Information taken from a newspaper article in 1861 about Borneo
The schooner Rainbow arrived in Kuching on 11 February 1861 with the Rajah James Brooke aboard. In honor of the event the courts were closed and a weeks holiday was declared. Chiefs from all over came to pay respect to the Rajah.
On the 20th, the usual races were held. Twenty large boats manned by 300 men participated in the races. Other races, such as sack races and climbing a greasy pole and great hilarity prevailed. The Sarawak flag was then hoisted and a 21 gun salute commenced aboard the Rainbow.
On the 22 February the Borneo Company with help of the Rajah Brooke opened its extensive steam machinery which will produce tons of sago or tapioca flour per day. The process is similar to starch making in England today. The machinery is also adapted to the manufacture of sugar. As soon as it was made known the factory would be erected, large quantities were of the grains were put into cultivation by the Malays, Chinese and Dayaks.
On the 23rd a large feast was given to the Malays by the Rajah Brooke. A large building was erected and decorated with flowers. At 3p.m., Sir Rajah Brooke and his entourage sat at one end of the raised dais with over 700 people partaking in the feast. Afterwards, there was a rifle match with a kris as the prize.
After the festivities, traders were preparing their boats for trade to Java. The traders used to go to Muka but were stopped when Muka was became filled with the bitter enemies of the traders.Boats arriving from Oya reported Muka was being fortified by Sheriff Massabore and his followers who were oppressing the people of Muka.All classes were greatly suffereing from the famine, produced by interruption of trade with Sarawak from where they formerly drew their supplies of rice, salt and tobacco. A number of persons had fled from Muka to Sarawak while others esacaped into the interior.
We understand the skhooner Rainbow will travels twice monthly to Singapore carrying mail, passeengers and ligh cargo.It is hoped people will visit Singapore where so much is talked about but little is known.
Ship building is being pursued with spirit with the forests of Sarawak providing an inexhausible supply of timber. A handsome schooner of 150 tones was recently launched from Kuching.
From:
The London and China Telegraph late February 1861
Many thanks to Veronica Chang Schmidt
Tom McLaughlin for BorneoHistory.net