For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell
Letter 15 January 1910 From Geological Department to Secretary of Resident, Selangor. Geological department Kuala Lumpur. Batu Gajah. Lignite near Rantau Panjang Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 5841 1908
The Straits Echo Mail Edition Vol. 8 No 9 p.154 4 March 1910 from the Malay Mail, Saturday, 26 February 1910 Coal at Rawang Those who were privileged to visit on Tuesday the coal mine recently discovered near Rawang had an interesting experience. In addition to Mr. F. J.B. Dykes, Senior Warden of Mines, who had arranged the visit, there were Messrs. W. Trump Director of Public Works, W. Eyre Kenny who is to act for Mr. Dykes, when the latter goes on leave, M.A.V. Allen, Assistant Warden of Mines, R. G. Evans, A.R. Mynott, H.P. Clodd and A.E. Bailey. Mr. S.P. George is resident on the coalfield. The Government authorities were informed by a Malay some months ago that some black looking chunks like coal were lying about the jungle, and enquiries were at once made, with the result that operations have now been in force for the past few months. The route to the mine is via the Kuala Selangor Road from Rawang. About 8 miles from Rawang a track strikes off to the left of the road through the jungle, and a walk of about three miles through this jungle brings us to the head of the mine. Shafting and tunnelling has already commenced. The members of the party descended the shaft about 10 feet down and proceeded through the tunnelling, when a fine seam of coal was seen. The tunnel continues for some 50 yards and pits have already been sunk in various directions. The surface coal is somewhat light and possesses a good deal of shale, but the lower appears to be pure coal, being quite black and fairy hard. It contains we understand about 46 per cent of fixed carbon. Experiments have been made with it up in Perak. In one case an engine was started with wood fire, and on the coal being substituted the pressure rose from 60lbs to 75lbs. It is thought that it may be useful for working a suction gas plant. We understand some 20 acres have already been proved and this represents a quantity of some 600,000 tons. Further pits have been sunk in extended directions and these also give indications of coal. It is quite possible that there may be a million tons within a comparatively small area. The commercial quality of the coal has yet to be proved, although tests have already been made, and the results, we are told, are encouraging. The cost of transporting the coal under present conditions is, of course, very heavy as the coal has to be carried on bags by coolies through the jungle to the Kuala Selangor Road, and then conveyed by bullock cart to Rawang. A proposal is under consideration for a light rail track to be laid, and, if this is done, the coal should be able to compete easily, with imported coals and, provided the quality proves to be really satisfactory in use, a very fine addition to the other valuable products of the F.M.S. will have been recorded.- MM.
The Straits Times, 26 February 1910, Page 7 (20 words) UTAN SIMPAN. FOOC K.L. February 25 The application lists for Utan Simpan shares are full.
The Straits Echo Mail Edition Thursday 17 February 1910. Vol 8. No. 7 Our Labour Supply. ( labour supply for rubber plantations.. number of coolies required..Malays independent..Chinese require high wages.. immigration from Ceylon, South India and Java.. mortality per year..5%... rising costs.. costs reduced as trees age.. Chinese good at tapping. make best workforce.. L. & C. Express.)
The Straits Echo Mail Edition 4 March 1910 Tuesday, 3rd March 1910. Malayan Planters. Want Chinese Tappers. (Meeting of P.A.M. thefts…recruiting advances of $7.. areas for rubber in Kelantan.. conference for planters proposed..by Mr. Gallagher..A.B. Milne…Mr. C.E.S. Baxendale.. exhibitions.. Mr. E. Macfadyen proposes that a bureau for recruiting Coolies for employment on estates be formed in Southern China… average stay 2 years.. 78,000 coolies employed on estates in F.M.S. and Jahore at end of 1908.. inc. sugar tapioca and coconuts… rubber = 70,000.. expansion five years time area under rubber will double…. By 1915 need 228,000 Tamil immigration will have to be doubled.. only other source is China.. Mr. E. B. Prior seconded labour is the one and only question.. Dutch Sumatra stooping emigration.. Chinese on estates were expensive but very satisfactory.. resolution carried committee appointed inc. Mr. N. S. Mansergh.)
Letter: 21st March 1910 from Office of Senior Warden of Mines to Fedr Secy F.M.S. Kuala Lumpur. Subject:- Mr. Mungo Park’s report on the Rawang Coal Deposit. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 5841 08
The Straits Times, 30 March 1910, Page 15 AUTOMOBILISM. NOTES AND COMMENTS ON CURRENT TOPICS. Mr. J. A. Russell’s 16-h.p.Sunbeam car has arrived at Kuala Lumpur.
The Straits Times, 14 March 1910, Page 7 The Straits Times 14 March 1910 page 7 NEW RUBBER COMPANY Serandah Issue Already Much Oversubscribed FOOC KL March 14 The new Serandah rubber prospectus has been issued showing that the capital of the company will be $600.000 in $2 shares The purchase price is $350,000 of which $200,000 will be in cash. The directors are Messrs Travers, Dupuis, Frank Harvey, Grey and J. A. Russell. The estate is planted with 754,540 trees. Mr Prior has reported most favourably on the property. The list closes at 3pm on Thursday, but the shares are already very much oversubscribed.
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 8 April 1910, Page 8 PASSENGERS. Per Ipoh: Mr. J. A. Russell
Letter: 17th June 1910 From London and Malay Syndicate to British Resident applying for prospecting licence for Rawang Coal.
Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 2961 10
Letter to His Excellency Colonel Sir Frederick Luggard, K.C.M.G. C.B. D.S.O. Hong Kong. High Commissioner, Federated Malay States from John Anderson, Government House, Singapore, 13 April 1910. Sir, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that in view of the scarcity of labour in the Federated Malay States, a scarcity which is daily becoming more acute, it is proposed by the planters to establish an agency for the purpose of recruiting Chinese labour for work on the plantations. 2. Mr. J. A. Russell will shortly visit Hong Kong on behalf of the planters’ associations with a view to enquiring into the matter and, if possible, making the necessary arrangements for recruiting. 3. The proposal has the full sympathy and support of this Government and I should be glad if the Hong Kong Government would afford Mr. Russell any facilities and assistance they properly can. 4. I am giving Mr. Russell a copy of this letter, which he will take with him. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s obedient servant, Sd. John Anderson.
Document in the National Archives of Malaysia. H.C.579/10
Letter to Hon. Colonial Secretary from A. W. Brewin R. G. 27 April 1910. It has always seemed to me the right thing for coolies to be repatriated at the end of the contract, and not left stranded perhaps penniless on the plantation, and wherever this is done, as in the case of the Muntok coolies a very good class of labour is obtained. It is obviously a great inducement to a labourer to know that if he wants he will get sent home at the end of his contract. Repatriation would also remove one of the great- if not the greatest- objections the Chinese have to this assisted or contract emigration. The examination in Hongkong is a great assistance to the Governments of the Dutch Indies, British North Borneo and the Straits Settlements etc., and this assistance enables us to press our views. The other day the Secretary for Chinese Affairs said four-fifths of the contracts signed in Singapore where to work in the Dutch Indies. In connection with this emigration all we have done so far is to recognise the inevitable and try to regulate traffic we could not suppress. We are now asked to assist in developing contract emigration to the F.M.S., and our assistance being asked for enables us to make new conditions. All I recommend is that in replying to this letter we should point out the expediency of my proposal and ask what objections there are to it? If it can be done in one place it can be done in another. (Sd.) A.W. Brewin, R.G. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia
The Malay Mail, Thursday , June 9, 1910. p.6 Large Advertisement for The Kamasan Rubber Company Limited. Capital- $250,000. Divided into 125,000 shares at $2 each (….69,290 shares now offered for subscription.. secretaries and registered office Russell and Co.., 17 Old Market Square K.L. The Company has been formed to acquire form Mr. J. A. Russell the Kamasan Rubber Estate at Kuala Selangor owned by Mr. W. H. Trotter….718 acres.. The purchase price is £10,000 say $85,700 payable to vendor, Mr. J. A. Russell. In cash $34,000, in shares 51,420. Capital..shares..articles of association.. solicitors.. applications…prospectus.. extracts from report by Mr. M. J. Kennaway of Tanjon Malim… situation…. Soil.. road frontage..planted area..growth of trees.. reserve land.. tapping.. valuation..details..)
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 10 June 1910, Page 4 KAMASAN RUBBER Co. The subscription list for the Kamasan Rubber Co, Ltd opened yesterday and closes on Tuesday next. It has a capital of $250.000 divided into $2 shares, 69,290 shares now being offered at fifty cents on application, twenty-five cents on allotment, and the balance in calls of twenty-five cents. The directors are Messrs. John Gibson, Russell F. Grey, J A. Russell, W. H. Trotter, and A. K. E. Hampshire. The purchase price is £10.000, and the estate which is situated in Selangor, consists of 718 acres. The estate has been favourably reported on by Mr. M J Kennaway of Tanjong Malim and his valuation works out at £17,126, his estimate of the market price of rubber fall 1911 being 56, and thereafter 6d drop every year until 1915. The Secretary and registered offices are Messrs. of Russell and Co, Kuala Lumpur. (138 words)
Letter from The Kitlang Company Ltd. 1 & 3 Old Market Square, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, FMS. 17th June 1910, to the Resident General, Kuala Lumpur. Sir, With reference to my previous letter of the 5th instant, I have just received cable advice from Mr. J. A. Russell, to the effect, that the free labour system seems at present impracticable, but that there is every reason to hope that it will be arranged later on. In the meantime Mr. Russell seems to have made arrangements for the emigration of labourers under the usual indenture system, but with the exception that the Repatriation Clause referred to by you will be inserted; i.e. at the end of the indenture (one year) the labourer will have the right to claim from us free passage back to the port of origin. The first emigrants will leave Hongkong on the 25th instant, accompanied by Mr. Russell, on whose arrival here I shall be able to supply you with further information. I have etc Sgd/- H C. E. Zacharias, the Kitlang Co. Ltd. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia
The Straits Times, 1 July 1910, Page 5 LOCAL PASSENGER LISTS. . Arrivals, June 30. Per Steamer Arcadia: From Yokohama via ports Messrs…... J. A. Russell…..
Letter From The Planters Association of Malaya. Secretary’s Office, Kuala Lumpur 6th July 1910 to the Federal Secretary Kuala Lumpur Sir, With further reference to your letter No. 2819 of the 2nd ultimo, I have now the honour to inform you that same was laid before our Association at their last meeting, when it was resolved. “ That this Association is in favour of the principal of repatriating Chinese Coolies, provided the indenture entered into makes the importer, and not the employer, liable for the cost thereof”- I have etc., Sd/ Zacharias Secretary. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia
Malay Mail Saturday August 6, 1910 List of Mining Companies: Serendah Hyd. Tin Min. Co. Ltd. Established 1906, Capital paid: $850,000,?lease value: $10, Paid up: $10 Dividends: 1907: 27 and a half per cent, 1908 10%, 1909 10%, Quotation $5.50
Letter 8th September 1910 From Senior Wardens office Kuala Lumpur to Secretary to Resident Selangor. Subject: Applications for prospecting rights over the Rawang Coal Area Sir, I have the honour to report on applications for prospecting rights over the Rawang Coal Area as follows, 2. Applications in fairly definite form have been received from the following firms, (a) Messrs Boustead Hampshire and Co. (b) Messrs. Patterson and Simons (c) The London Malay Syndicate. And an inquiry has been made by the manager of Pusing Pharu Limited. 3. Firms a and b are I believe, still in communication with their London Agencies regarding some details which I asked for. 4. The copy of the latest communication from the London Malay Syndicate is attached- their first letter is your No. 2931/1C. 5. It is a difficult matter to judge between two firms such as Messrs. Boustead Hampshire and Company and Messrs. Paterson and Simons, both of whom could certainly command sufficient capital, and would have sufficient business aptitude to employ trained and experienced men on prospecting and development. 6. If Government desire to give the licence to local firms, I could suggest that the two above mentioned concerns should be invited to join hands and form one syndicate. 7. The London and Malay Syndicate have a number of good names on their Roll, and I also learn in a private letter from their Manager that their association is known to Sir. Francis Hopwood K.C.B.- K.C.M.G., Permanent Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. 8 As it appears desirable to reach a settlement without further lapse of time, I would advise that Government either request the Local Firms to form a Syndicate or grant the Licence to the London Malay Syndicate. 9. With regard to the latter recommendation, I believe that the London and Malay Syndicate have not as yet filed their formal application with the District Officer, Ulu Selangor; but I don’t think that this should be allowed to prejudice them. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant. Ag Senior warden of Mines. FMS. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 4022 1910
From the Annual Departmental report F.M.S. by W. Eyre Kenny, Senior warden of mines for 1910. (The report covers Chinese immigration and emigration through ports, machinery and hydraulic appliances in mines, mining lands, wolfram, and gold, Coal. “ Further preliminary prospecting was carried out departmentally on Rawang coal area, and a company has been registered in London as the Rawang F.M.S. Coal Syndicate Ltd., to prospect and work it with a capital of £25,000. His Excellency the High Commissioner accompanied by the Residents of Selangor and Pahang paid a visit to the site on 5th May 1910, and examined the adit which had been opened. This mineral has been identified as hydrous coal, laboratory tests have been made, the results of which agreed with a trail made by F.M.S. railways; but as the samples were of the outcrop near the surface, results cannot be regarded as more than experimental. On the railway this coal steamed well; but the consumption was higher than that experienced with the coals in general use. A local trail in a suction gas plant showed the coal to be unsuitable for such a purpose, a result which, I am informed, was corroborated by a trail made by Messrs. Hornby & Company in England.” Quarries, disposal of tailings, list of mines, in each district, mining conditions, open cast workings, hydraulic mines, timber and fuel supply, (scarce and expensive) conversion of mining lands for agriculture, collection of statistics, difficulty of obtaining labour. (In Ulu demand for labour on rubber states and Railway extensions) Document in the National Archives of Malaysia
