Mapx'Ti 2, 1903.] THE TROPICAL AaRICULTUPJST. 
G03 
DIKOYA PLANTERS ASSOCIATION. 
REPORT FOE 1902. 
Membership. — There are 79 members on tlie 
roll, 75 estates and 4 private subscriber -i, as 
against 80 members last year, one estate havin};; 
witlidrawn, being; one of a j^roU|) whose interests 
are alrea<ly represented. 
Finance.— Your Committee are glad to be able 
to report that the finances are in a satisfactory 
condition, all outstandings havin<» been paid, and 
a sum of K7"90 is in hand, as against a debit 
balance of R57"82 at the end of last year. 
The accounts have been audited by Mr Hamlin 
and certified as correct. 
Labour. — Whilst as a whole the District has 
been sufficiently supplied, your Committee 
would strongly urge on its members, in view of tlie 
shortage which undoubtedly exists, the desirability 
of recruiting fresh labour from the coast, and 
not relying on their neighbours for their require- 
ments. 
Labour Federation.— Duringthe yenr two Com- 
mittee meetings and one General meeting have been 
held. The Committee had some senous differences 
of opinion to arbitrate on, and are glad to say that 
in each case the parties concerned agreed to 
abide by the decision of tiie Committee, which 
course is to be strongly recommended. A scheme 
for Local Federation was brouglit forward and 
was fairly well supported, but as the required 
support of 75 per cent of the acreage was nob 
obtained,' it fell througli. 
Hospital. — Your Committee regret tliat, not- 
withstanding the urgent claims this District has 
for a new hospital, during the year under 
review no steps have been taken to rectify this 
most unsatisfactory state of affairs, beyond sur- 
veying a site for the proposed New Building. 
It is, however, with satisfaction that your Com- 
mittee are able to report that the hospital wa3 
personally inspected by His Excellency the 
Governor on January 20th, 1903, who is now 
fully alive to the pressing need there is of at 
once taking in hand this most important work. 
The t hanks of the Association are due to His Excel- 
lency for giving this matter his personal attention, 
and it is to he earnestly hoped that before long 
the District will be in possession of a hospital 
not only suitable for the purpose it is intended 
for, but worthy of the requirements of the District. 
Tin Ticklt System and Registration of 
Estates. -This has been working satisfactorily 
during the year, and, with the few minor improve- 
ments in details now being made, will prove to 
be a still greater boon to Planters. Your Com- 
mittee would urge all members of the Association 
to give the system a thorough and careful trial. 
The registration of estates is now compulsory, 
whether estates avail themselves of the scheme 
or not. 
District and Minok Roads.— The main roads 
are in good order, having been much improved 
by widening the bad corners and narrow portions. 
A sum of R900 has been received and distributed 
on minor roads which have all been well kept up. 
Railway Matters. —The improvement— more 
especially in the Goods Department- which was 
hopeil for in our last annual report, has not 
been noticeable. Hatton station is however, being 
nlarged, and is better regulated. 
Hatton Police Magistrate.— During the 
ye^r the Government was petitioned to reli-ive 
the Magistrate of his work at Nuwara Eliya 
and Nawalapitiya. The Dimbula, Maskeliya and 
Ambegamuw.i Planters' Associations supported 
this Association, and Government has now 
relieved the Magistrate of his Nawalapitiya work, 
v/hich should lead to less delay in dealing with 
cases. 
Police. — The Police appear to have generally 
done their work botii well and efficiently, and 
it is worthy of comment, that since the establish- 
ment of a Guard-room at Kotiyagala, petty 
thefts, such as fowl liftiug, etc., have practically 
ceased. 
Pests and Diseases.— Your Committee are 
glad to report that on the wh.ole the District h is 
been free from any serious outbreak of either 
^ Nursing Association — A scheme by wbioh 
Superintendents and Assistant Superintentlents 
of estates can now receive the full benefits of 
the Association, by estates subscribing a reduced 
sum to the funds, has lately come into forces 
Your Committee would commend this scheme to 
all Proprietors and Agents of estates, for wliilst 
by joining they would assist in putting the 
Nursing Association of Ceylon on a sound 
financial basis, they would also at the same 
time provide for the efficient nursing of their 
Superintendents in time of sickness. 
Official Crop Estimate —The returns have 
been received from all estates except 9 for which a,iv 
average based on previous returns has been struck. 
The figures are as follows :— Total tea 29,329 
acres ; tea in bearing 28,(511 acres ; estimated 
crop 13,022,450 lb. This gives an average of 453 
lb. an acre, against 465 lb. last year. Your 
Committee are of opinion that last year's estimate 
of 13,000,000 lb. owing to the abnormal season 
was not realised. 
Obituary. — Your Committee regret the losses 
to the District caused by the deaths of Messrs R H 
Tennaut and John Fyler. 
statement of accounts. 
Expenditure.— To accounts paid on account, 
1901, R61-86 ; 79 subscriptions at R7-50 paid A. 
Philip, K.592 oO ; clerk for 12 months, R120 : 
advertising RCTTS ; rent of room, R75 ; labour 
federation expenses, R5'25 ; postages, R3G ; sta- 
tionery, R15 ; telegrams, Rl-70 ; cheque book, 
commission, etc., R14-55. Total R983 61, Balance 
in hand R7'90. Grand total R991-54. District 
Road Account. — To amount spent on roads R83'3 ; 
balance in hand R67.— Total R900. 
Receipts.— By amount brought forward R4 01; 
75 estate subscriptions at R12/50, R937 50 and 4 
private subscriptions at R12/5J, RoO, R9S7'5 ). 
Grand total R991'54. District Road Account. — 
By amount of vote R900.— Total R900. 
By amount carried forward as per Bink pas?- 
book, R74.90. 
"OOLONGS" TEA-AND THEIR 
MANUFACTURE. 
Having sent a copy of the pamphlet con- 
cerning Formosa Oolongs to Mr. F.iirhnrst, 
he is good enough to write to ns astollows:— 
" I only saw it (the pamphlet) on the morn- 
ing of the Dimbula Planters' Association 
meeting when ic was too late to alter my 
paper. I do not suppose that anyone in 
Ceylon has tried the pvocesa indicated in the 
