(m 
THE TROPICAL AGRlCULrURIST. 
[-March l, 190:3. 
The appoiutmeut of au Auditor for the current ye»r 
rests with the Meeting. 
THE UPPER MASKELIYA ESTATES 
COMPANY. 
Messrs. G H Alston, Ja,3. Polsoa aud W D Gibbon. 
Directors. 
Etatate Superintendent.— Mr L A Wright. 
ACRKAGK. 
December 31, at ISOl. 
Brunswick and 
Bloom deld. Caskieben. 
Tea in full bearing... 44« .. 207 
Tea not in bearing. . 10 ... — 
Grass, Timber Trees, Ac 62 ... — 
518 
207 
The Directors have now the pleasure of laying before 
the Shareholders the accounts of the Company for the 
t)ast year. 
The crop amounted to 338,46filb. Tea, being 18,467 
lb. in excess of the estimate, and sold at an average net 
price of 44 61 cents per lb as compared with 42*57 centa 
per lb in 1900; this price included the grant for green 
teas, for the mann.'acture of which a contract at very 
favourable rates was made. 
Aa Buildings Machinery now stand in the com- 
pany's book? at only ES3,796'»3 an amount far below 
their real value, the Directors do not consider it neces- 
sary oradvisable to write off any more for Depreci»tion, 
The amount at credit of the year's working ia 
R56 520*70, equal to 16*14 per cent on the paid up 
Capital of the Company, to which had to be added 
K2 44 16 brought forwad from 1900, making a total, 
available for distribution, of E59,064*86. Tbe Direc- 
tors now recommend that a sum of B5.000 be trans- 
fered to the Resrve Fund for the equalization of 
Dividends, that a final dividend of 60 per cent be paid, 
making with the interim Dividend of five per cent 
on 31at July last a total of 15 per cent for the year, and 
that the b alance of RI,564-S8 be carried forward to the 
current year's working. 
The Estimate tor the pre.'ient season is 340,000 lb. 
tea on an expenditure of E95,854,*50, which includes a 
sum of R12,262 to be spent on manuring. 
During the past year the Hon Mr W H Figg resigned 
his seat on tbe board, and Mr O H Alston was ap- 
pointed to the vacancy. In accordence with the 
articles of Association, Mr G H Alston now retires 
from the Board, but is eligible for re-election. 
The appointment of an Auditor for the present year 
will rest with the meeting.-By order of the Ditectora, 
WfllTTALL & Ca.. 
Agents and Secretaries. 
Colombo, Jan. 27, 1902. 
BATTIOALOA PLANTERS' ASSO- 
CIATION. 
THE ANNUAL REPORT. 
In submitting the Second Annual Report of the Bat- 
ticaloa Planters' Association, your Committee is able 
to congratulate you on the s.atisfactory position of the 
Aasociation. The roll of subsciibera is a satisfactory 
one. This Association represents considerably over 
li 000 acres and a capital of not less than R4,250,000. 
The attendance of the members at our meetings has 
been good, and our proceedings have been followed 
with keen' interest. It is clear that an Association 
was urgently needed in this district as previously there 
was no public body who would undertake the thank- 
'less task of aiiin:j public grievances and support the 
planting industry of Europe'ins and natives alike. 
Dutch Canal. — This As»oci;vtion has addressed 
Government on the matter time after time. As the 
Dutch Bar Scheme h»B been rightly .abandoned 
there is every chance of having the matter settled 
definitely, as Government has appointed a Oommissioa 
to 6nquue into the matter. The re-opeaing of the 
Dutch Canal has been approved of by almost every 
Governor and by the reslaents in the district. It is 
a matter of regret that some Government officials 
put obstacles in the way of a scheme which will bene fit 
the district to an extent which will amply justify the 
construction of the Canal. Our best thanks are due 
to the Press, and particularly so to the Editors of the 
Ceylon Observer and the " Time-i of Ceylon," for the 
way in which they have supported this Assouiatiou 
in this matter. 
Hospital Wards fob Paying Patients. — Our thanks 
are due to the Government, who have granted the 
construction of two Wards. It is to be hoped that 
th.; building operations will be started without delay. 
Watek Supply for the Town — Your Committee 
regrets to state that nothing has been heard of this 
matter since H.E. the Governor was last at Batti:aIoa, 
Government shouM be urged to devise a wholesome 
water supply for the towo. 
Sanitation of the Town. — Very little attention 
seems to have been paid by the Local Board auth- 
orities to this important matter. But the thanks of 
the Public are due to the efforts of the medical 
otHcers to bring about a better state of affairs. 
Dry Dock. — It is satisfactory to report that H.E. 
the Governor has very kindly promised the Batticaloa 
Steamboat Syndicate eveiy help and assistance. The 
dock appears to have been finished, and it is likely 
that the steamers will soon be able to resume their 
regular service to Ealmunai. 
Motor Gars. — The arrival of Motor Cars con- 
veying the mails and passengers to and from Luaugalla 
will add considerably to the advancement of this 
Province. The regular service will be commenced on 
the Ist of May. 
Roads. — Complaints about the state of Roads, 
Bridges and Causeways have been frequent and con- 
tinual. 
Survey Department. — This Province, one of the 
largest in the Island, has not the privilege of a Superin- 
tendent of Surveys. Consequently Government surveys 
have to be done by private surveyore. Your Com- 
mittee begs to advise that this Association take 
immediate steps to get a resident Superintendent 
of Surveys appointed as heretofore. 
Coc'NUTs. — The crops at the beginning of the year 
have been considerably affected by the drought of 
the preceding year. However, during the last 6 
months considerable improvement has taken place, 
and copra has risen greatly in price. A large acreage 
has been brought under cultivation and is sure to 
attract European capital to this Province- 
Paddy. — An average crop baa been reaped 
during the year. A similar crop ia expected 
for 1902. The large irrigation achemes North and 
South of Batticaloa will add considerably to the 
acreage already under cultivation. 
Changes in the Civil Service. — Your Committee 
begs to congratulate the Hon. C A Murray, the 
former Government Agent, on his promotion in the 
service, and our thanks are due to him for the 
courtesy, great help and oucourafement be has 
always given to our Association. We are glad to 
see that his successor, Mr. S Haaghton, ia likewise 
giving this Association every help and assistance, 
for which we are much indebted. 
Obituary.— Your Committee begs to record with 
great regret the demise of Mr, W T Wambeek, a 
valued member of this Association and much re- 
spected in the district. 
HEWAHETA PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION. 
ANNUAL EEPORT 
There were three Committee meetings and three 
General meetings held during the year. 
Finances — The balance to credit of the Association 
ia R263*33,a3 compared withR135*87 at end of last year. 
Membership. — Includes uiue estates in Upper, and 
eight estates in Lower Hewaheta. Your Committee 
