GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND OF BANKA. 395 
kiya (also called Kctia, and Keppu ,) well known by the report of the 
richness of the mines and as a resort of the smuggling prahus from 
Billiton. 
The stockade of Tubuali is situated on a small river of the same 
name about 3 miles from the point Tanjong Sumbuang-dapur at the 
foot of the hill Bantilan. Pursuing the western coast about 20 miles, 
we meet the settlement of Nylree, and 12 miles further northward 
that of UUm. Both supported formerly considerable establishments 
and mines; during the late disasters of B&nka they have been nearly 
depopulated, but since the establishment of the present Government 
many of the exiles are gradually returning to their former homes. 
The mountain people of Tubuali are united under the Batins or 
chiefs of Scmdmbu and Grim gang. To the north of the district we 
meet that of Bdnko-kutto. It extends from the boundary of Ulim 
along the western coast of the island to the discharge of Mendu ri¬ 
ver, and comprizes the smaller settlements of Bdlar, Kabul, Permis - 
sang, Bdnko-kutto and Pendgan. 
The old settlements of Banko-kutto were situated about 7 miles 
up the river of the same name. The reports of the natives agree 
in affirming that these were in ancient times the chief establishments 
on the islands ; and that the representatives of the former foreigners 
af Banka resided at a fortified place, the ruins of which are said to 
be evident at the present time. Pdngkal-lulo is a settlement about 
6 miles higher up the same river near the central districts, it is con¬ 
veniently situated for carrying on a communication across the island 
towards Koba, and in former periods served for this purpose. All 
the subdivisions of Banko-Kutto retain at the present period scarce¬ 
ly a remnant of a considerable population; their relative situation has 
been laid down on the map. 
The district of Pdlm is one of the most extensive of this part of 
Banka, and possessed formerly a population proportioned to its ex¬ 
tent, this appears from the number of working men (Mdtta-gawes) 
which were apportioned from the inhabitants, for the works of the 
Sultans of Plembang in former times. Those few fugitives who es¬ 
caped the general devastation, have retired to Pangkal-pinang and 
