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For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell


DIRECTORY OF MALAYA  ESTATES 1932

Russell Estate- Johore

Postal Address-Tenang, Johore

T.A. “Russell”, Johore

Proprietors –J. A. Russell & Co., K. Lumpur

Total Area, 1,750 acres

Acreage in tapping, 300 acres

Output (as at 31.8.27) 72,000 lbs.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 5 January 1932, Page 13 PASSENGERS OUTWARD The following passengers sailed for Penang and Singapore on the P. and O. Naldera which left London on December 24th. . ...Mr. J. A. Russell, Mrs. Russell.…

The Straits Times, 23 January 1932, Page 6 
A JOURNAL IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. A New Hill Industry. (By Our Kuala Lumpur Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Jan. 22. “To the Boh Plantations of the Cameron Highlands must go the credit of making the first attempt to exploit commercially the hill country of Malaya. This company is growing coffee and tea.”

The Straits Times, 26 January 1932, Page 12 . SIR C. CLEMENTI AT COLLIERIES. Distinguished Party At Batu Arang. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Jan. 25. Malaya's one and only coal-mine was visited by His Excellency, yesterday. His Excellency, who was accompanied by the acting Chief Secretary to the F.M.S. Government (the Hon. Mr. A. Caldecott) the general manger of F.M.S. Railways (the Hon Mr. J. A. Strachan) Mr. J.A. Russell and Mr. H.H. Robbins (chairman of Malayan Collieries Ltd.), travelled by train from Kuala Lumpur to Batu Arang, where the Malayan Collieries mine is situated. His Excellency and the party inspected the offices of the company, power house and workshops, water supply, stripping operations and actual coal production in the East Mine at a depth of approximately 500 feet. The subsidiary undertakings of the company were also inspected, including the brickworks and plywood works and saw-mill and His Excellency and party expressed great interest in the present and future of the industrial development in progress.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser ,27 January 1932, Page 4 MALAYAN COLLIERIES Governor Descends Batu Arang Mine His Excellency the High Commissioner, the Hon'ble Mr. A. Caldecott, the Chief Secretary, the Hon'ble Mr. J. W. Simmons, the British Resident, Selangor, and the Hon'ble Mr. J. Strachan, General Manager, F.M.S. Railways, on Sunday visited the operations of Messrs. Malayan Collieries. Ltd., at Batu Arang. The party, accompanied by Mr. J. A. Russell, and Mr. H. H. Robbins, chairman, and deputy chairman of the company travelled by train to Batu Arang arriving there a little after 8.30 a.m. H.E. and party inspected the colliery offices of the company, power house, workshops, water supply, stripping operations and actual coal production in the East Mine at a depth of approximately 500 feet. The subsidiary undertakings of the company were also inspected, including the brickworks and plywood works and saw mill, and his Excellency and party expressed great interest in the present and future of the industrial development in progress. - M.M.

The Straits Times, 29 January 1932, Page 12 H.E. THE GOVERNOR Sunday Jan 24. Lady Clementi and Miss Clementi arrived at Kuala Lumpur this morning. In the morning His Excellency, accompanied by Hon. Mr. A. Caldecott, the Hon. Mr. .J. W. Simmons, The Hon Mr. J. Strachan, Mr. J. A. Russell, chairman, and Mr. H. H. Robbins, deputy chairman of the Malayan Collieries Ltd., proceeded by train to Batu Arang and made a tour of inspection of the factories and mines of Malayan Collieries Ltd. The Hon. Mr. A. Caldecott and Mrs. Caldecott, the Hon Mr. J. W. Simmons, the Hon. Mr. J. Strachan and Mrs. Strachan and Mr. Plunkett had luncheon at King’s House. His Excellency, Lady Clementi and Miss Clementi attended by Mr. R. J. Curtis, A.D.C. and Mr. W.C. S. Corry, private Secretary, motored to Port Swettenham and left by the Sea Belle for Malacca this evening.

The Straits Times, 30 January 1932, Page 6
A JOURNAL IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. Local match factories. F.M.S. people have noted with interest the decision of the Jahore Government to impose a scale of excise duties on matches manufactured within its territory, this scale being framed so as to encourage the use of local timbers in the industry. Mr. Lee Kim Soo is operating a match factory in Jahore and is using local timbers. It is interesting to recall that in 1919 an import duty of a frankly protective character was imposed by the F.M.S. Government for a period of five years to help a European syndicate called Malayan Matches Ltd., which feared that dumping by other countries would nullify its efforts to start. As a result of this protection two match factories were founded in Selangor, but in 1926 the Chief Secretary stated in the Federal Council that “they cannot claim to be an entirely local industry because they import the whole of the timber used to make matches”. Subsequently the European factory closed down but Lee Kim Soo’s factory at Port Swettenham is still operating. There is now in force in the Federated Malay States both an import duty on matches and excise duties on locally produced matches, the later being framed with the same object as the duties adopted in Jahore.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 20 February 1932, Page 19 ROTARY AND SINGAPORE INDUSTRY GLASSMAKING PROSPECTS Valuable Information Gathered The following information has been gathered as a result of the Hon. Secretary of the Rotary Club enquiring as to prospects of establishing a factory in Singapore. “Malaya is a large market for glass. Singapore is conveniently placed for distribution to other parts. Etc. (Summary: article on materials needed for glass industry mentions Malayan Collieries coal.) (866 words)

The Malay Mail, Monday, February 29, 1932, ps. 10 and 11, & edited version in The Straits Times, 27 February 1932, Page 6 & The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 4 March 1932, Page 14 POSSIBILITIES FOR TEA GROWING IN MALAYA Rotarians Taste Locally Grown Leaves ONE WAY IN WHICH THE COUNTRY MAY BECOME SELF- SUPPORTING A survey of the growth of tea as a beverage and as an industry, followed by a discussion as to the possibilities Malaya holds for the capitalist and the smallholder interested in providing for local needs formed the subject of an address to the Kuala Lumpur Rotary Club at its weekly tiffin at the F. M. S. R. Hotel on Friday. The speaker, Mr. M. J. Kennaway, of Tanjong Malim, gave details of tea-plantations now existing in Malaya, both in the highlands and the lowlands. Instead of the usual coffee following tiffin, members took tea grown and prepared at the Sultan Idris Training College, Tanjong Malim, brought by Mr. Kennaway. The Hon’ble Mr. Arnold Savage Bailey, who presided, said it had been proved that highlands tea of fair quality could be grown in Malaya, and as the result of work at the Boh plantations, they would probably be in a position shortly to say that highlands tea of good quality could be grown commercially. He hoped that their attention would be turned to the growth and manufacture of tea rather than some of the older products from which the country was now suffering. As all the world knows both the name and beverage of tea came originally from China where it had existed from very early times and was in use as a drink in the 8th century although not introduced into England until early in the seventeenth century, but in the year after the Restoration it was still a curiosity to Pepys, said Mr. Kennaway. In the days of Queen Anne China tea began to be a frequent though still occasional indulgence of fashionable society but as the century wore on tea drinking spread rapidly and with Dr. Johnson it was no longer a curiosity or a fad but already a habit, indeed almost a vice, in which he indulged not sometimes but at all times especially after midnight. In 1703 the imports into the United Kingdom had been some 100,000 lb. but by the year of Trafalgar it had reached 7 ½ million pounds. Hitherto and for some time yet tea though widely used remained solely a product of China. In 1836 a sample of one pound had been sent to London by the East India Company after experiments in Assam. Two years later came a consignment of 488 lb. which fetched 9/5d a pound and in 1839 the first Indian Tea Company was formed. Today India and Ceylon have, 1,234,000 acres under tea with a yearly production of over 700 million lb. and incidentally supply over four-fifths of the United Kingdom imports. WORLD’S PRODUCTION. To sum up the figures for tea exports from the principal producing countries over the period 1924-29, one obtains the following results: In 1924, 763 million tons were exported, and in 1929, 866 millions. While the above figure includes a 15% increase for India and Ceylon tea and for the Dutch East Indies a 31 per cent. increase, for China it represents a decrease of 20 per cent. TEA IN MALAYA. Having now given you a few facts and figures relating to the history of tea outside Malaya, you may be interested to know what progress on a commercial scale is being made in this country. But before doing so I would like first to refer to a very common fallacy which widely exists, viz., that what is known as China tea is a different plant from that grown in India or Ceylon. Actually it is a plant with many similar characteristics, but differs in being much hardier, giving a richer flavour but with a smaller leaf and a much lower yield per acre. There are in fact many hundreds of acres of tea in and around Darjeeling planted only with seed from China but leaf from which is made into Indian tea. I have also made Ceylon tea from the China jat. There are however factors which no doubt account for the fine and delicate flavour of tea produced in China as compared with the thicker and more pungent flavour of Indian and Ceylon teas, viz, the different method of manufacture, which for centuries was a closely guarded secret of China, and also climatic difference. In China today, I believe, though I am open to correction, no tea factory on any large scale exists, and all tea exported is made by hand and I might add by foot, whereas Indian tea after being plucked is made entirely by machinery. There is also a different method in the fermenting process which is not adopted in India or Ceylon, but does, I understand, considerably assist in producing a different flavour. FUTURE PROSPECTS Now as regards the future prospects for growers of tea in this country. Since 1928 we have seen a world wide slump in all commodities including tea, yet if you will compare local retail prices today of imported tea with those in 1928 you will not find much more than a 10 per cent. reduction and best qualities are still fetching $1.00 to $1.20 per lb. Taking the cheaper grades of India or Ceylon tea or that consumed by the poorer classes, to which in these days we nearly all belong, the cheapest imported tea I can find listed is 80 cents per pound. In view, however, of the fact that 40 per cent. of our population is Chinese if we are to make a serious inroad upon that 8 ¾ million lbs of tea annually imported into this country it is, I contend, the wants of the Chinese labouring classes, which we should endeavour to study and cater for. At present owing to the fall in the price of silver lower grade China tea is better able to compete with that grown locally but none of us anticipate this state of affairs lasting indefinitely and in the meanwhile we know that the Chinese labouring class can be gradually educated to drink the local product even though the method of manufacture is nearer to the Indian rather than the Chinese system. CAMERON HIGHLANDS. Taking now the higher grade teas or those which will probably be the first to be exported from this country. On the Cameron Highlands with our soil and climatic conditions very similar to those of Ceylon we have good ground for believing that eventually high grade qualities will be produced there always provided that close attention is given to plucking and manufacture. For consistent and what I might call commercial results we must look to the Boh Valley Plantations Ltd., which I understand will come into bearing in the near future. To the financiers and general managers of this property, Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., who already have 600 acres planted in tea, this country is under a debt of obligation as, without the enterprise there shown there would have been no up-country tea produced on a commercial scale for another four or five years. By a commercial scale I mean an acreage in bearing sufficient to manufacture tea daily. OTHER ENTERPRISES. As regards progress being made in other enterprises in tea now in existence in Malaya: In Kedah you will find Bigia estate situated just under the Kedah peak at an elevation I believe of 200’ with an area planted in tea of over 700 acres. This estate has now established a local name for its Bigia brand and is, I am advised, able to dispose of all its crop locally and with steadily increasing sales. It must be recognised that there will always be a difficulty at first in getting dealers to change over to another brand of tea in so far as they usually sell under their own chop and have built up a business in their own line, but I am told it is only a matter of initial persuasion to get them to do so. There is also the factor that low grade Java tea unsuitable for European sale is to some extent being dumped in Malaya but, if more local supplies were available it is reasonable to assume that Government would, if necessary, assist the industry by the placing of an import duty on tea. It is however the opinion of the owners of this estate that there should be ample sale in this country for as much tea as can be produced locally for a long time to come. PERAK In Lower Perak there is a small European tea estate where the manufacture of China tea is being made a close study of, but this estate is only just reaching the producing stage. In Southern Perak also can be seen tea on a small scale now being produced at the Sultan Idris Training College. Here you will find not only an acre of tea, 3 to 4 years old, but also a small hand plant erected for the manufacture of the leaf which once a week is plucked and manufactured under the supervision of the Malay Agricultural Instructor belonging to the College. The tea made is of course not of a very high standard but I am assured by the Principal, Mr. O. T. Dumek, that it is appreciated and much sought after by the students and college staff, and preferred to the grades of imported tea they usually purchase. SELANGOR In my opinion this enterprise is of particular interest to Malaya in that we have here a definite object lesson showing us how Asiatics might on a small scale be encouraged to grow and manufacture tea for local needs. It is also of interest in that it is another indication of Malays taking to tea whereas in days gone by coffee was their main if not their only beverage. In Selangor in addition to an increasing number of Chinese small holding areas in tea it is of interest to know that in the Kuala Langat District there will be a European owned estate of 400 acres coming into being in 1933 if not before. So the manufacture of tea on a commercial scale in this State will shortly be and established fact. There is also an interesting experiment on Carey Island which has approximately 100 acres planted in tea and is therefore of particular value in that it is a tea-cum-rubber proposition. Only 27 acres are at present mature but during part of last year 6,000 lb. of made tea were produced and sold as a trial on the Colombo market. Owing, however, to the slump which had just set in and to the fact that it was not manufactured with proper plant, it only just repaid its cost of production. The experiment however is of further interest to Malaya in that it indicated that tea grown almost at sea level might with proper plant, etc., have competed with low country tea in Ceylon. AT SERDANG Coming now to the Serdang Experiment Station run by the Agricultural Department I would strongly advise those of you interested in tea who have not yet visited Serdang to do so as here you can see not only tea cultivation, but also its manufacture by machinery. At Ginting Simpah there is also I believe a small estate belonging to Mr. Choo Kia Peng which when more fully developed should owing to its higher elevation be able to produce a good quality of tea finding a ready market in Kuala Lumpur. In this short survey I do not claim to have referred to all the areas established in tea in Malaya, but only to those of which I have personal knowledge, but they are I think sufficient to shew you that tea growing on a commercial scale in this country is now almost established. Before concluding this address I would add that in the already overproduced state of the world’s tea market to-day I may be asked “Is it wise to urge that further areas be planted in Malaya?” To which my answer would be that so long as every year dollars running into millions are going out of this country to pay for our imports of tea so long should every effort be made to make Malaya self-supporting in this respect. Incidentally it would materially help us in our unemployment problem.

 

Letter from District Officer, Kinta to The Secretary to the Resident, Perak Taiping.  11th March 1932.

 

7 in K. L. O. 17/1932

5 in Pk. Mines 141/32                                   

Kinta District

Batu Gajah, 11th: March 1932

 

Renewal of Mining Leases 10953 and 10956 Blanja

 

Sir,

I have the honour to report the receipt of an application dated the 4th. January, 1932, from Messrs J. A. Russell and Co. on behalf of Mr. J. A. Russell for the renewal of Mining Leases 10953 and 10956 Lots 28954 and 28957 areas A. R. P/0. 0. 25. and

A. R. P./198.3. 30 respectively in the Mukim of Blanja.

2. These leases were issued on 11th January, 1912, under “The Mining Enactment, 1911” and expire on 11th January 1933.  A copy of the labour record on both leases is attached.  Mining Leases 10953 and 10956 were included in the Resident’s permit under section 20 of “The Mining Enactment, 1928” issued to the applicant.

3. Lots 28954 and 28957 are situated about 2 miles south of Tronoh adjoining Tronoh-Bota Road.

4. The lessee owns 754 acres of mining land with 15 coolies.  It is reported that owing to a small quota it would not be possible to maintain an equivalent labour force of 754 coolies.

5. With the concurrence of the Warden of Mines, Perak, I recommend extension of the term of both leases free of premium under section 24 (ii) (a) of the “The Mining Enactment, 1928” for a further period of five years each from 11th January, 1933 so as to expire simultaneously with the other leases included in the Resident’s Permit referred to in paragraph 2 above.

6. The application was made in time.

I have etc.,

Sd: G. A. de C. de Moubrey

Ag: DISTRICT OFFICER, KINTA

B. R.

Approve as in para 5 above

Itd. J. V. C. 14.3. 32

Intd. B. W. E. 16/3

 

D. O. K.

Please retain this for your file.

Sd: J. V. Cowgill 16.3.32

 

From National Archives of Malaysia (B. G. Mines 3/32).  Transcribed by P.C.

 

 

 

 

 

(Mines 65)

MACHINERY OFFICE

_____________________________19________

 

Sir,

I have the honour to request you to be good enough to give me the details of your quarterly fuel consumption, as set out in the annexed schedule, at your earliest convenience.

 

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

 

Inspector of Machinery

 

To

 

_________________

_____________________

_____________________________________________________________________

 

QUARTERLY FUEL RETURNS

Quarter ended,--------------------------------------19-----------------

 

FIREWOOD

Month

No. of cords

Consumed*

Size of cord

Price at mine $

per cord

H.P of

Machinery

1.

2.

3.

 

“Bakau” “Jungle”

L-   xB-   xD-

L-   xB-   xD-

L-   xB-   xD-

 

In use.  Stand

                By.

COAL

Month

 

Tons Consumed

Price per ton at mine

H.P of

Machinery

1.

2.

3.

 

$

In use.  Stand

                By

FUEL OIL

Month

No.of drums consumed

No. of gallons

Per drum

Price per ton

At mine

H.P of

Machinery

1.

2.

3.

 

 

$

In use.  Stand

                By

 

*If bakau is purchased by weight, please quote in tons or pikuls.

 

 

 

 


Mukim Bhaja

 

M.L.              Acres                      1928 Census                           1929 Census                          1930 Census

 

 

6111

 

 

153 ½

 

7.11.28  No work

 

13.10.29  No work

 

31.10.30  No work

 

6187

 

 

60

 

7.11.28  No work

 

13.10.29  No work

 

31.10.30  No work

 

9730

 

 

51 ½

 

7.11.28  No work

896 coolies equiv.(50 coolies + 2 oil engines (220 H.P) with M.L. 11509)

 

31.10.30  No work

10953

 

 

 

 

7.11.28  No work

 

1.8.29.  No work

 

5.10.30  No work

 

10956

 

 

199

 

7.11.28  No work

570 coolies equiv. (90 coolies + 1 steam engine (60 C.H.P)

 

5.10.30   2 coolies

 

5926

 

 

126

 

7.11.28  No work

 

13.10.29  No work

576 coolies equiv.(451 coolies + 5 oil engines and 1 steam engine (total H.P. 735) with M.L.’s 10052,11346 +10948)

 

5927

 

 

41

 

7.11.28  No work

 

13.10.29  No work

 

31.10.30  No work

 

9036

 

123

31.10.28 19 coolies +1 oil engine

19 H.P. 171 coolies equiv.

 

13.10.29  No work

31.10.30  No work

 

Total

 

754

179 coolies equiv.

1466 coolies equiv.

578 coolies equiv.


                           acres                                    H. P. 220

M. L. 11509 =                 53                                                8

    “      9730 =      52                                   1760

                           105                                        50

                                                                     1810

 

                                                               52x1810   = C.E.

                                                                    105          896  

 

                          acres

M. L.  5926 =               126                                    H. P. 735

    “    10052=                   6                                        8

M. L. 11346=                  14                                  5880

M. L. 10948=               1238                                    451

                           1384                                  6331

                                                              

                                                              126x6331     = C.E.

                                                                  1384            576

Letter from Collector of Land Revenue, Kinta, Batu Gajah to J. A. Russell and Co. 21/3/1932 8 in K. L. O. No. 17/1932 Kinta Land Batu Gajah, 21st March, 32 Gentlemen, With reference to your letter of the 4th. January, 1932, applying on behalf of Mr. J. A. Russell for the renewal of Mining Leases 10953 and 10956 Lots 28954 and 28957 in the Mukim of Blanja, I have the honour to inform you that the Resident has approved the extension of the term of the said lease free of premium under section 24 (ii) (a) of the Mining Enactment, 1928, for a further period of five years each from the 11th. January, 1933 and to request you to forward the said leases to this office for endorsement. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, ?E. E. Pengilley Collector of Land Revenue, Kinta, Btru Gajah. Y.K.Y From National Archives of Malaysia (Kinta Land Office.17/1932). Transcribed by P.C.

5 M.L. No. 10953 Lot No. 28954 LABOUR RECORD 28.11.27…No work 7.11.28…No work 1. 8.29…90 coolies & 1 Steam engine (60 c. h. p.) with M. L. 10956 5.10.30…2 coolies with M. L. 10956 31.12.31…No work ------------------------------ 3 M. L. No. 10956 Lot No. 28957 LABOUR RECORD 28.11.27…10 coolies 7.11.28… 8 coolies 1. 8.29…90 coolies & 1 Steam engine (60 c. h. p.) with M. L. 10953 5.10.30…2 coolies with M. L. 10953 31.12.31…No work ----------------------------- From National Archives of Malaysia (Kinta Land Office.17/1932). Transcribed by P.C. Attached to letter 21 Mar 32)

The Straits Times, 13 March 1932, Page 4 Mainly About Malayans By THE WANDERER. Finances of the F.M.S. A difficult and painful task -A Forceful Economist The five men who will be engaged in overhauling the finances of the Federated Malay States during the next four months, with instructions to estimate- among other things- the probably revenue of the F.M.S. Government during the next five years, have shown real public spirit in consenting to perform such a difficult and painful task. It will be difficult because retrenchment has already been enforced sp stringently in the Federated States that the responsibility of deciding which remaining branches of the governmental tree to lop off is an unenviable one, and it will be painful because retrenchment means unemployment for some people sooner or later. In fact, if a twenty per cent.cut is to be made in annually recurrent expenditure, the recommendations of this committee are going to spell unemployment for a large number of Government servants, European and otherwise. Last November the F.M.S. Government estimated that its revenue for 1932 would be seventeen million dollars less than its revenue for 1931. Now we learn that the decline is still going on and that unless additional cuts are made the budget will not be balanced. However, just to repel any suggestion of panic, it is worth noting that the F.M.S. Government still has a surplus balance of nearly fifty millions. A Forceful Economist. . One of the members of the retrenchment commission, Mr. V. A. Lowinger, has already done much more than a little retrenchment on his own account. Mr. Lowinger was publicly thanked in the Federal Council last year for submitting recommendations estimated to save well over four hundred thousand dollars in the Survey Department. Needless to say, those recommendations involved the dismissal of a number of surveyors, but there is no demand for land nowadays nor likely to be any for a long time, and one must say that these agreements were terminated in a most generous manner. The Unofficial Members. Mr. D. St. L. Parsons is the manager of the Bukit Kepong Estate, situated a few miles from Kuala Lumpur, and is prominent in planting affairs. Mr. Choo Kia Peng, whose Kuala Lumpur house is built on a palatial scale has grown up with the F.M.S., so to speak, and has seen several slumps come and go. As a Chinese representative on the Federal Council he was most courteous and conscientious, and his years of service on that body will help him greatly in the task he has undertaken. Mr. J. A. Russell, the third unofficial member of the commission, is beyond question one of the ablest men in the commercial and financial circles of Malaya. He is the brain behind Malayan Collieries, a highly prosperous company which is not content with coal-mining but is branching out in half a dozen ways, and the part which Mr. Russell’s firm played in financing Boh Plantations, the first hill-country tea estate in Malaya, elicited a warm compliment from Mr. M. J. Kennaway in an address to the Kuala Lumpur Rotary Club the other day.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 15 March 1932, Page 6 The personnel of the newly appointed Retrenchment Commission will, we believe, meet with very general approval, (says the Malay Mail). Mr. J. A. Russell and Mr Choo Kia Peng C.B.E. were members of the 1922 Retrenchment Commission which sat for nearly a year. Mr. V. A. Lowinger is known as the successful head of a very well organised and efficient Government Department. Anyone who has sat with Mr. D. St. L. Parsons at committee meetings when financial subjects were under discussion will pay tribute to his concise and clearly expressed views. And as Chairman there will be Mr. H. C. Eckhardt- a mathematician of outstanding merit.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 21 March 1932, Page 8 • 
It is understood that Mr. A. B. Milne has severed his connection with the Boh Valley Tea Plantations, Ltd., the Cameron Highlands. TOM

The Straits Times, 21 March 1932, Page 4
,The Straits Times, 23 March 1932, Page 4
 PUBLIC NOTICES MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD. Notice of Eighteenth Annual General Meeting and Closure of Share Registers. NOTICE is hereby given that the Eighteenth Annual General Meeting of the members of the Company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company, Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Buildings Kula Lumpur, F.M.S. on Thursday, Mar 31, 1932 at noon. …. J. A. Russell & Co. Secretaries. K.L. Mar 18 1932 (609 words)

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 23 March 1932, Page 8
 The annual general meeting of the shareholders of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., is to be held at Kuala Lumpur on March 31.

Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(INCORPORATED IN F.M.S.)
DIRECTORS' REPORT
AND
ACCOUNTS
For the Year Ended 31st December, 1931

TO BE PRESENTED AT THE
EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT THE
Registered Office of the Company,
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur,
ON
Thursday the 31st March, 1932,
At Noon.
J. A. RUSSELL & COMPANY,
General Manager & Secretaries.
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(INCORPORATED IN F.M.S.)
DIRECTORS' REPORT
AND
ACCOUNTS
For the Year Ended 31st December, 1931
TO BE PRESENTED AT THE
EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT THE
Registered Office of the Company,
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur,
ON
Thursday the 31st March, 1932, At Noon.
J. A. RUSSELL & COMPANY,
General Managers & Secretaries

Malayan Collieries, Limited
(Incorporated in Federated Malay States.)
Directors.
JOHN ARCHIBALD RUSSELL, Esq. (Chairman.)
HUBERT HARRY ROBBINS, Esq. (Deputy Chairman.)
FREDERICK CUNNINGHAM, Esq.
WILLIAM HENRY MARTIN, Esq.
ALBERT JAMES KELMAN, Esq.
Alternate, ROBERT JOHN TURNBULL, Esq.
General Managers and Secretaries..
J. A. RUSSELL & Co., Kuala Lumpur.
Consulting Electrical Engineers.
SPARKS and PARTNERS, London.
HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANK BUILDINGS, KUALA LUMPUR.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the Eighteenth Annual General MEETING of the Members of the Company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday, 31st March, 1932, at Noon, for the following purposes: —
To receive and consider the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 31st December, 1931 and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors.
To Declare a Final Dividend for the year 1931.
To Declare Directors’ remuneration for the year 1931.
To Elect Directors in place of those retiring.
To Elect Auditors for the ensuing year.
The Share Registers will be closed from Friday, 25th March, 1932, to Friday, 1st April, 1932, both days inclusive.
By Order of the Board,
J. A. RUSSELL & Co.,
Secretaries. Dated 8th March, 1932.
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings. Kuala Lumpur, F.M.S.
Malayan Collieries, Limited
(Incorporated in Federated Malay States.)


Directors' Report for the Eighteenth Year of the Company ended 31st December, 1931.
The Directors have pleasure in submitting their Eighteenth Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st December, 1931.
As is customary, the working of the Company's undertakings is reviewed by the General Managers in their report which is appended.
Batu Arang Colliery, The depression which so affected production and sales during the previous year not only continued but intensified, the actual sales being 159,313 tons lower than those during the previous year.
It is only by virtue of the large capital outlays of the past five years on costs-reducing equipment, and the efficient organisation which has been built up, that it has been possible to achieve the results which are shewn and to contemplate a continuance of the present decline without undue dismay.
Pamoekan Bay Colliery. As indicated last year, your Board was determined that this Colliery should not during a period of stress become a drag upon the general resources of the Company, and as soon as it became evident that markets for bunker coal were unlikely to recover sufficiently to make possible the disposal of the output without an actual loss, steps were taken to close it down, and the Colliery is now in charge of a caretaker with a small labour force for surface maintenance work only. All stocks of coal produced have been disposed of, while all movable plant which could usefully be employed at Batu Arang has been transferred and incorporated in the plant there.
General. The capital expenditure during the year was confined to the completion of all but one material item of the work carried forward from the previous year, the largest individual item being the completion of the new Water Supply, and the only new work of any consequence commenced and not completed was the erection of a coal-washing plant.
Bricks were produced and sold throughout the year, while Plywood for building and packing purposes was added to the products of the Company.
A Prospecting License was obtained from the Perak Government over an area of land near Bidor which was said to contain good quality china clay. This was extensively bored and representative samples of the clay were sent to England for testing and report. The clay is described as a pipe clay and not a true china clay. An application for an area has been lodged with Government; but without the Company so far receiving any definite reply.
In connection with the proposed manufacture of Cement, prospecting rights were also obtained over a limestone deposit within a short distance of Batu Arang, and the necessary preliminary surveys, sampling and analyses were carried out. Final sampling is now in progress with satisfactory results.
Investments. These remain unaltered, and though the market value as at the close of the accounts was somewhat under the purchase cost, this position has since righted itself and the present value is at least equal to the original cost.
Profits. The profits for the year under review, subject to the Directors' and Auditors’ fees amount to ... ... $711,698.60
To which is to be added the unappropriated
balance from the previous account of ... 306,246.7J
$1,017,945.33
Three Interim Dividends of 5% each totalling
15%, on 257,505 shares, were declared during the year absorbing ... ... ... $386,257.50
$631,687.83
You will be asked to sanction fees to Directors in
respect of 1931 at the rate of ... ... $20,000.00
and Auditors fees at the rate of ... ... 2,500.00 22,500.00
Leaving available ... ... $609,187.83
Which your Directors recommend should be dealt with as follows :—
Final dividend of 7 ½ %, making 22 ½ % for
the year ... ... ... $193,128.75
Write off Freehold Property 7,901.25
Write off Leasehold Property ... ... 100,000.00 $301,030.00
Balance to carry forward to next year's account $308,157.83
Directors. Mr. A. J. Kelman and Mr. H. H. Robbins, being the Directors longest in office, retire under the provision of the Articles of Association, and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. During the year, Mr. H. N. Ferrers resigned his seat on the Board owing to ill-health. Mr. A. J. Kelman proceeded Home on business and Mr. R. J. Turnbull was appointed as his alternate.
Auditors. Messrs. Evatt & Co. retire; but being eligible offer themselves for re-election.
By Order of the Board, J. A. RUSSELL & CO.,
Secretaries,
Kuala Lumpur,
8th March, 1932.
Malayan Collieries, Limited.
The Directors,
MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD.,
Kuala Lumpur.


Gentlemen,
We have pleasure in submitting herewith our report upon the working of the Company's undertakings, during the year ended 31st December, 1931.
BATU ARANG COLLIERY. The sales of coal shewed a further considerable falling off, the demand being extremely uncertain and erratic owing, in a large measure, to the trend of the tin market and to the operation of the tin restriction legislation.
To counteract the effect of the largely decreased sales, we have been fortunate in having the aid of the new plant and equipment installed and brought into commission during the last year or so, and without which the results shewn could not possibly have been achieved. Every measure has been taken to economise up to the point of not impairing the actual safety of the plant and operations, and of not causing any more distress amongst the permanent labour force than has been absolutely unavoidable.
All principal capital works brought in unfinished from the previous year were completed, the material exception being the new Railway deviation and marshalling accommodation, work on which was slowed down and is to be spread over the current year.
Underground Development. This, with the decreased demand for our product, was becoming too far advanced and a halt has accordingly been called in the main incline extensions in both the North and East Mines. Very large tonnages are developed, especially in the East Mine, and further sinking need not be contemplated for some considerable time.
Underground Production. The North and the East Mine were each capable of producing the entire demand during the second half-year; but the production was spread in such a way as to ensure the most economical working of each mine and the retention of as many men as possible.
The mines at the moment are operating at less than half capacity during two days out of three, the third day being a complete shutdown but for power plant, subsidiary undertakings and coal despatch.
Coal cutters were reintroduced under longwall conditions especially developed for the purpose, and results both technically and economically have proved entirely satisfactory. Though more machines are on hand, further units will not be employed in production until full employment can be found for the whole of the present labour force.
Hydraulic Stowage. The Kundang sand pits were shut down quite early in the year, all stowage material required to replace the reduced extraction of coal being obtained in the course of stripping and crushing operations at Batu Arang. This material is not so suitable, clean and convenient to handle underground, as the washed sand from Kundang; but the economy as a result of its use is considerable. Unfortunately, the supply is not unlimited and we shall have to augment it with sand from Kundang when a greater demand for our coal returns.
Opencasts. Production from this source was on a still further reduced scale, and the tonnage of stripped reserves of coal at the close of the year exceeded that at the beginning.
Buildings and Plant. Maintenance throughout was of a satisfactory nature.
A number of new buildings were erected, mostly in continuation of the policy of gradual replacement of temporary buildings.
A good deal of new plant was brought into commission and the year saw the completion of the electrification of the property. While the bulk of the Colliery work proper is now converted to A.C. power, quite a lot of the D.C. electrical equipment has, in the interest of severe economy, been utilised in the subsidiary undertakings, and so the D.C. load is considerably higher than it was expected would be the case at this date. Conversion will, of course, continue as opportunity offers; but unless the savings are calculated to be fully compensatory, we are reluctant to scrap still usable D.C. plant for the sake of converting to A.C.
Water Supply. The principal work in connection with the new 750,000 gallon per day supply was concluded during the year, and reticulation is now in progress and will be completed during the current year.
The supply now available of high and low-level filtered and unfiltered water is sufficient for all requirements of the property present and prospective for many years to come.
PAMOEKAN COLLIERY. Owing to the virtual collapse of the Eastern bunker-coal market, it was decided early in the year to suspend production at this Colliery, and steps were immediately taken to withdraw the underground plant and to secure the workings against a shutdown of an indefinite period.
All members of the staff and Chinese labour force were repatriated. Stocks of coal were disposed of and all movable plant which it was considered could usefully be employed at Batu Arang was transferred. The whole position was cleared up before Great Britain went off the gold standard, since when the Eastern coal markets have been even more difficult, especially for producers in such countries as the Netherlands Indies whose currency is still based upon gold.
SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS. Clay working. 6.3 million bricks were produced of which 5.4 million were either sold or utilised on the property, the balance going into stock.
Considerable time and attention have been devoted by the Ceramic Chemist to the perfection of pipe and tile mixtures, and it is hoped that a commencement of the production of these products will be possible during the current year.
Plywood. This department was brought to the production stage by the end of the year, and commercial sales of the products have since commenced. To date, the production of building-panels and chests for packing rubber has been concentrated upon with, we are pleased to say, quite encouraging results.
Agriculture. The small scale experiments in agricultural products did not yield conclusive results one way or the other except perhaps in connection with Pineapples of the Singapore and Sarawak varieties, for the growth of which our soil would not seem to be entirely satisfactory. The rather larger area of plants of the Hawaiian variety imported by us from Honolulu is just coming into bearing, and as the first fruits are superior in flavour and texture to the local varieties, it may prove that there are possibilities in the cultivation and canning of the Hawaiian fruit.
Cement Manufacture. Considerable further work was conducted in connection with the proposed installation for the manufacture of Cement, including surveys, preliminary railway location, sampling, and analyses. The work of sampling the limestone deposit at the proposed quarry site is still in progress.
GENERAL. An area at Bidor was bored to test the quality of a bed of pipe clay, and, in compliance with your instructions an application was lodged for a lease of a selected area.
We have succeeded in retaining at Batu Arang practically the same resident population as resided there during the previous year; though, as the work which we have been able to offer it has been considerably less, we have encouraged members of the labour force to augment their earnings, or to reduce their cost of living, by growing fruit and vegetables or by raising pigs, the area devoted to which pursuits is now considerable.
The health of the labour force and resident population remained exceedingly good.
During the early part of the year, we had the pleasure of showing round the property the late Chief Secretary, the Hon'ble Mr. C. W. H. Cochrane, C.M.G., while during September an opportunity was afforded us to entertain the members of the Malayan Association of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
We are, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully,
Kuala Lumpur, J. A. RUSSELL & Co.,
8th March, 1932. General Managers.
MALAYAN COLLIERIES


(For accounts see M.C. page for 1932)

Above from: MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED REPORTS & BALANCE SHEETS AND PROCEEDINGS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS 1926- 1935 & The Straits Times, 24 March 1932, Page 11, MALAYAN COLLIERIES. 22 1/2 Per Cent. Dividend For The Year. The directors' report of Malayan Collieries Ltd., to be presented at the eighteenth annual general meeting, at Kuala Lumpur, on Mar. 31, recommends the payment of a final dividend of 7 1/2 per cent., making 22 1/2, per cent, for the year. The sum of $308.157 is being carried forward to next year’s account. A full report appears on Page 9 , & Malay Mail, Thursday March 24, 1932 page 9 , The Straits Times, 24 March 1932, Page 9, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 25 March 1932, Page 19 .

Malayan Collieries Ltd.

(INCORPORATED   IN   F.M.S.)

PROCEEDINGS

AT   THE

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING   OF

SHAREHOLDERS

HELD   AT   THE

Registered Office of the Company,

Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur,

ON

Thursday the 31st March, 1932,

At Noon,

Malayan Collieries, Ltd.

(INCORPORATED   IN    F.M.S.)

PROCEEDINGS

AT   THE

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL   MEETING   OF

SHAREHOLDERS

HELD   AT   THE

Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur,

ON

Thursday the   31st March, 1932, At Noon.

Malayan Collieries, Limited.

(Incorporated in Federated Malay States.)

Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, F.M.S.

The Shareholders,

MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD.

Dear Sir, or Madam,

We have pleasure in reporting to you the proceedings at the Eighteenth Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of the Company which was held at the Registered Office, on Thursday, 31st March, 1932.

Yours faithfully,

J. A. RUSSELL & CO.,

Secretaries.

Dated 31st March, 1932.

Malayan Collieries, Limited

(Incorporated in Federated Malay States.)

Proceedings   of   the   Eighteenth   Annual   General    Meeting.

The Eighteenth Annual General Meeting of Malayan Collieries Ltd., was held at the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, at noon on the 31st March,  1932.

The Chairman, Mr. J. A. Russell presided and the others present were: —Messrs. H. H. Robbins, W. H. Martin, F. Cunningham and R. J. Turnbull (Directors) and W. G. C. Blunn and C. Norman Bennett (Shareholders.)

The representative of the Secretaries having read the notice convening the Meeting, the Chairman, before moving the adoption of the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 31st December, 1931 and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors, addressed the Meeting as follows : —

Gentlemen,

The report and accounts having been in your hands for the required period, I will assume it is your wish that they be taken as read. It is unfortunate that a still further restriction in profits falls to be recorded by me; but having regard to the all encircling gloom, I trust that the result of the year's trading, and the manner in which it is proposed to dispose of these results, will be accepted as the very best that we have been able to do for you during an exceedingly difficult period of general economic depression.

In addressing you last year, I indicated the possibility of drastic action becoming necessary in connection with Pamoekan Bay. Shortly after that meeting, we lost several Pamoekan coal sales contracts—contracts that we had successfully held for years—to rival coal producers who seemed intent upon disposing of their product at prices which could not possibly have shown them anything but a loss on their cost of production plus freight. It was, therefore, decided, pending the return of more rational market conditions, to shut down this particular colliery. Events, since the accomplishment of this shutdown, have, in some small measure, compensated for the disappointment which this seemingly retrograde decision caused your Board at the time, because the losses incurred by those producers so largely responsible for the market debacle, and who have still gone on producing and selling at under cost, must by now be very serious indeed.

Sales of Malayan (that is to say, of our Batu Arang Colliery coal) also shewed a material falling off, as of course the troubles of the tin mining and rubber industries, and indeed of the F.M.S. generally, are our own troubles. Every attempt has been made to counteract the effect of the falling demand by reduced costs; but there is a limit, especially in a colliery undertaking such as ours, beyond which it is not real economy to go, and though your Board is not prepared to adopt the easy attitude of either believing or saying that everything possible has now been done, the time and position are very near when it will only be by the sale, or the utilisation in subsidiary undertakings, of a larger number of tons of coal that further material reductions in costs can be effected.

To come to the accounts, these are before you set out in the usual manner. The expenditure on capital account was much less than during the previous year; but is still considerably higher than the sum for which we have budgeted for the current one.

"Buildings and General Plant" were added to at a cost of $420,564.26 raising these accounts to a total of $3,248,660.91, the whole being depreciated by $184,799.01. As is usual, all buildings, the expenditure upon which was charged to capital, were of a permanent type. The new plant installed during the year was of a general nature.

The allocation to depreciation may seem to you to be high; but your Board has considered it to be in the interest of the soundness of the Company to reduce the value of its buildings and plant to the lower replacement values ruling to-day. The main works of the water supply were completed, and the only large improvements outstanding at the close of the year were the new railway sidings deviation and the erection of the washery, the plant for which latter was transferred from Pamoekan Bay.

The item "Mine Stores, Spares and Stocks of Coal" is made up as to $383,313.33 of mine stores and spares, as to $45,653.53 of plant taken into stores and awaiting issue for installation and as to $13,630.00 of coal in stock. All these figures are considerably lower than those for the previous year, as, in keeping with the times, we have tried to avoid accumulating dumps of unsold coal, and are also operating the mine on the smallest possible stock of supplies.

"Sundry Debtors, Bills Receivable and Debit Balances" is down on the previous year by $75,560.92, this being due to the reduced turnover. It was considered advisable to add $20,000 to "Bad Debts Reserve," bringing this item up to $100,000. "Sundry Creditors, Bills Payable and Credit Balances" is also down by as much as $63,698.04, again due to the smaller volume of business. Owing to the curtailing of our programme of development, the Company has no large liabilities to meet during the coming year. "Staff Leave and Passages" is high especially when compared with the much smaller provision for the current twelve months. This exceptional heaviness of expenditure for last year was due to the large reduction in the European staff consequent upon the diminished output of coal.

"Investments" remain unaltered, and while at the close of accounts the market value was less than the actual cost, the market has since appreciated and the value is now something in excess of the actual cost. It is hoped that the time will not be long deferred when we shall be able to build up the Company's investments at least to an amount covering the Amortisation Reserve. In the meantime, it is satisfactory to remember. that if funds, which it might by some be said should have gone into investments outside the property, have been invested within our own business in extra plant and equipment, it is this extra plant and equipment that is at this very time materially assisting us to ride the depression with a reasonable measure of profit; besides, incidentally, earning for the Company a larger return than could the investment of the money in correspondingly safe undertakings outside.

"Cash in hand and at Banks' was at the close of accounts the comparatively small sum of $61,840.49; but this should of course be read in conjunction with the amount of "Sundry Debtors," the bulk of which amount was received during January. The cash available on the due date will be ample to meet the requirement of the final dividend that we are recommending to you should be paid.

The " Trading and Profit and Loss Account " is clear and straightforward and does not, I think, call for any comment, except that the years turnover is down by the large amount of $1,705,469.75 on the figure for the previous twelve months. Your Company paid the F.M.S. Government about $100,000 in royalty during the year, some of the timber royalties appearing under the heading of working expenditure. The F.M.S. Government suffered a loss compared with the previous year of approximately $40,000 in royalties, due to the decreased demand for Malayan coal.

The foregoing is a summary of the position as expressed in figures. When addressing you last year it was of course apparent to all of us that we were confronted with another year of further constriction of trading conditions; but perhaps the actual has exceeded the expected in its intensity.

That we are still very much in the wood seems quite evident, and I am afraid that I consequently cannot predict any marked improvement in your Company's results for this coming year over that of last. It will be your Boards constant endeavour, however, to place itself in a position to present results at least as good as those now being reviewed; although it will readily be accepted that the country and its institutions cannot suffer through this world-wide economic chaos without our Company also suffering in at least direct proportion.

For instance, the Railways, our largest individual consumers, are very hard hit, not only by the slump, but by a road competition that many consider grossly unfair. To counteract the effect of a shrinkage in traffic, the Railway Administration, whether wisely or not is a matter of opinion, has considered it good policy to increase some of its freight rates, including coal, over the longer distance hauls, and this increase came into force on the 1st February. Realising that a number of our longer distance consumers are not in a position at this time to pay extra freight, and in order to protect our own interest in a district where we are brought into competition with an undertaking which has been rendered effective only by the sheer weight of a Government subsidy, we are carrying this extra freight charge for our customers at a cost to the Company, according to the prevailing demand, of from   $30,000 to   $75,000 per annum.

In addition to this, we are offering to the F.M.S. Railways an immediate reduction on their still current contract that should result in a saving to it, upon the basis of its consumption of last year of over $100,000 and on the basis of its peak year of 1929 of $240,000 per annum.

Naturally, to counteract in substantial part these large concessions to consumers, economy most rigid and an efficiency of a high order have been and are still increasingly called for, and your Board can assure you that every endeavour will be exerted to achieve this double goal. The task is a severe one in these times of small demand; but if the Company can maintain its position under present conditions, the future, when prosperity revives, can be regarded with pleasurable anticipation of a return to larger earnings.

As the General Managers have pointed out in their report, coal development at Batu Arang is now sufficiently far advanced to do for some years to come. Accordingly, in the interests of economy in the timbering and maintenance of roads and airways and in their pumping and ventilation, all further sinking has been suspended.

The progress made with stripping was satisfactory, and a number of improvements in technique both underground and on the surface were introduced, mostly as a result of ample electric power being available at all points. With the completion of the Washery now in the course of erection, the economy of extraction, always high owing to the practice of sand stowage, will still further be improved. Though our reserves of coal are very large, it is plainly of the utmost importance to ourselves and to the country that they be utilised with as little waste as possible.

In recommending the payment of 22 ½ % for the year, your Directors have agreed to distribute a larger percentage of a years earnings than it has been usual for this Company to do. This is not being advised without due regard for the requirements of the Company's operations during the continuance of the present depression; but it is felt that, in these times of reduced income and general gloom, any extra distribution of money is not only likely to be very welcome to shareholders, but beneficial to the country at large by helping in some small measure to increase the money in local circulation. Such a policy will also, incidentally, tend to uphold the standing of this country as a field for the investment of capital in other than the fundamentally sound but at present sorely tried staple industries of tin and rubber.

In these days of inflated capital and the effects thereof, it is perhaps as well at intervals to emphasise the fact that in the case of your Company the nominal par value of your shares bears no relation to the actual amount of capital which is employed in your business, so that while this year we are paying 22 ½% on the paid-up capital of the Company, the actual return upon the total amount of capital which you have sunk back in developing your concern is only about 6.7%.

Needless to say, the times call for the utmost caution in all things; but your Board has been, and still is, most anxious not to adopt in any connection a policy which might benefit the present to the detriment of the future. At Batu Arang we are now feeling the benefit of the large capital outlays of recent years, and, it goes without saying, also of the cheaper cost of labour. Unfortunately, these benefits are not so apparent over the smaller tonnages now dealt in, and every endeavour is consequently being made to extend the use of our main product, Malayan Coal. The object which we have in mind in striving for such an increased use is the lower prices which we would then be in a position to concede to our present consumers, and to quote to new ones.

Apart from that demand for coal for steam raising purposes which lies beyond our present distance-radius of price effectiveness, probably the largest potential consumer within Malaya would be a Cement manufacturing industry, the establishment of which it is the hope of your Board either to undertake or to foster. Since last addressing you, the Government of the F.M.S. has imposed a duty on the importation of Cement, apparently with the dual purpose of raising revenue and of helping in the establishment of a local industry. We have, as you know, already conducted extensive investigations into our resources and on our raw materials—having had the latter commercially converted into cement in England and on the Continent—and we possess very full expert opinion upon all relevant points. The only step which we might still take is to get an actual visit made to the spot by a cement expert. We have, accordingly, arranged for such a visit by a well-known cement consulting engineer who is due to arrive in the country today. After a study of local conditions he will prepare for us a concluding report upon our exact position, especially in regard to our ability to compete in those markets outside the F.M.S. on which we are relying to absorb any-surplus capacity of our proposed factory. Subject to transportation costs to export points, we ourselves believe that we should be able to compete with all cements except those which are recklessly dumped, and if our consulting engineer, as a result of these very careful investigations of every aspect of the matter on the site, confirms this view, we hope to be able very shortly to formulate a definite scheme. Lest, however, anxiety be felt by some shareholders at the prospect of being called upon to subscribe considerable amounts of fresh capital for a cement works at a time of great financial stringency, I may say that it is not the present intention of your Board to suggest such a course.

Since last addressing you, the Plywood manufacturing department at Batu Arang has been brought into commercial production and I am able to say that the demand for the product is encouraging. We could quite safely say that the demand was entirely satisfactory but for the well-known fact that prejudices die hard. While we are able to offer a pink or redwood chest possessing all the qualities of the best imported chests except colour plus considerable price advantage, the majority of buyers are reluctant to adopt them, and so the real demand to date is for our Class "A" or white-wood chests, which, owing to the lesser abundance of suitable white timber, is rather more expensive, but still definitely competitive. The capacity of the plant represents but a small proportion of the total chests imported into the country; but even so it is a step, both in principle and practice, towards reducing the colossal sums spent annually in importing timber and timber products into this country, articles which could and should be produced locally. The net importation of timber, in the form of lumber only, into British Malaya has averaged during the last three years no less a sum than two and a half million dollars and actually in tonnage and value was greater than that officially produced within the country itself. In so well wooded a land as is British Malaya, where Government has spent literally millions on forest administration and research, this is an astounding anomaly that reflects gravely on our F.M.S. system of economy. In the Philippines, with similar forest resources, lumber is one of the principal internal and export industries, and a source of great employment to the people and of revenue to the State. In British Malaya thousands of acres of precious timber have been in the past destroyed for planting and many more thousands will be so destroyed when the planting industry revives. This is no criticism of the planting industry; but of the system which after years of running an expensive administrative and research department has apparently not yet devised a method of profitably exploiting our several large areas of excellent forest before the same is alienated for cultivation; nor, it would seem, of being able to encourage others so to exploit them.

In the above connection, it is interesting to note that the High Commissioner and many others, official and non-official, have in recent years repeatedly stressed the paramount necessity of having more industries in Malaya, particularly export ones, than just tin and rubber. As one who has known this country for 30 years and who has acquired in it an interest which, if not great, at least is important to the speaker, the wisdom of this view has long been evident. My firm, either for its own account or upon behalf of your Company, has during the past ten years or so considered quite a large number of new industries or enterprises and closely investigated several of them. Most have proved to be unsuitable for either interest, unsuitable, anyhow, at the present stage of the country's development or in the existing condition of the particular industry under examination, while the opportunity for one—a steam power station in the Kinta valley—was missed by us by our moving too cautiously in the matter, to the financial loss, I think, both of your Company and Government. A very few have been embarked upon and a few more are still under investigation, some for Malayan Collieries and some for my own private firm. Despite official pronouncements, however, it is occasionally disheartening to find that some Government departments and officials are inclined to be slow and unhelpful in connection with and in one case definitely opposed to attempts to establish new projects in Malaya. There are, needless to say, many who are the exact reverse of this and who do what they can to further the inauguration of new industries. In saying that a few exhibit an apathy in regard to endeavours to create fresh forms of local enterprise or even an antagonism towards such ideas, I am not referring to any request for Government subsidies. I am inclined to be against Government subsidies and I am firmly convinced that, in so far as any which have yet been given are concerned, the State would be infinitely better off had they never been granted. I can think of several private undertakings which have obtained F.M.S. Government financial aid; but I cannot recollect a single one which has ever been a financial success and repaid Government.

Our Brickworks produced some six and a half million bricks during the year, of which five and a half were delivered to consumers or used on the property. The department is now well established to cater for the demand for all description of bricks, especially for the large consumption that is bound to arise when prosperity returns to the country and interest in building revives. This may be some considerable time ahead, as under present or immediately prospective conditions the country would seem to be fairly well provided with buildings. In the meantime, the works will operate to supply the demands put upon it both by the public and your own undertakings, any surplus going into stock against a renewal of normal demand.

Owing to the difficult nature of the Malayan clays, work on the production of good quality roofing tiles and glazed pipes has not progressed as rapidly as we had hoped. We have sent many samples to England for testing and report and have now engaged a ceramic chemist for experimental work at our laboratory at Batu Arang on local earths. We believe that it is only a matter of a little time before the production of one of these products, if not of both, can be proceeded with on a commercial scale, and, what is important, with very little additional capital outlay.

The investigation of agricultural products, other than rubber, to plant upon the Company's Batu Arang leases has not so far produced definite results. It was hoped that the growing and canning of pineapples might prove an attractive solution of the problem, and an experimental plot of the varieties of pines locally grown, as well as one of Hawaiian varieties, were accordingly established. The first crops from the local kinds rather suggest that our soil conditions are not entirely suitable for this type of pines. The Hawaiian variety, some 70,000 plants of which we imported from Honolulu and put down, has just commenced to fruit, and the texture and flavour are undoubtedly superior to those of the local kinds; but it is as yet too early to judge as to their suitability for profitable canning. We are perfectly well aware that there is little, if anything, in the production of unimproved local varieties and in the canning of them to the grades at present worked to, and if ever we should propose to you the planting up of an area of pines under intensive methods of cultivation, and on a scale sufficient for a modern factory of an economical capacity, a type of factory such as is not yet known in British Malaya, it will be with in mind the production of a superior article which would command a share of the market at present held by the Hawaiian product, and at a price somewhere between that enjoyed for the Hawaiian fruit and that suffered by the local packers for what is known as the Singapore variety. In the meantime, we are advised that some of the larger Hawaiian canners have recently incurred very heavy losses on operations; but this we think is primarily due to the buying public being quite unable, in the present state of the world, to pay the prices required to support the very expensive organisation that has grown up during two decades of enormous expansion and prosperity in the Hawaiian canned pine industry.

Oil Palm, at the costs at which it could be planted under present conditions, has had the very serious consideration of your Board; but here again adverse market factors have counselled caution. Prices have now recovered to a level at which an oil palm estate, capitalised at the figure which could be achieved by opening up at the present time with no dead capital and devoid of frills, could be made to shew quite satisfactory returns. In short, if we felt assured of a permanent market not materially under £20 per ton for the commodity, oil palm would seem to be an answer to our search for a profitable way of utilising our surface area.

In the Directors' Report accompanying the Accounts, you will have seen reference to an application for a block of land containing a clay which, although our technical advisers are not satisfied is a true china clay, may, nevertheless, prove suitable for some of the purposes to which china clay proper is frequently put. We have not yet heard from Government its decision regarding our application. If this is favourable, we propose further testing the deposit and its probable markets in a small commercial way before incurring any considerable outlay in its development.

Before concluding my remarks, I think that at the risk of being perhaps justly accused of windyness and of mentioning something that is very evident, I might say that this country is not singular in its misfortunes, the deflation from which it is suffering being mainly due to the depression of the whole of the rest of the world. Unless you think that the greater part of the civilized globe is not in our time going to recover, you must, therefore, believe that Malaya itself will within our lives regain prosperity. It is only a question of how long it will take to do it. One or two, perhaps three or four or even more years; but eventually it will come, although the country may never be able during our own period to indulge in quite as many of the luxuries, if not indeed the extravagances, of all forms of administration, private and public, as it has in the past. Despite that, I believe this country will eventually reach a volume of production and trade still unattained. The percentage of profits will no doubt be smaller; but the total value much greater. I cannot, in fact, conceive that so favoured a country as Malaya is economically finished; if it be, then the rest of the Earth is economically at an end. Holding as I do to this belief, I have every faith in the future of Malayan Collieries, Ltd. Financially your Company is in a sound position, and I am of the opinion that it can weather any likely storm. Under closely furled sails may be, and perhaps with little to spare; but come through it will.

To return to the more immediate present, the near outlook for this country is dark; but unless it gets very much blacker I think you can feel assured that your property will continue to earn you a fair return during the current year and I have every hope that you need suffer no serious diminution in dividends. To secure that object, we are prepared to reduce every item of expenditure to the very barest minimum compatible with not injuring the future of the property.

I regret that, as much as I should like to do so, again I cannot ask you to sanction a bonus to the staff at the Collieries, and I can only trust that a revival of trade will before so very long allow us to resume our old custom of giving some tangible expression of our appreciation of the good work performed by all at Batu Arang. Your General Managers inform me that they especially wish to mention the loyal and indefatigable assistance which they have received from Mr. Brailsford, the Mine Manager, and also from the Chief Engineer, Mr. Tooms, not only for his services on the Colliery, but also for the work which he put in on the Company's behalf while on leave.

His Excellency the High Commissioner accompanied by the Acting Chief Secretary, the Hon. Mr. A. Caldecott, C.B.E., the late British Resident of Selangor, the Hon. Mr. J. W. Simmons, and the General Manager of Railways, the Hon. Mr. J. Strachan, honoured your Company with a visit last January to Batu Arang, visiting the brick and plywood departments and descending the East Mine. We were glad to have the privilege of showing His Excellency round your property and you will be gratified to learn that His Excellency, and also the Chief Secretary and the others of the party, showed the keenest interest in your undertaking.

At our last meeting Mr. Ferrers owing to illness was unfortunately prevented from being present, and while I am glad to be able to tell you that he is now infinitely better than he was, I am sorry to say that at the end of the year he was still not as fit as we should have liked to have seen him. Mr. Ferrers, accordingly, regretfully tendered his resignation from the Board. We all hope, however, that under medical care he will soon be restored to complete health.

Mr. Kelman proceeded to England towards the end of the year, and the Board elected as his alternate during his temporary absence his colleague Mr. Robert John Turnbull of Malayan Tin Dredging Co., Ltd., whom we have with us this morning.

I will now formally propose that the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 31st December, 1931, and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors be received and adopted, which resolution I will ask Mr. Martin to second; but before I put the same to the meeting I shall be glad to answer if I can any questions bearing upon the Report and Accounts which shareholders present may care to ask.

There being no questions asked, the Report and Balance Sheet were unanimously adopted on the motion of the Chairman seconded by Mr. W. H. Martin.

The Final Dividend of 7 ½ % was unanimously approved on the motion of the Chairman seconded by Mr.  F.  Cunningham.

The Directors remuneration of $20,000 for the past year was carried on the proposal of the Chairman seconded by Mr. R. J. Turnbull.

Messrs. A. J. Kelman and H. H. Robbins, being the Directors longest in office, retired under the provision of the Articles of Association, but being eligible, offered themselves for re-election. Mr. A. J. Kelman was re-elected a Director on the proposal of the Chairman seconded by Mr. H. H. Robbins. Mr. H. H. Robbins was re-elected a Director on the proposal of the Chairman seconded by Mr. W. H. Martin. Mr. W. G. C. Blunn proposed and Mr. C. Norman Bennett seconded that Messrs. Evatt & Co. be re-elected Auditors for the ensuing year.

The Meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

Above from: MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED REPORTS & BALANCE SHEETS AND PROCEEDINGS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS 1926- 1935 & The Straits Times, 1 April 1932, Page 9 and The Malay Mail, Friday April 1, 1932 ps. 9 and 10.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 1 April 1932, Page 1 THE DAY'S NEWS At yesterdays meeting of Malayan Collieries Mr. J. A. Russell referred to the company’s plans for starting cement manufacture, and concluded on a very optimistic note as to the future of Malayan Collieries. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 1 April 1932, Page 9 MALAYAN COLLIERIES MEETING CEMENT PROJECT Mr. J. A. Russell's Optimistic View of the Future.

The Straits Times, 1 April 1932, Page 10 TODAYS TONIC TALK. Countries are like human beings- they need a tonic occasionally, even though it is only a bottle of sweet-tasting coloured water- and those that can supply it are public benefactors. Among such we must class Mr. J. A. Russell, the chairman of Malayan Collieries, Ltd. No chairman relishes telling a meeting of shareholders that contracts have been lost, receipts fallen off, dividends reduced and another black year has to be faced but Mr. Russell could do this and still strike an optimistic note in his speech- not the futile kind of optimism achieved by putting one’s head in a hole in the ground, but the calm reasoned optimism of one with special knowledge and sure grounds in his beliefs. Lest Mr. Russell’s message of hope be overlooked in the mass of print under which it lies buried elsewhere, we reproduce it here and give it our most cordial endorsement. 0. “ Unless you think that the greater part of the civilized globe is not in our time going to recover, you must, therefore believe that Malaya itself will within our lives regain prosperity. It is only a question of how long it will take to do it. One or two, perhaps three or four or even more years; but eventually it will come, although the country may never be able during our own period to indulge in quite as many of the luxuries, if not indeed the extravagances, of all forms of administration, private and public, as it has in the past. Despite that, I believe this country will eventually reach a volume of production and trade still unattained. The percentage of profits will no doubt be smaller; but the total value much greater. I cannot, in fact, conceive that so favoured a country as Malaya is economically finished; if it be, then the rest of the earth is economically at an end.” Thank you Mr. Russell, it does us good to read that. Malaya sudah habis?- Pooh!

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 2 April 1932, Page 1 TOPICS OF THE WEEK The Topicist is all for these new industries which promise to spring up in Malaya in the near future. Malayan Collieries as a cement producer is the latest, and there is another direction towards which J.A.R. might turn his attention. At a recent meeting in Ceylon it was disclosed that rectified spirits can be manufactured from sawdust and bananas. As a little adjunct to their plywood factory at Batu Arang a little sawdust-cum-banana distillery ought to prove popular and help make good any loss through a philanthropic policy towards the Railways.

The Straits Times, 15 April 1932, Page 10 The Straits Times. SINGAPORE, FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1932. INDUSTRIAL SIGNS. (Leader Article) Malayan Collieries Limited has always been a company of outstanding originality and energy, but it has never done anything more remarkable than the payment of a twenty-two and a half per cent, dividend during the worst year in Malaya's economic history. It may be said, and rightly said, that a colliery company which is the only one of its kind in Malaya, and is the sole supplier of fuel to the Malayan railway system, ought to be comfortably placed and would have to be very badly mismanaged to find itself in any other position. Nevertheless, no one who has grasped the necessity of broadening the economic basis of this country can withhold a wholehearted tribute to the boldness and vision with which Malayan Collieries, one of the largest industrial organisations in this country, has been directed throughout its history and which enables it today to meet slump conditions with the maximum of efficiency and economy. Some time ago this journal pointed out that the payment of so generous a dividend, and the expressed determination of Malayan Collieries to study the interest of their customers might not be consistent, having regard to the parlous state of the F.M.S. Railways, and it is satisfactory to see that the Collieries have now offered the Railways a reduction on their current contract. Considering that the Railways themselves have hit the Collieries by raising their freight rates for coal, that reduction shows a sprit of sweet reasonableness, not to say of Christian forgiveness, which is not as common in the business world as it might be. The passages in Mr. J. A. Russell’s speech at the annual meeting of Malayan Collieries which discussed the subsidiary activities of the company were exceedingly interesting and, whether the reader is a shareholder in the company or not, full of encouragement and hope for the future. The desire to produce in Malaya those goods which this country can produce but which are now being bought from other countries is fully awakened. The strangling influence of the rubber and tin booms has gone and in every direction capitalists are seeking to invade local markets which are at present are supplied with foreign produce. Yet it is clear that in this new activity the small man, the man with little capital and little backing, has no chance. Established trade currents are not diverted by pure luck. Tariffs will help new industries in Malaya, but exhaustive investigation of commercial and technical factors is absolutely essential if the “ Buy Malayan” sentiment, now well established, is to be fully exploited. But for that exhaustive investigation, the essential preliminary to commercial operation, large capital resources are necessary, and it is most encouraging to see a company of the financial strength of Malayan Collieries devoting itself to the study of local manufacturing possibilities. Its action in bringing out a cement expert to complete the inquiries which have already been made into the cement-manufacturing possibilities of its Batu Arang property are a case in point. There have been cement factories in this country in the past, but there are none today. The modern uses of cement demand the most accurate processes of manufacture, such as will give architects and engineers complete confidence in the quality of the product, and we may be thankful that the examination of this Malayan problem is in such competent hands. 0. Another example of the thoroughness with which Malayan Collieries is setting about the examination of its resources other than coal is the employment of the ceramic chemist at Batu Arang. The manufacture of bricks and plywood is already established at Batu Arang and it is to be hoped that rubber companies will give serious attention to Mr. Russell’s comments on the latter industry. Surely there are overwhelming arguments today for giving preference to local product and for renewed examination of the prejudices which, says Mr. Russell, have no basis in fact. Mr. Russell’s comments on the attitude of certain officials towards new industries are distinctly disturbing. It is difficult to believe, after the emphasis which has been laid by Sir Cecil Clementi, Dr. Tempany and others during the last two years on the importance of breaking out of the rubber and tin grooves, to find dissatisfaction with official responsiveness openly voiced by one of the country’s leading industrialist and capitalists. On the whole, however, Mr. Russell’s speech is as good a tonic as has been offered to the Malayan public for many month past. He has shown his own company to be an energising and progressive force in the country’s economic life, and he has expressed his personal conviction that unless the world is economically “finished” Malaya is not, and never will be, “finished”. For our rubber and tin there will always be markets, and every month evidence is accumulating of Malaya’s progress towards the ideal of a self supporting peasantry and an economic system consciously and aggressively serving our own internal markets.

The Straits Times, 15 April 1932, Page 17Malayan Planting Topics. Strings To A Highlands Bow— High-Grade Tea The Best Proposition Blue Mountain And Arabica Coffee While no agricultural crop has yet been produced on a commercial scale at Cameron Highlands it may be of interest to indicate what crops offer a reasonable hope of eventually becoming paying propositions. With the experimental work accomplished to date at Tanah Rata by the Department of Agriculture, and what can be seen at Boh Plantations- where an appreciable area is approaching the producing stage- there is, I think, little doubt that this crop is destined to be a major product of the Highlands. We know that tea grown anywhere in the East at an elevation of over 4,000 feet has always fetched remunerative prices, even during the present world slump. We also know that it is only in British Malaya that any considerable area of accessible land for the cultivation of highland tea is now to be had. Climatic conditions, such as rainfall, wind temperature etc., on Cameron Highlands are in many respects similar to those of Ceylon, and although it remains to be proved that we can make on the Highlands the same quality of tea as that made in Ceylon at a similar elevation, there are distinct indications that our yields per acre will be higher and that we will make up in quality what we may lack in quantity. A labour Advantage As regards the important factor of labour, we know that Malaya is better situated than any other country in the East, in that it not only has an Indian supply from which to draw but also supplies in Java and China, and, while our labour rates per day may be slightly higher than those of India and Ceylon, the higher yields per acre will compensate for this difference. Another advantage which Cameron Highlands will possess is the fact that for the first few years after the bearing stage is reached there will be no need for the intensive manuring which is now necessary in India and Ceylon to maintain their previous yields, while the grater attention now given in Malaya to early conservation of soil will postpone still further the time when manuring will be necessary. Marketing prospects would appear to be satisfactory, for the Home Government has adopted a preference for products of the British Empire, and the population of the British Isles consume more tea per capita than any other nation in the world. When Malaya reaches the exporting stage, therefore, she should be more favourably situated than the Dutch East Indies in relation to tea production. The conclusion to be drawn from this review of the subject is that the cultivation of tea at the Cameron Highlands offers distinctly attractive prospects for capital investment, always provided that economical management and up-to-date planting practice are primary considerations.. (Details of types of coffee to be grown… other crops.. cardamoms etc)

The Straits Times, 25 April 1932, Page 10
 SINGAPORE, MONDAY, APRIL 25. 1932 (Leader) HIGHLANDS PROSPECTS. Mr. B. Bunting's article on the agricultural possibilities of Cameron Highlands, published in the April number of The Malayan Agricultural Journal, comes at a time when there is a real demand for the information he has given. People who have bought, or are thinking of buying, building lots at the Highlands wish to know how far they an supply their own tables, while those who hope to become proprietary planters on a small scale, or market gardeners – and their number is growing steadily- are anxious to know what their commercial prospects are. Mr. Bunting does not tell them a great deal, but what he does say is worth knowing. After all, too much cannot be expected when the experimental plantation at Tanah Rata was only cleared of virgin jungle five years ago, when the road to the Highlands has only been completed within the last two years, and when a study of local marketing and transport problems can only be based on the brief experience of one or two individuals. The Highlands are still very new, and we are only at the beginning of their commercial development. The only large-scale agricultural enterprise located there, Boh Plantations has not yet reached the producing stage, and the suggestions of co-operative manufacture and marketing for small propriety planters, such as those discussed by the Incorporated Society of Planters, have not passed beyond a vague and theoretical stage. The planting correspondent of the Straits Times reviewed a few days ago the crops which appear to be suited to the soil and climate of the Highlands but very careful study will have to be made both of local and export markets before money is invested in this hill station. It has been suggested that the Department of Agriculture ought to be able to put more information before the public than it has done, but Mr. Bunting’s article, considering the shortness of time during which experimental work has been done and also transport difficulties, seems to be sufficient answer to that complaint. • If there are still any optimists who expect to find anther Brastagi or Baguio at Cameron Highlands they will do well to mark Mr. Bunting’s statement that “ there is very little flat land to be found on either the Southern or the Northern Highlands” Climatic studies have shown that “ the rainfall is somewhat low compared with other hill stations in this country, which is a decided advantage from an agricultural standpoint”. That disposes finally of a rumour current some time ago that the highlands were too wet ever to be a popular hill station. The appointment of a resident agriculturist with some experience of Ceylon, India and Assam, to the Highlands is a useful move. The possibilities of tea cultivation at the Highlands have aroused much interest and unless there is some reason, at present unknown, why teas of the same quality as the hill- country teas of Ceylon cannot be produced we may feel fairly sure of an export market for Highlands tea. Here, however, the necessity of co-operative action for the small grower obtrudes itself. Mr. Bunting reminds us that at least 150 acres are necessary to maintain a small factory for the preparation of first-class tea, and he points to the advantages of a central factory. The experimental factory which has been erected by the Department of Agriculture should make valuable additions to our knowledge of this problem. The appearance of disease among coffee plants at the Highlands is ominous, but for both this crop and tea there is hope of Malayan preference as well as the preference also granted by Great Britain. (… Dutch quinine monopoly.. other possible crops..transport costs by lorry..) (926 words) 


The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 31 May 1932, Page 8Mr. W. B. Joiner of the Malayan Collieries, Kuala Lumpur, returned from leave by the P. and O. Kaisar-i-Hind.

The Times (London) June 03 1932 PROBATE DIVORCE AND ADMIRALTY DIVISION £2,000 DAMAGES IN DIVORCE SUIT SWETTENHAM v. SWETTENHAM AND RUSSELL Before the PRESIDENT and a Special Jury. In this suit Mr. Roger Francis Ross Swettenham, a Civil servant at Kuala Lumpur, the Federated Malay States, sought the dissolution of his marriage with Mrs. Dorothy Lanscelles Swettenham, nee Carr, on the grounds of adultery with Mr. John Archibald Russell, partner in a business firm at Kuala Lumpur. The petitioner claims damages against the co-respondent. The petition was not defended, and the damages were agreed at £2,000 subject to the approval of the Court. The marriage took place on September 26, 1925 at St James Church Westminster. It was alleged that the association sprang up between the respondent and the co-respondent, and eventually the respondent left her husband and came to England. Adultery was charged at an address in Montpelier -row, London in 1930 and 1931. Mr. H. W. Barnard appeared for the petitioner; Mr. Noel Middleton for the respondent and co-respondent. The jury found that the respondent and co –respondent had committed adultery and assessed the damages at £2,000. The PRESIDENT announced a decree nisi, with costs against the co-respondent, who was ordered to pay the damages into Court within 14 days. Solicitors.-Messrs. Field, Roscoe and Co.; Messrs Lewis and Lewis.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 3 June 1932, Page 1 THE DAY'S NEWS. Mr. R. F. R. Swettenham M.C.S. has been awarded £2.000 damages against Mr. J. A. Russell of Kuala Lumpur in an undefended divorce suit- Page 8. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 3 June 1932, Page 8 £2,000 DIVORCE DAMAGES FOR M.C.S. OFFICER KUALA LUMPUR CASE Verdict Against Mr. J. A. Russell [Reuter's Service] London. June 2 0. . £2.000 divorce damages were awarded to-day to Mr. Richard (Roger) Francis Ross Swettenham, a civil servant in the F.M.S. against the co-respondent. Mr. John Archibald Russell. stated to be a partner in a firm in Malaya. Mr Swettenham was granted a decree nisi. (Mr R F R Swettenham , who had been in the Malayan Civil Service since 1906, is Deputy Commissioner, trade and Customs, Kuala Lumpur, and Mr. J. A. Russell is a partner in the well- known Kuala Lumpur firm which bears his name.) (FREE PRESS SERVICE -COPYRIGHT) London June 2 Damages were agreed at £2,000. The suit was undefended.

The Straits Times, 4 June 1932, Page 11 . £2,000 DAMAGES. Divorce for Malayan Civil Servant. London, June 2. Two thousand pounds divorce damages were awarded today to Mr. Richard Francis Ross Swettenham, a civil servant in the F.M.S., against the co-respondent, Mr. John Archibald Russell, stated to be a partner in a firm in Malaya. (176 words) Mr. Swettenham was granted a decree nisi. –Reuter Further Details The Straits Times London correspondent adds that Mrs Dorothy Lascelles Swettenham and Mr. J. A. Russell filed answers denying misconduct but the petition was undefended. Mr Swettenham alleged that his wife formed an association with Mr. Russell and refused to sever it. Eventually she committed misconduct with the co-respondent in her house in London. Lord Merrivale, president of the Divorce Court, granted a decree nisi with damages and costs. Mr. R. F. R. Swettenham, who is 49 years of age, came out to Malaya in 1906. He is at present deputy Commissioner of Trade and Customs, Kuala Lumpur. Mr. J. A. Russell is a well known business man and a partner in the Kuala Lumpur firm which bears his name.

The Straits Times, 19 June 1932, p 10 £2,000 for F.M.S. Civil Servant. Divorce damages for Mr. R.F.R. Swettenham. Developments that arose out of an acquaintanceship formed in the East proved disturbing to the marriage of Mr. Roger Francis Ross Swettenham, a civil servant in the employ of the Federated Malay States, to whom agreed damages of £2,000 were awarded in the Divorce Courts. The award was against Mr. John Archibald Russell, stated to be a partner in a business firm in the Malay States, whom Mr. Swettenham had cited as co-respondent. The wife, Mrs. Dorothy Lascelles Swettenham, and Mr. Russell had filed answers denying adultery, but they did not defend the petition. Mr. and Mrs. Swettenham were married in September, 1925 at St James, Westminster, and the one child of the marriage died. Mr. Swettenham’s case was that he and his wife settled in the Malay States and that intimacy sprang up between his wife and the co-respondent. In the end, he alleged, his wife left him, returned to England and was guilty of adultery with Mr. Russell at her London house in Montpelier Row. “Affection Weaned” After evidence for the husband had been heard, Lord Merrivale directed the jury that there could be no doubt about the adultery. Handing a card to the jury, he remarked: “There is a photograph of respondent- a good-looking young woman, as you see. She and her husband were living together, and co –respondent was upon the footing of a friend visiting them. “He was trusted, and apparently weaned the affection of the wife from her husband and possessed himself of her. He is a man who is in a position to pay.” The jury formally found the adultery proved and assessed damages at the agreed amount. His lordship granted Mr. Swettenham a decree nisi, with costs, and directed that the £2,000 should be paid into court within 14 days.

(NB Local newspapers that covered Blackheath in the 1930s: The Kentish Mercury, Kentish Mail and Blackheath Local Guide for June 1923 were checked for a news report on the divorce case but none was found.)

The Straits Times, 25 June 1932, Page 18
 A JOURNAL IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. A Chapter Of Planting History—What Thirty Years Have Done An Old Favourite Comes Back-Memories Of The Coffee Days— Another String To Malaya's Bow. (By Our Kuala Lumpur Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, June 24. (History of coffee planting. “ It is hoped that Arabian Coffee, which still commands high prices, will be successful at Cameron Highlands. In this case, as in that of tea, Boh Plantations are doing much to prove the agricultural value of Malaya’s hill country”. (2599 words) 


The Straits Times, 30 June 1932, Page 10 SOCIAL PERSONAL. The following were entertained to luncheon by H.H. the Sultan of Selangor, on Sunday at the Istana Mahkota, Klang; the Hon Mr. T .S. Adams, Mr. Justice Thorne, the Raja Muda, Dr. A. G. H. Smart, Tungku Pangilma Besar, Mr. V. Ezekial, Mr. J. W. Gooch, Mr. J. Jeff Inche Samah, Raja Haji Abdullah, Raja Haji Othman, Tunku Laksamana, Mr. J. A. Russell, F. W. Douglas, Raja Nong and Dato Kaya Bijaya.

The Straits Times, 2 July 1932, Page 18
 A JOURNAL IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. What Are The Highlands Like? — An Attempt At An Answer The Hill Station Today From Sakai Trails To Motor Roads— The First Two Bungalows Good Sport But Poor Scenery A Future Township And Planting District. (By Our Kuala Lumpur Correspondent.) Extract: The outer Highlands. In a different direction, but also an adjunct to the Highlands, is Boh Plantations, which we were privileged to visit. This remarkable hill-country estate is something entirely new in Malayan agriculture and I hope that our planting correspondent will tell the public more about it at a later date. It is a bold and far sighted venture and a most commendable contribution to that diversification of the primary products of this country which is the aim of all thinking men.”(2579 words)

This is the last Will of me, JOHN ARCHIBALD RUSSELL of Kuala Lumpur Federated Malay States Mine Owner and Merchant.

1. I give all my motor cars and accessories plate plated articles linen china glass books pictures prints furniture jewellery articles of household or personal use wines liquors and consumable stores other than such as are used for business purposes to my wife KATHLEEN GERTRUDE STONEY RUSSELL absolutely to be disposed of as she shall decide.

2. I give the following pecuniary legacies to be paid in Straits Settlements currency namely to ANDREW BEATTIE Dollars Eight thousand ($8,000-00)  To my Sister-in-law HILDA RUSSELL Dollars Two thousand ($2,000-00) To my nephew JOHN DENNIS RUSSELL Five hundred ($500-00) To each of my other Nephews and Nieces (being sons or daughters of my Brothers) Dollars Four hundred ($400-00) apiece To my Godsons MARTIN CHARLES SHEARN and SHEPPARD WILLIAM KING Dollars Five hundred ($500-00) apiece To my Godson ANDREW NEIL FRASER Dollars Four hundred ($400-00)  To the following friends (with which I would like them to buy mementos in remembrance of me)  Mrs DOROTHY MABEL SHEARN of 5 Lincoln Street Sloane Square London Dollars Five hundred ($500-00) Doctor MARCUS JOHNSON of 169 Piccadilly London Dollars Two hundred ($200-00)  Mrs. EDITH LYNN WESTON  of Bukit Kiara Estate Kuala Lumpur Federated Malay States Dollars Five hundred ($500-00)  Mrs. WIERY ANN KING of 2807 Turtle Creek Drive Dallas Texas United States of America Dollars Five hundred ($500-00)  Mrs. MADELIENE RUSSELL (Sister-in Law) Dollars Five hundred (500-00)  LESLIE BALLARD of W. R. LOXLEY AND COMPANY  106 Fenchurch Street London E.C. Dollars Four hundred ($400-00)  My Chauffeur JOHN DIGBY 8, Spring Mews Crawford Street Baker Street London W. Dollars One hundred ($100-00).  And I hereby declare that the aforementioned legacies shall be paid by my Executors at such time or times as they in their absolute discretion see fit provided payment shall be made within two years of the date of my death.

3. I give the following annuity namely:

To MISS DOROTHY HELEN GRAHAM GODWIN (my late Father’s Housekeeper) an annuity of Dollars Two thousand ($2,000-00) during her life to be paid free of all deductions whatsoever and free of income tax at the current rate for the time being deductible at the source to be paid by equal monthly payments the first whereof shall be paid one month after my death.  And I hereby direct my Trustees hereinafter named either to purchase the said annuity or to make such other arrangements for the payment of the said annuity as they in their absolute discretion shall think fit so that the division of my residuary estate as hereinafter provided shall not be in any way impeded.

4. Subject as aforesaid I GIVE DEVISE BEQUEATH AND APPOINT all the rest and residue of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever (which includes all my shares and interests in my businesses) hereinafter referred to as “my residuary estate”) to my Trustees hereinafter called UPON TRUST to divide the same into ten equal parts and to stand possessed of one of such equal parts for my Brother ROBERT CECIL RUSSELL as to a further two of such parts for HUBERT HARRY ROBBINS of Kuala Lumpur Federated Malay States and as to the remaining seven of such equal parts for my said wife upon the trusts hereinafter appearing:-

5. (a) I declare that my Trustees shall retain the share of my said wife in my residuary estate (hereinafter called the “Trust Fund”) UPON TRUST as to one half thereof to pay the income thereof (howsoever the same may be invested) to my said wife during her life and after her death as to both capital and income upon trust for all or any one or more exclusively of the others or other of my issue whether children or remoter descendants at such time and if more than one in such shares and generally in such manner for the benefit of such issue or some or one of them as my said wife shall by deed or Will appoint And in default of and subject to any such appointment IN TRUST for all or any of my children or child who attain the age of 21 years or being female marry under that age and if more than one between them in such shares that each son shall take three times as much as each daughter And Upon Trust as to the other half of the Trust Fund to pay the income thereof (howsoever the same may be invested) to my said wife during her widowhood and upon her death or remarriage whichever event shall first happen as to both capital and income upon trust for all or any of my children or child who attain the age of twenty one (21) years or being female marry under that age and if more than one between them in such shares that each son shall take three times as much as each daughter.

      (b) I empower my Trustees at any time or times to raise any part or parts not exceeding in the whole one half of the then presumptive or vested share of any person in the Trust Fund under the trusts of this my Will and to apply the same in their discretion for the advancement or benefit of such person but during my said wife’s life time her previous consent in writing to any such advancement shall be necessary.

    (c) Upon failure or determination of the trust hereinbefore in this clause declared my Trustees shall hold the Trust Fund and the income thereof as shall not have become absolutely vested or been applied under the trusts of this clause upon trust to divide the same into three equal parts and to stand possessed of one of such parts for my brother DONALD OSCAR RUSSELL or in the event of him predeceasing me for his child or children in equal shares as to a further one of such parts for my brother ROBERT CECIL RUSSELL or in the event of him predeceasing me for any child or children of his in equal shares and failing any such child or children for my next-of-kin other than any child or children of the said DONALD OSCAR RUSSELL and as to the third of such parts for the said HUBERT HARRY ROBBINS or in the event of him predeceasing me for my next-of-kin other than any child of the said DONALD OSCAR RUSSELL.

6. Whereas I carry on business in partnership with my Brother the said DONALD OSCAR RUSSELL in London and Kuala Lumpur and other places abroad under the styles or firm names of J. A. Russell and Company, W. R. Loxley and Company and Perrin Cooper and Company or one or more of them and our respective interests in the said business are seventy five (75) per cent. and twenty five (25) per cent. AND WHEREAS my residuary estate will consist wholly or in chief of my shares and interests in the said businesses NOW I HEREBY EXPRESS the hope that the Residuary legatees hereunder and my Trustees will on my death continue the said businesses in partnership or otherwise and in the event of any one or more of the said Beneficiaries not being willing so to do I request him or them to offer his or their shares and interests in such businesses to the others or other of the said Beneficiaries  AND I DIRECT that until my Residuary Estate shall have been ascertained and is ready for distribution my Executors and Trustees may and I express the hope that they will continue the said businesses as going concerns in the same manner as I have done in my lifetime AND I DECLARE that in continuing the said businesses my Trustees may generally act in relation thereto as if they were the absolute owners thereof without being liable or responsible for any loss arising thereby and in case such businesses shall at any time be carried on at a loss my Trustees shall be reimbursed out of my estate to the extent of any loss incurred by them in so carrying on the same.

7. I declare that all legacies and bequests given by this my Will whether absolute or by way of life interest annuity or otherwise are free of all legacies and other duties AND FURTHER that all rebates allowances or repayments which may be made to or recovered by or on behalf of any Beneficiary hereunder in respect of income tax shall enure for his or her benefit and he or they shall not account to my Trustees for the same or any part thereof.

8. I declare that I am domiciled in the Federated Malay States.

9. I appoint my said wife the said DONALD OSCAR RUSSELL, HUBERT HARRY ROBBINS and ANDREW BEATTIE to be Executors and Trustees of this my Will and hereby revoking all previous Wills and Testamentary Dispositions heretofore made by me declare this to be my last Will.  And I hereby direct that where a Trustee either original or substituted is dead or desires to be discharged from all or any of the trusts or powers reposed in or conferred on him by this my Will or refuses or is unfit to act therein or is incapable of acting therein then the remaining Trustees for the time being may by writing appoint another person or other persons to be a Trustee or Trustees in the place of the Trustee dead desiring to be discharged refusing or being unfit or being incapable as aforesaid provided always at no time shall the number of Trustees be reduced below the number of three.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have to this my last Will set my hand this    7th    day of    July One thousand nine hundred and thirty two (1932)

SIGNED by the said JOHN ARCHIBALD RUSSELL as and for his last Will in the presence of us both present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

 

Sd/- J. A. RUSSELL

Sd/-  J.DRYSDALE Engineer, Kuala Lumpur.

Sd/-  F. J. H. MAGGS Mining Engineer, Kuala Lumpur.

True Copy Sd/-  R. Musa Registrar, Supreme Court, Kuala Lumpur.

The Straits Times, 8 July 1932, Page 9
 . GOLD MINING. Development of New Area In Pahang. 0. A new development in connection with the Jelai Kechil appears with a certificate of incorporation granted to the Buffalo Reef (Gold) Prospecting and Development Co., Ltd., dated June 30, 1932. The new company, which is a private limited company, proposes to prospect and to acquire a sub-lease over the area known as Buffalo Reef, which formed part of the old Malayan (Pahang) Concession company’s workings, known as the No.2 Kermoi Concession some years ago. 0. The Buffalo Reef area is situated in territory known as Jelai Kechil, approximately 40 miles North of the town of Raub. Mr. L. W. Richards obtained an option agreement, dated Mar. 1, 1932, to form the first subsidiary company, from the Jelai Concession ( Pahang) Ltd. The chairman of the new company is Mr. W. H. Martin (a director of Malayan Collieries Ltd.,) who has been identified with mining interests in Malaya for over 30 years; Mr. P. H. Keys, D.S.O., and Mr. L .W. Richards are co-directors and a representative of the Jelai Concession (Pahang) Ltd., will join the board later. . Rennie, Lowick and Co. are the secretaries.

The Straits Times, 8 July 1932, Page 19 Malayan Planting Topics. (By our Planting correspondent) (Extract from article on the Department of Agriculture, discussing its experimental plantation at Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands, which has 40 acres of tea and a plant manufacturing tea, criticizing the factory for not being up to date.) ……….“Somewhat difficult Condition” In the meantime the manufacture of tea is being conducted at the Highlands under somewhat difficult conditions, for which the officer in charge has my full sympathy, and although two months have elapsed since manufacture began the public is still waiting for reports and valuations showing the quality of the tea that can be produced at this elevation in Malaya. I would again remind the Department of Agriculture that until these reports are forthcoming the difficulties of attracting capital for the Highlands tea cultivation must remain, and it is most desirable to call in outside advice in such an intricate matter as tea cultivation and manufacture. If Highlands tea is to be made the success that I believe it can be, it is absolutely essential that up to date methods of plucking, pruning and manufacture should be adopted. With the exception of planting on the contour terrace system I fear that these methods, in many respects are not seen at Tanah Rata. To see these methods we shall have to wait until Boh Plantations, for which J. A. Russell and Co. are managing agents, come into bearing. While some early planting mistakes undoubtedly have been made on this property, they have been recognized now and will be corrected in subsequent planting. Coffee and Tung Oil Space does not permit of more than a brief reference to other products that are being tried at this departmental plantation at Tanah Rata, but the results, particularly in coffee, do not appear to me to be as valuable or varied as those to be seen at Boh Plantations. Accordingly both places ought to be visited by any agriculturalist interested in possibilities in the Highlands………… (1967 words)

The Straits Times, 10 July 1932, Page 4
 Mainly About Malayans. Personalities At Cameron Highlands by THE WANDERER (The First Settlers.. early history of Highlands Extract:“ The first tea estate. All the enterprises mentioned above are meritorious, but by far the biggest individual accomplishment at the Highlands is the opening up of Boh Plantations by A .B. Milne. There are those who criticise Mr. Milne’s method of planting on steep hillsides, and the future development of this estate will go on without him, he having left the company, but the fact remains that he was the man who opened up and planted the first highland tea estate in Malaya, and one only has to visit Boh Plantations, and see its many miles of paths, its extensive slopes dotted with young tea bushes, its jungle clearings stretching up to the crest of ridges six thousand feet high, to realise the magnitude of the undertaking.”

The Straits Times, 13 July 1932, Page 18 and KING'S HOUSE [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 14 July 1932, Page 2. Saturday July 9 ……His Excellency and the British Resident visited the Boh Plantations and were guests at a luncheon given by Mr. J. A. Russell…. (575 words)

The Straits Times, 15 July 1932, Page 15 
Malayan Planting Topics. Hill country planting. One minor mistake in the reference to Boh Plantations last week ought to be corrected. I said that mistakes in early planting on this property have now been recognized and will be corrected in subsequent planting. What I should have said is that these mistakes “ have been corrected in subsequent plantings” The mistakes I had in mind were rectified some time ago, since when planting has been done on different lines.

The Straits Times, 16 July 1932, Page 6
A JOURNAL IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. More About The Coffee Days— The Local Tea Connoisseur— (By Our Kuala Lumpur Correspondent.) (Summary: more about history of coffee, tea connoisseurs.. milk.. Extract “ As for tea from Cameron Highlands, about which there is so much optimism just now, the recent statement of Mr. Rose, who planted the Bigia estate in Kedah, that a nip of frost is essential to give the flavour of the finest Ceylon and India teas indicates that the Highlands will never be able to satisfy the local connoisseur, but that is not to say that tea which is definitely of a hill-country quality, and therefore easily marketable, cannot be grown in the Highlands. As a matter of fact, the lowest temperature yet recorded at the Highlands was twelve degrees above freezing point.” Rumours about import duty on tea coming in..protected market.. rubber… (2533 words)

The Straits Times, 29 July 1932, Page 2. THE TRADE SECTION. The Shop Window Of The F.M.S. The trade section, is again well supported and the stalls are very attractively arranged. Some 35,000 to 40,000 persons visited last year's exhibition and as many are expected again this year. So varied and representative are the exhibits that this section is truly the “shop window” of the F.M.S. The following is a complete list of the stall holders in this Section. ( List includes Malayan Collieries, donors of prizes, cups medals and cash donations.)

The Straits Times, 5 August 1932, Page 19 Malayan Planting Topics. (By our Planting Correspondent) .(Extracts) ……visit to the Malayan Exhibition held in K.L. during the week end… Marked Interest in Tea . A distinct feature of the exhibition this year was the greatly increased number of locally grown samples of tea. It is only a few years since the exhibits of tea at the exhibition could be counted on the fingers of one hand, and this year there were actually more than a hundred and ten………Mr. Fergusson’s estate near Ipoh… from gardens of Sultan Idris College…Escotelle Tea Garden…samples from Department of Agriculture at Serdang and Cameron Highlands…Malayan tea could be superior to Ceylon… New Sheeting Batteries …latest rubber sheeting machines… A Local Product. I was interested to learn that this machine shown by the Federated Engineering Company is entirely a local product. This company is one of the oldest in Malaya manufacturing machinery for rubber estate factories, and in my factory I still use occasionally the celebrated F. E. scrap washer that was, I believe, the first article of its kind to be installed in estate factories. That happened over a quarter of a century ago, when Mr. G. D. Russell, the eldest brother of Mr. J. A. Russell, was the managing director of this company….. Local Rubber Cases I noticed three other products at the Exhibition which ought to be examined with a view to reducing factory costs. On the stand of Malayan Collieries the new Malaply packing cases for rubber were being shown and were one of the most interesting items at the exhibition from the planters point of view. These cases are made from local timber by local labour, and for that reason alone they should be given a trial. 0. More persuasive is the fact that they are being sold at rates definitely below those ruling for imported cases, and it is has now been definitely established that Malaply cases will be accepted for contract rubber in London and America. (This was a point that many managers were not sure about) A comment on this matter from a timber experts point of view appears in the current number of the Malayan Forester, which says: “It would seem that the Malaply factory is overcoming to some extent the shippers exceedingly futile prejudice against coloured woods”………76 million dollars went out of the country last year to buy commodities which could have been produced within Malaya, Government should be encouraged to assist local industry…..(2053 words)

The Straits Times, 6 August 1932, Page 20
 (Photo) GOLD MEDAL WINNER Malayan Collieries Ltd., won a gold medal at the Malayan Exhibition for the best display of Malayan produce. (Photo— O. Y. Kok.)

The Straits Times, 10 August 1932, Page 10
 SOCIAL PERSONAL H. H. the Sultan of Selangor and party motored to Rawang today to visit the works of the Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang. They will return to Klang this evening.

The Straits Times, 19 August 1932, Page 7
,The Straits Times, 23 August 1932, Page 14
The Straits Times, 26 August 1932, Page 16
 The Straits Times, 30 August 1932, Page 16
The Straits Times, 2 September 1932, Page 14
,The Straits Times, 6 September 1932, Page 14
The Straits Times, 9 September 1932, Page 17
,The Straits Times, 13 September 1932, Page 18
The Straits Times, 16 September 1932, Page 14
,The Straits Times, 20 September 1932, Page 14
,The Straits Times, 23 September 1932, Page 14
The Straits Times, 27 September 1932, Page 14
The Straits Times, 30 September 1932, Page 19, The Straits Times, 4 October 1932, Page 16
,The Straits Times, 7 October 1932, Page 14
,The Straits Times, 11 October 1932, Page 17
The Straits Times, 14 October 1932, Page 17
The Straits Times, 18 October 1932, Page 17USE MALAPLY AND Save Money An Attractive Chest at an Attractive Price MalAply A PRODUCT OF MALAYA by MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. Tel. 4265. KUALA LUMPUR.

The Straits Times, 27 August 1932, Page 18
A JOURNAL IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. Life At The Highlands—. (By Our Kuala Lumpur Correspondent. Extract: “Lest I be accused of libelling the Highlands however, I hasten to add that during the south western monsoon really delightful weather is the rule up there. On the day on which a friend and I were taken over Boh Plantations, and toiled up and down steep slopes ranging from six thousand to four thousand feet, the morning was reminiscent of happy hours spent on pine-clad hills above Lucerne.” (weather, development, mosquitoes etc.)

The Straits Times, 1 September 1932, Page 9 and The Malay Mail, Saturday, September 3, 1932 page? S.T.: BAKAU TIN PAYS FIVE PER CENT. Comment on Decrease In Ore Values. Bakau Tin Ltd. reports a net profit for the year of $3,907.44. To this falls to be added $6,197.09 brought forward from the previous year, making a total of $10,104.53 which the directors recommend be dealt with as follows: Payment of a dividend of 5 per cent absorbing $5,000, carry forward, $5,104.53. M.M.: REPORT OF BAKU TIN. LTD., PERETAK HILLS, BULOH TELOR DAM CESS UNJUSTIFIABLE. . The directors’ report and statement of accounts for the year ended June 30, 1932 of Baku Tin states: The net profit for the year of $3,907.44. To this falls to be added $6,197.09 brought forward from the previous year, making a total of $10,104.53 which your directors recommend be dealt with as follows: - Payment of a dividend of 5 per cent absorbing $5,000, carry forward, $5,104.53. J. A. Russell and Co. the managing agents, report as follows: - The area under lease or mining certificate to Bakau Tin Ltd., remain as at the time of our last report. M.L. 3668 expires on May 14, 1933 and application for renewal has duly been filed. The district officer, however, has warned us that, whether or not the renewal of this lease be approved, no lampanning or hill sluicing will be permitted in the Peretak Hills after the end of 1933. An addition to the property was made during the year in the form of a small area on the Pahong side of the boundary, area 1ac.3rd 32.3 p approximately, granted under mining certificate No 482. We have received no notification that lampanning will be prohibited on the Pahang side of the hills. Work on this new area has not been commenced as no certificate has yet been granted. The total output (3,443.73 ½ pikuls value $137,681.21) shows a decrease of pkls 412.25 or 10.7 per cent on last year's figure, while the value is $1,723.45 or 1.2 per cent less, although the average price was $39.98 against $36.15, a rise of $3.83 per pikul or 10.6 per cent. The average tribute rate was 7 ½ cent, against 10.27 per cent for the previous year. It was considered advisable to assist the principal sub-lessee by a temporary rebate in tribute on part of his output as explained later. The Chinchong group again contributed only a small fraction- 0.7 per cent – of the total output. The assessments under the Tin and Tin Ore Restriction Enactment 23/31 remain as stated in our last annual report viz.: Pcls. 3,415 for the Batau group and pcls..62 for the Chinchong areas. Mine Workings. The Bakau Lower Lode, the most important ore body, is worked to a depth of over 210 ft below adit or nearly 300ft below the main outcrop level. The length of the workings measured along the strike is about 220ft. During the year the lode was stopped over an average width of slightly over 8 ft. 0. The tonnage treated, as calculated from stope surveys, is estimated at 16,000 tons. The output from these workings being 204 tons, the average recovery value is 1,275 per cent or 28.6 lbs per ton. This is 13.7lb per ton or 32.4 per cent lower than last year’s average value and accounts for the reduced output in spite of an increase (41.5 per cent) in the tonnage treated. Working on the Chinchong side has been confined to lampanning. The tributors working M.C. 1479 (formerly M.L. 1939) who provide by far the most important source of the company’s revenue (to wit, the executors of the estate of the late Mr. Tan Boon Chia) approached us for a reduction in tribute in respect of quotas which they are obliged to purchase in order to be able to dispose of their output in excess of the mine’s certificate of production. They pointed out that below a certain critical output the working of the mine would involve them in a heavy loss. The minimal output is about 300 pikuls a month. With the consent of the board it was agreed to grant the tributors a reduction in respect of their production in excess of their permitted output so they now pay 10 per cent. tribute on the latter and only 5 per cent on the former. Upkeep Of Tailings Works.. In his annual report for 1931 the British Resident, Selangor, refers to the Buloh Telor Tailings Dam as follows: (section 152. para2): - . “ The Telok Buloh Dam (sic) which served its purpose effectively for the period for which it was designed in protecting Kuala Kubu Lama until the new town site was ready, has now been abandoned and has breached to a considerable extent. The effect on the river is being carefully watched.” Bakau Tin Ltd., continues to pay cess to the Government at the rate of $2.25 per pikul on the lode tin and $3 per pikul on lampan ore, this charge being shared equally by the company and its tributors. The Buloh Telor dam has cost the Peretak Miners $308,170.44, and in view of its abandonment by Government the continued imposition of this additional tax on mining in Peretak appears to be very unfair. Moreover, it may be inferred from Section 74 (IV) of the Mining Enactment that the payment of cess in no way exempts the Peretak mine owners from liability in respect of damage by their tailings. It seems, however, that the payment of this arbitrary continued cess is a condition on which mining is permitted. All lampan mining in Peretak Hills is to be stopped at the end of 1933 and we do not know if Government will continue to impose this now unjustified cess upon lode mines in respect of their tailings. It may here be remarked that the average tonnage crushed at Sungei Bakau during the year under review was 1,333 tons a month, equivalent to roughly 670 cu yds. This volume of tailings is insignificant compared with the quantity of solid matter brought down by the natural agencies of denudation. Prospecting and Development. We very carefully investigated and prepared estimates for the scheme of prospecting the Bakau Lower Lode in depth by means of a shaft or winze. The capital expenditure involved was calculated to amount to $30,000 and covered a compressed air rock-drilling plant and electric pumps as well as the actual cost of sinking to a depth of 300 feet below the bottom of the existing workings. In view, however, of the condition of the tin market, we considered that such a scheme could not be submitted to you for consideration at the present moment. We do not wish, however, to convey the impression that Bakau Tin Ltd. can be worked indefinitely without further amounts of the company’s funds being devoted to development and prospecting. We have touched above on the decrease in ore values and also the slight decrease in the stoped width. Whether these facts, taken in conjunction with the apparently circumscribed extent of the deposit along the strike, lead to the inference that this remunerative ore-body is only a lens is a point upon which we hesitate to venture an opinion. Needless to add, we explored the possibilities of drilling as a less costly alternative to sinking, but found that by reason of the disposition of the ore body there was no great economy to be effected thereby.

The Malay Mail, Saturday, September 3, 1932 page? AMALGAMATED MALAY LTD. ANNUAL MEETING FINANCIAL POSITION VERY STRONG The sixteenth annual general meeting of the Amalgamated Malay Estates, Ltd., was held at the registered office of the Company, No 1, Embankment, Kuala Lumpur, On Tuesday, Aug. 30, at noon, with Mr. D. H. Hampshire in the chair. After notice convening the meeting had been read by a representative of the secretaries (Messrs. Boustead and Co. Ltd), the chairman addressed the meeting as follows: - Gentlemen, the directors’ report and the accounts for the year ended June 30, 1932, having been in your hands for the statutory period I will ask you to take them as read. The result of the year’s working is a loss of $3,510.60, but you will notice in the profit and loss account that an amount of $8,650 has been written off the book value of buildings, furniture and machinery account. Omitting these items, it will be seen that the revenue has exceeded expenditure, including head offices charges and directors’ fees, by slightly more than $5,000. A forward contract of 10 tons monthly January to June at 10 cents per lb. f.o.b. Port Swettenham has helped us to obtain this result, but at the same time great credit is due to the staffs on the estate and to our secretaries in their unremitting efforts to reduce expenditure to the lowest possible minimum, consistent with the proper upkeep of the estates. JINJANG CLOSED Jinjang estate still continues on a care and maintenance basis and is in good order, and there is little doubt that yields will show a considerable improvement, as a result of the rest, when it is decided to start tapping again. Whilst Berdang estate can produce sufficient rubber to pay all expenditure, it does not seem to be of any advantage to re-open Jinjang, in any case until the price of rubber improves very considerably. Serdang estate is also in good condition and bark reserves are ample, tapping being on the A. B. C. system. All buildings on both estates are in good order and the replacement value is considerably in excess of the value of the buildings and machinery shewn in the balance sheet. Reference to the balance sheet will shew that payment for the land sold to the Batu Selangor Tin Dredging Co. ltd., referred to in the chairman’s speech last year has now been made and our property account is accordingly reduced to the figure of $446,499. The acreage of Jinjang estate is now reduced by 38 ½ acres and stands at 771.5 acres. THE INVESTMENTS Our financial position is very strong as we have invested in first class securities and in cash just a little under $100,000, which is more than 20 per cent. of our issued capital. Since the close of the financial year, the following forward contracts for delivery loose at the estate have been made: - 10 tons sheet delivery in August at 7 cents. 15 tons sheet monthly in September and October at 7 ¼ cents. 15 tons sheet monthly in November and December at 7 ¾ cents. I do not think there is any other matter to refer to and I therefore propose that the directors’ report and the accounts for the year ended June 30, 1932, as presented, be adopted and passed and I will ask Mr. Russell to second this proposition. Before putting the proposition to the meeting, I will endeavour to answer any questions shareholders may wish to ask. No questions were asked, and the proposal to adopt the report and accounts was seconded by Mr. R. C. Russell and carried unanimously. The retiring director, Mr. D. H. Hampshire, was re-elected and Messrs. Neill and Bell were re-appointed the company’s auditors. With a vote of thanks to the chair and staff, the meeting terminated.

The Straits Times, 7 September 1932, Page 10
 NOTES OF THE DAY. A COFFEE BOOM …price 55 cents a pound 15 cents less than imported brands “ For those who are not content with pure low country coffee there will be, before long, a supply of the finer flavoured Arabian varieties from Boh Plantations.”

The Straits Times, 24 September 1932, Page 4 The Straits Times, 26 September 1932, Page 4 PUBLIC NOTICES. MALAYAN COLLIERIES,LTD. Notice of Declaration of Dividend No.47 and Closure of Share Registers. 0. Notice is hereby given that the Directors have declared a Second Interim Dividend of 3% (making 6% Interim Distribution) in respect of year ending December 31, 1931, payable on September 30, 1932…. J. A. Russell and Co… Sept 22, 1931. (448 words)

The Straits Times, 28 September 1932, Page 14 . The Straits Times, 29 September 1932, Page 6 . The Straits Times, 30 September 1932, Page 1 The Straits Times, 1 October 1932, Page 14 . The Straits Times, 4 October 1932, Page 14 0. The Straits Times, 5 October 1932, Page 17. The Straits Times, 7 October 1932, Page 1. RUSTIN HORNBY ENGINES FOR RELIABILITY SOLE AGENTS UNITED ENGINEEERS LIMITED Some Satisfied users……J.A. RUSSELL and CO…. (678 words)(Illustrated advert, picture of engine at Ashford Power station in Kent)

The Straits Times, 15 October 1932, Page 11. REPORT OF THE F.M.S. RETRENCHMENT COMMISSION . Back To Level Of Ten Years Ago. HOW WORLD SLUMP HAS HIT THE F.M.S.. Results Of Undue Optimism About Rubber. . A most able and exhaustive examination of the whole administration of the Federated Malay States has been made by the F.M.S. Retrenchment Commission, and its general effect is that “ departmental costs must, on the whole, be made to approach the costs of 1922” The retrenched expenditure will be about $44 millions, but this allows no margin for building up reserves that will be depleted in 1933 and 1934,and for special expenditure. Therefore it must be brought down gradually to $41 millions (as compared with $56 millions for the present year.) “It is possible “, says the Commission, "that events are heading towards a readjustment of standards ad the establishment of a new and lower economic level. Such a possibility cannot be entirely ignored, and if it occurs our proposal s will be the first stage of an ultimate retrenchment.” Among the proposals put forward in the Commissions 60,000 word report are the following: Cutting down activities of Malaya House or distributing its cost among various Malayan Governments. Reducing the cadre of the Malayan Civil Service by 37. Reducing the number of districts from 24 to 14 and giving district officers’ greater powers. Employing more Malay administrative officers 0. Reducing town planning staff to skeleton organization. An education policy providing for free vernacular education in Malay primary English education to be partly self supporting and secondary English education entirely self supporting Curtailment of many lines of agricultural research and abandonment of others. Number of senior posts in medical and health services to be reduced by 57. The Kuala Kangsar Malay college to be closed. Government officers to pay the same rents for holiday bungalows as the public. The recent separation of the Public works department and drainage and irrigation departments to be rescinded . Proposals for the revision of Government rents, leave and passages. The abolition of the whole time game Wardens in Perak and Pahang. The closing of 18 police stations and the reduction of the rank and file of the FMS by 300. THOROUGH OVERHAUL BY COMISSION (FOOC) KL Oct 14. The report of the F.M.S. retrenchment Commission was issued today. The commission was appointed in March its members being Messrs. H. C. Eikhardt (Commissioner of trade and customs F.M.S.) V.A. Lowinger (Surveyor General) D. St. Leger Parsons, Choo Kia Peng and J. A. Russell. (Summary: Its instructions..rubber…tin…revenue and taxation..matches ..Tobacco.. consideration of an Income Tax in the future…new import duties on milk, tea, fortitude, oilcloth, straw, fireworks, fuel oils.. bringing down expenditure on..staff… highly paid Europeans…clerks..civil servants.. fewer districts..transferring appointments to Malays…cutting district officers..public prosecutors.. marine department..mines inspectors.. but not customs dept due to evasions of customs in times of depression.. e.g. illicit stills to make samsu.. Reducing staff of military volunteers…police..prisons..agricultural department but not its school.. co-operative department.. making schools self financing..reorganising forestry dept…cutting over one million dollars from health and medical services.. reducing number of doctors… cutting survey department..town planning…re- amalgamating drainage dept..cuts in electrical dept..posts and telegraphs dept.. game preservation dept..budgets for debts and pensions…reserves..review of next five years..) (10586 words)

The Straits Times, 21 October 1932, Page 6,The Straits Times, 25 October 1932, Page 16
, The Straits Times, 28 October 1932, Page 15
The Straits Times, 1 November 1932, Page 17. MALAYAN CHESTS FOR MALAYAN RUBBER. Malaply is a product of Malaya and 100% BRITISH. Produced by a department of: - Malayan Collieries Ltd. Tel. 4265 Kuala Lumpur Telegrams ARANG.

The Straits Times, 28 October 1932, Page 15
 MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS. A Setback To Highlands Agriculture? The Tanah Rata Plantation Proposal To Close It Down An Alternative Scheme Complaints And Suggestions Why Not A Tea Duty? (By Our Planting Correspondent.) (Summary: Need for reduction in costs of Department of Agriculture, recommendation that work at Cameron Highlands be suspended, till better times or abandoned altogether. Tanah Rata experimental station opened under difficult conditions.. no expense spared.. should have been able to give public more tangible results.. “ Wanted Tea Results. To take one instance, it is now generally accepted in Malaya (but not outside it) that at the elevation of the Highlands tea can be brought to bearing stage at least two or three years earlier than is possible at the same elevation in Ceylon, but we are still in the dark as to what quality of tea at that age can be manufactured. No trade reports have been obtained, and for this information we shall now have to wait till Boh Plantations start manufacture, which I understand will be in the latter part of next year.” …efficient plant could have been put up at Tanah Rata “There was, I know, an attempt to do this with a primus oil stove, from which I believe no satisfactory samples of tea were ever obtained. If they were, the reports on them were never given to the public, and we are still waiting for published reports on the quality of tea that is now being made from the factory erected in the early part of this year.” Criticism of Dept. of Agriculture for failing to obtain earlier results. Ditto lack of results for coffee, tung oil, public not getting return for large sums spent on Tanah Rata… support for keeping station open as results will now be forthcoming.. Government committed to spend $60,000 on Highlands… Tanah Rata needs reorganizing.. committee of management suggested..or run it as commercial concern.. Retrenchment Commission also suggests an import duty of two cents per pound on tea.. welcomed by planters.. market at present dominated by cheap teas dumped on country from China…) (2490 words)

The Straits Times, 12 November 1932, Page 18
 MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS. (By Our Planting Correspondent) Meeting of the Federal Council..rubber restriction.More About Tanah Rata . One was glad to see in the Federal Council there was no reflection of the efficiency of Mr. Curtler, the officer in charge at the Tanah Rata experiment station, as an agricultural scientist, but when acting Chief Secretary stated that it was not the function of Government to teach the business man his business he was not meeting the real complaint which is made about Tanah Rata. Let us go back to 1925, when the road to the Highlands was under construction and when the policy was to refuse all applications for land until the road was nearing completion. Then it was that the Government wisely decided to establish an experiment station to show intending capitalists not only what hill products would grow at that elevation but what was of far greater importance: the quality and commercial value of those products particularly tea and coffee.” (Summary: information needed for development.. “ Government has not realised that manufacture of tea is a highly specialized art that requires years of experience before proficiency is obtained.. Government expects agricultural scientist with limited experience of tea planting and manufacture to supply satisfactory samples which trade interests require.. “Government is in the position of a capitalist who has a large shop containing an excellent line of goods but refuses to pay for the services of an expert window dresser. I can definitely assure Government that no appreciable amount of capital is going to available for investment at the Highlands until convincing evidence is produced that the quality of tea grown at the Highlands is equal to that grown at similar elevations in India and Ceylon. In Kenya the capitalist thought the quality would be equal, but to his sorrow found it was not, and he is not going to be bitten again. The choice before Government is either to provide the present officer with outside assistance in the manufacture of first-rate tea or to wait until results are available from Boh Plantations in a year or so, and thus rely on private enterprise to supply information that has been paid for to a large extent already from public funds. It is not a question of the Government teaching the business man his business but of the practical man teaching Government in a matter in which its officers have had little experience.” (1786 words) 


The Straits Times, 4 November 1932, Page 16
The Straits Times, 8 November 1932, Page 16
,The Straits Times, 12 November 1932, Page 18
,The Straits Times, 15 November 1932, Page 14
,The Straits Times, 18 November 1932, Page 14
,The Straits Times, 25 November 1932, Page 16
,The Straits Times, 29 November 1932, Page 6
The Straits Times, 2 December 1932, Page 16
,The Straits Times, 6 December 1932, Page 14
,The Straits Times, 9 December 1932, Page 14
,The Straits Times, 13 December 1932, Page 16
,The Straits Times, 16 December 1932, Page 17
The Straits Times, 20 December 1932, Page 18
The Straits Times, 23 December 1932, Page 16
The Straits Times, 27 December 1932, Page 15
The Straits Times, 30 December 1932, Page 6
 THE ONLY ALL BRITISH CHEST ON THIS MARKET AND THE BEST. A PRODUCT OF MALAYA BY MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. Tel. 4265. KUALA LUMPUR. Telegrams "ARANG."

The Straits Times, 20 December 1932, Page 4,The Straits Times, 21 December 1932, Page 4
,The Straits Times, 22 December 1932, Page 4
 PUBLIC NOTICES. MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. NOTICE OF DECLARATION OF DIVIDEND NO. 48 AND CLOSURE OF SHARE REGISTERS. NOTICE is hereby given that the Directors have declared a Third Interim Dividend of 3% (making 9% Interim Distribution) in respect of the year ending December 31, 1932, payable on December 30. 1932….J. A. Russell and Co. K.L. Dec 19 1932 (649 words)

The Straits Times, 24 December 1932, Page 12 CHRISTMAS READING. Straits Produce Comes Out With Double Number. It is not easy to see the brighter side of Malayan life in these days, but Straits Produce has made a really courageous effort to do it, and has done so, moreover, at a time when we are all only too glad to forget the slump during the festive weekend. For a dollar Straits Produce gives the public a hundred pages of reading matter and pictures. The prevailing mood of impatience with prolonged squabbles over local politics is well reflected and it is generally a very good number….. . The venerable Graham White and Mr. J. A. Russell join the “Old Residents” gallery, and …. the end of the Europe Hotel is fittingly commemorated. (173 words)

 

 


 

1932 News and other Sources

From the Singapore and Straits Directory, Fraser and Neave, 1932. SOAS archives

Russell & Co., J. A.

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Buildings, Kuala Lumpur.

Telegraphic Address :-“Jar”

Code - Bentley’s and General

Partner                     J. A. Russell  (London)

Do.                          D. O. Russell (China)

Do.                          R. C. Russell  (Malaya)

 

Staff

 

H. H. Robbins   R. Johnson

(signs per pro)   F. J. B. Maggs

L. B. Jearons     J. Drysdale

E. L. Jorgenson  H. F. Dowdeswell 

 S. Brown

 

General Managers - Malayan Collieries, Ltd.

 

Managing Agents

Boh Plantations, Ltd.

Bakau Tin, Ltd.

           

            Proprietors.

Sungei Tua Estates, Batu Caves

Russell Estate, Tenang.

Bukit Bisa Estate, Kajang.

 

Agents for

Royal Exchange Assurance Corp

Queensland Insurance Co., Ltd.

W. R. Loxley & Co.—Hongkong, Shanghai, Canton, Singapore & London.

Perrin Cooper & Co.—Tientsin, Hankow and Peking