family, to which it was patent to all who had experienced the pleasure
of his acquaintance, he, as an only son, was attached by ties of more
than ordinary depth and devotion.
Mr. Hatton arrived in the country in October, 1881. He was of
somewhat slender build, and apparently not possessed of a robust constitution,
and it was consequently thought by many of his brother
officers that he was scarcely fitted to stand the hardships of inland
journeys in a jungle-covered country such as this, without roads or
house accommodation for the traveller. But what he may have
wanted in physical strength the deceased made up in strength of
mind and in that pluck and determination to carry out his mission,
however arduous and dangerous, which we find in the Englishman hi
all quarters of the globe. . This pluck and determination had carried
him safely and triumphantly through difficulties which could never
have entered into his thoughts when he accepted in London the
appointment of Commissioner of Mineral Explorations to the
Company.
During the short time he was with us Mr. Hatton had examined and
furnished an exhaustive report upon the valuable resources locked up
in the Sekuati petroleum oil shale. He made an adventurous journey
from Sandakan to the Labuk Eiver, up that river and across country
to Kudat. He subsequently spent some months in a patient exploration
of the country at the head of Marudu Bay, where he met with
and discovered samples of native copper and copper pyrites, coal, and
other minerals which will in time doubtless be developed in the
interests of the Company’s Government. He then paid a short visit
to Singapore to recruit himself after his prolonged sojourn in the
jungle, and on his return to Borneo proceeded to Sandakan, where he
entered upon the expedition which has so disastrously terminated in the
death of a gallant and enterprising young officer. By his modesty, his
ingenuousness, and by-his attainments, he had won the sincere regard,
and, in many cases, the affection of his brother officers. Before leaving
England he had made the commencement of a reputation by his
chemical researches. His native followers were strongly attached to
him, and he had shown an exceptional facility in acquiring influence
over and inspiring confidence in the untutored inland tribes. He
has, we believe, left behind him a very complete vocabulary of one
dialect of the Dusun language, which we trust the Government will
take steps to have published in the interest of the junior members of
the service. Mr. Hatton’s age we gather to have been not more than
twenty-one or twenty-two years. All who knew him prophesied for
him a distinguished career. To the great Disposer of all things it
has seemed good to ordain otherwise. Whom the Gods love die
young.
PBINCIPAL STBEET IN THE NATIVE TOWN OP SANDAKAN 7 (eLOPUBA). *
{Drawn by Helen H. Hatton. From a Photograph by Hr. Robson. )
The second part of these notes and reminiscences
is devoted chiefly to the publication of such por-
7 “ The native town is very picturesque, as will be gathered from our
illustrations of the wharf and the principal street. The buildings
along the quay are made of bamboo with Nipa-palm “ attaps.” The
principal street is little more than a palm-stem gangway, elevated on
piles above the water. It is a curious sight when crowded, as it is
now and then, and it is none the less strange in the early morning, when
the earliest risers are abroad. The new town which is being built by
the Company is on the slope of the hill that rises above the native
village. I t was from Elopura that Frank Hatton set forth on his
latest expedition ; it was to Elopura that his body was brought by his
native followers in that fatal month of March, 1883.”—English Illustrated
Magazine.
1.2