March 2, 1903.] THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
619 
however that more money is urgently needed for 
general maintenance, for the keeping of the roads in a 
better state of repair. Yoar Committee have to express 
their regret, a regret which is doubtless shared by 
the Director of Public Works, and the Provincial 
and District Eugineer, that the cau9eway built over 
•the Avissawella river at Algodde has proved an 
absolute failure. A further cause for anxiety is the 
N E approach to the Ruigala Oya bridge, 
Telegkaphs. — Your Committee are glad to be able 
to report that the necessity for a telegraph office 
at Dehiowita has been recognised, and that this 
important section of the district will no longer hz 
left without rapid means of communication with the 
outside world. 
Labour.— There has been a fine supply of labour 
throughout the year, and the tin ticket system is 
working satisfactorily. The labour question, however, 
continues to give cause for anxiety, and it cannot be 
denied that Canganies and coolies generally are mush 
more inclined to bolt, give notice, and repudiate their 
debts, than formerly. 
Pest.— A Eeport on Helopeltis in the Kelani Valley 
has been received from Mr Green with certain sug- 
gestions and recommendations. Four estates have 
been selected to forward to Mr Green, periodically, 
specimens of pruuings. It is hoped that by careful 
attention to directions this pest may disappear. 
Co.iCH Services.— The Yatiyantota-Veyangoda coach 
ceased to run at the end of the year. An additional 
coach between Avisawella and Yatiyantota has been 
started. Your Committee regret that repeated applica- 
tions for an extension of this service to Kitulgalle 
have been unsuccessful. The last communication 
from the P M G w.as to the effect that no funds were 
available for a subsidy. 
C. P. R. C— The Keiani Valley section of the C P R C 
which was started last year, has on the whole, been 
well supported. A good range has been made at 
Dehiowita, and a marked improvement in shooting 
may be looked for in the future. 
Rubber. — Dniing the past year one clearing has 
been opened in this product, and a considerable acre- 
age planted up through the tea on various estates. 
The cultivation of rubber in this district is still in 
its infancy but there can be little doubt that it will 
eventually prove to be an important item in crop 
returns of the Kelani Valley. 
BALANGODA PLANTERS' ASSOCI- 
ATION. 
ANNUAL EEPORT FOR 1902. 
Register — The estates on the roll now number 
15 ; there are also 2 private subscribers. 
Meetings. — Three general meetings were held 
during the year, the average attendance being 
9. The attendance should be improved and I 
siiould only be too happy for any suggestion as 
to longer notices, &c., that would make this 
better. 
Finances.— I lay on the table a statement of 
accounts for the year. 
Crop.— The estimate for 1903 is as follows :— 
Total acreage in tea ... ... 5,761 lb. 
Acreage in bearing ... .. 4,776 1b. 
Total tea crop ... ... 2,050,000 lb. 
Estimate of green tea to be made .. il09,000 lb. 
Estimate of Native Leaf ... .. 11,500 lb. 
Acreage of tea land abandoned dating 
the past year ... .. 61 acres. 
Average 429 lb. made tea per acre. 
This shows an increase of 10,000 lb in crop and 
110 acres of tea in bearing. There is, however, to 
be noted an item of 409,000 lb, green tea as 
against nothing la?t year. This is good and it 
is ro be hoped that some satisfactory solution 
of tlie Cess difficulty may be arrived at so as 
to allow full payments to be made to those who 
really are helping us out of the overproduction 
difficulty. The average yield for the district 
is about the same as last year. I hope that the 
better prices at present ruling will not tend to 
coarse plucking being resorted to. 
Weather, — Tlie season was an abnormally wefc 
one, but none the less suitable for the greater 
portion of the district — 1903 has also been ushered 
in with plenty of rain, so that posyibly we are 
in for a wet cycle. 
Roads, Government Cart Road.— This is in 
excellent order, the gravelling of the less fre- 
c|uented portion being a great improvement. There 
is, however, one matter which I am bringing up 
later in the form of a motion and that is the 
straying of cattle on the road. The thorough- 
fares Ordinance inflicts a possible £5 line and I 
think we should invoke the Government Agent's 
aid. 
Balangoda-Chetnole Road.— This road was 
begun in November and the rate of progress so 
far is satisfactory. The earth work has been 
practically completed on the first two miles and 
the culverts &e. ou one. The first t\^o miles 
should be ready for traffic in June when the 
third mile will be begun. It has not been touched 
as yet. There is a sum ot R30,U00 available for 
tliis year. 
Courthouse. — The Court has sat in the new 
Courthouse for most of the year, but it is only 
a temporary building and I think we should ask 
for one ot tho.se ornate if not palatial buildings 
that Government, I understand, are favouring 
the other end of the province v.'ith. The session 
dates have been altered to Tuesdays and Wednes- 
days in the second and fourth weeks so as to 
allow the Magistrate to travel by coach, By the 
courtesy of the District Judge programmes for 
the first six months have been issued. 
Postal.— Our thanks are due to the P.M.G. 
for having so promptly acceiled to our request) 
about the alteration of the Mail Service and we 
are now asking for the coach to run on Sundays 
as well, Tlie new order of things has so far 
worked well and the coacl'.es come in to time. 
Hospital Matters.— I reg-ret that the three 
improvements urged for some time namelj' : — (1) 
The removal of the mortuary, which is situated 
at present close to one of the wards. (2). A 
covered way between the kitchen and wards and 
(3). The laying down of water-supply — still remain 
to be done. I think they are all reasonable 
and should be attended to without loss of time. 
We were deprived of the services of two nurses 
for a portion of the year, but the staff ha.s now 
been brought up again to its proper strength. 
Mr. Kirby places his resignation before the meet- 
ing and you will be asked to nominate some one 
to serve as Hospital Visitor. Your thanks are 
due to the Visitors for their services during the 
year. 
Labour Fi:;di:ration. — No cases have yet beea 
brouglit before ihe.Comniittee, which is eminently 
satisfactory. 
The Ti's Ticket Svstem.— I have not heard 
any complaints ia the district about the working 
