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For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell

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MR. W. F. NUTT'S WORK. [Articles] 0. The Straits Times 7 January 1918 Page 10 MR W.F. NUTT’ S WORK Proposal to Present Two Fighting Planes (From our own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur January 5 The Selangor Chamber of Commerce gave a farewell dinner to the Hon. Mr. W. F. Nutt. There was a representative gathering. Mr J.A. Russell, who presided, eulogised Mr. Nutt’s public services. Mr. Russell proposed to commemorate Mr. Nutt’s work by the presentation of two fighting planes. He offered to present one himself if the merchants presented the other. (78 words)

Hand written minutes of a meeting of the Selangor Branch Committee held at Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday 30th January 1918 at 2.30 pm. Present. Mr. J. A. Russell, Chairman. Hon. Mr. A.K.E. Hampshire, Messrs. C.W. Mathewson, G.D.S. Morgan and F. Topham, members. 1. Minutes. The minutes of the last meeting having been circulated are now taken as read and are confirmed. 2. New Companies Enactment. It is decided that as Perak is against any further action being taken in this matter that Mr. Hampshire be asked to point out at the next meeting of the Federal Council the inconsistency of the Government which whilst anxious that all fit men who can be spared should proceed home persists in introducing legislation increasing the work of the unofficial community” (Summary 3. Rubber duty. Discussed Mr Zacharious, secretary of P.A.M. agrees duty should be Singapore highest price and not London. Suggests meeting with High Commissioner to propose that if Gov. loses revenue the community will pay a higher rate of tax. He retires from meeting. Considerable discussion, decision to ask Mr. Hampshire to see Chief Secretary privately to ascertain Government views. 4. Import of motorcars. Mr. Morgan about the difficulty of importing cars, will draft a letter to Gov. on subject. 5. Customs Department. Mr. Morgan on trouble and inconvenience when dealing with customs department. Members asked to give specific cases before any further action.) Note by Ed. minutes are not signed by the Chairman. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia. (Part of a report of the Federated Malay States Chamber of Commerce Year book for 1917 printed in Singapore in 1918)

Letter. No. 107/1918 31st January, 1918 To His Britannic Majesty’s Minister Washington, Sir, I have the honour to inform you that on the 28th instant I sent to your address a telegram of which the enclosed is a copy. I have the honour to be Sir, Your obedient servant, Sd. Arthur Young. Government House, Singapore. Note in pen: “ The cost of this telegram was $163-90. Receipt annexed.” Despatched on 28.1.18. British Minister Washington, It is urgently necessary that output of coal from Malayan Collieries Limited in FMS should be increased full stop For this reason request you to endorse Wallis care Chartered Bank of India Australia and China 88 Wall Street New ?(York) application to export following Electrical Apparatus and material to Selangor FMS to be supplied by General Electric Company full stop Six double pole switches and fuses in cast iron cases one double pole clad circuit breaker one double pole switch and fuse in cast iron case all as per specification number 10 in wallis’ possession full stop 800 and 80 yards twin core paper insulated single wire armoured cable 100 yards of single core rubber insulated cable twelve cast iron terminal boxes horizontal type two straight through cast iron joint boxes horizontal type box filling compound 50 per cent capacity of boxes cable suspenders and 20 per cent spare suspenders all as per specification number 11 in wallis’ possession full stop These articles are certified by Senior Warden of Mines to be indispensable Wallis has been cabled to produce specifications and indents for your inspection High Commissioner Document in the National Archives of Malaysia. High Commissioners Office Ch Sec 107/18

Letter from O. F. Stonor, Office of Secretary to the Resident, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, 21 February 1918 to The Under Secretary, F.M.S. Kuala Lumpur. Importation of Plant from the United States to Malayan Collieries, Limited. Assistant by Government. Sir, I am directed to forward copy of letter from the Senior Warden of Mines (with enclosures) recommending that assistance be given to “ Malayan Collieries, Limited” for the importation of plant the United States. 2. The Resident recommends that His Excellency the High Commissioner be asked to sanction the despatch of a cable as desired. 3. A former application was dealt with in CSO 260/18. I have etc., Sd. O. F. Stonor Secretary to resident, Selangor.

CABLE. Owing imported coal unavailable shortage of wood fuel urgently necessary increase output local colliery permit requested transport and export four miles railway track forty pound rails with nineteen sets points and crossings all necessary fish plates and fastenings under order from Robertson Cole and Company, 149 Broadway New York stop Colliery agent is Wallis care Chartered Bank India etc. 88 Wall Street New York. Documents in the National Archives of Malaysia 328/18

The Federated Malay States Chamber of Commerce Year book for 1917 Containing Second report, accounts for year 1917 Roll of members, Trade Statistics for 1917, Rules. Printed in Singapore by Fraser and Neave, Limited Printers 1918. General committee. President Mr. F.S. Physick (Perak) Vice President Mr. J. A. Russell (Selangor), Hon. Mr. W. F. Nutt, Mr. J. Argyll Topham (Selangor). Mr. F. E. de Paula, Mr. F. N. Pearse, (Perak). Branch Committees. PERAK. Mr. F. S. Physick, Chairman. H.W. Fortesquieu, Mr. A. Mourin, Mr F.N. Pearse, Mr. E. D. McPherson, Mr. F. E. De Paula, Mr. R. S. Stewart Messrs. Evatt and Co. Branch Secretaries. SELANGOR. Mr. J. A. Russell, Chairman, Hon. Mr. W. F. Nutt, Mr. A.K.E. Hampshire, Mr. C.D. Mathewson, Mr. G.S.D. Morgan, Mr. J. Argyll Robertson, Mr. D.F. Topham, P.W. Gleeson, Branch Secretary, Representatives on the London Committee Straits Settlements Association Mr. D. W. Gilmour, Dr. E.A.O. Travers, Representatives on the Local Committee Rubber Growers Association, Hon. Mr. W. F. Nutt, Mr. A.K.E. Hampshire, Mr. F. S. Physick.

Appendix C. Minutes of Second Annual general meeting of the Selangor Branch. The Second Annual General Meeting of the Selangor Branch of the F.M.S. Chamber of Commerce was held in the Mercantile Bank Buildings Kuala Lumpur, at 2.30 pm on Wednesday 27th February, 1918, there being present: - Mr. J. A. Russell (Messrs. J. A. Russell & Co.) who presided, the Hon. A.K.E. Hampshire (Messrs. Boustead Hampshire & Co. Ltd.) Mr. J. L. Sime, (The Straits Trading Co.) Mr. J. Argyll Robertson (The Chartered Bank) Mr. D.F. Topham (Messrs. Harper & Co. Ltd.) and Mr. G.S.D. Morgan (Morgan’s Agency), Committee, and Messrs. H.P. Clodd (Planters’ Stores & Agency Co. Ltd) T.D. Betteridge (Guthrie & Co. Ltd) J. D. Blunn (H. Wolskel & Co. Ltd) J. Straton Ferrier (Mercantile Bank) J. Daking (John Little & Co. Ltd) and Mr. P. W. Gleeson (Branch Secretary) The chairman said: (Summary: minutes of last annual meeting in 1916 Year book, only branch meeting, report and accounts at general meeting held towards end of next month, general meeting at Ipoh, do not propose to make speech, before business refer to loss of Mr Nutt’s services, the dinner, suggestion of fighting plane for war office, request for more money as only collected $4,200 so far. Selangor import and export figures, prosperous year for trade generally. Rubber figures, tin exports, country fortunate in having perennial sun, even rainfall, fertile soil, no natural catastrophes, peaceful population, access to labour markets, trained civil service, ordered Government, rubber and tin, as rubber declines tin brightens, shortage of skilled labour, scarcity of mining requisites, discouraging attitude of local Government towards mining. Tungsten ore export figures.) “Well that is all I have to say without encroaching upon Mr. Physick’s preserves, but, trusting that he will forgive me, I should like to take the opportunity afforded by today’s meeting of making one remark of my own upon a danger which, from the study of the general present trend of things at Home and a knowledge of how our local Government as are apt to regard local ability, I fear may possibly, if only slightly, confront in the future the legitimate and hard earned vested interests of the merchants and miners of the F.M.S. and the Straits. I am afraid that the Home Government, and to a greater extent our own Government, are rather under the impression that local firms and local men are incapable of any but very minor efforts, have small capacity, cannot possibly raise outside capital should it be required, and have no Home connections of any value. In fact, the old adage concerning the profit in his own country appears to be even more commonly accepted here than it apparently was some few thousand years ago in that land which is now our latest conquest. Hence Government purchases are not made through Straits or F.M.S. firms, but through Crown Agents. When a new Departmental Head is required, someone is specially imported to fill the post from say, British Juju Land or some other distant Possession. A mining concession of which I know was put up to tender, but not granted to the local tenderers but to someone in London who promptly turned it over at a profit to a couple of City gentlemen of foreign extraction who had never, so far as I could find out, been interested before in mining. When certain new legislation was proposed, it is rumoured that the advice was asked and followed of the R.G.A., very few of whose members can ever have been in this country. I am impelled to make these remarks because I am apprehensive that the attitude of which I complain may be on the increase, and that unless we are on our guard and our local Government is prepared to support us, this very admirable spirit of British enterprise which is now awakening and stirring at Home may have as a minor and quite avoidable result a gravely detrimental affect upon local merchants’ interests without any corresponding advantage to the Empire. I am sure that there can be no doubt that we all heartily welcome anything tending to British development of the British Dominions, but unless our Government can be disabused to some extent of its human proneness to too greatly underrate the local and the familiar, Malayan firms may find that they have been excluded from enjoying the fruits of years of pioneer work, and of their own enterprise and industry, by financial rings at Home who have received preferences and advantages at the hands of our local administrators, preferences and advantages which have been denied to local men and firms and with the help of which they could probably have given just as good results. The British Trade Corporation, the Non- Ferrous Metal group, the suggested British Empire Oil Development ring are all very well in their own way, but they are the sort of thing that can be overdone, unless care be taken that injustice is not committed without the compensation of any offsetting advantage to the Empire. Commander Wedgewood had recently to mention in the House of Commons the inadvisability of extending all the previous of the Non-Ferrous Metal Bill to Malaya, or as he said, “the Straits”, if such might mean the extinction of local British enterprise here for the sole benefit of a London monopolistic ring. Few of us agree with all that Commander Wedgewood says, but I think that there is a good deal in the strictures that he, Mr. J. M. Robertson, late Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, and others recently made in the House of Commons. The more capital, provided it is British capital, that we can encourage to come here, the more prosperous and better pleased we shall be; but we think that if there is any question of preference it should, other things being equal, be due to British merchants. However, we will not ask for preference. All we ask for is strict impartiality, and despite the fears I have thought, in view of the present tendency at Home and the attitude towards local interests of the local Government, it is not improper to express, I really believe that this impartial treatment we shall get, if, of course, it be ever needed.” (No questions, ballot for seven members, new committee elected) Document in the National Archives of Malaysia. (Part of a report of the Federated Malay States Chamber of Commerce Year book for 1917 printed in Singapore in 1918)

Trade of Selangor. [Articles] 0. The Straits Times, 2 March 1918, Page 24 0. Trade of Selangor. At a general meeting of the Selangor Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday last, Mr. J. A. Russell, who presided, mentioned in the course of his remarks (says the Malay Mail) that the imports of Selangor last year were $37,277,425, an increase over last year of $3,720,921. The total includes $1,176,300 in coin and bullion. The exports were $101,830,247, an increase of $19,086,556. I think that on the whole, said Mr. Russell, despite the difficulty in obtaining supplies, there is no gainsaying that the year has been a prosperous one in Selangor for trade generally, and if the outlook be now not so good, we must not grumble. Rubber had quite a prosperous twelve month. The Selangor exports were 32,614 tons, showing an increase of 3,092 tons over those for 1916. The present situation, however, is rather disquieting, and one made more unhappy still by the false basis upon which duty is charged. The decision of the Government not to refund amounts of duty wrongly paid by mistake also seems unreasonable and unjust. No commercial firm could possibly either morally or legally lay claim to amounts paid it in error. I now come to tin. The Selangor export figures were piculs 205,649, showing a decrease of piculs 21,524, but an increased value of $369,976. The extra war tax on Selangor tin for the year was $224,673. 0. (232 words) 0.

The Straits Times, 4 March 1918, Page 8 0. SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. The Straits Echo hears that Mr. J. A. Russell, of the Malayan Collieries, is about to start wolfram mining on a concession that he has recently purchased in Kedah. 0. (417 words) 0. The Singapore Free Press. Tuesday, March 5, 1918. [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 5 March 1918, Page 4
 We are told that Mr. J. A. Russell is about to start wolfram mining on a concession that he has recently obtained in Kedah. (S.E.)

The Straits Echo Mail Edition 27 March 1918. North Kedah Red Cross Fund. Subscription List (includes) J. A. Russell Esq. $5,000.00

Selangor Miners. [Articles] 0. The Straits Times, 10 April 1918, Page 13 , also published in the Malayan Tin and Rubber Journal 16 March 1918 Vol. V11, No 7, page 410 and The Malay Mail, 4 April, p.8 0. Selangor Miners. ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1917. 0. Policy of Conserving Areas. 0. The Committee of the Selangor Miners' Association submit the following annual report for the year 1917:- 0. During the year under review there were 11 meetings - eight being committee meetings and three extraordinary general meetings, including an extraordinary general meeting of the F.M.S. Chamber of Mines. Besides the above there were two usual council meetings of the F.M.S. Chamber of Mines held here. 0. Our membership stands at 88… 0. The Chamber has sustained a great loss by the death of Dr. Loke Yew, C.M.G., L.L.D. Resolutions of condolence and regret have already been passed and recorded by this association. In the early days when our financial position was in a precarious state, Dr. Loke Yew, then President of the Association, kept it in existence for years with his own financial support. We also deeply regret the death of Towkay Khoo Hock Cheong who was for three successive years a member of the committee. 0. Increased monthly subscriptions…raised to $24 per annum. The subject of building a roasting furnace was discussed at several meetings, and the sub committee… feared that there would not be enough pyritical ore to be had, and that the Straits Trading Co. were again buying this class of ore at more reasonable prices than those offered by The Ampang roasters. The suggestion to build a roasting furnace…. was withdrawn. The question of conversion of mining leases into agricultural titles was brought up…. matter should be… within the Planters Association, the policy of this association being to conserve mining areas rather than deplete them. 0. The land on which the building stands was declared forfeited by the Government and realienated to be used as a site for the Chinese Town Hall, in which the late Dr. Loke Yew had promised to provide accommodation for the Selangor Miners’ Association…. Mr. Cheong Yok Choy….. appointed …in his place. 0. Sailors Day Fund. 0. …all miners.. contribute 2 per cent of proceeds of tin ore sold during month of August towards the Sailors’ Day Fund to provide relief to those sailors who were disabled or killed in action, or to their dependants’… circulars distributed.. handsome sum collected through the Tin Ore Buyers Guild. 0. During year the tin prices ..going up.. to a stage never recorded before. From about $85 per picul ..it rose to.. $140 per picul… brought about prosperity…..meetings…enable all members of all States to meet at different centres, assist to a better understanding. 0. The question of the Warden’s Court..unanimous agreement that the Mining Enactment should be amended to allow miners to appeal against decisions of the Warden… and Judges be assisted by two mining experts as assessors. …Revision of Rules. A sub- committee consisting of Messrs. J. A. Russell, Choo Kia Peng, A.A. Hengeler and Lee Man Pun, was formed to revise the rules of the association. The new rules were passed at a general meeting and are now in force. We are preparing a small booklet on the subject of over milled rice in Chinese for circulation among mining labourers. The Government has kindly undertaken to pay for the cost. We have represented the matter of lampan licences to the Government through the F.M.S. Chamber of Mines… reply from Government not satisfactory… Shortage of labour of …25 per cent…during the year. In spite of the fact that some rubber estates are reducing their labour forces the demand for labour among miners is still as acute as before…affects output… questions of bullock cart loads, or firewood transports, mining timber, thefts of mining tools etc received attention of the committee. 0. (987 words)

Letter to the Secretary to the Resident, Selangor from Collector of Land Revenue, Land Office, Kuala Lumpur, 30th April, 1918 Sir, I have the honour to send you on the back of this a sketch showing 11 and half acres of residential land off Maxwell Road for which Mr. J. A. Russell applies. This application covers sites 3,4,5 and the land between these and the old estate road see your 4441/10. Mr. Russell wishes to use this land for a bungalow for his own use to cost at least 10000/-. I think that 11 and half acres is more than one person can expect to be given in this situation and I suggest therefore I be told to offer him one of the sites 3 4, and 5 at a premium to be fixed by the Hon’ble the British Resident and with a building time clause. I have the Honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, ? Collector of Land Revenue, Kuala Lumpur. ( Map on reverse) Selangor 1811/1918 Residential land Application 9 and half acres Maxwell Road. Kuala Lumpur Town, Mr. J. A. Russell and Mr. D. O. Russell.

The Selangor Miners Association Minutes of an Extraordinary General Meeting at the Association’s Chamber held on the 2nd May 1918, with Mr Choo Kia Peng in the chair. Reported in F.M.S. Chamber of Mines No. 7 July 1918. (Summary: list of those present Mr. Choo Kia Peng J.P. (President) Mr. A.A. Henggeler (Vice President) and 24 Chinese members. Also present Hon British Resident Mr. E. G. Broadrick, Senior Warden of Mines F.M.S. Mr. W. Eyre- Kenny, Warden of Mines Mr. M.A.V. Allen, Mr. H. N. Ferrers, Mr. David Freeman, Mr. de Stoutz and others. Chairman’s report, members had met on 24th April to consider how to improve tin production. Shortage of labour, resolved to increase hours of mine work, reported to Resident and Senior Warden of Mines co-operation of miners who are not members essential, High Commissioner assured the Association at Ipoh that Government would assist miners. F.M.S. largest tin producers in the world, Chinese largest producers in this country, tin vital for the war, request for Resident to address meeting. Resident: Tin supplies short, request from Imperial Government to increase output, methods need to be adopted by everyone. Increased output will help win the war. China also at war with Germany common cause of allies. Letter from Conservator of Forests, E. Cubitt read. Inland forest reserves opened for fuel. Unable to accede to Ampang but hope to increase Bakau along the coast. Rules there to insure against future want. Discussion on need for extra labour and firewood. Mr. Loke Chow The mine at Ampang unable to get sufficient fuel from Malayan Collieries, order for 500 tons cut to 200. Shortage of trucks on railway. Resolution to ask mines with machinery to work 24 hours a day. Senior Warden of Mines says that Malayan Collieries would have a much larger output but for the war. Output will be bigger in three months. Difficulty of getting labour increased by plague in China. Resolution that miners work an additional shift a day, and be paid at higher rate. Mr Yap Loong Hin referred to land sublet to tributers and suggested that towkays approach their tributers to increase working hours. Resolution on above passed. Mr. J. A. Russell was unable to attend but his letter as follows was read to the meeting. “ Kuala Lumpur, 2nd May 1918. To the President, Selangor Miners’ Association, Kuala Lumpur. Dear Sir, As I informed you this morning, I do not know whether I can get to the Association on time for this afternoon’s meeting, but in case I am unable to do so, I would ask that you kindly to inform the meeting that I personally am strongly in favour of the proposal that we should get all our naichiang and other wage coolies to work three instead of two shifts a day, which even then would only mean a working day of nine hours. I also support the proposal that fun-tsz-ka or co-operative coolies be asked to work longer hours, although I am of the opinion that the profit making basis upon which these coolies work is sufficient inducement for them to work longer hours when they are mining rich land. As this latter class of labourers is in the great majority in Selangor, the State’s output could be greatly increased by opening some of those rich areas which are at present closed to mining. The flats in Selangor have to a great extent been exhausted, but there is probably still as much or more ore in the hills than ever came out of the flats. For some years past, however, the Government has discouraged hill mining and to this, to the amount of land in the Ulu which has been taken up for rubber, and to the refusal of the Government to allow the mining of certain areas of padi land known to be rich in tin, is undoubtedly due to the decrease in our production, which, under existing conditions, must inevitably still further decline. I would, therefore, strongly urge that the Peretak Mukim of Ulu Selangor be once more thrown open to applications for mining land, and that lampan- licences be re-issued to the numbers of already alienated mining blocks in that mukim which at present are not allowed to be worked. I am confident that the energetic mining of Peretak would increase the Selangor tin production by a very considerable percentage. To return to the question of labour, I am against raising wages unless labour increases the amount of its work, as otherwise I believe that higher wages would result in less rather than more tin being won. I would strongly depreciate any increase in shongkee or initial advances, as this would really only be a cloak for crimping and would not benefit the total tin production. Although the cost of tin mining requisites is high, I do no think that, if such requisites are actually obtainable, their high cost is having any marked detrimental effect upon the volume of tin production, for the present price of tin far more than compensates for the increased expenditure needed for material. As a minor point I would suggest that where mining applications are refused some briefly- stated reason be given. During the last few days I have had two mining applications refused, both of which have been under consideration for some considerable period. One was made in 1916. No reason is given as to why these applications are refused. It may be that it has been decided to grant the land to someone else or perhaps to auction it, but on the other hand it may be that my applications have been rejected for some defect that I could very possibly overcome, were I only told what it was. Yours faithfully, Sd. J A Russell.” Mr. H. N. Ferrers hoped that they would see Mr. Russell’s letter in full in the “ Malay Mail”. He agreed with Mr Russell’s letter. Two points he especially agreed with, one the opening of the application book in mukim of Peretak and that lampan licenses be granted in that district to existing blocks, and the other, the failure to give reasons when an application is refused. He moved these in the form of a resolution, carried. Discussion on opening of forest reserves, introduction of common dumping grounds, water supply, machinery, fuel, water power, chairman summary.

The Straits Times, 13 May 1918, Page 10 0. Mr. A: H. Flowerdew, the well known Perak mining engineer, has arrived in Kuala Lumpur and is joining Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co. (24 words)

The Straits Times, 13 May 1918, Page 8 and Untitled [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 13 May 1918, Page 4
 It is reported that, owing to the recent heavy rains the lower workings at the Malayan Collieries' property are flooded. To lessen the amount of water to be dealt with, hydraulic sand stowage for the time being has been stopped. The increase of water attending the extension of workings was foreseen and extra plant to cope with it was ordered from home over a year ago. Unfortunately upon completion of the plant by the manufacturer it was commandeered by the home authorities. (M.M). (84 words)

24 May. Application from Messrs. J. A. Russell and A.A. Henggeler of Kuala Lumpur for renewal of Mining lease 2928 Portion 1452 in the Mukim of Rawang. To Secretary to Resident Selangor. Sir, I have the honour to submit an application from Messrs. J. A. Russell and A.A. Henggeler of Kuala Lumpur for a renewal of Mining Lease 2928 Portion 1452 of the Mukim of Rawang as outlined in pink in the attached tracing. Area 204 alr.00p. 2. Mining rights were approved to the applicants in your correspondence No. 4811/15 for a period of two years. Occupation and permission to work prior to the issue of the title was approved and issued on 22.3.16 so that the Lease dating from date of occupation expired on 22.3.18 although it was never issued as the term had expired before it was ready for issue. 3. Messrs. Russell and Henggeler maintained that their rights have not yet expired as the Lease has not yet been issued and that the two years should run not from the date of permission to occupy and work, but from the issue of the Lease. In deference, however, to my view of the case they have now submitted their application for renewal. 4. The inspector of mines is in favour of renewal. 5. Mr. Russell holds 1371 acres with 1029 coolies, Mr. Henggeler 537 acres with 55 coolies, but the deficiency is explained largely by the lack of water on their land. 6. I recommend renewal for a further period of two years. I have the Honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, C?Mowhn?? District Officer, Ulu Selangor. Kuala Kubu Office. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia Selangor Secretariat. 2100/1918

The Straits Times, 30 May 1918, Page 8 0. United Malaya. PROPOSALS FOR UNOFFICIAL COUNCIL An important meeting under the presidency of the Hon. Mr. F.G. Harvey was held on Wednesday, the 29th inst., at the P.A.M. Meeting Room in Kuala Lumpur, when representatives of the following bodies met:- 0. The Planters' Association of Malaya….Society of Estate Medical Officers….Malacca Planters Association…. F.M.S. Chamber of Commerce…Penang Chamber of Commerce… F.M.S. bar Committee, F.M.S. Chamber of Mines… Selangor Miners’ Association. Selangor Chinese Chamber of Commerce.. Straits Chinese British association.. Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Messrs. David Freeman, Roland Braddell, J. A. Russell and Choo Kia Peng were also present. Meeting had been called by the Planters’ Association of Malaya… reorganisation of the Medical Service is impossible without that of the whole civil service.. matter referred to a general joint meeting of all organised bodies of British Malaya.., following resolution was passed unanimously, viz: That the only satisfactory way to deal with the conditions of Government Service in Malaya is by appointing a local commission to deal with whole matter… should be composed of unofficial members of the community… urge Secretary of State for the Colonies to appoint such a commission… this meeting representative of the unofficial opinion of the whole Peninsula… a central council should be established for the purpose of promoting the continued welfare and prosperity of the peninsula and that such council be styled the united Malay Council. ..Unanimously carried. (505 words)

The Straits Times, 10 June 1918, Page 10 (Minutes of meeting mentioned in previous article) 0. United Malaya. 0. PROPOSALS FOR UNOFFICIAL COUNCIL. 0. The Government Service. 0. Following are the official minutes of the meeting held at 12. Market Street, Kuala Lumpur, on May 29, under the auspices of the Planters' Association of Malaya: 0. Present The Hon. Mr. F. G. Harvey in the chair; …..J. A. Russell (F.M.S. Chamber of Mines)…. (Approx 30 present listed), Mr. Harvey on behalf of P.A.M. welcomed those attending… read resolution.. Mr. Zacharias letter to about 14 organizations. read dated May 8 1918 0. Dear Sir, As perhaps you are aware, this association has for some time considered the necessity of Government offering more attractive conditions, in order to secure the services of a medical department, commensurate with the importance and resources of this Peninsula. (Summary: concerns about giving more money to medical specialists giving rise to other Government Depts. asking for higher rates of pay. Problem affects all sections, interests, classes and races in British Malaya, so decision made to invite delegates from all organized bodies in peninsula to meeting to consider question. 0. Mr. Kenyon said Good men in Government service got disheartened. Members of unofficial bodies came to F.M.S. and S.S. at own expense and Government would have to pay attention to whatever resolutions they made. Colonial Office will find demand unpopular as if they heed it will cause similar applications from other colonies. Prosperity of Government Service had not advanced with prosperity of the country, not the enthusiasm in public service that there ought to be. Salaries too small and cost of living had increased. His remarks referred to medical, P.W.D. agricultural, educational posts, forest, telegraph, survey etc. number of posts restricted and a man had to wait. Should be ensured that man got a specified salary after a particular period of service. There would be a better chance of securing a post suited to ability. Where there was no natural aptitude for a post dullness was the result. He compared Ceylon with the F.M.S. where chances of having adequate pay was twice as high. Ceylon was nearer England, conditions in F.M.S. should be as good as Ceylon. F.M.S. should have as good conditions as India, where civil servants could retire after 25 years on a pension of £1,000, then there would be a really efficient service. Told his remarks were quite out of place when men elsewhere were sacrificing their all in the war. Recruiting for government service had been stopped by the war for five years. During war civil servants prohibited from going elsewhere after the war he feels certain that they would be left with only those who were the least keen and efficient, for the rest would leave though discontent as soon as they were free. This was a very serious thing for this country to contemplate. It was time to express opinions now. The Stubbs Commission had set the marriage age as late as between 30 and 35, he believed everybody in the service should be able to marry between the ages of 25 and 30. Costs of pensions and living in England. He didn’t want a Royal Commission but a commission of local members, sanctioned by Colonial office. It should embrace pay, grading, pensions, leave, retiring, age, house rent, traveling allowances, widows and orphans fund, officers guarantee fund. Some of these points made for discontentment and quenched enthusiasm in the service. “ A well paid service was a contented service- a contented service was a keen service- and that was what this country needed.” (Applause) 0. Indian Standard wanted. Mr. Bryant agreed. Said agitation had started many ears ago with Mr. Napier. The Stubbs inquiry had been the result, they did not want stagnation, Indian Civil service should be the standard. Mr. Mooijaart agreed. Terms of reference should apply to both branches of service. Dr Watson said Government medical service had not got confidence of the public or of the medical profession. Some Government medical departments had not been co-operating with unofficial members of the profession. So serious a scandal had this become regulations had to made that they should cooperate with private practioners. The system of estate medical aid created by planters had had success but there was a proposal to reverse this. The Government Medical Department was trying to put back the clock some 10 years. It wished to impose a system which didn’t work in Ceylon. Government Medical Department had no real knowledge of estates’ medical problems. The Stubbs scheme was a failure, not paying enough to man to support a wife, until he is in his 30s. Delay in marriage was a source of hardship. Children’s technical education would have to be provided after a man was over 50. It kept men in service when after 50 they were no longer efficient especially after 28 years of tropical service. Delaying marriage was disastrous, widespread venereal disease which existed was a public calamity. If the British Empire was to hold its own in the future venereal disease must be faced. It was not merely that disease was conveyed to wives and inherited by children, but in the struggle with Germany after the war the nation with the empty cradle would not be the one to win. Benefits from having children while young, increased pensions for widows, young married men were more trustworthy than the celibate, who too often was celibate only in name. It was the duty of this country to be a model employer. In making the service attractive it would draw to itself the best of our race. View of the Asiatics. Mr. Lim En Toh agreed. Dr. Yin agreed he compared the money made by a towkay compared with a government officer. Judges paid at the same rate as shopkeepers and chewing gum vendors. This bred suspicion in the Asian mind. Mr. Mair agreed, and gave the example of the present warden of mines, if they left there would be only one promotion possible for the whole staff of the mines department and every one of them would have to stay where they were until they retired at 55. Mining was in a critical position and needed brains full of enterprise. Mr. Niven agreed, said that young men with no experience had been placed in charge of large and important areas. F. M. S. Chamber’s Views. Mr. Clodd said Chamber was in sympathy,” Nobody knew better than merchants how many square pegs there were in round holes in the Government Service, said meeting should restrict itself to medical service. Mr. McCulloch disagreed said many Government officers were no longer receiving a living wage, and that as soon as the war was over many of the best would leave. Mr. Ferrers urged unity. Mr. Choo Kia Peng pointed out that many Government servants were doing extra work on account of those who had gone to the front and were not receiving extra remuneration. Mr. Harvey summed up with need for promptness of action and unanimity. Vote taken on need for local commission was carried. Col. Adams agreed, proposed that the present meeting should become a United Malaya Council. Seconded by Mr. Braddell who said they needed a body large enough to represent the whole peninsula. Passed unanimously. Committee of 5 proposed and carried.) 0. (6014 words)

Letter from J. A. Russell, J A Russell & Co, Kuala Lumpur to The Collector of Land Revenue, Kuala Lumpur. 21st June 1918. Sir, With reference to your letter of 13th May, 1918 numbered L.110/18, upon the subject of my application for a certain area of State land in Kuala Lumpur Town, in which letter you informed me that I might select lots 3 & 5 or 3 & 4, I have the honour to inform you that after carefully inspecting these three lots I find that the top of the hill is equally divided between them, but that there is so little flat land upon the top that there really is no room for more than one house. Whichever two I selected, should the third be subsequently alienated and the owner wish to do so, he could build his bungalow inconvientley close to mine. I, therefore, beg to inquire whether, if I select lots 3 & 4, the Government would be prepared to alienate to my brother Mr. D. O. Russell, lot 5 provided we agree between us to erect anywhere upon these three lots two substantial houses to the value of at least $5,000? If the above facility be granted to us, we could arrange our two bungalows as to utilise to the best advantage the total area of land comprised in the three lots. I have the hour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, J. A. Russell.

Hand written notes: 10.10.1918 Sir, I am d. to submit, for the CS’s considr, an appln. by Messrs. J. A. and D.O. Russell for 9 and half acres of residential land off Maxwell Road, K.L. as shown outlined in red on the tracing attached. 2. The area applied for is within the area referred to in Notn. 382 of the 17th Feb 1911. (R.G.O. 348/11) 3. An appln. for part of the site referred to herein was made in 1911 by Mr. D. O. Russell who desired to erect a house on the highest part of the land. This appln. was refused in view of the largeness of the area applied for. 4. The present appln. was made in the first instance by Mr. J. A. Russell alone, to cover the whole area comprising three lots. He was offered one (or two) of the lots, and replied by asking whether Govt. would be prepared to alienate a third lot to his brother D. O. Russell. 5. The point of convergence of the three lots lies on the highest part of the land, which slopes away steeply, and the S.R.S. and the S.G. are agreed that the three lots combined would be more suitable for building purposes than if alienated separately. 6. In view of these considerations, and the fact that the land has remained so long unoccupied, the Resident now recommends alienation of the 9 and half acres applied for to Messrs. J. A. Russell and D.O. Russell at a premium of $500 per acre, with the condition that two houses of the minimum value of $5,000 each be erected within two years, and that no rubber be planted on the land. The special condition laid down in the Notn. cited in para 2 above would also be imposed, viz that the land shall not be occupied except by such persons as may be approved by the C.S. Documents in the National Archives of Malaysia1811/1918 0.

The Straits Times 25 June 1918 page 6 An application from J. A. Russell to mine nine acres of land at Sungei Besi was considered at a recent Sanitary Board meeting. It was decided to adhere to the resolution passed on April 1 1914. Mr. Choo Kia Peng, who then disagreed, desired to place on record that he had no objection now. (55 words)

The Malay Mail, Wednesday, 26^th June 1918, p.8 and The Straits Echo Mail Edition, Vol. 16, No.? 26, June 26^th 1918

Match Trade in Malaya

At the present time says the London and China Express, when matches are a scarce commodity, it may seem superfluous, to call attention the market that awaits exploitation in the Far East; but after the war new markets will be sought for British made goods and British matches might share in a trade that is steadily on the increase. At one time Sweden was the principal supplier of matches to the Far East. In recent years however Japan has practically captured the trade, as is shown in the following statistics from the Straits Settlements. What is true of British Malaya probably applies to every country east of Suez.

The value of the imports and exports of matches into the Straits Settlements over a period of years was as follows: -

Imports                          Exports

1913                        £112,918                        £63,815

1914                        £102,244                        £61,903

1915                        £190,435                        £120,177

1916                        £200,876                        £129,188

The imports came chiefly from the following places: -

 

1913                        1914

Japan               £99,254            £86,962

Sweden             £19,142           £8,495

Hong Kong        £1,663            £5,134

Denmark            -                        -

United Kingdom-                        -

 

                        1915                        1916

Japan                £134,339          £162,966

Sweden             £20,679            £15,741

Hong Kong        £19,058       £19,103

Denmark           £7,207                        -

United Kingdom -                        £108

The exports go mainly to the Malay States, British North Borneo, Netherlands India and Siam, with the Federated Malay States the largest consumer. It is probable that the matches imported from Hong Kong were largely of Japanese manufacture, being merely transhipped at the northern port.

The Malay Mail, Wednesday, July 3, 1918, page 6 Mr. D. L. James, of the Royal School of Mines, London, and Mr. J. Barr, B.Sc., Sydney University, and late of Broken Hill, are both joining the mining staff of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co.

F.M.S. Annual Department Report 1917, page 5 and F.M.S. COAL. [Articles] The Straits Times, 31 July 1918, Page 11 Coal. 13 (i) The output of coal from Malayan Collieries, Limited (Selangor) was as follows for the past three years: 1915: 11,523 tons, 1916: 101,846 tons, 1917: 155,279 tons. A total of 268,648 tons since the commencement of operations. (ii) The output would have been considerably larger if plant that was under order could have been obtained, and this department, in order to increase the output was compelled to assent to the northern seam being worked open-cast within certain limits. (iii) Trouble was also experienced owing to shortage of labour, miners though able to earn high wages preferred the less arduous labour with less pay on tin mines or rubber plantations to hewing coal. (iv) Progress was made boring the property; but a scheme for a deep bore had to be abandoned owing to the impossibility of procuring plant. (v) Boring and pitting was also carried out with a view to obtaining suitable material for hydraulic filling, which is a necessity in view of the thickness of the seams being worked. (vi) Smoke helmets and apparatus have been obtained and have proved of great use in combating fires in the mine. F.M.S. COAL. [Articles] The Straits Times, 31 July 1918, Page 11 F.M.S. Coal. Hindered owing to Plant Shortage According to the report on the administration of the F.M.S. Mines Department and the mining industries for 1917 the output of coal for Malayan Collieries, Limited (Selangor) for the past three years; - 1915: 11,523 tons, 1916: 101,846 tons, 1917: 155,279 tons. A total of 268,648 tons since the commencement of operations. The output, the report states, would have been considerably larger if plant that was under order could have been obtained, and the department, in order to increase the output was compelled to assent to the northern seam being worked open-cast within certain limits. Trouble was also experienced owing to shortage of labour, miners though able to earn high wages preferred the less arduous labour with less pay on tin mines or rubber plantations to hewing coal. Progress was made boring the property; but a scheme for a deep bore had to be abandoned owing to the impossibility of procuring plant. Boring and pitting was also carried out with a view to obtaining suitable material for hydraulic filling, which is a necessity in view of the thickness of the seams being worked. Smoke helmets and apparatus have been obtained and have proved of great use in combating fires in the mine. Experiments in England in briquetting were completed and excellent briquettes were produced; but work cannot be taken up on a commercial scale owing to the impossibility of obtaining the necessary plant. The availability of a coal supply has been of inestimable importance to the mines and other users during this period of short fuel supply: there is great demand for this coal and the market was open for considerably more than the output.”

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 1 August 1918, Page 75 and F. M S. MINING IN 1917. [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 30 July 1918, Page 7
 F. M S. MINING IN 1917. F. M. S. MINING IN 1917. Mr. W Eyre Kenny, M Inst C E, Senior Warden of Mines, F. M. S. in his report on the administration of the Mining Department and on the mining industries for the year 1917, concludes by stating with a laconicism which clearly denotes the regret of an enthusiast under restraint that “ in accordance with instructions this report has been condensed as much as possible” Extracts: “ As to coal the output of the Malayan Collieries was 155,279 tons, against 101,846 (in 1915 the output was only 11,523 tons), the total since the commencement of operations being 268,648 tons. The output would have been considerably larger if plant that was under order could have been obtained, and the department, in order to increase the output, was compelled to assent to the northern seam being worked opencast within certain limits. Trouble was also experienced owing to shortage of labour, miners though able to earn higher wages preferred the less arduous “(etc. etc. as above) “Coal from outside sources was practically unprocurable or was only obtainable at high cost and coal from the Malayan Collieries and wood took its place.”

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 19 August 1918, Page 8 and MAN POWER TRIBUNALS. [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 22 August 1918, Page 121 MAN POWER TRIBUNALS. His Excellency states that the passage of the Straits measure and the introduction of the F. M. S. Bill were the result of strong representations made to the Secretary of State by an employer in the Colony and we could, we think, make a very good guess who that employer is- who stated that his staff was, reduced to its lowest limits and that he desired that the men remaining should be satisfied that they were serving their country best where they were. Will that end be achieved by the present measure? We doubt it. The inherent weakness of the Military Service Bill, to our mind, is that it makes no provision which ensures the exemption of an indispensable man. A Class men, or their employers for them, are invited to apply to the tribunals for exemption. The Government we are told, will not look upon them with a cold eye for doing so. But supposing they will not apply? The Chairman of Malayan Collieries has publicly announced that there are six men employed on the mine who are absolutely indispensable. None of them intend to apply for exemption, considering it derogatory to do so. Nor will their directors apply for them. The Government cannot evade its responsibility in this matter. It is its duty to retain enough men for the defence of the country. It is also its duty to decide what are essential industries and how many men are required to maintain them. It is no use saying that the tribunals have been established to deal with this very point. The tribunals will only decide when they are asked to do so by the individuals concerned, that is to say, when an application for exemption is made. If the Government really means to send anybody, therefore, it should take direct steps to find out for itself whether the man is or is not indispensable- M.M. (321 words)

F.M.S. Chamber of Mines Report No 8. August 1918 , also published in The Straits Echo Mail Edition, No. 34 Vol. 1d, 21 August 1918, and The Malay Mail, Wednesday, August 14, 1918 and MALAYAN COLLIERIES. [Articles] The Straits Times, 20 August 1918, Page 7 Malayan Collieries Fifth Annual Report. The report of the directors of Malayan Collieries for the year ended June 30, 1918, states: - The directors have pleasure in submitting their fifth annual report and statement of accounts for the year ended June 30, 1918. During the year application was made for the conversion of a further 1,150 acres to mining lease (making a total area under lease of approximately 3,117 acres) while the prospecting licence was renewed over the balance of the concession, Although at the end of the year no new plant from home had been erected, shipments of boilers, pumps, fan parts and electrical machinery were beginning to arrive, while a good deal of plant has been locally purchased and installed in the open cast mines. Coal sales totalled 161,272 tons as against 135,663 tons for the last financial year, an increase of 25,609 tons. The coal production would have been larger but for part of the Company’s plant being commandeered by the home authorities, and for the great shortage of labour experienced at the mine. A second and large diamond drill set having arrived from Home, prospecting was vigorously carried out during the year and a further area of the seams proved. An extension of about three miles to the Company’s private railway line was put in hand; 40lb. rails for this purpose being purchased in America. The Board profoundly regret to record that during the year Mr. F. J. B. Dykes suddenly died in London from heart failure. Mr. R. C. Russell was on his way to England at the time and took over the London agency work. Messrs. Foster Brown and Rees of Cardiff and London, continued as the Company’s consulting engineers, and also rendered valuable services to the late Mr. Dykes and afterwards to Mr. R. C. Russell, in connection with the Company’s applications for priority certificates, etc. Mr. Eric Sinkinson, of Imperial College of Science and Technology, proceeded with his investigation and succeeded in producing an excellent quality of briquettes. A satisfactory trial of these briquettes was made at Leeds on a commercial scale. The profits for the year, subject to Directors’ fees amount to $375,453.03 to which has been added the balance brought forward from last year’s account of $59,734.21, making available for distribution $435,187.24, which the directors recommend should be dealt with as follows: - In payment of a dividend of 12 and half percent, upon 150,000 shares $187,500.00; to Mine Amortisation Reserve $75,000.00; to a General Reserve £150,000; balance to be carried forward to next year’s accounts $22,687.24. The retiring directors are Mr. Alexander Grant Mackie and Mr. John Archibald Russell who being eligible, offer themselves for re- election. The Auditors Messrs. Barker & Co., resigned during the year, the directors appointing Messrs. Evatt & Co., in their stead. Messrs. Evatt & Co., now retire but offer themselves for re- election.

F.M.S. Chamber of Mines No. 8 August. Report on First Annual Meeting of Eastern Tungsten on August 30. Held at Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co.’s Offices, Kuala Lumpur. Mr. J. McEwan , for the secretaries, Messrs J.A. Russell and Co. read the notice convening the meeting. (For details see below)

The Straits Times, 3 September 1918, Page 3 0. Eastern Tungsten. RESULTS OF THE FIRST YEARS WORKING. 0. Business In China. 0. The first annual general meeting of the shareholders in Eastern Tungsten Co., Ltd was held at Kuala Lumpur, on August 30, Mr. A. A. Henggeler (chairman of directors) presiding. 0. In the course of his speech in moving the adoption of the report and accounts the chairman, according to the Malay Mail, said: In the balance sheet you will observe that only half of our authorized capital has been issued, but that we have an overdraft from bankers of $388,180,27, while our sundry debtors only just balance our sundry creditors. The position may seem a trifle unsound, and as much as it has been the wish of your directors to keep the capital of the company as low as possible, they are seriously contemplating the advisability of issuing the balance of the capital, in order to wipe off the company’s somewhat heavy overdraft. Suspense account presents a paper profit which would only be realized if the funds remitted to HongKong were sent back again. You will observe that although we have a considerable amount of ore in stock and in transit we have liberally drawn against it. An item of $30,000 for good will still appears in the balance sheet and should be written off at an early date. 0. Business In China 0. Our profit from the year under review was $220,392,04. This we can rightly congratulate ourselves upon as a most excellent result for the year’s working, but I am afraid that I cannot claim the greater proportion of it to be due to our legitimate tungsten milling business. From the very commencement of the financial year, the price of tin commenced to rise and steadily did so through the twelve months. Since the end of the financial year the price of tin has been erratic and lately has been steadily falling, and although your directors take every precaution to avoid or minimize losses as much as possible, it is not always able to do so, and, even in the very best case, it is impossible for us to make any side profit on tin when the market for that mineral is not a rising one. The returns for this current year are, therefore, likely, if not certain, to be less than they were for the last. The price for wolfram being fixed, although there is, and always should be, a steady reasonable return upon money sunk in the highly technical business of wolfram milling, such return is not very great. For this reason your directors have recommended $100,000 as being the minimum proportion of last year’s profits which should be placed to a reserve to provide against inevitable losses of a falling tin market. 0. China business entails great risks, for it means entrusting large sums with out much security to our native agents throughout the Interior, territory which is a present more than even usually disturbed, being the scene of a fierce civil war, and this is perhaps an added reason why we should issue the balance and so to wipe off our overdraft. Should we lose large sums in our new enterprise further East, with sufficient sums in hand our Malayan and Siamese business would not thereby be financially endangered. The speaker went to China on the company’s business a short time back, and can assure you that despite the risks inseparable from any new undertaking in that country, every possible precaution is being taken to reduce the same. A scheme is being considered for still further lessening the chance of any China losses possibly involving the Malayan business, and a further visit to China in connection with this idea will shortly be made. 0. Siamese Wolfram Ores. 0. At the request of the board, one of your directors, Mr. J. A. Russell, paid a visit to Bangkok last spring and on behalf of the company completed arrangements with the British Minister there for the purchase and treatment by the company of Siamese wolfram ores for the British Government. The ultimate result of the visit was a complete success, and as a consequence of it a fresh agency is being opened in Lower Siam and new separating works established at Prai. Although an extension of the Siamese business is anticipated, the margin of profit will be small. I wish to thank Mr. Russell for all the work he did in connection with this business. A fact that we have to face when operating in foreign countries like Siam is that, while we are bound by the British Maximum price, foreigners buying for other governments are often able to offer far more for ores than we ourselves can do. Unless, for instance, we are permitted to purchase in Siam upon the same terms as those allowed by the French buyer by his Government, we shall not be able to secure a great proportion of the trade. This is a matter about which we are in constant communication with the home authorities. 0. We are at present only able to compete with other buyers owing to the efficiency of our mills, of our technical staff, and of our trained Oriental travellers who penetrate into very wolfram producing centre throughout lower Siam, the Malay peninsula and Southern China. Our establishment charges are always increasing and we are negotiating to engage three extra chemists. I now beg to move that the report of the directors, together with the statement of the company’s accounts be approved and adopted, which I will ask Mr. Russell to second. 0. The chairman’s motion to adopt the report and accounts being carried, he then moved the payment of the final dividend of 25 per cent, making 35 per cent for the year, the placing to reserve of $100,000 and the carrying forward of the balance of $39,365,04, subject to payment of directors fees, managing directors commission and bonus staff. The resolution was unanimously adopted. The sum of $4,000 was voted to the directors in recognition of their services for the past year. 0. Mr. J. A. Russell was re elected to a seat on the board, and Messrs. Neill and Bell re- elected auditors. 0. Mr. J. A .Russell in thanking the meeting for his re- election, mentioned the great obligation the company was under to its chairman and managing director Mr. Henggeler, for his wise careful and efficient administration; he also moved that a vote of thanks be passed to the company’s staff and that a suitable bonus be granted to its members, which motion was duly seconded and unanimously carried. (1101 words)

The Malay Mail 30 August 1918 and Malayan Collieries. [Articles] The Straits Times, 4 September 1918, Page 12 Malayan Collieries. Profiteering Charges Chairman’s Answer. The fifth annual meeting of shareholders in Malayan Collieries, Ltd., was held at the Registered offices of the Company, 8-10 Loke Yew Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, on August 24th at 11 am. Mr. J. A. Russell (Chairman of Directors) presided. Mr. J. McEwan for the secretaries read the notice convening the meeting, and also the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed. The annual statement of accounts and balance sheet and the report of the directors and auditors were submitted to the meeting. The Chairman in moving their adoption said: - Gentlemen, -The report and accounts having been in your hands for the specified period, with your permission I shall take them as read. Before moving their adoption, however, I will make my usual comments upon the items in the balance sheet before you. Taking the debit side first the call in arrears of $1.06 is due from a shareholder at the front and will be deducted from the dividend which to-day becomes payable to him. The unclaimed dividends amounting to $1,818.80 are likewise mainly due to shareholders who have gone Home to fight leaving no address behind them. Every endeavour has been made to keep this item as low as possible. “Sundry creditors” totaling $82,867.40 consists of wages, Government royalty, and freight due by the Company for June account, and has since been paid. The Reserve for the Bad Debts stands at $10.000 as before. The profit I will remark upon when coming to the profit and loss account. Turning now to the credit side, you will see that “ mine property” remains the same at $1,003,474.50, while “mine development” is decreased from $146.748.32 to $100,000, $46,748.32 having been written off to allow, on the manager’s estimation, for depreciation during the year in the value of what is technically known as the “ main roads”. Future construction of those “ main roads” which are not of permanent utility is being charged to revenue. “ Buildings” at $86,980 shows only a small addition, “ plant and machinery”, if we include the two items “plant in transit” and “ plant suspense account”, is increased by $313,592.16 making a total of $495,627.84. From this figure has been deducted $46,817.28 for depreciation. “Plant suspense account” is plant already purchased but not yet shipped. The extra plant consists of new Babcock boilers, mechanical stokers, motors switch boards and starters, a new large ventilating fan, pumps, piping, rails, cables etc. Our stock of mining stores stands at $63,817.93 as compared with stores on hand last year valued at $34,703.26. Coal on hand at the end of the year was only worth $1,325. At the closing of accounts we were owed for coal the sum of $136,588.89, and that this amount was no larger is due to the strenuous endeavours made at the end of our financial year to get in as large a proportion as possible of the outstandings. Although due to unremitting care we have few bad debts nevertheless you will observe you will observe that we require quite a considerable sum to finance our coal sales. Cash in banks at the end of the financial year was $148.058.46, of which $45,000 was on fixed deposit. There was a further small sum in the Kuala Lumpur office and at the mine of $380.15. Our total cash balance is considerably smaller than it was last year, for although our profits are higher the unavoidable calls upon our resources for fresh plant and new development expenditure have been even greater. Turning now to the profit and loss account, wages and salaries at the mine are much higher than they were for the previous year, amounting as they do to $377,407.29, while if we include management salaries and fees, the total amount on this account is nearly $400,000. We used practically $50,000 worth of mine stores and mining timber during the year. We paid to the Railway Department $160,951.22 for rail freight, while we further paid to the Government a sum for royalty and quit rent of $41,600.20. We spent upon prospecting the area still held under prospecting licence a sum of $9,611.15, but this does not include European supervision, depreciation of diamond drill, nor even the whole of the coolie labour, if all these items were added the sum would be considerably larger- more than double. Mining wear and tear is very great and our depreciation is bound to be heavy; it cost us for the year under review a total of $105.434.76, but this is without amortisation, which is not shown in the profit and loss account, although in strict theory it ought really to appear there. Coal research expenses are seemingly very low for the amount of work done, but we shall have a comparatively large bill to meet upon the conclusion of the English experiments. The coal sales for the twelve month yielded a gross return of $1.141,687.42, while sundry other items brought the Company in a return $15,892.01 to which has been added another $1,325, being the value of coal on hand at the end of the year. After deducting, mining, selling and other charges, the Company has made for the year, subject to Directors’ fees and to an allowance to be made for amortization, $375,453.03. To this profit has to be added the balance brought forward from the previous year’s account of $59,734.21, making a total nominally available for distribution of $435,187.24. This amount, however, is not actually available, for you will have noticed that the bulk of the sum has had to be reinvested in the mine, so that the cash in hand and at the banks is really insufficient to pay a ten per cent dividend. Had this money not been re-invested in the mine, our output would have sunk to a tonnage alarmingly small. I shall presently move the declaration of a dividend of 12 and half per cent for the year’s working, but I would here explain, so far as I, personally, am concerned, I would as soon prefer it was not more than one of 10 per cent. However, it is realized that the purchasing power of money is not what it was, so that a present dividend of 12 per cent is actually equal to one of 10 per cent a year ago, when, as a matter of fact, this Company distributed in all 13 and half percent. Your directors have therefore, decided to recommend a distribution at a higher rate, especially as by the date of today’s meeting cash in hand has been accumulated sufficient to meet the payment of such a declaration. Twelve and half per cent will absorb $187,500 leaving $247,687.24 for amortization and reserve. In business other than mines, perishable assets have to be properly depreciated and the amount of such depreciation charged against profit and loss accounts. A mine being a wasting asset, according to the above rule no dividends should be distributed until the amount of capital lost has first been made good out of revenue; by popular usage, however, mines have been allowed in their Memorandum and Articles of Association to provide that they need not set apart a sinking fund to meet the depreciation in the value of their wasting properties. But it is now the modern practice most of the best coal and iron companies to charge against revenue account a sufficient amount of depreciation to maintain their capital against wastage, doing so from a sound business point of view without regard to whether it might or might not legally be required to charge such depreciation. Your Board are of the opinion that this is the course the Company should adopt, but they prefer, by creating an amortization reserve, to keep a record in the balance sheet of the amounts from year to year so written off rather than put the depreciation against revenue. At 2 and half per cent per annum the capital of the Company would be redeemed in 40 years time, and as the principal lease has from date another 38 years to run, it is proposed to set aside from the profits of this year 5% per cent upon the capital of the Company, absorbing $75,000, and for each succeeding year a further 2 and half per cent. As I have said, I would ask you always to regard this amount not as an ordinary allocation of profits to reserve, but as a depreciation which perhaps more properly, if not legally, should appear in the profit and loss account, yet which for the sake of record and of future dealings it is convenient for us to show as an appropriation to special amortization fund. It is further proposed to place to General Reserve Fund, re-invested in the mine, $150.000 of the profits, as representing part of the money expended during the year in the purchase of additional plant. This leaves to be carried forward, subject to directors’ fees and a bonus to mine staff, a balance of $22,687.24. You would probably now like to hear from me something regarding the outlook. Our immediate future is, I almost might say, entirely concerned with one subject: “output”. There is no lack of demand for our coal; but the monthly production, instead of increasing as it should do, I regret to have to say is remaining stationary. Lack of labour and plant are the two causes of this. The commandeering by the War Office of our generators upon their completion at Home was a severe blow to us, while the non-arrival of our mechanical coal- cutting plant and underground electric locomotives leaves us still entirely in the hands of labour. The output of coal from opencasts which was intended to relieve the situation, such workings not needing the employment of skilled underground miners, has been negligible. This misfortune is due to the delay in connecting up by rail the open cast workings with the main line, the rails purchased for the purpose in America having been shipped by sailing vessel and therefore taking several months to arrive. The question of labour is most serious, and but for it we should be producing well over 700 tons a day. The high price of tin has made the demand for skilled labour so great that our hewers even though making more than $3 a day will not stay, and, when they do stay will not work. They cannot earn so high a wage as this on a tin mine, but on tin mines the work is so incomparably less arduous than it is on our own that they are easily able to work 25 days in a month and consider they are having an easy time, while in the Colliery they maintain that they cannot put in more than from 15 to 20 days work and yet feel they are leading a slave’s existence. In condemning them for laziness, the fact has to be kept well in mind that the Southern Chinese has not the stamina of the European miner, and most of them are physically incapable of working 25 days in the month at coal-hewing. Where our trouble again comes in is that the miner will not permit others to work at his particular working place on the days he himself is not doing so. As the hewers work only 15 to 20 days in the month, by this dog-in-the-manger attitude a large number of our available places are continually idle, and the mine is being operated at considerably less than its producible capacity. We cannot open more working places as owing to the commandeering of our generators we could not pump or ventilate them. When we have attempted to disregard the hewers in the matter of reserving to them their working places, we have lost numbers of men. It is our opinion that if we considerably raised the hewers rates to something exorbitant, but making the increase rather a bonus upon footage than a rise in the tonnage rate, we could attract the physically strongest underground miners in the Peninsula, thus increasing our number of mine working hours. Moreover, if we made our rates so attractive that hewers were able to earn over treble the wages they could at any other mine in the country, we do not think we should find them so independent as they now are when we endeavored to enforce that the working places be more efficiently manned. But here we are faced with a fresh difficulty. Your Board has also the financial interests of shareholders to consider besides that of increasing the country’s coal production, so, although we have never charged just whatever high price we could obtain for coal, making large profits out of the countrys’ necessities, and although further we have always remembered that in times like these there are more important matters to be considered than solely that of shareholders profits, still, to this policy there must, of course, be limits. If we raise hewer’s rates we must, if we wish to pay even the small dividends that we are doing, also raise the price of coal. Owing, however, to the agitation of certain miners, the Government has given us to understand that it cannot regard with favour any great increase in the price of coal to the public; so I fear we shall be unable to ameliorate our labour problems. Now with reference to the complaints against us of one or two of our tin mining customers, what you may ask, are the facts? Before stating them, you may be interested first to hear that instead of those consumers who objected to the price of their coal being raised having asked us for figures, their method seems to have been to have written privately to H.E. the High Commissioner, or perhaps it was to the Chief Secretary, making a number of allegations that Malayan Collieries were sordidly profiteering. However I need not touch at any length upon that point of the matter. I think that the few figures I will now proceed to give will somewhat surprise you. If anything they understate the real position, but divide them by half, even divide them by three and the result is still sufficiently astonishing. The price ruling in Singapore for, on rail or delivered to steamers, the poor quality of Japanese coal at present being imported is $50 a ton; which would make it $52.50 in Kuala Lumpur. I will, however, take $50 a ton as a price which is equivalent to our pit-head price, although as a matter of fact, the freight on Rawang coal from pit-head to chief mining centres is less than it is from Singapore. The present normal price in Singapore of Indian coal is said to be $44 a ton, but as there is none to be had, it need not enter our calculations. The Singapore price for imported coal at the beginning of our financial year was a little above $40 a ton, so that a fair average price for the whole year would be $45 a ton. Our own average pit-head selling price for the whole of the year under review was $6.11 a ton, but if we only take the last two months of our financial year it was $7.95 a ton. The results of the extensive comparison tests by Osborne and Chapel in 1912 between Rawang coal and imported coal showed that the ratio was 5 to 7. I would here observe that with proper firing the real ratio is perhaps a trifle more favourable to Rawang coal than 5 to 7, for a small proportion of our output is now from the Great Seam, which is of higher calorific value than the Main Seam Coal, upon which latter it was that Osborne and Chappel made their tests. Moreover, on the other hand, the quality of imported coals is now not so good as it was before the war. Again, owing to the original lack of knowledge as to the best manner of burning Rawang coal, it is doubtful whether Messrs. Osborne and Chappel’s 1912 tests were fair to our fuel. I can safely say this because at a later date to these tests the Pengkalen Mine, which is under Osborne and Chappel's management, said that after a full trial they found it did not pay them to burn Rawang, and even at a second trial, when Malayan Collieries’ engineers were present, they still thought that Rawang coal was too poor to be of value to them. It was only after Malayan Collieries had begged for a third trial, at which the recommendation of the Malayan Collieries’ engineers should be carried out, and this had been granted, that we were able to prove to Messrs. Osborne and Chappel that, properly fired, it would pay to burn Rawang coal. However even at a ratio of 5 to 7, upon the present basis of imported coals Rawang fuel is worth $35.71 or 452 per cent of the average price at which we are now selling it, while for the past financial year it was worth an average $32.14 or 526 per cent of our average price for the whole of that year. We further find from Messrs. Osborne and Chappel’s 1912 report that at that date the F.M.S. Government Railway, owing to the big contract that it could place, was getting Indian coal at $7.13 a ton, and that upon tests made by them they estimated Rawang coal was worth to the railway $6.04 a ton. Yet after all these years of war and enhanced prices we are today selling one third of our output to the Government Railway at $5.50 a ton or 54 cents a ton cheaper than it was estimated to be worth to the Railway in the economical times of 1912. This price includes the Royalty of 25 cents a ton which we have to pay to the Government, so you may say that the Government is getting its coal at $5.25 a ton. If the Railway’s 60,000 tons it bought from us last year be calculated at the price ratio I have mentioned of $35.71, it is at present saving, by burning our coal and not having to buy it on the Singapore market, at the rate of $1,812,600 per annum. If you think that the Railway could purchase foreign coal at a cheaper rate than $50 a ton, knock off the odd $800,000 and say that we are only saving the Railway a million dollars a year. For the last year, against the cheaper price of imported coal has to be put the fact that we sold the railway part of their supplies at $5 a ton. Should, upon the ratio given for last year, the difference to all our customers be calculated, then the saving effected by Malayan Collieries for the country during that period works out at $4,200,000. On our present increased coal prices and on the present ratio the saving is still at the rate of $3,670,000 per annum. I would remind you that, deducting amortization which properly should be charged to revenue, but only deducting half the amount put to amortization as the other half is really depreciation upon the previous year’s working, the Company by exercising the greatest economy of management only made $338,000, that is to say but 8per cent of what it may claim to have saved the public, and that of this small per centage it had to re-sink half again into the mine. Compare the profits made last year upon imports by merchants, engineering firms and shop keepers, and also the profits being made by tin mines and smelters. Despite its scarcity, coal is about the one commodity used in the F.M.S. which is still sold at comparatively cheap rates. You may therefore, be well wondering what grounds any miner could possibly have had for complaining that Malayan Collieries was profiteering. Their plea was a somewhat disingenuous one, and they must have known that it was. When first we introduced our coal to the market, considerable prejudice existed against it, and this prejudice one or two mine managers were acute enough to turn to their advantage, and I am not blaming them for having done it. They knew we had got to get someone to burn our product in order to be able to inform prospective customers that such and such a big mine was using the coal, so after we had given them free coal, had run trials for them and had proved to them beyond doubt the value of Rawang for fuel purposes, they drove hard bargains with us, demanding contracts to be supplied with coal over fairly long periods at prices that left us practically no margins of profit. We had to accept their terms, for we had to get a start with our coal sales somewhere and somehow. Towards the end of the year under review these contracts, I am happy to say, have been expiring, and, there being no longer any need to advertise the value of the coal, the rates to these particular mines have been put up to a parity with those being charged to the general public - the price for “smalls” being increased from $3.50 to $8 per ton. It was, therefore, possible for the managers of those mines to complain that at one sweep we had raised the cost to them of their coal supplies by over 100 per cent, and to anyone not in possession of the facts their grumbles must have sounded most justifiable. I might here mention that, although the class of coal supplied to big mines is usually “smalls” on large stationary boilers the result obtainable by “smalls”, as one consumer has admitted to us in writing, is equal to that given by our round coal, so that no difference need be made in the 5 to 7 ratio. If I am not tiring you, it may perhaps be interesting to go more fully into the case of the particular mine that, we believe, complained the most strongly to the Government. Its average monthly consumption of Rawang “smalls” is 640 tons, for which it is now being charged $8 a ton at pit-head. On the basis of the calculation already mentioned, Japanese coal would cost it $35.71 f.o.r. Singapore, so that even without taking extra freight into consideration it is at present saving at the rate of $212, 800 per annum. For nine months of our last financial year we only charged $3.50 a ton, or on average $4.14 for the year, so that on last years average ratio it’s saving was $215,000. Another mine, which we understand complained, is still getting its “ smalls” from us at $5 a ton and is burning on average 850 tons a month. This mine, is therefore, effecting a saving at the rate of $313,200 per annum, while for the last year it saved $276,800. These two customers alone, the directors and shareholders of which are closely connected, are now saving through Malayan Collieries, just on their annual coal bill only, at the rate of $526,000 per annum, while they saved for last year $491, 800, as against Malayan Collieries’ total net profit from all customers for the year, less 2 and half per cent amortisation, of $338,000. In other words, we saved during the last year for these two mines one and three quarter times the total net profit derived by Malayan Collieries from a whole year’s business derived with all its customers, both Government and private, and shall be saving even more for them this year. These are the two mines which we have reason to think accused us of profiteering. If you will, to take another aspect of the relations between us, compare the small profit which is all that Malayan Collieries can have possibly made out of them during its last financial year, by selling coal to the one at $5 and to other at an average of $4.14 per ton, with the saving these two mines effected during the same period by dealing with Malayan Collieries, the figures become even more startling, and their accusations the more astonishingly inexplicable. Allow me here to parenthetically remark that taking into the calculation the 12 and half per cent which we are today recommending should be declared, the pioneer shareholders in Malayan Collieries will have received since the Company's formation, five years ago, an average return of 6.6 per cent per annum, while holders of vendor shares like myself will have obtained even less: an average return of 4 per cent per annum. I trust and believe that that there are fatter yields in store for us, if only in store in the distant future: we certainly deserve them. I will assure the Government that, if Malayan Collieries Ltd., make only part of the big profit it might, the major portion of such profit will be spent in so improving the mine without increase of capital that after the war it will be able against all foreign competition not only to retain the whole of the F.M.S. coal trade, but to capture a great part of the Colonial shipping requirements, and I ask whether such consummation would not be an eminently desirable one for the F.M.S. to achieve. To secure the shipping trade the coal would, of course, have to be briquetted, its present form being unsuitable for bunkering, but out of the profits I am suggesting we might make could be erected a large briquetting plant. However, all we are at present suggesting is to raise the price to all our customers, Government and public alike, by about $1 a ton, or, if the Government will not consent to the price of their own supplies being increased, and as the Railway has a five year contract it probably will not agree to such a proposal, to raise that to the remainder by a larger amount. We are not proposing this particular increase in order to make out of profits those improvements to our mine which I have just remarked it would be to the ultimate benefit of the country were we permitted to do, but merely in order to pay higher rates to our labour and so to increase our, at present, stationary output. Your Board is extremely anxious, however, not only to maintain but to increase the Company’s profits in order to meet the particularly heavy expenditure ahead of it during the coming year. Even without provisions for a briquetting, a distillation and an improved screening plant, and steel gantries to replace the present wooden heapsteads, the Company has a programme for 1918/1919 involving an outlay of some $400,000, and how this is to be met and a dividend of 12 and half per cent for the year still paid is a problem. We shall require two more turbine pumps and motors, two more electrical generators, two more Babcock boilers with chain grate stokers, two coal cutters, two coal conveyors, a shale crushing plant and hydraulic sand stowage pipes, gravel pumps and other plant for the Kundang sand stowage scheme, railway sidings at Kundang for the same, an additional locomotive, further cables, a brick making plant, and a log sawing machine. Besides these we have to extend the engine house and boiler house, build a new office a new store, another bungalow, and a police station. The “ main roads” underground will have to be bricked throughout, which work must be put in hand at once, and as for this we can only use high class machine made bricks, besides the brick-making machinery to which I have already made reference, we shall further need to erect a new coal-fired brick kiln. The year following we shall require deal with the question of a briquetting and perhaps a distillation plant. So you see that, whatever be the amount of profits made, I can only hold out little hope of the Company paying more than about 12 and half per cent per annum for some years to come, and it may quite probably be an even lesser dividend than this. Before sitting down, I should like to briefly mention the great loss this Company has sustained by the sudden death at a comparatively early age of Mr. F. J. B. Dykes. Mr. Dykes was the staunchest supporter of and the most enthusiastic believer in the Company, amongst all its shareholders. When the former London owners, to whom the Government had given the concession, decided to get rid of it and offered it to several big London mining firms, including that of John Taylor and Sons, all of whom turned it down, and when Mr. Dykes wrote to the speaker advising him to come to London and to negotiate for the purchase, Mr. Dykes I am positive had but one single actuating motive: to benefit if he could, by opening up the coalfield, the country where he had spent so many years and in which he took such a disinterested interest. He could not bear to think that a deposit which he believed to be of such potential value for the future welfare of the F.M.S. should be suffered to lie in undeveloped neglect. I shall always consider it one of greatest compliments I have had paid to me that Mr. Dykes, when looking for someone to develop the place he had such an intense but single faith in, turned in his need to myself. I may say that Mr. Dykes never had a thought of making a penny out of the transactions whereby I acquired an option over what is now your property. I also wish to take the opportunity afforded by today’s meeting of expressing the Company’s debt to the Senior Warden of mines Mr. Eyre-Kenny, for the assistance and advice he has rendered us throughout the year, while to the acting General Manager of the Railways, Mr. Fox, and to his staff, particularly to that of the Construction Department, I should like to express the Company's gratitude for the help they have continued where possible to render to us in the matter of the construction of sidings, the loan of rails and many other ways. Mr. McCall and his staff on the mine have worked throughout a strenuous and trying year with the same untiring energy and devotion to which I last year made allusion, and I sincerely trust that shareholders will presently pass to Mr. McCall, and also to his assistants, a hearty vote of thanks, and will to accord them the usual bonus in appreciation of the good services they have rendered. I now beg formally to move that the report of the directors produced together with the statement of the Company’s accounts as at June 30th, 1918, duly edited, be now received, approved and adopted, which motion I shall ask Mr. Hengeller to second; but before putting it to the meeting, I shall first endeavor to answer to the best of my ability any questions that shareholders may like to put. There being no questions, Mr. A.A. Hengeller seconded the Chairman’s motion to adopt the report and accounts, which was carried. The Chairman then moved the payment of a dividend of 12 and half per cent, upon the share capital of the Company, the placing of a sum of $150,000 to a general reserve, and the caring forward of the balance to next year’s account, which was seconded by Mr. A. Grant Mackie and carried. The sum of $5,000 was voted to the directors in remuneration of their services for the past year. Mr. Grant Mackie and Mr. J. A. Russell were re-elected to seats on the board. Messrs Evatt and Co. were re-elected auditors for the ensuing year at a fee to be fixed by the Directors. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. McCall and his staff at the mine for their services during the past year, and a bonus of one month’s salary granted to the mine staff as mark of the Company’s appreciation. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman and Directors.

The Singapore Press and Mercantile Advertiser 5 Sept 1918 page 152 MALAYAN COLLIERIES FOOC KL Aug 30th At the meeting of Malayan Collieries Mr. J. A. Russell presided and said that there was no lack of demand for Rawang coal but the output was stationary, owing to lack of labour and plant. He referred to the charge of profiteering and quoted figures in refutation. He predicted that the Collieries after the war would retain the whole of the F.M.S. coal trade and capture a great part of the Colonial requirements. The dividend of 12 and half per cent was passed and $150.000 placed in general reserve. Mr. Grant Mackie and Mr. Russell were re elected directors. 0. (109 words)

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 5 September 1918, Page 152 0. A RUBBER COMMISSION. 0. What Government Might Do 0. From Our Own Correspondent Kuala Lumpur, Aug 30. 0. The Rubber Committee has now been appointed as a Commission, entitled the Rubber Industry Protection Commission. A third meeting was held yesterday. Sub committees were formed at the first and second meetings for the purpose of obtaining necessary statistics. 0. It is understood that the Commission has addressed Government upon matters of immediate importance which can be dealt with apart from the larger issues, e.g. the advisability of the Government declaring its willingness to consider all urgent cases of financial embarrassment and land sums to cover immediate needs, especially as regards coolies wages, on the security of the rubber in stock. 0. Yesterday the Commission took evidence upon various aspects of the questions which may arise regarding labour if the output of rubber is restricted legally. The witnesses were Messrs Kia Peng, J A Russell, Kenny, Aldworth and Clayton. 0. The next meeting of the Commission will be held in Singapore on Sept 8, to take evidence regarding the Singapore auction system. 0. (174 words)

Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 [Advertisements] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 18 September 1918, Page 10 and Page 187 Advertisements Column 1 [Advertisements] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 19 September 1918, Page 187
 
Mr Evance, who established the match industry in Burma, is now in Kuala Lumpur with a view to opening up the industry in the F. M. S. (27 words)

Untitled [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 26 September 1918, Page 3
 Mr. G. C. Evance, the match expert, left by the week end boat for Singapore to prosecute his enquiries into the possibilities of ordering chemicals and machinery through local agents. (M.M.)

Kuala Lumpur Comments. [Articles] The Straits Times, 8 October 1918, Page 7
 Kuala Lumpur Comments. Kuala. Lumpur, October 7 Part of longer article. Mr. Evance, the match manufacturing expert, who went into the jungle at Batu Arang last Monday to investigate the suitable timber there returned on Saturday to Kuala Lumpur. In three days, within a one mile radius of the Malayan Collieries he discovered no less than 47 varieties of wood suitable for match manufacture. This beats the record for his discoveries in Northern India, Burma and Mysore. In Mysore he found 87 varieties in a tour of six weeks through the whole state; but 47 within a mile from the spot from which he happened first to start is prodigious! Each tree averages about 150 cubic feet of wood. The question of whether we have wood enough to feed a match factory is settled.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 10 October 1918, Page 227 0. Mr. Evance returned to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday after an absence of four days. He found in the jungle at Batu Arang within a mile radius of the Malayan Collieries 47 kinds of timber suitable for match making.

The Straits Times, 11 October 1918, Page 12 0. AMALGAMATED MALAY. 0. Conservative Finance Policy Necessary. 0. The second annual general meeting of Amalgamated Malay Estates, Limited, was, says the Malay Mail:- held on October 5, at the company’s registered office, Kuala Lumpur, Mr. F. G. Harvey being in the chair. 0. The Chairman in moving the adoption of the directors' report and accounts said.. this meeting would have been held about the middle of last month had not two of your directors been engaged in the Rubber Industries Protection Commission practically the whole of September. 0. It is a matter of regret that your directors do not feel justified in recommending the payment of any dividend for the year 1917-18. But our cash position must be strengthened in these times of stress so that we may be better able to tide over financial difficulties. Although our profit and loss account shows sufficient profits for a small dividend, your directors have decided not to recommend any distribution at present. And I fear that we can hold out no prospects of a dividend in the near future, for although the regulation of the plantation rubber industry will probably be undertaken at no distant date, the hard cold fact that America has restricted imports in a very drastic and downright manner is bound to affect the returns of nearly all rubber companies for a considerable period. 0. Warning to Optimists. 0. Some optimists seem to think that as soon as peace is signed large buying orders will flood the country, and that the price of rubber will bound up and we shall all be rich again in no time. But full consideration must convince one that readjustments of trade generally after the war will be in most cases not a matter of weeks or months, but of years. 0. However, I do not wish to paint too gloomy a picture, and we will now turn to the general state of our property. Our total planted area is now 1,651 acres, which stands us in at $405,50 per acre as at June 30 1918. Most of this area is now well established and the growth and general condition of our estates is very satisfactory. The 59 acres mentioned as felled will be planted shortly. No further extensions are at present being undertaken. We managed to harvest a total crop of 159,416 lbs rubber during the year against an estimate of 195.000 lbs. The reasons for the short crop are given in our report. With regard to the current year, the manager’s original estimates of crop were 200,000 lbs, but there is a probability of our crop being restricted to 125,000lbs. 0. The yield per acre for the last year was 308 lbs in Jinjang and 235 lbs in Serdang…cost of production.. reduced.. average rubber price.. fell from 101 cents to 69 cents per lb. Every effort.. to make economies.. investment.. in war loans.. may have to be realized… 0. A Cheerful Note 0. …estates are not in far districts… thanks to managers Mr. Bloomfield Douglas and Mr. Meaney…questions… retiring directors Messrs F G Harvey and J A Russell re elected…vote of thanks…directors report and accounts…. profit $46,524,86, company acquired 36 acres planted with one year old rubber…4 acres unplanted…both adjoining the Serdang estate, costs of freight etc…all rubber sold in Singapore 1s 7d per lb, last year the ..price was 2s 4d per lb. 0. 0. (967 words)

The Straits Times, 19 October 1918, Page 10 0. Rubber Commission. REPORT ON THE PRESENT CRISIS. 0. Forward Sales. 0. We have already given a summary and a part of the text of the report of the Rubber Commission over which Mr. W. George. Maxwell presided. We now give a third of the text of the report :- (Summary by CG.) 0. 78. Not to interfere with forward contracts 79. Buying and selling by firms in Singapore on behalf of the government… 80. Building of warehouses on railway line suitable for rubber storage… 81 type of warehouse, costs of erecting.. 82. Concerns of deterioration while in storage, 83. Proper storage… 84 preparation before storage. 85. grades for tyres cant be stored.. 86 ….local manufacturers use little… 87. No standards committee as there is in London 88 No standards in Singapore and quality varies from London standards 89 London standards could be adopted in Singapore…90 if Government bought the rubber, it would need certificate or valuation…91. Experts examined about weekly auctions in Singapore.. suitable building for exchange could be found… 92. How organization is controlled.. committee in London…. local producers committees.. 93. Governments opposition to this… 94. HM Gov appointing rubber controller… 95 deputy rubber controllers for Malaya Ceylon and India.. Dutch East Indies controller…96 allocations of orders of rubber consuming countries.. USA 97…rubber controller’s powers over British possessions and foreign countries information… control over output.. controller to communicate directly to Gov of India and Colonial offices.. 98 deputy to supervise buying.. instructions as to sale price.. supervise warehousing shipping and insurance.. purchase of stocks..99 controller should live in Singapore..100. With regard to the problems of unemployment we took the evidence of Messrs. Choo Kia Peng, J. A. Russell, W. E. Kenny, (Senior Warden of Mines F.M.S.) J.R.O. Aldworth (Controller of labour F.M.S.) and L. H. Clayton (Protector of Chinese F.M.S.), From their evidence, and from what we ourselves know at first hand, we are satisfied that there need be little fear of any serious labour difficulties, as the result of restriction of output if ordinary tact is used. Our opinion is that the whole of the Tamil labour will continue to find work on estates. It is the Chinese labour force that will be diminished. The returns of the Chinese labour in 1917 on the rubber estates exceeding 100acres are given in the June number of F.M.S. Agricultural Bulletin as follows:- F.M.S. 53,470, SS 13,919, Jahore 16,795, Kedah, Kelantan and Trenggaan 14,209. 101. Figures differ from labour department… no evidence on how many are tapping or clearing and weeding, majority of tappers are Hylams, who come to do this work and do not like to work in open cast tin mines.. there is employment for them there if a gang is discharged on any estate they will wait until savings are exhausted before taking up any other class of work.. it is during this time that they may prove troublesome….102.,, rate at which tappers are discharged.. undesirable that large numbers should be discharged by several estates simultaneously… 103…. Labour Dept should issue general notice that every employer of labour who proposed to discharge tappers should give early notice to the department of his intention.. 0. .. there is at present no unemployment. 104. The Hyams are an intelligent set of men.. .. if present temporary difficulty is explained..in right way they will probably continue to work at reduced costs..rather than give up taping work.. Mr. Choo Kiap eng suggested that in places like Seremban the best way would be to ask some influential Chinese to get in touch with the kepalas (headmen) …and to have a meeting..at some place like the Seremban Chinese Miner’s Association where the situation could be explained and discussed… 106..financial relief.. protect against forced sales.. High commissioner.. has extended powers… 107 Government should lend money to pay wages using rubber in stock as security… little demand for this at moment.. 108 loans should be made on security of property or mortgage… 109 report based on co-operation with Dutch Government… 110 relief during period ..as result of War.. temporary state of depression… summary of report to be telegraphed to Secretary of State for Colonies…Report Summary covers, existing stocks, production, consumption, restriction of output,, British and Dutch Government should agree to restrict output by law… at rate of 50 pounds per acre..system of licences for estates.. trust formed… minimum price.. standard qualities committee… rubber controller in Singapore… orders through controller.. buying and selling under his supervision… 0. Government should offer to buy rubber.. Letter signed by W. George Maxwell, A.K.E. Hampshire, R.O.M. Kindersley, W. M. Sime, G Gordon Brown, and C. Ritchie. (4735 words)

BOND'S, LIMITED. [Articles] 0. The Straits Times, 31 October 1918, Page 7 0. BOND'S, LIMITED. 0. Directors' Confidence in Company's Future. 0. Messrs.. J A. Russell and Co., as secretaries, forward the following report :-The first annual general meeting of the shareholders was held at the registered offices of the company i.e. 8-10. Loke Yew Buildings, on Saturday October 26, at 11 am. Mr. F. Clyde Jeavons (chairman of directors) presided. 0. Mr. Jas. Mc Ewan on behalf of the secretaries, Messrs. J A Russell and Co., read the notice convening the meeting, the annual statement of accounts and balance sheet, and the report of the directors and auditors, which were submitted at the meeting. 0. The chairman in moving their adoption said:- Gentleman, the directors report and accounts for the year ending June 30, 1918, has been in your hands for the required period and with your permission I will take these as read. The balance sheet is shown in detail from which you will see the payments made for stocks, furnishing, alterations preparing premises and opening and buying expenses. Cash at the bank shows a large sum, but at that date our stock was coming forward in large quantities, and, and we thus prepared together with our calls for our liabilities. Our premises had to be altered before they could be utilized, and as the result of much care the architects have made us very fine premises. 0. You will read in the report that a change of management was necessary. This change happened at an unfortunate date, and your present manager Mr. W. S. Elmalie, is to be congratulated on the way in which he took charge and commenced business under difficult circumstances. A business of this nature depends in great measure on the individual efforts of the management, and in this respect we have been fortunate in our choice. Our stocks came forward irregularly in the first half of the year, but I am pleased to inform you an enormous improvement occurred in September and the present month, and our stocks are now coming forward quite well considering the difficult times. 0. The vexed question of cash versus credit was carefully considered by your directors who came to the decision that the usual custom of credit was not in the best interest of shareholders. It was felt that a small safe business was better than having a large sum outstanding on our books, and that we could in due course do better for our customers and shareholders by making a corresponding reduction in the price of our goods. Well, gentleman, it is early yet to speak of results so I may only tell you we are doing a much better business than we estimated and our weekly average of turn over show each week a pronounced increase. Our provision department is splendidly stocked, the furniture department is inundated with work and the other departments are doing satisfactorily and are rapidly being improved with new goods and more experienced staff. Gentleman your directors have every confidence in the future of Bonds, Limited. The general public are interested in this venture and are dealing with us in increased numbers every week. All are shareholders are resident in the FMS and the great majority in Selangor and are giving us visible support. The times are so undoubtedly difficult that the smallest encouragement now can be taken as a good indication of the future. I now propose that the accounts and directors report for the period ending June 30 1918, be adopted and would ask Mr. H. L. K. Graburn to second this….questions.. elections… board had decided not to accept fees owing to company having just commenced operation…Vote of thanks.. (741 words)

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 13 November 1918, Page 10 and 0. OUR DAY FETE. [Articles] 0. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 14 November 1918, Page 309 0. 0. OUR DAY FETE. 0. The Gossip Shop organisers gratefully acknowledge the following subscriptions to the funds 0. Per …..J. A. Russell (K Lumpur) $25 0. 0. (218 words)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. [Articles] 0. The Straits Times, 16 November 1918, Page 8 0. SOCIAL AND PERSONAL 0. ….Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Brown, Mr. J. A. Russell and Mr. C. A. Pearcy have gone to Hong Kong…… 0. 0. (480 words)

Malay Mail. December 2, 1918, p.7 and The Straits Echo Mail Edition, 11th December 1918, p.1,894 and The Malay Tin and Rubber Journal Vol. V11, No. 23, 17th December 1918 p.1,420 Tin prices. The Selangor Miners. Support for Chamber. An emergency meeting of the Selangor Miners Association was held at the Association’s Building on Saturday November 30th at 3pm with Mr. Choo Kia Peng in the chair. (Summary: price of tin dropping to $120 per pikul, miners struggling to pay wages, food and materials, may have to shut mines, most miners have no large cash reserves, united action due to serious situation, three questions from miners, how has tin control fixed price without enquiry into costs of mining, unfavourable effect on industry, miners will be ruined after extending their operations after Government’s requests. During war price fixed by allies, but appeal made against fixing price without consultation with miners. Enquiries into difference between prices paid to miners and price at which tin is sold at Home. Local government has no say so Imperial Government must be approached. Mr. Loke Chow Thye opened up mines in response to Government and has had to close one due to fall in price. Felt Government had duped them and left in the lurch after war is over to fight their own battles. Resolution to ask Government to have minimum price of $150. Other miners describe losing their investments and mines run at a loss. Miners really frightened by present prices. Recent influenza epidemic, constant heavy rains, high prices of mining requisites and rapid decrease in price of tin. Chairman informed meeting they were invited to British resident’s office that afternoon, money subscribed to Red Cross Fund, vote of thanks to chair.)

NEWS 1918