Golden Land -- Sarawak (chapter seven)

Golden Land--Sarawak
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Chapter Seven

We asked for a pot of hot tea after the wonderful meal.
' Do you think the European during Rajah period ever drink excellent green tea like
this one' S M Bong refered to the Brooke kingdom period. East India company of India produced alot of Englsih Breakfast tea which is frequently enforced with milk and sugar.

' The gold miners drank only green tea or Ulong tea. Those miners went to Sambas ( Singkawang at present)
must have a good time with nutritious food and excellent tea produced from the rich vocanic soil of Indonesia.
They faced the oppression from the Dutch goverment during that period.' He added.

The following years after the Spring festival ( Chinese New year) they had grand ritual procession to respect the
temple then returned to work in Mau San ( modern Bau town) to accumulate more gold.' He is thinking of ancient hero Liew and his group.' That city, Mau San , was the largest city in Sarawak. I mean the population should be more than eight thousand people staying around Siniawan and Mau San.' His eyes is bright and shinning with excitement.

'There were one hundred shops with many houses around that area. I think the name Siniawan should be Hakka phrase of Kim Jau Wan, that is in line with the location of that meandering river turning south east, consit of gold mine and refinery.' and Mau San in Hakka means properity mountain.' He stood up suddenly and stretched out his hands,

' They have relatively modern photography studio like those shown in Shanghai. The goldsmiths were first class craftsmen'

'Have you seen the prosperous feature during your childhood' I interrupted with curiousity.

'I have seen Bau and Siniawan during1950 s . It was quiet there, and I should say it was really sad to see so many shops were not operating and only few old people and children stayed in a once prosperous town of Siniawan.'

However, the 50 plus good condition shop houses got pipe water supply long before most  of the capital city Kuching  houses.There was electricity generator that provide modern electricity in that ancient'city'. 'He recalled monthly payment of water charges and fixed electricity payment of ten dollars to a young man Mr. O who represent the gold mines tycoon

I asked two elderly wise men who used to lived in Bau and Siniawan area, and they confirmed the prosperous golden town was true. I have determined to research more facinating facts about the golden land.