WHITE RAJAH AS FATHER-IN-LAW

Southland Times, Issue 23346, 2 November 1937, Page 7

WHITE RAJAH AS FATHER-IN-LAW

Wrestler Seeks To Marry Princess PARENTAL THREAT OF DISINHERITANCE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received November 1, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, November 1. “I have always been a fighter, and this is only another fight; I am not pinned down yet,” said Bob Gregory, aged 25, the middleweight catch-as-catch-can champion of Europe and all-in wrestler, declaring his determination to marry Miss Valerie Brooke (Princess Baba), aged 21, the daughter of the Rajah of Sarawak, despite parental opposition. “Both the Ranee and the Rajah are opposed to the wedding, and the Rajah has sent a cable indicating that he will disinherit his daughter if she disobeys his wishes,” said a member of the Ranee’s household. The Rajah of Sarawak is his Highness Charles Vyner Brooke, a great-nephew of Sir James Brooke, the Englishman to whom the Sultan of Brunei gave the Government in 1842. , . Sir James, the first Rajah, had served in the Burmese war (1826) and was 36 when he arrived at Borneo in 1839 in a yacht purchased from a legacy of £30,000 left by his father. Finding the Sultan of Sarawak at war with some tribes, he volunteered his services and after two years’ fighting quelled the rebellion. In gratitude the Sultan conferred on him the title of Rajah and Governor of Sarawak. Sir James reformed the government and laws, put down the headhunting of the Dyaks and extirpated piracy in the neighbouring seas. In 1857 Sir James’s health began to fail, and he transferred his administration to his nephew, Charles Brooke. Sir James died in 1868, and was succeeded as Rajah of Sarawak by Charles Brooke. During the latter’s rule the territory was increased from 7000 to 57,000 square miles, and from an independent State it became a British protectorate. The Rajah, who was knighted in 1888, died in 1917 and was succeeded by his son, Charles Vyner Brooke, who is now 63 years old. Sarawak is along the northwest coast of Borneo, between the mountains and the China Sea. The chief exports are sago, pepper, gold, rubber, gutta percha, petroleum and birds’ nests.