Ji: ABOUT KIND A. 



via Kwala Kangsa. A continuation of the road at present existing 

 from Larut to Kwala Kangsa, or, better still, I believe, a light 

 tramway, will not only open up the extensive valley of the Plus, but 

 will also, no doubt, in time attract a large portion of the pro- 

 ducts of Patani, which, in consequence of the North-east monsoon, 

 cannbt find an outlet to the sea on the East coast for nearly sis 

 months of the year. 



Till quite recently, this valley had never even been visited by an 

 European; but during the present month Mr. Deane, a gentleman 

 from Ceylon who is in treaty with the Government of Perak to 

 undertake a survey of the country, has gone there from Kinta, and 

 I quote the following passages from a letter which I received from 

 him from the Plus, dated 5th June, 1879 : — 



" Prom Chuinor I went to Lankor, on the right bank of the river 

 " Kurubu, a tributary of the Pius, which takes its rise on the north- 

 u ern slopes of the Ghinong Eobinson range, not far from the 

 6 'peak itself.* 5 



" This Kurubu is a river of considerable size, is pretty fast, 

 " and must drain a considerable area. Its course from rise is N."W." 

 Here I may remark that I am very much inclined to think that this 

 river, the Kurubu, will be found to drain the eastern face of 

 Q-unong Eobinson, to which I shall refer further on. Mr. Deaxe 

 continues : — 



" My trip to the range adjoining the Plus drainage and form- 

 "ing part of it, has impressed me very favourably as regards the 

 " quality of the soil. It is out and out far superior to any I have 

 " yet seen in Perak, and in many parts is simply magnificent, being a 

 " fine free chocolate-coloured soil, resting on a friable clay, but the 

 " latter so free from admixture with sand, &c, as to be good for 

 " cultivation for many feet bciow the surface. Formation is granite 

 " a3 usual. On my way here I passed and secured magnificent 

 4< specimens of lime, the finest I have seen, I think, anywhere. 

 "Prom the top of Ghmong Aslet you look over the Plus valley, 

 " which is of great extent, to a height of G,000 to 8,000 feet, and 

 " ranges away in the distance, say 40 to 70 miles, covering an arc o£ 

 " 265° to 50° of the circle." 



