26 
The Tamils here, as on the estates, take food before they pro- 
ceed to their work, it may be good, it may be inferior (as has been 
pointed out- above); and it would appear perfectly feasible and 
easy to institute a public kitchen wherever there are Tamils lines, 
in order that they may purchase their portions of wholesome food 
before proceeding to their work, as on the estates. They are now 
on the ' rice ticket” system, are better paid than estate coolies, 
and thus it appears superfluous to provide them with this meal free 
of charge : the cost will be at least twice or three times the price 
of the coffee. 
It is proposed to bring the institution of “ public kitchens ” into 
practice as soon as possible. Caste prejudices will have to be 
respected as on the estates, and it may be a little time before it 
will come into general use. 
CHINESE. — With regard to the Sinkehs who live together in 
kongsi houses, the “ public kitchen ” system has been introduced 
and is working well. At first there was some grumbling, but now 
all goes smoothly. 
The Chinese have a good meal of rice before they start for their 
work, without the trouble of cooking it for themselves : at 1 1 a.m., 
and at 5 p m., they also have good meals cooked for them. The 
Chinese are also provided, free of charge, with pork on Sundays 
(four tahils to each man), anything extra they can buy separately 
in the kedei, and cook for themselves. 
These men are not provided with their morning meal free of 
charge, so why should the Tamils be? They work far harder and 
do far more work than the Tamils. The wages of both are good 
and there seems to be no necessity to provide the morning meal 
free. 
DESTRUCTION OP PARA RUBBER BY 
CATERPILLAR. 
By Mr. F. W. Douglas, Forest Officer ; Perak . 
In February this year a caterpillar made its appearance for the 
second time at the Pondok Tanjong Plantation. The last occa- 
sion being in 1898. 
The insect commenced feeding on the “ Mengkirai ” tree, and 
then proceeded on to the Para rubber. About ro acres of young 
and newly planted Para were stripped of all their leaves and young 
shoots : notwithstanding this about 50% of the trees have recovered 
and a still larger proportion would have done so probably, if it had 
not been for the prolonged drought. * 
It should be stated that Para is growing here under conditions 
which do not obtain on the ordinary estate. The object of the 
plantation is to grow timber, and Para is interplanted with the 
young Chengal and Merbau, partly for shade but chiefly in order 
to obtain some return from the plantation during the first 10 or 15 
years of its existence, and before the timber can be of any value. 
