108 RAMIE CULTIVATION IN PERAK. 



from France, etc." The demand for ramie fibre having assumed such a 

 character of fixity and continuity it seems hardly likely that it will long 

 remain unanswered, and that the attention of planters will not soon be 

 drawn to it. 



The want of an efficient decorticator to produce clean fibre (instead of 

 ribbons) has been hitherto a stumbling-block in the way of planters, but 

 from information recently received I am led to believe and, almost state 

 with certainty, that the " Faure " decorticator and a still more recently 

 invented machine, the " Estienne " machine, of which I have received full 

 particulars and drawings, entirely remove the difficulty. The latter, which 

 has only just undergone a public trial in Paris with signal success, is not 

 yet on sale. 



I believe that a great opening lays before Malaya as a ramie producer, 

 and if, in your enlightened sympathy with this object, your Excellency 

 sees a way to promote its development, I shall be glad to assist in any 

 way I can. 



I have already written to the makers of these new machines asking 

 them to send each one machine for a public trial, but it is a far cry from 

 here to Paris and, given the little the people know or care about Malaya, 

 it is not easy to induce them to such a step ; may be the action of Govern- 

 ment would have much effect in such a matter. 



I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 



(Signed) E. Mathieu, 

 Manager of Siglap Estate, Singapore. 



{Resident -General, to British Resident, PeraJc.) 



Why not send a copy of Mr. Wray's report to Mr. Mathieu, and ask 

 him whether he agrees with it ? 



23r(7 January, 1897. {Signed) F. A. Swettenham. 



Curator and State Geologist, 



Will you please see this. I am travelling and cannot well get a copy 

 of your report. Would you be good enough to send a copy yourself to 

 Mr. Mathieu. A clerk in the Secretary to Government's Office would 

 copy your report if you have not a spare copy. 



2. In view of your report I do not see my way to recommend any 

 action by Government, except perhaps in the way of granting land on 

 special conditions. 



Ipoh, 2Tt)i January, 1897. (Signed) W. H. Treacher. 



