May  i,  1893-]  THE  TROPICAL 
MCTURAJAWELA  lands. 
We  learn  that  Mrs.  J,  F.  Obeyegekere  bought 
a oonple  of  days  ago  the  (1,326)  acres  of  Mutu- 
rajawela  which  some  time  ago  belonged  to  Mr. 
J.  W.  Home.  Originally,  it  belonged  to  Baron 
Delmar,  then  to  Baroness  Roohefoucault,  next 
to  the  OavandLhes,  then  to  Mr.  Home,  next  to 
Mr.  Akbar,  from  him  Mr.  Tambyah,  Shroff  of  the 
Mercantile  Bank  bought  it  and  sol  d it  to  Mrs. 
J.  P.  Obeyesekere.  This  enterprising  lady — an  ex- 
ample to  Sinhalese  ladies  in  high  life  and  one  who 
should  receive  royal  recognition  by-and-by — intends 
to  cultivate  it  with  paddy  if  possible.  W e think 
Government  should  help  Mrs.  Obeysekere  to  do  this 
by  preventing  salt  water  flowing  from  the  canal  and 
by  having  the  flood  outlets  in  that  part  of  the  coun- 
try restored.  When  the  seat  of  the  Sinhalese  kings 
was  in  Cotta  the  whole  traot  of  fields  extending 
to  Pamunugama  was  successfully  cultivated  with 
paddy,  and  it  was  so  fertile  as  to  deserve  the  name 
Muturajewela,  which  is  rendered  by  some  as 
the  “ pearl  of  royal  fields.”  The  conditions  neces 
sary  for  the  successful  cultivation  of  these  fields 
are  outlets  to  drain  away  the  superfluous  water 
that  flood  them  after  rains,  and  dams  to  keep 
out  the  flow  of  salt  water  from  the  oenal  to  them. 
In  this  conneotioD,  the  completion  of  the  Flood 
Outlets  oannot  bo  too  strongly  pressed  on  Go- 
vernment. The  Dutoh  had  several  canals  in 
different  parts  of  the  country  out  to  prevent  the 
floods.  Their  traoes  are  still  to  be  found  and 
if  only  these  canals  were  restored  some  of  the 
fields  in  the  Western  Provinoe  that  are  now 
abandoned  might  be  cultivated  with  sucoess. 

DELGOLLA  ESTATE  CO.,  LD. 
Report  of  proceedings  at  the  extraordinary  general 
meeting  of  the  Delgolla  Estate  Co.,  Ld.  held  at 
Hatton  on  the  11th  day  of  April  1893. 
Present.— Messrs.  W.  D.  Gibbon  (in  the  chair), 
Thomas  Mackie,  Buxton  Laurie,  0.  C.  Shepard  and 
A.  P.  Waldock.  Messrs.  A.  E.  Wright  and  W.  Forbes 
Laurie  were  represented  by  their  Attorneys  and 
Messrs.  G.  W.  Suhren  and  W.  W.  Sevier  by  proxy. 
Notice  calling  the  meeting  was  read. 
Minutes  of  the  general  meeting  held  on  the  20th 
January  1893  were  read  and  confirmed. 
The  report  and  balance-sheet  for  season  ending  28th 
February  1893  were  taken  as  read  and  passed.  Com- 
menting on  these  the  Chairman  pointed  out  that  the 
sum  subsequently  realized  for  the  cacao  and  coffee  in 
store  at  28th  February  was  nearly  R900  in  excess  of 
the  sum  estimated. 
declaration  of  dividend. 
Mr.  Shepard  proposed : — “ That  in  view  of  the 
produce  in  store  having  realized  more  than  was 
anticipated  a dividend  of  9 per  cent  be  paid  instead 
of  8 per  cent  as  recommended  in  the  report.”  This 
was  seconded  by  Mr.  Wright  and  carried. 
ELECTION  OF  DIRECTORS. 
Mr.  Waldock  proposed  the  re-election  of  Messrs. 
Mackie  and  Buxton  Laurie,  the  retiring  Directors. 
Seconded  bv  Mr.  Shepard  and  carried. 
ELECTION  OF  AUDITOR  FOR  THE  CURRENT  SEASON. 
Mr.  Gibbon  proposed  and  Mr.  Mackie  seconded: — 
“That  Mr.  John  Guthrie  be  appointed  Auditor.” — 
Carried. 
DATE  OF  ANNUAL  GENERAL  MEETING. 
Mr.  Laurie  proposed : — “That  the  ordinary  general 
meeting  of  the  Company  be  fixed  for  the  21st  day 
of  April  in  each  year,”  seconded  by  Mr.  Mackie  anci 
carried. 
The  Chairman,  who  had  just  returned  from  a 
visit  to  the  Company’s  properties, gave  a short  general 
report.  He  said  that  lie  had  been  most  favourably 
impressed  with  their  present  appearance  and  future 
prospects.  The  young  cooonuts  on  Delgolla  were 
%. 
AGRICULTURIST.  *?ax 
coming  on  very  well  and  promised  in  a few  years  to 
become  a valuable  adjunct  to  the  profits  of  the 
Company.  Last  year’s  clearing  of  29  acres  p’anted 
with  cacao,  Liberian  coffee,  and  coconuts  was  look- 
ing healthy,  and  a further  clearing  of  about  60  acres 
had  been  felled  and  burnt  off  preparatory  to  being 
similarly  planted.  The  new  bungalow  was  approach- 
ing completion  and  would  be  finished  by  about  July. 
As  regards  Isabel,  an  estate  of  160  acres,  of  which 
about  150  acres  are  planted  with  cacao  and  a few 
coconuts — the  Chairman  stated  that  the  property 
had  for  many  years  given  a good  return  aud  with 
liberal  cultivation  and  the  attention  that  would  be 
devoted  to  supplies  and  shade  trees,  should  do  still 
better  in  the  future,  and  prove  a valuable  addition 
to  the  Company.  He  strongly  recommended  the 
further  extension  of  this  estate  by  the  acquisition, 
if  possible,  of  land  in  the  vicinity.  Summing  up  he 
said  that  he  had  been  well  pleased  with  the  property 
on  his  first  visit  previous  to  the  inception  of  the 
Company,  but  now  on  his  second  visit  he  had  been 
much  struck  with  the  improvement  in  general 
appearance,  and  considered  that  the  shareholders 
had  reason  to  congratulate  themselves  on  their 
property,  which  he  thought  was  a valuable  and 
steadily  improving  investment.  There  being  no  further 
business  before  the  meeting  it  was  closed  with  a 
vote  of  thanks  to  the  Chairman. 
A.  P.  Waldock,  Secretary. 
FROM  THE  REPORT  OF  THE  DIRECTORS. 
The  amount  at  credit  of  profit  and  loss  account 
leaves  a balance  of  R13,324'44  to  be  dealt  with,  and 
out  of  this  sum  the  Directors  now  propose  to  pay 
a dividend  of  8 per  cent  on  the  original  capital  of 
R144,000,  leaving  a balance  of  R.804‘44  to  be  carried 
forward. 
The  Directors  are  of  opinion  that  this  is  a satisfac* 
tory  result,  considering  the  very  dry  season  that 
has  been  experienced,  and  which  materially  affected 
the  yield  of  the  various  products  in  which  the 
Company  is  interested.  It  will  be  seen  from  the 
Profit  and  Loss  Statement  that  a considerable  sum 
was  incurred  under  the  head  of  interest,  owing  to  the 
estate  having  been  purchased  as  from  a date  about  three 
months  before  all  the  capital  was  subscribed. 
Owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  cacao  crop,  and  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  shareholders  were  not  called 
upon  to  pay  for  their  shares  till  March  1892,  the 
Directors  deemed  it  advisable  to  carry  on  the  season 
till  the  end  of  February  1893,  and  February  will  in 
future  be  the  terminal  month  of  each  financial  year. 
This  will  also  accord  with  the  date  of  the  acquisition  of 
Isabel  estate  referred  to  below. 
Cacao. — The  original  estimate  for  the  season  was 
300  cwt.,  while  the  total  secured  was  335  cwt.  The 
trees  have  evidently  carried  their  crop  well,  for  the 
estate  superintendent  reports  that  the  cacao  has 
improved  in  appearance  since  the  late  rains,  and 
there  is  a good  blossom  on  the  trees.  He  esti- 
mafes  the  spring  crop  at  about  100  cwt.  Those 
interested  in  cacao  cultivation  have  reason  to  be 
pleased  with  the  satisfactory  prices  now  ruling  for 
the  product. 
Liberian  Coffee  was  estimated  at  80  cwt.,  while 
the  actual  yield  was  75  cwt.  Ou  this  also  a good 
blossom  is  reported. 
Coconuts — The  number  of  nuts  plucked  was  83,311 
as  against  an  estimate  of  80,000,  of  which  some  of  the 
best  were  selected  for  nurseries.  The  area  in  full 
bearing  is  only  about  25  acres,  so  that  the  share- 
holders will  see  that  this  cultivation  is  hut  in  its 
infancy.  A considerable  extent  is,  however  planted, 
and  the  trees  are  coming  on  well.  Each  year  will 
therefore  incres,se  the  value  bf  the  property  and  the 
profit  therefrom. 
Clearings. — Thirty  acres  of  new  land  have  been 
planted  with  oaoao,  Liberian  coffee,  and  coconuts, 
and  the  clearing  is  reported  to  be  doing  well  by  the 
Company’s  Visiting  Agent.  A further  sixty  acres  have 
been  felled  and  will  be  similarly  planted. 
Capital. — In  accordance  with  resolution  passed  in 
general  meeting,  the  Company’s  nominal  capital 
has  been  increased  to  R220,000.  The  Directory 
