March 1, 1902.J THE TEOPICAi 
AGKICULTURIST. 
625 
assist the absolutely penniless man ; neither 
do they want the Capitalist or Land Jobber 
who can go to the open market and buy 
what they want. In return for occupying 
land under this arrangement, the settler will 
have to hold himself in readiness for service 
when called upon in defence of his country, 
and one week per annum must be devoted 
to training. Government provides a horse, 
rifle and ammunition. 
THK LAND IS IN.4L1ENABLB 
except with Government consent as long as any 
indebtedness remains thereon. The settler can, 
however, pay off all outstandings after three 
years and become a free man. Such, roughly, 
are the conditions and to anyone who likes 
the free open life of the veldt, a home and a 
competency, I can recommend the scheme as 
sound. I am sending you a copy of the "Bloem- 
fontein Post " of iBlst ultimo which con- 
tainsas much information about "Land Settle- 
ment " as the Administrator cares to make 
public at present. 
PRODUCTS AND MISSIONS IN NEW 
GUINEA, 
Duiine the interview witli Bishop Stone Wigg, who 
was in Coloniho this week, and who gave a descrip- 
tion of tlie work, — the work of the Mission stations 
there, how cannibalism was rampant, the Mission- 
aries' objective, pupil teachers and evangelists, the 
work and its iulure, and of New Guinea as a 
land of plenty — he added: — " Tlie land up in tiie 
river districts is rieli passing description. There 
are enormous tracts of country there which will 
grow anything — sugar, rice, rubber, sago, and, 
indeed, I don't know what. I have been told that 
some of the native sugarcane was brought to 
Queensland some time ago, and proved to be one 
of the best stocks used on the plantation, but I 
have not been able to verify that statement. I 
don't think any sago has, but a great deal of it 
is made and used by the natives. In tact, there 
are really no exports at all : and I think this is 
largely due to the fact that the Australian colo- 
nies who had the control of British New Guinea 
( I mean before the Commonwealth), although 
willing to pay some £20,000 per annum, did not 
care to see large tracts of country in New Guinea 
taken up, I think it was a great mistake to be 
so afraid that someone would ' make a good 
thing' out of the country, for there is land enough 
and to spare. Small blocks for growing rubber or 
coconut trees would be useless, for the trees do nob 
mature for some four or five years. The export 
of rubber, if you can dignify it by the title of 
'export,' is smaller now than it was four or five 
years ago, and it is just the same with the beche- 
de-mer and the pearl fishing." — Capricornian, 
Jan 25. 
Coconut Pricbs.— With reference to a 
recent maximum quotation for nuts which 
has been the subject of criticism in 
riew of the fact that the Desiccating 
Mills in the same district were not pay- 
ing so much, a critic now gives the expla- 
nation that evidently " copra driers " can 
afford to pay higher prices than the "Desic- 
cating Mills;"— that is, probably, for nuts 
that are specially suited to th«ir particular 
purpose. 
THE CEYLON PROVINCIAL ESTATES 
COMPANY, LIMITED. 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS. 
The Directors beg to submit their report for the 
jear ended 31st December, 1901, together with a 
statement of accounts tor the same period. 
The Tea Crop amounted to 485,9541b, against an 
estimate of 500,0001b |for the year, and is equal 
to an average yield of 498 lb per acre from the area 
in full and partial bearing. In the case of Glassangh 
the estimated crop was exceeded by some 1,600 lb, 
and shortage in the estimate of Brownlow (a matter 
of between 15,000 and 16,0001b) is attributable partly 
to finer plucking, but mainly to unfavourable weather 
during the last quarter of the year. 
The Revenue and Expenditure account shews the 
year's profit to have been R93,453'67. 
The cost of production in 1901 has been 25-02 c. 
per lb, which includes l'69c. spent on manuring, as 
compared with 24-42 c. and 1-97 c. respectively for 
Season 1900. 
The Crop has sold at an average net price of 44*10 o. 
per lb, as against 42'56c, in 19U0 and 44*62 c. in 1899. 
During the past year the Company's liabilities have 
been decreased by the payment of a loan of R15,O00,O0O, 
thus reducing the "Loans on Mortgages" item in 
the Balance Sheet from R142,473 57 to R127,473-57. 
R10,000 of this was set aside from the 1900 profits, 
and the balance of Ko,000 was met out of this season's 
surplus as shewn in the Profit and Loss account. 
Including a sum of R7,230-44 carried forward from 
season 19u0, the Profit and Loss Account shews a 
balance at credit of R54, 201-25 after payment of an 
interim dividend of 3 per cent, interest on Mortgages, 
Bonuses to Superintendents, and making provision to 
the extent of R7,500 for depreciations of Buildings 
and Machinery. 
The Directors now recommend the payment of a, 
final dividend of 6 per cent which will absorb 
K39,960 and make 9 per cent for the twelve months, and 
that R10,000 be reserved for the purpose of further 
Mortgage redemptions, the balance remaining after 
payment of Directors' fees being carried forward to 
season 1902. 
It was considered desirable to add to the rolling 
and drying plant in the Brownlow Factory, and the 
outlay in that connection, and on improving tha 
withering arrangements has been added to the Capital 
cost of Buildings and Machinery. It is not expected 
that there will be any capital expenditure daring 
season 1902. 
The Estimates for the new season point to a yield 
of 510,000 lb of Tea, costing 24 73 c. per lb, inclusive 
of an allowance at the rate of 1-90 c. per lb for 
manure. 
The following is a definition of the Company'a 
properties as at the 31st December last. 
GLASSAUGH. BROWNLOW. 
Acres. Acres. 
Tea in full bearing . . 452 . . 508 
,, partial bearing ..20 ,. 
,, not in bearing ..20 ,. 
Total in Tea . . 492 508 
Fuel trees 9 ,, 2 
Forest . . , , 33 
Grass . . . , 27 
Scrub and Waste . . 18 . . 20 
Total.. 519 "585 
Mr F L Clements retires from the Board in terms 
•f the Articles of Association, and is eligible for 
re-election. 
The appointment of an Auditor for 1902 rests with 
the Meeting, 
Bj order of the Directors. 
GBOBee SUDART & Oc, 
Colombo, 15th Feb., 1992. Agents and Secretetrifg . 
