597 
the markets for “ exhibits’’ and make a handsome prolit out of the 
prizes awarded to them without having to go to the trouble of 
growing or manufacturing anything. 
3. It\ however, it is decided by Government that a show is to 
be held next year, I .will of course do my best to promote its suc- 
cess, but I would point out that the month of July will not meet 
Mr. Curtis’ requirements — which are (vide paragraph 8 of his 
memorandum) that the date “should be fixed at least a year in 
advance and prize lists issued at least nine months before the date 
of the show. ” 
4. The three members of the standing Committee to represent 
Selangor should in my opinion be the Collector of Land Revenue, 
Kuala Lumpur, the Superintendent, Experimental Gardens, and the 
Chairman, United Planters’ Association ; but I have not as yet con- 
sulted these gentlemen as to their willingness to serve 
5. If it is desired, as Mr. CURTIS suggests, to induce healthy 
competition, it should I think be made a rule that prizes will only be 
given to the growers of the agricultural and horticultural exhibits, 
who should Jbe required to produce certificates either Irom the Dis- 
trict Officer or from some trustworthy person that the articles 
shown are bona fide the produce of the land of the exhibitor. 
6. 1 notice that minerals and live stock are not included in 
paragraph 7 of .Mr. Curtis’ memorandum. 
7. WitTi regard to Mr. Curtis' proposal to extend the period 
during which the shows are open to four days instead of two, and 
to provide for the reading of papers and the discussion of subjects 
affecting agriculture, 1 think any attempt in the direction of the last 
named objects would result in failure, but it is not unlikely that it 
will be advisable to extend the show time to three d ws instead of 
two. 
I have, etc., 
A. R.' VENNING. 
RESIDENT, NEGRI SEMB 1 LAN, TO RESIDENT-GENERAL. 
British Resident’s Office, 
Negri Semin l an, Seram ban, tjth October , /p 02 . 
No. N.S. 3615/02. 
Sir,— I have the honour to inform you in reply to your letter No. 
C.S. 5386/02 of the 15th ultimo that the following gentlemen in the 
Negri Sembilan might, I think, be appointed to the proposed stand- 
ing committee of the Annual Agri-Horticultufal Show : — 
(1) The Resident ; 
(2) The Chairman, Negri Sembilan Planters’ Association ; 
(3) Another member appointed by the Negri Sembilan 
Planters’ Association ; 
(4) The Collector of Land Revenue, Seretnban. 
2. I think that the members of the standing Committee should 
be Europeans and the number should be limited, as far as possible, 
