March 1, 1901.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 621 
THE KALUTARA COMPANY, LIMITED. 
ACKICAG^:, 31ST DECEMBER, 1900. 
Tea in bearing , . . . 518 acres 
Tea in parLial bearing 
New Clearings 
Artoanuts, Grass, Ravines, Ac. 
Forest 
140 do 
24 do 
10 do 
692 do 
392 do 
Total 1,084 acres. 
The Directors herewith present the accounts for 
the year ending 31st December, 1900. 
The crop secured (including 4,653 lb. manufactured 
from purchased leaf) was 292,305 lb. tea against an 
estimate of 333,000 lb. The average net price re- 
alised was 3r32 cents per lb., against 36 89 cents 
per lb. obtained iu 1899. The cost of the tea liid 
down in Colombo was 2G"07 cents per lb. which 
included a sum of R5,691'75 spent on manuring. 
In addition to a fall in price of 5 57 cents per lb. 
in common with most other low couniry estates, 
it will be observed that the crop was 40,695 lb. 
short of estimate. This most disappointing result 
was directly due to a local drought of unprece- 
dented severity, experienced in the early months 
of the year, from the effects of which it took some 
time for tea bushes to recover. The reduction 
in amount of crop also added to the cost per lb. 
of securing it, which was in consequence dis- 
tinctly high. 
The new clearing, 24 acres in extent, planted 
during the past year is coming on satisfactorily. The 
growth of Para Rubber is promising and the Direc- 
tors purpose extending its cultivation on the Com- 
pany's estates. 
After inaking ample provision for depreciation of 
building and machinery and paying the interest on 
the preference shares, there remains a balance at 
credit of Profit and Loss Account on the the year's 
working of Rl,006'56, to which has to be added the 
balance of R5,921-79 brought forward from 1899, 
making in all a sum of R6,928-35 to the credit 
of Profit and Loss Account, which the Directors 
recommend be carried forward to the current season's 
account. 
The capital expenditure for the past year amounted 
to R6,571-61, chiefly on the opening up of 24 acres 
ir tea and for new lines. 
For the year 1901 the estimate of crop from the 
Company's estates is 324,715 lb. Tea, as against 
an estimated expenditure of R73,693'69 on working 
and R3,448 on capital account. The latter expend- 
iture being mainly on lines and the upkeep and 
supplying of the new clearing. 
During the year under review Messrs. R S 
Templer and G H Alston re-tiigned their seats on the 
Board on their departure for England, and Mr. H 
Cumberbatch and the Hon. Mr. W H Figg were 
appointed to fill the vacancies respectively. 
In terms of the articles of Association Mr. H 
Cumberbatch now retires from the office of Director, 
but is eligible for re-election. 
The appointment of an Auditor for the current 
year rests with the meeting. 
THE GANGAWATTA ESTATES COMPANY 
OF CEYLON, (LTD.) 
ACREAGE : 
Tea. in full bearing 335 acres. 
Do partial bearing 2 do. 
Do not in bearing 8 do. 
(jrass and Ravines 10 do. 
Total 855 acies. 
The Directors beg to submit their Fourth Annual 
Report and Statement of Accounts for the year 
et}ded December 31st, 180J, 
The' Tea crop amounted to 171,406 lb., against 
an estimate of 160,000 lb., which was disposed of 
as follows : — 
Sold in Colombo 170.983 lb. for R61,515-88 
Sold on Estate 291 lb. 263-98 
Carried forward to 
next year 132 lb. — 
171,406 lb. 61,779 84, or an 
average per lb., of 36 07 cts. as com- 
pared with 40'16 otp. last year. 
Cost of production was . . 25'65 cts. 
including Manure .. 2"95 cts. 
As compared with last year . . 27*06 cts. 
including Manure . . 2"70 cts. 
The season was an undoubtedly favourable one 
throughout the Tea districts, and is re-ponsible in 
great measure for the heavy output of tea and the 
consequent overloading of markets and fall in price. 
The area manured with artificial manure was 120 acres, 
which, with 60 acres manured last year, leaves five 
acres only untreated on the Gangawaita division 
of the property. 
The working account shows a surplus of R18,00101, 
an interim dividend of 3 per cent, has been already 
paid, and the Directors propose to pay a final one 
at the same rate making 6 per cent, for the year. 
After this payment, interest on mortgage, com- 
mission to Superintendent and Secretaries, and 
Auditor's fees, a balance will remain of R;!,190 06 
subject to payment of Directors' fees, and it is 
proposed to carry this sum forward to next year. 
A regrettable accident of the year was the loss 
of th<? newly-erected wire bridge in the floods of 
June; half cost of reconstructing this remains to 
be met in 1901. 
Some expenditure will probably have to be incurred 
for providing the factory with fans. In times of 
pressure the withering accommodation is at present 
insufficient. No provision for this is made in the 
estimate. 
Mr. Hayes reports that the property is in good order. 
Crop estimate for 1901 is R17l»,000 lb. Expendi- 
ture is estimated at R44,70(?"50, which includes 
R425,725 for m->nore. This will be applied almost 
entirely to the Bitterne division. 
In terms of the Articles of Association Mr. S. H. 
Hayes retires from the office of Director, and beiug 
eligible offers himself for re-election. 
The appointment of an Auditor for the current 
year rests with the meeting. 
AGRA OUVAH ESTATES COMPANY, LTD, 
THE EEPOUT. 
The Report was as follows : — 
Acreage, SIst December, 1900. 
Agra Ouvah. 
Tea in full bearing . . 302 acres. 
Tea not in bearing ., 20 „ 
Grass and Jungle .. 9 ,, 
Total Estate .. 33l acres. 
Fankertoa. 
Tea in full bearing .. 15 acres. 
Timber clearing ., 10 ,, 
Grass, Pataua ;i.nd Scrub 18 ,, 
Total Estate . . 193 acres. 
Grand Total .. .524 acres. 
The Directors now have to present to the Share- 
holders the accounts for the past year. 
The crop seonreci amounted to 374,274 lb, (beir:g 
84,274 lb. in excebs of the estimate) as ar inst 
293,908 lb. in 1899. 
The average nett price obtained for the tea was 4.5'02 
cents per lb., against 48'90 cents per lb. in 1899. After 
deducting the cost of manufacturing outside leaf, the 
cost of laying down the Company's tea in Colombo 
