LIFE IN THE EAST.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13714, 22 April 1910, Page 8

LIFE IN THE EAST.

THE MALAY PENINSULA

AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW

Mr H. F. Toogood, who, it will be remembered, contested the Christchurch East seat at the General Election of 1905, recently returned to New Zealand, after an absence of over three years, in order to take up a position with the Ho'kitika Harbour Board. He has spent most of his time on the Malay Peninsula, and had some interesting observations to mako to a reporter last evening regarding the country and its people. Mr Toogood said that he had spent about a year in Rangoon, and was engaged on matters connected with the improvement of the dock. The idea prevailed that Rangoon was not a very Lealthv place to live in, but he found it a charming place, and extremely healthy. Tho people who were unable to obtain exercise during the heavy rains took it by dancing. Ihey danced in flannels, and made it a very healthful exercise Golf was very popular, and the links, which were well appointed, were situated on country tliat presented numerous natural hazards and bunkers. Horse racing and cricket were also -cry popular. Association was the favourite form of football, Rugby only being indulged iv to a very slight extent. Continuing, Mr Toogood said he visited Akvab in connection with some wharf work. They had tremendous falls of rain in Akyab, about 24 feet per annum being recorded. Tho rainy season lasted six months and the other six months were perfectly dry, no ram falling at all. There was a very large reservoir built on top of a lull for supplying the town, and it. was filled solely" by the rain, and the supply lasted till the next rainy season. The Burmese were probably the most charming of the Eastern people. The women wero quite emancipated, and it was o usual eight to sco a Burmese rico broker taking his wife with him to finally choose what rice he should purchase. A man wont dewn to tho rico boat ond secured samples of the rice to show to his wife before ho decided which he would buy. It was not wise when carrying on business to neglect to obtain the wife's signature to any document, an she o-.vned one-half of any property which might havo been acquired after marriage.

"I later went to Singapore," pursued Mr Toogood. "where the head office of Messrs Howarth and Erskine, Ltd., whom I wns engaged by, is situated. Singapore is different m many respects to Rangoon—there is more of the Scottish clement about it. Most of the clubo are closed on Sundays, and there seems to be some attempt to observe the cSabbith more or less strictly. In most other places the white population employ Sunday as a day of relaxation, and play tennis and cricket quite openly. Servants in Singapore are very attentive, and it is largely due to them that life ran so smoothly. It is no uncommon thing to find twelve servants attached to a honso of five or.six inmates. The Chinese make excellent servants, and the residents havo no concern as to meali. or clcthes. In fact a servajit often withhold, new clothes from his master until the old ones aro worn out. A good Chinese servant is paid 30s a month. An educated Chinaman Ls a most efficient man in business, and he is found in banks. Mumping, and insurance offices, and various other businesses. He is very polite, obliging and industrious. The Chinese have great business oapacity, and carry out their work exceptionally well. The Memorial Hall, a large tbcatro and hall combined, was built by a Chinaman working under a European architect. The Chinese have taken up the motor-car, and they readily buy the best car that can bo procured. Ihey are fond of filling their oars with their wives and children and panadine round the Square in the cool of the evening." Sport, Mr Toogood concluded, played a very important part in the lives ?ISTCT" a " d **«»•»»"cricket, and football had many devotees. The ten11U5 championship of Singapore was held fe,Al U?',, 00 *' a New Zander. Rugby football was mostJv supported by New Zealanders and Aust??W Ihe average temperature in Singapore was about 86deg. in the shade, Ind _. rarely varied, year in and year out Ram fell generally throughout, though it in the equinoctial s<s_-