SaARAWAK TO Mert. Ai 
7th May.—Up early and enjoyed a delightful bath in the sea 
with a walk on the sands. 
The Orang Kaya of Gamun—the headman of the village round 
Baili Point which bears the same name as the bay, namely, Luak— 
came on board. He spoke of the village as extensive, the anchor- 
age being good for prahus, sheltering them from the N.E. monsoon. 
The Orang Kaya not being a Brunei man complained of the 
exactions of Pangéran MonamMep Atam, to whom the village had 
to pay eighty catties per annum per man. 
I learnt to-day that Meri and Sibuti are the property of Pangé- 
ran Anak Chuchu (called Pangéran Mudain Brunei) and Pan- 
géran Monamep Aram; the former claims 87, and the latter 107 
doors. The population may be estimated at 1,250 souls. 
Nyah to Suai inclusive is the property of Pangéran PeMAaNcHaH ; 
population 500. Suai to Kidurong belongs to the Sultan. 
Bliat, on the other side of the Baram, belongs to Pangéran 
PemancuHau ; population 1,59). The Bliat river flows so close to 
that of Baram that boats can be pulled across and cargoes tran- 
shipped. Bliat may, therefore. become a better station than Meri. 
The Baram population may be estimated at about 30.000, under 
four or five independent Chiefs. The Malays assure me that this 
river is safe for trading purposes from its mouth to its source. If 
this iscorrect, the Baram is not in sucha state of anarchy and con- 
fusion as the Sarawak people would lead us to expect. 
To-day I had to hear au argument between C and the Brunei 
people as to the relative merits and demerits of the Sarawak and 
Brunei Governments. Awang Bapan and Tuan Pansane defended 
Brunei, and C took up the cudgels for Sarawak. 
The former said : “‘ Look how the Sarawak people are fined for the 
‘ slightest offence, which fine goes to the Government, while here, 
except the serah, we rarely fine people, unless it is for some 
“grave offence, and then the fine goes to the injured party.” 
In reply to this C said: ‘* Your rule is even worse than se- 
rah, which is bad enough. How about that case where Panglima 
Barinc—the headman of avillage—had to pay Pangéran Anak 
‘ Chuchu 20 pikuls of gums : not having these, he borrowed them 
‘from you, Awang Banavy, and he has to pay you sixty pikuls of 
eutta value about $2400. You, Awane Banpay. who are a 
nw 
« 
~ 
nw 
n~ 
-~ 
~ 
7 
” 
« 
oe 
© 
“ 
”~ 
