April 1, 1901.] THE TROPICAL 
AaRiCULTURIST, 
673 
at this depth show plumbago of better quality than 
that to be seen in the 46 feet level of the old shaft. 
This points to one of two things, either the veins 
discovered in the Kingsbury shaft carry better ore 
throughout than those met with in the old shaft, or that 
the quality of the mineral is improving in depth and 
I am of opinion it is the latter and that we shall find 
a corresponding improvement in quality in the veins 
coming down from the 46 feet level. 
In addition to the drivages eastward of the Kings- 
bury shaft, before referred to, a cross-cut has been 
started west, and driven at the time of my visit about 
5 feet, with the object of intercepting the two veins 
driven npon at the 46 feet level of the old shaft. 
I should have preferred sinking the Kingsbury shaft 
another 20 or 30 feet before cross-cutting to those 
veins, as better results might be looked for at a deeper 
level, but this would take time and I am hoping 
that, at the level we are now we shall see an encourag- 
ing improvement in the veins referred to and there- 
fore I instructed Mr. Hntehings to push on the driving 
of this cross-cut with all speed and I hope in a month, 
or less from this, to reach the point aimed at. 
The chief object in sinking the Kingsbury shaft 
was to explore the veins discovered in the old shaft, 
at a deeper level and at better advantage than was 
obtainable at the old shaft. Thus will be seen the 
importance of continuing to a finish the cross-cut 
now started, and it will not be out of place here to 
say that unless this is done little will have been 
gained by the expenditure incurred up to the present. 
As I said before I should like much to have gone 
deeper before tapping these veins, but the cross-cut 
now going in will show them some 30 feet deeper 
than where they were seen before and I am not 
without hope of seeiog an improvement even at 
this depth and if my anticipations prove correct we 
may safely look for still better things as we go down. 
I feel it my duty therefore to advise the carrying 
out of the explorations now in hand at the Kings- 
bury shaft as, with a comparatively small expendi- 
ture now you will attain the object sought namely 
prove, if the mine is likely be a profitable under- 
taking or not. So far, although the real object aimed 
at has not been attained the operations have not 
been without some good results. 
New veins of ore have been discovered that, if not 
of very great value in themselves, show up the highly 
mineralized character of the district and point to an 
improvement in the quality of the ore the deeper 
you go. These facts are important in that when 
numerous small veins are met with it is usually in- 
ferred, and often proves to be true, that a large or 
mother vein exists somewhere in the near neighbour- 
hood and I can see no reason why this may not be 
the case at Iddagoda. 
Before closing I may say that yoiar prospects of 
opening up a productive mine at Iddagoda have in 
no way lessened by recent operations. On the con- 
trary I consider they have been enhanced by the dis- 
coveries made in the Kingsbury shaft anS I have no 
hesitation in recommending a vigorous prosecution of 
the exploration of the mine. — I am, gentlemen, 
your obedient servant, Leonard Tregay. 
Monerakande, February 25th, 1901. 
THE HORREKELLEY ESTATE CO., LTD. 
The Directors have pleasure in submitting the 
accounts of the Company for the year ending 31st 
December, 1900, shewing, after writing off R5,893-57 
for depreciation on Buildings, Plant and Machinery, 
a profit of E25, 104*77, which, with the balance of 
R563'03 brought forward from 1899, gives a total of 
R25,667'80 available for distribution. 
The Directors recommend that a dividend at the 
rate of six per cent on the Capital of the Company 
be declared. This will absorb R24,000, — and leave a 
balanoa of El,667"80 to bo carried forward to 1901, 
The working of the estate for the years 1898, 1899 
and 1900 compares as follows: — 
1898. 1899. 1900, 
Earpenditare on 
Estate and in 
Colombo office 37,014*85 R36,754-67 R35,761'59 
Number of Coco- 
nuts producad 1,437,885 1,305,429 1,602 298 
Quantity of Coir ' 
Fibre made Ballots 35,474 28,324 22,592 
Two Directors— Messrs. F W Bois and C B H 
Symons retire by rotation, and are eligible for re- 
election. 
The Shareholders have to appoint an Auditor for 
1901. 
The current year's prospects are favourable. 
ESTATES COMPANY OF UVA. 
ACREAGE : 
31st December, 1900. 
^ 2 ° =3 
- .2 „.5 o a ^ ^ u"SS S 
.S s- .9 y O 'S S 0) m O 
H H H OH 
Dammeria 515 60 29 604 30 556 1190 
Battawatte and 
Forest Hill 413 178 ... 591 .. 164 755 
Gampaha 455 78 57 590 45 231 866 
1383 316 86 1785 75 951 2811 
The Dii-ectors have now to present to the share- 
holders the accounts of the Company for the past 
year. 
The crops secured amounted to 667,101 lb. tea, 
72i bushels coffee, 167 lb. cardamoms and 41 cwt! 
cocoa. During the year 95,320 lb. tea were 
manufactured on Gampaha for other estates. 
The average nett price realised for the tea was 
34-60 cents per lb., and 98 77 cents per lb. for 
cardamoms, whilst the cocoa realised about R46 
per cwt. 
After writing off for depreciation of buildings 
and machinery the sum R13, 591-72, the nett profit 
for the year amounts to R34,720 26 equal to 4 88 
per cent on the capital of the Compaoy. To thia 
has to be added the balance brought forward from 
1899 of RI3,090-04, less the sum of R409-17 over- 
estimated for tea unsold at the end of that year. 
There is therefore a sum of a47,401-13 available for 
distribution. 
The Directors recommend the payment of a divi- 
dend of 4 per cent, that the sum of E10,000 be placed 
to credit of an Extension Fund Account, and that 
the balance amounting to RS, 981-13 be carried for- 
ward to the current season's account. 
During the year under review a sum of R21, 228-97 
has been spent under capital account, in instal- 
ment due on construction of the Battawate Road, 
additions to buildings and machinery, and upkeep 
of young tea. 
The mortgage of R100,000 referred to in the 1898 
report falling due, the Directors have paid this off, 
and negociated a fresh loan for ^£7,000 sterling on 
more advantageous terms. 
The crops for the current vear are estimated 
at 632,000 lb tea, 25 bushels coffee, 60 cwt cocoa, 
and 150 lb. cardamoms on an expenditure of 
R183,855 a5. 
During the year Mr. G H Alston resigned his 
seat on the Board on his departure for England, 
ard the Hon. Mr. W H Figg was appointed ia 
his place, In terms (ji (lis Articles of Assoc 
