Padi ready to be harvested in Tambunan, Kota Belud

Published on: Saturday, October 24, 2020

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February 17, 1938

Grazing land looks like a billiard table now and the Station grounds have as usual suffered from the attacks of roaming sapi and kerbau. The climax was reached a few nights ago when a sapi invaded our very own kitchen and apparently sat down on a water jar. These beasts have a definite plan of invasion. At about midnight they jumped over the wire fence like ungainly antelopes, and proceeded to have on "eve-of-battle” conference on the tennis court. Then they are posted to their various eating grounds where they politely prune away till day-light. They didn't wait for the station gate to be opened but showed off by jumping the fence again on their way home.

The padi is almost ready for harvesting now and the plain is a wonderful sight with the numerous different shades of green. However, the thought that a great deal of the "greenness" will shortly be made into tapai prevents one from waxing poetic about it.

The drought seems to be well set now and even the Kadamaian is little more than a trickle of water instead of the roaring torrent of a few weeks ago.

Padi harvesting is also just beginning though as regards to the district generally it is somewhat later than usual. Owing to the combined effects of the drought during the planting season and the ravages of pigs and rats, the crop is likely to be very much under the average.

The Assistant Auditor visited the station from 17th to 23rd June, and spent the greater part of his time — early mornings and evenings included — in the office. We did, however, succeed in luring him on to the football field on one occasion, where he proved himself a veritable lion in a den of Daniels.

Having walked from Tenghilan to Kota Belud, in the excellent time of 3 1/2 hours, Mr Moffatt on his return journey proceed to establish what is likely to remain a record for all time by RUNNING from Kota Belud to Tenghilan in 2 1/4 hours.

The epidemic among ponies continues and something like thirty ponies have now died, including, most unfortunately, the Honourable Mr R.F. Evans' Lucky Boy.