6 2 6 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST* [March i, 1890. 
quantity of which had to be constantly kept in 
hand in view of the large works which the Com- 
pany had completed. The greater portion of 
these would eventually be debited to the machinery, 
and the balance would be carriel to stores account. 
There was also a small item of R198-72 for firewood, 
which required no explanation. Coming to debts 
owing to the Company— R4, 233, 05 — they were aU 
good, He had now explained to them the accounts 
as far as possible, but if there were any particular 
items upon whioh any shareholder wished further 
information he would be very happy to give it as 
far as lay in his power. He could only say that 
they had expended their money as carefully and 
as economically as they oould. They had provided 
everything of the most substantial nature, there 
was absolutely nothing scamped nothing shirked, 
and the machines which the Company had in its 
possession might safely be pitted against any other 
machinery in the east. While they had unfortunately 
been delayed in starting owing to circumstances 
which were quite beyond their control— for instance 
the Dock Strikes and other matters— there was the 
satisfaction of knowing that they started their 
Company at a very good time, and when machi- 
nery has very low. The same machinery could 
not be purohased now for a very considerable 
amount over what they had paid for it, so that 
in that respect the Company had been very for- 
tunate. In every other respect the Company had 
also been fortunate. It had been most fortunate 
in its Manager. (Hear, hear.) It was not too 
much to say that they could not possibly have 
got along as well as they had done without the 
assistance given to them by Mr. Atherton (Hear, 
hear), and he thought the Company must con- 
sider itself most fortunate in having secured 
his services. There were many men who required 
to be looked after, but Mr. Atherton was not one 
of those : his whole mind appeared to be devoted 
to the business and prosperity of the Company, 
and be had no doubt the results of that devotion 
would be manifest at their next meeting and in 
their next accounts. There was no other particular 
matter whioh he had any need to dilate on, but 
if any of the shareholders had any particular 
point which they wished eluoidating he would be 
most happy to do so. He begged to move that 
the accounts and the report of the Directors be 
adopted. 
Mr. Sparkes had great pleasure in seconding 
the motion. He thought that the statement was 
very satisfactory. As regarded the construction of 
the Mills he was sure a great deal of care and skill 
had been shown. He had visited the Mills that 
morning, and had been very much pleased with 
them. The only item in the accounts which he 
thought was to be regretted waB the small amount 
of capital subscribed, and the absolute necessity of 
borrowing, but ha hoped that in time would rectify 
itself, and he was sure when the Company was in 
working order and they began to earn some money 
that a very different result would appear at the 
next meeting. 
The Chairman, before putting the motion to the 
meeting, called on Mr. Mitchell, the Secretary, to 
make a few remarks, as he was naturally thoroughly 
conversant with the subject. 
The Hon. W. W. Mitchell said that he would 
endeavour to supplement the very full remarks of the 
Chairman. He had naturally taken a very deep inter- 
est in the matter from the beginning. The foundations 
of the Mills were begun on the 6th of Feb. 1889, 
the building materials were contracted for by the 
Company, and the building was actually done by 
Mr. Joseph Fernando, a native contractor. Any- 
one might satisfy himself by looking at the 
buildings that the work had been honestly and 
thoroughly woll done. It was not done by pay- 
ment of a lump sum, but at so much per cube, 
so that the Company had only paid at a very 
reasonable rate of cost for the masonry work 
actually built up. Shipments of machinery, as 
they were aware, were received, the spinning 
portions from Messrs. Dobson & Barlow, 
and the weaving portions from Messrs. 
Dickinson & Son3, two of the very best makers, 
and he was assured by Mr. Atherton that there 
were no makers of machinery whose plant he 
would rather have than that made by these two 
firms. With regard to the iron work, were it not 
that Mr. Walker was present he might say a great 
deal more that was complimentary than he could 
say in Mr. Walker's presence, but he felt bound to 
say that more thoroughly honest, well done work 
was not to be found in the island than in the 
Wellawatta Mills. (Hear, hear.) The shipments of 
machinery began to arrive on the 10th of Sept., 
when the " Dee^dale " came in, and the last 
shipment arrived on the 25th of January last by 
the " Clan Mackenzie." Two fitters were sent out by 
Messrs. Dobson & Barluw; they were thoroughly 
qualified men and had been and were still olodeiy 
engaged upon the work of fitting up the machinery. 
Mr. Harris, who was in the room, also joined 
them on the spot, coming from Japan, where he 
had been engaged for some length of time in putting 
up machinery in some new mills, and he had 
brought his large experience to bear on the work 
here. The services of Mr. Taylor, the weaving 
master, were also secured. He was a Lancashire 
man and had had large experience in Bombay as 
well as at home, and ho had no doubt hi3 services 
would be found very valuable. To Mr. Atherton 
belonged the largest share of credit for designing and 
constructing the Mills, and to his knowledge of makers 
of machinery and specialities, and his great ability 
generally as an expert, they were indebted for one of 
the most complete spinning and weaving estaolish- 
ments, with as fine an installation of machinery 
as could be provided, at a cost probably under 
that of any existing Mill of the size. The engine was 
first tried on the 3 1st Dec. 1889, and it commenced 
running daily from the 25th January. — The speaker 
then proceeded to say that what was oalled a 
" preparation" waB now at work, and to describe 
the various stages and machines through which 
the raw cotton had to pass. A section of the 
Mills was now at work, he continued, and he was 
happy to place on the table that day the first- 
fruits of the Mill in the shape of a number of bobbins 
of yarn spun by the Company. With regard 
to labour they were not at ail likely "to find 
any deficiency — in fact the mill was besieged 
with applicants to be taken on. Female hands, 
he was happy to say, had also taken to the work 
very kindly. They were now engaged in standing 
round the machines, and were gaining so much 
confidence that they were ready to put their hands 
on them, though frightened of doing so at first, 
while some were even turning on and turning off 
the power, and were quite millhands already. They 
had also a large number of boys who would be 
found exceedingly useful. With regard to the rate 
of wages, he was glad to say, from what Mr. Ather- 
ton had told him, that they would be in a more 
favourable position than in Bombay : the rate of 
wages would be lower, and that would certainly 
give them a pull. They had obtained from India 
a number of men both for the spinning and 
weaving departments. It was desirable at first to 
get a number of trained hands so that they 
might teach others, and they had got a number 
of men to train the people on the spot and to 
