Jelebu. 343 



some tin mines at Jelundong, which have been worked on a 

 small scale for 17 years by a Sungei Ujong Chinaman. 



The tin deposit at this spot is the richest I have seen, being 

 quite 100 per cent, better than in any mine at present working 

 in Sungei Ujong, but even with this natural advantage the 

 miner's struggle for existence is a very hard one. He is de- 

 pendent for every mouthful of food upon Pahang or Sungei 

 Ujong, and rice delivered at the mines is costly food indeed. 

 When I was there, a dollar purchased only 2f gantangs of rice, 

 as against 7 gantangs in Sungei Ujong, and 10 gantangs at Kuala 

 Triang. 



An arrangement has been entered into by which a bridle- 

 track will be constructed from Pantei in Sungei Ujong to these 

 mines early in the coming year, and other roads will be made 

 later on. A shop in connection with the mines will be opened 

 next year, so that I hope that they may progress as they ought 

 to do. 



With regard to the country generally, I see nothing in the 

 way of its prosperity but the absence of population, and people 

 are sure to come in when the proposed roads have become an 

 established fact. 



H. A. O'BRIEN. 



P. S. — At the present time (September, 1885) the road alluded 

 to above has been completed, and a Collector (Mr. E P. G-ueritz) 

 has been appointed, who took up his duties in June last. I under- 

 stand that the old residents are gradually returning to the country, 

 and that there is every prospect of an early development of the 

 miueral resources of the State. 



The Pahang- boundary has been definitely fixed at Sungei 

 Dua on the Triang, and the Collector's quarters, together with a 

 Custom House, Court, and Police Station, have been erected at 

 Kuala Klawang. 



H. A. O'B. 



