THE THIRD BIG FIRE

Thirty two years after the Second Big Fire, another fire broke out at Bau. This time it was the gold miners and rubber tappers from Dahan Estate who set fire in the bazaar.

Taking the advantage of the collapse of the Rajah Government after the Japanese had landed in Kuching on 24.12.1941, the miners from the nearby gold mines and rubber tappers from Dahan Estate, Jambusan went to Bau Bazaar to loot. They roamed around demanding for food provisions and money from the shopkeepers. Some went to the employers for "advance" to buy food and others went around beating up people for revenge.

It happened on 9.1.1942 the looters went to Chop Chin Ban Hin which operated two shops at one row at No. 2 and No. 4 of Bau Main Bazaar. As there were so many looters going to the shop for food provisions, the owner of the shop, Jong Ah Liong had to close down early. Though the looters shouted to demand for the opening of the shops, the ‘Toukai’ refused. The refusal angered the looters. They doused the shops with tins of kerosene taken from a nearby store and set fire to the buildings. At that time, the buildings were built of timber with belian or zinc sheet for roofing. They were already over 30 years old. The fire set at Chop Chin Ban Hin spread to the rest of the Bazaar in less than one hour. Before midnight, the whole Bazaar became ashes. The looters had their field day-jewellery, cash and gold were taken away. Pemanca Liew Chee Bui recalled that there was no fire service at that time and diat there was no water supply having enough pressure. The situation was hopeless. Everybody and everything was at the mercy of the fire and looters. All die shopkeepers could only take their families to safety.

After the big fire, the Japanese Government did not provide any relief to the needy shopkeepers. Most of them who had no other means to stay in the business either moved to other places to earn a living or went to the country-side to farm.   Temporary shop-houses made of ‘atap’ were put up by the shopkeepers within 3 years after the fire.

The Japanese surrendered on 14.8.1945. Sarawak became a British colony on 1.7.1946. In Ban, the task of restoring law and order was left to the colonial power.

Bau began another phase of growth. It was only a year after the liberation that Mr. G Lloyd Thomas became the first Colonial District Officer on 1,8.1946. It was a hard time for Mr. G. Lloyd Thomas to administer a district which had just been left behind by the Japanese. The bazaar people were still suffering from the big fire. Nevertheless, during his two years of service in the district, lie did his best to restore Bau to normal. Mr. G Lloyd Thomas played an important part in the formation of the Bau District Council which was established on 3.3.1948. The Council provided educational, medical and other essential services to the district.

In 1950, the price of rubber rose up to $1.50 per kati. Many labourers returned to the rubber gardens. The Dahan Estate attracted not only local rubber tappers but also labourers from other districts. The good price of rubber had one way or another assisted the early construction of the new Bau Bazaar. Sometime in the year 1950 when Mr. AJ.N. Richards was the District Officer, two rows of 'wooden shop-houses were built along Jalan Datuk Salau by a Foochow contractor, Mr. Lee Ka To from Kuching. Mr. Lee constructed and completed 28 new wooden shop-houses of Class B type at the tendered price of $3,135.00 '"per shop. A further 20 more shop-houses were built. By 1954, all the wooden shop-houses were completed. In 1953, there was an improvement to the electricity supply. Private electricity was replaced by supply from SESCO. With the changeover, the new power supply had improved  the  Bazaar tremendously. Electrical bulbs replaced the pressure lamps!

In 1955, another milestone was achieved. The construction of Kuching/Bau Road was completed. Hundreds of people came to Bau for sightseeing especially during weekends. The business was very promising. In 1956, Bau prison which was situated at the existing Dayak Rest House was closed down with the transfer of the balance of two female prisoners to Kuching. To the people of Bau, the closure of the prison was a good sign - a peaceful place for them to live in.

On 21.6.1959 Bau District said farewell to the last Colonial District Officer, Mr. H.A.L. Ferguson and welcomed the first local District Officer, Encik Michael Sadin, an outstanding Native Officer. The people of Bau and especially the Bidayuhs were very proud of this new District Officer. He was the first Bidayuh from Kg. Sudoh, Singai, Bau to become an important officer in his own home town.