218 MALAY LAW IN NEGRI SEMBILAN. 
“chart bhagit dapatan tinggal bawak kembalek”’ and claimed 
half the buffaloes. The boy said he knew that in Jempol the 
Muhammadan custom had been adopted that property acquired 
during marriage became the property of children and not 
of the “anak buah ;”’ finally it was decided that half the buffa- 
loes should be handed to the boy in satisfaction of all claims. 
It will be seen from this example how many rules there are in 
these States that may be brought forward in a case, in con- 
nection with which careful investigation is required. If, how- 
ever, a dispute is carefully summed up and the points fully ex- 
plained which lead to the decision, the public here is nearly 
always satisfied and the individual who loses his case has to 
be satisfied also. 
In connection with inheritance by the children, of property 
acquired during married life, it is necessary for the children 
to pay their father’s debts if there are any. If there is no pro- 
perty even the children are responsible for the debts of their 
father. Where the old rule is in force the “ tempat semenda”’ 
and the “‘ tempat pesaka”’ would have to arrange together to 
pay, and not only that but the “anak buah” were supposed 
to pay the funeral expenses of their male relation and not the 
“orang semenda.” It is still a question that has to be very 
carefully investigated in every case of debt, viz., as to whether 
one of the two should pay all. 
The rules of ‘‘ pantang larang’’ are important, minor laws 
on dress, on the architecture of houses, of covered gates to en- 
closures, of the firing of guns, the slaughtering of buffaloes 
and many other causes. For instance, no one but a Chief may 
have a covered gateway. No one buta Raja may put his kit- 
chen behind the house, and no one but a Raja may run his 
front verandah round to the back. No man may wear all yel- 
low nor all black. A quaint custom is that of “ géldran.” 
When a man marries, the “ orang semenda’’ of his wife as- 
semble together. Here all property questions are brought 
forward and decided such as ‘“ herta membawa,’’ &c. The 
“orang semenda” then confer a title on the man, such as 
“ Mentri” “ St Maraja’”’ “ Peduka Raja” “ Laksamang 
and many others. 
