When the Foochows started to build their wooden homes along the Rajang Valley from 1901 onwards, they took into consideration several factors : the rise and fall of river tides, the rainy season, the soggy nature of the soils, and the fast growing vegetation. Each farm land granted to them had to have ditches built according to the government ruling (6 feet deep and 12 feet wide). Padi fields had bunds built up on the sides so that water could be locked in.
In the first 10 years of their settlement there were no motorised motor launches . The first motorised motor launches came when Rev James Hoover installed the first engine he personally imported from the USA. So there was no fear of river bank erosion.
The Rajang does not have levees like many rivers in other countries. but many areas were actually hill locks like bukit Lan, Lebaan, Kwang Hua. Engkilo and Paradom were very flat areas. So it was out of this geographical conidition that our Foochow forefathers built stilted homes similar to the kampong houses of the Malays and the Melanaus. But they added a platform which stretched from the kitchen, usually towards the river side so that extra rain water could be stored in diesel drums and clothes could be dried.
Children and old people could bathe on this sun deck too. And a lot of drying of vegetables could also be done, away from the ferocious pecking of chickens!! It was also convenient for housewives to look after every activity within sight.
I even remember there was one time when the flood was really high, my Third uncle conveniently threw his cast net into the water and caught a lot of fish and even prawns.
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