ON THK NATUKAL HISTORY OF TIMOR-LAUT. 277 



From the following further communication from Mr. Forbes, which is 

 just to hand, it will be seen that he has reached Amboina; where he is, 

 however, delayed by unforeseen difficulties : — 



'Amboina: May 8, 1882. 



' Dear Mr. Dyer, — I must write you, though it can be only a line, 

 as the steamer from which we have just disembarked carries back the 

 mail for Europe, via Java. 



'I have just seen the Resident (Mr. Riedel), who has returned only 

 four days ago from Larat and Cera, where he has been placing Post- 

 honders (nominal officials only, I imagine), and to my great regret he 

 finds he cannot again return, the season being too far advanced for the 

 weak state of the engines on board the Tagal. There is, however, here a 

 very swift schooner, which I hope to be able to engage on moderate 

 terms to take me down. 



' The reports of the islands are so good that I am exceedingly eager 

 to be away. The natives are not at all hostile, but require only careful 

 and, above all, trustful treatment. From what Mr. Riedel has told me, 

 their customs are very interesting indeed. The interior of the country 

 does not seem to be inhabited, and there are villages only along the 

 coast. The Resident has not been yet on the mainland of either of the 

 great islands of Timor-laut, but the chiefs of the southern part have 

 asked him to visit them. I wish, therefore, to get to Cera, and from that 

 cross over to Selarve, the southern island. I shall, without fail, make my 

 way somehow to these islands by the very first ('Makassar prahu ') 

 opportunity, if the schooner here demands a too great price. I am very 

 hopeful that a bargain will be come to, however. 



' I am hopeful that the British Association will see their way to 

 continue to your Committee the grant of last year — perhaps somewhat 

 increased. 



' With regard, 



' Believe me, yours very sincerely, 



(Signed) 'Henry 0. Forbes.' 



Your Committee have every reason to hope that Mr. Forbes, being 

 now fairly launched on his enterprise, will succeed eventually in reaching 

 Timor-laut. They therefore ask for their reappointment, and that a 

 further sum of lOOZ. may be placed at their disposal in aid of Mr. Forbes's 

 exploration. This sum would include a re-grant of the vote of 501. made 

 at Swansea, which has lapsed. 



Looking at the extreme interest which may be anticipated from 

 the results of Mr. Forbes's explorations in Timor-laut if carried to a 

 successful issue, your Committee cannot doubt that the aid they ask 

 from the Association will be more than amply justified. 



