diaries existed, and it is possible tbey may yet be discovered.
I f tbe stimulus of a reward could unearth
them, the Company, as well as myself, would be only
too glad to recompense the finder of the missing books
and other lost property, of little or no account in
Borneo, but of inestimable value to me.
A few friends and fellow-workers of the late Frank
Hatton have created, in honour of his memory, an
Annual Prize, to be held by the Students of the Royal
School of Mines and Normal College of Science, South
Kensington, and. to be called “ The Frank Hatton
Memorial Prize.” The Council, in a special order, signifying
their approval of the project, recommended
that the prize be given for Organic Chemistry, in
which important branch of science the late Mr. Frank
Hatton more especially distinguished himself at South
Kensington. “ The intention of the founders of this
memorial is twofold. While perpetuating the memory
of a student whose useful and brilliant career was cut
short almost at its commencement, and during a
notable scientific expedition in the interior of Borneo,
it is hoped that this Memorial Prize will encourage
others of the same College and School to special
exertion in chemical research.”
An obelisk to the memory of Frank Hatton and Franz
following up traces of antimony in the Labuk, and I am going upland
here to try and tame the Dalit-men, who delight in now and then
killing some traders. I may safely predict, I shall miss your son’s
supporting company at my business, while he will scarcely notice my
absence at his.
I am, dear sir, very sincerely yours,
F. W it t i . .
To Joseph Hatton, Esq.,
London.
Xavier W itti2 is being placed , in front of the Government
Buildings at Elopura, the result of a subscription
on the spot. Neither of these officers named after
2 Since these closing notes were written, and before this memorial
column is finished, the subscribing officials of the Company have
ordered three other names to be engraven upon the pedestal, namely,
Dr. p . Manson Fraser, Captain A. M. de Fontaine, and Jemadhar Asa
Smgh, who were treacherously killed in a fray with Bajous on the
12th of May, 1885, while on an expedition with a party of native
constabulary to capture a notorious head-hunter and cattle-raiding
chief, one Kandurong. Captain de Fontaine had charge of the expedition,
the two other Europeans accompanied him in no official capacity,
but Asa Singh was a member of his staff. At the village of Kawang
on the west coast, while making their arrangements for baggage-car-
riers and other assistance, they were unexpectedly attacked, one of the
natives (Bajous), while talking to Dr. Fraser in an apparently friendly
way, suddenly discharging his musket at him and killing him on the
spot. Two other natives (who turned out to be well-known cattle
thieves) at once amoked and fatally speared Jemadhar Asa Singh, and
private Jeudah Singh, and then rushed off for the jungle. Captain
de Fontaine dashed after them. Before the rest had time to support
him, he stumbled and fell, whereupon the Bajous turned back to the
attack. He shot three of them with his revolver, but was speared in
nine places, and eventually died of his wounds. His little constabulary
force fell upon the remainder of the retreating Bajous and dispersed
them, killing several, and sustaining some severe casualties themselves.
Hone of the villagers took part in the affair, the assailants turning out
to be part of a roving band of marauders who are as hostile to the
settled peaceful natives of the villages as to the Company. Captain
de Fontaine, the head of the constabulary force (first organized by
Colonel Harington), was very popular in the service, as were Dr.
Manson Fraser and the native officer, Jemadhar Asa Singh. While
these calamities are very lamentable, it is worthy of note that, considering
they cover a period of six or seven years of government,
deaths from violence have been remarkably few. Dr. Fraser’s death
is peculiarly sad. He went to Borneo a newly married man, some
two years ago. His wife had died with her first child, a few months
pnor to his assassination. They lie together in the little cemetery at
Sandakan.