Chums, Resins, 



120 



he has seen big pieces of alum in the blocks of r ubber, which were used for coagu- 

 lating purposes. He is full of confidence as to the future of the rubber planting 

 industry, and assures us that for another ten years the price cannot go down much, 

 and as to the overproduction bogey Mr. Devitt ridicules it. 



REPORT ON LACE RUBBER. 



Kepitigalla, Matale, Jan. 15th. 

 Dear Sir,— I now have the pleasure of stating that the first consignment 

 of Lace rubber sent to Hamburg was sold at 14 marks per kilo, or as near as possible 

 6s. \\d., about the highest price paid, during the same week in London for Biscuits 

 or Sheet. When you consider the fact that Lace is ready for packing in 48 hours, 

 and that no expensive machinery is required, no power to drive the machine 

 as in the case of crepe, which requires 8-9 horse-power (whereas Lace requires 

 only about l-8th horse-power), besides the great saving in labour, the superiority 

 of manufacturing the Rubber into the form of Lace is apparent. The Brokers' 

 report is as follows :— 



"The rubber is reported noon to be first-class, and is valued at 14 mks. per 

 kilo, at which price the parcel has been sold." 



The Brokers are all mad on sheet rubber just now; but is this practicable 

 on a large estate, where a large acreage is in bearing? For it takes just as long 

 to dry as biscuits, or in fact longer ; consequently a very large drying space will 

 be required — Yours faithfully, 



—Local Press. FRANCIS J. HOLLO WAY. 



The Rubber Market. 



THE LONDON RUBBER SHARE MARKET IN 1905. 



The past year, though a lean year in a commercial sense, has nevertheless 

 introduced a new sphere of industry to the London share market. This, in a 

 word, is the market now established in the shares of rubber producing companies, 

 Avhich starting in a very small way has, from very insignificant beginnings, deve- 

 loped into a sound proposition with bright prospects for the future. Companies 

 which were comparatively unknown are iioav growing and producing rubber, and 

 the shares of these companies are now being dealt in at close prices formerly unheard 

 of. Daily more interest is being taken in the rubber-producing companies 

 both in tne Straits and Ceylon by the investing public. The production of rubber 

 is now being undertaken by many of the companies situated in this part of 

 the globe, and during the year 1,400 packages from Ceylon and 1,000 from the Straits 

 Avere dealt Avith by the London market, all of excellent quality, which is proved 

 by the price obtained for the best quality, vi/,., (5s. 9k?. per lb. This price, even 

 at the present high level of share quotations would give investors a handsome 

 return on their money. The most prominent features of the market during the past 

 year have been the flotations of the Anglo-Malay and Consolidated Malay Com- 

 panies, for both of Avhich the public subscribed handsomely, in each instance 

 the shares being applied for many times over the amount of the issue. The shares 

 of both of these compauies now command very considerable premiums. The 

 Selangor Company has by way of a dividend issued to its shareholders' shares in the 

 Sungei Way Co. The Pataling Company has the honour to be the first rubber 

 company to pay a dividend, and its payment of an interim dividend of 7i per 



