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
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