March i, 1890.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
627 
teach the local labour. In time perhaps they 
might be able to dispense with the services of 
these people if they desired to return to their 
own country, which was not at all improbable. 
To accommodate this labour to a certain extent they 
were now erecting lines or rooms for the workpeople 
on the Company's land, and probably this would re- 
sult in time in a regular Milltown being ereoted there 
with, he dared say, a number of other buildings 
of various sorts attached to it. As regarded the 
cotton supply in the island they had had considerable 
quantities offered duriDg the last six months, and a 
large quantity had come down from Jaffna ; quantities 
had also been got from Batticaloa, and some had 
come from Anuradhapura the other day, the 
principal part being Tinnevelly, but small quantities 
of Egyptian and New Orleans had also been brought. 
The weather had not been very favourable to a large 
outturn, but there had been some marked successes 
in some parts of the island. He was very hope- 
ful that the result of the north-east monsoon 
planting would be much more satisfactory. Indeed 
they had a number of applications now from planters 
sending down small samples, asking what they 
valued it at, and saying their orop was now 
ripening. Some experiments on a large scale were 
being made, and he was aware of one estate in 
the Matale district where about 125aores had been 
planted in the north-east monsoon. The results 
of this experiment would be placed before the 
publio so that people might see for themselves 
how far planting cotton would pay. They had a 
short time ago the offer of 13 tons of cotton for 
delivery at Colombo during the next three months. 
That itself was a very encouraging fact, and 
showed that cotton in quantity oould at all 
events be grown. He trusted that in course of 
time, with the encouragement which Government had 
been giving to its growth, they might see large 
portions of the island covered with cotton plants, if 
not with ootton plantations. He hoped that in 
course of time the northern part of the country 
would be opened up for cotton planting. It was 
undoubtedly a disastrous matter that Government 
should have withheld its sanction to the first pre- 
liminary steps in coanection with the making of a 
Jaffna railway, but he believed that it was only a 
matter that was deferred, and certainly not put off 
altogether. The time would come, he hoped, 
when that line of railway would be made, and 
facilities would be given for intercourse with that 
part of the island, facilities for the transport of 
ootton and other produce to which they as share- 
holders would look forward with great anxiety. 
The only other thing which he would like to accen- 
tuate was the remark which the Chairman made 
in reference to the arrears of calls. It was exceed- 
ingly unfair to the shareholders who had paid 
their money at the right time when it was due, to 
see a long list of men who were perfectly able to 
pay and would not, and he was only sorry that 
their good friends of the Press, when putting the 
report in the papers, refrained from publishing the 
names of defaulters as well. 
Mr. Spabkes said that there was just one question 
he would like to ask. When the Company was 
started they were told that the climate was supposed 
to be speoially favourable for spinning yarns. He 
would like to kr.ow if that had proved to be the 
case, because the success of the undertaking was 
supposed to be in a great measure dependent 
upon that. 
The Chairman said that Mr. Atherton, the manager 
of the mills, would perhaps be able to answer the 
question most satisfactorily. 
Mr. Atherton said he oould only say that all 
tlioy had soon so far was promising. Mr. Harris, 
however, knew all about the subjeot, and he would 
be able to give some information. 
Mr. Harris said he had now been knooking about 
cotton mills in Lancashire, India, Japan and Ceylon 
for a good many years. He had seen some yarn 
tested that morning, and he had never seen any- 
thing like it before. From what he knew of cotton 
spinning he did not think theirs would be the only 
Mills started in Ceylon, or that the Wellawatta 
Company would not have to extend their operations. 
The climate was just what was wanted for yarns 
—the days were not too hot, and the nights did 
not get too cold. He had been in the mills at 
almost all hours of the day and night, and he 
never felt the same sudden changes that there 
were in Japan and even in England. A damp 
or moist atmosphere was really what was re- 
quired for successful ootton spinning, and that 
was just what they had in Ceyloa. He was 
sure that anyone who visited the Mills and under- 
stood the work could not have any fear of it not 
paying. 
The Chairman said that they were much obliged for 
the opinions they had he ard, but it was too early 
to speak with absolute decision on the subjeot. 
All experience, however, both written and verbal, 
went to show that the climate was eminently 
adapted for it. He might also mention that the 
Weaving Department, to which no allusion had 
been made, was being fitted up, and they quite 
expected it to be ready for work early in March, 
so that praotioally next moDth all the operations 
would have been taken in hand. 
The motion was then put to the meeting and 
carried unanimously. 
A SAFE INVESTMENT. 
Mr. Edmund Walker wished to make a few 
remarks before the meeting separated, to enable 
the shareholders to realize what a safe investment 
they had in the buildings and machinery at 
Wellawatta. He would just mention one figure 
which would show how much more valuable they 
were now compared with the time at which they 
were put up. If they had to contract for the iron 
pillars which supported the roof, instead of having 
to pay £5 per ton in England, they would now 
he required to pay £8 5s, so that if they took 
those pillars and shipped them home to England 
the makers would be glad to give them baok their 
money and pay all the expenses. When in addition 
to that the Company would begin, as no doubt it 
would in the next balance sheet, to write off 
something for depreciation, they would see 
what a thoroughly safe asset they had in the 
building, and it was particularly interesting to 
notice that, as buildings were always considered 
more or less of a doubtful asset. 
Mr. Atherton Baid he might also mention that 
the spinning machinery would cost £2,500 more 
if it had to be purchased now than it did when 
the order was given. 
re-election op retiring directors. 
The Chairman said that the next business before 
the meeting was to elect two directors in place of 
Messrs. R. L. M. Brown and W. Anderson, who 
retired. 
Mr. Sparkes asked if Mr. Anderson would be 
returning to the country, and was informed that 
he would probably be back in April. 
On the motion of Mr. Eudd seconded by Mr. J. De 
Mel the two retiring directors were then re-elected. 
the managing director retires, as he considers 
the office unnecessary. 
The Hon. J. J. Grinlinton said that while they 
were on the Bubject of directors, he wished to say 
