more interest in their holdings; even those who have young trees,, 
not yet in bearing and giving no return, are doing their best to 
keep them clean. I am disappointed that the export of copra, 23,514 
pikuls, was so little in excess of the previous year, and 1 can only 
acccount for this by supposing that owing to demand for the 
coconuts themselves there must have been large deliveries for up- 
country consumption, and also perhaps for export to the Straits, 
but as regards this no record seems to have been made. 
The acreage opened up in coconuts during the year was much 
less than in 1905, but this I attribute to the difficulty of transport, 
communication, and want of drainage, which is more keenly felt 
as the planting is extending away from the present bridle-paths 
in Circular Road from Bagan Datoh to Utan Melingtan, and I am 
assured that as soon as the works in contemplation, and which are 
now being carried out in the locality with the object of alleviating 
these troubles, are completed, there will be among the natives a 
great extension of coconut planting again in these parts. The 
European plantations at Bagan Datoh are making good progress; 
on Bagan Datoh estate about 1,400 acres are now planted, and 
at Strathmashie 700 acres. 
I regret to report that very serious harm was done by bears to 
some native holdings at Pasir Blanda, and 475 coconut trees 
damaged beyond all hope of recovery. Apart from the loss of 
the trees, which were just coming into bearing, the owners had to 
incur the heavy cost of destroying all the trees to prevent the 
spread of the beetle pest, sigus of which soon became very evident 
in the decayed matter and refuse left in the trees, caused by the 
havoc done by the bears. It was indeed a severe hardship, though 
no particular fault, and I recommend the case as deserving 
of some compensation from Government. 
Kuala Kangsar (Upper Perak). — The improvement in the 
unkeep of the kampongs referred to in last year’s report has, I am 
pleased to say, been well maintained, and good progress made in 
this direction, and my Sub-Inspector reports that the crops were 
in excess of 1905. 
The price obtained for the nuts was high, and in many 
mukims averaged as much as $4 per hundred. 
Krian and Selinsing.— Very good progress-Ras been made 
in the Krian district, while the extension in the cultivation is 
most satisfactory, and from all I can learn there is likely to be a 
further considerable increase in the current year. 
Matang and Larut. — The general ukeep of the kampongs 
continues satisfactory, and although the acreage planted up 
was not very extensive I learn from my Sub-Inspector that now 
the method I have introduced for protecting the young trees 
from the ravages of the wild pigs has proved entirely successful. 
