It is quite traditional for an institution, of which the Gazette is but one, to attune to the changing of the Guard. With the March issue emerged a new sentry whose claim to the editorship of this monthly journal, purely rests on the rather uncomfortable fact that he is very much alive, and at this particular point in time. No other reason seems plausible when adjudged against the question of merit. With it also departed the immediate past editor to whom we owe our gratitude‑for to him it was that the continued existence of the Gazette bore record.

It is also customary that the changing of the Guard affords a time of review and in the case of the Gazette this coincides with the coming of age when this journal, by September this year joins a list of those that celebrate their centenary.

When the Gazette was founded in 1870, it was designed to fulfil the threefold purpose of registering Government acts, diffusing news and providing a forum of discussion. In all of these it acquitted itself most admirably; the issues from 1870 to the first World War provided a treasure trove of information and the curiosity of the whiteman in the intriguing web of "primitive" culture produced a store of learned contributions on all aspects of Sarawak life. The "Government Gazette" as distinct from the "Sarawak Gazette" was published in 1908 and with its establishment, the old Gazette lost its primary function of registering Government Acts. Also, following the more regular arrival of the Singapore Press in the 1920s, the news content began to diminish. The atrophy of the Society generally during the 1930s somewhat bore is impact also on the copies of Gazette for it was this situation rather than the shortcoming of its editors which must have caused in the main, the serious fallings off of contributions of any value and the absence of articles on subjects of historic or ethnological interest which so attract the reader of the earlier issues.

In modest fashion, the Gazette experienced a certain revival after the Second World War. It began a cautious reflection of the wider horizon and larger purpose of the new Government. But here its operations became increasingly more circumscribed. The press, Radio and the Information Service took over many of its former functions. In the end it has been left with administrative reports and learned contributions; the ii latter, alas, have not been forthcoming in any number in recent issues. It may well be questioned then what future has the Gazette.

The demands for news and propaganda are exhausted by the press and the Information Service and there is no purpose in seeking to duplicate these necessary functions in the pages of Gazette. Learned articles of a technical character properly find their outlet in the "Museum Journal" or the "Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society". What need then, can the Gazette fulfil today ? There is a need which has not yet been met, namely that for a forum of intelligent discussion on current local problems. A disconcerting feature of the present Sarawak condition is the absolute lack of serious treatment accorded to the many contentious issues which must necessarily arise in a country developing as rapidly as is Sarawak today. Pressing Social and economic issues are largely ignored. There is a need that a forum of discussion be provided wherein men and women may ventilate their opinions with reason rather than passion in which serious matters may be discussed with serious minds. Such a journal would give scope to contribution of a character insufficiently technical to warrant consignment to the "Museum Journal" but too meaty for the popular press. This then is the aim of Gazette.

The immediate difficulty that emerges is how to induce this to happen. Let it be first understood that the Gazette though published with Government funds, does not necessarily express the official views of the Government on the particular topic under discussion The editor, in common with the function of the post in other publications, ought to exercise discretion on the approval of articles for inclusion, but even with this power of the rod, there is still a wide scope for contributions; and I mean contributions because it is on these that the future of Gazette rests. Discussion on local problems, learned contributions of a less technical character, works of literary merit are all warmly welcomed (or is it solicited). Excerpts from administrative and departmental reports will still continue to be published, for these should contain matter which could provide an excellent basis for serious discussion. On such lines the Gazette could have a worthy future, it might indeed make a valuable contribution to Sarawak life.

In the Chronology of the 1960 Almanac an effort was made; to include the significant dates of Sarawak history up to 1888; in the Chronology of the 1961 Almanac dates up to 1932 have been amassed, ,and these are here published in the hope that errors may be amended and further additions made. Many dates of significance are still lacking: when, for instance were the various outstations established? The dates of some of the forts are known, but these by no means correspond with the setting up of administrative machinery in those parts, whilst the sub‑stations are most elusive: what sadistic Resident picked on Pusa for instance, and when? Again, when did phuttering outboards replace sweating paddlers in Government perhaus? It is to be hoped that administrative officers will be able to make good these omissions. Further, the dates of the more noteworthy mission stations and schools are lacking, though these are of considerable importance; it is to be hoped that they can be supplied by the bodies concerned.

The more that Sarawak records are examined, the more it becomes apparent how pressing is the need for an economic history of the country. It is to be hoped that by now the resources of the sword and trumpet idiom have been exhausted, and that an end has come to the personality cult; it is time to examine the play of those economic forces which affected the life of the people at large much more forcefully than the innumerable expeditions (many of which were but inflated police patrols), which have hitherto loomed so large in the pages of histories. There are ample statistics available from which to reconstruct the trends of trade and movements of prices, and even a casual examination reveals how interesting these are, for Sarawak has suffered from recurrent booms and slumps throughout its history. For instance, the 1880's which

appear to be years of progress and expansion, were in fact a time of dwindling markets and low prices, indeed slight fluctuations of European economy produced drastic repercussions here. Further the vagaries of the Sarawak dollar were disturbing, for it fluctuated with the price of silver, .and though about 1876 it was worth 4 /6, by 1897 it had dropped with various ups and downs to 1 /11. This must have been exasperating for Government officers who, joining the service in 1889 when it was worth 2 /10, would take their first leave with lightened purse at the latter rate. Only with the introduction of the Straits dollars in 1904 did these uncertainties come to an end.

The, cost of living in Sarawak would appear always to have been higher than in Malaya. Until the Japanese occupation the country never produced enough rice to feed itself and imported pork and other elementary foodstuffs on a scale astonishing for a supposedly agricultural economy. Conditions in this respect have changed little in eighty years. Equally little have they changed in the incidence of crime: current outcries as to the increase of crime would seem unwarranted. It is doubtful if the rate of offences per head of population has increased at all; today thieves address themselves to private property, in the past Government offices would appear to have been the chief sufferers; even the General Post Office was rifled.

Of the dates listed below the first will attract attention, and the many who disbelieve this preposterous occurrence are referred to the Sarawak Gazette for 1930, page 89. The year 1872 is significant, for the revenue from antimony had been the basis of Brooke finance, yet in five years this withered away, fortunately 1877 saw the beginnings of pepper exports, albeit on a minute scale. In 1881 Bishop Hose procured three of the first para rubber seeds from the Botanical Gardens in Singapore and planted them in the S.P.G. compound in Kuching. One historic tree was still standing in 1920.

The Great Penyamun Scare of 1894 was one of the most extraordinary features in Sarawak history, for it spread panic throughout the country and brought trade to a standstill in many parts. It is suprising to learn that only in 1895 did rickshaws reach Kuching, previously conveyance had all been by pony trap bullock cart.

The wreck of the S.S. Rajah Brooke on the Acasta Rock in 1896 caused a great sensation, for she was the largest vessel in these parts. Fortunately there were no casualties. Between Kuching and Singapore the sea is void of obstacles save for two or perhaps three rocks, yet these seem to possess a syren attraction for shipmasters. In 1913 the S.S. Rajah of Sarawak, successor to the ill‑fated Rajah Brooke, run into the Cruiser Rock, and diverse other vessels have done likewise. There is some fear lest these venerable landmarks be wholly demolished by assault.

The turn of the century brought several significant developments. In Kuching the jangle of the telephone was first heard (1900) and the cinema made its appearance (1908). Throughout the country there was much planting of rubber and two estates of Dahan (1902) and Sungei Tengah (1907) were laid out. In1903 came the opening of the Government Lay School, this latter was a favoured project of the Second Rajah, in which he took an intimate interest; it was a school with three collateral streams, English, Chinese and Malay and was intended to serve as a model for future educational development. Amongst his less blistering comments on the mission schools was the observation that they turned out Chinese boys who could not read Chinese. The new school was intended to remedy this and to teach them English as well. It is interesting to speculate how much heart‑burning Sarawak would have been saved had the Second Rajah's educational policies been continued.

In 1909 the Pavilion was opened as headquarters of the Medical Department and outpatients' clinic. It was not the hospital, for this was in what is now the gaol (built 1888). The admiring Editor of the Gazette describes it as "The finest building in Kuching", and so perhaps it was, apart from the Court House. Unfortunately the venerable tradition that it was designed by the Second Rajah himself on the model of a place of resort in Mentone is untrue; there is no doubt that it was designed by a reputable firm of architects still operating in these parts, which today would no doubt willingly meet the total cost of its demolition.

1910 was the Annus Mirabilis of Sarawak history: at Miri No. 1 Well was completed and produced oil beyond expectation; from Kuching went the first consignment of rubber sheeting at $363 per pikul.

In 1917 died the Second Rajah and with him ended an era. Despite enfeebled health his all‑prevading activities continued to the day of his departure for England; he had expected to return to Sarawak, but this was frustrated by death and his body was embalmed against the day of removal to Kuching. Unfortunately this was not done, and two years later the interment took place at Burrator.

In retrospect the passing of this very great man overshadows other events of these years, but contemporaries viewed affairs in shorter perspective and thought only of the War, Sarawak did well out of the First World War; only occasional obituaries echoed from afar the unspeakable horrors of Flanders, for the rest there was mounting prosperity, which nourished an unpleasing tea party patriotism. One highly significant event was the insistence by the French Government in 1915 that British subjects must carry passports in order to pass through France. This effectively marked the end of a century of British hegemony. Since Waterloo a British subject could go where he would ‑without passport or any other document, he was amendable only to the laws of God as interpreted by the Foreign Office.‑ Britons in the Far East were accustomed to disembark at Marseilles and travel overland for the last stage of the journey; hence the insistence on passports by the French affected them immediately. . Many attempted to ignore so monstrous an affront to national prestige, and the warning had to he repeated with increasing urgency. In the end the British Government capitulated, and from 1916 all British subjects travelling abroad were required to carry passports. The Victorian Foreign Secretaries (must have turned in their graves.

1918 passed out to the resonant strains of praise and thanksgiving. Few who took part in the flamboyant victory celebrations whether ,civil or ‑ecclesiastical can have had any presentment of what the future held in store. In the last four months of 1918 the influenza epidemic swept through Sarawak on its‑ way to Europe, where it wrought such fearful carnage. In 1919 the rice crop failed throughout the, East ‑resulting in dreadful famines in China and elsewhere. As Sarawak depended so largely on imported rice‑ it ‑ .was grievously affected, and rationing with controls was introduced. The 1920 harvest was little better and only in 1921 was it possible to lift controls. Rubber was slumping steadily and in 1922 touched bottom at $11 per pikul; meanwhile the Bau Gold works closed and other enterprises were abandoned.

This was the blackest year Sarawak had yet faced, and its whole economy was badly dislocated; fortunately the Miri oilfield continued to expand and the royalties replenished an otherwise empty chest.

At a distance it is possible to savour they elements of light relief in the grim Years of Victory. In 1915 the Sarawak Government Railway had been opened to the 3rd Mile and was in due course extended to the 13th. In its heyday there were five trains in either direction propelled by three locomotives and observing a speed which precluded any possibility of mishap. There was an ugly attempt at sabotage in 1917 when some miscreant spread fat on the rails at the 7th Mile incline and nearly brought traffic to a standstill, but in June, 1920 occurred Sarawak's only railway castastrophe, when the up 11.30 a.m. passenger train collided head‑on with a down ballast train outside the Kuching Central Station. The guard of the ballast train was badly shaken, and the two lomotives were only with difficulty *disentangled.

In April, 1921 the observant Mr. Somerset Maugham arrived in Kuchin2 and spent a pleasurable few months touring the country. Diverse people subsequently had occasion to regret their loquacity with this engaging guest, .and Mr. Maugham was later bitterly attacked by the Gazette. The veracity of his accounts was not impunged, but the impropriety of his having published them was hotly denounced.

From 1922 there was a slow and fluctuating recovery of prices so that by the end of the decade Sarawak was once again enjoying a prosperity comparable with that of the great years 1910‑1918. With 1930 came the regular air service, first, from Karachi to London and then from Bangkok to Amsterdam; the world was shrinking, even Sarawak was shrinking with appearance of the outboard engine, but economically the world was shrinking faster still: in September, 1929 the bottom of the New York Stock Exchange had astonished the world by dropping out, and by late 1930 Sarawak's economy was fast crumbling into ruin. By August, 1931 No. 1 R.S.S. sold for $9.66 per pikul and other grades of rubber were unsaleable; this time there was not even a victory to justify the disaster. In 1932 the Sadong Coal Mine was abandoned, and the office of Chief Secretary was abolished; all superfluity was done away,

In 1933 the Education Department was abolished and work started on building the Sylvia Cinema, which was opened the following year. This should occasion no surprise, for a century before had not King Ferdinand VII of Spain suppressed the University of Madrid and with a portion of the funds thus saved endowed a school for bullfighters? In any case an inspection of the Sylvia's programmes shows that it presented cinema performances of a character not to be found, elsewhere in the East, and when it was subsequently sold to a private firm there was universal lament:

The present series of dates comes to an end with Sarawak's prosperity at its lowest ebb,. In the whole dark prospect there were but two bright spots: Ban and Mid. The Borneo Company Ltd. had abandoned its gold workings at Bidi in 1911 and at Ban in 1921, now with the inflated price of gold a swarm of Chinese prospectors set to work and produced gold in astonishing quantity. When the rest of the country was sunk in depression, Bau displayed an uninhibited 49'er prosperity. In Miri production increased till 1929, after which it fell away sharply, but there was sufficient to ensure prosperity. Had it not been for these two, Sarawak would have been reduced to the pitiable pass in which her neighbours found themselves.

There ‑must be many living today who can recall the dates of developments, innovation and inventions which bore upon the lives of the people of Sarawak, but of which no official records exist. May the publication of this Chronology serve as a joR to memory and an incitement to reminiscence.

21. 4.1921 Somerset Maugham visits Kuching.

10. 5.1921 Rice decontrolled.

20. 7.1921 Incorporation of Sarawak Oilfields Ltd. tvice Anglo‑Saxon).

8.1921 Bau gold works close.

11.1921 Establishment of Kuching Sanitary and Municipal Advisory Council.

24: 2.1922 Visit of submarine flotilla to Kuching.

10. 5.1922 Experimental broadcasting in Kuching. 1922 Sheet rubber drops to $11 per pikul.

1922 Opening of pauper camp at 10th Mile.

3. 9.1922 St. Columba's Church. Miri consecrated.

1. 6.1923 Registration of motor cars and drivers.

15. 6.1923 Electric street lighting in Kuching.

19. 7.1923 The Miri Riot.

1. 2.1924 Peace‑making at Simanggang.

18. 5.1924 Inaugural meeting of the Sarawak Turf Club.

5.1924 Opening of Leper Settlement on Satang Island.

‑‑‑ 6.1924 Sarawak Board of Trade established. 1924 Fort Leonora at Engkilili built.

1. 7.1924 Government Opium Monopoly established; registration of smokers.

16.10.1924 Memorial to Second Rajah unveiled.

3.11.1924 Department of Education established.

‑‑ 10.1924 Chartered Bank opens in Kuching.

‑ 7.1924­

16.11.1924 Kayan, Kenyah and Dayak peace‑making at Kapit.

‑ 7.1925 First Government Dentist appointed. 1925 Extension of railway to 13th Mile.

‑‑ 10.1925 Removal of Leper Camp to 13th Mile, Penrissen Road.

2.11.1925 Opening of St. Teresa's new school.

7.24/8/26 Aerial survey of Rejang Delta.

‑ 2.1926 Sarawak Standard Time established (72 hours ahead of G.M.T.). 1926
Establishment of Rubber Export

Board. 1926 New General Hospital opened. 1926 Sunny Hill School opened.

27. 6.1927 Third Rajah invested G.C.M.G.

1. 8.1927 New Treasury building opened.

13. 1.1928 Simanggang bazaar destroyed by fire.

7. 3.1928 Sibu bazaar again destroyed by fire.

‑‑ 4.1928 Beginning of cold storage service in Kuching.

26. 9.1928 Order of the Star of Sarawak instituted.

12. 1.1929 Government seaplane Royalist crashes a Simanggang.

23. 3.1929 Appointment of Director of Agriculture.

‑ 4.1929 Old hospital becomes the gaol.

1. 6.1929 Appointment of Director of Education.

1929 Peak production of Miri Oilfield.

1929 First appearance of the great African snail.

‑ 7.1929 Sarikei becomes a district headquarters.

1. 9.1929 Appointment of Secretary for Native Affairs.

10. 9.1929 St. Thomas's boarding house opened.

12.10.1929 Opening of the Hokkien Free School for Girls.

16.11.1929 Consecration of St. Augustine's Church, Betong.

‑‑‑ 11.1929 Junior Cambridge Examination first taken.

3.12.1929 Appointment of Secretary for Chinese Affairs.

8. 2.1930 Chinese General Chamber of Commerce inaugurated.

‑ 2.1930 Air Mail Karachi to London commences.

9/12.1930 Daylight saving by advancing clock 20 minutes (Henceforth annual).

24. 9.1930 Simanggang Road reaches Serian.

19.10.1930 Weekly air service Bangkok to Amsterdam.

‑ 10.1930 Opening of new Customs Office in Kuching.

‑ 11.1930 First candidate for School Certificate Examination (Failed). '

1930/31 New Year Regatta at Kuching cancelled because of slump.

24. 4.1931 Consecration of St. Joseph's Church, Miri.

16. 5.1931 Post of Chief Secretary abolished.

4. 6.1931 Opening of Maderasah Melayu.

1931 Outboard motors in use at Miri.

8.1931 No. 1 R.S.S. drops to $9.66; other grades value­ less.

9.1931 First performance of sound films in Kuching.

‑ 10.1931 New Kuching Police Station opened.

10.1931 New General Post Office opened.

12. 2.1932 Entabai Expedition against Asun.

9. 3.1932 Sadong Coal Mine closed.

1932 Oxford Expedition to Borneo in Tinjar.

18. 7.1932 Oxford Expedition arrives.

19.12.1932 B.B.C. Empire Service commences.

31. 3.1933 Sarawak Government Railway closed.

1. 4.1933 Education Department abolished. a

24. 5.1933 Fifth Division incorporated in the Fourth.

21. 4.1934 XXIVth Meeting of the Great Council or Council Negri.

1. 6.1934 Rubber Restriction. introduced.

1934 Evangelical missionaries from N.E.I. start work amongst the Muruts.

24.11.1934 Opening of the Sylvia Cinema in Kuching.

1935 Fort Brooke founded at Meluan.

26. 9.1938 Opening of old Kuching Airport.

1. 4.1939 First broadcast in Sarawak (Commentary on the races).

9. 9.1939 Regular broadcasts in English, Malay andChinese commence.

22. 1.1941 Treaty between Great Britain and Sarawak pro­viding for appointment of a British
Repre­sentative.

24. 9.1941 Enactment of the new constitution.

17.11.1941 First meeting of the Council Negri under the new

constitution.

7.12.1941 Japanese attack Pearl Harbour.

16.12.1941 Japanese occupy Miri.

24.12.1941 Japanese occupy Kuching.

14. 8.1945 Japanese surrender.

11. 9.1945 Australian forces liberate Sarawak.

15. 4.1946 Proclamation restoring civil government.

1. 7.1946 Cession of Sarawak to the British Crown.

25.11.1893 Fort Charles at Kabong washed away by the sea.

30.11.1893 The Rajah opens the B.C.L. Gold Works at Bau.

‑ 3.1894 Rejang lbans attack Punans.

‑6‑8.1894 The Great Penyamun Scare.

8. 2.1894 The Governorship of North Borneo offered to the Rajah.

19. 6.1894 The Chermin Expedition.

25. 6.1894 The Yong Expedition.

‑ 11.1894 Kayans and Kenyahs in Baram attack Ibans.

12.12.1894 New building of St. Joseph's School opened.

27. 5.1895 Expedition against O.K.T. Lawai in ulu Limbang.

‑ 8.1895 Rickshaws introduced into Kuching.

1. 1.1896 Penrissen Road reaches Segu.

31. 7.1896 SS. Rajah Brooke wrecked on Acasta Rock near Victory Island.

1897 Commencement of estate rubber planting in Malaya.

1.1897 Government takes over Matang coffee estate.

1.1897 Sarawak dollar worth two shillings and one penny.

1. 1.1897 Dog licensing introduced in Kuching.

‑ 12.1897 Sarawak dollar worth one shilling and eleven pence.

10.12.1897 Proclamation against Dayaks soldiering in British North Borneo.

31.12.1897 Sarawak dollar worth two shillings.

‑‑ 3.1897 The Bantin Expedition.

11. 1.1898 Bantin raids from Delok.

4. 2.1898 Marriage Registration Order.

16. 3.1898 Opening of R.C. school at Bau.

18. 8.1898 First ice factory in Kuching.

‑ 9.1898 First settlement of Hakkas at 3rd Mile, Rock Road.

‑ 1.1899 Cambridge Expedition to Torres Straits visits Limbang and Baram.

8. 4.1899 Great peace‑making in the Baram.

8. 6.1899 The inhabitants of Tutong and Belait raise the Sarawak flag.

13.10.1899 Sarawak adopts the penny post (4 cents = 1 penny).

31.12.1899 Sarawak dollar worth two shillings and one penny.

1900 Establishment of the Methodist Mission in Sibu.

26. 2.1900 Admiral Keppel revisits Kuching.

3. 5.1900 The Trusan Expedition.

3. 5.1900 Expedition against Okong in Ulu Trusan.

1. 7.1900 Kuching telephone service established.

1. 8.1900 Rating introduced into Kuching.

1.10.1901 Sarawak silver dollars to be legal tender.

28. 1.1901 Arrival of the first Foochow immigrants in Sibu.

1902 Dahan estate started.

9. 6.1902 The Cholera Expedition, Delok.

20. 8.1902 Pending signal station established.

Oct. &

Nov., 1902 Visit of Colonial Commission of Chicago University.

4.10.1902 Expedition of Penyabat and Engkari.

8.11.1902 Expedition to Pau, Ulu Al.

1903 Teak for pepper $46.

1. 7.1903 Opening of Government Lay School.

1. 8.1903 Straits dollar introduced into Malaya.

2. 6.1904 Vyner Brooke proclaimed Rajah Muda.

30.11.1904 Sarawak adopts the Straits dollar.

‑ 2.1904 The Rajah Muda's expedition against Bantin.

30. 3.1904 The Bong Kap Encounter, Kanowit, Sir Charles Brooke's last expedition.

‑ 6.1904 Baring‑Gould's expedition against Bantin.

5: 1.1905 The Cession of Lawas.

‑ 3.1905 Expedition against Lawai in Ulu Limbang.

1. 8.1905 Registration of birds' nest caves enforced.

21. 6.1906 Suppression of the Orchid Society.

‑ 11.1906 Kuching Municipal Office established.

1. 1.1906 Brunei accepts a British Resident.

20. 3.1907 Opening of the Chinese Institute in Kuching.

16. 5.1907 Peace‑making at Kapit with Bantin.

1. 8.1907 Matang Waterworks start operating.

0.10.1907 Peace‑making at Kapit.

‑ 12.1907 Sungei Tengah estate started.

1908 Sporadic cinema shows in Kuching.

8. 3.1908 Appointment of a British Agent for Sarawak.

6. 6.08 First publication of Sarawak Government Gazette.

1. 9.1908 Expedition against Delok.

1.1909 Separation of S.P.G. dioceses of Sarawak and Singapore.

1. 3.1909 Pavilion opened as Medical Headquarters.

7. 3.1909 Concession to Malaysian Co. at Goebilt.

1. 6.1909 Lunatic asylum opened.

190 9 First export of para rubber: 160 pikuls at $363 per pikul.

22.12.1910 Well No. 1 completed at Miri.

‑ 2.1910 Publication of first number of Sarawak Museum Journal.

‑ 6.1911 Establishment of Chinese court in Kuching.

1911 Export of para rubber: 500 pikuls at $290 per pikul.

1. 7.1911 Bidi gold works closes.

1911 Selalang kutch factory starts.

25.12.1911 Second Fort Burdette at Mukah inaugurated.

30. 1.1912 Hokkien Free School opens.

1. 4.1912 First motor bus service along Rock Road.

31. 5.1912 Brooke Dockyard opened.

1912 Export of para rubber: 1,453 pikuls at $278 per pikul.

1. 7.1912 Opening of new Chinese Court House (now Chamber of Commerce).

20.11.1912 Constitution of the Sarawak State Advisory Coun­cil in England.

13. 2.1913SS. Rajah of Sarawak runs on rocks off Tanjong Sipang.

1. 4.1913 First Shipment of oil from Miri.

‑ 9.1913 Shen Won Kie Min Sing Gi Pao, Sarawak's first weekly journal published.

3.10.1913 Suppression of Shen Won Kie Min Sing Gi Pao.

1914 Sea loading line launched from Tanjong Lobang, Miri.

16. 5.1914 Visit of Japanese cruiser to Kuching.

9.11.1914 New printing office opened (now K.M.C. office).

1. 2.1915 Railway opened to 3rd Mile.

16. 4.1915 British subjects required to carry passports inFrance.

2. 7.1915 Malaysian concession at Goebilt revoked.

18. 8.1915 Railway opened to 7th Mile.

1.11.1915 New Committee of Administration inaugurated.

2.11.1915 Expedition to the Delok and Jigin.

22. 2.1915 The First Gat Expedition.

14. 5.1915 The Mujong Expedition.

9. 4.1916 Railway opened to 10th Mile.

9. 9.1916 Launching of the Lutong sea line (longest in world).

25.10.1916 Morse communication established with Singapore.

23.12.1916 Morse communication established with Miri and Sibu.

2. 4.1916 Nanga Pila.

5. 1.1917 First official message to Singapore by radio.

1917 Railway surveyed to 27th Mile.

17. 5.1917 Death of Rajah Sir Charles Brooke.

24. 5.1917 Proclamation of Rajah Vyner Brooke.

1917 Lutong refinery starts operation.

17. 5.1917 Death of Rajah Sir Charles Brooke.

24. 5.1917 Proclamation of Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke.

8(12.1918 Great Influenza epidemic.

22. 9.1918 Marudi bazaar totally destroyed by fire.

12. 6.1919 Interment of Second Rajah at Burrator.

29. 9.1919 Radio communication established with British

North Borneo.

5 4.1919 The Second Gat Expedition.

199‑1920 Acute rice shortage with rationing.

18. 3.1920 Two Japanese cruisers visit Kuching.

6.1920 Rubber slump commences.

8. 6.1920 Railway collision in Kuching.

4. 8.1920 Dayak peace‑making in Simanggang.

‑ 2.1921 Discovery of the Limbang Ganesh.

2.1860 Sherip Masshor attacked at Sadong.

15. 4.1860 Sherip Masshor defeated at Igan.

31. 7.1860 Charles Brooke's attack on Mukah frustrated by Governor Edwardes of Labuan.

1. 7.1861 Sir James Brooke recovers Mukah and deports Sherip Masshor.

8.1861 Nyalong attacked.

11. 8.1861 Coast as far as Kidurong ceded to Sir James Brooke.

28.10.1861 Third Sadok Expedition and final defeat of Rentap.

1862 Fort Brooke established at Sibu.

23. 5.1862 Defeat of the Illanun pirates off Bintulu.

15. 5.1863 The Great Kayan Expedition.

27. 9.1863 Sir James Brooke finally leaves Sarawak and
appoints Charles Brooke his deputy.

1864 Fort Alice built at Simanggang.

19. 1.1864 Britain recognises Sarawak as an independent state and appoints G.
T. Ricketts consul.

4.1865 First Meeting of the Council Negri.

﷓ 6.1865 Visits of Dr. Odoardo Beccari.

1867 Opening of the Matang coffee estate.

1868 Fort Keppel built at Bintulu.

1868 First Katibas Expedition.

3. 8.1868 Charles Brooke proclaimed Rajah.

11. 6.1868 Sir James Brooke dies at Burrator, Devon.

7.1868 The Delok Expedition.

29.11.1868 Mukah Fort captured by the prisoners. I

1869 First issue of Sarawak stamps.

12. 4.1869 Last Illanun pirates exterminated off Kidurong.

18.12.1869 Suez Canal opened.

1870 St. Thomas's School built (on site of present St. Mary's).

1870 Government Chinese School opened at Paku, Bau.

13. 5.1870 Sibu Fort attacked by Lintong and Kanowit Dayaks.

﷓ 6.1870 Second Katibas Expedition.

26. 8.1870 First issue of the Sarawak Gazette.

11.10.1870 Installation of Rajah Charles Brooke.

1. 5.1871 Civil Marriage introduced.

﷓ 7.1871 Third Katibas Expedition.

15.12.1871 First census of Sarawak.

31.12.1871 Sarawak Budget balanced for the first time.

1872 Peak year of antimony production (3,285 tons).

31. 1.1872 Opening of the Sadong coal mine.

﷓﷓ 4.1872 Harvests fail throughout the Rejang.

17. 4.1872 Indigo introduced into Simanggang.

﷓ 5.1872 First Gambier and Pepper Proclamation.

1872 Gutta percha boom.

1872 Lighthouses on Tanjong Po and Tanjong Kidurong.

2. 7.1872 The Rajah visits Batu Gading and Lubok Bendera in Baram.

12. 8.1872 Kuching so named officially instead of Sarawak. j

2. 9.1.872 Sarawak Rangers formed.

19. 9.1872 Baroness Burdette﷓Coutts sells Quop Estate.

1.12.1872 Opening of the Rajah's Arms; first hotel in Kuching.

25. 2.1873 Government Salary Scales published.

1. 5.1873 Sarawak Chamber of Commerce established.

1. 6.1873 Residencies of the First, Second and Third Divisions established.

1.11.1873 Cholera epidemic in the Rejang.

16. 3.1874 Smallpox epidemic in the Rejang.

3. 6.1874 New Court House in Kuching opened.

﷓ 6.1874 Kayan insurgents expel the Bruneis from the Baram.

26. 9.1874 Charles Vyner Brooke born.

1. 7.1875 Sarawak Steamship Company formed.

5. 7.1875 Kapit Fort inaugurated by the Rajah.

10.1875 First Ulu Ai Expedition.

12.1875 Second Ulu Ai Expedition.

3. 1.1876 Second Gambier and Pepper Proclamation.

7.1876 Great smallpox epidemic in the Baram.

10.1876 Fourth Katibas Expedition.

1877 Thirty pikuls of pepper exported at $11 per pikul.

1877 Antimony output shrinks to 469 tons.

6.1877 Cholera epidemic.

26. 3.1878 Collection of specimens ordered for the Museum.

1878 Beginning of the gambier boom.

1878 Fort Charles established at Kabong.

1879 Sarawak dollar worth four shillings.

29. 4.1879 Expedition against Lang Endang.

11. 8.1879 Completion of road from Sungai Semengok to Quop.

1880 Fort Margherita built.

22. 4.1880 Door Tax raised from 80 cents to $1.

10. 8.1880 Para rubber first referred to in the Gazette.

11.11.1880 Chinese Immigration Proclamation.

1881 Bishop Hose plants the first three para rubber seeds.

9. 2.1881 First Bukit Batu Expedition.

18. 5.1881 Suai attacked by Dayak raiders.

1881 Borneo Company commences working gold at Bau.

21. 7.1881 Foundation of the Roman Catholic Mission in Kuching.

6. 9.1881 Second Bukit Batu Expedition.

1.11.1881 British North Borneo Company charter granted.

19. 6.1882 Cession of coast from Kidurong to Baram.

19. 7.1882 Foundation of Claude Town (Marudi).

1. 9.1882 Gazette refers to oil having been found in Miri a few years
previously.

1.11.1882 Lighthouse on Tanjong Sirik.

1.12.1882 Promulgation of Land Ordinance in final form.

1. 1.1883 Penrissen road opened to the eleventh mile.

21. 5.1883 First Government Malay School opened.

11. 8.1883 Council Negri decrees the abolition of slavery to

be effective in 1888.

27. 8.1883 Krakatau eruption.

13. 1.1884 Belaga Fort completed.

20. 1.1884 Most of Kuching Bazaar destroyed by fire.

9. 2.1884 Further oil discoveries at Miri.

3. 9.1884 Insurrection in Limbang against Bruneis.

1.10.1884 Reported flight of 2,000 Belaits and Tutongs to Baram.

21.10.1884 Mr. Consul Treacher makes peace between Bruneis and Limbangs.

1885 Present St. Thomas's School built.

3. 1.1885 Cession of Trusan.

28. 7.1885 Fourth Division established. (Kidurong to Baram and Trusan.)

﷓11.1885 Further insurrection in Limbang against Bruneis.

1886 Discovery of the Santubong rock carving.

﷓﷓ 3.1886 Expedition against Kedang.

1887 Fort Florence established at Trusan.

1888 Construction of Kuching General Hospital (now gaol).

﷓﷓ 6.1838 Rajah Charles created Knight Grand Cross Order of SS. Michael and
George.

﷓ 6.1888 Great Cholera epidemic.

13. 6.1888 Britain guarantees Sarawak protection as an independent state.

27. 6.1888 Peace﷓making at Lubok Antu between Kapuas and Ulu Ai people.

﷓ 9.1888 Brunei becomes a British protectorate.

﷓ 9.1888 Rajah acquires Brooketon Colliery.

11. 1.1889 Sibu bazaar destroyed by fire.

1. 7.1889 Sarawak dollar worth two shillings and ten pence.

﷓ 9.1889 Smallpox epidemic.

The chronology of the following years is as yet incomplete.

17. 3.1890 The Rajah accepts the accession of Limbang.

2. 4.1890 B.C.L. gold works at Bidi opened.

3.10.1890 First race meeting in Kuching.

﷓ 8.1891 British Government recognises annexation of Limbang.

4. 8.1891 The Sarawak Museum opened.

1.11.1891 Consecration of St. Joseph's Church in Kuching.

10. 7.1891 Archduke Franz Ferdinand visits Kuching.

1292 Brunei destroyed by earthquake.

1521 Spaniards under Pigafetta visit Brunei.

1526 Portuguese under Jorge Menezes visit Brunei.

1530 Portuguese under Gonsavo Pereira visit Brunei.

1576 Francesco la Sande, Governor of the Philippines, installs Sri Lela as Sultan of Brunei.

1580 Bruneis defeat Spaniards, depose of Sri Lela and restore Saif al Rajah as Sultan.

1600 Dutch under Oliver van Noort visit Brunei.

1645 Spaniards sack Brunei.

1691 Roman Catholic Mission in Brunei.

1762 Sir William Draper releases Sultan Mumin from prison in Manila and restores him.

1775 Hon'ble East India Co. established in Brunei.

1796 Rajah Api seizes the Brunei throne.

4.1803 James Brooke born.

1819 Raffles founds Singapore.

1828 Rajah Api murdered and succeeded by Sultan Omar Ali Saifudin 11.

3. 6.1829 Charles Brooke born.

1837 Sarawak insurrection against Brunei.

1838 Sarawak insurgents appeal to Batavia for help.

5. 8.1839 James Brooke visits Sarawak.

9. 8.1840 James Brooke returns to Sarawak.

20.12.1840 Berlidah captured.

.4. 9.184 Rajah Muda Hassim hands over the Government of Sarawak to James Brooke.

10. 1.1842 First code of laws published by James Brooke.

1. 8.1842 James Brooke proclaimed Rajah of Sarawak at Brunei.

18. 9.1842 Installation of James Brooke as Rajah in Kuching.

12. 6.1843 Taking of Paku.

15. 6.1843 Taking of Rimbas.

5. 7.1843 Visit of H.M.S. Samnrang to Sarawak.

25. 7.1843 Sir Henry Keppel arrives with H.M.S. Dido and H.E.I.C.S. Phlegethon.

20. 1.1844 Great fire in Kuching.

8. 8.1844 Sherip Sahap attacked and Patusan taken.

29. 8.1844 Pengiran Mahkota captured at Lingga.

1. 2.1845 James Brooke appointed H.M. confidential agent in Borneo.

30. 4.1845 James Brooke visits Saiikei in H.E.I.C.S. Phlegethon.

31.12.1845 Murder of Rajah Muda Hassim and Pengiran Badruddin in Brunei.

8. 7.1846 James Brooke captures Brunei.

16. 8.1846 Membakut taken.

22. 8.1846 Sultan Omar Ali submits to James Brooke.

23. 8.1846 Territory between the Sadong and Oya Rivers ceded to James Brooke.

1847 Population of Kuching reported to be 8,000.

16. 3.1847 James Brooke appointed H.M. Commissioner and Consul General for Borneo.

1848 Establishment of S.P.G. Mission school in Kuching.

21. 9.1848 Sarawak flag first hoisted.

22. 5.1848 James Brooke received by Queen Victoria and knighted K.C.B.

27.11.1848 Sir James Brooke appointed Governor of Labuan and its ependencies. I

31. 7.1849 Battle of Beting Maru.

26. 4.1850 Rentap defeats and kills Lee at Skrang.

12. 7.1850 Hume's motion of censure on Sir James Brooke.

24.10.1850 Recognition of Sarawak by the U.S.A.

22. 1.1851 Consecration of St. Thomas's Church, Kuching.

10. 7.1851 Hume moves for commission on Battle of Beting Mani.

21. 7.1852 Charles Brooke arrives in Sarawak.

‑ 4.1854 Dandi Expedition.

8.1854 Defeat of Rentap at Sungai Lang.

9.1854 Commission of Enquiry on Battle of Beting Maru opens in Singapore.

‑ 10.1854 Alfred Russel Wallace visits Sarawak.

17.10.1855 First meeting of the Supreme Council in Kuching,

18.10.1855 Dr. McDougall consecrated Bishop of Labuan.

4. 1.1856 Sarikei burned by the Julau Dayaks.

5.1856 The Borneo Company Limited registered.

19. 6.1856 Attack on Julau by Charles Brooke.

20. 2.1857 Chinese insurrection in Kuching.

2. 6.1857 First Sadok Expedition against Rentap. 1858 Fort Lili established at Betong.

‑ 4.1858 Expedition against Saji.

14. 7.1858 Betong Fort captured by Saji.

‑ 8.1858 Second Sadok Expedition against Rentap. 1859 Fort Emma established at Kanowit.

7. 6.1859 Kanowit Fort captured by Dayak insurgents.

‑ 7.1859 Kabah Expedition

Doubt has been entertained as to whether a species of Rhinoceros be still existent in the island of Borneo, although the discovery of two teeth in a cavern in Upper Sarawak some years ago had shown conclusively that, if not yet living, it was only recently extinct.

It may interest some of your readers to know that the horns and teeth of a kind of Rhinoceros are not infrequently brought down to Sibu by kayans and Kinniahs paying their revenue for Upper Rejang, and by others who come from the upper waters of the Kuti and Balungan to exchange their gutta, guliga, and camphor for salt, brass pots, &c. Both horns and teeth are used by Malays and Chinese in certain medicinal preparations and as charms, the value of the horns at present being $I per tahel, and hence these objects are generally bought up quickly and dispersed beyond the hope of recovery. I lately had an opportunity of examining five horns brought from the Upper Kuti : the largest measured perpendicularly stood 82 inches iro height, but the base had been pared away; and. even larger ones are said to be obtainable.‑It was slightly recurved and of a shining black colour.‑A portion of a fresh tooth was brought to Sibu a fen days ago, and from all I can ascertain the animal is not uncommon in the Upper Rejang, and probably about the upper waters of all the greater rivers of the island. The Kayans call the Rhino­ceros Temadu, a name applied on the coast to the wild ox : they are said to destroy it with spears only and use the flesh as an article of diet. The close affinity of the Bornean fauna with that of Sumatra and Malacca would lead us to expect a species identical with, or but slightly varying from the Sumatran Rhinoceros; and accordingly we find the Bornean species to be furnished with two horns, and therefore quite distinct from the one horned Javan variety. It may prove to be to either the Sumatran Rhinoceros or the rare hair' d variety of that animal lately discovered, or a species distinct from both and peculiar to Borneo.'n

X. H. EVERETT.

Sarawak Gazette in March 31, 1967 pp. 110

This articles published in Sarawak Gazette in March 31, 1967 by Tom Harrisson. I hope the young generation read this articles. Most of us do not know the massage stick sign. Most cases, the sticks' message would probably not be clear to members of any other group. Guy Arnold's recorded from the Punan Gang much further down river, on the fringes of the Usun Apau.

The Punan Busang live in the remote interior of the upper Baloi-Rejang headwaters in Sarawak's Third Division, East malaysia. Punan is the kayan term for most nomads (Penan is Kenyah, with whom the Baram Tinjar and Bahau-Iwan nomads associate for trade.

The sixteen message sticks‑as recorded in January (by three Busang making them in Kuching) and checked in February (in the jungle)`‑read

1. BATA' IVA: This sign means that someone is not far ahead (usually the group); in the direction of the point of the stick. The sign is made short because it means "not far." The shavings of the stick do not have any essential meaning and may be varied. By arrangement or for special reasons subsidiary information can be added in this way‑e.g. number of families; whether there is a climb or river‑crossing first!

2. BATA' BAVUH : This sign means that someone is far ahead. The leaves at the end of the stick confirm "far." The shavings need not mean anything. The number of leaves is not normally counted‑but can be used if required.

3. BATA' SURUNG : Means that hunting, no animal was caught. Mostly used to indicate to others that there are no pig or other game, (which can be specified‑e.g. if hunting monkey for bezoar stones) in the area, go elsewhere. It can also indicate absence of sago palm, and this is partly why it is (often, as here) made from the front‑centre of a palm, all the leaves trimmed.

4. BATA' BAVUI: Means that someone has killed wild pig in the jungle ahead, and by inference that there is a good hunting. The hair from the pig's chin is usually inserted and a piece of stick measured and cut to indicate the fort (if any) of a pig. Shades of fatness, size, etc. can be detailed where needed (cf. the importance of this as at (III) above).

5. BATA' PELANOK : Means that a mouse‑deer (pelandok) has been killed by the hunter; tail or ear is inserted to the sign stick. As with barking deer(9) and Sambhur Deer(8), the sign can be varied as required. (As cell food is theoretically shared by the whole group, the information is relevant to everyone in the hunting zone, also affects the target for the day's group bag. These people normally have no salt, and can only keep excess meat as long as smoke‑drying permits).

6. BATA' MANOK : Means that someone has killed a good bird (e.g. especially Rhinoceros Hornbill); small feathers of the species are usually inserted. Special feathers can be used to indicate sex, etc. (Here and elsewhere, an individual hunter may add his own style, of cutting or frilling, to show it is he).

7. BATA' KAVOK : Means some sort of reptile killed, especially the valued (as food) MonitorLizard (kavok), which grows up to 6 feet long here. As with 5‑6, pieces can be put on the stick to show size, etc.

8. BATA' PAYOU : Means that someone killed a good Sambhur Deer (payou); the hair from the tail, etc., may be inserted.

9. BATA' TELAU : Means that someone killed a Barking Deer (tela'u).

10. BATA' PAPET : Means that somebody has died in the village, all the people have had to move away (by custom). This sign is placed on the path near the camp, and prohibits all human approach. A small branch of Y‑shaped wood is tied to a piece of bark (or other) cloth and then secured with rattan near the top end of the sign stick, to ensure it will last one full moon‑the duration of this most important and feared Punan prohibition.

11. BATA' TUVAK : Means that a party has got an enemy head; each cut means one head. (Many variants and individual marks used to be in order; this stick has lately been adapted for other purposes).

12. BATA' SENGORAN : Means that good edible fruit is ripe towards the point of the sign stick. A piece of fibre (akar) is tied round, usually securing the actual species of fruit concerned. (These Punans are tremendous fruit eaters, and I recorded many species with their names, tastes and lore).

13. BATA' OVI : Means there is a visitor, a stranger in camp. A piece of wood in the shape of an hang knife is inserted near the top end of the sign stick, but this can be varied to give a range of particulars of the visitation (which, possibly, may be one unwelcome to some members of the group itself, who are thereby warned). See also 15.

14. BATA' GAIT: Means someone is about to go on a (hunting) trip‑and perhaps would welcome others to join in. A piece of stick in the form of a hook means that the hunter is sure he will bring home some good game, either because of news received or from augury. Before the hunter goes out to hunt, he prays with the sign to the omens"Mara' Gait Mu beyo la' bahui la' laut, la' payau tovei senang." This means: "I am telling you, the sign (gait) that I will get pig, deer, etc., easily."

Here the stick serves as a propitiation as well as a message. Most omen propitiation by these Punans, is not done by setting up a set of sticks with eggs and other offerings, as so often with Kenyah and Kayan settled folk. The normal Punan way is to stop and chip a stick and/or make a small fire of shavings while addressing the omen involved. The propitiation sticks of some settled peoples are, in effect, static versions of the Punan signs, and the present No. 14 links practical and spiritual usage.

15. BATA' TEMUEI: Means that someone in the group has gone for a visit to another group. A wild plant called kelipui is inserted near the top end of the sign stick, and for this purpose only kelipui plant will suffice. Again, message and mysticism merge (as with 14). The stick records the event and simultaneously sanctions its good fortune. Such visits are always occasions of importance with this remote, compact, nomadic band.

16. BATA' LENGANE,~ : Means that several people have gone for 'a long journey and will be away for a while. A piece of fibre is tied to the sign stick, each knot usually representing one true period. (It should be added here that any stick may be carrying a message intended for immediate news or to be read some considerable time later, according to circumstances, and context. Equally, a stick may be placed to achieve some action or reaction; but it may also be there "for information only," in our thinking).