Bukti Wujudnya Setesen Keretapi Padang Jawa, Peranan Dan Fungsinya

Papan Tanda Setesen Keretapi Padang Java ini telah di edit dan bukanlah yang asal. Seingat saya inilah tulisan dan wajah papan tanda Setesen Keretapi Padang Java.sewaktu bersekolah zaman 1950an, menggunakan keretapi berulangalik pergi dan balik di bandar Klang. Kini tapak asal Stesen Keretapi Padang Jawa ini telah didirikan rumah kediaman kakitangan KTM.

Selain itu saya ingin menceritakan keujudan,peranan & fungsi Setesen Keretapi Padang Jawa pada ketika itu mengikut fakta dan keterangan yang saya ada. Semoga para pembaca dan warga Kampung Padang Jawa mendapat gambaran yang tepat mengenai Setesen Keretapi tersebut.

 Saya kembarkan bukti wujudnya Setesen Keretapi Padang Jawa pada tahun 1904 seperti gambar di atas .

1. Dari rencana  Railway in The F.M.S menyatakan "It is understood That The F.M.S Government definitely deciden to built a legal railway conecting Klang with Kuala Selangor"

2. Dalam lapuran "The F.M.S In 1910 Government's Policy, A Year Of Federal Supply pada tajuk Railway Extension menyatakan "Preliminary surveys are being made for a line from Padang Java to Kuala Selangor which it is proposed to construct in 1911"

3.Dari lapuran "RAILWAY PROGRESS IN THE F.M.S. bertajuk Improvements Of Older Lines menyatakan  "The Padang Java - Kuala Selangor branch is now open for traffic.Other feeders or branch lines are also under construction or in progress of servey".

Maksud lapuran ini dan mesti di ketahui oleh pembaca dan warga Padang Jawa adalah apabila tutupnya Setesen keretapi Bukit Kuda pada tahun 1896 maka Setesen Keretapi Padang Jawa ditugaskan untuk menyediakan aliran keretapi daripada Klang yang hendak menuju ke Kuala Selangor dan dari Kuala Selangor ke Klang.Keretapi tidak boleh "corner baring".

4. Saya kemukakan satu lagi bukti melalui pembukaan Estate Air Kuning pada 1905 :-

TWENTIETH CENTURY IMPRESSIONS OF BRITISH MALAYA intention of the company to open up and develop this as rapidly as possible, and at least a thousand acres will be planted every year. In various parts large rubber plant nurseries have been started. Ayer Kuning commences two and a half miles from Klang, and extends beyond the Damansara river, above Batu Tiga. There are about 15 miles of cart-road frontage to the employees. At first the estate was naturally somewhat unhealthy, but now it compares very favourably with most properties in the district.

The soil is rich and well suited for rubber production, and an excellent system of drainage has been constructed by Tamils. Rubber was first planted CLEARINGS ON BRAUNSTON ESTATE, KUALA SELANGOR. estate at present. Padang Jawa railway station is just one mile distant, and Sungei Rengam and Batu Tiga railway stations are both within a mile of the property, which is drained by the Sungei Rengam, the Sungei Rasa, and the Damansara rivers, all of which flow into the Klang river. The land is hilly, with swamps in between, but extensive drains and canals connecting with the various streams are in course of construction. Contour drains are being cut in the hills about a chain apart to prevent denudation of the soil. This work is receiving special attention. The soil of this estate is as good as any in the district. It is reddish, loamy, and very rich. The estate employs at present about 600 Tamil coolies, some 400 Banjorese, Javanese, and Malays, besides labourers recruited from the surrounding villages, and a larger force of Tamil coolies which is being rapidly recruited India.

Rujukan :- 

1. The Straits Times, 25 Julai 1910, Halaman 7
     
2. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 3 November 1910, Halaman 5

3. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 23 Februari 1914, Halaman 3

4. Twentieth Century Impressions Of British Malaya : Its History, People, Commerce, Industries and Resources page 449, Wright, Arnold London, Durban, Colombo, Perth (W. A.), Singapore, Hongkong, and Shanghai, Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Company, limited, 1908,