78 TOUR- FROM SOUR AB AY A, THROUGH KEDJRI, &C* 
ment that has carried it into effect, it took about foul 
years constructing} but is well worth the trouble and ex¬ 
pense which it may have cost, ihe population Oi the 
neighbouring country contributed their labour to the 
undertaking, and to them it must prove now a great- 
relief} as formerly about 400 men daily were required to 
keep in order and watch the rude and ever defective dam 
work. The sluice was planned by Mr H. A. I romp, As 
sistant Resident of Mojokerto, and carried into effect under 
his immediate superintendence. This gentleman was the 
principal government civil engineer at Sourabaya, and 
was appointed to the charge of the district, m order that he 
might the better be able to execute the undertaking. Alter 
all the piling and foundation work had been laid, which had 
necessarily occupied some considerable time, an interest m 
the work was excited amongst the population, by a solemn 
consecration, accompanied by a great 1 estival, at which the 
Resident Pietermaat presided, and who, on tins occasion, 
officiated as mason in laying the principal block of hewn stone, 
at the bottom of the sluice, where the triangular door works. 
The principal officers of government of the Residency or 
Sourabaya, both European and native, attended, as well as 
an immense concourse of villagers. After they had been 
addressed by the Resident and encouraged to freely give 
their assistance in prosecuting the work, a party of priests, 
headed by a hoary elder, were requested to offer up a prayer 
in the Mahomedan fashion, and invoke a blessing on the 
enterprise. This is described by those who were present, 
as having been very impressive. At the bottom of the pit 
or trough, where the foundation was laid, might be seen the 
authorities and the priests, whilst the crowd of spectators 
thronged the surrounding banks of excavated earth. As 
soon as the aged priest was seen to raise his face and arms 
to heaven, the hum and din of the multitude was. hushed, 
and only broken at intervals, when, as one voice, was 
responded from every mouth the “ Amin .. Amin. of 
the prayers. In the stone which the Resident laid, was 
enclosed a soldered box containing a parchment document 
giving an account of the undertaking, and which the principal 
persons of the company present were invited to sign. Along 
with this, were also deposited, a copy of the Java Courant 
of latest date, and several coins. This ceremony took 
place on the 7th October, 1843, and just three years after¬ 
wards, the work was completed, and thrown open with 
further solemn ceremony and festivities. On the afternoon 
