able to pick out the characters, and as all the work was short and straight, dealing mainly with official notices, expertness was not essential. Straits Times 1 Sept 1940 page 6
Daily Advertiser 27 Aug 1892, page3. THE LATE MR. DISHMAN A Taiping correspondent writes to the Pinang Gazette: - The small European community of Taiping has just sustained another loss, by the death of Mr. John Dishman, the Head of the Perak Government Printing Department, who passed off peacefully shortly after twelve o’ clock on Sunday Morning, the 21st inst. Mr. Dishman was particularly selected by Mr. Swettenham in England. He came out to Perak in the early part of 1887, and established and organised the Perak Government Printing Department. His previous career of over 25 years, on the staff of the Illustrated London News, and the reputation gained thereby, were well sustained by him, by the successful manner in which he brought his department to its present efficient standing, which may be considered second to none in the Straits Settlements and the Protected Native States. Heart and Soul were in his work and in the interests of the service. His anxiety and desire to overcome his enormous and ever increasing work load were so great, that he would, on no account, take a few days rest for the benefit of his health. He unflinchingly devoted himself to his work, early and late, Sundays and holidays, and died in harness. He was but 47 years of age, and had he only lived another six months, he would have been entitled to a well deserved long leave in Europe. Out of office Mr. Dishman was the kindest of friends, genial, always cheerful, sympathetic, and universally liked, which was exemplified by the crowds, not only of Europeans but also of Natives (meaning the whole of the large staff at the printing department), who followed his funeral, and who for want of room in the Church, crowded and filled the yard round the edifice, greatly moved. He was, in short, loved by all those who had enjoyed his closest friendship. Anyone and everyone was always welcome at his house, where the most open-hearted and sincere hospitality was always shown. The community at large are deeply grieved with Mrs Dishman and family, for whom the greatest sympathy is felt.
Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 28 Aug 1892 page 2 We regret to announce the death of Mr. J. Dishman, the Government printer at Taiping, Perak, which took place yesterday at his residence in Perak. Formerly he was employed for many years on the staff of the Illustrated London News, but he left London to come out to the east several years ago. He leaves a wife and family of four young children to mourn his loss. The eldest boy now being in St. Andrew’s House, Singapore, may possibly be remembered for the prominent part he took in the children play at Raffles school last year. Mr. Dishman also leaves a grown up daughter recently married. The efficient manner in which he has carried on at the Government Printing Office has often been commended in official papers, and his loss will no doubt be severely felt in his department.
Daily Advertiser 3 Oct 1892, page, 3 THE SELANGOR JOURNAL. We have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the first copy of this publication, dated 23rd September. The move is a laudable one, and we hope it will be attended with every success. The subscription is only $5 per annum, payable in advance. The following paragraph explains the object of the paper;- With this its initial number, “The Selangor Journal” makes a bow, so to speak, before the Public, and begs to give the reasons for its appearance. The records of the State, social and otherwise, are falling into oblivion, and unless some effort is made to preserve them it will become a difficult matter to make a reference to past events with any degree of accuracy. It is therefore necessary that something be done to prevent the history of Selangor getting beyond recall; not only as to what is occurring at the present time, but more especially as regards the past. I addition to this, there are many subjects connected with daily life in the State which would be none the worse for a little comment; but no convenient outlet for which has up to the present existed. To endeavour to meet these wants is the chief aim of “The Selangor Journal”: an account of matters of interest occurring in the State to-day will be attempted, and under the heading “Retrospective Notes” as much past history as can be gleaned from reliable sources will be given. A high standard of literary excellence must not be looked for, and subscribers must bear in mind the object of the project.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Govt. Printer John Russell
Chief Compositor M. B. Reddy
Compositor Lim Teck Choy
Do. J. W. Hendricks
Do. S. K. Muttoo
Do. A. Naicker
Do. T. Curnian
Do. B. Phillips
Malay Compositor Mat bin Mohamed
Chinese do. (vacant)
Lithographer Chin Ah Tat
Pressman R. Chittiah
Do. M. Valarsamy
Do. D. Chittiah
Book-Binder P. Joseph
Do. S. Sebastian
Ruling Machineman V. S. Tamby
Numberer B. Sami
Wheelman Savariacutty
Chief Clerk M. Jacobs
2nd do. P. Manuel
Daily Advertiser 18 Jan 1893, page 3 WE regret to hear of the death, yesterday morning, of Mrs. Russell, wife of the Government Printer, Selangor, from concussion of the brain due to an accident which occurred on the Thompson Road on Sunday last, in which the deceased lady was severely thrown out of a carriage together with her child. Mrs. Russell came to Singapore only a few days ago for the purpose of placing two of her children in one of the Schools here, and that her visit here should have attended with such a fatal result is most deplorable. The sad news will no doubt be received with a shock by the husband, for whom the greatest sympathy is felt. The funeral will take place this afternoon, so as to enable the unfortunate husband to be present.
Straits Times Weekly Issue 25 Jan 1893 page 3. “A sad accident occurred on Sunday afternoon which terminated in the death of Mrs. Russell, yesterday. Mrs. Russell, who is the wife of the Government printer at Selangor, came to Singapore in order to make arrangements for the schooling of two of her children. She went out for a drive to the Waterworks, Thomson Road on Sunday afternoon, with her infant son, and on returning, the horse bolted. It is said that Mrs. Russell with her infant leaped from the carriage, and both were rendered unconscious. They were taken to Barganny Lodge where Mrs. Russell was staying, and professional advice was called in which showed that both lady and child were suffering from concussion of the brain. The infant apparently recovered, but Mrs. Russell died yesterday morning. The husband was at once telegraphed for; and the last rites were deferred till this afternoon so that Mr. Russell might possibly have the opportunity to be present”
Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 20 September 1893 Page 2. The Selangor Journal has reached the end of its first volume. It has been a success, largely due to the gratuitous zeal and interest displayed in its bi-weekly production by the joint editors, who being Government Officials had an abundance of other duties to attend to as well, especially Mr. Russell, who being Government Printer has always plenty to do. As the Selangor correspondent of the Free Press pointed out a short time ago, a little criticism on the doings of that wonderful machine called “Government” so far as said doings affect the public weal is still beyond a paper “ run under the eye” of the self-same Government; but as it professes only to be a Journal of Jottings there seems no reason why it should prevent a newspaper from being started here in the dim and distant future. As a record of current events it is fulfilling its purpose admirably and seems to lay at present between two extremes, a newspaper and a school magazine. The Authorities will see that it does not become the former and it remains with the Editors (whoever they may be for the second Volume) to guard against any degeneration in the latter direction.
SELENGOR JOURNAL quoted in Daily Advertiser 25 Sept 1894 page 3 The regular monthly meeting of the Committee of the Selangor Club was held on Wednesday, the 12th inst.; Mr. Ebden was in the chair, and Mr. Bligh, Secretary, and Messrs. Holmes, Paxon and Russell were present. Messrs. G. De Souza and K Trutwein were elected members of the Club, and among other business a revised tariff for drinks was framed, to come into force with October. At the regular monthly meeting of Read Lodge, No. 2337, Kuala Lumpur, held on the 17th inst., Bro. Russell, S.W. was elected Master for the ensuing year, Bro. Lammers re-elected Treasurer, Bro C. Stewart re-elected Tyler, and Bros. Paxon and Day, Auditors. A supper was held after the closing of the Lodge. The date for the consecration of the new Masonic Hall is not definitely fixed; it will however be some time in October.
The foundation stone laid for the new Government Buildings beside the Padang on 6 October 1894 reported in the Straits Times 11 May 1958, p. 12 “The Governor arrived, accompanied by Mr. W. H. Treacher, the Selangor Resident. After the special meeting was over, the State architect presented the Governor with a handsome engraved silver trowel with ivory handle and gold bands. In a cavity below the stone the Governor placed a yen, some Straits coins, a piece of Selangor tin from the Straits Trading Co., and a copy of the Selangor Journal. The stone was then lowered and levelled into place. “
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Govt. Printer John Russell
Asst. do. J. Brown
Chief Compositor M. B. Reddy
Compositor Lim Teck Choy
Do. J. W. Hendricks
Do. S. K. Muttoo
Do. A. Naicker
Do. T. Curnian
Do. P. F. Phillips
Do. Arokiasamy
Malay Compositor Mat bin Mohamed
Chinese do. Cheong Fook Thong
Lithographer Chin Ah Tat
Pressman R. Chittiah
Do. M. Valarsamy
Do. D. Chittiah
Book-Binder P. Joseph
Do. Lawrence Pillai
Do. S. Sebastian
Do. Rasundera Pillai
Ruling Machineman V. S. Tamby
Numberer B. Sami
Wheelman Savariacutty
First Clerk M. Jacobs
2nd do. P. Manuel
From Clague page 164 “Govt Printing Office, Kuala Lumpur, 29th. April 1896. Subject: Permission to proceed to Singapore on Duty: asks for. Dear Sir, I have the honour to ask sanction to proceed to Singapore on duty on Tuesday, the 5th prox., returning on Sunday the 10th prox., for the purpose of making arrangements for the purchase of Tamil type at the Koh Yew Hean Press, and consulting the Supt. of the Govt. Ptg. S.S. upon matter of which I have spoken to you about. I also wish to visit the American Mission Press, for the purpose of arranging for the supply of stereotyped lines for S.G.R. passenger tickets. 2. Mr. Brown, Asst. Printer, would be in charge during my absence. I have the honour to be Sir, Your Obedient Servt. J. Russell, Govt. Printer.
Singapore Press and Free Advertiser 22 October 1896 page 2. Exract SELANGOR LYONS NEW PATENT COFFEE PULPER. (From a Correspondent) On Monday, the 19th of October, Mr J. M. Lyon, of Singapore, exhibited his newly invented Liberian Coffee Pulper on Selangor Estate, Kuala Lumpur, before a very critical audience of planters and representatives of engineering firms. Amongst those present we noticed Mr. Carey, the Chairman and Mr Tom Gibson, the Hon Secretary of the SPA., Messrs Huttenbach, C. Meikle, R. Meikle, F. Toynbee, J. Toynbee, Hampshire, Nissen, Inch, Stephenson, Rodgers, Kindersley and Skinner; Mr. Shepherd, inspector of prime movers and engines; Mr. MacBean, Managing Director, and Mr. Swan, Manager of Howarth Erskine, Ltd.; Mr. Sanderson, Manager of Riley Hargreaves and Co., Mr Galbrieth of the Ledgerwood Manufacturing Co., Mr. Russell the editor of the Selangor Journal, etc .etc.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Govt. Printer John Russell
Asst. do. J. Brown
First Clerk M. T. Jacobs
2nd do. John S. Danker
Foreman M. B. Reddy
Compositor Lim Teck Choy
Do. J. W. Hendricks
Do. S. K. Muttoo
Do. T. Curnian
Do. Arokiasamy
Do. M. T. Reddy
Do. P. F. Phillips
Do. G. Rayacannoo
Chinese Compositor Cheong Fook Thong
Assistant do. Wong Why
Malay do. Usop bin Hamad Nor
Lithographer Chin Tat
Binder F. Sebastian
Do. Rasindra Pillai
Do. Rettenham
Do. P. Arokiasamy
Pressman M. Valarsamy
Do. Savericutty
Do. B. Sami
Ruling Machineman V. C. Tamby
Do. Sundram
Numberer Candasamy
Warehouseman Visanthipullai
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Govt. Printer John Russell
Asst. do. J. Brown
First Clerk J. S. Danker (acting)
2nd do. S. Roberts
Foreman M. B. Reddy
Compositor Lim Teck Choy
Do. H. De Silva
Do. S. K. Muttoo
Do. T. Curnian
Do. Arokiasamy
Do. M. T. Reddy
Do. P. F. Phillips
Do. G. Rayacannoo
Chinese Compositor Wong Why Malay do. Usop bin Hamad Nor
Lithographer Chin Tat
Binder F. Sebastian
Do. Rasindra Pillai
Do. Rettenham
Do. P. Arokiasamy
Machine Minder R. Chittiar
Pressman M. Valarsamy Do. Savericutty
Do. B. Sami
Ruling Machineman V. C. Tamby
Do. Sundram
Numberer Candasamy
Warehouseman (vacant)
From Peter Clague page 184, Printing Office Report for 1897 Expenditure $25,274.02, income $10,180.69. “The Year was an exceedingly busy one, and the amount of work to be done was at times very difficult to cope with. More men and more machinery would have been of the greatest assistance but there was no room for either. In my reports for 1895 and 1896 I have referred to the need for more room. At the time of writing, an addition has been made f a temporary structure with an atap roof, and it is to be hoped that before this time next year the new Printing office- for the construction of which provision has been made in the 1898 estimates- will be occupied. When it is remembered how prolific of enactments this year was, and that, with the exception of the work for Perak, all the native States printing, as well as a good proportion of the Federal work, is done in this office, it can easily be understood that this means a very large amount of work to turn out. The staff have worked well and hard throughout the year, and as in my former reports, I can speak very highly of Mr Brown’s services as Assistant printer. I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedt . Servt. J. Russell, Govt. Printer, Selangor.
The Straits Times 6 September 1897, page 3 THE “SELANGOR JOURNAL” THE Selangor Journal, of September, announces in “Valediction: - “With this number Vol. V. the Selangor Journal comes to an end. The reasons for this, given shortly, are that the Malay Mail provides all that is necessary for the purposes of daily news by giving accounts of local importance and that the work of editing and conducting the paper is rather too great a tax upon the time of the one responsible for it..” In concluding the Editor says: - “There must be many who think that the cost of issuing a publication so unpretentious as the Selangor Journal is nil, for at the present moment there is something like a sum of $500 outstanding on the five volumes. We shall be very glad to receive it, but we shall be agreeably surprised if we do- all of it,- that is. Without the slightest hesitation we shall make over all irrecoverable outstandings to a Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (more particularly the East) because we feel convinced that if a true Christian spirit were abroad there would not be so much owing to us. Among the many regrets we experience in closing the Journal, not the least is the sorrow we feel for those who, while not subscribing, have always managed to borrow it to read: to them, indeed, if to no others, its stoppage may prove a loss.”
The Straits Times , 1 October, 1897, page 3 THE SINGAPORE AND STRAITS PRINTING OFFICE The nucleus of the Singapore and Straits Printing Office was established in 1843 by the Rev. Benjamin Keasberry, and is thus one of the oldest institutions in the Colony. When taken over, in 1876, by Mr. John Fraser, the senior proprietor of the present firm (Fraser and Neave), its offices were situated in Battery Road, but the rapid growth of the business soon necessitated its removal to more commodious premises, and the present handsome structure was erected by the proprietors in 1892. Specially designed to meet the requirements of a first-class printing office, perfectly lighted, well ventilated, and with a solid floor to prevent the vibration of the machinery, the building possesses every requirement necessary, and the interior arrangement readily lends itself to the needs of such an office, ample space admitting of all the various departments being grouped together on the same floor. The establishment devotes itself entirely to commercial and book work, has the most modern machinery and type, and is under the able management of Mr. T. F. Scott. The office is the best-equipped job-printing office we have seen in the East, and the typographical work turned out is certainly a credit to, and an advertisement for, the Straits Settlements. We should state that the illustration of the interior shews but a small section of the establishment.
Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 26 Sept 1898 page 2 We have to acknowledge receipt of the Perak Annual Report, issued from the Perak Government Printing Office. It is a useful and instructive commentary on the year 1898 in Perak.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Govt. Printer John Russell
Asst. Printer J. Brown (on leave)
First Clerk J. S. Danker
2nd do. G. Roberts
Foreman M. B. Reddy
Straits Times, 3 May 1900, page 2 The Selangor Club held its annual general meeting on Saturday. The yearly report showed a balance of assets over liabilities amounting to $7,045. Mr John Russell, the Government Printer was elected Vice President of the Club. Mr Huttenbach was appointed honorary secretary.
Straits Times, 21 July 1900, page 2 Mr. C. V. McC. Pritchard has been confirmed as Superintendent of the Government Printing office, Straits Settlements, with effect from 9th July, 1899. (NB This is probably Singapore, see ST 3 June 1904 below)
Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 8 Nov 1900 page 2 Mr. C. V. Pritchard having left for Calcutta yesterday afternoon in the Arratoon Apcar on leave in India, Mr. C. A. da Silva is now in charge of the Government Printing office here.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Govt. Printer John Russell
Asst. Printer J. Brown
First Clerk J. S. Jayatilaka
2nd Clerk R. M. Joseph
Foreman M. B. Reddy