Handbook of the federated Malay states - Sabrizain.org

136 Handbook of the
arrival in Pahang often given by new comers from Kelantan
and Trengganu, is that their former headman has removed to
this State, and they want to be with him. The fishing
population along the Pahang coast is increasing.
Water supplies. Grenerally in Pahang it is not at all difficult to find
abundant water, rivers being numerous, but in some towns,
notably at Kuala Lipis, it is not always easy to obtain a
sufficient supply.
At Raub, a scheme for a proper public water supply,
brought in from hill springs, stored in reservoirs, and
distributed by means of stand-pipes, has just been completed,
and is a great boon.
A somewhat similar scheme for Kuala Lipis is now under
consideration, but the water will be obtained from the Jelai
Piver which is swift and not appreciably polluted by the
few scattered villages up-stream.
At Pekan, Kuantan, and elsewhere in Pahang, water is
obtained from rivers which answer present requirements.
The use of surface wells is discouraged in the towns.
Cost of living. The cost of living in Pahang is heavy. In the coast
districts of Pekan and Kuantan it is less expensive than in
the upper country, but even in those places the general rise
in the cost of everything in the east has made living more
expensive than it used to be some years ago.
The domestic servants in Pahang are almost entirely
Chinese, but it is often difficult to get satisfactory men.
The following are the ruling rates of monthly wages for
native servants :
—
Cooks $15 to $20.
[It is impossible to get a man for less than $15.j
House Boys $12 to $18.
Gardeners $12 to $15.
Water Carriers - ... $10 to $12.
Ayahs $15 to $20.
A bachelor living by himself can engage a man who will
act both as boy and cook on the wages of a cook.