The North Borneo Herald. TUESDAY, 17th AUGUST 1915. COCONUTS AND COCONUT OIL

THE NORTH BORNEO HERALD

AND

THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

EDUCATIONAL SERIES BY BORNEO HISTORY

No. 16. - VOL.XXXIII. SANDAKAN, TUESDAY, 17th AUGUST 1915.

The North Borneo Herald.

TUESDAY, 17th AUGUST 1915.

COCONUTS AND COCONUT OIL

In all parts of North Borneo, during the past twelve months, there has been notable activity in the planting of coconuts. It is very gratifying to see so much land being taken up by the natives for whom this branch of agriculture is eminently suitable ; and it is noteworthy that the Chinese, who have a reputation for knowing a good thing when they see it, are engaging widely in the cultivation. European planters also are displaying a good deal of interest, and though the amount of coconut land owned by Europeans in this country and the same is true of all other tropical countries is small in proportion to the total acreage; extensions are steadily going on, and signs are not wanting that developments will be rapid in the near future.

Interest in the coconut industry as a field for the investment of European capital is of comparatively recent growth, dating back to the time when the makers of such articles as butter substitutes, soap and candles found that the supply of animal fats was not equal to the demand. Fortunately nature can manufacture many of her commodities in more than one workshop; and, supplies from the animal kingdom failing to satisfy requirements, it was possible to turn to the vegetable world to make up the deficiency.

A writer in the special food number of "The Times" published last year summed up the position as it was then follows "Animal fats, dependent as they are on the supply of animals, are at most remaining stationary, if not actually declining as regards production. As herds gradually give place to agricultural land, also does the meat supply tend to fall off, or at least appreciate in price, and with it the supply of animal fat. The solution of the problem would therefore appear to be along the lines of securing an increase supply of vegetable oil and fats. Some authorities go so far as to say that in increased production of vegetable oils lies our only hope for the future."

THE WAR AND COCONUTS.

It seems extremely probable that one of the results of the war broke out soon after the above was written, will be still more pronounced shortage of animal fats. On account of the present high price of meat there is a great temptation to slaughter animals indiscriminately and complaints are coming out from home that the butcher is outbidding the farmer in the markets. The same thing is doubtless happening in other countries ; it must lead to a reduction in the number of cattle kept for breeding purposes, and a shortage of kind cannot be made up for years.

A second bearing on the question is this: taxation will certainly high after the War, and in addition there will probably be a period of trade depression, when millions of the working classes throughout Europe will be compelled to economise. One of the first economies likely to be resorted to is the use of butter substitutes instead of real butter, especially if the price of the latter is, as it doubtless will be, high. The sale of these substitutes is enormous : it is estimated that 136,000 tons were sold in Great Britain in 1912: that is, about 7lbs per head of the population: and in many countries on the continent the amount consumed per head is considerably greater.

In Nutritive value and digestibility margarine and butter are almost identical, and when once the public has become accustomed to the cheaper article it is unlikely to return to the dearer. Further than this, the high price of animal fats will help to bring about the elimination of oleomargarine which contains about 40 % of suet and lard and only about 6 % of coconut oil, in favour of nut butter, whose content of coconut oil is 50 % or more.

In these circumstances it seems safe to predict that there will be an increased demand for coconut oil and that prices will rule high ; and that, attention being thus drawn to one of the world's pressing needs, a part of the capitol liberated at the close of hostilities will be in coconut planting.

The essential soundness of the industry has long been ,recognised by those who know, and when it comes into its own, British North Borneo, which possesses large tracts of excellent oil and a climate as suitable for the cultivation as any in the tropics, should get its full share of the capital to be invested.

A LOCAL INVENTION

The interest taken in the coconut industry by the majority in the tropics does not go beyond the production of the nuts or of copra. There seems no reason, however, why planters should not go a step further and obtain for themselves the profits to be made by extracting the oil, but no doubt the difficulty is that the necessary plant is expensive, and can only be used by companies with large acreages in bearing.

In this connection the article copied from the "Penang Gazette" in the last issue of the "Herald" , describing an invention for the extraction of coconut oil, should be of interest, especially to residents in North Borneo seeing that the inventor. is a local man, Mr Vyner of Jesselton.

One of the chief points about the invention is that the machines can be employed to deal with the produce of small estates or groups of native holdings. On this account the invention should appeal, not to owners of estates, but to some of our enterprising Chinese merchants in districts where there are considerable numbers of trees in bearing, and where supplies of coconuts could be obtained within small radius.

A second feature is that the oil is extracted from the fresh coconut. Turning the• kernels into copra is therefore unnecessary, and it is claimed that the oil is much more suitable for edible purposes than that extracted in the ordinary way.

Consumers would doubtless agree if they could travel in steamer laden with copra for Marseilles, and see the condition in which some of it arrives. Its purification, of course, presents no difficulty to the scientist; after extraction with banzine it is neutralised with soda and deodorised by steam : the finish product is above suspicion, but those on whose tables it is to appear would prefer it if the raw material had never been contaminated by mould and weevils, and if some of the chemical processes could be omitted during its manufacture. By extracting the oil from the fresh , nuts, as is done by Mr. Vyner's machine, improvements would at once be effected.

-/sj

Legenda dan Asal Usul Suku Koroli, Labuk, Sandakan

Legenda dan Asal Usul Suku Koroli, Labuk, Sandakan

Kisah legenda Suku Koroli diturunkan dari cerita nenek moyang secara lisan kepada anak dan cucu agar mereka tidak lupa asal usul mereka. Maka , sudah sampai masa bagi kita lagi berkongsi cerita ini kepada anak cucu kita sebagai kenangan, menjadi iktibar dan pelajaran dari peristiwa masa silam.

Menurut cerita legenda nenek moyang di awal kejadian ratusan tahun dahulu , sejauh mana yang mereka masih ingat dan diceritakan oleh nenek moyang mereka sebelum ini, Suku Koroli adalah dari keturunan dan susur galur "TINGGORON" seorang pahlawan dan panglima perang yang sungguh gagah berani dan terbilang namanya pada zaman itu.

TINGGORON adalah salah seorang dari 7 orang beradik pahlawan legenda yang bernama LONGGUWAI, RUNSUD, LINTOBON, TOMUI , TURUMPOK dan seorang lagi namanya yang tidak dapat diingati.

Pada suatu hari adik beradik pahlawan legenda ini membuat keputusan dan sepakat untuk berpisah membawa haluan masing masing serta membawa ahli keluarga dan pengikut mereka mencari tempat, kawasan dan kehidupan yang baru.

Hari ini kita bercerita kisah legenda keturunan "Pahlawan Tinggoron" pengasas Suku Koroli, yang membawa semua pengikut serta ahli keluarganya ke Telupid. Seterusnya dari susur galur keturunannya menjadi antara suku suku yang menetap di kawasan Labuk. Dari keturunan dan susur galur Tinggoron juga lahirlah pelbagai suku seperti Suku Bayok, Suku Dusun Klias, Suku Putih, Suku Tindakon, Suku Turawid dan Suku Koroli. Suku Koroli membesar menjadi lapan cabang suku lain seperti Suku Koroli, Suku Kotoring, Suku Kiwulu, Suku Sogo, Suku Sungangon, Suku Dalamson, Suku Tampulung dan Suku Sogilitan.

Di zaman dulu kala, ada seorang lelaki yang berkelakuan ganjil dari keturunan Pahlawan Tinggoron yang suka hidup bersendirian di tepi perkampungan Labuk. Pada satu malam, lelaki ini mendapat mimpi yang ganjil seolah olah kejadian yang benar berlaku, di mana perkampungan mereka ditimpa bencana banjir yang besar sehingga bukit bukit yang berhampiran turut tenggelam kecuali kemuncak yang tinggi di kawasan pegunungan. Seorang lelaki tua berpakaian serba putih muncul dalam mimpi beliau dan mengarahkan beliau membuat rumah panjang di kawasan pegunungan yang tinggi. Orang tua tersebut berkata dalam masa satu tahun akan berlaku banjir besar dan sesiapa yang tidak berpindah ke rumah panjang yang baru ini akan terkorban. Orang tua itu memberitahu bahawa beliau akan muncul lagi sebelum banjir besar tersebut.

Apabila bangun dari tidur, lelaki itu terus memberitahu orang kampung tentang peristiwa dan bencana di dalam mimpinya sambil meminta bantuan dari orang ramai untuk membuat rumah panjang yang besar di kawasan pegunungan secepat mungkin untuk menyelamatkan diri dari bencana yang akan bakal berlaku di perkampungan mereka tetapi sebaliknya beliau di ketawakan dan dikatakan sebagai orang gila.

Memandangkan tiada seorang pun yang percaya cerita banjir beliau maka lelaki ini mendaki ke kawasan pergunungan seorang diri dan mula membuat rumah panjang yang besar dengan harapan suatu hari nanti orang kampung akan sedar dan pindah kerumah panjang ini sebelum bencana banjir besar yang akan datang.

Setiap hari dari awal pagi sehingga petang lelaki itu dengan gigih dan bersungguh sungguh membuat rumah panjang seorang diri, kebetulan kawasan pegunungan mempunyai banyak pokok besar yang sesuai untuk menjadi bahan untuk membuat rumah. Beliau bermula dengan menebang pokok pokok untung membuat tiang rumah serta rangka rumah satu persatu dengan amat teliti. Pembinaan ini dibuat secara perlahan lahan setiap hari ada saja yang dilakukannya tanpa berhenti dari menanam tiang, memasang rangka, membuat atap, lantai dan akhirnya menyiapkan dinding rumah. Rumah panjang ini siap dalam masa hampir setahun dan apabila rumah ini sudah siap, pada satu malam lelaki tadi bermimpi berjumpa lagi dengan seorang tua yang pernah muncul dalam mimpinya yang lalu sambil berkata pergilah beritahu orang kampung bencana banjir akan berlaku dalam masa 3 hari dan minta mereka pindah kerumah panjang yang baru itu secepat mungkin.

Lelaki ini dengan kelam kabut turun balik ke perkampungan lama beliau dan meminta orang kampung berpindah dan mengikutnya ke rumah panjang yang baru siap dibinanya di kawasan pegunungan. Orang kampung bukan saja tidak peduli tentang permintaannya dan berita bencana banjir yang akan berlaku malah mereka semua ketawa sambil berkata "orang ni sudah betul betul tambah gila apabila tinggal seorang diri selama setahun di kawasan pegunungan".

Cuma seorang gadis sepupu sekali lelaki ini saja yang sudi dan mahu mengikutnya pindah ke kawasan pegunungan. Seperti yang diramalkan oleh orang tua dalam mimpi lelaki itu tadi, selepas tiga hari hujan mula turun. Pada mulanya titik hujan turun sebesar kuku anak jari tangan, tidak lama kemudian titik hujan sebesar kuku ibu jari kaki pula turun tanpa henti henti. Hujan turun selama berapa hari berterusan sehingga banjir besar berlaku memusnahkan perkampungan dan seluruh ternakan, tanaman. Penduduk kampung semua terkorban. Air banjir menenggelamkan semua bukit bukau di sekeliling kampung dan air banjir naik tinggi sehingga ke paras kawasan pegunungan berhampiran rumah panjang yang baru siap dibina itu, barulah hujan mula berhenti.

Semasa banjir besar, segala haiwan seperti "Kalasiau", payau, beruang, harimau kumbang, badak dan semua jenis haiwan liar banyak yang berpindah ke kawasan pegunungan hampir dengan rumah panjang yang baru tersebut. Apabila air banjir mula surut semua haiwan balik ke habitat asal mereka dan cuma tinggal lelaki itu dan sepupu perempuannya saja yang tinggal di rumah panjang yang besar itu. Memandangkan tiada manusia lagi yang berada dekat dikeliling mereka maka mereka berdua berkahwin dan mendapat 7 orang anak lelaki dan 7 orang anak perempuan. Apabila mereka semua sudah besar, mereka berkahwin sesama sendiri menjadi 8 pasangan keluarga termasuk ibu bapa mereka. Lapan pasangan keluarga ini bersumpah tidak akan berkahwin antara mereka dan mencadangkan setiap pasangan keluarga membuat suku mereka masing masing. Lapan pasangan yang wujud selepas banjir besar ini dikenali sebagai Suku Koroli.

Lapan cabang Suku Koroli dikenali sebagai Suku Kotoring, Suku Kiwulu, Suku Sogo, Suku Sunggangon, Suku Dalamson, Suku Tumpulung dan Suku Sogilitan.

Pada tahun 1886, di dalam catatan diari, D.D. Daly apabila beliau menjelajah ke Kinabatangan pada waktu itu empat Suku dari Suku Longom, Suku Puteh, Suku Kitaring dan Suku Tampias bergabung dalam peperangan melawan musuh mereka.

Cerita legenda ini diceritakan oleh mendiang Rindang dari Suku Koroli kepada anak perempuannya yang berusia 70 tahun berasal dari Kampung Kiubak dan sekarang tinggal di Ulu Tungud ketika berjumpa dengan penulis .

Suku Koroli dipercaya berasal dari perkampungan Tompios. Sebahagian dari Suku ini berpindah ke Kiubak sepanjang Sungai Ensuan yang menjadi perkampungan Ensuan. Di Perkampungan Ensuan beberapa Suku Tinggal di kawasan tersebut seperti Suku Koroli, Suku Sogo dan Suku Kiwulu dan ada juga kelihatan beberapa keluarga Suku Dalamson. Suku Sogolitan boleh ditemui di perkampungan Melapi, Kopuron, Mangkadaik dan Lumou. Suku Sungangon pula boleh ditemui di Kampung Barayon di mana ramai Suku Tompulung boleh ditemui di sepanjang Sungai Labuk dari Poginatan sehingga Telupid dan jauh ke hilir sungai.

Sumber :

1. Diari DD Daly 1886

2. PS Shim 2007

Di Sunting oleh :

Kumis Kumis

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World War 2

Compilation of Articles on North Borneo Second World War's History

1. A Short Story of William Pryer's Protege : Pongholo Stanislaus Dominic of Sandakan
2. Anzac Memorial Primary School Jesselton : The Origin of Sanzac School Kota Kinabalu
3. "As We Grew Up We Seldom Talked About It" by Anup Singh, Son of Jemadar Ojagar Singh
4. Borneo 1945 - An Amphibious Success Story by Dr Nial Wheate and Dr Gregory P Gilbert
5. Chief Inspector (R) Philip Mairon Bahanja A War Veteran : Country's Peace and Prosperity Must Be Preserved
6. Corporal Koram The Amazing Resistance Fighter by Danny Wong Tze Ken
7. In WW2, 176 Sabahans were brutally massacred in this park. Here's what Happened by Badd
8. Local Heroes Roll - Part 1 - Sandakan Underground 1942-1945
9. Local Heroes Roll - Part 2 - Sandakan Underground, Sandakan Ranau Death March,SOA/SRD Agents/Helpers, Operation Python, Operation Agas (1-5) and Operation Stallion
10. Miaw Sing : The Japanese Occupation Resistant Fighters and Warrior from Sipitang
11. Prelude to invasion: Covert operations before the re-occupation of Northwest Borneo, 1944-45 Author: Dr Ooi Keat Gin
12. Sandakan 1942-1945 by Dr Richard Reid
13. Spitfire donated by North Borneo during WW2
14. The Landings at Borneo
15. The Story of Escape and Friendship at Sandakan - Dick Braithwaite and Abdul Rashid @ Loreto Padua
16. The Story of Jemadar Ojagar Singh - Beyond the Call of Duty
17. The Story of Lamberto Apostol - The Sandakan Underground Movement
18. A Short Story of a local woman named "Aen" during the Second World War in Sabah , North Borneo
19. Yamazaki Kenji - Keningau Apin Apin Straight Road

CORPORAL KORAM THE AMAZING RESISTANCE FIGHTER by Danny Wong Tze Ken

CORPORAL KORAM THE AMAZING RESISTANCE FIGHTER

by Danny Wong Tze Ken

The literature on Sabah during World War Il is usually confined to the Kinabalu Guerrillas and the plight of the Australian prisoners of war in Sandakan. Very little is known of the resistance fighters who continued to harass the Japanese Army until the end of The war. This is the story of one such person-Corporal Koram who, against all odds, managed personal war against the Japanese Army until peace was restored.

Koram bin Anduat was a member of the pre-war Constabulary. He was born in the 1920s and rose through the ranks; he was a corporal when war broke out. As the Japanese administration was being put in place, the Constabulary were asked to continue to serve. Koram was soon being sent to Berhala Island to guard the civilian internees from Sandakan and the east coast of Sabah.

Berhala Island was turned into a detention camp for the civilian internees by the Japanese shortly after they landed. It had earlier been used as a leprosy settlement under Chartered Company rule. Shortly after the outbreak of war in December 1941, the Chartered Company had used it to intern Japanese nationals. When the tables were turned, it was used by the Japanese to detain European and some Asian internees. The Japanese, however, did not intern those needed for emergency and essential services, including medical service.

Apart from Koram, the Constabulary detail on Berhala consisted of Inspector Guriaman, Jemadar Ujagar Singh, Usop Basinau and Yansalang. The group were extremely loyal to their former superior officer Major A. Rice-Oxley, the commandant for the Constabulary and Officer in the volunteer force. The policeman acted as couriers for messages between internees on Berhala Island and Dr James Taylor in the civilian hospital in Sandakan.

Apart from Major Rice-Oxley, also interned on Berhala were Governor Charles R. Smith and other government officials including Harry Keith, the conservator of Forests. Apart from messages, the group also smuggled much needed money, medicine and essential food to the prisoners on Berhala Island. Dr Taylor, the principal medical officer, had been asked to remain in his post by the Japanese. Later this network extended to the POWs, code-named 'B' Force, in the Mile 8 POW camp.

The task was very dangerous and Koram and his colleagues risked being discovered by the Japanese Kempeitai. Despite being extremely cautious, their activities soon came under the watchful eyes of the Japanese the Kempeitai. There were also Japanese informants roaming around. Koram was arrested twice by the Kempeitai on suspicion of being a message courier. He was beaten and jailed for a total of two weeks . The Japanese also warm him that he would be shot the next time they caught him for the same offence. Koram was then carrying messages between Berhala and the POW Camp. Because of this experience, Koram had to lie low for a while.

Six months later, Koram was again on guard duty on Berhala Island. This time, the prisoners were 500 Australian POWs who were being transferred from Kuching. The POWs, code-named 'E' Force, had originally being captured in Singapore. The men had arrived at Berhala on a Japanese ship, Taka Maru, on 6 April 1943 en route to join the other POWs in the construction of the airfield at Mile 8. When Koram returned to duty at Berhala, he was asked by the Japanese to spy on the prisoners. This He agreed to do with the hope of helping the POWs.

Soon, Koram was contacted by several POWs, among whom were Rex Blow and Charlie Wagner. Rex Blow, who later served as a District Officer in post-war Sabah, Took the initiative to contact Koram after learning that he was trustworthy and willing to help.

However, before any escape plans could be hatched, something amazing happened. One day while Koram was fishing, an American submarine surfaced beside his boat. The men from the submarine asked Koram to deliver a letter to any white man he saw. He was also asked to tell those who were trying to escape to join the guerrillas in southern Philippines. Initially, Koram took the letter to the POW who were already in Sandakan constructing the airfield. Koram was asked by Dr Taylor to extend the escape offer to the POWs on Berhala Island.

While the leading POW officers on the mainland rejected the suggestion to escape, some of their men were eager to make an attempt. On 30 April 1943, the first three POWs escaped from the Mile 8 Camp. Two of them were quickly recaptured and executed. The successful escapee Sergeant Walter Wallace hidden and cared for by the Sandakan underground. He finally made it to Berhala Island on 30 May, and was asked to hide with other escapees from the POW camp on the island. A shelter was constructed for them by Koram.

The escapees from The Berhala camp were Rex Blow, Jack McLaren, Jim Kennedy, Rex Butler and three others. The group, code-named 'Dit Party' were hoping to escape from the island and make it to join the US forces in Philippines still holding out in Sulu. They were also helped by Koram and his colleagues. After many anxious moments, three members of the party finally made it to Tawi-Tawi in small boats on 14 June 1943. The other five arrived 15 days later in a kumpit that had been arranged by Koram and his friends.

Koram and his friends continued to help the Australian POWs at Mile 8 with their efforts to smuggle messages, news, food and medicine and radio parts for the construction of a clandestine radio. While Dr Jim Taylor remained as the outside contact, The POW chief intelligence officer Captain Lionel Matthews was the inside link.

The underground was soon discovered by the Japanese after being betrayed by informants. As a result, members of the underground, including Koram, were arrested by the Japanese. They were severely interrogated and harshly treated by the Kempeitai; more arrests were made as more names were revealed in many forced confessions. Koram was betrayed by three collaborators who had knowledge of his links with the 'E' Force escapees. Koram was severely beaten but revealed no information. During a lull in the interrogations he managed to escape through the windows of a toilet and went into hiding. He spent the first few days hiding in the vicinity of the Japanese headquarters ; there he survived on Japanese rations. After a week, he moved to the reservoir, where he was cared by his fellow policemen Apuk and Gatua. After recovering from his wounds, Koram was said to set fire to the jetty at Sandakan and destroyed a Japanese oil store and fuel lighter. He then set his mind to resisting Japanese rule through guerrillas warfare.

Subsequently, Koram made his way to Beluran and later to Kota Belud on the west coast. This part of the journey was courtesy of the Japanese officer in Beluran who was convinced by Koram that he had been sent from Sandakan to carry out a census; three coolies were assigned to assist him. Koram used the coolies to carry his belongings. In Kota Belud , he met up with two friends from the Constabulary, Dado Siniong and Jemadar Gabudand who asked him to join the guerrillas.

Koram's first guerrilla venture was apparently with the Kinabalu Guerrillas. Some authors mentioned that Koram took part in the Kinabalu Guerrillas uprising on 9 October 1943. He and his two police friends were said to have been involved in the burning of the Jesselton godown. When the Kinabalu Guerrillas fell apart in the face of massive Japanese attack, Koram returned to his father's house in Pensiangan, having become ill.

Once recovered, Koram gave himself up to the Japanese, informing them that he had helped eight POWs escape from Berhala. He then offered his services to the Japanese As a spy to track down fugitives from the Sandakan underground. Amazingly, the Japanese were taken in by his story and Koram was given almost complete freedom to go around, hunting, fugitives. Koram used this opportunity to spy on Japanese installations and military movements throughout the state. This proved to be valuable work as even though the Allied intelligence groups had landed on the east coast in September 1943, they could not penetrate beyond the coastal area.

Koram was once again arrested by the Japanese on 1 May 1944 in Segama, but managed to escape again. This time, he made his way to Tawi- Tawi where he submitted his reports and intelligence data to Colonel Alendrajo Suarez, the commander of the Filipino guerrilla force under The USFIP still holding out against the Japanese. Koram was interrogated by Suarez before his stories were confirmed by members of the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) then operating in Tawi-Tawi. Koram was then evacuated to Morotai, which was already in Allied hands to be debriefed. While at Morotai , Koram was recruited by the SRD as an operative with the rank of sergeant.

With the SRD, Koram was assigned to Operation AGAS IV, which was part of a series of Allied clandestine operations aimed at gathering intelligence in Sabah, including the plight of the POWs, and establishing resistance groups against the Japanese. AGAS IV was led by Major Rex Blow one of the POWs whom Koram had helped to escape from Berhala Island. The team was inserted in Semporna in July 1944. Koram formed a very effective Partnership with his Australian colleagues. Although the team's mission was essentially intelligence gathering, the team was also involved in launching several attacks on Japanese positions. Koram's qualities as a guerrilla fighter were very impressive. On many occasions he successfully led teams of local guerrillas to Attack the Japanese. Rex Blow was so impressed by Koram's performance that he recommended him for an award. AGAS IV operations ended on 13 October 1944. Koram's role was not confined to AGAS IV; during the course of AGAS IV operations he also helped in AGAS V operations led by another POW escapee, Captain Jack McLaren.

After the war, Koram rejoined the Constabulary and was promoted to sergeant. He was made a Member of the British Empire for his wartime service. Koram continued his service in the Constabulary until he retired in 1955.

Source : 

Historical Sabah: The War (published by Opus Publication Sdn Bhd)

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GAYA ISLAND 1846 -1899 UNDER THE BRITISH NORTH BORNEO CHARTERED COMPANY

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GAYA ISLAND 1846 -1899 UNDER THE BRITISH NORTH BORNEO CHARTERED COMPANY

Edited by Kumis Kumis

A local resident of Pulau Gaya by the name of Mr "Bong" recently invited me to the island. He welcome my group to his house and introduced us to the Kampung elder. Mr Bong claimed that they were originally from Mengkabong several generation ago. Mr Bong involved in tourism industry and an avid amateur historian. He shows me the remnants of old settlements, a very old well, a hidden caves and bring me around the island using his boat. Treasure hunters with metal dictator are known to have visited the islands once a while. He told me that generally when people talk about the history of Gaya Island, the first thing they remembered was the attack of Mat Salleh on the island in 1897. Mr Bong wish he could know more about the history of Gaya Island. The history of Pulau Gaya or Gaya Island during the company administrations actually have been well documented by the colonial officials. On the inquiry of Mr Bong, I did some background check on the island's more than 170 years history. 

The informations are non exhaustive and would like to share a simple chronological narrative written by the colonial officials about Gaya Island from 1846 till 1899.

1846 - Sir Edward Belcher, visited Gaya thought the island was, "One of the best and most completely landlocked harbours on this coast".

1858 - Spenser St John, visited Gaya and thought that, "the site have prospects as settlement and possible port of call" .

29th December 1877 - the company acquired Gaya Island along with several other places on the West Coast of Sabah through an agreement made with the Sultan Abdul Mumin Ebn Marhoum Maulana Abdul Wahab of Brunei.

According to the late JH Macartney , formerly Public Services Commissioner, the name Gaya derived from the Bajau word "Goyoh", which means big. Thus literally translated, Gaya island means Big Island.

1st June 1881 - Governor Treacher left England to assume his duties, and arrived at Labuan, his temporary headquarters.

7th August 1881 - steps were at once taken to organize government on a permanent footing; a commandant, an auditor-general, superintendent of agriculture, mineralogical explorer, medical officer, assistant residents and other necessary officer were appointed, a few Sikhs, Malays and Somalis were enrolled as a police force, and Stations opened at Gaya on the West Coast, Kudat in Marudu Bay on the North, and at Silam in Darvel Bay on the East.

Gaya Island is situated rather to the south of the centre, (and is separated from the mainland by a harbour a mile in width,) of the Northwest Coast of the Company's territory.

April 1882 - twenty shops were finished, ten more were in course of construction, and a contract was out for the building of another block of ten.

26th September 1882 - A station started at Gaya Island , the first shop being completed at the end of December in that year.The main government installation on Gaya island were Residency House, the treasury office and police station.

A sago factory is also about to be established on the island. Twenty-two lots of land have been sold, the average price being rather over $57 per lot ; these lots are thirty three by sixty-six feet, the smaller measurement being the width of the frontage. The highest price paid for one lot was $91, the lowest $32 ; the best lots nearest to the wharf have so far been reserved.

Gaya has a good harbour, and is in an excellent position, all the best rivers of the North-west Coast flowing into the sea just to the north and south of it. And small native canoes can cross to the mainland in all weathers. The fact that all the shops on the island, excepting four, belong to the Chinese speak well for the future of the town. The Company have so far spent very little money on it, so the progress made is healthy, it being due to the investment of Chinese capital by men thoroughly acquainted with the present trade of the coast, and who believe that it may be increased ten or twenty fold by the introduction of agriculturists on the mainland.

The value of the imports for March was $4,186, the present native trade of the coast that should come into the place, is worth $200,000 per annum.

So far this new settlement has not had the advantage of direct communication with China, the Hong Kong people have, therefore, never seen the island or any of the fine plains on the mainland near it.

There is plenty of good water to be had, springs running out of the rooks seventy and a hundred feet above the sea-level. The health of the people on the island has been remarkably good, only three deaths having occurred during six months, and these could not fairly be said to be due to the climate ; no deaths have so far taken place among either the Chinese traders or the natives, the three men who died were three of the most sickly of a decidedly unhealthy lot of Chinese coolies sent from Singapore.

The population consists of eighty Chinese and about three hundred and seventy natives, it is increasing rapidly, twenty-five people arrived on April 18th and they report that many more wish to come but they do not feel sure of being received. There is also a large moving population who come for three or four days and buy goods and then return to their own country.

The view from the residency; one hundred and eighty feet above the sea, is one of the most beautiful in this picturesque country.

H.E. the Governor, with Mr. Daly, Private Secretary, returned to Kudat, after a lengthened stay on the East Coast, by the launch Sabine on the evening of the 17th May 1883 and left after the departure of the Hong Kong mail steamer, for Labuan and Brunei on the 23rd by the S.S. Borneo. Mrs. Treacher and her infant daughter was also passengers by the Borneo, having decided to make a short visit to England, after which she will rejoin the Governor in North Borneo. Gaya was reached in the evening and the Governor's party landed and made a brief inspection of the new settlement.

Good progress has been made here and the Chinese traders wore an air of contentment and prosperity, and the natives of the coast are visiting the station in increasing numbers, bringing the produce of their rivers, seas, and jungles, in the shape of tortoise shell, gutta, rubber, birds' nests, camphor, beeswax; and others. A well built jetty has been carried out into twenty feet of water and a comfortable residence for the officer in charge nearly completed on a prominence whence a lovely view of Kinabalu and the opposite coast is to be obtained. Amongst the newly arrived Chinese there were a few cases of fever.

While H. E. the Governor was recently on a visit to the settlement at Gaya, Pangeran Abdul Roup, the semi-independent Chief of Mengkabong, took the opportunity of going across from the mainland to pay a complimentary visit to His Excellency. The Pangeran was received with a salute of thirteen guns, very creditably fired by Mr. Davies' Dyak Policemen. The steep ascent to the Residency was too much for the strength of the aged Chief, who was carried up on a chair.

We learn that Mr. Chin Ting of Labuan and Kudat having obtained favourable terms from the North Borneo Government has, in conjunction with Mr. Lim Eng King of Singapore, commenced the erection of a sago washing factory. This will be the first such factory in the territory and its establishment at Gaya will conduce materially to the prosperity of that rising settlement. Mr. Chin Ting has also opened a trading station at the old Government settlement in Abai harbour.

1st July 1883 - GAYA BAY -The Headquarters of the Gaya-Papar-Kimanis District were moved from Papar to Gaya which is a great improvement, as Papar although a very healthy and fertile country, is not a convenient place for Headquarters, there being an open roadstead, steamers can only call in fine weather.

A marked improvement in the trade of Gaya took place in July and August, this was due no doubt to some extent to an increase of confidence amongst the traders on their seeing Europeans coming to live on the island. The trade in the month of June was worth $5,028, in July $9,961 in August $14,745, this rate of increase can hardly be expected to last, but there is a fair prospect of the trade by the end of this year reaching $25,000 per month.

A sago factory is now being constructed and it should be finished in about two months, and will add considerably to the prosperity of the place.

Native refugees still continue to arrive as they say they cannot live in their own country owing to the exactions of their Rajahs. The Natives complain that under the Rajahs nothing is certain, they cannot call anything their own, for if the Rajah wants it he takes it, the result of this kind of government is to make the people very improvident, and they live a hand to mouth existence, but even their rice is not safe as if the Rajah cannot get anything else he will take that. It is said by many people who have been out in the East many years "That people who live chiefly on shellfish are a useless lot," it would be more correct to say that where you see people living on shellfish it points to the fact that they are living under a bad form of government, some people would answer to this " Yes, but we have given them a good government and they don't improve. " How can it be expected, is not use a second nature time must be given, there will probably be very little progress, until a new generation has been brought up under a good government.

There is no ambition left in the people, they only say, " let us live in peace, and get our food in the easiest way possible."

These remarks do not apply so much to the Dusuns, some of them inherit the keenness of the Chinaman, but if, Gaya and the country round about is to become prosperous, and pay for good government, a new working people must be introduced in considerable numbers, and the Chinese are undoubtedly the best people for this purpose. If the government encourage the in-coming of these people in a judicious manner, and especially the planting Chinese from the Straits Settlements a few years hence Gaya will no doubt be a prosperous, and not an unimportant settlement.

The launch Alfred has been stationed at Gaya, so visitors can now be taken about to see the different stations.

The S.S. Banca paid Gaya a visit on the 21st November 1883 again on the 27th December. It will probably not be long before there is sufficient inducement for her to call regularly.

With the close of the year 1883 the progress of Gaya in its fifteen months of existence has been very steady and satisfactory. The Trade returns, necessarily imperfect at first, show a great increase during the latter half of the year. Imports for 3rd quarter $21,226 Exports $12,658 and import for the 4th quarter $20,620 and exports $20,508.

1st January 1884 - The exclusive right for importing and selling opium for consumption in the Territory of North Borneo and selling and manufacturing chando were by tender for the term of one year from 1st January 1884 to the 31st December 1884 addressed to His Excellency The Governor . The importation of chando is prohibited. The successful Tenderer will be required to find security for the due fulfilment of his contract. He will be required to keep, sufficient stocks of Chando of good quality at such places as the Government may decide upon, including Kimanis, Papar, Gaya, Kudat in the West Coast Residency, and Sandakan Melapi and Silam in the East Coast Residency.

3rd January 1884 - A census taken  gives the population as follows: Europeans 3. Adult Chinese-male, 70; female nil. Adult native's male, 118; female, 106 ; Children: male. 57 ; female, 46 ; Total 400. Houses of all descriptions, 100. The shops kept by Chinese number 18.

By S.S. Borneo from Kudat on the 13th January a boring machine was received and boring operations are now going on behind the town in search of coal.

The new year's sports, the first ever held in Gaya, proved a great success and were so well competed for that commencing at 2 p.m. darkness had come on before the five last events in the programme, given below, had taken place on the first day. Those were postponed till the following morning. Fully twenty men started for the steeplechase and the numerous mishaps caused much amusement. The Pakerangan and Gobang races were very keenly contested, the anxiety to win causing so much confusion that some difficulty was experienced in getting the competitors in order before a fair start could be effected. The course lay round the pier, a distance of 700 yards. The Government pakerangan won after an exciting struggle. The following morning two boatloads of men went off to one of the beacons to contest the swimming race, regardless of sharks, presenting quite a lively appearance in the water on the gun being fired. The successful competitor for the diving race won by 1 min. 30 sec. under water. The greasy boom and sack races caused much amusement. The sports wound up with a tug of war, the final tie being won by the Malaya against the Dayak Police after a long struggle. The total number of prizes distributed amounted to $67.25 mostly subscribed by the Chinese community.

Programme of Gaya New Year Sports, 1884.

1. 100 yards flat race 3 heats.

2. Three-legged race.

3. putting the shot.

4. high jump.

5. long jump.

6. hurdle race-6 flight, 3 heats.

7.100 yds. flat race for big boys.

8. 100 yds. flat race for small boys.

9. steeplechase half mile.

10. pakerangan race-3 crews of 9 men each.

11. gobang race-3 crews of 2 men, each.

12. swimming race, 250 yds.

13. walking the greasy boom.

14. diving longest time under water.

15. sack race, 3 heats.

16. tug of war-4 team of 8 mens, Dusun, Bajaus, Dyaks and Malays.

1st July 1884 - from Gaya we have the pleasure of recording the first shipment of sago-flour ever made from North Borneo, Mr. Neo Chin Ting having forwarded to Singapore 400 bags per SS Borneo and a similar quantity awaits the arrival of the next steamer. It is unfortunate that just at this time the price obtainable for this article in Singapore is lower than it has been before.

31st of May 1885 - a Sikh policeman named Segnah Singh accidently shot himself. He was examining a revolver ( belonging to the deceased Sergeant Major Naran Singh) when it suddenly went off and the bullet struck him on the outer side of the right leg smashing the bone and lodging in the ankle joint. He was sent to Sandakan by the first opportunity. It was at one time feared he would lose his foot, but he is now reported doing well though likely to have a stiff joint

1885 - John Whitehead, who explored Mount Kinabalu found that the Gaya Settlement a pathetic sight: "a year later when I visited the place the shop looked decidedly the worse for wear and had not increased in number"

October 1885 - Coal, of good quality, is reported to exist in the island

31st December 1885 - During the quarter ended 1,712 piculs of Sago flour were shipped from Gaya to Singapore.

1st Feb 1886 - Every picul of sago going to Gaya at present, has to pass the new port at Putatan, and as there is plenty of good water on the spot, and any additional supply can be brought down in a " flume " from Karindingon hill, close by, where there are never failing sources of supply.

13th February 1886 - Si Pantar, a Chief of Tubilon Ulu Tawaran, who had hitherto defied the Government was captured by the Assistant Resident and small party of Police and taken to Gaya. During his stay at Gaya , Si Pantar has become most-friendly to the Government and he now returns to his country animated with the best intentions to the company. Si Pantar controls the upper Tawaran up as far as Baya, important place as being the point where the inland natives cross the Tawaran on their way down to the coast to trade.

16th February 1886 - The "Paknam" which arrived at Gaya, there were passengers H.E. The Governor, Resident and Mrs. Pryer, Resident Davies, J. Smith Esquire Commanding Constabulary, and , Dr. Lamb, M. B. Medical Officer, West Coast. The three latter remained at Gaya, Captain Smith and Dr. Lamb subsequently paying a visit of inspection to Papar.

1st March 1886 - The "Padi" crops along the coast are looking fairly well, but the crop will not turn out as large as last year's, partly owing to the want of rains and partly to the ravages of the field-rats, which are very numerous this year. The surplus of last year's Putatan crop, which was very large, is now being exported to Gaya, Papar, Mempakul, Padas, Labuan and Brunei, to supply the wants of those places.

26th March 1886 - HMS Audacious flagship of Vice Admiral RV Hamilton Commander in Chief on the China Station in company with HMS Sapphire and HMS Merlin visited Gaya.

1st May 1886 - during the absence of the Assistant Resident in charge, in Tawaran, a Bajau named Silang, committed for trial on a charge of having been concerned in the assassination of Captain A.M. de Fontaine, in the Kawang affair, managed to effect his escape from Gaya Jail, owing to the remissness of the Sikh sentry on guard. Up to date he has managed to elude recapture, though his whereabouts is known.

1st May 1886 - GAYA Sago Factory has been showing greater activity during the past quarter, 600 piculs of Sago Flour having been shipped to Singapore. A change of management has recently taken place which will probably act beneficially.

16th June 1886 - On arriving in Gaya at a. m., I found Pangeran Sabudin had been there, having returned from interviewing Si Guntok. I have already sent a letter to Si Guntok by Pangeran Kermajair and I hope it may have the desired effect.

29th June 1886 - The health of Gaya has been very good and orders for several necessary sanitary improvements

1st August 1886 - Among the great harbours which give importance to North Borneo, in view of the vast trade in the China Seas and future eventualities in time of war; are Gaya and Ambong on the west, coast.

14th August 1886 - Census of Gaya Total 479 to 384 in January 1885, or an increase of 22 in one and a half years.

1st October 1886 - We are glad to announce that Gaya is gradually beginning to realize that in order to convince the outside world of its prosperity, some appearances are necessary. An order for piping to bring down water from the Barracks Hill gully, has been sent to Singapore; and already work has commenced on the reservoir. The total expense is to be defrayed half by the Government and half by the Chinese traders who are at present holding twenty shops. Any new corners will have to pay a monthly tax for use of the water supply which taxes will be duly deposited against future repairs.

A local Council of four Chinese traders, duly selected by ballot, has been instituted by the Assistant Resident-in-Charge to help him in matters concerning Trade, Farms and Municipal Regulations.

The following is the list of the members of the Gaya Council :-

President : G. L. DAVIS. Resident-in-Charge.

Vice President : R. M. LITTLE, Asst. Resident-in-charge

Chief Govt. Member : H. S. HAYNES. Treasury Officer.

Mahomedan Representative : KETEK.

Hokien Chinese : Swateh

Hokien Chinese : TAN KI YAM.

Hokien Chinese : Chow Yim.

Macao : AH HING.

The Teochew Chinese have not secured a representative owing to the scarcity of voters to that clan.

1st January 1887 - Shipping. Gaya foreign steam-shipping tonnage outwards amounts to 595. and Inwards 595. The s.s. "Paknam" has twice called in and the s.s. " Banca" once. Trade. The foreign Export at Gaya trade amounts to $2,228 and Imports io $2;996, Sago Flour. This month 496 picul were shipped to Singapore by the Gaya Factory and 1094.40 piculs Raw Sago were brought in by the natives. The Gaya cement reservoir for supplying the town with water is nearly completed.

20th January 1887 - The Census of Gaya Island gives the following results. The male population is divided into the following occupations 1/10th in Government employ, l/10th in Jail, 4/10th in Trade and 4/10th engaged as fishermen or coolies. 1886 Census, population 479, showing a decrease this year of 87, owing to the Timber trade at Kudat attracting numbers from this port.

1st February 1887 - The Gaya roads have been repaired thoroughly and partly re-cut. The hill at the back of the Residency is being cut back to allow light and a free current or air. The small quantity of wet padi planted in Gaya has been totally destroyed by rats.

1st March 1887 - From Province Keppel we learn that the entire population of Gaya amounts to 392, 152 females and 240 males Of the latter the Assistant Resident in giving their various occupations remarks "1/10th in Jail". This is paying tithes to the Public Works as it should be. A new Jail will be required soon as the prisoners in the smiling islet of Gaya more than double the present average in Sandakan. The ladies apparently do not partake of Government hospitality. The large reservoir at Gaya which was successfully constructed by Mr. Haynes has withstood the wet season and reflects great credit on that officer, who now conducts the supervision of the Gaya Public Works Department.

1st April 1887 - Referring to a note in our last issue about the Gaya gaol and the large amount of hospitality it dispenses, we have since had it pointed out to us that this gaol serves for a population of over 20,000 in Province Keppel, a population which includes some of the worst tribes with which we have to deal, namely, head-hunting hill Dusuns and pilfering Bajows.

1st August 1887 - Trade, Owing to the low price of Sago Flour in Singapore, the Sago Factory in Gaya may have to stop working temporarily but the Agent report that should the owners succeed in getting another manager, operations will again be continued. Unless money is spent in Papar and Kimanis in inducing the Dusuns by contracts to work energetically at the manufacture of Raw Sago, there is nothing to guarantee in future against similar temporary stoppages at every prolonged fall in prices. Birds' nests Goh Swa, of Gaya and Tuaran has paid his first instalment of the $60 which represent the Government t share of the Mantanani Island caves contracted for by him. He complains that the collector Datoh Tumanggong of Ambong defrauds him in the sharing and quality so I have appointed Pangeran Sahbudin the Government chief to settle disputes. The old barracks at Gaya have been pulled down and the site is being enlarged at a cost of $25 for new offices and flagstaff. Behind and further up the hill the new jail and Barracks will be erected. Health, List of out-door patients in Gaya amount to134 of which 76 were applications for fever medicine and 27 diarrhoea. This increase of sickness is attributable to the prolonged wet season this year.

1st September 1887 - Trade , The total Foreign Trade for Gaya during the month amounts to $4,612. Imports, $2,290. Export, $2,322. The Gaya Sago Factory having stopped work owing to the low price obtained for sago in Singapore, trade has been- rather dull but a local shopkeeper expects to re-open the Factory If he can get it at a fair price.

1st December 1887 - Visited Gaya in October. At the former place I found the Residency in very good order, the old offices have been repaired and can if necessary be used for some time yet but new Police Quarters and a new Gaol are require . The roads were also in good order and reflect credit on Mr. Haynes. A new road has been cut joining the bay where the settlement now stands, with the large bay to the North. Convicts were employed to do this work. At Gaya there has been a considerable falling off in the Import Trade, which is rather difficult to understand, as the Royalties on Exports have increased. Medical; The health of Gaya has been good. 94 cases were treated in the Dispensary but most of them were people suffering from itch.

1st February 1888 - THE Gaya Sports came off on the 14th and was similar to that, held at Papar. The exhibition of a Magic Lantern after dark had a grand effect on the natives and sent one and all away highly delighted with the days "main main". On the following morning the pony and buffalo races came off Tanjong Aru, the winner at Papar taking first place in the former and a buffalo from papar in the latter. Most of the buildings at Gaya with the exception of the Offices are in good repair. At Gaya and other places on the coast Cough and fever is prevalent. Gaya itself is all hill, and the officer in charge lives at the top of a bukit of a tremendous height. Once you get up there, however, the place is very pleasant, and, as may be imagined, it commands a superb view of the country

1st April 1889 - Gaya is grand, solemn and lovely as a highland loch. To have been the sun rise and sun set is to have seen two of the loveliest things in North Borneo. The station faces independent Territory belonging to Pangerans Jeludin and Duraman, two Brunei nobles, who draw their means of livelihood from this district, chiefly from the industry of the Dusun farmers who grow tobacco, for the local market an exceedingly fine leaf light brown in colour, and possessing great fragrance, it is eagerly sought after in the Eastern bazaars. It is very probable that now native coolies are in such high demand, that Gaya will be one of the centres where such labour may he obtained. I am sure from what I have seen of thorn that in time to come the Dusuns will be found working on the. Tobacco Estates as cleverly as the more expensive, less healthy Chinese coolies, but to attain this result some' time and patience will have to be bestowed on training them.

AN ARRANGEMENT has been made at Gaya to allow' the Spirit Farmer to sell stamps in his neat little shop near the wharf. This is a great convenience to the public as the Post Office here.

1st April 1891 - Cattle Trade 254 head of cattle were exported from Gaya during the year, being an increase of 47 over that of 1889. The average daily number of prisoner in the Gaol at Gaya and other places was 23.

4th February 1893 - Pangeran Anak Jalaludin (commonly spoken of us Pangeran Jaludin of Mengkabong ) son-in-law to His Highness the Sultan of Brunei came to pay a friendly visit to Mr.J. E. G. Wheatley with a following of 40 boats and 350 men. Early in the morning the fleet of boats was drawn up in line, at Kwala Mengatal waiting for Pangeran Kahar and at about 11 am, they paddled into Gaya harbour with Flags flying and gongs beating. A salute of 2 guns was fired from the 2 gun Battery, and the Pangeran was received on the Jambatan by Mr. Wheatley and Mr. Haynes Treasurer of Gaya and his followers to Petagas (Putatan) where Pony and Buffalo Racing took up most of the afternoon (some time Cattle having been slaughtered so that all and everybody might have a "Makan Besar"). On their return to Gaya a little fishing with dynamite was done with very good results, which greatly surprised them, and the collection of the fish Was both exciting and laughable. The Pangeran left Gaya on the morning of the 7th instant and expressed a hope that the very friendly relations existing between the British North Borneo Government and himself might long continue.

1st May 1893 - Gaya shows increases under bees-wax, coffee, blachan, damar, dry-fish, old jars, rice, and paddy, rattans, sago, sesik tenggiling, shells, sundries and treasure; on the other hand there are decreases under camphor, gutta, hides, india-rubber, live stock, shark's fins, sugar, timber and native tobacco.

28th June 1893 - Abdul Khalid @ Hj Mat Hassan trader of Gaya died

December 1893 - heavy rain and heavy wind west coast, Sibal murder case in Dalit sent to Gaya goal. issue poll tax collection in Papar, instead of $500 only pay $80. once every three years paddy planted on the south bay hill side or the swampy area. supply of pady enough for half a quarter of the population not sold own consumption.

1st April 1894 - Gun Club Pulau Gaya 200 yards

July 1894 - Lee Kye first shop in gaya died well respected by native and others always support the government

August 1894 - Hock Sing the richest shopkeeper in Gaya died

31st January 1895 - no single bag of padi exported to Brunei and independant river

1st March 1895 - Gaya shops improve with two stories build

1st May 1895 - past 8 years two prisoner died

16th August 1895 - Jambongan people felled trees and one night a trees fell into his house and kill him and broken the leg of his mother, talk on Labuan port and gaya port and Labuan port does not belong to Charted company. suggest new port in Sipitang. suggest port at Ambong preferred Gaya bay but belong to petty chief. trade damaged by independent TERRITORIES and gun powder and gun was imported and barter trade with native produce. Durian season in Pulau Gaya demand higher than supply

16th Nov 1895 - Hantu at a Jawi Jawi tree at lock lagoon, bajau people prepare "Anjong" full of gifts and set sail to sea and asked the hantu to go on board of anjong. Gantisan as the future of Gaya. Traders does not build brick building as Gaya not permanent.

16th January 1896 - Tambunan goods traded in Gaya

9th July 1897 - Mat Salleh captured all the inhabitants of Pulau Gaya. One constable was killed

16th July 1897 - Mat Salleh has made a sudden night attack by an incursion from the River Inanam, on Gaya, which he has burned down. Mr. Neubronner the clerk in charge is said to have been captured. Immediate measures are being taken by the Government to bring Mat Salleh to book. By later advices received today, 16th, per Ranee, we learn that Mat Salleh captured all the inhabitants of Gaya except one constable who was killed. When the Ranee entered the harbour the pier and godown were still burning, the Offices and Treasury and nearly every house having been looted and burned. Some 40 or 50 of Mat Salleh followers who were still on the spot put off to capture the Ranee. She happened, however, to have some 50 police on board under Mr. Hewett and Mr. J. Wheatley and they were cut off. They then landed with our men in full pursuit. The result is not yet known. Mr. Neubronner has, it is said, escaped. H. R the Governor with Captain Reddie, Commandant of Constabulary and Mr. 1V a then left for Gaya on the night of the 15th instant per Normanhurst taking with them a force of 30 police. Messrs . Hewett and heatley had gone up to the island on learning the news of the attack. which was taken to Labuan by a Chinese clerk, who escaped and reaching the shore opposite, walked for some distance and then obtained a boat in which he hastened to Labuan. H.E., we believe, intends going on to the latter place after Captain Reddie and his men have been landed.

16th January 1898 - Mr C T Wathen was transferred to Gaya in March. Mr PF Wise returned from leave on the 20th November, and has since been actively employed in the operations against Mat Salleh

25th April 1898 - The Managing Director with H.E. the Governor left for Gaya accompanied by HMS Swift, Captain Beaumont. Thence they were to proceed to hoist the flag over the ceded districts. We understand that in place of rebuilding Gaya station the township will very probably transferred to Gantisan Harbour which presents numerous advantages. It would not be astonishing if it someday become the head quarters of the Territory. It is directly on the high road to China and Europe has large population and big possibilities of future success. In any case the past month make appreciable progress in Territorial matters.

16 May 1898 - Island settlements off this country were a mistake. The extra expenditure of time and labour entailed in transhipping goods such as timber, etc., from the main land, was of serious commercial importance, and thus the burning of Gaya, hitherto looked upon as an unmixed misfortune, might yet be thought a blessing in disguise, for had Gaya never been destroyed, in all probability this new station would not have been opened. After many suggestions it had been decided to call the town "Gantian," a more appropriate name than which it would be hard to find, as the new settlement is to "ganti " or take the place of Gaya . A short wharf is to be built immediately, alongside of which very large steamers will be able to lie in four fathoms of water at any state of the tide, and the Chinese shop-keepers of Gaya, not having yet rebuilt their shops there, have all decided to come over and open business on the mainland

1st June 1898 - Work at the new Gaya township at Kabagoh has got well started and contractors are now at work on the Wharf, Office and Residency.

16th July 1898 - Mr. W. A. MAcKENZIE, Government Surveyor reports that he has surveyed the new township called Gantian in Gayah Bay and laid out 32 town lots with sites for the Resident and Treasurer's Bungalows and Government Offices including a reserve of flat land for extension of the town in the future.

1st August 1899 - Gaya. Mr. Towers has given an alternative terminus at Gaya. He finds that the Inanam River and the mangrove swamp at its mouth present an expensive obstacle to the construction of a line to Gantian and that a stone ( and coral ) work with bridges at the two (P) deep channels between the mainland and Gaya Island could be erected for about the same, perhaps less money. Estimates not complete as the additional 5 mile to Gantian with so much less upkeep. Mr. Towers proposes to take the Railway, if at Gantian to a wharf south of the present one and farther out to secure a more roomy anchorage, the same at Gaya, as shown on the plan. Mr. Towers considers the harbour at Gantian is too much exposed to be safe and that Gaya is a better port. We had little difficulty in going to the wharf at Gantian, but the swell was so strong that the steamer could not lie against the wharf, and had to be connected by a sway-plank although the wind was light. It was well that we left the wharf early as while lying at Gaya we had a heavy squall.

16th November 1899 - Mr. Walker reports that there are about thirty acres of good dry flat land, over six chains wide and half a mile long, available for a town. They lie at the foot of low grassy hills on which there are good Bungalow sites, and there is good anchorage at a distance of less than half a mile which can be reached by a stone mole and wooden pier. At the T head the depth at L. W. will be 24 feet, sufficient for ocean going steamers.

The name to be given to the township is Jesselton so named after Sir Charles Jessel, the vice-Chairman of the British North Borneo Company. Mr. Haynes has received instructions to proceed at once with the Residency, and it is hoped the pier, mole and Government buildings will shortly be in course of construction.

Source :

1. British North Borneo Herald from 1883 to 1899

2. Pulau Gaya respondent