Preventing Monkey Damage on Young OIL PALMS

Monkeys especially the long tail macaque can cause severe damage to young oil palms plantings. They tend to pull out young shoots. While pulling out the shoots the young fronds around are either twisted or broken. Sometimes the damage are so severe that the young palm will wither and cannot survive. 

The fronds are tied together to prevent the monkeys from getting at the shoots. They can be tied at 2 or 3 levels depending on the height of the young palm. Wrapping the palms with zinc sheets are also helpful. Lately, the Star Papers reported that Perhilitan (Wildlife Department) culled  14,000 monkeys  in 2021 and until March 2022 the figure was 2256. 

  Pictures show the damage and preventive measures.

 

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PRIME MINISTERS OF MALAYSIA

The first day cover depicts 5 prime ministers over 50 years - 1957 to 1967

 

    

The 3 prime ministers after GE14 in 2018

Tun Dr. Mahathir

Tan Sri Muhyiddin

Datuk Seri Ismail

ANOTHER 2 TO GO TO MAKE IT 5 BEFORE GE15 ??????? 

                                                                

MALAYSIA BOLEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Preventing Wild Boar Damage in Oil Palm Plantings - Updated

Sometimes the wild boars are aggressive especially the big ones. They  even push over zinc wrappings. 

An extra preventive step is to stack oil palm fronds around  the  zinc wrappings. This reduces the high incidence of attacks.

                                                          

                                         

 FAREWELL TO STANDARD CHARTERED BANK - TAIPING 

       The curtain comes down after 130 years.

     The Bank then known as The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China opened one of its earliest branches in Malaya in Taiping in 1889. Initially it occupied the building which is now the Merdeka Library, Taiping. This building which features Victorian architecture was constructed in 1882.

   The name of the bank was changed  to Standard Chartered Bank and moved to the ground floor of Bangunan Malaysia built in 1964.This building also happens to be the first 5 storey building in Taiping.

  The final move in 2004 was to the ground floor of a 3 storey shop lot along Market Road.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

      The Merdeka Library 

       First home in1889 

              

                             

                                 

                                                        

Cheques issued in 1953 by The Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China 

           

   

       

                  

                   In Bangunan Malaysia in 1964       

   

    The LAST POST along Market Road

                        2020

Farewell to "The Big Strong and Friendly" Bank.

 HIDDEN ARCH BRIDGE IN TAIPING 

 Arch bridges built with stones, bricks or wood have a long history.  Builders in early civilizations had constructed various beautiful arch bridges some of which are still in existence. 

In Taiping there is a unique and beautiful arch bridge built of bricks across a stream from the waterfalls. This bridge which is more than 100 years old is missed by many visitors because it is abandoned and overgrown with undergrowth. It is located on the left hand side of the road that leads to the well known Hindu temple - Thanneermalai and also to the first Taiping reservoir where water is collected from the magnificent and famous waterfall.  

 Apparently, the bridge was built as access to the first swimming pool known then as the English Swimming pool which later on was taken over by the New Club of Taiping. The swimming pool which collects the water from the waterfall has been abandoned for almost 20 years.

The dimensions of the brick arch bridge are as follows: 

length; 60 feet,  width of parapet : 5 feet,  pathway: 2 feet,

height: from the river bed: 15 feet    

 An interesting feature of the bridge is the circular outlet at the top on one side of the arch. This is to allow water to flow when the water level is very high.

  

Heritage enthusiasts can play their part to spruce up this abandoned bridge and publicize this as many people may not be aware of this piece of engineering art.

       YESTER - YEARS 

Selected attractive adverts 50 years ago from PLANTER magazine.     

                                              Weeds Eradication  

                                    

                                   Profit CURVE ?

     
                       
                               Cup full ?  Stimulex!!                                                                         

                                                           Birthday Boy - 50

                                

                                 What a DIFFERENCE !!!!!                                                                                             

Will some of these pictures be accepted for print TODAY  ????????

                                     C H E E R S ! !

  

TAIPING - PORT WELD (Kuala Sepatang) RAILWAY 

The Taiping-Port Weld (Kuala Sepatang) railway has been acclaimed as the first operational railway in Malaysia (Malaya- FMS) in 1885. Many stories, articles and pictures had been written/published.

 However, a lesser known wooden railway that runs from Johore Bahru towards the direction of Gunong Pulai was partially operational in 1875. 

After 135 years the Taiping-Port Weld railway is now non existent. New developments have taken place along many stretches of the track while there are still old buildings and structures as evidence of its glorious days in the transport of goods especially tin. 

The pictures tell a new story of the activities on the now non existent railway. 

              Taiping                       to              Port Weld

        Old Station                              Original Godown                                                ( New station is in the background)   

 Aulong stretch-houses on           Hindu Temple at Simpang 

 the ex railway line. Telegraph    Halt 

 post is evidence.                                                    

                                                     

The road leading to the Simpang Halt       The stretch near Port Weld                                   along the ex railway line.

                                         First Day Cover Stamps

 

                     An extract from "Malayan Tit-Bits" by                                                                            by S. Durai Raja Singam

        

( Extracted from the tourism brochure sponsored by ADUN Kuala Sepetang Chua)

Port Weld is now better known as Kuala Sepatang. The godowns, railway tracks 

and railway reserve land have developed into other economic activities and housing although done haphazardly.

 Tourism and sea food restaurants are the main attractions These activities are operated by the locals who are mainly descendants of the early settlers.