150 
Mr. Duncan states that a case had occurred in Perak 
where a coolie was liberated without being sent back to hsi 
estate, and the gaoler had got into serious trouble with re- 
gard to it. 
Mr. Lake thinks that they ought to get a definite pro- 
nouncement as to what the usage was, for their guidance. 
After some further discussion it is decided, to let the 
matter stand over for the time being. 
V. White Ant Reward. The Secretary reads the 
following correspondence : 
14th December- 1908 . 
The Federal Secretary, F. M. S. 
Kuala Lumpur. 
S:m, — I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of vour 
letter No. 3995 of October 30th, and in reply am instructed 
to say that, inasmuch as it does not appear how the plan- 
ters 7 interests will be safeguarded, this Association beg to 
ask for information as to the lines on which Gover nment 
proposes to decide the award. 
A My Association further wishes me to suggest that 
the Director of Agriculture’s Department be appointed as 
the office to which all letters, putting forward a claim to this 
award, should be addressed. 
( Sgd.) H. C. E. Zacharias, 
Secretary. 
Kuala Lumpur, F. M. S. 
19th December , 1908. 
Sir, — I am directed by the Resident- General to ac- 
knowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 14th Decem- 
ber, 1908, and in reply to request you to inform the members 
of the Planters’ Association of Malaya that the Govern- 
ment will obtain the best possible advice and require 
evidence of the absolute success of any method of exter- 
mination of white ants that may be submitted before pay- 
ment of the reward offered. I am to add that the Resident- 
General has no doubt that the services of the Agricultural 
Department will be made use of in this connection. 
(Sgd.) M. S. H. McArthur, 
Ay. Federal Secretary. 
To The Secretary, 
The Planters’ Association of Malaya, 
Kuala Lumpur, 
