A LETTER FROM MALAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13210, 22 June 1906, Page 7

A LETTER FROM MALAY.

It will be. remembered that a short time since wo published a paragraph stating that a letter in the Malay language, addressed " Chapman, (Esq., magistrate, New Zealand," had been delivered, to Mr. Justice 'Chapman.' The judge wishes lis to express his indebtedness to Mr. J. H. Stevens, of Wendall, Mount Roskill, for a translation of the ktlei/ 1 How it came to; be addressed to the judge is still unexplained. It is simply a letter, loaded with the usual Eastern honorifics, from a girl to her brother, asking him to buy her a pair of shoos, and the only indication of the brother's name and abode is contained in the letter. The name is Inchi Tupen, or Tupiua, which may represent a Malay living in this country, and we shall be glad to learn if any such person can be discovered through the press or police. The place where he. resides is Sama.san Selan. It has been suggested that the last word may be a corruption of either Zealand or Ceylon, but Mr. Stevens thinks this unlikely. We shall he glad to hear suggestions on this point. There is no magistrate of the name of Chapman in Ceylon, go far as ',' Wliifcaker's Almanac" affords a clue. It seems evident, however, that the writer trusts to a magistrate of that name to deliver tho letter, and probably a.ll judges and inferior functionaries are. called magistrates. We publish the letter, unimportant as it is, in the hope that some means may be found of delivering it. TRANSLATION. Important: Humble salutation?, followed by many fervent prayers; this from your younger sister, Kidam. who is lowly and poor, who is without art or wiles, derived from many places, but is sitting trading in the town of Kwala Lumpur, with a certain amount of blessing. May the Lord of all'Worlds'bring this into the presence and under the shoes of the Sri Paduka, my elder brother Inchi Tupen (or Tupina), who is giving audience (i.e., dwelling) in,:the town of . Samasan Solan (Smsn Sin), gaining much glory (or honour), and ease, and with many blessings. Whereas your younger sister wafts this fragment of paper (or letter) and this drop of ink that it may be instead of a meeting between us, and also in ease perhaps you would like to hear news of her. As for me, this letter is written with respect and reverence, because of your wish (that I should write). But my hope is in you, a thousand hopes that I mav get. word from you. And if (when) you come hack you may walk in Kwala -Lumpur and meet with me. Moreover, if (when) you come back ■as far as Singapore J. want yon to buy me a pair of slices of yellow leather, good ones, and when you come to Kwala Lumpur 1 will repay you the cost. They must be only Biu lontr. Don't- fail. Only when you are coming back I hope you will be sure to let me know what day you will arrive, so that J mav wait for you at. the railway, and we may then return to Rembu together; don't fail. ■ . ~..:.* ' Again, it is a long time now since I left Ilnmbu. and J knew nothing about its affairs. In regard to Inchi Milat, ho is no longer with us; I don't know where he has gone to, nor can..l find out. There is nothing further, but many salutations and compliments. You will an.rwor this very soon.—(From) me, Kidah Ped'an, April 26. 1906 . (at) Kwala Lumpur. P.S. —In regard to our elder brother (or friend) Tiling, the teacher drum) at. the school at Rembu, he has separated from our older sister (or friend) Achi (Tiny). I don't know whether she has gottp back or not, for I received the tires from other person.? only. Note.Sri Paduka is ecniivalent to fortunate, beloved; these arc titles, and also common epithets.

Japan is a country of which the agricultural system consists chiefly of small holdings. "As many as 55 per cent, of those- who make a living out of the soil cultivate less than two acres each, 30 per cent, less than three acres, and .15 per. cent, four acres or more. Few of the small farmers own hor<«s or other traction animals, and their implements are of a very primitive description, but as laree quantities of manure are used, and the soil is cultivated to a" good depth ; and frequently, the yield obtained is very abundant. Usually two or three crops are taken off it in the course of 12 months, I*ice is the principal crop, and occupies about two-fifths of the arable land of the country, although the mulberry and tea are also largely grown. Most of the farmers have some subsidiary occupation, such as breeding silkworms and weaving silk. They are a hardy, contented people, and do well except in time of severe drought, which in some seasons causes great suffering. .

An illustration of the value, of the. Arab stallion in producing a most useful stamp of horse is shown in the following extract from scraps in the Live ' Stock Journal: " Among the horses belonging to His Majesty (King George III.) at the Greatlodge," says" Mr. Frost, in 1807, '" is a small Arabian stallion called the Hampton Court Arabian. This horse is about 13h. 3in high,'and, notwithstanding the. smallness of his size, if put to a large, roomy mare he gets horses 16 hands high, and full of bone, capable of carrying 20st a fox-bunting."