Chapter XXII: Appendix: IX

From the _Singapore Free Press_, February 2nd, 1899. Given to show how very lately this "head scare" superstition is entertained:--

THE "HEAD-CUTTING" SCARE.

To the Editor of the _Free Press Pao_.

MOST POWERFUL SIR,--Permit thy humble servant to approach thee
by the way of my friend Tan Tan Tiam, who knoweth the Ang Moh's
speech, and kindly consenteth to write to him who moveth the
Government to influence the Tye Jin to have compassion upon the
exiled sons of China.

Thy servant is a humble puller of the man-power-carriage by
night, and is suffering grievously because he is unable to
carry on his lawful occupation of plying by hire, by reason of
the dire fear that besetteth him. It hath come to the ears of
thy servant and of his fellows, that the Ang Moh's engineers do
seek a sacrifice to appease the offended gods of earth and
water, whom they have outraged by disturbing his habitation on
the hill that standeth behind the office of the Tye Jin, which
they of India call Ko-mis-a-yat. The said engineers, perchance
from ignorance, have neglected to consult the wise ones of
earth-lore as to the means to be taken to please the said
spirits, who have consequently so tormented the Ang Moh that
they seek a sacrifice. Not of the rich and family-blessed, who
would make a complaint to the Government, if they were
sacrificed; but of us poor and friendless man-power-carriage
coolies, who in the exercise of our nightly avocation are
called to distant parts of the town, where the knife that is
invisible will speedily sever the head from the body, and the
cloth that is impenetrable will stifle the last cry of him that
hath none to avenge, and our heads go to make the water run
within the pipe, and make firm the foundations of this new
water hole.

Let the engineers make the necessary sacrifices, that we may go
without fear and trembling to those who call us, with mighty
voice and thick, to go to Si Poi Poh. Then shall we receive the
reward of the Ang Moh's gratitude, far exceeding that of they
who aforetime dwelt in the land, or of our brothers of the
Celestial Empire.

HAK-CHEW.

Index

Alquada Reef lighthouse, 112.

Andaman Islands, 21, 143.

_Anecdotal History_, on Singapore, etc., convicts, 47, 67.

Balfour, Dr. Edward: opinion of Singapore jail, 182.

"Bastiani," exporter of pine-apples to Europe, 60.

Begbie, Captain, 43.

Belcher, Sir Edward, R.N., 61.

Bencoolen, First penal settlement at, 1-3.
Sir Stamford Raffles' letters on treatment of convicts at, 4-8.
Transfer of convicts from, to Penang, 8.
Transfer of convicts from, to Singapore, 39.

"Bencoolen Rules" in force at Singapore, 43.

Bennett, Mr. John, 61, 74.

Beri-beri disease, 149.

Blundell, Hon. Edmund Augustus, 73.

Branding, 12.

Bricks, Dearth of, at Singapore in 1844, 58.

Bricks made by convicts, 110, 174.

Brodhurst, Mr., 144.

Budoo road, 44.

Bukit Timah Canal, 71.

Butterworth, Colonel, 20, 61, 62.

"Butterworth Rules," 21, 62, 63.

Campbell, Major, 42.

Canning, Lord, 75.

Cape Rachado, 29.

Carrimon Islands, 33.

Cathedral, Singapore, 97-101.

Cavenagh, General Sir Orfeur, 52.

"Cellular system," 158.

Chains, Convicts in, 40, 87.

Chester, Lieutenant, 40.

Chinese rioters dispersed by Indian convicts, 67-68.

Church, Hon. Thomas, 73.
Extracts from letters on value of convict labour, 179-181.

Clarke, Sir Andrew, 3, 14.

Clothing of convicts at Singapore jail, 94.

Cobra, 128.

Coleman, G. D., Work performed by, at Singapore, 43-46.

Collyer, Colonel, 75.

Collyer Quay, 76.

Convicts, Treatment of, at Penang, 16-20.
Ticket-of-leave, at Penang, 24.
at Malacca, 27-30.
Transfer of, from Bencoolen to Singapore, 39.
First trial of, as warders at Singapore, 40.
Lenient treatment of, 41.
used for suppressing fires at Singapore, 42.
employed as orderlies and servants, 42.
at Singapore, Malacca, Penang, and Maulmein, Extract from
_Anecdotal History_ on, 47.
used for destroying tigers, 52.
used for surveying, 56. employed for road-constructing, 19, 28, 59.
build lighthouses at Singapore, 60, 62.
Indian, disperse Chinese rioters, 68.
Bukit Timah Canal improved by, 71.
A new St. Andrew's Church constructed by, 72, 97.
assist in building fortifications of Singapore, 76.
Government House built by, 77, 101.
Classification of, at Singapore jail, 84-89.
Average number of, at Singapore, 89. Trades of, 90-92.
hours of work at Singapore, 92.
Clothing of, at Singapore jail, 94.
Industries of (intramural) 104-108.
Industries of (extramural) 108-112.
Stories about Indian, 113-142.
Indian, fondness for spying, 123.
Indian, Transfer of, to Port Blair from Singapore, 143.
Pardoning, 143-145. Analysis of crimes of, in 1873, 145.
Diseases of, at Singapore, 147-152.
Death-rate of, at Singapore, 149.
Disciplinary treatment of, at Singapore, 159.
Incorrigible, 161.
Materials made by, 172-175.
Bricks made by, 172-175.
Defaults committed by Indian, 176.

Cotton, Dr. George, 74.

Cowpar, Dr., 154.

Crawfurd, Mr. John, 36, 101.

Crocodiles, 130, 134-138.

"Dacoity," 12.

Davidson, M. F., 61, 62.

Death-rate of convicts at Singapore, 149, 170.

De Barros on Malacca, 26.

Dindings, 14.

Diseases of convicts at Singapore, 147-152.
Feigned, 152-155.

Du Cane, Sir Edmund, 96.

Edinburgh, H.R.H. The Duke of, 77.

Faber, Captain, 58.
lays foundation stone of Pearl's Hill jail, 64.

Farquhar, Major, 33.

Fires, Convicts used for suppressing, 42.

Flogging, 88.

Forlong, General, 21, 63.
appreciation of Singapore convict system, 63.

Fraser, Colonel, report on management of Singapore jail, 110.

"Funny Joe," 126.

Godinho de Eredia, 25, 151.

Government House at Singapore, 101-104.

Guillaume, architect, 97.

Guthrie, Mr. Alexander, 35.

Guthrie, Mr. James, 101.

Hamadryads, Convicts bitten by, 16.

Hay, Mr. Andrew, 35.

"Head Scare," 69-70.

Hilliard, Captain, 20.

Hospital erected at Singapore, 57.

Humphrey, Rev. William Topley, 73.

Industries, Convict, 104-112.

Jail erected near Brass Basa Canal, 54.
New Civil, at Pearl's Hill, 64.
Singapore, Description of, 77-83.
Singapore, Classification of convicts at, 84-89.
Singapore, Rations for, 93.
Industries at Singapore, 104-112.
Convict Probation at Singapore, 157.
Expenses of Singapore, 169.
Statistics of Hospital Department, 170-171.

Janssen, M. Leon, 151.

Johnstone, Mr. A. L., 35.

Johore, Sultan of, 36.

Kerr, Dr., 150.

Labour, Value of convict, 92.
Statistics of convict, 172-175.

Latrines, 80-82.

"Licuala acutifida," 24.

Light, Captain, 15.

Lighthouses at Singapore, 60-62.
erected at eastern entrance to Straits of Malacca, 62.

McClure, Sir Robert, 139.

MacKenzie, Mr. E., 35.

McNair, Lieut., 73.

McNair, Major, 52.
Rules introduced by, 1858-59, 63.
prepares plans for Government House at Singapore, 77, 97, 101.

Macpherson, Captain Ronald, 71, 73.

Macpherson, Colonel, 97.
Attempt to kill, 125.

Magaelhaens, Mr., 61.

Mahomed Shah, 26.

Malacca, Origin of name of, 25.
Size of, 26. Trade of, 26.
The Portuguese at, 26.
Appearance of, 27.
First convicts at, 27.
Industrial training of convicts at, 29.
Transfer of convicts to Singapore from, 30.
trade, 1845-46, 65.

Man, Captain, 158.

Man, General, 20, 21.

Man, General, Initiation of carpenter's work at Singapore, 64.

Marco Polo, 151.

Maxwell, Mr. D. A., 35.

Mayne, Major, 76.

Montgomery, Mr. W., 35.

Moor's _Notices of the Indian Archipelago_, 45.

Morgan, Mr. A. F., 35.

Morgan, Mr. John, 35.

Mouat, Dr., Paper on ticket-of-leave system at Singapore, 10.
Testimony as to conservancy of Singapore jail, 82.
Report on Singapore jail, 1864-65, 105.

Napier, Mr. D. F., 35.

Netley Abbey, 97.

New Harbour Dock, 67.

Ord, Lady, 101.

Ord, Sir Harry St. George, 76, 101.

Oxley, Dr., House of, attacked by burglars, 43.

Pangkor, 14.

Penang, Convicts transferred to, from Bencoolen, 8, 14.
Increase in population of, 15.
Trade of, 16, 65.
Treatment of convicts at, 16-20.
Ticket-of-leave at, 24.
Seat of government fixed at, 41.
"Penang lawyers," 24.
"Penang Rules," 8, 18.
in force at Singapore, 43.

Pine-apples at Singapore, 59.

Piracy in the Straits of Malacca, 120-122.

Pooley, Lieut.-Col. Charles, 73.

Port Blair, Transfer of Indian life-convicts to, 143.

"Prince of Wales Island" (see also Penang), 14.

Prisoners (see Convicts).

Province Wellesley, Acquisition of, 14.

Pulo Ubin, British flag planted at, 38.

Purvis, Captain, 73.

Purvis, Mr. John, 35.

Queen, H.M. The, Statue of, 104.

Raffles', Sir Stamford, letters to Government on treatment of
convicts at Bencoolen, 4-8.
Views of, on necessity of trading centre in Straits of Malacca, 33.
Address from merchants at Singapore to, 36.
reply to address from merchants at Singapore, 37.
"The Coney" lighthouse named after, 62.

Raffles Institution, 45.

Rations for Singapore jail, 93.

Rawlinson, Sir Robert, K.C.B., 76.

Read, Mr. C. R., 35.

Read, Mr. W. H., C.M.G., 100.

Rhio, 33.

Roads opened between Bukit Timah and Krangi, 59.
to summit of Telok Blangah Hill, 59.

Rock-blasting by Indian convicts, 66.

Rowell, Dr. Irvine, C.M.G., 150.

St. Andrew's Church, 68.
Construction of a new, 72.
consecrated by Dr. George Cotton, Bishop of Calcutta, 74.

Scott, Mr. Charles, 35.

Scott, Mr. Thomas, 101.

Serangoon road, 44.

Shaw, Mr. Frank, 131.

Singapore, Foundation of settlement, 34.
Origin of name of, 31.
Size of, 32.
ceded to Great Britain, 34.
Population of, 34.
First settlers at, 34, 35.
Early prison at, 35.
Address from merchants at, to Sir Stamford Raffles, 36.
Extracts from reply to address from merchants to Sir S. Raffles, 37.
First census, 38.
Transfer of convicts from Bencoolen to, 39.
First church for, 45.
jail erected, 1841, 54.
Tigers at, 49-53.
Extract from _The Free Press_ on progress of town, 55.
hospital erected, 57.
bricks, 58.
pine-apples, 59.
trade, 1845-46, 65.
census, 1849, 67.
new church, 72.
Fortification of, 75.
waterworks, 76.
jail, Description of, 77-83.
cathedral, 97-101.
Government House, 101-104.
Expenses of, jail, 169.

_Singapore Free Press_: Extract on capture of a tiger, 50.
Extract on ravages of tigers, 51.
Extract on progress of Singapore town, 1842, 55.
Extract on Singapore lighthouse, 61.
Extract on tiger-hunting, 134.
on released convicts, 183-184.
on "head-cutting" scare, 185-186.

Sleeman, Colonel, 12.

Stevenson, Captain, 48.

Stone Quarrying at Singapore, 111.

Surveying, Convicts used for, 56.

Tanjong Tatti, 33.

Tan-Tock-Seng, 57.

Taylor, Rev. Wallace, M.D., 152.

Temple, Col. R.C., 21.

Thompson, J. T., 56.
designs hospital for Singapore, 57.
designs Singapore lighthouse, 60.

"Thuggee," 11.

"Tickery Banda," 113.

Ticket-of-leave system, 10, 24.
employed in pine culture, 60.

Tigers at Singapore, 49-53.
trap, 131.

Trade for year 1845-46 of Penang, Singapore, and Malacca, 65.

Trades of Singapore convicts, 90-92.

Transportation, 8.
Effect of, on the native of India, 9, 117, 157.

_Tropical Possessions in Malayan India_,
Story about "Tickery Banda" in, 113.

Warders, Singapore convicts as, 40, 48, 162.

Well-digging at Singapore, 112.

White, Rev. Edmund, 45.

Wilson, Rt. Rev. Daniel, D.D., 73.

Xavier, St. Francis, 27.

Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.

Transcriber's Notes:

Inconsistencies in the hyphenation of words preserved. (cocoanuts, cocoa-nuts; extramural, extra-mural; intramural, intra-mural; lookout, look-out; tongkong, tong-kong; transmarine, trans-marine; workyard, work-yard)

Pg. 37, inserted missing period. (extracts from it. After acknowledging)

Pg. 167-8, these were blank pages in the original text and anchors have not been inserted for them.

Pg. 187, index entry "Alquada". Is spelled "Alguada" in main text. Original spellings of both preserved as it is unclear which the author intended.

Pg. 188, index entry "Crawfurd, Mr. John". Pg. 36 which index refers to spells the name as "Crawford" while Pg. 101 spells it as "Crawfurd". Original spellings retained in all cases as it is unclear which spelling the author intended.

Pg. 189, index entry "Malacca". Inserted period after page number. (First convicts at, 27.)

Pg. 189, index entry "Moor's _Notices of the Indian Archipelago_". In the original text, both both the author's name and the title of the book were italicized.

Pg. 191, index entry "Tanjong Tatti". Is spelled "Tanjong Jatti" in main text. Original spellings of both preserved as it is unclear which the author intended.

Pg. 191, index entry "Thompson, J. T.". Inserted comma before page number. (Singapore lighthouse, 60)