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For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell

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Letter to Drew and Napier from Secretary to Resident Selangor 6th April 1911 Kuala Lumpur 6th April 1911. Gentlemen, In reply to your letter of the 4th April 1911, I am directed to inform you that no date has yet been fixed for the consideration of the petition of Mr. G. D. Russell for the grant of exclusive privileges for his invention for “a process for coagulating and drying plantation rubber by the use of Smoke (without the use of Acid) and an apparatus by which this process may be carried out.)” I have the honour to be, Gentleman, Your obedient servant, Secretary to Resident, Selangor. From National Archives of Malaysia. Selangor Secretariat (11 in 242/11). Transcribed by P.C

Letter from Drew and Napier to Secretary to Resident Selangor 7th April 1911. Kuala Lumpur Federated Malay States (and at Singapore) 7tth: April 1911. Sir, We are obliged by your letter of the 6th: inst: (No: 11 in 242/11) We are instructed to lodge a Notice of Objection to the Petition in question and shall do so in the course of a few days. Since the publication of Notification No: 381 in the F. M. S. Government Gazette of the 17th : February last, we have carefully watched for a notice of the day of consideration of the petition of Mr. G. D. Russell but as none has appeared we wrote to you on the 4th: inst. Regarding this matter of the publication of the date of consideration of any Petition for a Grant of Exclusive Privileges Section 7 of the Selangor Inventions Regulation of 1986 lays down that Notice of the acceptance of the specification shall be published in the Gazette for a period of two months and notice shall at the same time be given in the said Gazette of the time when the petition will be considered by the council. The Notification No: 381 in question does not give notice of the date when the petition will be considered but states that such hearing will take place not earlier than 2 months from the date of the notification. The date of the notification is the 1st: February 1911. Therefore such notice of the hearing as was then given was in fact not in accordance with the law since the Notification must according to the Enactment be published for 2 months prior to the hearing, the publication being made on the 17th: February 1911. The Enactment says the notice of the hearing shall be given at the same time as the publication of the Notice of the acceptance of the Petition and it seems to us that where the law is directory in that way it admits of no departure from the direction and it would appear therefore that any Grant of Exclusive Privilege given without following the Statutory requirements would be unlawful and without real effect. We make this particular instance an opportunity for drawing attention to the divergence from the Enactment which we have observed happens in, we think, every instance of a Petition for Exclusive Privileges and you will agree with us, we are sure, that it would be a very undesirable state of things if any Grant of Exclusive Privileges were subject to avoidance on the grounds above indicated. We should be obliged if you would kindly give us the Government views of the subject. We are, Sir, Your Obedient Servants, Drew and Napier. From National Archives of Malaysia. Selangor Secretariat (1790/1911). Transcribed by P.C

Letter from Drew and Napier to Secretary to Resident Selangor 8th April 1911. Kuala Lumpur Federated Malay States (and at Singapore) 8th: April 1911. Sir, Referring to our letter of the 7th: inst: we have just received cabled instructions from Mr: Derry in London not to oppose the Petition of Mr: G. D. Russell for the Grant of Exclusive Privileges. We regret if any inconvenience has been caused by our previous instructions, but we should be very glad to hear from you in reply to the point raised by us regarding the publication of the notice of date of consideration of Petitions, as in view of the increasing number of Petitions, we think the point will certainly arise later on. We are, Sir, Your Obedient Servants, Drew and Napier. From National Archives of Malaysia. Selangor Secretariat (1790/1911). Transcribed by P.C

Letter to Drew and Napier from Secretary to Resident Selangor 8th April 1911 Kuala Lumpur 8th April 1911. Gentlemen, With reference to your letter of the 8th instant asking for a copy of Specifications referred to in Notification No.381 in Federated Malay States Government Gazette of 17th February 1911 I am directed to inform you that the specification is open for inspection at this office. I have the honour to be, Gentleman, Your obedient servant, Secretary to Resident, Selangor. From National Archives of Malaysia. Selangor Secretariat (4 in 1790/11). Transcribed by P.C

Letter to Drew and Napier from Secretary to Resident Selangor 26th April 1911 Kuala Lumpur 26th April 1911. Gentlemen, I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant in regard to fixing the date of hearing of petitions for grant of exclusive privileges and to inform you that in future notifications the date on which the petition will be considered will be duly published. I have the honour to be, Gentleman, Your obedient servant, Secretary to Resident, Selangor. From National Archives of Malaysia. Selangor Secretariat (5 in 1790/11). Transcribed by P.C

The Straits Times, 27 February 1912, Page 9
 • SELANGOR CLUB. Criticism of Committee at Annual Meeting. Mr. G. Dearie Russell presided at the annual general meeting of the Selangor Club, held on Saturday evening, in the Reading Room. • Over 100 members attended, including Messrs. Allen, Clodd, Ferrers, Campbell and Groves, members of the committee, and the Secretary, Mr. P. W. Gleeson, and treasurer. • The minutes of the last general meeting having been read and confirmed Mr. Russell informed the meeting that the statement of accounts had not been issued in the time specified by the Club rules, but added that notice of the meeting was issued a month since. • Mr. H. E. Davidson said the meeting was not in order as few out-station members received notice of the meeting. • The chairman ruled that the meeting proceed. • Bar Check. • Upon the proposition of Dr. Travers the usual five days’ notice of member’s questions was waived and accordingly questions were asked without previous notice having been given. • Mr. Vane asked whether it was not a fact that a bar-check was not made till August. • The Chairman replied that up until August the Club had a Secretary and Treasurer combined and he had more work than he could do. That had been remedied by appointing a Secretary and a Treasurer and the committee was now in a position to state how many lime squashes were sold on the previous Tuesday. • A member: Very few I should think (laughter). • Mr. D. Freeman was informed that about 200 books were stopped after the recent bar-check and not 500, and that it was true that the book of one member, who had money to his credit in the Club at the time, was stopped by accident. • Mr. Mungo Park proposed and Dr. Travers seconded that the accounts for 1911 be passed. • The Estimates. • Mr. D. Freeman wanted to know why it was that the Secretary’s salary was $150 a month and the Treasurer $450. • The Chairman explained that the Treasurer had to provide office staff, whilst the Secretary was paid for the work he himself performed. • Mr. L. A. Rusack proposed that the allowance for games be increased and Mr. Shaw seconded. Dr. Lucy said his proposal was that $3,500 be voted for games and the entertainment of visiting teams. • Mr. Rusack seconded. • It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the committee, who could vote more money for games if they had it to spare. • On the of proposition of Mr. Ferrers, seconded by Dr. Travers, the estimates for this year were passed. Mr. E. G. Broadrick was elected President, Dr. Travers Vice President. • Elections. • The committee was elected as follow: - Dr. Lucy, Messrs. Clodd, Rogers, Bailey and Allen together with the Government nominees, Captain Fox and Mr. Gilmour. • The accounts were passed, but the recommendation of the auditors, that ten per cent be written off for depreciation, was not adopted, the latter being left for the consideration of the committee. • The following were elected members of the Sports Committee: - cricket: C. K. Bancroft; Rugby: L .A. Rusack; Association: D. M. Barry; Hockey: H. N. Marriott; Tennis: L.U. Stafford. • Messrs. Neill and Bell were re-elected auditors for 1912 at the same remuneration, viz., $300. • The following alteration was made to Rule 6, to take effect from January 1, 1912: - • “To add the words ‘ and until he is elected he shall be charged such subscription as is provided in the case of ordinary members in Rule 12 ”. • A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the business.

Letter from Dunlop Rubber to Secretary to the Colonial Secretary, Kuala Lumpur. 20th November 1914. Malacca, 20th November 1914. Dear Sir, P a t e n t s. We have the honour to request you to kindly prepare for us full certified copies of the specification of the following Patents filed in your office. No. of Date on which Name Particulars of Patents Grant Grant was approved 49 27 April, 1911 Geo. D. Russell: A process for coagulating and drying plantation rubber by the use of Smoke (without the use of Acid) and an apparatus by which this process may be carried out.) 58 9 October, 1911 W. M. Miller: An apparatus and a process for curing and preparing rubber from the latex of rubber trees and a process or means for regulating the temper- ature of the hot gases employed therein. 63 11 December, 1911 F. R. Hill Coagulating, Curing and Preparing rubber. We have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servants, Dunlop Rubber Coy., Ltd., Estates. Commercial Manager From National Archives of Malaysia. Selangor Secretariat (5803/1914). Transcribed by P.C

Letter from Secretary to Resident Selangor to Commercial Manager, Dunlop Rubber Company. 30th December, 1914. Sir, With reference to your letter of the 20th November addressed to the Colonial Secretary, Kuala Lumpur, I have the honour to forward herewith copies of the specifications of Messrs. Geo. D. Russell, W. M. Miller and F. R. Hill inventions. The charge is 15/- which I shall be obliged if you will remit. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Secretary to Resident Selangor. From National Archives of Malaysia. Selangor Secretariat (5803/1914). Transcribed by P.C

The Malay Mail, Saturday June 13th, 1914 DAY BY DAY Mr. G. D. Russell, who was one of the pioneer motorists of Malaya and is now holding a responsible position in the Halley Motor Lorry business in England, has recently purchased a 14-20 Peugot for his personal use.

 

Kelly's Directory of Blackheath shows George Russell living at 46, Lee Road, Blackheath between 1917 and 1919.

Below an extract from "They Came to Malaya" compiled by J. M. Gullick, 1993, pages 70-73.20 Learning to Drive CHOO KIA PENG Choo Kia Peng became, between the wars, the leading Chinese businessman in Selangor, and a member of the Federated Malay States Federal Council. He here recounts how, while in the service of the celebrated Chinese millionaire, Loke Yew ('the Towkay) he learnt to drive the early motor cars which Loke Yew, like Robson, a pioneer of motoring, owned in the early years of this century. The names of the roads and buildings have been changed in modern times. The car caught fire in Leboh Pasar Besar and the episode of pushing the car uphill back to Kuala Lumpur occurred at the far end of Jalan Damansara. 'Carcosa' was at this time the house of the Resident-General, at which the High Commissioner entertained, when on visits from Singapore. M R Zacharias brought the small car to Loke Yew's office between the General Post Office and Straits Trading Co. with an Indian driver, and my Towkay said, K. P., let the driver take you for a short run and tell me how you like it. There was no starter. You started the car by kerosine oil at the back and waited for a few minutes until the engine warmed up. The steering again was different, like a Marshall's baton, 2 ft. up and 2 ft. flexible and 1" round. We started from the office through Market Street, Old Market Square, Old Ampang Street—and the back of the car, where we started it with kerosine, was on fire. I jumped down, rushed to a Chinese shop and asked for an empty gunny rice bag, and with it we extinguished the fire. We cautiously, with some more kerosine, set the match gingerly and after 5 minutes the engine responded to the driver's call. I said to the Indian driver, We are going to take the shortest way home. He drove it through Java Street and took to the Embankment Road. Just at the Government Building, present car garage, he lost his head again and turned left down the Klang River. Thanks to the P.W.D. road metal piled up in cubes, our small car went over it riding astride, with two wheels on the river side and hind wheels on the road side, sitting on top of the metal pyramids. I said goodbye to the driver and walked back to the office. But my boss purchased it, as the incident was not the car's fault. The second car, from Glasgow, must have been not less than 15 h.p. It was a six seater, two front seats, four at the back, like the old carriages of England, facing each other, and you get up through the back-centre step. And, believe me, the car radiator was supplied with water for cooling from a foot-square copper tank next to the chauffeur's seat, and—in consequence—from our office in Market Street to my boss's house in Batu Road, we often had to stop to give the small copper box a drink when its water boiled— The De Dion Bouton now I remember was purchased in 1901, after Mr Zacharias' car. I thought then it was a wonder car to be able to go about with benzine and a handle to start it without using kerosine oil burners.... Later on, in the year 1902, it was the same car, driven by Ahmad. The Towkay took me to Tanjong Malim and asked me to watch Ahmad, how the car was driven. We stopped 2 or 3 days at the estate and it was then I was asked by my Towkay to accompany Mr Bernard, the Deputy Conservator of Forests, to examine the 2,000 acre jungle at Ulu Sungai Tinggi. On our way back to Kuala Kubu the Towkay said, K. P., you take the drive now and with Ahmad near you might be able to make it. I did make it without mishap, a distance of about 16 miles. I was elated and in the evening I quietly took the car out at dusk and drove it through Kuala Kubu town and home glee¬fully alone, and on returning home, at the Kuala Kubu bridge a European, a Mr Bullen, the Town Executive Engineer, said, Kia Peng, you have no light and it is 7.30 p.m. now. A week after my boss called me to go down to Kuala Lumpur. He said, Will you drive Towkay Chan Sow Lin,M. L. C, Towkay Loke Chow Kit and me tomorrow evening to Carcosa (King's House was not yet built) to attend the King's Birthday Ball given by Sir John Anderson. Each of the three weighed over 150 lbs. I pleaded my short eyesight was not good for night driving, and he said, We would help you. There was not much help when two of these fat gentlemen sat facing me. I said, I have no licence yet. He said, Get the money from the cashier. So with $10, I went to the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board, got a receipt and in a few days received my silver badge, the size of a 50 cents silver, on one side my name and on the other my number—28. I took them to Carcosa alright, but it was on the return journey I was anxious. It was 1 o'clock when I drove them home. On the left I knew it was Sydney Lake and I kept more on the right and made false turns twice to the entrances of two bungalows on the right coming down. Almost reaching home, not more than 50 yards from the Chartered Bank, I took too much left to get a nice right turn into Market Street. I nearly turned the car over. The left wheel went up a heap of sand, P.W.D. road materials. My second thanks to the P.W.D. as the materials were sand only. A week after my Towkay said, Your driving is quite good. Now I am visiting my rubber estate (Batu Enjor, 3 miles from Klang, later sold to the Highlands and Lowlands Para Rubber Co.). I shall be going down by train at 9 o'clock and I hope you could get there in time for me. I said, Yes. Ahmad, in teaching me to drive, also explained to me minutely the mechanical side of the car and its tempers. He said, You are under no circumstances to go long distances without carrying a good spanner with you. The gears often get slack and it will not climb at all, until you have tightened it in a reverse way. In my anxiety to please my boss, I forgot Ahmad's good advice. So the next morning, at 7 o'clock, I left Kuala Lumpur for Klang, without knowing the road, with a large tin of 4 gallons benzine, without a spare wheel or inner tube and the indispensable spanner. I went to the Railway Station, Damansara Road side, and asked the Indian porter which way will lead me to Klang. He pointed out to me to go straight to Damansara Road. I went straight, without turning left by Travers Road, up the hill and came to the top of King's House Hill and an easy 4 miles downhill all the way, and found the 7th Mile Village. I drove another 100 yards, and that was the end of my Klang Road, a rubber estate facing me and no road. Then I realised I must have come to the wrong road, so I turned the car back. When I started to climb to the village it simply refused to budge. Then I remembered Ahmad's advice, but it was too late, so—to make the best out of a bad job—I pushed the car up to the village from the left side and kept steering at the same time. I appealed to a Chinese bullock-cart to trail me home. He refused even an offer of $4. Then I enlisted the help of a Malay boy at $1.50, and we both pushed the car. It was hot at noon then. We could only do it for half a mile. Then we managed to get a second Malay assistant. We pushed another mile. At a nearby Malay house we managed to enlist a third helper. We succeeded this time to do two miles and had to enlist a fourth, and thus the car was brought to the top of Carcosa Hill, and to Kuala Lumpur downhill all the way. With the four Malays in the car, I freewheeled down to High Street, the Federated Engineering Co., and borrowed a spanner from Mr Dearie Russell, a motor-car enthusiast, and the car was right again, and I went to Loke Yew's office to pay off the Malays. It was 5 o'clock. How hot! The Towkay knew of my failure, but he blamed me not, but the car. Perhaps he wanted me to persevere to master the driving.

Choo Kia Peng, 'My Life's Journey' unpublished autobiography, c.1953.

 

 

SOURCES FOR GEORGE DEARIE RUSSELL

To be continued.

The Malay Mail, August 24, 1903, p.2 The Resident has been pleased to appoint the following gentlemen to be Licensing Officers and to be Officers to issue Certificates of Competency to drive Automobiles within the State, for the purpose of the new Enactment:- Mr. W. Eyre Kenny. Mr. W. P. de Bassagoti Mr. George Russell .SELANGOR GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 32. Vol. XIV 21/8/1903 No. 480.—APPOINTMENTS UNDER “THE AUTOMOBILES ENACTMENT 1903.”- Under the provisions of sections 4 and 11 of the above mentioned Enactment, the British Resident has been pleased to appoint the following gentlemen to be Licensing Officers and to be Officers to issue Certificates of Competency to drive Automobiles within the State, for the purpose of the said Enactment:- Mr. W. Eyre Kenny. Mr. W. P. de Basagoti Mr. George Russell.

The Straits Times, 8 January 1904, Page 4
 • The Malay Mail says that Mr. David Robertson, Manager of the Federated Engineering Co., is leaving Kuala Lumpur for home at the end of next month. Mr. George Russell will succeed him. It is understood that Mr. Robertson will return to the Straits.

 

The Malay Mail, Wednesday, February 28, 1906. THE MOTOR CAR IN THE F. M. S. FAR EAST'S FIRST GARAGE. The story of the introduction of the motor car into the F. M. S., and we believe, into the Malay Peninsula, is closely associated with the name of the Federated Engineering Company of this town. This firm first entered on business in this line soon after it had been registered under its present title; that is to say in 1899. Mr. David Robertson was then the Manager, and in his hands was left the guidance of the concern which aforetime had been the branch of two Singapore firms, Messrs. Riley, Hargreaves & Co. and Messrs. Howarth Erskine. Well, it was in 1899 that the Federated Engineering Company imported a De Dion tricycle for Towkay Loke Yew, but it was not until two years later that it began to deal in automobiles on any scale. Then it commenced purchasing Albion cars, and it is said that every one of these importations is running to-day a testimonial as regards reliability which some firms would envy. But later, our local company started importing other types, and opened a branch of business which was concerned in repairing and renovating automobiles, thus giving it the right to the title of' the first motor garage in the Far East. But this was not all done in a moment, for there were initial difficulties to be overcome. It was no easy matter, for instance, to train mechanics to the work; for they had to be trained, since there were none, naturally, with any experience out here. Chinese were selected for the task, and at length they have justified their selection, with the result that to-day the firm possesses at least five qualified workmen. As regards drivers, two nationalities were tried, Chinese and Malays, and of those of the former race proved preferable. There were, of course, many mishaps during the period when they were being put through their paces, but nothing very serious occurred. The illustration which accompanies this article shews Mr. G. D. Russell, the present Manager of the Company, seated behind the steering-wheel of a 16 h.p. Albion car, which the firm imported last year for the Federal Government. Mr. Russell takes the greatest interest in automobilism, and from him we have obtained the following brief description of the garage under his charge, and of its work: — ITS WORK. As most people are aware, a garage is intended to be a place where motor cars are repaired, stored, etc., but not as a place for overhauling ordinary push bicycles or sewing machines. I mention this as the fact does not appear to be very generally known. The work which usually occupies the garage that I am attempting to describe is that of grinding in the valves of the motor and overhauling the change speed gears. Most of the motors in cars running in Selangor get an overhaul to the piston and have the valves reground every three months or so; and it is better to do this work at regular intervals than to leave the motor until it stops for want of compression. The majority of the cars here are fitted with an expanding clutch type of change speed gear, and this requires cleaning out and adjusting periodically. Sparking plugs naturally have often to be changed and new batteries fitted for accumulators recharged. With regard to that very important part of the mechanism of a car, the differential gear, it very rarely indeed needs any repairs. The vexed question of tyres is one that causes the garage much tearing of hair; patches have a knack of keeping on as long as the car is in the garage, but come off as soon as the owner uses the car. Should the garage staff try the car on the road, the tyres will hold up splendidly. This peculiarity is most noticeable, and is the cause of much pleasantry between the owner and the garage man. Vulcanising out here cannot be considered an unqualified success, as the compound used appears, to perish remarkably quickly, and it is difficult to vulcanise an old, or perished tube. With a new tube it is comparatively easy to effect a good-repair by vulcanisation. I have just heard that a new process, already widely patented, of mixing the sulphur etc., with rubber latex and which enables a compound of any nature to be made, has been introduced. This should solve the difficulty; and I am in hopes of being able to repair and retread outer covers. Another branch of automobile repair is that which includes painting and varnishing the bodies, etc., of cars and repairing the upholstery. This work needs a great deal of attention, and is only satisfactory when first class materials are employed. The usual procedure in repainting and varnishing a car is a long one: all of the old paint has to be carefully removed, and then no less than six coats of paint are employed, each coat being rubbed down with cuttlefish bone ; then when the desired finish of colour is obtained, the workman proceeds to put on the lines. When these are satisfactorily completed the varnishing begins. It usually consists, for ordinary work, of three coats, the first two of which are rubbed down with cuttle-fish bone, and the last is allowed to remain glossy. A coat of varnish every three months adds considerably to the appearance of a car, and appearances count for a good deal in automobiles. Such, in brief, is the story of the garage's main work. In the course of conversation, Mr. Russell was very optimistic with regard to the future of automobilism. He pointed to the fact that the number of cars was increasing here almost daily, and he felt sure that, now that the dollar had been fixed at a high rate, and had therefore cheapened cars considerably, their number in the F. M. S. would continue to swell. We hope that this may be so, and that the day is not far distant when we shall see an excellent service of motor 'buses put upon our streets.

The Straits Times, 21 February 1906, Page 12
 • RUBBER TAPPING IN CEYLON. An Up-to-date Estate • The “India Rubber World" for January describes rubber tapping as carried on upon Kepitigalla estate in Ceylon. The writer, who is a correspondent at Colombo, says that the manager, Mr. Holloway, is up to date in his business ideas and has long experimented in the preparation of that staple for the market. (Summary: planting, soil, labour, tapping methods, process, new factory, machines, for coagulating, “ A big rubber washing machine is shortly to arrive from the Malay States.”,… other machines described, largest plantation rubber factory in the world,…. “ The washing machine referred to, made by the Federated Engineering Co. Limited, (Kuala Lumpur), was designed by their manager, Mr. Dearie Russell, and has been in practical use on Malay States rubber plantations for more than a year, having the warm approval of Mr. P.J. Burgess, the government rubber expert. • This machine thoroughly washes and cleanses the rubber, turning it out in a thin, semi-transparent sheet, punched all over and giving it the appearance of crepe- hence the name of rubber treated by the machine. An advantage with it is that scrap and dirty rubber taken from the trees can be put through it and turned out perfectly clean and as good as fresh biscuits.” …Other inventions by Mr. Holloway described, spiral cutting method.) (1858 words)

 

.."latest rubber sheeting machines… A Local Product. I was interested to learn that this machine shown by the Federated Engineering Company is entirely a local product. This company is one of the oldest in Malaya manufacturing machinery for rubber estate factories, and in my factory I still use occasionally the celebrated F. E. scrap washer that was, I believe, the first article of its kind to be installed in estate factories. That happened over a quarter of a century ago, when Mr. G. D. Russell, the eldest brother of Mr. J. A. Russell, was the managing director of this company.. The Straits Times, 5 August 1932, Page 19

The illustration which accompanies this article shews Mr. G. D. Russell, the present Manager of the Company, seated behind the steering-wheel of a 16 h.p. Albion car, which the firm imported last year for the Federal Government.

The Straits Times, 30 March 1905, Page 7
 • RUBBER TREATMENT. “Planter” writes to the Malay Mail” as follows: - • The enclosed is valuation of crepe rubber from Lowlands Estate, where we are now working the washing machine which the F. M.S. Government joined that Estate in introducing from England. A large number of planters have already seen it and are well satisfied with the ease with which it does its work. The enormous power of the machine shows that it was made for treating dry rubber in large quantities. • Lowlands Estate has also made several thousand pounds of crepe rubber with Mr. Russell’s (Federated Engineering Co.) machine. 1,200 lbs. of which have been sent home with Mr. P. J. Burgess, and 1,500 lbs. are to be shipped next week. Mr. Russell has twice been down to see the English machine, and we are all of the opinion that when he makes a few improvements in his present washing machine it will be almost perfect for the requirements of planters in F.M.S. , that is, for the treatment of freshly coagulated latex and scarp fresh from the trees. • The treatment of biscuit rubber on a larger scale is a tedious, dirty and expensive process, to say nothing of the almost unbearable smell, caused, I suppose, by the decomposition of the albumen in the biscuit. Men and women have to be continually going round turning and wiping the mould off the biscuits, and the whole process is unpleasant and expensive to say nothing of the time it takes (from two to three months.) • On the other hand freshly coagulated latex is put direct into pans through the washing machine, and in a few minutes it is turned into long strips resembling Ceylon lace, It is then cut into lengths of about 2 ft. and hung up in the drying sheds and requires no more work until it is packed (in about 20 days) for shipment. The whole process is pleasant and fascinating, for it is clean and the little smell it has is pleasant. Is it any wonder that we are all anxious to hear what crepe rubber fetches on the London markets? • Mr. Russell deserves all our thanks for the great trouble he is taking to make his washing machine perfect, which I feel confident he will do. I feel so confident about it that the moment I hear that crepe rubber is received well on the London market I intend to order several of Mr. Russell’s machines for the following reasons: - • They require less power, and are much lighter than the English machine. With fresh rubber I consider that they will turn out more crepe per day for the power used, and they will be much less expensive. • At the same time I am very glad that the F.M.S. Government joined an estate in importing the best and most up-to-date machine to be had in England; for I feel sure that it will help our local engineering firm in perfecting their machine. • The following is a copy of a letter from Messrs. Lewis & Peat, dated 21st ult: - • We have carefully examined the sample of crepe rubber you handed us. It is very fine pale, strong Para-quite clean and in good condition. Both the light and darker pieces are equally good. To-day’s value is 64 ½ per lb. at which price we have bought about 12 cwts. (ordinary fine biscuits). We do not think a better price will always be obtainable for the rubber in this form, but for smaller users it would undoubtedly be an advantage, and probably a little more would be paid, but for large manufacturers the old form of biscuits do just as well, as they always wash or rewash any rubber they buy, and we do not think any extra price likely. • If the process of putting rubber into this crepe form is quicker, cheaper and done with less labour, we should recommend it to be sent in this form; but if the preparation is more expensive we are afraid that the extra cost of producing would not be made up in the price obtainable. We would very much like to try a small shipment on the market here and have it carefully tested by our friends. (699 words)

Malay Mail Daily, September 2, 1905 This morning some of the members of the Automobile Club assembled on the Padang with their cars for the purpose of having their photograph taken on the occasion of Mr. W. E. Kenny, the President of the Club, proceeding home on leave. The following is a list of the members and cars present:- The Resident-General: 8 h. p de Dion. Mr Loke Yew (represented by Mr. Small) : 8 h. p. Albion Mr. A. K. E. Hampshire: 6 h. p. de Dion “ W. E. Kenny: 6 h. p. de Dion “ Kong Lam: 8 h. p de Dion “ G. D. Russell: 10 h. p. de Dion “ G. D. Lucas: 6 h. p. de Dion “ J. H. M. Robson: 10 h. p. Dureya “ L. C. Brown: 5 h. p. Peugot “ C. Severn: 16 h. p. Albion (the Federal car.

The Malay Mail, Tuesday, January 9, 1906 The draw for the first round of the Selangor Club Domino Tournament is as follows:- W. P. Besagoiti G. D. Russell G. H. Phillips J. H. Littlefair G. H. Ketschker A. G. Mondy G. Cumming J. Russell A. C. Harper A. M. Pilter J. C. Pasqual H. St. l. Parsons R. F. Grey A. H. Alston G. J. Henbrey G. D. Lucas First Prize A cup presented by J. C. Pasqual, Esq. Second Prize The entrance fees)

The Straits Times, 17 January 1914, Page 10
 • KUALA LUMPUR— 1896. (From A Correspondent.) Federal Capital, January 15. It is doubtless a great pleasure to the present residents of the Federal Capital, and also a like pleasure to those that are now not actually resident here, to recall the memory of days that, alas, are now almost 20 years past….. Extract: The Federated Engineering Company occupied its present site in High Street, but the workshops have altered out of recognition. Mr. G. Dearie Russell was then an assistant in the firm, which later, he managed only a few years back, prior to returning home for good. His three brothers are still among us, all strenuous business men who took the tide at the flood and have done remarkable well for themselves. Their father, the respected and retired superintendent of the Government Printing Department, went home some few years ago, and his stalwart and genial presence was and still is much missed. (2060 words) 


MINUTES FROM REGISTRAR OF TITLES. 1ST JUNE 1899 From Registrar of Titles Place K.L. Date 1.6.99 Transfer of certain leases to the Federated Engineering Co. Ltd. applies for instruction on the subject of. FORMER PAPERS 2628/99 and 6/6 MINUTES Resident I attach 2628 99 The answer should be in the terms of paras 1 and 3 of the minutes of the L.A. dated 30.5.99 in 2628 99 HCB 7.6.99 C.L.R. To note and take action 8.6.99 Noted 15/6/99. From National Archives of Malaysia (2766/99). Transcribed by P.C.

LETTER FROM THE ACTING REGISTRAR OF TITLES SELANGOR TO THE SECRETARY OF GOVERNMENT. 1ST JUNE 1899 Registrar of Titles’ Office, Kwala Lumpur, 1st June 1899, Registration as proprietors under Registration Titles Regulation of Company’s not registered under Company’s Enactment, 1897. Sir, I have the honour to enclose the copy of a letter I have received from Mr. C.E.F. Sanderson re the transfer of certain leases to the Federated Engineering Company Limited. 2. I have informed Mr. Sanderson that I am not prepared to register the Company under Regulation IV of 1891 as proprietors of land until they are registered in Selangor under the Companies Enactment, 1897. I took this action after consulting the Acting Legal Advisor, whose chief argument, I believe, is that the Chapter which authorises the recognition in the Straits Settlements on certain terms of companies registered elsewhere has been omitted in the Selangor Enactment, and presumably Companies are not intended to enjoy such facilities unless locally registered. 3. In view of paragraph 4 of Mr. Sanderson’s letter I should be glad of instructions as to the terms in which I should reply to his letter. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, J.R.O. Aldworth, Acting Registrar of Titles, SELANGOR From National Archives of Malaysia (2766/99). Transcribed by P.C.

LETTER FROM:-Messrs Riley Hargreaves & Coy, Ltd. TO:-The Acting Collector of Land Revenue and Registrar of Titles. 1st June, 1899. KWALA LUMPUR 1st JUNE 1899. J. R. O. Aldworth Esq: Ag: Acting Collector of Land Revenue & Registrar of Titles. Sir, On behalf of Messrs Jackson Millar, Robert Allen and George Murray Preston, of Singapore, I have the honour to inform you that it is their desire to transfer to the Federated Engineering Coy, Ltd: all those lands comprised, in leases 837 to 846 inclusive, in leases 1180 to 1185 inclusive, in lease 1325/89 and in Certificate of Title No: 695 Vol VIII Folio 192; which lands are now being transferred to them from Riley, Hargreaves & Coy. 2. The Federated Engineering Coy, Ltd: is a company registered in Singapore, and a certified copy of the Certificate of its Incorporation will be sent to you if necessary. 3. In case any objection or objections should be raised to the transfer being made, I shall esteem it a favour if you will kindly state them fully, so that my principals may take such other steps as may be necessary to complete the sale of the property. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, Sd: Charles E.F. Sanderson Kindly address to C.E.F. Sanderson Messrs Riley Hargreaves & Coy, Ltd: SINGAPORE

THE FEDERATED ENGINEERING CO., LTD.

Engineers, Boilermakers, Iron and Brass Founders & Contractors

High Street, Kuala Lumpur

Telegraphic Address—“Federated.”

 

Manager                      David Robertson

Asst. Manager              Geo. Russell

Assistant                       L. Quantin

   Do.                            G. Rahman

Cashier                        Chua Cheng Swee

Book-keeper               Chua Cheng Bok

Time-keeper                Chua Cheng Tuan

Cost Clerk                   T. D. H. Oliver

Store-keeper               E. P. Koek

Stock Clerk                 R. Kylasam

Forwarding Clerk        S. Rantanasamy Pillay

Type-writer                 Chua Cheng Hee

Shop Forman               T. Hale

                       

Registered Office

            13, Battery Road, Singapore

Secretary                        T. C. B. Miller

Agencies

Riley, Hargreaves & Co., Ltd., Singapore

Howarth, Erskine, Ltd., Singapore

From the Singapore and Straits Directory, Fraser and Neave, 1901 Thanks to SOAS archives for permission for use.

THE FEDERATED ENGINEERING CO., LTD.

Engineers, Boilermakers, Iron and Brass Founders & Contractors

High Street, Kuala Lumpur

Telegraphic Address—“Federated.”

 

Manager                        David Robertson

Asst. Manager                        Geo. Russell

Assistant                        L. Quantin

   Do.                                    G. Rahman

Cashier                        Chua Cheng Swee

Book-keeper                        Chua Cheng Bok

Time-keeper                        Eng Pong

Cost Clerk                        S. P. Joshua

Store-keeper                        E. P. Koek

Stock Clerk                        R. Kylasam

Forwarding Clerk            S. Rantanasamy Pillay

Type-writer                        Chua Cheng Hee

Shop Forman                        T. Hale

                       

Registered Office

            13, Battery Road, Singapore

Secretary                        T. C. B. Miller

 

                        Agencies

Riley, Hargreaves & Co., Ltd., Singapore

Howarth, Erskine, Ltd., Singapore

From the Singapore and Straits Directory, Fraser and Neave, 1902 Thanks to SOAS archives for permission for use.

From the Singapore and Straits Directory, Fraser and Neave, 1906 Thanks to SOAS archives for permission for use.

THE FEDERATED ENGINEERING CO., LTD.

Engineers, Boilermakers, Iron and Brass Founders & Contractors

High Street, Kuala Lumpur

Telegraphic Address—“Federated.”

 

Manager                        G. Dearie Russell

Asst. Manager                 James Craig M. I. E. S., A. M. I. MECH. E

Accountant                      Walter Grenier

Store-keeper                   E. P. Koek

Time-keeper                    Lim Eng Pong

Despatch Clerk            S. Rantanasamy Pillay

Type-writer                     Yoe Poh Sin

            Do.                     T. Koch

Shop Forman                   Ah Fatt

Outside Foreman            S. Murugasu                       

Registered Office

            13, Battery Road, Singapore

Secretary                        D. Miller

 

                        Agencies

Riley, Hargreaves & Co., Ltd., Singapore

Howarth, Erskine, Ltd., Singapore

The Malay Mail, Friday, August 24th, 1906, p.3 POLO THE FINAL FOR THE K. O. R. CUP There was a good gathering of members of the Polo Club and their friends on the Race-course last evening, when the final tie in the above competition was played. His Excellency the Governor and Miss Anderson, His Excellency the General Officer Commanding and the Misses Jones, and a very large number of the local civil service and members of the mercantile community attended, and were rewarded by seeing some fine play. Selangor had to take the field minus Capt. Molyneux, which considerably weakened their team. The game started with Singapore attacking by a fine run by Crane, Mr. Spooner however, relieved, and Selangor coming away scored, only to see the local men equalise. Soon afterwards Crane again got away, but shot behind, but from the hit out Singapore closed in and a good back-hander left them with an easy goal, the point being nicely obtained. Young rode off a dangerous attack by Selangor and an attempt by Byrne went wide and the first Chukka ended with a good lead for Singapore. In the second Chukka Singapore opened the scoring, but they were stalled off a second by a clever hit of Pickering’s till Byrne came through, and was within an ace of scoring but missed his hit, close in. Pickering raced away but was ridden down, though soon after Singapore sent the ball through, chukka number two ending in the score being four to two. In the third and fourth spells the local men were easily to the front. Spooner played finely at time to save his side, but the game was running hard against the visitors and though Byrne and Graham both attacked, no scoring resulted for Selangor. Singapore continued to pile up the goals and ran out easy winners. Scores: Singapore eleven goals and five subsidiaries, Selangor two goals and two subsidiaries. Teams: Singapore—Mr. Young Capt.) back, Messrs. Crane, Pickering, Foster. Selangor—Mr. C. E. Spooner C. M. G. (Capt.) back, Capt. Graham, Messrs. Byrne and Russell. Umpires, Capts, Leveson, Gower and Rennick. Scorer, Capt. Dewar. At the conclusion of the game the players and visitors gathered round Colonel Pennefather, who in asking Mrs. Pennefather to present the Cup to the winners, thanked the ladies and others for their attendance and said that Singapore had won a fine victory, a victory they deserved if only for the splendid play of their captain (applause). Having received the cup from Mrs. Pennefather, Mr. Young said that before asking them to give cheers for their President, he wished to say how pleased they were to see their Selangor friends there. They thought that it was exceedingly sporting of them to bring down a team for at the last moment they had been disappointed of Capt. Molyneux, whose presence might have turned the scale, and two or three of their ponies had gone sick. He was sorry to say this was the last time he would have the pleasure of playing for this cup, and it would be a source of pleasure to him to look back on the many times he had been in the games for it. They were, he regretted to say, also losing their President, and his would be a really serious loss, for he was the one who had originated the game here. He then called for hearty cheers for Mrs. And Colonel Pennefather, which were as heartily given. THE ANNUAL DINNER In the evening a dinner was held at the Singapore Club at which the following gentlemen were present. H. E. the Governor, Sir John Anderson; Mr. C. E. Spooner, C. M. G.; Lt.-Col. Pennefather; Mr. H. Conway Belfield; Messrs. H. Payne Gallway, H. E. Byrne, W. D. Barnes, Capt. Rennick, A. S. Lerseche, W. J. Hawtry, A. G. Bolingbroke, H. Wack, R. Scott, Capt. Stockley, R. T. Foster, P. C. Turnbull, B. Young, Capt. Leveson Gower, Capt. McD. Graham, A. R. J. Dewar, G. D. Russell, C. S. Crane, L. Dunman, W. D. Beatty, Capt. Grover, Capt. Porter, Capt. J. H. W. Becke. His Excellency the Governor gave the loyal toast and later other toasts were honoured.

The Malay Mail November 10, 1906 p. 3 King’s Birthday Parade on the Padang Ball at Carcosa (parade.. police..cadet corps..salute.. hockey match.. ball.. dances… dresses..list of guests.. Mr. J. Russell, Mr. G.D. Russell, Mr. J.A. Russell, Mr. P. Russell..)

The Malay Mail, November 15, 1906, p.2. Mr. C. E. Spooner C. M. G., accompanied by Messrs. Forbes, Higher, G. Russell and Fox, went from Klang to Kuala Selangor on Tuesday on the F. M. S. Railway’s new motor ‘bus. The trial run proved most satisfactory. We hear that an enterprising Chinaman has already started to run public motor-cars on this road, and is charging ten cents a mile. At this rate the fare from Klang to Kuala Selangor would be about $2/80.

The Straits Times, 2 February 1933, Page 16
 • Pioneering Days Of Motoring In Singapore. MODEL THAT REQUIRED HORSE AND BULLOCK POWER. • Mr. C. B. Buckley, author of the Anecdotal History of Singapore, was the first to own a car in this settlement. It was a Benz, familiarly known as the "coffee machine." This fact is well known to motorists in this country who have referred to that excellent chapter on the history of automobilism in One Hundred Years of Singapore, but they are probably less acquainted with the fact that Mr. Loke Yew was the first man to import a car- actually it was a motor tricycle with a passenger seat- in the F.M.S. • This information was imparted by Mr. J. H. M. Robson, himself the proud owner of a 6 h.p. de Dion-Bouton, in an article in the Straits Times annual, a 1906 copy of which has just been unearthed in Raffles Museum. The tricycle was not a great success. It had only one speed, a so-called air-cooling arrangement, and was very noisy. A Chinese gentleman once tried to drive it over the Pahang trunk road but he found a horse necessary in front on the outward journey, and a bullock cart brought it home! • It reads strangely in the light of the road versus rail controversy today, but in 1901 a Mr. H. C. Zacharias arrived from London with the idea of starting a service of motor-cars in this part of the world for the transportation of both passengers and goods. Mr. E. W. Birch C. M. G. (then resident of Negri Sembilan) and Sir Frank Swettenham endorsed the idea! • At the time, Mr. Robson recalls, public opinion was rather against the use of petrol in the tropics. Quite a serious discussion was going on in the Autocar as to whether it was feasible to handle petrol in the tropics at all. What a narrow shave for the A.P.C! At any rate bearing this in mind and finding that the kerosene type was quite “dernier cri,” it was resolved to import a few of them for fast mail service. • Mr. Russell, the manager of the Federated Engineering Co., “ who had experience of all sorts of cars” wrote to Mr. Robson: “In my opinion the car best suited for the general hard work required of an automobile in regular use in this part of the world, is the 16 h.p. Albion, with solid tyres on all wheels, magneto-ignition and automatically-controlled air supply and timing gear……A governor, so fitted that it cannot be tampered with, effectively prevents the car from exceeding the rate of 20 m.p.h!” • Motoring began to catch on by 1903 and the de Dion Boutons were still very much in favour. Mr. Robson admits that he could not say that his 6 h.p. model gave no trouble, but it was the first car ever driven regularly to Kuala Lumpur, by a private individual with no mechanical knowledge. The de Dion–Bouton, in the author’s opinion, was certainly equal to, if not better than any other small car on the market. • Much was expected of Mr. Berrington’s new 12 h.p. three-cylinder, Coventry built Dureya, “ which is full of novel features, including two forms of ignition- Cremorne paraffin (or petrol) carburettor, change speed-gear of the epicyclic variety and other departures from usual models.” • Unfortunately, the car was damaged on the way out, Mr. Berrington sustained an accident, and the car was not seen on the road until after Mr. Robison’s lines appeared in print. • Tyres were a much bigger item in those days. In the first place inner tubes cost twenty or more dollars, and outer covers fifty or seventy. Mr. Robson’s tyre bill during nine months was over $300 and he did not average more than 200 miles a month. However it is interesting to remember that the 6 h.p. Rover was on the market then and cost £105. • (rest of article about modern Morris Minor. Photograph of Mr. Robson in his de Dion-Bouton.) • (964 words)

The Malay Mail, Monday, November 4th, 1907. SELANGOR POLO CLUB GYMKANA The bright sunshine that shone on the race course at the commencement of the gymkana under the of the above club on Saturday afternoon would not have led anyone to expect the unfortunate shower that came on towards the close and prevented the conclusion of the programme. There was a large company present, including many ladies, and everything passed off right merrily until the rain came down. The chief feature of the afternoon was the successes of Klang representatives, who did not actually sweep the board but did very well indeed. The two scurries created great enthusiasm. The following are the details of the various events:- 1.—Polo Ball Race.—Competitors to ride and hit a polo ball from one goal line to the other. Prize presented by D. A. Dalziel Esq. 1. Mr. Jewitt 2. Mt. Thring. This was run off in three heats, the winner riding past his competitors in good style. 2.—Tent Pegging.—Three runs per Competitor. Points-Draw and Carry 5, Draw 3, Touch 1, Style 3, Pace 3 for each peg. 1. Dr. Jacques 2. Mr. Davidson 3. Raja Alang 3.—Scurry 4 furlongs Handicap.—For Galloways 14.2 and under, open to members Selangor Turf Club. Prize presented by the Selangor Pony Club. 1. Moonshine ridden by Mr. Mills 2. Strawberry Tart } dead Mimpi } heat Won by two lengths. 4.—Victoria Cross Race.—Competitors to ride over two flights on hurdles, pick up a dummy and return over the hurdles. Prize presented by J. R. O. Aldworth Esq. 1. Mr. Devitt 2. Mr. G. Russell. 5.—Bending Race.—Two rows of laths 7 in number, and 8 yards apart. Competitors to ride in and out, turn round the last one and finish at the starting point. Prize presented by Capt. Graham. 1. Miss Dupuis 2. Mr. C. E. Spooner 6.—Polo Pony Scurry.—3 furlongs open to Bona-fide Polo Ponies 14 1 and under. Prize presented by Selangor Turf Club 1. Pahit ridden by Mr. Jewitt 2. Lady Jane ridden by Raja Alang Won by half a length. Moonshine was to have run in this event but he did not put in an appearance in time. At this juncture the rain came on, and the spectators retired to the shelter of the ground stand. However, a match between Strawberry Tart, ridden by Mr. Jewitt, and Mimpi, ridden by Mr. Johns, was run off, the distance being the R. C. They started off slowly and kept close together as far as the 4 furlong post, when they commenced to race. A stern struggle ensued right up to the straight, resulting in a victory for Mimpi of about a length. The rain continuing and darkness gradually enveloping the course, it was entirely impossible to continue and it was finally decided to conclude the three remaining events on Saturday afternoon next, starting at 4.45. Before the company dispersed, Mrs. Spooner presented the prizes. Capt. Graham called for cheers for Mrs. Spooner, which were given with enthusiasm. 


The Malay Mail, Tuesday, January 28th, 1908, p.5. & Straits Times 1 February 1908 page 8, SELANGOR POLO CLUB ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Selangor Polo Club under the chairmanship of Mr. C. E. Spooner, C. M. G., took place last evening in the Selangor Club, the average number of members being present. The minutes of the annual general meeting held on 31st Jan., 1907 were read and confirmed. The chairman said that as the report had been circulated and members had it before them he would propose it be taken as read, and invited the members to put any questions they wished on the report or accounts to the meeting. REPORT FOR 1907. The report is as follows:- The committee have the honour to present to the members of the Selangor Polo Club a statement of accounts for the past year showing a balance profit of $84.97 to the credit of the club. The past year has been a most successful one on the whole, the large outstandings at close of year are attributable to the Tournament held at Xmas, a large portion of the accounts have since been adjusted. Four playing and ten non-playing members were elected during the year. The committee met to transact business on thirteen occasions. The following entertainments took place during the year on the Polo Club Ground:- “Selangor Cup Tournament” 13th Feb., 1907. “Lady Dickson” Competition 24th Ap., 1907 “Polo Club Gymkhana” 27th “ 1907 “Polo Club “ 2nd Nov., 1907 “Polo Club Tournament” 16-21st Dec.,1907 The Club sent a team to Singapore to compete for the K. O. R. cup in September, and were again unsuccessful, they were treated with the proverbial hospitality of the Singapore Polo Club. A handsome Challenge Cup was presented to the Selangor Polo Club by H. H. the Sultan of Perak for competition amongst the Polo Clubs of the Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements and was won during the December Tournament at Kuala Lumpur by a “Military” team from the Royal West Kent Regiment by the narrow margin of two goals to one in most unfavourable weather. Competition for a Challenge cup presented by Mr. D. P. Macdougall of Singapore included in this Tournament had to be postponed owing to the weather. A Challenge shield to encourage Tournament Polo was presented by the Messrs. Russell. Presentations were also received from Mr. H. C. Belfield and Mrs. Spooner, these latter have not yet been played for. H. E. Sir J. Anderson, H. H. the Sultan of Perak, H. H. the Sultan of Johore and many others visited the club during the year. The size of the Polo Ground was increased by 20 yards in each direction, making it now 270 yards by 170 yards. Presents of furniture were received from Messrs. Russell, Wolff, Coullie and Graham. The original Committee elected (i.e.) Messrs. C. E. Spooner (President), G. Cumming, J. R. O. Aldworth, G. D. Russell, R. D. Jackson and Captain Graham (Honorary Secretary) remained the same throughout the year. C. EDWIN SPOONER President SELANGOR POLO CLUB Kuala Lumpur. 17th January 1908. There being no remarks, it was proposed by Mr. Aldworth and seconded by Mr. Russell that the accounts be passed. Carried unanimously. The following committee was elected for the ensuing year:-C. E. Spooner, J. R. O. Aldworth, A. McD. Graham, G. D. Russell, R. Crichton and R. D. Jackson. A vote of thanks was to Captain Graham by the President and members for all his good work in connection with the club during the past year. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the Committee then took place. Mr. C. E. Spooner, C. M. G., was unanimously re-elected President. Captain A. McD. Graham was re-elected Hon. Secretary. Drawing for the order of play in the Tournament for the “MacDougall,” “Selangor” Cups commencing on Saturday 1st prox. Took place with the following results:- “MACDOUGALL“ CUP. SATURDAY 1ST FEB. 5 P.M. Spooner’s Team v. Russell’s Team Klang Team v. Gerrard’s Team SELANGOR CUP MONDAY 3RD FEB. 5 P.M. Spooner’s Team v. Graham’s Team Russell’s Team v. Klang team Final “MacDougall” Cup Tuesday 4th 5 p.m. Final “Selangor” Cup Wednesday 5th 5 p.m. The teams will probably be as follows:- “MACDOUGALL“ CUP. Graham v. Russell G. D. Wolff v. Jackson Spooner C. E v. Spooner J. Coullie v. Raja Alang Smith v. Gerrard Thring v. Aldworth Jewitt v. Devitt Davidson v. Russell R. SELANGOR CUP Spooner C. E v. Graham Raja Alang v. Wollf Aldworth v. Spooner J. Russell R. v. Hume Russell G. D. v. Smith Jackson v. Thring Gerrard v. Jewitt Coullie v. Davidson

The Malay Mail. Wednesday, February 5th, 1908, p.5. POLO FINAL OF THE MACDOUGAL CUP. KLANG V. SELANGOR The afternoon was fine and the sun rather hot when Klang met Selangor II in the final of the Macdougal cup competition yesterday. The ground was dry and in good condition and among the spectators were a good many ladies. The game was for three chukkers and all the way through Klang had a great deal the best of it. Selangor II seldom looked dangerous and Klang did practically all the pressing, Sidney Smith being particularly conspicuous for them. Almost from the start Davidson carried the ball down the field and opened the scoring for Klang (1-0). From the hit-off the visitors continued to press but the ball went behind and Selangor II got a brief respite till Jewitt made a fine run down and the home goal was in considerable danger the ball being twice almost hustled through, the second time Russell only hitting the ball out when it was almost on the line. At their third effort Klang were successful, Davidson scoring from a mêlée before the goal. Selangor attacked at the commencement of the second period but had an off-side given against them and they were fully occupied for a while in keeping their goal safe. Eventually Raja Alang got away on the right and passed to Russell who centred finely, the ball, however, going behind. Selangor II kept up the pressure for a short time and Jackson put in a long shot which did not materialise, and Smith transferred the game to the opposite goal line by an unaided run down and Thring soon after getting an opening scored Klang’s third goal (3-0). Almost immediately after the hit-off the same player scored again and the Klang team were maintaining the pressure when the chukker ended. In the last chukker Klang still had all the better of the game and came near to increasing their score. After Selangor II had twice got the ball up to the half way line off side was given against Raja Alang and the ball crossed the home side’s goal line, and soon after, Thring having brought the ball up, it was shot against the ball post and rebounding was only just got away in time. The game ended soon after this incident and Klang were left the winners of the match (4-0) and of the Macdougal Cup. Following were the teams:- Klang Selangor II Thring Raja Alang Jewitt Spooner J. Davidson Jackson Sidney Smith (capt.) Russell G. D. (capt.) Referees: Capt. C. R. Molyneux and Mr. B. Crichton.

Polo. [Articles] The Straits Times, 11 March 1908, Page 8
 • Polo. Selangor Polo Club. The competition for Mrs. Spooner’s presentation, consisting of four handsome tankards, will take place on Saturday next and Tuesday the 17th instant (St. Patrick’s’ day), at Kuala Lumpur. The teams are as follows: - • C.E. Spooner (Capt.) R.D. Jackson, P.N. Gerrard, Raja Alang Iskandar. • A. McD. Graham (Capt.) E.C.H. Wolff, J.R. O. Aldworth, K.R. Coullie • R. Crichton (Capt.) J. G. Spooner, G.D. Russell, R.C. Russell. • Mr. Spooner’s team meets Mr. Graham’s team. Mr. Crichton’s team has a bye.

The Malay Mail, Friday, March 20th, 1908, p.5. POLO MRS SPOONER’S PRESENTATION FINAL The final round in the competition for Mrs Spooner’s presentation, which had to be postponed on Wednesday owing to rain, was played off yesterday afternoon in beautiful weather, the ground being in excellent order and showing no signs of the recent heavy rains. The competing teams were captained by C. E. Spooner (Red) and R. Crichton (White.) The Red team pressed immediately the game began and Gerrard, from a pass by Jackson, scored with a very pretty near-side cut. Though Red made such a promising start, they had the worst of the remainder of the period and more than once White looked as if they were going to score. Raja Alang broke through the attack soon after the hit off, but did not go beyond half-way, and though Gerrard tried to get away several times, the ball hardly left Red’s half of the ground and several times crossed the back line. Once especially, from a powerful hit by G. D. Russell, it looked odds on his side scoring, but nothing came of it and a fast well contested chukker ended with the Reds leading by one goal to nil. Taking advantage of a penalty, the red team scored directly after the beginning of the second period, C. E. Spooner putting the ball through (2-0). Following, upon the hit off, J. C. Spooner cleverly extricated the ball from a scrimmage in the centre and brought it down to the mouth of his opponents’ goal but only a behind resulted. C. E. Spooner and Gerrard then carried the game into their opponents’ half on their left wing till stopped by Crichton, when the game worked right across the field and the ball went out near Red’s back line. For a short while the Red goal seemed in danger, and the pressure was well maintained till Jackson came away to the half-way line. White again returned to the attack, however, till during the last minute C. E. Spooner and Gerrard carried the ball into White’s half of the field, where it went out far up on White’s left. In the last chukker, Red had rather the best of things and kept the ball before their opponents’ goal for some time though without results. Towards the end, however, White attacked and after some give and take play in the Red half of the ground were pushing the defence hard when time was called. In fact they actually hit the ball between the goal posts a second after the bell sounded, just too late to alter the score, the Red team being left the winners by 2 goals to nil. PRESENTATION OF THE PRIZES After a practice chukker had been played the prizes were presented. The Hon. Secretary of the Polo Club, Captain Graham, said that Mrs. Spooner had not forgotten the Polo Club when in Europe, and on her return had offered four silver cups to be competed for by teams drawn from the Kuala Lumpur Polo Club. Mrs. Spooner then presented the four cups to the members of the winning team. Mr. C. E. Spooner in thanking Mrs. Spooner on behalf of his team said he thought that a competition of the kind just concluded did a lot of good to polo, for it enabled the younger members of the Club to get accustomed to playing under match conditions. When the Kuala Lumpur Club was playing outside teams, the best side of necessity had to be selected, but in this competition everyone had a chance of playing. Cheers having been given for Mrs. Spooner, the proceedings came to an end. Following were the teams:- Red White Raja Alang Iskander G. D. Russell Dr. P. N. Gerrard R. Crichton (capt.) R. D. Jackson J. C. Spooner C. E. Spooner (capt.) R. C. Russell Umpires:- E. C. H. Wolff and Captain C. R. Molyneux

SELANGOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. MINUTES OF FIRST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, March 30th, 1908. PRESENT. Mr. W. F. Nutt (Chairman), Mr. D. A. Dalziel Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, Mr. G. D. Russell, Federated Engineering Co., Mr. A. K. E. Hampshire, Mr. F. O. Sander, (Messrs. Whittall & Co.,) Mr. R. Connell, (Straits Trading Co.,) Mr. H. M. Devitt, (Messrs Baxendale and Devitt,) Mr. Blackstock, (The Borneo Co.,) Mr. H. Davidson, (Messrs. McAlister & Co.,) Mr. Wooton, (Messr. A.C. Harper & Co.,) Mr, F. V. Guy, (The federal Dispensary, Ltd.,) Mr. J. H. Robson, Mr. J. A. Russell, Mr. O. F. Domon, Mr. J. V. Booth. The Secretary, having read the notice convening the meeting, the Chairman said:- “Gentlemen I now have the pleasure to put before you the first annual report and accounts of the Selangor Chamber of Commerce. You will notice that the report and accounts are brought up to the 15th of March, though the year really terminated at the 31st December. One reason for doing this was, that, as the Chamber of Commerce was only formed late in 1907, we considered it was necessary to bring all matters up to date, in order to show you what we had done, and what an Association of this sort could do. The report and accounts have been in your hands for a few days, so that I trust you have all had time to study them, but in order to put them more clearly before you I will take each item by itself.

The Malay Mail, April 25, 1908, p.4. Mr. G. Russell was trying the new 10-12 Humber early this morning and people who saw the car running were impressed by its silence. Of course the car is new and most new cars are quieter than those which have been running for some time, but even as a new car this Humber is certainly the quietest car (for its price) of any which have been imported here so far.

The Malay Mail, Tuesday , May 5, 1908, p.5. THE F. M. S. AUTOMOBILE CLUB Some time ago, says the Motor Car and Athletic Journal, there was in existence in Kuala Lumpur and Automobile Club, which, at one time, bade fair to control the motoring interests, not only in Selangor, but of the whole of the Federated Malay States. Now, however, it is ?sulamati and, so far as we can see, there is little chance of reviving the institution. Talking to a Kuala Lumpur motorist the other day, -who, by the way, is as keen as anybody in the F. M. S., -we were told with some chagrin that there is ample scope for a club in Kuala Lumpur, and it makes one wonder why the interest is so dull in a country where the motor-car is such an important factor in social and in commercial life. Kuala Lumpur is surely more lethargic than Singapore. The old club died, leaving its funds in the hands of Messrs. G. D. Russell and J. H. M. Robson, and although one or two are sanguine that it will be brought to life again, it is a matter of certainty that unless everyone puts his shoulder to the wheel, things will go on just as they are. Complaints about motorists are, at the present moment, rather numerous in Kuala Lumpur, and there will be a tendency for them to increase if no governing body exists to safeguard the interest of lovers of the art awheel.

The Malay Mail, Monday, May 11th, 1908, p.5 POLO THE RUSSELL SHIELD COMPETITION The Russell Shield, presented by the Russell family to be competed for by selected Kuala Lumpur teams was played for on Saturday evening, the contesting teams being captained by Mr. C. E. Spooner (Red) and Capt. A. McD. Graham (White). Among the spectators, who included several ladies, were H. E. the Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir John Anderson, K. C. M. G. and the Ag. Resident-General, Mr. H. Conway Belfield. White pressed from the first and scored through the agency of Jackson shortly after the beginning of the opening chukker. Play, however, ruled fairly even during the rest of the period, each side attacking in turn. Spooner had a shot at the white goal, but it went wide and through Crichton transferred the ball from the hit-off, Red put in a combined effort which brought them well up to their opponents’ goal. White worked away, however, and the final exchanges saw them once more in the ascendant. Red started the second period rather promisingly but were stopped by Graham, who throughout the match played a very sound game. His side had by far the best of this chukker, keeping the Red players continually on the defensive until Jackson scored again (2-0). Matters ruled rather more even for a short time after the goal, but White soon got the upper hand. Spooner kept his assailants off more than once, but eventually Wolff succeeded in raising the score (3-0). In the last minute Red made an effort which put White on the defensive, but the ball went out far up on the Red right wing. Early in the last period Red scored their only goal, through the agency of Raja Alang (3-1). But directly afterwards a pretty piece of combined work between Crichton and Wolff resulted in the latter scoring, thus making the goals 4-1. The last part of the chukker ruled even, both sides attacked in turn but did not succeed in driving their attacks home, till the last half minute when red attacked and were near the White goal when the whistle sounded. DESCRIPTION OF THE SHIELD. The shield has a background of oak upon which is mounted a dulled silver plate, the same shape as the oak mount, but of sufficiently smaller size to allow of seven miniature shields being mounted round the edge upon which the names of winning teams can be engraved. The greater part of the central silver plate is taken up with an embossed reproduction of a polo match. The following were the teams:- RED WHITE G. D. Russell R, Crichton Raja Alang Iskander R. D. Jackson J. R. O. Aldworth E. C. H. Wolff C. E. Spooner Capt. A. McD. Graham. Umpires: Capt: C. R. Molyneux and Mr. Sidney Smith.

Selangor Government Gazette Aug 14 1908 No 29 Vol. XIX “The following tenders have been accepted by the Government: Construction of a bridge over Gombak River, Kuala Lumpur: Federated Engineering company.”

The Malay Mail, Friday, August 14th, 1908, p.5. POLO H. H. THE SULTAN OF PERAK This Cup, graciously presented by H. H. the Sultan of Perak for open competition in the game of polo, was played off for 1908 yesterday afternoon. It was a great pity that no teams outside Selangor entered for the competition. Perak sent no team to contest for the cup presented by its Sultan, and neither the West Kent Regiment, the holders of the cup, or the Singapore Polo Club entered. We hear that the latter were handicapped by the illness or absence of its members. The match was confined, therefore, to two teams only—one from Klang and one from the Selangor Polo Club. Originally, in order to make sure of a good game, Selangor had entered two teams as it was doubtful, up to the last minute, whether Klang could raise sufficient ponies to play. However eventually they found enough to come on to the field and face Selangor and an excellent game ensued. The teams lined up as follows:- SELANGOR Capt. A. McD. Graham (capt.) G. D. Russell R. Crichton. E. C. H. Wolff KLANG Sydney Smith (capt.) Dr. Gerrard. C. W. Thring H. E. Davidson. Umpires: Mr. C. E. Spooner, C. M. G., and Mr. J. R. O. Aldworth. Referee: Capt. C. R. Molyneux. Time Keeper: Mr. F. W. Mager. The game throughout was certainly the fastest and best as yet witnessed in Kuaka Lumpur, and by superiority of ponies the Selangor team over-rode and out-paced the Klang representatives. Though defeated, Klang was in no way disgraced. Although Selangor scored a victory by seven goals to one, the match must in no way be considered a runaway affair. Throughout the whole game the ball was in more than open possession and Klang, although considerably handicapped by lack of high-class ponies, battled through the game in the most gallant manner. It is very hard to get past such a safe, determined player as Captain Graham who played back for Selangor, and Mr. Crichton’s advance, so well cleared by Mr. Wolff’s determined play at No. 1, undoubtedly was the main feature in the Selangor Club’s success; at the same time there is no disguising the fact that Mr. Sydney Smith and Dr. Gerrard put up a return that can only be described in the annals of Malayan polo as brilliant. All honour to the winners and all credit to the losers. The game was watched by a larger number of people than is generally to be seen on the polo ground, there being a good many more ladies present than usual. Among the spectators were H. E. Sir John Anderson and Miss Anderson, and at the conclusion of the match, the latter presented the set of silver beakers to the winning team. PRESENTATION OF THE TROPHIES In asking Miss Anderson to make the presentation, Mr. C. E. Spooner (President of the Selangor Polo Club) said that, owing to some mischance. The last year’s winners of the Sultan of Perak’s Cup, the West Kent Regiment, had not returned the trophy, therefore there was nothing to give away except the four silver beakers and these he asked Miss Anderson to present. Continuing, Mr. Spooner said how pleased they all were to see Miss Anderson there as well as his Excellency the High Commissioner. The thanks of the Committee were due to them both for coming. They also owed thanks to Mrs. Bacon for providing tea. He thought Klang had made a very plucky fight. Last time they came to Kuala Lumpur, speaking as the President of the Selangor Polo Club, he could say that the committee did not on that occasion know how strong Klang were and they put two teams into the field, with the result that Klang swept the board. This time they had put in only one team and Klang made a very good fight. He thought it was a very good thing in the interests of polo that there should be more than one club, because if the same players went on playing together, they got into a ding-dong way of playing and then, when they were opposed by strangers, they were not up to the tactics. After Miss Anderson had presented the prizes, cheers were given for her, as well as for H. E. the High Commissioner, Mrs. Bacon and the other ladies.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 20 August 1908, Page 8 PASSENGERS. Passengers. Per Penang: Mr. D. G. Russell, Mr. J. A. Russell

The Malay Mail, Monday, August 31st, 1908. POLO KLANG POLO CLUB V “LOST DOGS.” A team which has chosen for itself the above euphonious title journeyed down to Klang on Saturday to meet the Klang Polo Club. The teams lined up as follows:- “Lost Dogs” Klang Polo Club 1. C. R. Molyneux C. McGee 2. R. C. Jewitt P. N. Gerrard 3. R. Russell E. H. Berck 4. G. D. Russell S. Smith The “Dogs” pressed strongly in the first chukker and after Bob Russell had taken the ball up “G.D” opened the scoring for the visitors. The second chukker was well fought out, and there was no score, but in the third after a good run down by Smith, Gerrard equalised in the last minute of the chukker. Extra time was played and after Klang had nearly scored, the “Dogs” got away and Bob Russell put the ball through, the result thus being “Lost Dogs” 2 goals Klang Polo Club 1 goal Mr. K. R. Coullie kept time, and Messrs. Johns and Carnelly acted as goal judges.

The Malay Mail, Monday, August 31st, 1908, p.5 KLANG EN FETE FANCY DRESS DANCE AT THE CLUB FAREWELL TO MR. LEONARD. “A ripping evening” was the unanimous verdict of all who were fortunate enough to be present at the fancy dress evening in honour of Mr. H. G. R. Leonard, the popular hon. sec of the Club, who is leaving this week for Home. The dance had been eagerly looked forward to, and it was not surprising to find a large muster of guests, while the great interest shown in the event was shown by the obvious pains which nearly everyone had taken to appear in something suitable for the occasion. Though the majority of the company which numbered about 120, came from the Klang district, there was quite a good number of Kuala Lumpur visitors. Many of these travelled down by the 3.15 on Saturday. This train also carried a contingent of “Lost Dogs,” who subsequently played a polo match against the local club. After this match, which is reported elsewhere, was concluded, people betook themselves to their respective domiciles to prepare for the evening. The proceedings commenced about 9.30 and dancing took place in the large room upstairs. There had been some doubts whether it was quite safe, but this had not escaped the notice of the energetic committee, and special supports had been brought in, which eliminated all danger, and nothing untoward occurred, except that heavy rain late in the evening drove the band, which was stationed in the porch, on to the platform in the dancing room. The third dance on the programme was by favours, and after the couples had sorted themselves, a grand procession took place, after which a flash-light photo was taken. SPEECHES AT THE SUPPER. At the conclusion of supper, after Mr, H. C. Belfield had proposed the loyal toast, Mr. R. W. Harrison proposed the health of Mr. H. G. R. Leonard. He eulogised the latter’s social and official virtues, and said that he had a difficult task among a lot of planters, who were always ready to fight the Government, and it was greatly to his credit that he had succeeded so well. Socially, said Mr. Harrison, Mr. Leonard was one of the best. He had the strength of a tiger, and the heart of a lion. After the toast had been enthusiastically honoured, Mr. Leonard made a lengthy speech in reply, in the course of which he said he was almost speechless with emotion at that his sorrow at leaving might be judged by his pathetic demeanour. Mr. J. S. Mason proposed the toast of the officers of the Waterwitch, whom he characterised as the best of fellows. They were always ready to lend a hand at anything, and his audience could see their handiwork in the flags etc., which decorated the Club. They were jolly good sportsman and were always ready tot ake the Klang people on at anything. This toast was also enthusiastically honoured. Capt. Douglas, whose dress was that of a coster, kept up the character and made an amusing speech in reply, in which he said that they had only had a short stay—about four months—and it “broke is ‘art” to leave. After supper dancing was resumed, and the fun waxed fast and furious. It must have been very late when the band finally struck up the National Anthem. At the close ringing cheers first for the Committee in general, and then for the lady members thereof, Mesdames Gerrard and Stafford, were heartily given, and everyone will agree that they thoroughly deserved them, for they must have worked like Trojans. Both inside and out the Club was prettily decorated. Outside, Chinese lamps illuminated the path and sitting-out places, the inevitable Bridge-room had been provided, and, in fact, everything had been done for the comfort of the visitors. Particular praise is due to Mr. and Mrs. L. U. Stafford, to whom fell the onerous duty of looking after the supper arrangements, and to Mrs. Gerrard whose duties as Hon. Secretary were no sinecure. THE DRESSES. His Highness the Sultan was present in the early part of the evening and appeared amused at some of the dresses. In our opinion the gentlemen’s dresses were better than the ladies. Among the latter were certainly very many pretty costumes, but there were none that were very striking. Miss Birch looked charming as a lady of the George III period in white brocade with tablier, fichu, powdered hair and patches. Mrs. Nutt’s dress as a Normandy Bride was very prettily carried out, pink gauze over pink silk, trimmed with bombes of small roses, and long sugar-loaf hat. Miss Hamerton as Little Red Riding Hood looked very dainty, and the costume was most becoming. Among the men Mr. E. A. Ash as a polo player was very good, and the antics of his fiery steed caused much amusement. The “flash” of the flashlight caused it to stampede wildly all over the room. The Waterwitch officers were all admirable and the more credit is due to them seeing they all made their costumes themselves. The three “unemployed” in seedy coats and battered bowlers, one of them carrying a monkey were a great success. Mr. Wakefield, like Charley’s Aunt, was “no ordinary woman”. Mr. Sander’s make-up was excellent, and it took people a long time to recognise Mr. Hampshire in the solemn mandarin who stalked silently round the room. Messrs. Mason and Whitham as the Entente Cordiale were good, and Mr. Sharpe Smith’s Planter costume was an amusing take-off on recent controversies. We give below as complete a list as possible of those who were present in fancy dress. A number of gentlemen and one or two ladies were present in ordinary dress. Any errors or commissions must be pardoned, as the spirit is willing, but the flesh is week. It was obviously impossible for our representative to go round and enquire from each guest what his costume represented, and we therefore print below what in his opinion they ought to have represented. There follows a list of some 50 people including Mr. G. D. Russell … K. L. Bachelor.

The Malay Mail, Monday, August 31st, 1908 p.5 KLANG BRIDGE. THE OPENING CEREMONY We understand that the formal opening ceremony of the new Klang Bridge has been fixed for September 12th and that His Excellency the High Commissioner will attend the function. His Excellency will subsequently be entertained at tiffin by the planting community. We hope to publish a full description of this bridge, which promises to be so valuable to planters in the Klang district.

THE MALAY MAIL. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 1908 BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION IN KUALA LUMPUR. GOMBAK AND JAVA STREET. It has been obvious for some time that the bridges of Kuala Lumpur are among the many institutions which the town has outgrown of recent years. And this has been especially noticeable in the cases of the Java Street and Gombak bridges, which cross the rivers Klang and Gombak respectively. Perhaps the Java Street bridge the more urgently needed widening, at any rate it was taken in hand first, the P. W. D. commencing operations on it some eight months or so ago. Last month the Federated Engineering Company secured the contract for completing the abutments and cylinders, while at the same time they undertook the entire reconstruction of the Gombak Bridge. Work was commenced on both contracts on August 21st. Before describing what is being done on each bridge separately, it may be as well to say something about the general method employed in laying the foundations. Iron cylinders are placed in the positions required, their lower edges resting on the river bed, while their tops are above the level of the water. They are heavily weighted with pig iron placed on beams which rest across the tops causing the cylinders to settle down, while the earth inside is excavated by hand, hauled up and tipped over the side. As the soil is excavated, the cylinder sinks deeper. When it is near water level, another section is fastened on, and the process repeated until a firm bottom is reached. Of course, though the top of the cylinder is above the level of the river, water is constantly making its way in through the soil below, so that the pumps have to be kept going to enable the excavators to carry on their work. When a firm bottom is reached, the cylinders are filled with concrete and become either single pillars, as in the case with the central piers of the new bridges, or else the solid backing for a compact mass of concrete as in the case of the abutments. GOMBAK BRIDGE, The old Gomback Bridge, which is now closed for traffic, and from which the road metal is being stripped, was an iron structure with a single span of 75 ft. and a breadth of 26 ft. It was built in 1890. The new bridge will also be of iron and its construction will be entirely carried out in Kuala Lumpur. It will have the same span as the old bridge, but its breadth is to be 48 ft. instead of 26 ft. and it will be supported in the middle. The widening of the abutments necessary for this increased breadth is being done on the down-stream side of the existing bridge. Altogether five cylinders are being used, one on either bank for the extension of the existing abutments and three in mid-stream. Although work was only commenced on the 21st of last month, the right abutment cylinder is already on bed-rock, while work is well advanced upon the one on the left bank. Considerable progress had also been made with three mid-stream cylinders, the deepest of which is down 13 ft. and the shallowest 5 ft. When these three central supports are finished, it is intended to brace them together with concrete at about water-level. The pumping is done by pulsometer pumps, the steam for which is generated in a big boiler on the left bank, but a portable engine, driving an 8 in. centrifugal pump had been installed to deal with the large body of water in the mid-stream workings. The cylinders used are 7 ft. 7 in. in diameter and are in 4 ft. sections. Their final depth will probably be about 20 ft., but may vary according to the depths at which solid bottom is touched. Work begins at 6 a.m. and continues till 10 p.m., the labourers being Chinese who have their quarters in the attap building between the Town Hall and the river. The temporary office by the bridge is connected by a private telephone with the headquarters of the Federated Engineering Company. An interesting feature of the works at Gombak is the lamp used for night work. It burns vapourised, methylated spirit, throws a very clear and brilliant light, and rejoices in the name of “Saekular”. JAVA STEET BRIDGE Like Gombak, the present Java Street bridge is made of iron and was put up in the same year (1890). It has a single span of 100 ft. and a breadth of 26 ft. The new bridge will have the same span, but will be supported by three iron cylinders, in the middle, not, however, concreted together. The breadth will be 52 ft. and, as the increase will be considerably greater than at Gombak, it has been necessary to sink two cylinders on each bank for the abutments besides the three in mid-stream. The extension, as at Gombak, is down stream from the present bridge. The right bank abutment was finished by the P.W.D. before the Federated Engineering Company took over, so that there are now only five cylinders being sunk. The two in the abutment are 6 ft. in diameter, the three in mid-stream 4 ft; they are pieced together in 5 ft. sections. All five cylinders are well in hand, though in the two near the bank roots of trees and large pieces of timber were encountered at a depth of 10 ft. The labour here is Tamil, and the hours of work are the same as at Gombak. The pumping is done by pulsometers, and the operations are a source of never-ending joy to an admiring crowd of Asiatics, and this though similar work has been going on for more than half a year. A railing has had to be put up to keep back some of the more ardent spirits, for not long ago a number of enthusiasts leant so earnestly against one of the pipes which convey steam from the boiler to the pulsometers, that they broke it. Luckily for them, it was empty at the time. In their work on both bridges the Federated Engineering Co. have been helped by the lowness of the river which enabled them to get such an excellent start, that the period of waiting for our new bridges is not likely to be very long.

THE MALAY MAIL. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 1908 THE KLANG BRIDGE. SOME PARTICULARS OF ITS CONSTRUCTION. As the official opening of the Klang Bridge takes place on Saturday, some particulars of the new structure may be of interest. Owing to the development of the rubber planting industry in that part of Selangor which lies between the rivers Klang and Selangor, and the consequent increase in the traffic crossing the river where the town of Klang is situated on the southern bank, the Government decided that it was imperative that the river should be bridged. The bridge which has been erected by the Federated Engineering Company, as contractors to the Government is of the Linville type in four spans of 140 ft. carried on five piers; each pier consisting of two iron cylinders at 22 ft. centres, and braced to each other by horizontal and diagonal steel bracing. The river at the point bridged is tidal, is 560 ft. wide, and has a rise and fall of 17 ft. at spring tides and a current of 6 knots. The contractors commenced work on July 27th, 1907, by building a temporary bridge. It was at first intended to erect this on the screw pile principle, but the plan was abandoned owing to the soft nature of the soil, and, instead, solid drawn flanged steel piles, 8 in. in diameter were driven in from shear legs erected on two barges. These piles were furnished with earth plates 10 ft. from the points. Owing to the “spring” in the blue clay, the piles had to be weighted as well as driven. The spans were 25 ft. centres and the piers were connected at the top by hard wood laid longitudinally upon which were placed sleepers. At the positions for cylinders, special outside piles were driven, both up and down stream. Both the piers and the piles at the positions for cylinders were securely braced. The whole of the temporary bridge was built with Tamil and Malay labour and was designed by Mr. G. D. Russell, manager of the Federated Engineering Co. CYLINDER SINKING Ten cylinders, forming the five piers of the permanent bridge, were supplied and sunk by the contractors. The cylinders below river bed are of mild steel, having a bell mouth 9 ft. in diameter, tapering to 7 ft. 7 ¾ in., the sections being 5 ft. deep. Above river bed, the cylinders are of cast iron 7 ft. 7 ¾ in. in diameter tapering to 6 ft., the sections being 4 ft. deep. The sinking of the cylinders was commenced on Sep. 14th, 1907. The excavation in all cylinders was done on the open system by Chinamen digging the inside and filling cane baskets, which were hoisted to the surface by steam winches. The shore cylinders kept fairly free of water in the blue clay but when sand was reached, at a depth of 60 ft., a large amount of water had to be dealt with, a Pulsometer pump being used to keep the water under control. The south shore cylinders, after passing through 50 ft. of blue clay, 10 ft. of white china clay, 4 ft. of sand and 2 ft. of soft rock, finally reached hard rock bed. After the cutting edges had been packed with Portland cement, the cylinders were filled with concrete hearting. The steam cylinders were taken out along the temporary bridge in sections on trucks and built up on a staging at low water spring tides. 25 ft. of each cylinder was put in at once so that the tops should be above low water mark. The first stream south cylinders sank altogether 12 ft. of their own accord, and, on being pumped out, took a further run of 9 ft. The soils gone through in excavating were similar to those experienced in the south shore cylinders. The first stream south cylinders reached hard rock at 77 and the first stream north at 74. All the cylinders when finished were filled with concrete hearting. Owing to the great depth of water in mid-stream it was considered necessary to assemble 40 ft. of section before sinking the mid-stream cylinders. They reached hard stone at 82 ft. Great difficulty was experienced owing to water in the north shore cylinders after a depth of 60 ft. was reached. Four pulsometer pumps were kept going constantly, and approximately 42 million gallons of water were pumped out before hard bed was reached at a depth of 16 ft. Cylinder sinking was commenced in the middle of September, 1907, and completed in June, 1908. The north and south abutments were built entirely of concrete, reinforced at bottom with steel rails placed horizontally and resting on 125 concrete piles. THE SUPERSTRUCTURE. To carry the superstructure, 10 additional pipe piles were driven at each span at 28 ft centres and weighted with pig iron to carry 6 tons safe load each. The superstructure was supplied through the Crown Agents for the Colonies by the Horsebay Co., Ltd., Shropshire, and was erected by the Federated Engineering Company in situ. The Linville girders are 140 ft. long and the total effective span of the bridge is 560 ft. The girders are 22 ft. centre to centre, and 21 ft. 6 in. deep between centres of intersections. The superstructure, which was assembled and riveted in position on the temporary staging, was designed to carry a live load of 150 tons per girder, equal to 1.200 tons on the whole bridge. The total weight of the superstructure is 560 ½ tons. The erection of the superstructure was started at the end of April and completed by the end of July. The whole of the erection and riveting of the superstructure was done by Chinese workmen under European supervision. The roadway on the bridge is 19 ft. clear, and is 8ft. 8in. above high water at spring tides. The north and south approaches to the bridge are 30 ft. wide; the south approach having a gradient of 1 in 30 and the north of 1 in 40.

THE MALAY MAIL. MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 1908 THE BELFIELD BRIDGE. OPENING AND CHRISTENING BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER HIS EXCELLENCY ENTERTAINED BY THE PLANTERS The town of Klang wore a carnival aspect on Saturday in honour of the visit of His Excellency Sir John Anderson K.C.M.G.; High Commissioner, F.M.S., to open formally the new bridge across the river. Turning to the right on leaving the station into Main St., a profusion of decoration met the eye of the visitor. The whole length of the street was gay with flags and bunting, evergreens, Chinese silk inscribed rolls, purple, red and yellow favours. The whole street was surmounted by a white canopy and the tout ensemble was a very creditable imitation of Pall Mall on the occasion of a Royal wedding or a jubilee. Turning the corner into Market Street, one arrived at the approach to the bridge. Here two arches had been erected, one conveying a welcome to His Excellency from the Hindu community, and the other expressing similar sentiments on behalf of the India Muhammadan Society of Klang. The latter was adorned with pictures borrowed from the local Tamil theatre. The spot where the opening ceremony was to take place was also lavishly decorated and surmounted by a red awning and the bright garments of the native spectators added to the picturesqueness of the scene. His Excellency the High Commissioner and party, which included Mr. Claud Severn, Private Secretary, Capt. Gay, A.D.C., Col. Nelson, Commanding R.G.A. Major Ford, Army Service Corps and Mr. T.H. Reid of the Straits Times, travelled up by the Seamew. They were met at Port Swettenham by the Resident-General, Sir William Taylor, K.C.M.G., Mr. H.C. Belfield, British Resident, Selangor, Mr. C.E. Spooner, C.M.G., and Mrs. Spooner, who had arrived there by special train. His Excellency was met at Klang station by Mr. J. Scott Mason, D.O., Klang, and Mr. G.D. Russell, and the party proceeded by motor to the bridge. Here a guard of Honour of 50 police was stationed under Mr. W.W. Douglas and a large crowd had assembled, including a detachment of 200 Klang schoolboys. A feature was the large number of Malay ladies present decked out in brilliant attire. His Excellency was met at the bridge by His Highness the Sultan of Selangor, C.M.G. who had previously arrived by motor, and others present were Mr. M.S.H. McArthur, Acting Federal Secretary, Mr. J. Trump, Director of Public Works, F.M.S., Mr. E.R. Stokoe, State Engineer, Selangor, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Mason, Mr. R.W. Harrison, Mr. H.M. Darby, Dr and Mrs. Gerrard, Mr. and Mrs. L.U. Stafford, Mr. and Mrs. W. Towgood, Mr. J. Gibson, Mr. A. Irving, Mr. E.F. Townley, Mr. C.T. Hamerton and Miss Hamerton, Mr. W.R.G. Hickey, Mr. F.O. Sander, Mr. Sydney Smith, Capt. Douglas of the Waterwitch and many others. MR. BELFIELD’S SPEECH. After His Excellency had inspected the Guard of Honour, while the band played sweet music, the inevitable photograph was taken, and an attempt to place garlands round the necks of the distinguished visitors having been frustrated, Mr. H. Conway Belfield addressed His Excellency as follows:- Your Excellency, This is the second occasion within a few weeks on which you have been good enough to come to Selangor to perform an opening ceremony. We all thank you for your presence here to-day which is the hallmark of your approval of a work which was commenced under your direction and will, we hope, meet with your satisfaction. This structure is according to local standards a work of the first magnitude. It is by far the largest road bridge in the Malay Peninsula, and its dimensions are such that I propose to ask your patience for a few moments while I give you some account of the history of its origin and the details of its construction. WHY THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT. The first talk about a bridge over the river at Klang started about ten years ago at a time when Mr. Douglas Campbell was District Officer at Klang. At that time progress and development on the northern side of the river was comparatively small, and for some years the proposal was negatived. Three years ago, when the rubber industry had attained larger proportions, Your Excellency paid a personal visit to the spot and decided that a pontoon ferry was sufficient. This having been provided the planters set to work to obtain reliable statistics of the traffic across the river, and the dimensions of the traffic indicated by these statistics convinced Your Excellency and the Resident-General that a permanent bridge was necessary. The contract was therefore arranged. DETAILS OF THE STRUCTURE The bridge is of the Linville girder type, and has four spans of 140 feet each, making a total length of 560 feet. The road is 20 feet wide, and the girders are five feet clear above high water level. The weight of the superstructure is 560 tons, or one ton per foot run. The bridge is supported by five pairs of iron cylinders filled with concrete, 522 feet below the river bed, and 204 feet above. The iron weight is 400 tons. The superstructure was sent out from England. The contract provided that the bridge should be completed within 10 months after the arrival of the last span. The last span arrived on June 3rd, and we may say that the bridge has been completed today. Thus the work has been completed 203 days before contract time. The estimate for the bridge, continued Mr. Belfield, was $300,000. The actual cost has been $260,000, so there is a saving of $40,000. This saving has been credited to a variation in the girders, a higher but lighter type having been selected, and also to the fact that no expert engineer has been placed in charge of the bridge-work. I think Your Excellency will be satisfied that the work has been done in a manner careful, efficient and expeditious. I have visited the bridge on many occasions and can offer personal testimony to the perseverance and industry of the contractors’ men and those who supervised them, first of all, Mr. Russell, and then Mr. Craig, who literally lived on the bridge so long as there was a log to sit upon, and had to contend with many unforeseen difficulties in the shape of tide, river traffic, tongkongs etc. It is through his perseverance and energy that the work has been completed so expeditiously and I am sorry he is not with us to-day. The facilities of the bridge, said Mr. Belfield in conclusion, are difficult to sum up in a few words. It brings the estates on the northern side of the river within a fraction of their previous distance from Klang station and town, and I have no doubt they will be spoken to by Mr. Harrison. MR HARRISON’S SPEECH Mr. R.W. Harrison said:- Your Excellency. On behalf of the planters of the Kapar and Kuala Selangor districts and the general public of Klang, I thank you for coming to open the bridge. The bridge marks an epoch in the history of Klang, and only those who have had to use sampans and the pontoon ferry with numerous stoppages owing to the breaking of ropes and so on can realise the immense difference which the bridge makes. I believe I am correct in saying that the first step was taken by the planters in 1900, but they did not meet with support from the authorities. Though sundry concessions were made, it was not until August, 1905, that, as the result of a petition, legislation was brought in fixing the charges to be made by sampan-owners, who had previously charged what they liked. Shortly afterwards a pontoon ferry was provided, but this was recognised as being merely a makeshift, and quite inadequate to cope with the growing traffic. Early in 1906 the planters again decided to go into the question and to get statistics. The census taken surpassed all expectations. In ten days the number of foot- passengers was 33,000. Since then the importance of the district on the northern side of the river has greatly increased. In Kuala Selangor 10,000 acres have been placed under cultivation, and the number of immigrant coolies has doubled. The Kapar district last year exported half a million lbs of rubber. If a similar census were taken now, it would prove the foresight of Your Excellency in granting a bridge. In July, 1906, a deputation wanted on Your Excellency, and though it was received most sympathetically, we were in doubt whether our request would be granted. Some months later, however, we heard with gratitude that it had been granted. It gives us great pleasure that Your Excellency should be present at the opening of the bridge. That in so short a time the work should have been completed is marvellous and reflects great credit on all concerned. Mr. Belfield said that a saving of $40,000 had been effected on the bridge. The purpose of the bridge, I take it, is to facilitate transport and the convenience of passengers. I suggest to Your Excellency that, until facilities are provided at Port Swettenham for private sheds, it would be a good thing to pull down those shop-houses over there (on the right approaching the bridge) which, I am told, are, apart from other things, insanitary, and thus allow carts to go direct to the station instead of having to cross the railway twice and pass through the busiest part of town as they do at present. This would benefit Klang and would add the coping-stone to the Klang Bridge. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPLY. His Excellency in reply said:- Your Highness, Mr. Belfield, Mr, Harrison, Ladies and Gentlemen, It has given me great pleasure to be present here to-day, and to hear all these nice things said. It is most gratifying for me to be in a position after so short a time to declare this bridge open. The celerity with which it has been completed reflects the greatest credit on Mr. Russell and his assistants. It must be very gratifying to F.M.S. people that the contract was obtained after competition by a local firm and that the burden of the work has fallen on one whom I may term a local product. Mr. Russell and his family have been connected with the F.M.S. for many years. His father is a respected and valued Government servant and has given not one but many sons to the country. It must be very gratifying to Mr. Russell to have carried the work through so quickly and apparently to the entire satisfaction of those who are concerned with the bridge. I thank you again for the reception you have given me. THE OPENING CEREMONY. Before asking His Excellency to declare the bridge open, Mr. G.D. Russell said that they had only carried out the work to the best of their ability. There had been two notable incidents in connection with the work, the first on August 18th when His Excellency visited the bridge and was pleased to express his satisfaction, the second on that day, when His Excellency spoke so well of them. They had received much assistance from the P.W.D., both in men and money, and the latter had helped in many ways. They had also been fortunate in the weather and in local circumstances. The site of the bridge was close to the railway station, and so there was no delay in bringing up materials. He was sorry Mr. Craig was not present to make a better speech than he could. It was above all Mr. Craig to whom credit was due. He had, as Mr. Belfield said, literally lived on the bridge. Mr. Russell then presented His Excellency with a pair of scissors and requested him to cut the red and yellow ribbon who was fastened across the entrance to the main body of the bridge. TRIBUTE TO MR. BELFIELD. Before doing this His Excellency said:- I think that it is desirable that this bridge should receive a suitable name. I think it should be called by the name of one who has worked hard in this country for twenty-five years and who in modesty refrained from telling this morning of his own share in the work. I name this bridge “The Belfield Bridge.” (Applause). His Excellency then cut the ribbon and declared the bridge open. Subsequently His Excellency with Mr. Belfield, H.H. the Sultan, Mr. Spooner and Mr. G.D. Russell drove over in motor cars. An adjournment was then made just in time to avoid a heavy downpour of rain, which fortunately kept off just long enough.

LETTER FROM :-British Resident, Selangor TO:- The Resident-General F.M.S. 17th September, 1908 17 September, 1908 Subject Bonus of $5000 to the Contractors of the Klang Bridge in consideration of efficient and Expeditious work Sir, With reference to the recent completion of the bridge over the river at Klang, I have the honour to submit for your consideration copy of a letter from the State Engineer recommending that the Contractors should be paid a bonus of $5,000 from the savings on the vote in consideration of efficient and expeditious work. I also enclose copy of a minute by the Director Of Public Works endorsing that recommendation. 2. The proposal is one for which no precedent exists, so far as I am aware, and the reasons propounded in support of the recommendation do not appear to me to be strong. At the same time there is no doubt that the Contractors made special and successful efforts in connection with this work, and though I do not find myself able to recommend the payment, I do not propose to offer objection thereto should you be of opinion that their efforts may properly be rewarded in the manner suggested. 3. The fact that a saving on the provision has been effected is not material to the question under consideration, and should not be put forward as an argument in support of the proposal. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, Sd: H.C.B. British Resident, Selangor From National Archives of Malaysia (4776/08). Transcribed by P.C

LETTER FROM THE STATE ENGINEER SELANGOR TO THE SECRETARY TO THE RESIDENT SELANGOR. 10TH SEPTEMBER 1908 Kuala Lumpur 18th September, 1909 Subject. Remuneration to Federated Engineering Co. For completing the Klang Bridge early. Sir, With reference to correspondence S.R. 2618/07 and my letter dated September 9th 1908 reporting completion of Klang Bridge contract I have the honour to submit for favourable consideration a recommendation that the contractors The Federated Engineering Company be paid some remuneration in the form of a bonus on account of the expeditious manner in which they carried out work on their contract day and night through all kinds of weather and completed the same 203 days within the contract time. 2. I recommend that payment at the rate of $25/- for every day saved being the rate at which they were liable as penalty for non-completion within the time specified in their contract be made to them. 3. The time for completion was April 3rd , 1909 and the bridge was completed on September 12th 1908 being 203 days within the time specified which would at $25/- per diem amount to $5,075. 4. After allowing for all liabilities in connection with the bridge there will be a balance available of $40,000 the total cost being $260,000 on a sanctioned estimate of $300,000, (and) though this saving is somewhat accounted for by modification of the type of girder adopted, such modification necessitated double the amount of river staging in order to cope with the erection of the deeper girders supplied. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, E.R. Stokoe, State Engineer, Selangor. From National Archives of Malaysia (4642/08). Transcribed by P.C

The Malay Mail, Monday September 21, 1908. p.5 Selangor Polo Club. Bellfield Bowls Competition. The first tie for this competition, the prizes for which have been presented by Mr. H. Conway Bellfield, was played off on Saturday last, and as no teams were entered from any other Club, the selection of players was left entirely to the Selangor Polo Club. The match was for three chukkas of 8 minutes each with 11 minutes interval, 5 points per team. The first two teams were as under: - 1.F.W. Mager 2. Rajah Alang 3. J. R. O. Aldworth 4. G. D. Russell (Capt.) 1. M. H. Graham. 2. R. J. C. Jewitt 3. W. P. Hume 4. R. Crichton (Capt.) In the first chukka, Mr. Crichton’s team scored two goals, mainly through the exertions of Mr. Jewett, but towards the end Mr. G. D. Russell got his opportunity and ran through and scored. The next two teams were as under: - 1. T. W. Chapman 2. K.R. Coullie 3. E. C.R. Wolff 4. C.E. Spooner (Capt.) 1.G. A. Hereford 2. H. M. Devitt 3. R. Russell 4. Capt. Graham (Capt.) In the first chukka Mr. Spooner’s team pressed hard, and, though Capt. Graham put up a strong defence, a good combined run by Mr. Spooner and Mr. Wolf resulted in a goal. The first two teams then took to the field again, and after a very even fight Rajah Alang scored a goal for Mr. Russell’s team, thus equalizing matters. In the second chukka of the second teams Mr. Spooner’s side had the game rather their own way and scored early out of a melee in front of goal, and later Mr. Coullie got a run down and scored neatly, and towards the end Mr. Chapman scored again, in spite of having an ugly fall shortly before. The last round for the last two teams resulted in a good even game and neither side scored. The last chukka of the day was well fought out, and a fine run by Capt. Graham resulted in a goal, but Mr. Spooner's side made a strong counter attack, and a brilliant run by Mr. Wolff added another goal to Mr. Spooner’s side. At the call of time the scores were as under: - Mr. Crichton 2 goals, - Mr. Russell 2 goals. Mr. Spooner 5 goals- Capt. Graham 1 goal. Falling light here put a stop to playing off the tie, which was played yesterday. Early in the first chukka Mr. G. D. Russell made a fine run down, and by a well directed near side shot scored his goal, and throughout the rest of that chukka, and the second one, strive as they might Mr. Crichton’s team were unable to score. This leaves Mr. Spooner's team and Mr. Russell’s to play for the final, which will probably be played on Saturday next. Mr. Sydney Smith was umpire, Capt. Molyneux referee, and Mr. R. Neill was timekeeper and scorer. The game throughout was not marked by much really good play, and pace and accuracy in hitting seemed lacking, more especially from the senior players, who seemed on the whole to be out of form. The play, however, of Rajah Alang and Mr. Wolff relieved this to a great extent, and they are both to be congratulated on the really good game they put up.

Selangor Government Gazette Sept 25 1908 No. 33 Vol. XIX Tenders accepted by the Government: Completion of Java Street Bridge, Cooly Dept, Port Swettenham, Erection of ironwork for Bridge at Kampong Atap: Federated Engineering Company. Earthwork Construction 1st section of Extension of Damansara Valley Road. J A. Russell.

LETTER FROM :-The Acting Federal Secretary, F.M.S. TO :-The Secretary to Resident, Selangor. 6th October, 1908. 6th October, 1908. Sir, With reference to the Resident’s letter No. 4776/08 of the 17th September, 1908, I am directed to inform you that His Excellency approves the grant of a bonus of $5,000 to the Contractors for the erection of Belfield Bridge at Klang. The No. of the High Commissioner’s office correspondence conveying his approval is 1474/1908. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, S. McArthur Ag: Federal Secretary, F.M.S

The Malay Mail, October 12th, 1908, p.5. POLO NOTES. The chief polo trophy of Malaya, the K. O. R. Cup, has been now fixed to be played for on Monday, the 26th inst., and Wednesday, the 28th inst., in Singapore. Three teams have entered for the competition. They are Singapore Military (Capt. Belgrave, Lieuts. H. M. Holland, A. D. C., O. Y. Hibbert and R. B. L. Buzley White), Singapore Civilians (G. E. G. Thomas, J. N. Pickering, W. D. Barnes and Dr. F. Grouven, Selangor Polo Club ( R. Crichton, S. R. Smith G. D. Russell and R. J. C. Jewitt). The first round is between the Singapore soldiers and the Selangor Club, and this will probably prove an exceedingly good game. Careful as has been Selangor’s selection of men and ponies, they will have all they can do to win, for the combination, discipline and good play of the soldiers was most thoroughly shewn when they won the Perak Cup last December. Luckily for Selangor the soldiers have lost Capt. Joslin who has gone home on leave, and Lieut. Holland will have to work hard indeed to fill his place. Our sympathy, however, must be accorded to the soldiers for the very serious accident which has temporarily put Tomahawk out of play, as he is certainly one of the best ponies ever seen in Malaya. Mr. Spooner goes down with our team as Umpire and reserve man. Practice games are now in full swing, and that of last Saturday shewed a marked improvement in our team’s play, and we can quite say that this game was as good as any yet played here. Mark your men: Selangor!

The Malay Mail, October 16, 1908, p4 We hear that Messrs. G. D. Russell and H. P. Clodd have been nominated by Government as members of the Selangor Club Committee in place of Messrs. H. N. Ferrers and R. M. Neill, resigned.

The Malay Mail, Wednesday, October 28th, 1908, p.5. POLO THE K. O. R. CUP COMPETITION A SELANGOR SUCCESS (From Our Own Correspondent) SINGAPORE, Tuesday. The first round of the K. O. R. Cup competition was played yesterday afternoon with the following result:- Selangor …six goals Garrison …five goals Selangor scored five goals in the first chukka, and the Garrison scored four in the second. ___________________ The present is the ninth annual tournament for the Cup presented by the officers of the 8th King’s Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment. The games are being played on the race-course. The three teams engaged are:- Selangor Polo Club Team:- Mr. C. E. Spooner, C. M. G.; Capt. A, McD. Graham; Mr. R. J. C. Jewitt; Mr. G. D. Russell. Garrison Team, (Singapore Polo Club):- Capt. F. D. Davidson, 95th Deccans; Capt. H. D. Belgrave, R. W. K. Regt; Mr. O. Y. Hibbert, R. W. K. Regt; Mr. H. M. Holland, R. A. Civilian Team (Singapore Polo Club):- Mr. G. E. V. Thomas; Hon. W. D. Barnes; Mr W. C. Michell; Mr. J. A. N. Pickering. Each match consists of four chukkas of eight minutes, with three minutes interval between each. The Selangor Team, having defeated the garrison, meet the Civilians in the final this afternoon, and are considered to have a good chance of winning.

The Malay Mail, Thursday, October 29th, 1908, p.5. POLO THE K. O. R. CUP SELANGOR DEFEATED (From Our Own Correspondent) SINGAPORE Thursday The final in the K. O. R. Cup Competition was played yesterday evening with the following result:- Selangor Civilians four goals Selangor two goals Selangor were a little off form. ___________________ Previous winners of the K. O. R. Cup are:- 1900.—Singapore Polo Club. 1901.—Civilians (Singapore). 1902.—Civil Service. 1903.—Civilians (Singapore). 1904.—Manchester Regiment. 1905.—Singapore Polo Club. 1906.—Singapore Polo Club. 1907.—Singapore Polo Club. The Free Press thus reports the match between the Selangor Team and the Garrison played on Monday last:- At the start from the lower end Selangor went away at a great pace and scored almost before it was realised the game had begun. Changing ends the Garrison came away, but a clever backhand by Russell relieved, and Selangor once more got going and scored. Another followed soon after, and a fine run down by the Garrison proving abortive, Selangor once more went away and notched number four. This was hot work for a first chukka, and the pace was beginning to tell. Soon after, Jewitt and Hibbert had a sharp collision which threw both horses and riders, and from the subsequent foul against the visitors the Garrison attacked, but only momentarily, as Selangor once more went off and scored the fifth before the chukka ended. The second chukka saw an absolute reversal; Selangor could do nothing right, and the Garrison piled on points steadily, till they drew up to five-four, two shots from Holland and Belgrave being beauties, though the former did not score, whilst the latter did. With the third chukka opening at five-four matters began to grow exciting. This one was most remarkable for a very fine bit of riding by Spooner, which ended in Selangor putting on another. The last chance saw the Garrison working hard, but all the players seemed a bit bothered by the slushy state of part of the ground. A capital piece of work by Holland put the Garrison up another one, but they could not equalise, and lost a heavy scoring game by one goal. Each side had eight ponies.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 29 October 1908, Page 8 
K.O.R. TOURNAMENT. Good Game Under Difficulties. Singapore Civilians Win. • The weather was distinctly unkind to the final of this important fixture of the Polo Club, for not only was the afternoon threatening and gloomy, but the ground was in an absolutely deplorable condition, what with the heavy rains of previous days, and the storm of early this morning. (Summary: State of ground. Difficulty of play. Large no. of visitors, very close game. “Singapore was at the top its form, while Selangor was a little off it, Russell not playing his usual hard game.” Runs. Captain. Details of each chukka. Singapore four goals: Selangor two goals. Selangor team: Mr. C. E. Spooner, C.M.G., Capt. A. Mc D. Graham, Mr. R.J.C. Jewitt and Mr. G. D. Russell, umpires timekeepers cup presented by Miss Anderson. large attendance of ladies and visitors inc. officers of garrison, band of West Kents played. Tea served. Semaphore. Cup winners list: 1900-1908. Dinner at Singapore Club yesterday evening attended by H. E. Sir. John Anderson, ….long list inc. G. D. Russell…R.C Russell.. toast to the King, humorous speech. speeches, toasts, thanks. K.O.R. cup stood on table and reminded all of the occasion for that pleasant evening.)(972 words)

LETTER FROM G.D. RUSSELL, MANAGER, FEDERATED ENGINEERING COMPANY TO THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, WATER WORKS KUALA LUMPUR. 25TH NOVEMBER 1908 The Federated Engineering Company Limited. Kuala Lumpur, 25th November, 1908 The Executive Engineer, Water Works, Kuala Lumpur. Dear Sir, With further reference to your memo of the 23rd instant advising us that our tender has been accepted for the Service Reservoir to be constructed on Welds Hill. We wish to bring up the question of the supply of cement and to suggest that we be allowed to supply our own cement instead of purchasing it from the State Store at $5/- per cask. Our reasons for this are as follows:- (1) A greater certainty of fresh cement, as we would arrange to supply it in shipments from Home at regular intervals during the progress of the work. (2) A saving to us in the first cost of cement, as we would be able to purchase a quantity for the needs of this construct at a considerably lower (cost) than $5/- per cask ex P.W.D. store. (3) It would be unfair to expect us to be responsible for and to guarantee the quality of the concrete made from cement, the history of which we are not entirely acquainted with. Should the Government decide that the purchase of cement from the State Store at $5/- per cask be a condition of the contract, then we would ask to be relieved in any way from being entirely responsible as to the ultimate quality of the concrete, although of course we would not be relieved in any way from being entirely responsible that all care is exercised in the handling, mixing and laying of the concrete. Not only is the question of the price of cement at stake, but a far larger sum may be involved if the cement used is not of the very best quality. You yourself will doubtless be aware that cement begins to lose its virtue immediately it arrives in a moist climate like this, and we would be very chary of putting in any concrete in an important work of the nature of the new Service Reservoir unless we were thoroughly convinced that the cement used was absolutely fresh. We would also draw your attention to the question of the roads leading to the Reservoir and would be glad to have official confirmation of your advice that the roads will be kept by the District Office. It must be borne in mind that these roads will carry, while the work is in progress, very heavy traffic, and if they are not properly upkept, it will mean a very great loss to us. We are etc., Sgd: G.D. Russell Manager. From National Archives of Malaysia (5987/1908). Transcribed by P.C.

The Malay Mail, Monday, November 30th, 1908, p.5. SELANGOR CLUB EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING BUILDING COMMITTEE APPOINTED The extraordinary general meeting of the Selangor Club, called by the Committee to select a Building Committee, was held in the Selangor Club on Saturday evening, when there were about 50 members present, Dr. Travers, Vice-President, being in the chair. Before dealing with the proceedings, it may be as well to give a brief description of the plans displayed at the meeting upon a large blackboard. These plans, which the chairman said during the meeting, only showed roughly what the Committee’s ideas were, showed a large central building with verandah, bar and lounge in front, and with dressing-rooms, store-rooms etc. behind. This would be erected on the site of the present bar and billiard rooms, the existing dressing-rooms being pulled down and the road behind being brought proportionately nearer. To the right of the central building (looking towards the Padang) would be the billiard and card rooms and a small bar, connection with the central building being provided by a covered way. Upon the left of the main building, also connecting by a covered way, would be the secretary’s office, reading room, and ladies’ card room, the two latter being separated by a partition which could be removed if required. DR. TRAVERS’ SPEECH Dr. Travers opened the proceedings by saying that, at the last general meeting at the Club, a resolution was passed to the effect that the Committee be authorised to raise debentures to the amount of $50,000 and to call a meeting in two months’ time. Dr. Travers went on to say that more than two months had passed, but this was due to the fact that they were not a committee at first, owing to the Government not being able to name its members of committee till October 5th. Continuing, Dr. Travers said that in the first place he had to announce the result of their efforts. Of the $50,000 worth of debentures required, the members had subscribed $45,000, and the Government $5,000 and the committee did not have to go to the public at all. Personally he felt extremely gratified, for it would have been a matter of very great regret to him if any action on his part had in any way impeded the work of getting a new club. They owed a great debt of gratitude to the late committee. It was very easy to criticise and alter, but not so easy to construct, and the scheme the new committee had put before the meeting was founded, to a very great extent, on the plans of the late committee. He regretted that the late committee had not stayed to put the scheme through and he thought a debt of gratitude was owing to them. The first thing to do, Dr. Travers went on, was to elect a building committee to spend the money which had been subscribed, and the committee thought it would be a good thing if in order to help members to make their selection, they put before them the names of persons they thought suitable. Dr. Travers then read out the following eight names, which appeared on the blackboard beside the plans:-H. P. Clodd, W. S. Huxley, F. E. Maynard, G. D. Russell, Phil Russell, E. R. Stokoe, C. E. Strode Hall, and E. A. O. Travers. The majority of the names would be familiar to members, but he thought he ought to mention that Mr. Huxley, who had not been out here long, was an architectural assistant to the Government. The committee would hold office until the club was finished and handed over to members. THE BUILDING COMMITTEE The voting then took place with the result that the following gentlemen were elected:- E. A. O. Travers, E. R. Stokoe, W. S. Huxley, G. D. Russell and C. E. Strode Hall. Dr. Travers then said that, in accordance with the final paragraph of the scheme, the committee invited suggestions with regard to the plans before the meeting, but before going further, he thought he ought to explain that, before the final plan of the new club was decided upon, it had to receive the approval of the British Resident in accordance with section 2 of the conditions under which the land was held. In the opinion of the Committee, it would be a waste of time and money to ask an architect to draw up plans before the resident had seen them. The British resident was in England and the Acting British Resident did not wish to decide in his absence. They therefore thought that the hieroglyphics which Mr. Russell had drawn would be better than a definite plan. The plans on the board embodied, roughly, the views of the Committee. They though an upper storey would be a mistake since the history of the club had shewn that an upper storey was not used. Dr. Travers then asked Mr. G. D. Russell to explain the plans, and when the explanation was finished, invited suggestions which would, he said, be taken down by the Secretary for the Committee’s consideration. Mr. Wolff wanted to know where the band-stand was to be placed. Dr. Travers said that no doubt a suitable place would be found. Later in the evening the subject again coming up, it was suggested that a convenient place would be on the Padang in front of the Club between the reading room and the bar. Mr. Carruthers considered it would be a good thing if a room were to be provided suitable for meeting and thought it might be built on top of the proposed central building. Dr. Travers replied that, if the money would run to it, the Committee would be glad to provide such a room, otherwise they thought the proposed secretary’s room would answer the purpose. Mr. Zacharias then said that most of the members appeared to be in favour of the scheme, but he personally did not like it at all. A double storied Club-house, a good substantial building, would be better than three bungalows, three or four hundred feet from one end to the other. It seemed to him that if the Committee were going to spend $50,000, they might just as well get a decent building as three bungalows open to the Padang and just as much a public institution as the Club had been hitherto. The two-storied scheme would make more of a club of it. He had intended to have raised the point brought forward by Mr. Carruthers as to a room for meetings. He did not think the Secretary’s office would be at all suitable. The Secretary’s office ought to be almost continually occupied and it would be very inconvenient for the secretary to have to turn out. He thought Mr. Carruther’s suggestion for a room upstairs was a good one, and once having got this storey, they might just as well have the card room and reading room upstairs. Dr. Travers replied that Mr. Zacharias’ views would be noted down, but he did not see why a one storey-building should be less substantial than a two-storied building. Mr. B. E. Shaw wished to know whether a two-storey building would not be less expensive than a one-storey building, because it would cover less ground. Dr. Travers replied that the extra cost of foundation for a two-storey building would do away with the advantage. In answer to a question from Mr. Dalziel, Dr. Travers said that he did not think the cost of attendance would be increased in a one-storey building, and in answer to Mr. Matthew he said that the foundations of the present club, on which the new central building would be erected, would be firm enough to support a second storey if it was thought desirable to add it. After a few more remarks from other members, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.


Selangor Government Gazette page 815 Dec 31 1908 No. 45 Vol. XIX Tenders accepted by the Government. Construction of Service Reservoir at Weld’s Hill. The Federated Engineering Company.

From the Singapore and Straits Directory, Fraser and Neave, 1909 Thanks to SOAS archives for permission for use.

THE FEDERATED ENGINEERING CO., LTD.

Engineers, Boilermakers, Iron and Brass Founders & Contractors

Head office & Works:- 213, High Street, Kuala Lumpur

Town Store:-101 & 103, High Street, Kuala Lumpur.

Branch Office:-Klang

Telegraphic Address—“Federated.”

 

Manager  & Director    G. Dearie Russell

Asst. Manager              James Craig (on leave)

                                    J. H. Linscott(acting)

Stenographer                F. S. D. James

                        Office Staff

Accountant                   Walter Grenier

Book-keeper                D. S. Talagala

Clerk                             A. Dorai Salai

Do.                               S. Sathasivam

Do.                               C. H. Auchant

Do.                               T. Chellappah

Do.                               E. L. Crispeyn

                        Engineering Staff

Electrical Engineer         E. G. Walker

Civil & Mechanical

Engineer                       J. H. Linscott

Outside Foreman          S. Smith

Do.                               R. Macfarlane

Do.                               S. Murugasu

                        Works and Stores           

Shop Foreman              David Gall

Store-keeper                 B. P. Nicholas

Asst. do.                       John R. Templar

Clerk                            N. Samuel

Do.                               S. V. Chelliah

                        Town Store

Clerk in Charge            F. P. Koek

                        Branch Office, Klang

Resident Engineer         E. W. Savage

PASSENGERS. [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 12 January 1909, Page 8. PASSENGERS. Per Kinta: ….Mr. G. D. Russell

The Straits Times, 26 March 1909, Page 6
 • Homeward Bound. The following passengers left Singapore, yesterday, for London direct, on board of the P. and O steamer Macedonia: …Mr. G. Dearie Russell… • The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 27 March 1909, Page 12
 SHIPPING NOTES. Passengers left per P & O Macedonia: for London via Marseilles.. Mr. G. Dearie Russell…

The Straits Echo Mail Edition, Vol. 7. No.40, 8th October 1909, p.1,144. George Russell, son of J. Russell, Kuala Lumpur, was married at Home on Sep. 11 to Madeleine Mossop.

The Straits Times, 17 August 1910, Page 10
 AGRI-HORTICULTURAL SHOW. SEVENTH EXHIBITION OPENED TODAY. Larger Than Ever. UNIQUE DISPLAY OF MALAYAN PRIDUCE. THE INDUSTRIAL STALLS. The Federated Engineering Co., Ltd. This Kuala Lumpur firm has since the commencement been closely connected to the rubber industry, and has on its stand (No 3) an exhibit of its latest pattern heavy type rubber machines, shown at work, as well as one of the well-known K. L. coagulators, and some smaller machines. This company produced the first machine ever made for the treatment of plantation rubber and with it gained a special diploma in the first Agri-Horticultural show, viz., that in Kuala Lumpur in 1905, and from that date they have steadily increased their business and improved their machines. At the present time they produce a machine which they claim requires less power and is more efficient, as well as being cheaper in first cost, than any other make. The Federated Engineering Co.'s stand is decorated with quite a number of interesting photographs of rubber factories and plants that have been supplied and erected by them.

From the Singapore and Straits Directory, Fraser and Neave, 1911 Thanks to SOAS archives for permission for use.

THE FEDERATED ENGINEERING CO., LTD.

Engineers, Boilermakers, Iron and Brass Founders & Contractors

Head office & Works:- 246, High Street,

Town Store:-105, High Street, Kuala Lumpur.

Branch Offices:-Klang and Kuala Selangor, F. M. S.,

Bandoeng, Batavia and Malang, Java.

Telegraphic Address—“Federated.”

 

General Manager

& Director                        G. Dearie Russell

Stenographer                     T. H. Benjamin

                        Office Staff

Accountant                        Walter Grenier

Assistant                        E. Krickenbeck

 Do.                                   B. P. Nicholas

Book-keeper                     D. S. Talagala

Cashier                        J. Chinniah

Stenographer                     C. N. Hitchcock

Clerk                                  B. P. A. D’Cruz

Do.                                    M. L. P. Gunaratue

Do.                                    P. A. P. Mudley

Do.                                    T. Chellappah

Do.                                    M. D’Cruz

Do.                                    T. Canagasabai

Do.                                    T. Thuriappah

Do.                                    D. C. Senavaretne

                        Civil and Mechanical Engineering Staff

Engineer                        J. B. Fisher

Do.                                  S. Smith

Draughtsman                    H. R. Bartels

Workshop Foreman         David Gall

Do.                                  A. A. Simpson

 

                        Electrical Department

Electrical Engineer            E. G. Walker

Do.                                  J. A. Godwin

Clerk                                T. J. John

 

                        Store Staff           

Store-keeper                    F. E. Dingle

Clerk                                A. van Dergucht

Do.                                   Fah Sing

Do.                                   E. O. Ferdinands

Do.                                   S. V. Chelliah

Do.                                   Packiam

 

                        Town Store

Clerk in Charge            F. P. Koek

Storeman                        Mameen

                        Klang Branch

Manager                        E. W. Savage

Engineer                        D. S. Little

Do.                                  J. Dounall

Do.                                  C. R. Savage

Assistant                        J. H. Krickenbeck

Clerk                               K. V. Lingam

Do.                                  M. Pulley

Do.                                  S. P. Thamboe

Do.                                  N. S. Nathan

Overseer                        K. Murugasu

Do.                                  Peter

Do.                                  C. L. Bennett

Do.                                  R. J. McIntyre

Do.                                  C. F. Haan