Myelf at fifteen

This was how I looked at fifteen.Picture taken at an uncle's house who residing at this Government quarter.A 4x4 linked houses,raised floor wooden house.Next door was Ahmad K's house.His father was then serving like my uncle were hospital assistants.Our family was then living in Ratanui Estate,Teluk Anson.This photo brought numerous happy memories.All recorded in my earlier blogging.Nice to look back.

This where I lived in Bentong Estate

This was where I resided at Bentong Estate,Pahang.The ground floor was the plantation's office.Next to this were the smoke houses and rubber sheeting  factory..I lived on the upper floor.Very spacious with two rooms a large sitting hall and a kitchen.Bathroom was down stairs.One thing good here was that whenever it rained making coffee or tea you required no milk.River behind turned milky whenever it rained.Ha aha gotta u.

At St.Andrew Estate,Batang Berjuntai,Selangor

When I first stepped into St Andrew Estate,there was another man in charged of the plantation.At that moment I was to work with him.This was a group photo taken at the bungalow.The dinner was hosted by him.No long after this party he was replaced by me as Manager of the estate.In the picture was our first daughter in the arms of her loving mother,my wife.My experiences were advantages over him

At St.Andrew Esate,Batange Berjuntai,Selangor

Three Years Old Durian _ Fruiting

Correct Way To Plant Durian

Say what you like this is the correct way to plant durian.I had planted durian this way and they all fruited within three years. Of course there were other elements involved.If you have followed my blog years back I have them recorded  these facts within.However,those who have faith in my method can can contact me.I assure you,you will never regret it.Three years fruiting of conal durians were a fact.I did it because I am the best planter around.

At St. Andrew Estate,Batang Berjuntai,Selangor

This picture showed us celebrating Chinese New Year at the Manager's bungalow.All the staffs were present.A month or so later I took over the management.This picture showed me sharing a joke with the out going Manager,He was a jolly good joker.

At St. Andrew Estate,Batang Berjuntai,Selangor

This is me,standing in front of the smoke houses St.Andrew Estate,Batang Berjuntai,Selangor.I think it was taken in 1973.Handsome huh?.

At Hurst Estate,Ulu Sapetang,Taiping,Perak

Relaxing and learning to play the guitar at the Manager's bungalow in Hurst Estate,Ulu Sapetang,Perak.Well,after work you just got to kill away the time in the evening.That time no television and only the radio to accompany us passsed our time away.At times we do play some badminton.It was still very lonely place to be with not many to talk to (accept the Manager and me).Staffs quarters are a distance away besides we were advised not go near them.

St.Andrew Estate,Batang,Selangor

Having a New Year's dinner at the Manager's bungalow.It was his last as he was asked to leave thereafter and I took over.

K.C.Cheah Sawmill,Karak,Pahang

I thought my days in the plantation sector were all over and therefore had to look for other pastures elsewhere.My uncle offered m,e a job at the sawmill in Karak,Pahang.No,no.there was no relationship between me and K.C.Cheah -I never knew him.My uncle was not a Cheah, offered me a job at the mill promising good prospects.Unfortunately after a while I found it not to my liking and I longed to return to planting.That was where I ought to be - free to roam at my own pleasure..I did not have to wait that long before my application to a Chinese plantation was accepted. Once in it I proved a force to be reckon with.

K.C.Cheah Sawmill,Pahang

K.C.Cheah Sawmill.Karak,Paahang

K.C.Cheah Sawmill,Karak,Pahang

At Ulu Selangor Estate ,Kuala Kubu Baharu,Selangor

In 1968 I joined Ulu Seangor Estate,as its Manager.It was a small rubber plantation,situated on part of a steep hill..The plantation was best remembered for a very fatal accident on the main road .It was transporting rubber tappers and workers to the plantation to work.The accident occured on an early morning trip at a shape bend,killing twenty over tappers or so.Most of them females.Of course that was just before I joined them.Photo showed me having a small paarty with a group of friends at the club house of Kuala Kubu Bahru.

At Kumpulan Guthrie

The Dinner

Close-up photo of me at the dinner.Beside me the wife of Abd. Rahim Hassan.At the back on the other clearly seen was the "duck".

The Dinner

At a dinner

Group photo of the cadets and Assistant Managers of nearby plantations of the same group at a dinner.Well,it was not free all of us had to pay our share of the bill accept the Training Manager who was seated all the wives of some Assistants.

The Cadets

I joined Kumpulan Guthrie in July 1966  as a Probationery Assistant.However,the Manager  demoted me to the Cadet Training Manger because he was bias against Malaysian Chinese trained assistant.Such dreadful discrimination existed.  I was the  victim that time around.For the firtst time I faced this white manager surely instil some fright in me.  I stammered and did not converse fluently.That unfortunately became jokes for all others around making me much of a crown.Yes,I therefore succumb to such pressure & cruelty not that I have no knowledge in planting.  I proved that I am well versed with planting by passing the "Estate Practise - Rubber" offered by the Incorporated Society of Planters.This was at the beginning of 1967.Their refusal to acknowledge that fact proved that they do not recognized the I.S.P. on the whole..  Many of their senior assistants failed miserably for a fact..To qualify to six for that examination the planter must  minimum of five years in planting as an assistant manager.The  I..S.P. is nothing but a heap of rubbish.Seated in the picture isthe Training Manager K.G.Nair (the duck),from left to right Chee Kee Leong (Cheeky),me,Andbul Rahim Hassan.Tan Han Chee.All four trainees of 1967.Before joining them I thought highly of them now that I have been in and out of it,I can vouche that the training  was another heap of rubbish.Believe me it was no big deal but ninsence.

At Hurst Estate,Ulu Sapetang,Taiping,Perak

That was how I looked when I first stepped into the rubber plantation.Barely eighteen,but then jobs were scared so got to take what came along.For the first time I hated the hosts of mosqutoes coming with this job.A walk into the fields will surely attract hundreds of them.Well those were the days,I tried cigarettes smoking to chase them away.It never did the job well enough for me- but to accept that smoking.So I never learn the art of smoking,just inhaling into the mouth and then blew them of on the pests.Never enjoyed that.Cigarettes were damn cheap those days.About fifty cents per packet.Common brands then were Rough Rider (cheaper ones),Players Gold Leaf and Lucky Strike.

At Bentong EstateBentong,Pahang

At Bentong Estate,Bentong,Pahang

At Bentong Estate's new planting.On a brand new BSA Sport motor cycle.Those were the days of this young hell cyclist.Well,there was no accident on this bike.It was the older bike that caused most accident,fortunately none fatal..The old markings on my face had many tales to tell.
Not long after this photo I resigned from this estate to join Kumpulan Guthrie.

At Gunong Inas Estate,Selama,Perak

At the replanting field of Gunong Inas.Working under hot blazing sun.For a young man that was surely hell.

At Hurst Estate,Ulu Sapetang,Taiping,Perak.

Charlie Chong & me