722 
THE  TROPICAT 
AGRICULTURIS  P. 
but  the  Association  think  that  it  is  pvactically  im- 
possible to  arrive  at  any  fixed  standard  of  moisture 
in  coffee  applicable  to  Wynaad,  the  Coast  and  London. 
Thr  Queens  Juisilee. — Read  circular  proposing 
the  presentation  of  an  address  to  Her  Majesty  by 
the  U.  P.  A.  S.  I.  & draft  of  the  same.  Cordially  ap- 
proved. 
Coffee  Association. --Read  circular  on  the  proposed 
formation  of  an  Association  to  promote  the  sale  of 
coffee.  Recorded. 
New  Member. — Mr.  .7.  W.  Handly  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  Associat'on. 
THE  UNION  ESTATES  COMPANY  OE 
CEYLON,  LIMITED. 
Tlie  annual  ordinary  general  nieating  of  the 
above  Company  was  held  at  the  Coinpany'.s 
Offices,  No.  7 Queen  Street,  Fort,  Colombo,  at 
1 p.ni.  on  Saturday,  27th  Marcli,  1897. 
The  Directors’  report  was  as  follows  : — 
.ACRK.VOE. 
3 tS 
• ^ cy 
cu 
H 
Dea  Ella 
u 
cJ 
q; 
U 
d 
P ^ 
.2  ti 
1 ^ C 
0 s 
tuc :: 
' o3 
a 
d 
0 
o.> 
»■  cn 
H 
<o> 
0 
0 
0 
s 
0 
•1^ 
0 
H 
! 9 
8 
— 
525 
1,254 
1,779 
1 50 
— 
70 
309 
177 
486 
' 59 
8 
70 
831 
2,431 
1,265 
es  of 
tea  are 
inter 
spersed 
with 
oconuts.) 
The  Directors  have  now  the  pleasure  to  submit  to 
the  shareholders  the  accounts  of  the  Gompaiiy  far 
the  past  year. 
The  tea  crops  considerably  exceeded  expectations, 
having  amounted  to  .705, 092  lb.  against  the  estimate 
of  265,000  lb.  At  dale  aceoniits  have  still  to  be 
received  from  London  in  connection  with  tho  sale 
of  36,515  lb.  Hayes  Estate  Tea  upon  which  a 
reasonable  estimate  of  value  has  been  plac'^d.  The 
271,517  lb.  for  which  account  sales  have  been  rendered 
have  realized  a net  average  of  3/i  cents  per  lb. 
The  cocoa  crop  amonuted  to  cwt.  52-0  18,  which 
realized  only  a net  average  price  of  R31S2  per  cwt. 
The  cost  of  neliv.  riug  tlie  crops  into  Colombo 
amounted  to  R89,820  30  against  the  estimate  of 
R87,065.  The  excess  of  expenditure  over  e.stimate, 
is  fully  acconuted  for  by  the  additional  crop  secured. 
After  making  ample  provision  for  depreciation  of 
Buildings  and  Machinery,  the  result  of  the  year's 
working,  including  a small  balance  from  1895,  shews 
a sum  available  for  distribution  of  R23,0ll  09.  The 
Directors  recommend  a dividend  of  7 per  cent  for  the 
year,  which  will  absorb  R‘22,100,  and  leave  a balance 
of  R614'09  to  be  carried  forward. 
The  question  of  improving  the  transport  facilities  to 
and  from  the  Estates  has  engaged  much  of  the  at- 
tention of  the  Directors.  Work  on  the  Grant-in-Aid 
road  from  Demyaya  to  Anningkaude  is  progressing, 
and  it  is  hoped  that  this  section  will  be  finished 
about  June.  The  Directors  h.ave  joined  in  an  ap- 
plication to  further  extend  this  road  from  Anniug- 
/nHAFED  skin,  files,  SCALDS,  BRUISES, 
C UTS,  ST  I NGS,  N EU  11AL(  1 1C  and  K H E U- 
MAITC  PAINS,  SORE  EYES,  EAR-ACHE, 
TH  ROAT  COLDS,  and  SKIN  AILMENTS  quickly 
CALVERT’S  CARBOLIC  OlMTlYiENT. 
Large  Pots  ISjtl.  each  (English  rate).  Sold  at 
Chemists,  Stores,  Nc. 
p.  C-  CALVERT  & CO.,  Manche.ster. 
[Appil  I, 
1897. 
kaude  to  Hayes  Factory,  and  it  is  hoped  that  work 
on  tins  section  will  soon  be  commenced.  So  far  the 
application  made  for  the  improvement  iff  the  Dea 
Ella  outlet  has  not  been  acceded  to,  bat  the  matter 
has  again  been  brought  to  the  notice  of  Government. 
ibe  crops  estimated  for  1897  are  307,550  lb.  tea 
and  /O  cwt.  cocoa,  and  tho  expenditure  on  working 
account  is  estimated  at  R93,388,  wliicli  includes  ccs't 
of  manntaoturing  26,000  lo.  tea  for  a neighbouring 
estate.  Tiie  outlay  on  capital  account  is  not  yet  esti- 
mated, as  it  depends  largely  on  the  continuation  of 
the  road  to  Hayes. 
Mr  G.  W.  Carlyon  having  resigned  his  seat  on 
the  Board  on  leaving  the  Island,  .Mr.  Alex.  Thomson 
was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy.  Mr.  W.  D.  Gibbon 
retires  by  rotation  and  is  eligible  for  re  election. 
Mr.  Chas.  louug  has  retired  from  the  Board,  which 
vacancy  it  i-eat.s  wit  i the  meeting  to  deal  with. 
An  Auditor  has  to  be  appointed  for  the  current 
year.  By  order  of  the  Directors. 
Whittali.  cSr  Co., 
n 1 I , Agents  & Secietaries. 
Colombo,  loth  March,  1897. 
GOW,  WILSON  A STANTON’S  INDIAN  AND 
CEYLON  TEA  SHARE  REPORT. 
. London,  E.C.,  10th  March,  1897. 
Ihe  uneasiness  generally  felt  in  regard  to  Europeau 
politics  naturaily  tends  to  curtail  investment  buai- 
uess,  and  inquiries  for  shares  have  consequently  been 
limited.  Holders,  however,  have  shown  but  little 
desire  to  part  with  tlieir  securities  except  at  pre- 
in  cases  where  prices  were 
slightly  reduced,  iuvestor.s  have  generally  come  for- 
ward to  absorb  anything  offered. 
J.he  Indian  inarKct  has  Ijeen  very  stroiir,  during 
the  pa-st  fortnight,  a>.d  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  low 
price  grades,  considerably  better  rates  have  been 
obtainable  for  these,  vviiile  the  good  useful  qualiiv 
of  the  autumn  crap  is  proving  a source  of  revenue 
to  the  tea  gardens,  owing  to  the  high  prices  ruhuK  for 
this  class  of  tea.  Noi  much  of  the  season’s  cron 
now  remains  to  be  disposed  of,  and  the  recognition 
ot  this  tact  -has  110  doubt  assisted  to  raise  auota- 
tioiis  in  the  market. 
.the  Ceylon  tea  m.arkot  has  shown  an  advance 
dining  the  fortnight,  and  the  average  price  has  re- 
cently souiewhat  improved.  All  tho  lower  grades  of 
wliole  leaf  tea  are  in  strong  demand  at  iinnroved 
quotations.  '■ 
Dividends.— Associated  Tea  I'lstates  Co.,  an  Interim 
of  3 [ er  cent  on  both  preference  and  ordiiiarv.  The 
Eaesh  River  Co.  nave  declared  a dividend  o'f  G ner 
cent  lor  the  year,  1896.  ^ 
Ph.\\TiN(i  IN  NvAS.SAh.VNi).--\Ve  are  indelited 
■ cm'  - ^ "’eli-kiiowii  pioneer  planter 
on  the  Shire  II ighlaiui.s,  B.  C.  Africa,  for  the 
tollowing  correetions  and  interesting  information- 
the  Maj,  reiiuieil  to  is  the  one  appended  to  tlie 
latest  Keiiort  of  Commissioner  Joliriston  and 
winch  we  reviewed  in  tiie  T.A.  Mr  Moii 
writes  : — 
It  is  pleasant  to  know  you  take  so  much  interest 
in  our  districts.  There  are  some  very  funny  thiims 
about  bir  II.  Johnston's  Map.  Five  of  my  estates 
^re  missed  out  altogether  of  11,000  or  13,0U0  acres 
One  (snrveyeci)  in  at  Chiromo,  and  so  perhaps  more 
or  less  out  of  the  Map,  one  is  certainly  not  snrvevod 
yet.  But  two  that  were  surveyed  at  the  very  same 
time  as  several  others  which  ii-e  mapped,  are  not 
in.  And  tlie  I loneer  estate,  opened  by  H Bro  vn 
IS  hkewi.se  left  om ; why.  I cannot  say 
“ I daresay  you  would  see  that  some  of  our  coffee 
(mine)  ietc  ied  up  to  i06s  6d  for  peas  : and  95s  for 
flat-j:  out  thU  w.is  rathor  ovordned,  as  I fouud  on 
making  careful  experiments  and  weighings  in  London 
lately,  bo  it  had  lost  a little  colour.  We  shrll  d i 
better  yet.  Things  promise  bettor  for  tho  futuro  '■ 
