Matters are progressing quietly and satisfactorily in North Borneo. At Elopura on the over-the-water lots near the new Beginning to make an appearance and sales ior several substantially built houses are
of tome of these lots have ben made at a very largo rise on the original price paid. 'The sav mill is turning out shingles as fast as it can for the new Government offices, and the over-the-water roadway which' will convert our town to a sort of modern Venies, la in course of erection.
The Resident had just returned from an inspection in the yacht Subine and accompanied by Chief Inspector de Fontaine of.the South Exstern Coast. An excellent position was chosen for the contemplated trading contre of those parts to which it ropered to arch the name of Port Iphinatone; it is situated in a well populated district from whence the trade of the neighbouring islands can be comtaanded. Grant things are expected from Port Elphinstone as a feeder to Klopura the now station, it la rumoured will be laced under charge of Sergeant. Hadji foussa, an intelligent Somali policeman, who has been in Elopura from the firat and whose tact and management in that town have largely conduced to it Hadji Mousa, in the meantime, with detachment of the Kast Const constabulary, has gone up the Labuk to arrange the dispute between twoSundyak tribes. It will take him 20 days journ: ing in small canoes before hi the. spot.
Banjer, confidential Orderly, well known in connection with the management of inland tribes, has just espoused Orchis, a Booloodoopy beauty, the belle of Sauda an The Sabine dropped the Resident ut the mouth of the Sogama, up which river he progressed for four days in a small canoe a enquire into the truth of a rumour as to existence of a very large birdaneat cave; gold also has long been spoken of from that locality. 'The cave was said to be 16 days' journey away through the forest, too far to be attempted on this ion, but some more precise information was obtained as to the whereabouts of gold, Lracks of elephants were very frequent on the banks of the river, but none were seen owing to several Illanun boats rattan collecting all along the river Many doer and one of the latter bagged. tate on the Supugaya has satisfactorily, specially the coco, and sugar cane plantations, so much go that in the absence of a Govern-mout experimental garden for this district, Mr. Major's estate may well be regarded in'that light, The opium farm has boon let for a large advance on this your's rate, and th chaser imme do chisels land on the Sapugaya for gambier and pepper planting. A new sugar and cocoa estate is being opened at Upak; the Chinese Sabah Co.'s tobacco stop has been all gathered, and judging from its luxuriance in the green stage Reomises well when it has been formented.
ith regard to tobacco we hear that an experienced planter is expected up from Deli by next steamer to commence imfate operations on a large scale, Te may be interesting to note that during ious two mantis over 60 head of cattle "supplied from the Bostrice estate hive been slaughtered for local consumption in Elopura, The Thales last voyage brought down a Jot of cases of Chines tobacco which was landed in Elopura and afterwards. tranabipped.to- several of the Sooloo Retuirns go'forward by the Thales in the shape of sharks' fins, trepang - (boche lo mer) and other_sea_produce. From the wea near Omaddal a lot of pearl-shell (valued ut over £200 0 ton) has also been transhipped on to Hongkong through Elopura and there are a good many Chinese traders from the various islands beginning to run up and down to Hongkong. This we hope marks the commencement of the growing transhipping trade which will be one of Elopura's main stand-bys in the future.
By the Thales also there left us, on a three-months' leave of absence, Mr, Resi-dont Pryer. Iwo days before his doparture he had been presented wi dross of congratulation by Mr. Morrison, Manager of the Chinese Sabah L.F.C., on behalf of the community generally at an enthusiastic and crowded meeting, while on the pier, which was gayly decorated with bunting, arches of palm leaves, &e ting row of gongs, a "masic" he, scarted by His Excellency the Governor, was mot by the representatives of the Malay speaking community, who wished him God speed amidst cheering, which ho replied to at some length in Malay, after which he was led on either hand by two influential Na Samah of Merape ai and Laxamana of Toongud on the Labuk and conducted on board the steamer, where fresh occasion was found for the imbibing of champagne until the steamer casting loose from the pier cut short the flow of eloquence and sped away Hongkong bound.
It is to be noted as remarkable that the detonations caused by the volcanic eruptions in the Straits of Sunds were heard half way up the Palawan Const at 1,300 miles from the scone of action almost incredible fact. Lu Klopura it seemed as though heavy guns were being fired at a distance of not over four or five miles a Aboutafortnightaftorwardsthosunatrising and setting was of peculiar dim green colour, caused no doubt by its raya slanting through largo but light quantities of mosphere igher ashes wind-borne through the
altitus is finished, and it ig now possible to go from Elopura to these wonderfal caves and back in 36 hours, Bootes, who accomplished the task at the head of a gang of " dozen Soolos, has accompanied the Resident to Hongkong. 'I'wo days before the steamer loft, sixteen men's loads of birdanests wor brought from the caves on Govern: account.
'A reorganisation of the staff has boon the occasion of much discontent in various quurters.—Daily Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.