184 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[Sept, i, 1897, 
CEYLON PLANTERS AND THE OPENING 
Ot THE ANAMALLAI HILLS, COIM- 
BATORE, SOUTHERN INDIA. 
We learn that a Syndicate made up of promi- 
ment Ceylon planters has already secured a 
block of 2,000 acres on the Ananiallai Hills. 
This Syndicate includes Mr. J. N. Campbell 
(Chairman of the Ceylon Planters’ Association), 
Messrs. Norman Grieve, N. Rowsell, E. Hamlin, 
W. A. Mooyaart-Denison and D. Edwards and 
Dr. Renny ; and our readers will recognise among 
these names men of high standing and great and 
varied experience. The land taken up has been the 
subject of a very favourable report ; the elevation 
is from 3,600 to 5,200 feet ; the rainfall is 
ample ; the land itself excellent and very suit- 
able at the lower elevation for coffee (Arabica) 
and higher up for tea. All this is very encour- 
aging to such other planters as desire to take 
advantage of the offer now made by the Col- 
lector of Coimbatore to secure land from the 
large block of 80 square miles (51,200 acres) thrown 
open for selection. It is a great matter to have reli- 
able experienced neighbours Avho, in this case, will 
no doubt pioneer the way with the products 
already mentioned and demonstrate how far a 
labour supply and means of transport can be 
relied on. In both respects, we feel sure that 
the Government of Sir Arthur Havelock will do 
all it possibly can to help Ceylon planters 
taking up and opening lands on the Ananiallai 
Hills. The Governor of Madras knows well by 
experience the great advantage gained by thenative 
population and the country generally through 
the introduction of British capital for the open- 
ing up of hill plantations. He has seen the 
results in Ceylon and has no doubt noted how 
comparatively little the general revenue of the 
Madras Presidency is benehted by the industry 
which has been the mainstay of the revenue and of 
the general prosperity of the community, in Ceylon. 
Then again, there never was a time, perhaps, 
when fresh and abiding sources of revenue are 
more urgently required in India than the present. 
Sir Arthur may feel quite certain of the ap- 
proval of the supreme authorities both at Simla 
and in Downing Street, in adopting a policy 
calculated to give Madras a greater share of 
the prosperity which has attended the planting 
development of Ceylon. At first. Sir Arthur 
must know well that he will have to aid the 
planters with means of outlet — although this may 
be difficult just at present in view of the orders 
issued to him to suspend public works — and with 
such legitimate encourasement as can be given to 
ensure a due labour supply. If the Colleetor of 
Coimbatore and his subordinates have been duly 
impregnated with this view, the Ceylon pioneers 
should have a comparatively easy time ; 
and surely, men taking up land on the Anamalais 
may be congratulated in continuing under the 
British flag as contrasted not only with those 
who go so far afield as Java and Sumatra ; 
but also even with those whose property is 
situated in the Native State of Travancore. On 
the other hand, when once entered upon, 
cleared and iplanted, the Anamallai lands ought 
to be much more readily accessible to Ceylon 
planters, than are the Straits Settlements of 
Selangor and Perak, with their three or four 
days of voyaging from Colombo. 
We cannot write on a matter of this kind — 
the development of planting enterpi ise in 
British Southern India — in anything akin to a dog- 
in-the-manger spirit. Nevertheless, we are by no 
means blind to the possible efifect on Ceylon 
interests when further competition for cooly 
labour springs up. But facing the fact that 
large districts in the Madras Presidency are 
decidedly over-populated, we have no fear that 
when the surplus supplies are properly got at, 
there will not be enough coolies for both Indian and 
Ceylon planters, and theseundoubtedly should have 
the preference whatever may become of planting 
colonies across the seas who look to India for 
indentured coolies. 
DIMBULA VALLEY CEYLON TEA 
COMPANY LIMITED. 
Directors’ Report. — To be submitted to the Share- 
holders at the First Annual Ordinary General 
Meeting, to be held at the Offices of the Company, 
16, Philpot Lane, London, E.C., on Thursday the 
8th day of July, 1897, at 12 noon. 
The Directors have the pleasure to submit the 
General Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account 
for the year ending 31st March last. 
The net amount at credit of Profit and Lost 
Account, after providing for general expenses. Direc- 
tors’ fees, and writing off £1,000 of the preliminary 
expenses, is £13,375 6s 2d. 
Dividends aggregating 6 per cent, have 
been paid for 1896. less Income Tax, on 
the Preference Shares, amounting to ,.£3,000 0 0 
Interim dividends aggregating 7J per 
cent. OB the Ordinary Shares have been 
paid up to 31st December, 1896, araount- 
iBg to .. .. .. .. 7,500 0 0 
It is proposed to pay a final dividend 
of 2J per cent, on the Ordinaiy Shares 
(making 10 per cent, in all), which will 
absorb . . . . . . 2,500 0 0 
It is proposed to carry forward to next 
year a balance of . . , . . . 375 6 2 
£13,375 6 2 
For several months after the inception of the Com- 
pany, by reason of legal difficulties in obtaining pos- 
session of some of the properties, the Directors were 
unable to exercise control over the working of the 
estates referred to. The exceptionally high rate of 
exchange ruling for the whole year and the loss sus- 
tained in supplying rice to the coolies, both consequent 
on the Indian Famine, constituted a serious deduc- 
tion from this season’s profits. 
Notwithstanding these drawbacks, and the unfore- 
seen expenses connected with the first year’s work- 
ing of a new Company, the directors have pleasure 
in recommending a final dividend of 2J per cent., 
making 10 per cent for the year. 
The Chairman visited Ceylon last winter, and re- 
ported most favourably on all the estates, and also 
appointed as manager Mr. C. J. Fattenson, a gentle- 
man of great experience. The directors feel abso- 
lute confidence that the Company's interests in 
Ceylon are in safe hands. 
The total area under full yield was . . 1,441 
Mostly giving its maiden crop . . 250 
Notin bearing, about .. .. 194 
1,885 
To plant, say . . . . 25 
1,910 
The total tea crop for the year was 801,629 lb., 
realizing the fine gross price of 9.22d. The average 
rate of exchange was 1s 2 9-19d. 
Your directors having had the offer of Langdale 
estate, lying adjacent to the other properties of the 
Company, at the price of £22,000, purchased as from 
1st April last, the vendors accepting in payment 
£12,000 in cash, and 1,800 ordinary and 200 pre- 
ference shares. The purchase-price has been paid, 
and the shares allotted to the vendors. The 
conveyance having been completed, the Estate is 
now being worked op behalf of the Company. The 
