196 VOLUNTEER POLICE FOR PROVINCE WELLESLEY. 
of buffaloes are let loose over the plains and public roads, and al- 
though a vigorous attempt was made by the Police last year on 
complaints made by the Assistant Engineer and myself to prevent 
cattle trespass, it failed, owing to the number of the cattle, the 
difficulty of catching them or ascertaining the names of the owners — 
and the little time policemen have to spare for the purpose. 
I would further venture to recommend that, instead of the ela- 
borate system of protection against over-valuations and exactions, 
provided by the Assessment Act, an account in Malay of the rates 
payable by the inhabitants of each village be given to the Pénght- 
lus and by them to the Katuas, about two or three months before the 
day on which payment is to be made, and explained to the villagers. 
They would much prefer this to the present system, and the Katuas 
and Pénghtlus are prepared to have the money ready on the day 
fixed, when the Collector would only have to attend at the nearest 
Police Station, receive it, and sign the receipt on the account. 
This would supersede the necessity of making out bills and 
notices and employing so many bill collectors and their subordi- 
nates, and if the commission now allowed for collection were given 
to the Katuas it would make the office more prized. The Pénghi- 
lus might be allowed a small proportion of it and be exempted, as 
the old Pénghtlus were, from rates on their lands and houses. 
The collection was at one time entrusted to Pénghtlu Mukims on 
a commission, but cases of default occurred, owing partly to a bad 
selection of Pénghilus, but chiefly to the sums which each had to 
collect being too large. The sum for which each Katua will be 
responsible will be too small to offer a temptation to embezzlement. 
The plan might be tried without any alteration of the Act. The 
Katuas and Pénghtlus will also be very useful in settling petty 
disputes and maintaining good feeling among the villagers. When 
quarrels arise between inhabitants of different ampongs or dairahs, 
the Katuas and Pénghilus might form councils of conciliation. 
The Pénghilus might also be entrusted, under the controul of the 
Magistrate, Engineer, or other European Officer, with the regulation 
of the supply of water from the drains for irrigation in the dry 
season. At present the Malays dam the drains to flood their fields, 
without reference to the needs of their neighbours above or below. 
14. Along with the Rolls I enclose a table with the names of 
the dairahs and kampongs, their Pénghtlus and Katuas and the 
number of male adults in each who have signed the Rolls. The 
total number of the latter is 3,663, representing a general popula- 
tion, women and children included, which may be estimated at 
ea 
