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For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell


The Straits Times, 2 January 1936, Page 10
 Social and Personal Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Spall, of Malayan Collieries, have returned from leave.

The Straits Times, 17 January 1936, Page 10 
NOTES Of The DAY. PERAK TEA. (Summary: Low country tea plantation in Perak. Others include Bigia in Kedah, other small properties in Perak and Selangor. “Boh Plantations is in a different category, being a hill-country estate.” Government hesitant about giving out more land for tea, 2,000 acres of black and 6,500 of green would supply whole Malayan market, flood of cheap imported tea. Anak Singapura.)

The Straits Times, 15 March 1936, Page 19 Mrs. Russell, the widow of Mr. Archie Russell, is now on a visit to this country. She is staying at the Majestic Hotel with her little son Tristan.

The Straits Times, 21 March 1936, Page 5, The Straits Times, 23 March 1936, Page 2, The Straits Times, 24 March 1936, Page 2 PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICES MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD. NOTICE OF THE TWENTY SECOND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND CLOSURE OF SHARE REGISTERS. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the twenty-second Annual General Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company. Hongkong Shanghai Bank.. on Tuesday 31st March 1936 at noon. By Order of the Board. J. A .Russell and Co.

Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(INCORPORATED IN F.M.S.)
DIRECTORS' REPORT
AND
ACCOUNTS
For the Year Ended 31st December, 1935.
TO BE PRESENTED AT THE
TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT THE
Registered Office of the Company,
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur,
ON
Tuesday the 31st March 1936,
At Noon.
J. A. RUSSELL & COMPANY, Ltd.
General Managers & Secretaries
.
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(Incorporated in Federated Malay States.)
Directors.
HUBERT HARRY ROBBINS, Esq. (Chairman.) FREDERICK CUNNINGHAM, Esq.
WILLIAM HENRY MARTIN, Esq.
ALBERT JAMES KELMAN, Esq.
ROBERT CECIL RUSSELL, Esq.
General Managers and Secretaries/
J. A. RUSSELL & Co., Ltd., Kuala Lumpur.
Consulting (Electrical Engineers
SPARKS and PARTNERS. London.
Registered Office.
HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANK BUILDINGS, KUALA LUMPUR.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE Twenty-second 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 Tuesday, 31st March, 1936 at Noon for the following purposes: —
To receive and consider the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 31st December, 1935 and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors.
To Declare a Final Dividend for the year 1935.
To Declare Directors' remuneration for the year 1935.
To Elect Directors in place of those retiring.
To Elect Auditors for the ensuing year.
The Share Registers will be closed from Tuesday, 24th March, 1936 to Tuesday, 31st March, 1936, both days inclusive.
By Order of the Board,
J. A. RUSSELL & Co., Ltd.,
Secretaries.
Dated 13th March, 1936.
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings,
Kuala Lumpur, F.M.S.
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(Incorporated in Federated Malay States.)
Directors’ Report for the Twenty-second Year of the Company ended 31st December, 1935.
The Directors have pleasure in submitting their Twenty-second Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st December, 1935, together with the General Managers' Report upon the working of the Company’s undertakings.
Batu Arang Colliery. The quantity of coal sold shewed a further increase upon the lowest level reached in 1933, this being due primarily to the improved condition of the tin mining industry.
All plant and equipment, workings and roads were maintained in good order and condition.
Pamoekan Bay Colliery. This property remained in charge of a caretaker and there is still no prospect of a recommencement of operations.
General. The capital expenditure was of a general nature with railway construction and electrical equipment the principal items. The opportunity afforded by the completion of the Singapore Naval Base contract towards the end of the year was availed of to acquire some necessary excavating and rolling stock equipment.
The operation of the subsidiary undertakings was, as in the previous year, according to the demand for the products.
Arrangements for securing to the Company its future timber requirements were concluded.
The position regarding Cement remained substantially unchanged.
Investments. Advantage was taken of a favourable rate of exchange to realise upon the Hongkong Government 4% Conversion Loan and of the proceeds $15,600/- was invested in 3% Singapore Municipal Debenture Stock 1975/85.
Profits. The Profits for the year under
 review, subject to the Directors' and Auditors' fees, amount to ... ... $469,970.98
To which is to be added the unappropriated
balance from the previous year ... ... 238,643.92
708,614.90
Deduct Three Interim Dividends each of 2J4%
totalling 7]/2% on 257,505 shares were paid during the year, absorbing ... ... 193,128.75
515,486.15
You will be asked to sanction fees to Directors in
respect of 1935 at the rate of ... ... $20,000.00
Auditors' fees at the rate of ... ... ... 2,500.00 22,500.00
Leaving available ... ... ... 492,986.15
Brought forward ... 492,986.15
Which your Directors recommend should be dealt with as follows: -
A Final Dividend of 5% on the 257,505 shares
making 12 ½ % for the year 1935 $128,752.50
Write off Leasehold Property ... 100,000.00 228.752.50
Balance to carry forward to next year's account ... $264,233.65
Directors. Mr. A. W. Delamore and Mr. J. Drysdale acted for a time during the year as alternate Directors.
Mr. W. H. Martin and Mr. F. Cunningham retire and being eligible offer themslves for re-election.
Auditors. Messrs. Evatt & Co. retire and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
Kuala Lumpur,
13th March, 1936.
By Order of the Board,
J. A. RUSSELL & Co., Ltd.,
Secretaries.
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
The Directors,
MESSRS. MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD., Kuala Lumpur.
Gentlemen,
We have pleasure in submitting herewith our report on the working of the Company's undertakings during the year ended 31st December, 1935.
BATU ARANG COLLIERY. The sales shewed an increase of fully 23% on the previous year. The increase was principally in the demand for small coal caused by the additional release in tin quota over the latter half of the year.
Production. The bulk of the production was from underground sources, the Nos. I and 2 districts of the East Mine and Underground units Nos. 3 and 4 being the principal contributors. In all cases the longwall system of extraction continued with modifications where necessary to suit varying conditions. Hydraulic stowage arrangements continued to operate smoothly and enabled the maximum extraction of coal to be effected.
Underground Development. The extension of the main dip and its companion way was proceeded with and good progress was made towards the opening out of No. 3 district. No. 17 level was advanced gradually and a connection with the workings of Underground No. 3 unit will shortly be made.
Nos. 6 and 7 districts have been almost fully opened up and production at the rise side was commenced.
Opencasts. Production in Opencast No. 7 ceased owing to the limit of extraction being reached and work here is now of a cleaning up nature in conjunction with the winning of the coal block between opencasts Nos. 5 and 7.
No. 8 is now the main opencast producing unit and good progress was made with the extensive stripping programme referred to in last years report. The progress will be speeded up considerably when the 2 and a half cubic yard electric shovel recently acquired is put into commission. The effect of the commissioning of the four locomotives and the air tipping waggons also recently acquired is already apparent in the progress being made.
Coal Washery. This worked regularly throughout the year and satisfactory performance was maintained.
Buildings and Plant. These were maintained in good order and several temporary buildings were replaced by permanent ones. Extensions and modifications were also made to effect improvements in working. The power plant met all load requirements and, as in the past, the bulk of the fuel used in the boilers was of unmarketable quality.
The whole of the plant already referred to and acquired from Messrs. Sir John Jackson Ltd. comprising 4 x 30 ton steam locomotives, 30 x 12 cubic yard air tipping waggons, 60 x 6 cubic yard gravity tipping waggons and a 2 1/4 cubic yard electric shovel-dragline combination, arrived at Batu Arang just after the end of the year and the locomotives and air tipping waggons were placed in commission immediately.
Capital Work. Only necessary items were executed and the work was done within the estimated expenditure. The more important items comprised railway line extensions and yard remodelling, European and Asiatic quarters, general electrical equipment, workshops improvements, water-service improvement and extensions and general mine equipment.
Labour. On the whole the position was satisfactory and the work was arranged so as to keep an ample supply of labour on the property.
Johore Coal Syndicate. In order to ascertain the extent of an occurrence of coal in Johore this Syndicate in which your Company has the principal interest, was formed and boring operations have been in progress since March last year.
PAMOEKAN BAY COLLIERY. The position is unchanged and the property still remains in charge of a caretaker.
SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS.
Clay Working Department. The works remained closed down throughout the year and sales requirements continued to be met from stocks. Owing to the depletion of stocks, preparations were made towards the end of the year for recommencing operations.
Plywood Department. The production of the works amounted to about 5 ½ millions square feet of plywood, the bulk of which was utilised in the manufacture of rubber chests.
Timber. The pilot sawmill largely met the requirements of the property, in addition to which several parcels of lumber were prepared for the London market. Further extensions of railway lines were made in order to ensure future timber supplies for all purposes.
Wood Distillation Department. Owing to an accumulation of stocks the retorting operations were discontinued temporarily in November. The various products are satisfactory but progress is slow in establishing them on the market.
STAFF. Members of the staff have rendered excellent service and a good spirit of co-operation continued between all departments and individuals.
GENERAL. The general health of the resident population continued to be exceedingly good and the moral of the labour force remained at a high standard.
We are, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully,
J. A. RUSSELL & Co., Ltd.,
General Managers. Kuala Lumpur,
13th March, 1936.

(For accounts see M.C. page for 1936)

Above from: MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED REPORTS & BALANCE SHEETS AND PROCEEDINGS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS 1926- 1935 & reported in THE MALAY MAIL, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1936, p10, under headline: Improvement In The Tin Industry Assists Malayan Collieries. & The Straits Times, 23 March 1936, Page 6
 COLLIERIES' GOOD YEAR. DIVIDEND RAISED TO 12 ½ PER CENT &The Straits Times, 24 March 1936, Page 7
 MALAYAN COLLIERIES MANAGERS' REPORT, & The Straits Times, 24 March 1936, Page 7 COLLIERIES PROFITABLE YEAR. Malayan Investment Notes. & The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 24 March 1936, Page 11
 NEARLY HALF MILLION DOLLARS PROFIT Malayan Collieries To Pay Dividend Of 12 ½ Per Cent .

The Straits Times, 25 March 1936, Page 10 • Untitled [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 27 March 1936, Page 7 • Mr. R. C. Russell who had a serious operation in Singapore nearly a month ago, has gone on a six weeks round tour to Japan with Mrs. Russell.

Malayan Collieries, Ltd.

(INCORPORATED IN F.M.S.)

PROCEEDINGS

AT   THE

TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

HELD   AT   THE

Registered Office of the Company,

Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Building, Kuala Lumpur,

ON

Tuesday the 31st March, 1936, 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 Twenty-second Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of the Company which was held at the Registered Office, on Tuesday, 31st March, 1936.

Yours faithfully, J. A. RUSSELL & CO., LTD.,

Secretaries.

Dated 31st March, 1936.

Malayan Collieries, Limited.

(Incorporated in Federated Malay States)

Proceedings of the Twenty-second Annual General Meeting

The Twenty-second Annual General Meeting of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., was held at the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, at noon on Tuesday the 31st March, 1936.

The Chairman, Mr. H. H. Robbins presided and the others present were, Messrs. W. H. Martin and F. Cunningham (Directors), W. G. C. Blunn, C. J. Chisholm, L. H. Eastman, C. W. S. Gardner, P. W. Gleeson, G. O. Hovil, L. R. Mackness (Shareholders), J. Ford (representing Messrs. Evatt & Co.) and S. Brown (representing the Secretaries).

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, 1935, addressed the Meeting as follows: —

Gentlemen,

At the outset I should like to explain the absence of Mr. R. C. Russell who has been ill.    I am pleased to say he is now convalescent.

The Report and Accounts having been in your hands for at least the required period, may I assume it is your wish that they be taken as read?

The interests of your Company run on lines parallel to the prevailing conditions of the country, and such conditions having improved greatly during the year, it gives me much pleasure in presenting to you a report which maintains the upward trend which was indicated when I last addressed you.

You will observe a slight alteration in the presentation of the Accounts in that the appropriations of profit have been shown in a separate Profit & Loss Appropriation Account, and not under the Profit & Loss Account in the Balance Sheet as previously, and this, I hope you will agree, is an improvement.

The Share Capital remains unaltered.

The expenditure on Capital Account was wholly upon work necessary to the Colliery undertaking, and it will be seen that the amount has been more than covered by the provision for depreciation.

The amount of $200,000 allowed for "Depreciation" is roughly $21,000 higher than for last year, and under the circumstances, is regarded as adequate.

"Operating Stores and Spares and Trading Stocks" shew an increase of $149,000 due to a larger stock of general stores in keeping with increased activities, and to the inclusion in this account, pending allocation to other headings, of a quantity of plant received just prior to the close of the financial year.

"Sundry Debtors and Debit Balances" after allowing for the Reserve of $135,000 are higher by some $74,000; "Sundry Creditors and Credit Balances" are also higher by some $69,000. These increases, which shew a slight favourable balance, were the normal result of a larger turnover.

"Dividends Unclaimed" are lower by nearly $30,000, the reason being that more time than usual intervened between the payment of the third interim dividend and the close of banking business for the year.

With regard to "Investments", advantage was taken of a favourable exchange rate to dispose of our Hongkong 4% Loan. Your Board's application for the 1935 issue of 3% Singapore Municipal Stock was rewarded with an allotment of $15,600. The value of this and your holding in Singapore Traction Ltd, was at the close of the year $36,429.86, the amount in the accounts being this, less a Reserve of $10,000.

"Cash in Bank on Deposit, in Current Account and in Hand" was up some $86,340 on the year and of the total of $442,908.17, the sum of $400,000 was and is still on fixed deposit with our Bankers. This deposit is earmarked for investment, and in this matter it may be considered that our policy during recent years has been over cautious. Against this, however, the present spell of low interest rates has lasted longer than usual, and though it may continue indefinitely, there are undoubtedly signs of an easement of the pressure of cheap money, and the present trend of world events seems likely to aid rather than retard this. Having waited so long, we propose waiting until the position is clearer before investing these funds, together with any additional amounts   that   may   become   available.

The "Trading and Profit & Loss Account" reflects the larger volume of business, the net profit on the year's working being $469,970.98, or some $140,000 more than for the previous year. While this does not approach the figures achieved during the more prosperous years preceding the slump, it marks, I think all will agree, a very definite step in the right direction, with the soundness of your undertaking fully maintained.

The demand for coal within the F.M.S. shewed a satisfactory improvement, the principal influencing factor being the progressive increases in quota authorised under the Tin Restriction Enactment. The allowance for the opening quarter of the year was 40% International and 28.3% Domestic and that for the closing quarter 85% and 62% respectively. For the purpose of comparison, the figures for the current quarter are 90% and 65% and those for the second quarter of the current year 85% and 61%. While the latter are a little below the best, they show a decided improvement upon the figures for the corresponding quarter of the year just closed, which were 45% and 32.4% respectively.

With regard to sales beyond the F.M.S., though we tendered for, and hoped to obtain, the renewal of the contract for the supply of coal to the St. James Power Station in Singapore, this business was lost, purely on a price basis, to Japanese interests. There is, of course, a low limit beyond which we are quite unable to quote in an endeavour to secure such long distance business, and if we, in co-operation with the F.M.S. Railways, should not be able in future to bridge, on a calorific basis, the difference between that low limit and the price of foreign coal, we hope the difference will be so reduced as to justify the Commissioners regarding the amount as a worthwhile payment for the security which Batu Arang, as a source of supply for the coal requirements of their Power Station, would afford. In the meantime, the Municipal Commissioners have our assurance that we may always be relied upon to give emergency deliveries upon short notice.

With the very welcome improvement in the demand for our coal, it has become possible to intensify our stripping operations with a view to building up again our reserves of stripped coal. These reserves were drawn upon severely during the slump years, and the total reached its low point at the end of 1934. The tonnage was increased during the year under review, but it was not until towards its close, that we were able to augment our excavating and rolling stock equipment to make possible the more rapid restoration of the ravages of slump conditions. The General Managers have given in their report details of the purchase of the necessary equipment. The locomotive and wagon rolling stock, other than that used for stripping operations, was required to augment that employed on other services about the property. When I say that our locomotives haul some 4,500 tons every day, that our own wagon rolling stock conveys some 3,000 tons, and that both figures, when the newly acquired plant is in full operation, will be substantially increased, it will be apparent that railway rolling stock is an important part of our equipment.

In the meantime, with the improved conditions, it has been possible to revert to the normal ratio of underground to opencast production, the object being to regard the latter more as an emergency than as a regular source of supply.

The labour position was easier than during the previous year. A considerable number of men were recruited direct from China, and as these were in excess of the normal quota, the special permits available enabled passages to be obtained at a very much reduced rate.

We have been engaged in investigating an occurrence of coal in North Johore, and for several months two power drills have been in operation. We are not yet in a position to arrive at conclusions in the matter, but so far, the results do not tend to support the earlier indications of a workable deposit. This is the occurrence of coal which is referred to in the report of the Geological Survey Department for the year   1935.

With regard to our various auxiliary undertakings, the year was not a particularly progressive one. The Brickworks remained idle throughout, though with the slight improvement in the building trade, deliveries have so reduced our stocks as to necessitate the re-starting of the plant, and it is now in the process of being brought to full production.

Recent developments in the treatment of "short" clays, such as those of Malaya, have been interesting, and after prolonged observations of the plant evolved, we have placed an order for a small experimental unit which we trust will overcome the difficulties associated with our raw materials. Progress has been disappointingly slow, but it is hoped that our patience and refusal to rush into the purchase of expensive unproved plant, will be rewarded with success from the small plant we have ordered.

Though we can say that the Plywood plant operated practically full time, the stocks towards the close of the year were such as to call for a slowing down of production, and this is still the order of the day. The position is being carefully watched and though the falling off in demand is due in part to the incidence of restriction, the increasing practice of baling rubber for export is also partly responsible.

I should like to repeat that our Malaply chests have stood the test of time, and to say that, never on one occasion in respect of the hundreds of thousands produced and sold have we been called upon to pay as much as a cent in claims on outturn. It is important that this be generally known, because while we have the competition of the alternative practice of baling, many users of chests continue to use a very much higher priced article than which we offer. Malaply chests would seem to be an almost obvious course between baling on the one hand and the use of more expensive imported chests on the other. It can be said, however, that a steadily increasing demand exists for our Malaply panels for building purposes.

The Wood Distillation plant ran somewhat intermittently, halts being called at intervals to make it possible for stocks to be cleared or reduced. While this is unfortunate, and continuous operation is aimed at, the overheads during stoppages are negligible. The plant is in charge of an experienced Research Chemist, who is always able to employ any respite from routine production, in the further investigation of various problems which it seems reasonable to assume will ultimately give ample reward.

The negotiations with Government for the securing to this Company of timber supplies for its various requirements for some years ahead, principally of course those for the Colliery, have been brought to a satisfactory close. In the meantime, the only further expenditure in this connection continues to be in the extension of our railway sidings into the selected area.

With regard to the proposed Cement works, the position remains much as it was when I last addressed you, though the matter has not been dormant in the interval. Nothing, however, will be done which is incompatible with your Board's present policy of consolidating the Company's existing interests and of building up its liquid position.

The staff at Batu Arang has rendered loyal and efficient service through a year which has called for the close application of all.

While I trust that I have dealt with everything that is expected of me, you will observe that I have refrained from any prediction regarding the outcome of the current year's working. The year in Malaya has opened in a promising way, and though there continues to be in the International situation more that is obscure and threatening than is clear and promising, we would seem justified in looking forward to the future with a greater degree of confidence than has been possible for several years.

I now formally propose that the Balance Sheet and Accounts to the 31st December, 1935 and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors be received and adopted, which resolution I shall ask Mr. Martin to second.

Mr. W. H. Martin. I have pleasure in seconding the resolution before the meeting that the Reports and Accounts as presented be adopted.

The Chairman. Gentlemen, Before I put the motion to the meeting, 1 shall be pleased to answer, if I can, any questions bearing upon the report and accounts which shareholders present may care to ask.

Mr. C. W. S. Gardner enquired whether it was necessary to reserve annually the amount of $135,000/- as provision for bad and doubtful debts. The Chairman stated that this reserve had been created over a period of years out of profits. Part of this reserve was primarily created against debts incurred some time ago which were considered doubtful but which were now being repaid, and the Board would review the position when repayment in full was effected.

Mr. Gardner stated that as the results of the past year's working had been very satisfactory and the position as disclosed by the Report and Accounts was sound, he had hoped that the Directors would recommend a larger Final Dividend than 5%. The Chairman replied that this matter had received the careful consideration of the Board but that it was deemed prudent not to recommend a dividend larger than 5%, thereby strengthening the liquid resources of the company.

Mr. Gardner asked whether it was possible for the company to publish its monthly outputs, as shareholders were not in a position to know what happened during the year. He believed that the figures appeared in the Government statistics.

The Chairman said that the matter would be considered although it had not been thought advisable to publish this information in the past.

The Final Dividend of 5% was unanimously approved on the motion of the Chairman seconded by Mr. W. H. Martin.

The Directors' remuneration of $20,000/- was unanimously approved on the motion of the Chairman seconded by Mr.   P.  W.  Gleeson.

Mr. W. H. Martin was re-elected a Director on the proposal of Mr. H. H. Robbins seconded by Mr. F. Cunningham.

Mr. F. Cunningham was re-elected a Director on the proposal of Mr. H.  H.  Robbins seconded by Mr. W.  H. Martin.

Mr. C. W. S. Gardner proposed and Mr. C. J. Chisholm seconded that Messrs. Evatt & Co. be re-elected Auditors for the ensuing year.

Mr. W. H. Martin then addressed the Meeting as follows: —

The Chairman in his speech referred to the loyal and efficient services rendered by the staff at the mine. You will appreciate, as your Board does, how this spirit of co-operation contributes materially to the benefit and success of the Company, but while that is so, I would also like to add and record our appreciation of the invaluable services given by our General Managers. I therefore propose a hearty vote of thanks to them and to all associated with the Company.

This motion was seconded by Mr. Chisholm and carried unanimously.

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 & reported in THE MALAY MAIL, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1936 page10. Under Malayan Collieries Profitable Year & The Straits Times, 1 April 1936, Page 7 MALAYAN COLLIERIES' GOOD YEAR. CHAIRMAN REVIEWS ACTIVITIES. Why Singapore Municipal Contract Was Lost.

The Straits Times, 9 April 1936, Page 4 THE RANCHI. Passengers Homeward. The following passengers are proceeding per s.s. Ranchi sailing at 9.30 a.m. tomorrow for Penang, Colombo, Marseilles and London. Mrs. J. A. Russell.

THE MALAY MAIL, SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1936 Importance of Batu Arang to Malaya THE COAL RESOURCES OF THE PENINSULA Experiments In Connection With New Uses. SEVEN million tons of coal have been produced from Batu Arang in the last 23 years. This is the largest coalfield in Malaya, one of the five parts of the country in which coal occurs. Of the other coal-bearing areas one is at Enngor in Perak, where, after a total output of about 20,000 tons had been obtained, the mine had to be closed because, for all practical purposes, it was worked out. No coal of economic importance was found in the deposit at the Perlis-Siam boundary, while bores sunk in 1930 and 1931 at Kluang and Nyor in Johore failed to discover any valuable seams. Prospecting by Malayan Collieries over an area at Durian Chondong, Kepong, Johore, held by the Johore Coal Syndicate, is at present being carried out, but so far no coal of economic importance has been found. This summary of the coal resources of Malaya was given by Mr. John Drysdale of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., general managers of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., in the course of an interesting paper read to members of the Selangor branch of the Engineering Association of Malaya at the Selangor Club on Thursday evening. One might say (remarked Mr. Drysdale) that coal in Britain has made her what she is to-day, and the hope may be expressed that coal in Malaya will have a similar effect on the progress and welfare of this country. GODSEND DURING THE WAR “The importance of the occurrence of coal in Malaya cannot be overestimated, and, in this connection I quote from Mining in Malaya by the late Mr. G. E. Grieg and issued by the Malayan Information Agency, where it is said that the coal bed at Batu Arang proved a godsend to consumers of power during the war when foreign coal was either unobtainable or procurable only at a prohibitive price. I will go further than that and say that the coalfield, situated as it is almost midway between Penang and Singapore and right in the centre of the tin mining industry and the F. M. S. Railways system, might well be termed a godsend to consumers of power at all times. “Apart from the benefits of the coalfield to the consumers of power, it represents a most valuable asset to the country in general and to the State of Selangor in particular. Without such an important internal fuel resource, the country would be dependent entirely for its supply from external sources, and in such a position the main industries of the country would be seriously affected. NEW DEPOSITS Concerning the possibility of finding new deposits of coal in Malaya, Mr. Drysdale pointed out that the area covered by these five examples of coal strata did not exceed a hundred square miles, a tiny fraction of the Malay peninsula, but, he said, it was quite likely that there were other occurrences that had not yet been recognised. A great area of Malaya was built of ancient rocks definitely not coal bearing but giving rise to similar topography, and surface differences to distinguish the coal-bearing strata from them were not always present. It was most probable that coal-bearing strata once covered a considerable part of such country, and that they had been mostly removed by erosion. Remnants would be found some day, but it was problematical whether they would contain coal of economic value. AT BATU ARANG Referring particularly to coalmining activities at Batu Arang, Mr. Drysdale related that extraction of the coal there, commenced in 1915 and the total production up to the end of 1935 was approximately 7,000,000 tons, the largest output in any one year being about 625,000 tons and in any one month 59,000 tons. “The bulk of the production is from underground workings but large reserves are maintained readily available in the opencasts so that they can be drawn on as and when required. “Access to the underground workings is effected by means of inclines which follow the natural dip of the seam and extraction of coal is carried out in panels arranged between levels which run at right angles to the main incline or main dip as it is termed. “Working is on the longwall principle and hydraulic and stowage is adopted to ensure maximum efficiency of extraction and to reduce the incidence of spontaneous combustion. The main dip roadway in the principal underground mine is at present about 3,000 feet in length and the vertical depth at this point is about 850 feet below the surface. The main dip is served by an endless haulage operated from a winch house situated on the surface and this haulage is fed by auxiliary haulages of a similar type which operate on the coal winning levels, and the coal is hauled in tubs over a 20” gauge track. The total length of the various roads and ways under maintenance is about 14 miles. “Practically all of the roads are in coal and support is effected by means of props and bars obtained from the local timber areas, although in some places, steel arches and brick walls are used. “The longwall principle of extraction is varied in its application to suit the nature of the area being worked: in some places the face is advanced on the angle of dip between two levels and in others the face is on the level and advances to the rise, that is, up the slope. SAND STOWAGE “In both cases however, the operation is similar and when a cut of about 10 feet has been taken the cavity so formed is surrounded by a timber barricade lined with jute hessian and filled in by means of hydraulic sand stowage. “The sand is admitted in suspension in water and the water drains through the hessian lining and leaves the sand inside the barricade, so forming a solid support for the roof. When the stowing operation has been completed, the face is ready for another cut and so on until the area has been completely extracted and stowed. “The coal is mostly won by hand and filled into tubs which move along the coal face on to the haulage. “Ventilation of the working is effected by means of a fan which handles about 120,000 cubic feet of air per minute. There are three parallel roads down into the mine the centre of which is the main dip and two of these, the main dip and the auxiliary plane serve as main air intakes and the third serves as the main return. “At the upper end of the main return there is a vertical shaft which connects the return to the fan house on the surface. By means of a system of sealing doors and where necessary overcasts or connecting ducts, the air is coursed throughout the entire mine. “In the case of blind ends such as development headings, which cannot be included in the air circuit, auxiliary portable fans and ventilating pipes are employed to supply fresh air to the workings. It is of interest to note that the weight of air circulated through the mine in a day is about 6 to 7 times the weight of the coal produced. THE USES OF COAL Discussing the uses of coal, Mr. Drysdale stated that at the present time about 40,000 tons of coal were being despatched per month to various consumers and, in addition to this, about 3,000 tons per month were used. “The coal is used in four forms, namely, large, smalls, unscreened, and pulverised, although only the first three are prepared on the mine. The large coal is used in locomotives, dredges with fixed grate furnaces, sundry industrial works and until recently one consumer used it for generating coal gas for heating purposes. The small coal is used in power houses and on dredges throughout the country and in most cases it is consumed on chain grate stockers, although in one case it is used in pulverised form. “At Batu Arang, the coal is used both in lump and smalls form, the lump being used in locomotives and for distillation purposes, and the smalls at the power house and brickworks: most of the coal used in the power house is of unmarketable quality. At the distillation works the coal is carbonised by a low temperature process and semi-coke, light coal tar and coal oils are produced. The semi-coke is used by a consumer as smokeless fuel and the tars and oils are used in the manufacture of wood preservative and disinfectant. At the brickworks small coal is used for firing a continuous kiln and lump coal in an intermittent kiln. FUTURE USES “The possible uses to which the coal may be put in the future, are low temperature carbonisation, hydrogenation, pulverised coal for various uses, producer gas for engines, fuel for lorries and briquetting and these possibilities have been closely followed for a number of years. Apart from the process adopted at the distillation plant at Batu Arang several tests have been carried out on Malayan coal in England and the results have been more or less successful, but the present uneconomic aspect of the carbonisation process has not encouraged the installation of a trial plant although several designs have been considered. One of the difficulties with Malayan coals in this process is its non-coking property, but as means are now being devised to overcome this obstacle it is not regarded as a permanent impediment. “The possibilities of hydrogenation have been considered with experts in England, but here also the present uneconomic aspect of the process has not justified tests being made, let alone trial plant being installed. The process is however, yet young from a practical standpoint and such rapid strides are being made in its development that there is every hope for its future and it may be said that petrol, fuel oils and lubricating oils are now being produced successfully in England. “The use of pulverised fuel for such purposes as cement making has been fully investigated and it has been ascertained that Malayan coal is well suited for the purpose. It has also been found suitable for the producer gas process. STEAM ROAD TRANSPORT “While the use of coal as a fuel for steam road transport vehicles has disadvantages, it has many advantages and one might be justified in visualising the time when the popularity of heavy oil engines for this purpose will result in oil fuel becoming as expensive as petrol. Such an occurrence in conjunction with the rapid strides that are being made in the steam world, both on sea and on rail, may well result in popularising the coal and steam road vehicle with coal in one form or another. “Experiments have been made with briquetting and while these have been more or less successful the high moisture and non-coking characteristics of Malayan coal present difficulties during manufacture and use. These difficulties, however, are not insurmountable and I believe that a good briquette will yet be made, probably in conjunction with a low temperature carbonisation process. “Coal has a series of derivatives almost too numerous to mention and in time to come demands may be created which will call for the exploitation of many of these. To say what the demands may be would be only conjecture, but the fact remains that their advent will result in further use of coal in Malaya.

The Straits Times, 1 May 1936, Page 10
 NOTES Of The DAY. BOH'S DEBUT. IT has been pleasant to see the first advertisements of Boh Plantations tea in the Straits Times in the last few days, and to be thus reminded that Cameron Highlands have at last joined the hill-country tea-producing regions of the world. When Mr. d' Esterre Darby, one of the oldest and most experienced planters living, was in Malaya last year he told me that nothing he had seen during his return visit had impressed so much as the Boh estate. • Having opened up estate after estate in pioneering conditions from the beginning of the century onwards, Mr. d’Esterre Derby knew full well what must have been involved in creating that magnificent estate, and he was full of praise for Mr. A. B. Milne’s work. Alas Mr. Milne is in Ceylon with his brother now, having said goodbye to the country in which he spent so long and strenuous a career. • However he has left a permanent memorial in Boh Plantations, which he felled, cleared, planted, roaded and equipped with buildings at a time when every pound of supplies had to be carried by coolies or on mule- back ten miles over a jungle track. His name is in the list of honourary members of the U.P.A.M. -a select group of 25- and if any man deserves that honour for sheer planting achievement, he does.

The Straits Times, 16 May 1936, Page 17 
 Malayan Production Of Minerals. (From Our Own Correspondent). Kuala Lumpur, May 14. The output of coal from the mines of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., in Selangor jumped from 321,461 tons to 377,441 tons last year. This is the only coal mine in the F.M.S.

The Straits Times, 20 May 1936, Page 5 . CENTRAL RIFLE MEETING AT K.L. In connection with the Central Rifle Meeting held at Kuala Lumpur during the Easter holidays, the committee acknowledges with thanks donations to the prize fund from the following: Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd.,…… (90 words)

The Straits Times, 22 May 1936, Page 17
 Funeral Of Mr. M. B. Dukes At K.L. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, May 21. At the funeral of Mr. Marcus B. Dukes, Co-operative Marketing Officer, at the Cheras Road cemetery yesterday, wreaths were placed on the grave by: (list includes Mr. and Mrs. Drysdale and Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Clarkson)

The Straits Times, 27 May 1936, Page 10 & The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 28 May 1936, Page 8 Social and personal. Mr. S. Brown, of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., Kuala Lumpur, goes on leave this week, via the United States.

The Straits Times, 28 May 1936, Page 10 NOTES Of The DAY. PASIR PANJANG COAL It remains to be seen whether the 12- foot seam of coal found on the Alexandra Brickworks land at Pasir Panjang is commercially valuable, but it is the first discovery of the kind on Singapore Island. (Summary: comparison with other coal. “ These Pasir Panjang fossils may or may not be important scientifically. Fossilised plants found in the coal seams of Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang, Selangor, have been declared to be of a modern type.”…

The Straits Times, 8 June 1936, Page 10 . Social and personal. Mr. H. H. Robbins, of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co.. Kuala Lumpur, left yesterday by X.L.M. plane on a short business visit to England

The Straits Times, 16 June 1936, Page 2
, The Straits Times, 17 June 1936, Page 2
, The Straits Times, 18 June 1936, Page 2
 MALAYAN COLLERIES LTD. Notice of Declaration of Dividend No. 62 and Closure of Share Registers….First Interim Dividend of 2 ½ %... J. A. Russell and Co., June 15, 1936

The Straits Times, 19 June 1936, Page 18 
ROAD SHORTAGE IN HIGHLANDS AREA. What Renglet Settlers Need —"Gateway" To Highlands Market Garden Sites Healthy Climate. By Our Planting Correspondent. (Summary: Tour of Renglet, who owns the houses and what they do, “ we pass the 32nd milestone, close to which is the turning to the Boh Tea Plantations some five miles away, to be described next week, house on the road, race horse stables, need for roads, Photograph of bungalow built by settler) (2162 words)

The Straits Times, 26 June 1936, Page 10 NOTES Of The DAY. Wealth in the Hills . All who hope to see the hill regions of the Malaya peninsula opened up eventually on as extensive a scale as those of Ceylon and Assam and the Darjeeling tea country will welcome the prominence given to Boh Estate in today’s issue of the Straits Times. A number of settlers at Cameron Highlands have done excellent pioneering work but Boh Plantations. Ltd., is the only company which has demonstrated the agricultural value of the Highlands on a really large scale. This company, thanks in the beginning to the courage and vision of the late “Archie” Russell (the ablest businessman the F.M.S. has ever known) has made a contribution of very real importance to the economic history of this country. The Straits Times planting correspondent has written two articles on Boh Estate, the first of which is published today, and they will be followed by two more articles on Cameron Highlands based on a tour recently made by him. The whole series will form the most through survey of the Highlands, from a practical planter’s point of view, that has yet appeared.Incidentally, some readers may say that, whatever may be the potentialities of the Highlands, we cannot expect much development elsewhere in the hill regions of the Peninsula owing to the steepness of the country. The best possible reply to those sceptics is to advise them to go and look at some of the hillsides on which tea is flourishing at Boh.

The Straits Times, 26 June, 1936, Page 18 A TRIUMPH AT CAMERON HIGHLANDS Boh Estate As It Is Today—After Eight Years—Tea And Coffee—Planting In The Mountains In this week’s article our Planting Correspondent gives a short account of the history of Boh Plantations at Cameron Highlands and his impressions of the general progress achieved since his previous visit three years ago. Next Friday a description of the Boh tea factory and details of crop yields will be published. A panoramic view of the Boh estate appears on the back page of the Straits Times today. It was a little over three years ago that I wrote in these columns an account of a visit to the Boh Estate, the property of Boh Plantations Ltd., which I described as a highland, agricultural enterprise unique of its kind in Malaya. In this article I must ask my readers to go back to 1929, when Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., Ltd., having acquired 4,000 acres of land in the Cameron Highlands, set themselves the task of developing it. Anyone who had opened up new land off the beaten track, is well aware of pioneering difficulties that have to be overcome, but in this particular case let them picture not only being 20 miles off the main road, —entailing all supplies having to be carried up on coolies’ heads—, but also the fact that the whole journey is one of a steep ascent from 2,000 ft. to nearly 5,000 ft. before the estate is reached. In those days, the first 20 miles from Tapah having been negotiated by car, the remainder of the journey had to be done on foot. Such were the conditions in 1928-29 when Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., Ltd., took on the task of carving out of the jungle what is now known as Boh Tea Estate. Today one can motor the whole distance from Tapah into the centre of the estate inside a couple of hours. Only A Bridle Path. Despite these early pioneering difficulties, which included the construction of a 5-mile bridle path, and later its conversion into a motor-road (part of which the Government only took over in 1935), within a few months from date of commencing operations tea and coffee nurseries were established, temporary buildings erected, and a labour force collected. During the years 1929-33, 600 acres were planted in tea, 197 in coffee, 50 in cardamoms, and some 20 acres of nurseries and minor experimental crops. The world slump notwithstanding, the development of this estate and the consolidating of what had already been planted continued to make steady progress, such as the construction of five miles of metalled road on the estate, over 50 miles of paths, and the erection of a factory. Today the acreage is as follows: Tea. Planted 1929-1935 ….. 688 acres In preparation for planting in 1936 ……………… 112 “ Coffee ………………. 197 “ Cardamoms ……………. 50 “ Experimental Gardens, including tea seed bearers area. …………………. 25 “ Reserve land and building areas ………… 2,965 “ Total ….. 4,037 “ Tour Of Plantations Having given a short description of the early history of the Boh Plantations up to the present time, I would ask those interested to accompany me on the tour I made last week, when I had the privilege of being conducted round the Plantation in company with the Estate Superintendent and a member of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., Ltd.’s Kuala Lumpur office. On my previous visit, the boundary of the planted area at the estate only began where a ridge 4,600 feet above sea-level marked the boundary line between the valleys of the Boh and the Ulong. On this visit, as one came up the approach valley to the estate on this side of the ridge, one saw that a further 112 acres had been felled and were being made ready for planting. This area was all above the 4,500 ft. level. On the top of what is the one and only entrance road to the estate, one passes a gap on the left where is to be seen the tea factory erected two years ago. Assuredly this must be the highest situated factory in Malaya. Bird’s Eye View At this spot we alighted from the car, and it is here that the visitor is able to obtain a wonderful bird’s eye view of the whole estate. On his right he see the slopes of Gunong Chantek, towering up to 6,000 ft., and on his left the slopes of the Chekko ridge reaching well over 5,000 ft. Both slopes are covered with an ever increasing green cover of tea bushes. In front of him the visitor looks down onto the Boh Valley, where the earliest tea areas were planted, and obtains a panoramic view of a cultivated area unlike any to be seen elsewhere in Malaya, stretching as it does down to 3,500 feet elevation. Beyond the shadow of the trees there is nothing to hinder his view of that green carpet of tea and coffee, which, when compared with a rubber estate, makes the former appear so attractive. Great Mountain Wall. Far away in the background he sees the mountain ranges of Pahang mounting up to the sky, forming one of those impenetrable walls which seem to divide the east coast of Malaya from the west. No one who visits the Cameron Highlands should fail to pay a visit at least to this spot which can be reached by car from the Cameron Highlands Hotel within an hour. But let him choose a day when the sky is clear of low-lying clouds. Otherwise he will see mist and nothing else. To proceed now on our tour, my hosts first motored me up almost to the summit of Chekko ridge. Here we left the car. Of particular interest on the top of Chekko was an experimental area of Coffee Arabica grown at an elevation of 5,400 feet, the highest grown coffee in Malaya. But it was at too early a stage for us to predict its success. Nevertheless the growth and first signs of fruiting appeared most promising. From here we descended down the Boh Valley by graded paths passing through various areas in tea, all of which had reached the plucking stage, having to be plucked once every 7 or 9 days. Steeply Planted Slopes. Those who have never seen a steep hillside tea estate will see nothing like it elsewhere in Malaya. They will marvel at the comparative ease with which gangs of coolies carrying heavy baskets of plucked leaf are able to traverse these planted slopes. The excellent drainage provided by the slope of the hills enables the tea to thrive as it could not do on the flat land. Nevertheless, it is only with the aid of the many graded paths which are a feature of this estate that efficient supervision is possible, or that the plucked leaf can be transported to existing metalled roads for conveyance by lorries to the factory. In addition to passing through plucking gangs, we also saw weeding gangs at work, and it is interesting to note that the whole of the estate is regularly gone over once in every month or six weeks, and that on these control rounds all high-growing weeds are hand-pulled and grasses eradicated. All other low-growing “weeds,” particularly drymaria are left untouched, unless they interfere with the growth of the young bushes, in which case ring weeding is carried out. Vigna, I am told, had proved to be the most satisfactory of all the non-indigenous cover crops tried out, and full use is being made of this leguminous low creeper throughout the estate. Soil Held Together. By this policy the valuable top soil even of the steepest slopes is being retained, and it is confidently anticipated that this will enable high yields to be maintained for a considerable number of years without resort to the use of artificial fertilisers. Nothing I saw on this visit led me to believe that this anticipation was an unreasonable one. As any one connected with tea cultivation knows the expense of weeding in the earlier stages constitutes one of the main and heaviest items. Boh Estate, I understand, have been no exception to the rule, and not until the shade of the increasing spread of the tea bushes checks the growth of weeds can this expenditure be reduced (provided regular weeding rounds are adhered to) to a normal monthly level. I have only mentioned this point on regular weeding rounds for the benefit of those inexperienced in tea cultivation, as unless regular weeding rounds are kept to, sooner or later tea planters find themselves in difficulties which greatly add, either to the capital cost per acre, or, later on, to their costs of production. Fields Under Control. On this visit to Boh estate, compared with one I made three years ago, it was very evident that with the excellent cover of tea it was now reaching a stage where the majority of fields were either under complete control or approaching that state. In the course of our tour we passed through 194 acres of Kent’s and Blue Mountain seed for Coffee Arabica and Blue Mountain Coffee—the former obtained from South India and the latter from the West Indies—planted by Mr. A. B. Milne in 1931-33, which have now reached the bearing stage. While in the early stages of the development of this crop considerable trouble was caused by the various fungus diseases to which the coffee bush is susceptible, experience has proved that these diseases can be controlled successfully by regular rounds of fungicial spraying and a reference to recent publications in other coffee growing countries discloses the fact that this work now forms part of the normal routine on any successful coffee Estate. A large proportion of the area was planted with small seedlings instead of eighteen month old stumps which the management now considers to be the most suitable planting material. This mistake in the initial stage resulted in a number of vacancies and owing to the shortage of seed during the year following the planting of the area it was not until 1934 that suitable stumps were available to enable the necessary supplying programme to be carried out. The supplies are now well established and this coupled with the crop of berries now coming on seemed to me to give ample justification for a claim that coffee can be made a successful economic crop on the Highlands. Loaded Coffee Bushes. Many of the coffee bushes I saw could be described as loaded down with berries, and while in comparison with tea it may not be such a paying crop, it was very evident that this area of approximately 200 acres (by far the largest undertaken in the Cameron Highlands) is already passing out of the experimental stage onto a paying one. It is too early yet to gauge actual yields but it is estimated that 9cwt. to 10 cwt. per acre will be obtained when the area is fully mature, —say the seventh year from planting. London valuations have varied between 55/- and 70/- per cwt., according to quality, at it was of special interest to learn that the first commercial consignment is now in transit to London. In this connection one wonders whether Dr. Tempany, as Director of Agriculture, could possibly have seen this area on Boh, when in a memorandum on Agricultural possibilities on the Cameron Highlands which was laid before the Federal Council, summing up the possibilities of Coffee, he wrote: “The future of Arabian Coffee as a crop for the Highlands is at the best still uncertain. It seems doubtful if the soil at Tanah Rata Station is suitable, but the growth of some of the Blue Mountain Coffee on small plots on certain private properties elsewhere is more promising. In addition, control of pest and diseases is likely to be expensive if and when areas under coffee become extensive.” Dr. Tempany Misled? Here it would appear that Dr. Tempany based most of his conclusions on prospects of coffee on the Cameron Highlands on the results of that grown to date at the Tanah Rata experimental station, which, as a well known personality in the Highlands recently pointed out, is “a peculiarly poor patch of soil, and is in no respect comparable to the bulk of the neighbouring country. “No practical planter, would ever dream of selecting it,” added Mr. Milne. Yet even with manure at Tanah Rata and only 3 ¾ acres planted, Dr, Tempany made rather too sweeping a conclusion, in my opinion, which can very definitely be disproved by any one visiting Boh Estate, where there is not merely a miniature area of under 4 acres, but one of 200 acres. It is here, I contend, that an experimental area of real economic value is to be seen. Official Report Needed. In the meanwhile, it must be appreciated that until the Agricultural Department publishes either a report or paper on this area on Boh Estate, capital from outside this country may not be forthcoming for the development of coffee on the Cameron Highlands. In fairness to those who have already invested money in this direction, it is not unreasonable to hope that there will be such a report in the near future. Before leaving the subject of coffee on Boh Estate I must mention a one acre plot originally planted from seed obtained from two coffee bushes, believed to have been planted by Mr. Cerruti at his Jorr camp at the 20th mile post on the road from Tapah to the Cameron Highlands. Dispelling Dr. Tempany’s Gloom. Here one can see an area with hardly a vacancy, presenting as fine a sheet of coffee as one could wish, and samples of which have been sent to London and have obtained excellent reports and valuation. True, it is only a miniature area, but it might be considered as constituting another proof that Dr. Tempamy’s conclusions on coffee in the Cameron Highlands may have been a little premature. ………………………………. The next cultivation of interest that I was shown was the experimental area of 50 acres of cardamoms planted in the ravine areas which had been felled. To those who are not acquainted with cardamoms, I might add that it is an Indian spice, growing well in certain parts of South India and Ceylon, but only at a similar elevation to that of Boh estate. In appearance the plant is like wild ginger. Growing in cleared undergrowth of big jungle, it entails the minimum cost of upkeep. Cardamoms Can Pay. When planting in Ceylon I well recollect that the 30 acres of this cultivation which we had was considered for its size, the most profitable of the whole estate. On Boh the growth for its age appeared to be all that one could desire, but for some reason, at present unknown, the fruit has failed to set in a satisfactory manner, before which it cannot be harvested. This, it is believed, is probably due to immaturity. As the only area of its size in Malaya, the cardamoms represent an experiment of considerable interest. But more time must elapse before their value as an economic crop can be correctly ascertained. ………………………… The next area I was shown was the six acre plot that had been set aside for tea seed bearers of medium dark Assam variety. Here I saw an unchecked growth of 6-year-old tea bushes that visitors from South India and Ceylon, I am told, have admitted could not for their age be surpassed in growth anywhere in the Middle East. To my mind they were an outstanding testimony of how well tea can grow on this soil on which no manure has yet been applied. In the matter of tea seed, I was told that at present it is yielding at the rate of 34 maunds (2,720 lb.), of seed per acre per annum, and from the crop of seed I saw on the trees it looked as if this yield would go on increasing for some years. Valuable Seed Supplies. While under the Tea Restriction Scheme no other land in Malaya is now being alienated for tea, the full value of this area today is not what it might have been. All the same, for those fortunate enough to have obtained land in earlier years, this small area of tea seed bearer on Boh will constitute a valuable seed supply for all those with unplanted tea land on the Cameron Highlands. In both nurseries of young plants there is already sufficient planting material to develop a further 750 acres of tea. For the benefit of those not acquainted with tea, I would add that one maund of tea seed equals 80 pounds in weight, and usually 200 seeds go to a pound. However, as 3,000 to 4,000 bushes go to an acre, it will be realised that except for Tea Restriction being in force even the present supply on Boh might prove insufficient. ………………………… The next experimental area we will look at is three acres of Tung Oil. While both the Montana and Fordii species were originally planted, only the former has reached the fruiting stage, whereas it is the Fordii that as a commercial product probably offers the more promising prospects. Of the four places I saw Tung Oil growing on the Highlands—Tanah Rata, Mensun Valley, Telom Valley and Boh—all seemed to have obtained more or less similar results, and I gathered little hope that it can be grown as a successful economic crop. Of the remaining experimental crops that were being tried out on a small scale when I visited Boh Estate three years ago, I was advised that while a few of them showed excellent growth, the economic possibilities did not justify the continuance of the experiments. (To be continued.)( Photographs of tea and coffee bushes)

The Straits Times, 3rd July, 1936, Page 18 MODEL TEA FACTORY High Yields on Boh Estate—“Very Useful Type Leaf”—How Tea Is Processed. —Ceylon Comparison. By Our Planting Correspondent Last week our Planting Correspondent dealt with the remarkable results achieved at the Boh Estate tea and coffee plantations in the Cameron Highlands. In this issue he describes a visit to the tea factory on the Estate, and gives an estimate of Crop yields and capital and production costs. From the nurseries I was taken up to see a 60 acre field of tea which has been brought into bearing by means of a system of light pruning at short intervals, instead of more heavy prunings at intervals of a year or more. Treatment commenced during the year 1932 and the area is now well ahead of other fields planted at the same time, which received the alternative pruning treatment. In this field I was to meet a flock of a small type of locusts which seem to live in and amongst the tea without doing it any harm and without increasing in numbers. Certainly they were a novel sight to me, but, I understand, an everyday affair on Boh Estate, and no notice is taken of them. Before we reached my host’s bungalow for tiffin we had completed a 7-mile walk though what can only be described as a luxurious carpet of tea from one end of the estate to the other. True there were vacancies and small disease patches to be seen here and there, which had, or were, receiving the attention of the management, but nothing I consider that was not of the normal routine work of any tea estate. High Yields. As regards yields per acre, I was advised that there is already sufficient data compiled to prove that tea on Boh Estate can be brought into bearing between the 3rd and 4th year from planting, and that yields for the first year will vary between 100 lb. and 250 lb. of made tea per acre, according to elevation and to a lesser extent to varying soil conditions. Furthermore, in the seventh year from planting, and thereafter, an average yield of 900-1,000 lb. per. acre per annum at all elevations is confidently anticipated, even after allowing for loss of crop during pruning which, it is estimated, will be necessary once in every five years. It is of interest to record that the first area of 21 acres, 1929 planting, gave 1,100 lb. of made tea per acre during 1935 and for the current year the rate of yields to date is such that it is expected that before the end of the year the 1,500 lb. per acre mark will have been touched. In both Ceylon and South India this rate of yield on unmanured areas for this age of tea would be considered a very high one. ……………….. Very closely allied, of course, with such exceptionally large yields per acre are the market reports and valuations of the quality of tea made from them. In this connection I am told that the London brokers have described Boh teas as distinctly superior to the Ceylon and Malayan low-grown products, and of a very useful type which will always find a ready sale amongst the blending trade in London. It was interesting to learn that since the factory was started two years ago, over 250,000 lb. of tea have already been sold on the London market at satisfactory prices. Here is a point on the question of quality of tea of which those not closely acquainted with its manufacture may not be aware. - It is an accepted rule in all tea-growing countries that the quality of teas improves as the bushes mature, particularly in the case of high-elevation estates, and this improvement often continues up to the 20th year from date of planting. Plants Still Young. As the average age of the tea bushes from which the bulk of this 250,000 lb. harvested on Boh are not yet six years old, it will be appreciated that in spite of good reports received to date it will be a good many years before final optimum manufacturing and marketing conditions will have been reached. As far as selling of Boh tea in Malaya is concerned, until recently, owing to the immaturity of the bushes, the teas on Boh were not at first considered suited for the local market. With a steady improvement in quality however, it was decided to pack teas for local sale under the trade names of “BOH” and “TIGER”. Very great care, I am told, is taken in the manufacture and the maturing of “Boh” tea, and it may be news to some that after tea is manufactured it should be allowed to mature for at least six months in the factory bins before it is offered for sale, that is if its best quality and flavour are to be obtained when it reaches the tea pot. In the case of “Boh” tea it seems that the Malayan public can be assured of securing a product that is comparable with the best teas imported from India and Ceylon, and what is equally important, at a much lower price. Extremely Cheap. It may be of interest to those outside Malaya to know that Boh teas are now among the most advertised of all teas in this country, and, I understand, obtainable at all the best stores here in 1 lb. and ½ lb. packets at 75 cents per lb. The “Tiger” brand, being a lower quality, is on sale in 1 lb., ½ lb., ¼ lb., and even 2 oz. packets at 55 cents per lb. All I need add is that one has only to see the tea in course of manufacture to appreciate the great care that is taken in all stages of production. ……………….. On our way up after tiffin to the tea factory we passed the original temporary line site, which is now to be removed to a more central position. It is interesting to record that with the one exception of a small epidemic in 1931, no malaria has been experienced other than a few isolated cases traced to new arrivals from India. Nevertheless malarial works such as oiling, still remain a strictly enforced policy today. The population on Boh Estate which consists almost entirely of Tamils is over 700, but when the present opened area is fully bearing it is expected to rise to over 1,200. Piece-Work Pay. While the usual rates of pay prevailing in Pahang are paid for field-work, it was of interest to learn that for plucking, labour is paid according to the number of pounds of green leaf that each coolie plucks, and that in some of the highest yielding months the best pluckers (woman) have earned as much as $30 a month, but it is perhaps needless to add there are not many who are sufficiently adept at this work to earn this rate of pay. We are now back at the factory already mentioned in my article last week as the highest situated in Malaya (4,650 feet), and no account of a visit to Boh Tea Estate would be complete without a description of it, constituting, as any tea factory does, the nerve centre of the estate. PROFITING BY THE EXAMPLE OF CEYLON. Over 80,000 cubic yards of a hill-top had to be removed before the building was erected in 1934. ……………….. It will not be disputed, I think, that as far as design, construction, plant and machinery are concerned it represents one of the last works in tea factories, whether in Malaya or elsewhere. The building itself comprises a ground floor 75 ft, by 70 ft., enclosing four rooms. In the rolling room are two 32-inch rollers, one 28-inch roller, and one roll-breaker. An additional roller and roll-breaker are to be installed in a few weeks’ time. In the firing room are one drier and one desiccator, the latter, I understand, being used as a stand-by drier, and also for providing hot air for controlled withering in the lofts. In the sifting room is one sifter, one cutter, and one winnowing and dust collecting plant. It was of interest to learn that the present building will only serve the needs of the estate until the end of the current year, but it has been so designed that extensions can be made to take the full crop from the present planted area, and from areas to be developed, with negligible interference to manufacture. “Model Factory.” Other points of interest in connection with the building, which might be described as a “model tea factory” are as follows: The whole design and lay out was arranged in consultation with Messrs. Walker and Grieg Ltd., the well-known tea engineers in Ceylon. The steel and corrugated ironwork was supplied and erected by Messrs. the Federated Engineering Co., Ltd., of Kuala Lumpur. The masonry was carried out by Messrs. Kennieson Bros. of Tanah Rata, over 75 tons of steel work and corrugated iron being used, and over 400 cubic yards of masonry. Materials used in the erection of the factory, and also all the machinery and equipment, are entirely of British manufacture. The machinery, weighing over 50 tons, was ordered from Ceylon. The power house has been erected some 60 ft. from the main factory building, and contains two electric generator sets from which power is obtained to drive the factory motors. Provision is made in this building to take a third engine in due course. Capital Costs. The present capital cost per planted acre on Boh Estate is, of course, relatively high, bearing as it does the full expenditure incurred in building the access and main internal roads and other non-recurring capital items. But with the facilities and organisation now provided, the planted area of the Estate can be extended rapidly at a very low capital cost per acre, and the further development now planned should result, ultimately, in bringing the capital cost per planted acre to a very satisfactory figure. As there seems little doubt that the property is capable of producing exceptionally high yields of tea and coffee for a considerable number of years without resorting to the application of artificial manures, the company should be in a position to compete very successfully with estates in other countries producing tea and coffee of a similar quality. 5 Per Cent. Dividend It is interesting to note that the average amount spent nowadays on manuring tea in Ceylon usually represent over 1d. per lb. on the tea produced. On the basis of anticipated yields this is the equivalent of a 5 per cent. dividend on the capital expenditure which it is estimated will ultimately be required to fully develop Boh Estate. ………………….. The tour of Boh Tea Plantations is now complete, but a few of my general impressions remain to be recorded. Briefly they can be stated to be as follows: The thorough and careful manner in which all stages of this undertaking from planting to manufacture, have been carried out, has resulted in what for many years to come will constitute the one and only model tea estate for any other similar enterprise on the Cameron Highlands. Without it, in view of the fact that no further land can be alienated for tea while Tea Restriction remains in force, Malaya might have had to wait many years before Highland tea could have been proved on such a commercial scale. The foresight of the late Mr. Russell had again led to the establishment of a new industry for Malaya, the firm bearing his name being closely connected with Boh Plantations Ltd. Not the least of this firm’s achievement in this enterprise was the carrying on with this Boh development when midway though its earlier stages the world slump came. Certainly I could see no signs that it had ever suffered any ill-effects. Suitable Soil. Another impression of no small significance was the suitability of the soil in this part of the Highlands for the cultivation of tea and coffee, and of the great care that had been taken on the steepest of slopes to conserve that valuable top layer of soil. All Ceylon tea experts would, I think, agree that failure in early years to do this in Ceylon is largely responsible today for the heavy expenditure on fertilisers. Anyhow experiments on manuring work to date have indicated that it may be many years before this addition to the costs of production will ever be needed on Boh Estate. My final impression was that as a result of the success of this Boh enterprise, once all restrictions on the planting of tea in Malaya are removed and no further land is available in Ceylon, we will see a rapid extension of high elevation tea situated between the 4.500 and 5,500 ft. levels on Cameron Highlands. (A rough survey has revealed an area of approximately 50,000 acres.) Not until then, I fear, will the hopes of a big scale agricultural development of the Cameron Highlands be realised. Tea land is there and waiting. Boh has now shown us the way. (Photograph of factory)

The Straits Times, 3 July 1936, Page 18A PESSIMIST LOOKS AT THE HIGHLANDS. If Crops Can Be Grown, Can They Be Sold? To the Editor of the Straits Times Sir, Your readers for the past three weeks have been favoured by your Planting Correspondent with articles on Cameron Highlands, but what is the purport of this propaganda? (Summary: letter asking if ST is being paid to promote it. Planting may not be profitable, several properties advertised for sale, pests and diseases, giant snail, ” It may even take a liking to tea leaves, but the vigna cover of tea on Boh may be sufficient for its needs and keep it off tea”. Could Dr. Tempany be right? Malaria, asks the planting Correspondent to state financial prospects. Ed. of ST replies. Depression will not last forever, Planting correspondents survey is useful.) (886 words)

The Straits Times, 8 July 1936, Page 19 SCENIC BEAUTY AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBS AT CAMERON HIGHLANDS. GUNONG IRAU THE EVEREST OF THE MALAYAN HILLS. How The Trout Are Progressing. CAMERON Highlands is becoming more and more popular as a holiday resort for Malayans, but not many people realise the excellent opportunities which exist there for walking. (Summary: Visit to Tanah Rata, best places for views. Lists waterfalls, mountains, including view of Renglet valley “top clearings of Boh Plantations, as well as tea factory”) Photo of clearing.(1243 words)

The Straits Times, 10 July 1936, Page 18 
HOLIDAY CENTRE OF THE HIGHLANDS. Tanah Rata And Bintang –As they are Today- The Last Three Years- Waiting for The Services. By Our Planting Correspondent. IN the articles on Cameron Highlands that have appeared in these columns during the last few weeks, I have dealt with the Telom Valley, Renglet, and Boh Valley areas, but have not spoken of the Tanah Rata and Bintang residential area, which is really the pivot of it all. (Summary: Hotel accommodation, residential sites, private houses, and their owners, comparison with Fraser’s Hill, temporary government buildings, Tanah Rata town, roads and paths, golf course, urgent need for more roads, “Then our tour took us to the estate of Boh Plantations Ltd., the only large-scale enterprise on the Highlands and one that will be for many years to come the finest advertisement that Highlands agriculture could possibly have. In years to come, I predict, Boh Estate will play an important part in attracting capital to the Highlands.” Holiday centre, troops accommodation, increased population, Government needs to do more, “No more Boh Roads”. Government cannot again rely on private enterprise to construct approximately 10 to 15 miles of road for them, as happened in the Boh, Mensun and Blue Valley areas, and without those privately constructed roads it is extremely unlikely that any development in these valleys would ever have taken place” Government has no road building policy, Chinese capital predominant in residential area. Quote from Roland Braddell, (who has a house there) saying Government needs to take action, prosperity returning to Malaya there should be provision for Highlands. Government enterprise standing still.) (2659 words)

The Malay Mail, Friday July 24, 1936, page 5. Dispute Over Chinese Lunatic’s Large Estate. The Will of Mr. Khoo Khye Cheah. Penang Lawyer’s Evidence of Signing of Codicil. Evidence given by Mr. R. C. Bishop, of Messrs. Presgrave and Mathews, solicitors and advocates, Penang, and Dr. James Gossip, in London, was read in the Supreme Court yesterday during the hearing of the civil action concerning the will of Khoo Khye Cheah (deceased), who left an estate valued at more than a quarter of a million dollars. Mr. R. C. Russell, the plaintiff in the case, seeks to propound a will made by the deceased in 1897, under which four surviving sons of the deceased are residuary legatees. Khoo Boo Hooi, an adopted son, seeks to propound a codicil dated May 22, 1928 to the will executed in 1897 under which Khoo Boo Hooi is added as one of the residuary legatees. (Summary: Mr. P. B. Ford for the plaintiff, deceased taken to China in 1905 and certified insane. Back in this country in 1917. After order of lunacy made Mr. Russell was appointed (in 1907) on committee of estate and continued to act up to the time of death in Jan. 1935. He had been requested by the four sons to apply for letters of administration for estate. Mr. Russell was appointed administrator pendent elite and by agreement of all parties he should propound will of 1897. Mr. Bishop acted for deceased in 1928, K.K.C. was lucid then. Dr Gossip gave cert. to say he was of sound mind, though an interpreter. Russell’s solicitors Ford and Delamore not told about codicil.. deceased may have been helped to sign document.)

The Malay Mail, Saturday July 25, 1936, page 3. Dispute Over Large Chinese Estate. The Will of Mr. Khoo Khye Cheah. Sharp Altercation between Two Solicitors On Presentation of the Evidence. (Summary: mention of suppression of a damning document and use of gun caused sharp altercation between two solicitors. Anger over solicitor for defendant not calling him as witness. Arguments over original documents and copies. Long discussion between counsel and judge. Defendant called as witness. Cross examined by Mr. Ford: ‘You knew Mr. J. A. Russell was committee to your father’s estate? - Yes. You wrote a letter to him in connection with this matter? - Maybe. I will show you the letter. The following letter was read: “ I have the honour to bring these few lines to your knowledge that I Khoo Boo Hoi is the fifth son of Khoo Khye Cheah and my mother, the deceased Ung Guat Neo of 62 Muntri Street, Penang. I am an adopted son of Khoo Khye Cheah and Ung Guat Neo. I have proves in writing in English regarding my adoption and they give me strong standing to fight against my brothers, who so far have kept me blank, either in conversation or in matters of terms. I this day correspond with you in the hope to hinder their anxiety. So far, that they went, as to stop me from coming in my mother’s intestate estates, which is to be transferred to Khoo Khye Cheah’s estates . Are you going to interview with me at K. Lumpur or by correspondence? A reply to this shall convince me.” The reply from J. A. Russell & Co. stated:” In reply to your letter of the 15th instant informing me that you are by adoption the fifth son of Khoo Khye Cheah and his wife the late Mrs. Ang Guat Neo. I have to say that although I have been acting as committee of the Estate of Khoo Khye Cheah for the past twenty years this is the first time that I have heard it suggested that there is a fifth adopted son. If you should care to call to see me and to produce for my inspection all the evidence that you have in support of your claim, I should be pleased to meet you” Defendant is questioned about the part he played in getting the certificate of sanity and the codicil written and his ownership of a gun at the time. Case adjourned till Saturday.)

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser), 25 July 1936, Page 6 Son Tries To Stop Father Signing Codicil To Will AMAZING STORY AT K. L. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, July 23. THE story of how a son attempted to prevent his father, certified as a lunatic some thirty years ago, from signing a codicil to a will which gave the adopted son an equal share in the estate. “ Mr. Russell gave evidence producing the original will of 1897, and stated that he had been looking after the deceased’s estate for the past 28 years.” (Summary: Dr. Albert S. McKern examined K.K.C. in 1928, physically OK and also tested his memory and mental capacity. K.K.C. had said he wished to alter will and divide property among all 5 sons. When he was about to sign codicil a natural son struck him on the hand, then snatched the document passed it to a woman who ran off with it down the street. Police were called to recover the document. Document eventually signed. Further codicil signed two days later revoking previous one.)

The Straits Times, 25 July 1936, Page 12 HEATED ARGUMENT IN K.L. WILL DISPUTE. Judge Asked To Make Defendant Give Evidence.

The Straits Times, 25 July 1936, Page 12 RICH CHINESE LUNATIC'S ESTATE. Extract from court case: “ After the order of lunacy had been made Mr. Russell was appointed the committee of the estate and had continued to do so up to the time of Khoo Cheah’s death in January 1935. He had been requested by the four natural sons to apply for letters of administration of the estate, which consisted of considerable property in the F.M.S. Mr. Russell was appointed administrator of the estate pendent lite and by consent of all parties it was agreed that he should propound the will of 1897” (1110 words)

The Straits Times, 26 July 1936, Page 10
 Kuala Lumpur's New Cinema EARLY next month nearly 1,200 cinemagoers will sit in the new Pavilion cinema in Kuala Lumpur and see Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in "Top Hat." The audience will marvel at the acoustical perfection of the auditorium, revel in the comfort and subdued decorativeness of their surroundings. (Summary: Modern building, one of two new cinemas in KL, in Pudu Road, Buff and green exterior, architects, up to date features, tiled interior, ticket office, cars parked, description of interior, seats, roofing, ventilation, projectors, bar, lounge, sanitary arrangements. “600,000 Bricks. As we leave at the end of the picture we take a last look at Malaya’s most modern cinema. Six hundred thousand “Malacol” bricks made at Malayan Collieries went into the building of the Pavilion. Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., Kuala Lumpur fulfilled the order, and it is certain that every brick will stand there solid in the strength it derives from Malaya’s best clay. Workmen of Quan Yuen, the Kuala Lumpur builder and contractor, laid these bricks with Onoda rapid hardening cement supplied by Messrs. Sime, Derby and Co. the cement used in the reinforced concrete was Onada supplied by the same firm.” films to come (Photograph of cinema)(1293 words)

The Straits Times, 26 July 1936, Page 10
MalAcol bricks have gone to the making of the new Pavilion Cinema, in the same manner that they have contributed to the beauty and solidity of many another fine building. In this new Cinema we have yet another gesture of faith in the products of Malayan Collieries Ltd. It is not a confidence misplaced, for time has proved the reliability and quality of MalAcol bricks, the strength and utility of MalAply panelling and the beauty of both. These products are made to suit any requirement…may we be favoured with your enquiries. • MALACOL BRICKS For general building purposes. Pressed and Wirecut. For Lightweight construction, and Economy in Transport. - Perforated and Honeycomb. For Partitions and heat, and/or sound insulation Hollow Blocks. • MALAPLY PLYWOOD IDEAL FOR BUILDING, PARTITIONS, PANELLING. FURNITURE, etc., etc. Products of Malaya by MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. KUALA LUMPUR

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 27 July 1936, Page 6 Counsel Asks Judge To Order Defendant Into The Witness Box ARGUMENT IN WILL CASE (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, July 24. HEATED argument between lawyers because the defendant was not to be put in the witness box took place in the Kuala Lumpar Supreme Court today.

The Straits Times, 31 July 1936, Page 14 Counsel's Tactics Criticised In Will Case. "ATTEMPT TO PREVENT A FULL INQUIRY." (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, July 30. (Summary; Mr. Ford criticized the way the proceedings had been conducted. Defendant solicitors had “ continuously been putting the view that Mr. Russell, the plaintiff in the case, was not entitled to take any part in the proceedings, although he was by common consent appointed to be the person to propound the will of 1897.” Crticised other tactics and the non production of Dr. Gossip’s certificate. Case adjourned till Aug 11)

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 1 August 1936, Page 6
 Legal "Tactics" In Will Case SOLICITOR CRITICISED Kuala Lumpur, July 30. “| WISH to refer to the manner in which these proceedings have been conducted and I cannot help saying that I deprecate the tactics that have been adopted by counsel for the defendant," said Mr. P. B. Ford, in his closing address.

The Straits Times, 3 August 1936, Page 18
. In Two Months. A KUALA LUMPUR business man, H.H. Robbins, sits at his desk today hardly able to realise that since June 7, less than two months ago, he has been to England, executed a business deal and come back again. He saw London flustered on the day of the ‘Constitution Hill incident” when long queues formed at midday to grab their penny papers. Now he may look out of his office window at the muddy river in the sleepy Federal Capital, and try to reconcile the scene with the London memories less than two weeks old. Britain Prosperous. MR. ROBBINS, who is a director of Malayan Collieries Ltd., left Malaya for Europe on K.L.M. on June 7, and was away for 6 weeks. Eleven days were spent on the return air journey, so that he had a full month in England. His verdict is that the expense was repaid from every point of view. Mr. Robbins, who is an Australian, last went to England in 1933. He found last month that the sluggishness apparent in London three years ago has been swept away; there is now activity that matches the peak year since the war -1929.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 3 August 1936 & The Straits Times, 3 August 1936, Page 12BATU ARANG ALMOST WIPED OUT BY FIRE Seven Hundred Men, Women And Children Homeless Damage Estimated At Over $100,000. POOR FAMILIES LOSE HOMES AND GOODS Police Cordon Around Smouldering Village. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT) KUALA LUMPUR, AUG 2. SEVEN HUNDRED MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE HOMELESS AFTER A FIRE WHICH SWEPT AWAY ALMOST THE WHOLE VILLAGE ON THE MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD., COAL MINE AT BATU ARANG, SELANGOR, YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. Within an hour 49 shophouses and 15 coolie lines were destroyed and losses estimated at $60,000 were suffered. Provisions and stocks worth about $50,000 are in ashes and several individual tailors and eating house owners suffered losses of over 45000. CHANGE OF WIND Carried by a strong breeze, the flames raced over an area of about 300 yards and as the wood and attap blazed, mothers grabbed their babies and men snatched the family jewellery and ran. After two or three buckets of water had been uselessly thrown on the flames every Chinese and Tamil fled with almost nothing left to their names. The whole village seemed doomed until the wind veered from north to south. No lives were lost but two children were missing for some time, to be found later hiding in terror. Two lorry loads of police were brought from Kuala Lumpur and Rawang district under charge of the O. C. P. D., Rawang, who happened to arrive on duty at Batu Arang at the time of the outbreak and who quickly saw it was useless calling the fire brigade. A cordon was formed round the smouldering village and this afternoon, 24 hours after the outbreak, nobody was allowed to scrape for their possessions among the charred pots, pans and burnt fowls and goats. Tomorrow a search for money-boxes and similar possessions will begin. Today, a large crowd surrounded the police station, many bearing marks of small burns. The homeless Chinese were sheltered by friends but most of the Tamils are living in a large tent erected by Malayan Collieries, Ltd. Company representatives, consisting of Messrs. H. H. Robbins, chairman of directors, E. Bellamy, colliery superintendent, H. H. Marnie, civil engineer, and J. H. Tubb, works accountant, inspected the ruins of the village this morning. Mr. Robbins declined to make a statement when approached by Free Press representatives, but a Chinese shopkeeper, when interviewed, said the fire began in the roof of his house. A new mine railway passed close to his kitchen and yesterday afternoon at four o’clock he saw a mine train approaching. The engine was going slowly and smoke was belching from the funnel but he did not see any sparks. Ten minutes after the train passed the roof went up in flames. His kitchen fire was out at the time. He and his friends tried to pull off the burning attap but failed. The next door shops caught fire and the alarm was raised. Another shopkeeper told the Free Press that his shop was near the railway line and he had lost all his possessions. About the end of last month he received notice to quit at the end of August and his plans had been to sell most of the stock and wait for another shop to be built for him. No official explanation of the outbreak of the fire has yet been given. This morning an aeroplane zoomed over the razed village taking photographs.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 4 August 1936, Page 11 & The Straits Times, 2 August 1936, Page 3
COAL SEAM ON ESTATE Mining Rights Sold (From Our Own Correspondent Kuala Lumpur, Aug.1. THE first Malayan planter to sell coal-mining rights on his estate is Mr. J. G. Cornwell. Allington Hill Estate, Tapah. Perak, who will shortly leave for a world tour after closing a deal with Malayan Collieries Ltd. The presence of the coal seam on Mr. Cornwall’s estate has been known for about 10 years, but it was not until about four months ago that Malayan Collieries began negotiations. This firm owns the only large-scale coal mine in Malaya at Batu Arang, Selangor, and they also have workings in Borneo. Malayan Collieries have only acquired the mining rights on Mr. Cornwall’s estate and while investigations are being made tapping will be continued. “Streaks of coal do not necessarily mean a coal mine,” said Mr. H.H. Robbins, director of the firm, to the Kuala Lumpur representative of the Free Press.

The Straits Times, 4 August 1936, Page 4
 MALAYAN COAL SALES During the month of June Malayan Collieries Ltd. sold 41,463 tons of coal, which compares with 38,305 tons sold during the preceding month. The total sales for the six months ended June amounted to 226,938 tons


The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 5 August 1936, Page 8
 DAY TO DAY Mr. H.H. Robbins, managing director of Messrs. Malayan Collieries, Ltd., returned from London by the plane which arrived in Penang on Thursday.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 6 August 1936, Page 6 and SMALLHOLDERS WHO LOSE THEIR PROPERTY. [Articles] The Straits Times, 5 August 1936, Page 12 , Plea For Government Clemency. SMALLHOLDERS WHO LOSE THEIR PROPERTY. MALAYAN ESTATE OWNERS MEET IN K.L. Plea For Smallholders TROUBLES LARGELY DUE TO THEIR OWN IGNORANCE (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 3. “I HOPE one can say that the slump is over; during the slump the slogan 'equal sacrifice for all' was more or less true; now that things have improved many a planter has had forced on him more than his fare share of post slump economies, and I rather suspect that this fact was just what Government was looking for when considering the incidence of taxation on the rubber industry in Malaya” • These remarks were made by Mr. Choo Kia Peng. C.B.E. in his address at the annual meeting of the Malayan Estate Owners’ Association held on Saturday at the offices of the secretaries in Market Street, Kuala Lumpur. (Summary: Mr. Kia Peng on smallholders not being treated worse through ignorance of rules. Total acreage, needs more members, affiliation with UPAM, quit rents, slump over, smallholder difficulties, government regulations, felling of trees, paying arrears, loss of property, titles, licences, broken planting conditions, Chettiar holdings, thanking officials, restriction, schemes of control, increase in years subscription, minutes in Chinese and Tamil, traveling expenses of members, council members need to represent independent plantation owners, following elected members to council list inc. R. C. Russell as one of members for Selangor. )(1509 words)

The Straits Times, 6 August 1936, Page 12 KUALA LUMPUR'S NEW CINEMA. • Big Crowd Attends First Night At Pavilion. • (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur. Aug 6 • KUALA LUMPUR’S first new cinema, the Pavilion Theatre, opened last night with a crowded and enthusiastic audience. Every bookable seat in the theatre had been taken days before the opening, and last night crowds of men and women were turned away after the few remaining seats had been snapped up. • A queue had formed hours before the opening, and large crowds watched members of the Selangor royal house, the British Resident, the Federal Secretary, Federal Councillors and Kuala Lumpur’s most prominent citizens arrive and leave. • The main picture shown,“Top Hat”, scored a tremendous success, just as it has done overseas and in Singapore. The police band played in the orchestra pit for some time before the opening, and then the programme began without any speeches. The pictures were shown without a hitch, and the acoustics were excellent. • A Distinguished Audience. • Among those who accepted invitations to attend the opening performance were: The Raja Muda of Selangor, Raja Bendahara, the British Resident of Selangor, (the Hon. Mr. T. S. Adams) the Federal Secretary, (the Hon. Mr. C. D. Ahearne) Mrs. A.K. a’ Beckett Terrell (wife of the acting Chief Justice, who is away at Ipoh, the Hon. Mr. E.D. Shearn, the Hon. W.S. Reeve –Tucker, the Hon. Mr. C. G. Howell, the Hon. Mr. Lai Tet Loke and Mrs. Tet Loke, the Hon. Mr. W.G. C. Blunn and Mrs. Blunn, Raja Haji Abdullah, Mr. Justice Pedlow and Mrs. Pedlow, Dato Haji Hassan, Dato Kaya Abdul Hamid, Major G. M. Kidd, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Dickinson, Mrs. Loke Yew and the Misses Loke Yew, Mr. J. Hands, Dr. H. M. Soo, Dr. and Mrs. J. Coutts Milne, Mr. Khoo Teik Ee, Mr. J.J. Sheehan, Mr. C. A. Dakers, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. G Spooner, Mr. and Mrs. J.H.M. Robson, Mr. Allen Loke, Mr. F. W. Douglas, Mr. H. B. Tallala, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Steed, Mr. and Mrs. San Ah Wing, Mr. F. W. Palmer, V.C., Inche Abdul Rahamn and Mr. J. A. Mallon.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 6 August 1936, Page 10
& The Straits Times, 5 August 1936, Page 13BATU ARANG FIRE Origin Of Outbreak Still Uncertain. From Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., Ltd., general managers of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., we have received the following statement concerning Saturday's fire in the colliery village. A fire occurred in part of the village at Batu Arang on Saturday afternoon, as a result of which 49 attap shops, 13 dwelling places and three coolie lines, the property of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., were destroyed; there were no casualties. The area affected was the temporary attap section at the south-west end of the village, and those concerned were mostly shopkeepers and a few surface workers. No miners were affected, nor was the mine routine interrupted in any way. TEMPORARY QUARTERS. Various buildings were quickly converted to temporary quarters to house those affected and other quarters were put in hand to meet requirements until permanent replacements, for which contracts are now being let, can be made. The cause of the fire is still being investigated and it is hoped that it will be ascertained in due course. A study of the traffic log has already eliminated the possibility of a spark from a locomotive. The buildings, being of a temporary nature, were not insured outside, as the company carries its own risk on such buildings. Provision has been made by the company for all the necessitous cases involved, and the various measures adopted will be continued as long as may be necessary.

The Sunday Times, 9 August 1936, Page 6CLUB QUARTERS WERE "DANGEROUS" LAST NOVEMBER • Startling Evidence At Inquest On Crash Victims • MONTHS OF TALK, VISITS, MEETINGS AND PLANS • (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Saturday. • HOW an order was served by the Sanitary Board on the Selangor Club on Dec. 21, 1935, stating the boys' quarters were dangerous to the occupiers and that steps must be taken within a month from that date to “abate the nuisance” or demolish the building and how more than a month later the official who framed this order was told by the Chairman of the sanitary Board who had originally signed the order, not to take further action was described today at the continued hearing of the inquest following the collapse of the boy’s quarters on July 12. • The inquest is on a child, who was killed outright, and a man who died later, and is being heard by Mr. J. Calder, the Kula Lumpur First magistrate. • Cyril Oswald Jennings, Building Inspector, Kuala Lumpur, described why he issued the order and dramatic extracts from letters between the Sanitary Board, the Vice President of the Selangor Club and Jennings were read in court. • Architects Reference to “Gross Negligence” • In evidence Mr. Jennings said that Mr. R. C. Russell, then vice -president of the Club, visited him about the end of last November and said: “ Look here, Jennings the Federated Engineering Co. can repair this building for $2,000. What is your opinion?” he replied that Mr. Russell might as well throw his $2,000 down the drain. • (Summary: (Mr. Jennings 15 years experience as a building inspector, received a report from Health Inspector on Nov 5, 1935 that iron pillars, beams and staircase in bad condition. Visited building. Decided it was dangerous due to corrosion. Said it should be demolished. Took it to sanitary Board for signature on Nov 18. Chairman Major G. M. Kidd wanted to see building before signing. He and Mr. McIntyre then acting Town Engineer inspected. Threw a piece of iron stanchion onto ground where it broke into pieces. Order to demolish within one month served on club on Dec 21) Mr. Jennings described a subsequent interview with Mr. Russell. Mr. H. C. Willian, Deputy Legal Advisor, conducting the proceedings, produced a letter from Mr. Russell to the secretary of the Selangor club, reading the extract: “ I have seen the Sanitary Board authorities and have arranged the steel frame of the building shall be stripped and scaled, when a thorough examination can be made of the structure” • “Is this correct?” asked Mr.Willan. “ I don’t think so. In fact I know it isn’t”, replied Mr. Jennings. • Mr. Wiillan read another extract” “The Sanitary Board are of the opinion the building can be patched and made safe, but taking a long view their opinion is that demolition and reconstruction would be in the best interests of the Club.” • Mr. Jennings said, “ I didn’t tell him the building could be patched and made safe” • (Summary: Jennings describes meeting with chairman of board, with Mr. A. O. Coltman, Club architect, the secretary of the Club, Town Engineer and Mr. Savage of Federated Engineering Co. Suggested rope round building and cars not allowed to parked near it. Notice was put up. Dec 12 he visited building with Mr. Savage. Mr. Savage wrote to club about substituting new steel work. Not told by sanitary board that notice of demolition served on club had been cancelled. Was told to take no further action and that club would submit plans. On July 10 went to F.E.Co. to have plans altered and spoke about which beams replaced and which left out of plans. Told them of history of building and dangerous condition. Repairs would need care. Jennings said cause of collapse was that shores had been placed near excavation and had slipped into ten-inch hole. Ignorance and carelessness in shoring up building. No supervision of workforce. Mr. Coltman, architect, described visit to building, pillars bad, rusted through, concrete floor upstairs shaky said it should be demolished. Mr. Wilson secretary of club agreed. Club authorities did not consult him once contract given to Fed. Eng. Co. F.E. Co. represented by Mr. E. D. Shearn, asked Mr. Coltman if he had advised occupants to be evacuated. Coltman would have given job to reliable contractor, and insisted on supervision. • Coolies Evidence, Hooi Cheng bored through iron pieces on floor upstairs, had had orders to replace anything broken, rain and strong breeze night before, coolies had not removed bracing end of building. Mr. A.O. Coltman visited on Nov 19, pillars in very bad condition, bars joining the sides of H shaped pillars rusted through, building should be demolished. Told Mr. J. T. Tosswill representing Selangor Club that bracing was essential because it prevented lateral movement. Hearing adjourned till Monday.) • (1594 words)

The Straits Times, 10 August 1936, Page 13 • GROSS NEGLIGENCE ALLEGED BY ARCHITECT. • Evidence At Selangor Club Inquiry. • DISCLOSURES BY BUILDING INSPECTOR. (From Our Own Correspondent). Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 8. • SERIOUS statements were made by the building inspector and the architect in their evidence at the inquiry into the Selangor Club disaster, on its resumption today. • The building inspector told how he served a notice relating to the dangerous condition of the servants’ quarters, the collapse of which resulted in the death of a club boy and a child. • The architect related how he advised demolition; and declared that “it was grossly negligent to allow unskilled labour to work without supervision. • The inquiry is being held by Mr. J. Calder, the Kuala Lumpur first magistrate, and the first witness today was Mr. Cyril Oswald Jennings, Building Inspector, Kuala Lumpur, who described why he issued the order and dramatic extracts from letters between the Sanitary Board, the Vice President of the Selangor Club and Mr. Jennings were read in court. • In evidence Mr. Jennings said that Mr. R. C. Russell, then vice -president of the Club, visited him about the end of last November and said: “ Look here, Jennings the Federated Engineering Co. can repair this building for $2,000. What is your opinion?” he replied that Mr. Russell might as well throw his $2,000 down the drain. • Summary: (Mr. Jennings 15 years experience as a building inspector, received a report from Health Inspector on Nov 5, 1935 that iron pillars, beams and staircase in bad condition. Visited building. Decided it was dangerous due to corrosion. Said it should be demolished. Took it to sanitary Board for signature on Nov 18. Chairman Major G. M. Kidd wanted to see building before signing. He and Mr. McIntyre then acting Town Engineer inspected. Threw a piece of iron stanchion onto ground where it broke into pieces. Order to demolish within one month served on club on Dec 21) Mr. Jennings described a subsequent interview with Mr. Russell. Mr. H. C. Willian, Deputy Legal Advisor, conducting the proceedings, produced a letter from Mr. Russell to the secretary of the Selangor club, reading the extract: “ I have seen the Sanitary Board authorities and have arranged the steel frame of the building shall be stripped and scaled, when a thorough examination can be made of the structure” • “Is this correct?” asked Mr.Willan. “ I don’t think so. In fact I know it isn’t”, replied Mr. Jennings. • Mr. Wiillan read another extract” “The Sanitary Board are of the opinion the building can be patched and made safe, but taking a long view their opinion is that demolition and reconstruction would be in the best interests of the Club.” • Mr. Jennings said, “ I didn’t tell him the building could be patched and made safe” • (Summary: Jennings describes meeting with chairman of board, with Mr. A. O. Coltman, Club architect, the secretary of the Club, Town Engineer and Mr. Savage of Federated Engineering Co. Suggested rope round building and cars not allowed to parked near it. Notice was put up. Dec 12 he visited building with Mr. Savage. Mr. Savage wrote to club about substituting new steel work. Not told by sanitary board that notice of demolition served on club had been cancelled. Was told to take no further action and that club would submit plans. On July 10 went to F.E.Co. to have plans altered and spoke about which beams replaced and which left out of plans. Told them of history of building and dangerous condition. Repairs would need care. Jennings said cause of collapse was that shores had been placed near excavation and had slipped into ten-inch hole. Ignorance and carelessness in shoring up building. No supervision of workforce. Mr. Coltman, architect, described visit to building, pillars bad, rusted through, concrete floor upstairs shaky said it should be demolished. Mr. Wilson secretary of club agreed. Club authorities did not consult him once contract given to Fed. Eng. Co. F.E. Co. represented by Mr. E. D. Shearn, asked Mr. Coltman if he had advised occupants to be evacuated. Coltman would have given job to reliable contractor, and insisted on supervision. Adjourned till Monday)

The Straits Times, 11 August 1936, Page 13 SANITARY BOARD CHAIRMAN DISREGARDED BUILDING INSPECTO R'S OPINION. • Says He Took Views Of Engineering Firm. • TOLD BY SELANGOR RESIDENT TO "LOOK INTO MATTER." • (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 10. • “TO put it bluntly, Major Kidd, did you take Mr. Savege's opinion in preference to Mr. Jennings'? Yes, I took the responsibility.” • This question and answer today ended the examination of Major G. M. Kidd, chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board, on the reasons why the Sanitary Board did not ensure the operation of the order for demolition of the Selangor Club’s servants’ quarters served on the club last November. • “EXPERTS AT CROSS PURPOSES.” (Summary: Major Kidd signed order for demolition, The Resident the Hon. Mr. T. S. Adams in his capacity of President of the Club, told Major Kidd that Mr. Savege of F.E. Co. and Mr. Jennings (Building Inspector) had been at cross purposes and asked Major Kidd to look into the matter. Mr. Sevege had said Mr. Jennings said building could be repaired. Mr. Jennings said his opinion had been misinterpreted. Saw Jennings who insisted on demolition. Hearing adjourned till tomorrow and expected to last another two days. Major Kidd signed demolition order on Nov 19. Club architect thought that if a car bumped a stanchion building would come down. Then correspondence between F.E. Co., Club and Building Inspector. Discussed repairs with Mr. Jennings. Wrote to resident as president of the club and asked for repair plans. Plans submitted. Not passed by day of collapse. Sec of club asked if they start work without plans being passed. Major Kidd said plans needed amendment of two beams, they would be approved, he would not sign them if club went ahead they did so at their own risk. No one told the work was starting but he saw it was as he passed the building. “ Mr. Willan then read the letter from R. C. Russell to the Selangor Club which began: I have seen the Sanitary Board.” Mr. Kidd said Mr. Russell had not seen him before he wrote the letter” Discussion of more letters, questions about evacuating the building, discussion on whose responsibility it was to inspect repairs while in progress. Little experience of demolition orders. Plans not passed after building fell down. Work often began before plans passed. Present procedure for dealing with dangerous buildings cumbersome. Present law. Mr. Jennings evidence. Demonstrating stanchions and girders. Mr. Jennings had originally used “or “ in his letter. “Do such things as may be necessary or demolish the building” he had meant to remove the word “or”. Considered he had issued a demolition order.) • (2136 words)

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 13 August 1936, Page 1. RESIDENT GIVES EVIDENCE AT K.L. CLUB INQUIRY • MATTER LEFT TO PRESIDENT • Immediate Danger Not Realised • (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 12. • THE British Resident, the Hon. Mr. T. S. Adams, told the Court today, at the resumed hearing of the inquest on the victims of the Selangor Club crash, that in his negotiations as president of the Club he “ did not understand that the building was in an immediately dangerous condition” • Other witnesses said the Club Committee never considered the evacuation of the boy’s quarters and that Mr. R. C. Russell, vice president of the club at the time the demolition order was served, said, “ The Sanitary Board authorities often do not really mean what they say. I thought they were being alarmists” . Mr. Russell said he did not think it would have been the committee’s duty to the Club members immediately to demolish the building. The Resident said that at the first committee meeting following the receipt of the demolition order, he had said that the question of evacuation was a matter to be investigated. In conversation with Major Kidd, the chairman of the sanitary Board, in December he had understood there was no immanent danger. (Summary: repairs held up, delay over plans, bye laws, matter on club agenda, matter left to president, permission to start work, “ Mr. Russell in his evidence, said he thought the building was unsafe at the time but not immediately dangerous. He agreed that if there was danger in the repairs it was the duty of the Federated Engineering Co., to tell the club that the repairs were “ticklish”. The Building Inspector did not tell him that it would be throwing money down the drain to repair the building, but he had said, “You may be able to patch the building but it would be throwing money away and it would pay the club in the long run to demolish the building.” Mr. F. W. Palmer, vice- president since March said three schemes submitted by F.E. Co., never brought to his notice that building was unsafe. Rebuilding $13,000, other schemes cheaper. Committee had agreed to repairs. Mr. Sevege was member of committee and manager of F.E. Co. at the time no one else was asked for estimate. Mr. Sevege never suggested that the repairs were a “ ticklish” job and had the committee been given any indication of the danger they must have taken action) (698 words)

The Straits Times, 13 August 1936, Page 12Sanitary Board "Alarmists": "Often Don't Mean What They Say." OPINION OF CLUB'S FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT. More Dramatic Incidents At Building Inquest. BRITISH RESIDENT "DID NOT UNDERSTAND THERE WAS IMMEDIATE DANGER." (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 12. • AFTER a full day of dramatic evidence and incident, the inquiry into the loss of life caused by the collapse of the Selangor Club servant’s quarters was almost completed today. The last 28 witnesses will be called tomorrow morning. Extract: “ Shortly before the British Resident was called to give evidence today, the magistrate Mr. J. Calder, called up Mr. R. C. Russell , former vice president of the club, whom he had seen at the back of the court, and told him that as he was to be a witness he had “ no right to listen to the evidence.” (Extract: Mr. Robert Cecil Russell, director of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd., Kuala Lumpur, said that he was vice president of the Selangor Club last year and up to March 1936. He never understood that the building was in a dangerous condition. He thought it was unsafe at the time but not immediately dangerous, even if it was not repaired. When he wrote to the Club that “the Sanitary Board are of the opinion that the building can be patched and made safe” he meant that the Building Inspector was of that opinion. Mr. Willan: The building Inspector says he never said that- I couldn’t have imagined it. I wrote it shortly after seeing him. Questioned on whether the Building Inspector had told him to repair the Building for $2,500 would be like throwing $2,500 down the drain, witness said that the Building Inspector had told him: “ You may be able to patch the building but it would be throwing money away, and it pay the club in the long run to demolish the building” Witness later admitted that the building was unsafe if repairs were not done to it, and agreed that by January it had been decided by the club and the Sanitary Board Authorities that the building was to be repaired not demolished.) Continued. (1166 words)

The Straits Times, 14 August 1936, Page 19
 CAMERON HIGHLANDS FRUIT FARM. Shalimar Estate's 3,000 Trees. MR.S.L.SHARMA'S ORCHARDS. (By Our Planting Correspondent.) IN my recent description of developments and conditions at Cameron Highlands. I made a short reference to Shalimar Estate, situated at the 34th mile and owned by Mr. S. M. Sharma, of Kuala Lumpur. (Summary: info. about research work on his estate. Mr. Sharma critical of Government report and work at research station. Trees and fruit etc. e.g. of coffee at Boh. Photo. of hill -country produce from recent Malayan Exhibition. (568 words)

The Straits Times, 15 August 1936, Page 12 and JUDGMENT RESERVED IN K.L. WILL CASE [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 18 August 1936, Page 6 LUNATIC'S WILL CASE-NO MORE EVIDENCE. Counsel Replies To Attacks: "Disgraceful.” (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur. Aug. 1 4. Submitting that the pleadings of the defendant to the counter claim were identical with those of the plaintiff, and that no further evidence should be called after the plaintiff had made out his case. (Summary: no further evidence called, Mr. Charlesworth called Mr. Ford’s criticisms disgraceful. His Lordship reserved judgment.)

The Straits Times, 17 August 1936, Page 7 SELANGOR COCONUTS LIMITED. Dividend Increased To Four Per Cent. A net profit of $22,714 after charging depreciation amounting to $1,266, is disclosed in the accounts of Selangor Coconuts limited for the year ended June 30, 1936. The amount brought forward is $336 making a total of $23,050. (Summary: The directors recommend 4% dividend, directors fees were $1,500 last year, crop 2,749,170 nuts, price, yield, selected areas where coconut palms do not thrive replanted with oil palm seedlings, as an experiment, investments, estimates, forward sales, Directors are Messrs. W.A. Stanton, R.C. Russell and F.A. Wardell. Annual meeting next Saturday, capital acreage, property buildings value cash invested.) (492 words)

The Straits Times, 29 August 1936, Page 4PRODUCTION OF COAL. The production of coal by Malayan Collieries Ltd. for the month of July was 45.731 tons making the total production for the seven months ended July 272 669 tons.

State of Selangor. In the Court of the Judge at Kuala Lumpur. Originating summons No. 5 of 1936. In the matter of the Estate of John Archibald Russell deceased In the matter of legacies to minor beneficiaries under the Will of John Archibald Russell deceased. Before The Hon'ble Mr. justice A.K. a’Beckett Terrell In Chambers Acting Chief Justice. Monday, 7th September 1936. ORDER. UPON HEARING Mr. A.W. Delamore on behalf of the Executors and Trustees of the Estate of John Archibald Russell deceased and in the presence of the Public Trustee, F.M.S. who appeared in person And Upon Reading the Originating Summons (No: 2) dated the 14th day of January 1936 and the Affidavit (No: 1) of Robert Cecil Russell affirmed on the 8th day of January 1936 IT IS ORDERED that the Executors and Trustees of the Estate of J.A. Russell deceased be at liberty to pay to the public Trustee, F.M.S., the sum of $4,600-00 to be held by the Public Trustee, F.M.S. upon trust, without further Order of Court, to pay to each of the following legatees upon his or her attaining majority the amount of the legacy set opposite the name of each legatee together with any interest accrued thereon. Martin Charles Shearn, Godson $500-00 Sheppard William King, Godson $600-00 Andrew Nell Fraser, Godson $400-00 Anne Phillipa Russell, niece $400-00 Prudence Margaret Russell, niece $400-00 Robert Hamlyn Russell, nephew ............... $400-00 Peter Alan Russell, nephew $400-00 David Oscar Russell, nephew ................. $400-00 Majorie Aileen Russell, niece $400-00 Richard Andrew Russell, nephew $400-00 Elizabeth Anne Russell, niece $400-00 Dated this 7th day of September 1936. Sd. T. Mustapha Asstt. Registrar, Supreme Court, Kuala Lumpur.

The Straits Times, 15 September 1936, Page 2
 . The Straits Times, 16 September 1936, Page 2
 The Straits Times, 17 September 1936, Page 2
. MALAYAN COLLERIES LTD Notice of Declaration of Dividend No 63 and Closure of Share Registers….Second Interim Dividend of 2 ½ %... J. A. Russell and Co., September 14, 1936

The Straits Times, 18 September 1936, Page 19
 I.S.P. CONFERENCE PROGRAMME. SIR SHENTON THOMAS TO ATTEND. THE programme for the annual conference of planters which will be opened in Kuala Lumpur on October 2 by H.E. the High Commissioner, Sir Shenton Thomas, is as follows: (Summary: programme schedule. “ Sunday Oct. 4 A visit to Malayan Collieries is proposed. Ladies and visitors invited.)

The Straits Times, 18 September 1936, Page 19
 ESTATES AT THE HIGHLANDS. THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS AN ACRE. SOUND CONTROL OF MALARIA. A useful reminder of the terms on which land is available at Cameron Highlands, together with a survey of the agricultural position in that district up to date, is given by the British Resident of Pahang, the Hon. Mr. C.C. Brown, in his last annual report. (Summary: Extracts from report: terms of alienation 29-32, new terms, Tanah Rata houses, blocks opened up, “total area alienated 8,395 acres the largest holding being that of Boh Plantations with 4,037 acres for cultivation of tea and coffee” malaria, no primary infection in 1934 in Ringlet, golf course construction.)(544 words) 


The Straits Times, 21 September 1936, Page12
. Dr. S. Dason of Sitiawan has left for Batu Arang to take up his new appointment as medical officer in charge of the Malayan Collieries, Batu Arang, Rawang.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 21 September 1936, Page 3 The wedding of Mr. Ng Chong Chee, Chee, younger brother of Mr. Ng Chong Fatt. of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co. Ipoh. with Miss Leong Yoot Yong. eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs Leong Foo, takes place at the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Ipoh. on Friday, Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. The reception will be held in the same place later.

The Straits Times, 22 September 1936, Page 7 BAKAU TIN LIMITED. FURTHER PROSPECTING BEING UNDERTAKEN. DISTRIBUTION OF 13 PER CENT. The report of the directors of Bakau Tin Limited states that the profit for the year ended June 30 last was $14,041 to which has been added $5,222 brought forward from last year, making a total of $19,263. 0. An interim dividend of 5 per cent was paid in May which absorbed $5,000 and the directors now propose to pay a final dividend of 8 per cent which, if approved, will require $8,000, leaving $6,263 to be carried forward, subject to directors’ fees. The retiring director, Mr. D. H. Hampshire, seeks re-election, and the retiring auditors, Messrs. Neil and Bell, offer themselves for re-appointment. Operations. The report of the managing agents, J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd., states that the areas held by the company remain the same as at the time of the last annual report, namely 54 acres in Selangor and 96 acres in Pahang. 0. An application to the Government for the re-alienation of an expired lease was refused. Three building lots aggregating 20,67 poles, in Peretak village have been abandoned as there appeared no likelihood of their being any use to the company. 0. The total output for the year was 1,057 piculs of ore valued at $69.422 an average price per picul of $65.70. The total output shows a decrease of 386 piculs from last year’s figure while the value is $29.599 less, and the average price recorded a fall of $2.92 per picul. The average tribute rate was $8.53 against $7.71 for the previous year. The quota for the financial year was 2,003 piculs. Prospecting. After protracted negotiations with sublessees it was arranged to form a prospecting fund of $10,000, one-half being put up by the sub-leaseees and one-half by the company, with a view to driving a prospecting adit into Gunong Baku. The adit was started on Feb. 1 and at June 30 the total length was 268 feet. The general bearing of the adit is towards some old workings opened up on the mountain side about 20 years ago and which it is hoped to tap at a lower level by means of the resent adit. 0. It is too early yet to predict the successful outcome of the prospecting now in hand. No workable values have been encountered to date, but geological indications are favourable to the discovery of fresh deposits of ore. Balance Sheet. 0. The nominal capital of the company is $100,000, all of which is issued and fully paid. Sundry creditors at the date of the balance sheet were $100. 0. Property account is shown at $75,968 and development account is $5,991. An investment of $20,000 in F.M.S. Government 4 ½% loan is shown at the cost of $19,600. Sundry debtors at the close of the financial year totalled $477 and there was cash at bank of $12,326. 0. The amount received from tribute was $9,060 and proceeds of quota rights transferred were $7,439. Interest received amounted to $987 and $5 was received in transfer fees. The annual meeting is to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Sept.28

The Straits Times, 24 September 1936, Page 7 AMALGAMATED MALAY ESTATES. • RETURN OF CAPITAL SANCTIONED. • FINAL DIVIDEND OF SIX PER CENT. • The report of the directors of Amalgamated Malay Estates Ltd., for the year ended Jun 30, states that the profit for the year was $62,671, to which has been added $6,415 brought forward, making $69,086. (Summary: An interim dividend of 3 per cent. final div 6% Extra ordinary GMs held April and May approved reduction in capital. Old share certs called in, crop on Serdang, rubber in stock, crop lower, crop estimates, Jinjang untapped, recent survey, Board: Messrs D.H. Hampshire, C.J. Chisholm, R.C. Russell and A. Mustard. Mr. Chisholm absent on leave Mr. T. D. Betteridge acts as his alternate. D.H. Hampshire retires seeks re election, Messrs Neill and Bell offer themselves for re appointment as auditors. Balance sheet, liabilities, sum from Batu Selangor Tin Dredging Co, sale of land, buildings, stock of materials, investments, directors fees, profits A.G.M. on Sept 30 at KL, estates are at Selangor cover 2,540 acres, 36 leased to mining.) (672 words)

Letter to Hilda Russell . 26 Sept 1936 Ford & Delamore, advocates, solicitors and KUALA LUMPUR Notaries Public. Federated MALAY States. A.B.C. CODE 5th ED. Telephone No. 2109. 26th September 1936. P. Barnard Ford. . A.W. DELAMORE, LL.M. AWD/LPS. J.T TOSSWILL, B.A. Mrs. H.G. Russell., c/o Chartered Bank of India Australia & China, Bishopagate, London, England. Dear Madam, Legacies Estate of J .A. Russell decd. We enclose a copy of an Order of Court herein. The Trustees have paid the amount of the legacies to the Public Trustee, who will invest it in his Common Fund and pay principal and interest to the legatees as they attain majority. He holds a copy of the birth certificates but application should be made to him in writing when payment is desired. We shall be obliged if you will acknowledge receipt of this letter. Yours faithfully, Ford & Delamore. Enclosed Document: State of Selangor. In the Court of the Judge at Kuala Lumpur. Originating summons No. 5 of 1936. In the matter of the Estate of John Archibald Russell deceased In the matter of legacies to minor beneficiaries under the Will of John Archibald Russell deceased. Before The Hon'ble Mr. justice A.K. a’Beckett Terrell In Chambers Acting Chief Justice. Monday, 7th September 1936. ORDER. UPON HEARING Mr. A.W. Delamore on behalf of the Executors and Trustees of the Estate of John Archibald Russell deceased and in the presence of the Public Trustee, F.M.S. who appeared in person And Upon Reading the Originating Summons (No: 2) dated the 14th day of January 1936 and the Affidavit (No: 1) of Robert Cecil Russell affirmed on the 8th day of January 1936 IT IS ORDERED that the Executors and Trustees of the Estate of J.A. Russell deceased be at liberty to pay to the public Trustee, F.M.S., the sum of $4,600-00 to be held by the Public Trustee, F.M.S. upon trust, without further Order of Court, to pay to each of the following legatees upon his or her attaining majority the amount of the legacy set opposite the name of each legatee together with any interest accrued thereon. Martin Charles Shearn, Godson $500-00 Sheppard William King, Godson $600-00 Andrew Nell Fraser, Godson $400-00 Anne Phillipa Russell, niece $400-00 Prudence Margaret Russell, niece $400-00 Robert Hamlyn Russell, nephew $400-00 Peter Alan Russell, nephew $400-00 David Oscar Russell, nephew $400-00 Majorie Aileen Russell, niece $400-00 Richard Andrew Russell, nephew $400-00 Elizabeth Anne Russell, niece $400-00 Dated this 7th day of September 1936. Sd. T. Mustapha Asstt. Registrar, Supreme Court, Kuala Lumpur. Hilda Russell papers.

The Straits Times, 28 September 1936, Page 12 & The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 29 September 1936, Page 2 Chinese Wedding At Ipoh. (From Our Own Correspondent) Ipoh, Sept. 25 The wedding took place at the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce at noon today of Mr. Ng Chong Chee, the brother of Mr. Ng Chong Fatt. the local representative of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., and Miss Leong Yoot Yong, the eldest daughter of Mr. Leong Soo, of the Mines Office Ipoh and Mrs. Leong Soo. Mr. Pan Tet Hon, headmaster of the Swe Woo School, Ipoh, officiated at the marriage which was largely attended. A reception was held after the ceremony.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 20 October 1936, Page 9 The Straits Times, 21 October 1936, Page 12. The Straits Times 21 October 1936 page 12 Mr. L. J. Barraclough, M.Sc., M.I.M.E., formerly mining engineer to the South Wales Mines Research Committee, has arrived to join the staff of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd., General Managers, Malayan Collieries, Ltd., as chief mining engineer.

The Straits Times, 23 October 1936, Page 19
 CHRISTMAS HAMPERS FOR FRIENDS AT HOME. Opportunity To Test Cameron Highlands Tea. By Our Planting Correspondent. IT WAS in 1933 while making a tour of the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Exhibition in company with Dr. Tempany, that I put to him the suggestion that a Malayan Christmas, Hamper scheme, if properly organised, might prove a useful method of advertising Malayan produce and might also solve that annual problem of what to send to folks at Home for Christmas. • The suggestion was subsequently made in these columns and in the same year the M.A.H.A. organised the scheme, which judging by the correspondence which appeared in the Straits Times at the time, was not very enthusiastically welcomed, But the orders received for these hampers proved that a great many people considered that the scheme warranted a trial. The first year saw 108 hampers dispatched followed by 236 in 1934 and 346 last year. For each of those hampers a uniform charge of $15 was made. Reduced Cost. This year the cost of the hamper is to be reduced to $10 which charge will cover delivery to any address in the British Isles. But this year an alternative hamper is also offered and this will consist of a five-pound chest of Malayan tea produced on Boh Plantations, Cameron Highlands, and the price including delivery will be $5.90. These chests will be delivered from London stocks, duty paid. Those at home, who may have read the two articles on the development of Boh Plantations which appeared in these columns and also in the Straits Budget some six to eight weeks ago, will therefore be given the opportunity to test the quality of the tea produced there. It is a specially selected broken orange pekoe which is the highest grade known in the trade and it has been grown at the ideal elevation of between 4,000 and 6,000 feet. It will, moreover, be one of the first products of the Cameron Highlands to find a place in the retail market in England, but it will have the added advantage of direct, or practically direct, movement from estate to teapot, in time for Christmas, in response to orders placed in Malaya up to Dec. 7. Non –Perishable Hamper. I am told that stocks of ‘Boh’ tea are held in London and supplies of this pure Malayan product, packed in moisture proof 5-lb chests, may be obtained on prepayment of 13s. 9d. which includes duty of 4d. per lb. and costs of delivery to any address in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Orders and remittances should be addressed to W. R. Loxley and Co. (London) Ltd., 106, Fenchurch Street, London E.C.3. I mention this fact as there may be readers of the Straits Budget who would like to make use of this service in choosing Christmas presents for their friends. Coming back to the Christmas hamper, the following will be its contents: 2lb Malayan Tea (Boh Plantations); 2lbs Malayan Coffee (Aucutts); I tin Malayan pineapples; 1 brazil nut fruit; 1 bottle Malayan chutney; I Malacca basket; 1 Kelantan silver belt buckle; 1 tea strainer of Malayan pewter…. improvement..closing dates… wish efforts success. (624 words) 


The Straits Times, 24 October 1936, Page 10
. Messrs. F. Bellamy and H. E. Marine, of Malayan Collieries Ltd., Kuala Lumpur, are staying at Raffles Hotel.

The Straits Times, 28 October 1936, Page 12 "UP SHE GOES." • Big December Show In Kuala Lumpur. • Everybody who can get there ought now to set aside at least one of these dates— Dec. 10, 11, or 12— to go to the Town Hall, Kuala Lumpur, to see the Midnight Follies in their new revue. "Up She Goes,” which is now in rehearsal. • The show is being produced by Dr. Charles T. Miles, with Mr. H. L. Linnell as collaborator. The stage manager is Mr. R. C. Russell and the business manager is Mr. P. H. Forbes. • These names alone can serve as a guarantee of the high standard of excellence that the Midnight Follies’ new production “Up She Goes” will attain. None of them is an amateur at the game: they have six productions to their credit in Kuala Lumpur, all of which were outstanding successes, and all of them are remembered and talked about to this day. • These productions were the Midnight Follies, 1925; Midnight Follies 1926; “Very Good Eddie”, 1927; Midnight Follies, 1928 “Wake Up and Scream”, 1929 and “Just a Minute” 1931. The profits in each case were divided among charitable institutions. (187 words)

The Straits Times, 14 November 1936, Page 7
 PRODUCTION OF COAL IN SEPTEMBER. Sales of coal by Malayan Collieries Ltd. for the month of September totalled 42,667 tons compared with 47,949 tons during the preceding month. The total sales for the nine months ended September were 363,285 tons.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 16 November 1936, Page 3 BATU ARANG RIOTS Among Labourers at Malayan Collieries (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 15 Led by the Chief Police Officer, Mr. A. K. Dickinson, and Capt. Morrish, one hundred police left here on Saturday evening for Batu Arang following reports of a serious riot, believed to be among the labourers at Malayan Collieries. Communication with Batu Arang is at present interrupted and it is stated that the roads leading into Batu Arang have been barricaded. Batu Arang was in darkness most of last evening but the lighting system was restored about one o’ clock this morning.

The Straits Times, 16 November 1936, Page 13 POLICE FIRE OVER COLLIERY STRIKERS: ONE WOUNDED. BATU ARANG PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS Order Restored: Grievances To Be Investigated. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 15. Rioting miners on the mines of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., at Batu Arang on Saturday night were opposed by police who fired over their heads and one of them was wounded. The rioters had cut off the power station supply, plunging the whole township of Batu Arang into darkness and Europeans were met with threats. The situation at 10 p. m. was so serious that the local police took action and reinforcements were at once called for from Kuala Lumpur and Rawang, a town some nine miles distant. In a little more than an hour over 150 police arrived and restored order. It is stated that all work ceased on the mine throughout today, but that the miners will probably return to work tomorrow on the assurance that their grievances will be rectified. Police Guards. Police guards are still being kept at the power station and at European bungalows. It was a sudden riot involving little violence; the high tempers of the crowd, estimated to have numbered between 300 and 400, sizzled out as quickly as they had risen. The first signs of a demonstration were made at 8 o’clock on Saturday night when some 300 Chinese underground miners from the East mine downed tools and allegedly picketed the open-cast mine as well, stopping all work. They marched past the general manager’s office to the power station, where they threw out the switch. This caused not only a complete black-out at Batu Arang but also prevented all kind of electrical propulsion. Brandished Rods Joined by more men—the engineering staff, however, remaining loyal—the mob proceeded across the padang brandishing iron rods, sticks and axes. The men made for the small wooden police station in the centre of the township, and all the available police—about two dozen strong—were summoned to face them. It is said that European mine employees who attempted to pacify them were met with aggressive gestures and forced to leave the scene and return to their bungalows about half a mile away. After three arrests had been made the police were told that there was no dissatisfaction with the European members of the mines staff, but that the men were dissatisfied with the terms of employment. As morning dawned, police officers—some of whom had hastily changed from evening dress into rugger “togs” and others into uniform—were still talking to various sections of the crowd at the collieries offices and at the police station. There were no further disturbances during the day police officers walked freely—though they carried batons—through the groups of strikers who assembled on the roads, and as dusk fell the officers and some of the constables returned to their towns, leaving relatively small guards at the power station, the police station, at various parts of the mine, and at the bungalows. The condition of the wounded man, who was taken to Kuala Lumpur hospital, is stated to be not serious. OFFICIAL STATEMENT. The following official statement was issued by the general managers and secretaries of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., tonight:- “A sequel to the recent industrial trouble in Singapore occurred at Batu Arang on Saturday night, as the result of which, several police officers and a detachment of constables were called from Rawang and Kuala Lumpur. “A demonstration took place about 10p.m. and a large number of coolies were incited by agitators and in dealing with the disorder the police fired on the demonstrators and one coolie was wounded. “The demonstrators visited the power house and part of the plant was shut down temporarily. “The police succeeded in restoring order and guards were placed at various parts of the mine throughout the night. Return To Work “Except for the work of picketers, the trouble in confined to one pit only and the production of consumers demands is being met by special efforts of the management, staff and the loyal labour force. “The Chinese Consul and staff and the Asst. Protector of Chinese visited the mine on Sunday and consulted the labour force to ascertain their grievance. “Negotiations to persuade the men affected to return to work have been successful on the assurance that full enquiries will be made by all concerned and that any grievances will be rectified.”

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 16 November 1936, Page 9POLICE FORCED TO FIRE AT BATU ARANG Strikers Cut Off Power and Light: Attack Station OFFICERS RUSH TO SCENE IN EVENING DRESS Situation Now Quiet. COMPANY AGREE TO RECTIFY GRIEVANCES (From Our Own Correspondent) KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 15 SHOTS WERE FIRED BY THE POLICE AT BATU ARANG ON SATURDAY NIGHT WHEN ABOUT 400 MINERS EMPLOYED BY MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD., RIOTED. One Chinese was slightly wounded and three arrested but only the arrival of over 150 police from Kuala Lumpur, Rawang and Kuala Kabu quelled the riot. Work on the mine was held up all today, though the situation is now comparatively quiet. About 8 p.m. on Saturday the majority of miners had marched with irons and sticks to Batu Arang’s power station on the coalfields and threw out the switches, plunging the township into darkness and cutting off the power supply. The demonstrators then stormed the small police station in the township and 20 police drove them back by firing over their heads. One man however was wounded in the head and later taken to hospital though his condition is not serious. As a precaution a small local force was called from Kuala Lumpur, Rawang and Kuala Kubu and Mr. A. H. Dickinson, C. P. O., Selangor, and other officers, accompanied by altogether over 150 constables rushed in cars and lorries through the night to Batu Arang, where, on arrival they found the lights and power supply restored and the situation easier. They reinforced the guards placed at the power station and every European bungalow on the field and throughout the night police officers, some of whom had arrived in evening dress, investigated and were told by strikers there was no dissatisfaction with the European staff but they were agitating for better terms of employment. All today negotiations were being carried on while no work was done but the atmosphere had much improved when the police and mines management called in Mr. Tzu Lin Chu, Chinese Consul in the F. M. S. Work To Resume. This evening all is quiet and the Collieries management gave an assurance that work will be resumed tomorrow and the grievances rectified. Most of the police officers and men left in the evening, although guards are being maintained at the power station and other important parts of the mine and at bungalows throughout the night. In an official statement the general managers and secretaries of the mines state that the riot was “a sequel to the recent industrial trouble in Singapore.” The statement further states that in dealing with the disorder about 10 p.m. the police fired on the demonstrators and one coolie was wounded. The police succeeded in restoring order. Except for the work of the picketers, the trouble is confined to one pit only, declares the statement, and the production of consumers’ demands was being met by special efforts of the management, staff and the loyal labour force. “Negotiations to persuade the men to return to work have been successful on an assurance that full inquiries will be made by all concerned and any grievances will be rectified.”

The Straits Times, 17 November 1936, Page 11 STOP PRESS (From Our own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 17. The negotiations with the strikers on the Malayan Collieries Ltd. mines at Batu Arang have resulted in stalemate. Another conference is being held in the mines office today, and the police state that the situation is hopeful and that a settlement may be expected. Meanwhile, none of the 100 armed police guards has been withdrawn, although no incidents are reported. None of the miners is working.

The Straits Times, 17 November 1936, Page 13 100 POLICE ON GUARD AT COLLIERY. Efforts for settlement continue. MORE DETAILS OF NIGHT CLASH. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 16. A few details of the clash between Batu Arang police and the rioting miners on Saturday night are now available. There were only five local policemen at the small wooden police station about 9 p.m., when the rioters who had cut off the electricity supply by throwing out the switch at the power station, advanced toward them with axes, sticks and other assorted weapons, The police fired directly at the rioters on the road—not over their heads, as previously stated—and one of the rioters received a slight head wound. This broke up the attempt to storm the station. The rioters numbered about 400. It is probable that the permanent police force at Batu Arang will be considerably augmented in future. About 100 police are remaining on guard in the township and at various points of the mines tonight, though no incidents of violence have been reported since the riot. The Grievance. The strike is still unsettled. Mr. Norman Grice, Protector of Chinese in Selangor, and Mr. Tzu Lin Chu, Chinese Consul in the F. M. S., accompanied by an interpreter, have been carrying on negotiations with the miners all day, but no decision has yet been announced. Unofficial statements intimate that the Chinese miners are discontented with the system of labour-contracting (similar to the complaints of the industrial strikers in Singapore recently.) The crowds are orderly, though refusing to return to work, and the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters, who have most of the armed forces at the locale, declare that the situation is quiet and that they are hopeful of an early settlement. Further Official Statement. The following official statement was issued by the general managers and secretaries of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., this evening: - “The strike remains still unsettled owing to the inability of the strikers to present any terms or grievances. The Protector of Chinese and the Chinese consul have been at Batu Arang all day in an endeavour to persuade the strikers to present their grievances properly. “Pickets still continue and those willing to work are prevented from doing so, so that production has not been possible today. “Negotiations still continue.”

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 18 November 1936, Page 1 ONLY 50 MEN GO BACK AT BATU ARANG 4,000 Still Out On Strike. COMPANY GRANTS RISE IN WAGES. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 17. Fifty Chinese miners returned to work at Batu Arang at 3.30 this afternoon under heavy police protection but the other 4,000 odd men are still striking. Malayan Collieries, Ltd., state they have granted an increase in wages and promised an “adjustment of working conditions.” The 50 miners now at work have brought the mechanical excavators into operation and the company hopes to resume despatch to consumers tomorrow—this being the first production of coal since 10.30 on Sunday morning. The police guard is still being maintained.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 18 November 1936, Page 6STRIKE NEGOTIATIONS END IN STALEMATE But Hope Not Lost. 100 ARMED POLICE GUARDS STILL ON DUTY (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 7. THE negotiations with the strikers on the Malayan Collieries Ltd. mines at Batu Arang have resulted in stalemate. Another conference is being held in the Mines Office today and the police state that the situation is hopeful and that a settlement may be expected. Meanwhile, none of the 100 armed police guards has been withdrawn, although no incidents are reported. None of the miners is working. An earlier message stated that a few details of the clash between Batu Arang police and the rioting miners on Saturday night are now available. There were only five local policemen at the small wooden police station about 9 p.m., when the rioters who had cut off the electricity supply by throwing out a switch at the power station, advanced towards them with axes, sticks and other assorted weapons. POLICE FIRE The police fired directly at the rioters on the road – not over their heads, as previously stated- and one of the rioters received a slight head wound. This broke up the attempt to storm the station. The rioters numbered about 400. It is probable that the permanent police force at Batu Arang will be considerably augmented in future. THE GRIEVANCE . The strike is still unsettled. Mr. Norman Grice, protector of Chinese in Selangor, and Mr. Tzu Lin Chu, Chinese Consul in the F.M.S., accompanied by an interpreter, have been carrying on negotiations with the miners all day, but no decision has yet been announced. Unofficial statements intimate that the Chinese miners are discontented with the system of labour–contracting (similar to the complaints of the industrial strikers in Singapore recently.) The crowds are orderly, though refusing to work, and Kuala Lumpur police headquarters, who have most of the armed forces at the locale, declare that the situation is quiet and that they are hopeful of an early settlement.

The Straits Times, 18 November 1936, Page 13 FEW COLLIERY MEN RETURN TO WORK UNDER PROTECTION MEN REJECT OFFER: “ABSURD DEMANDS.” Attempts To Maintain Supplies. (From Our Own Correspondent) Fifty Chinese miners returned to work on the Batu Arang coal fields at 3.30 this afternoon under heavy police protection. But the rest are still out. An increase in wages has been granted. Mr. J. Drysdale, a representative of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., the mine owners, told the Straits Times this evening that the company expected to resume despatch tomorrow. The position is now more hopeful. Mechanical excavators have been brought into operation with the 50 men and are to work through the night. Mines officials state that they hope the strikers will shortly follow the example of the fifty, who have begun work in No. 8 mine, which is an open-cast mine. Strikers’ Demands. There have been many conflicting reports on the number of strikers. One report stated that 7,000 miners were on strike, out of which 4,000 were “active” strikers and 3,000 “passive,” but it is stated today that the total number of strikers was 4,200 involving the whole mines labour force, and that Saturday night’s rioters number 400. The total population of the mining township is about 7,000. The strikers presented 14 demands of which the main are, a 50 per cent increase in wages and the withdrawal of all police and Government officers from the mining property. These were refused. Mr. Norman Grice, Protector of Chinese in Selangor and Mr. Tzu Chin Lu, Chinese Consul in the F. M. S., drove to Batu Arang again today and conferred with the miners’ representatives and the company’s officials, in the mines management office. A police guard of about 100 men is being maintained at Batu Arang. Official Statement. The following official statement was issued by the general managers and secretaries of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., at 3 p.m. today. “Considerable negotiations have taken place between representatives of the men, assisted by the Chinese consul, and the officials of the company. “The latest, and very reasonable offer put forward by the company, involving an increase of wages and an adjustment of working conditions, has been rejected and absurd demands have been made. “Arrangements have been made with the loyal section of the labour to commence work this afternoon under police protection, and mechanical excavators are being brought into operation on the coal. “If everything goes as expected, the company hopes to be able to maintain supplies to consumers.” (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Today. The first depatch of coal from Batu Arang field since Sunday morning was made this morning. Special trains will be run all day today. Although only 50 miners and all the stokers and electricians have returned to work, and 4,000 miners are still on strike, Malayan Collieries state that they can supply all urgent requirements of the F. M. S. Railway and major consumers dependant on Batu Arang. The Company states that an ultimatum has been prepared but will not be presented until the men have rejected the terms now under consideration. About 170 police are now on guard at Batu Arang.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 19 November 1936, Page 1 BATU ARANG STRIKE VIRTUALLY ENDED Half Workers Return To Pits WAGES INCREASED AND CONDITIONS ADJUSTED Story Of Dispute From Miners’ Viewpoint FOLLOWING a conference yesterday afternoon at which the Chinese Consul in the F.M.S. was present, half the 4,200 strikers on Malayan Collieries coalfield at Batu Arang returned to work last night. The remainder are expected to be working this morning. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 18. With shouts of jubilation and the firing of Chinese crackers, nearly half the miners on Malayan Collieries coalfields at Batu Arang this afternoon signalled their decision to return to work. The decision was made after a conference at 3.30 p.m. For the first time the labour contractors participated in a conference and there were also two representatives from each kongsi (mining gang), the Chinese Consul in the F. M. S., and the company’s officials. They accepted the company’s proposals of an increase in wages and slightly adjusted working conditions, though these are not comparable with the “absurd” demands made for a 50 per cent. increase and the withdrawal of all police and Government officers from mining property. No Incidents The decision that the whole strike, which has lasted since the riot on Saturday night, will be called off is awaited hourly. “Fifty per cent. of the mine will be in operation again tonight and it is anticipated there will be 100 per cent. working by tomorrow morning—unless anything unforeseen happens,” states a representative of Malayan Collieries. The main body among 4,200 strikers have signified their acceptance of the terms and there were no incidents as hundreds of strikers returned to the pits for the night shift. The police guard of 170 men, however, is being retained. Just prior to the announcement of the decision, Malayan Collieries, Ltd., issued the following official statement. “Restricted production has continued throughout the day and had been concentrated in one part of the mine (No. 8 pit). Both hand labour and mechanical means are being employed. Work will continue throughout the night and it is expected the position will improve gradually. “Dispatches of coal effected today have covered the urgent requirements of all consumers and it is hoped to increase dispatches as time goes on.” Interviewed after the return to work of nearly 50 per cent. of the labour, the company’s representative said “The result of the meeting has been very satisfactory. The returning miners are also quite satisfied and we are starting up as quickly as we can.” The story of the strike from the miners’ viewpoint, suggesting their attitude and intentions were mistaken by the management, was given to a Free Press representative this evening on the eve of the general return to work, by a representative of the strikers. “During the last month we have had some grievances we wanted to place before the management but got no opportunity to do so,” he said. “Preparing Appeal.” “On Saturday night about 8.30 we were holding a meeting to prepare an appeal to the company when officials of the mine arrived with policemen and arrested two workmen. The miners became annoyed and some went to the power station and switched off the lights and a crowd followed the police towards the station and succeeded in rescuing their two colleagues. “Next morning detectives came to the kongsis and arrested two men—one of whom had been arrested the night before, and all the underground miners stopped work, wanting to help them. “The Chinese Consul and Protector of Chinese arrived and we were told our terms were too numerous and had to be reduced to six and presented by 11 p. m. on Monday. “At the appointed hour the miners 20 representatives presented the following demands: Six Demands Firstly, an increase of 50 per cent. in wages for all. Secondly eight hours work in open cast mines instead of nine. Thirdly, the abolition of excessive fines for breaking rules and cutting tops. Fourthly the provision of clear underground passages for emergencies. Fifthly, no banishment of workmen because of the strike and a guarantee that no discrimination be made against the strikers’ representatives. Sixthly, the arrested men be freed and the wounded man compensated. “The company replied they were prepared to accept five of the demands but were willing to increase the wages of coal hewers ten per cent. only and of others 7 ½ per cent. only and the men were to resume work by noon on Tuesday. Terms Rejected. “At noon on Tuesday the workmen rejected the terms because the company did not accept the terms in full. Instead the miners presented 19 fresh demands and there was deadlock. “At four o’clock this afternoon the Chinese Consul arrived at he request of the miners and another conference was held at the mines office, at which Mr. Robbins, managing director of the Collieries, the Warden of Mines, contractors and workers representatives were present. “After a long discussion the company said they were prepared to hear the grievances if the men returned to work at 7 a.m. tomorrow and would accept an increase of ten per cent. in wages for coal hewers and five per cent. for all others. “The miners were told that if they did not wish to work on the collieries they could leave. The company might take its own measures otherwise. “This ultimatum was strangely received by the miners, the majority of whom broke out into cheering and jubilation and fired crackers as the Consul drove off at 5 p.m.

The Straits Times, 19 November 1936, Page 12
 MORE COLLIERY STRIKERS RETURN TO WORK TODAY. DESPATCHES NORMAL, SAYS COMPANY. Men State Their Case: Some Still Dissatisfied. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 19.As the Free Press article of the same date except for the beginning which reads:- ALTHOUGH more miners returned to work at Batu Arang today, the strike is not yet over and there is still a large dissatisfied element which declines to accept the Malayan Collieries offer of a slight wages increase and adjustment of working conditions. The Company says that despatches from the field will revert to normal today, but declines to reveal how many of the strikers have returned to work. Following a conference yesterday afternoon, which was attended by the Chinese Consul in the F. M. S., the Company’s officials and two delegates from each mining gang about half the miners signified their intention of returning to work. They accepted the offer of an increase in wages and an adjustment of working conditions. This offer, the Straits Times understands, is considerably less than the demands made by the men which included a 50 per cent. Wage increase. Some of the miners are still holding out for a bigger wage increase than that offered by the Company.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 20 November 1936, Page 9 BATU ARANG STRIKE Majority Of Strikers Have returned (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 19. The position on the Batu Arang coalmines is unchanged since this morning. The majority have returned to work and Malayan Collieries, state they expect the remainder to return gradually. They state they are unable to give the Press the exact figures of workers. Coal was leaving the mines all day, dispatches reached the normal level and all the requirements of consumers were met, says the company.

The Straits Times, 20 November 1936, Page 12 and The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 21 November 1936, Page 6 ‘NORMAL CONDITIONS’ AT COLLIERY. Company Statement. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 20. The Batu Arang coal mine is working at full pressure, and a record figure for coal production which will wipe out some of the reverses suffered by the big strike is expected today. In an official statement issued at 10.30 this morning, Malayan Collieries, Limited, states: “Practically all labour has returned to work and conditions can be said to have returned to normal. “The production of coal yesterday was satisfactory and in addition to full despatch, additional quantities were sent out to enable consumers to build up their stocks. Extra despatch will be made today, and the production is expected to approach the record figure. “The police guard has been withdrawn.” The Straits Times understands that one or two men have been paid out and only 70 police are still on the scene, but a full settlement has not been reached.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 21 November 1936, Page 1 & The Straits Times, 21 November 1936, Page 13
 BATU ARANG STRIKE ENDED. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 20. The Batu Arang Strike has ended. The small number of workers who steadfastly refused to return to work has been paid off, Malayan Collieries stated this evening, and all others on the property are at work. The company declined to give the actual number of men dismissed, stating, “They are only a very small minority.”

The Straits Times, 22 November 1936, Page 4 “Not A Scratch Nor Cent’s Worth of Damage” BATU ARANG STRIKE STATEMENT (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Saturday. Malayan Collieries, Ltd., have issued a statement to The Sunday Times concerning the charges made by the strikers at Batu Arang last week that the Company had failed in the first place to give a chance to the miners to present their grievances in the ordinary way. “The whole episode has been most unfortunate and entirely unnecessary,” says the Company. “The Company had no knowledge of any attempt to approach the management for redress of grievances, and indeed it was two days after the strike was precipitated before any indication of the workers grievances was made known. “These grievances were more as a result of irksome conditions than anything of a fundamental nature and those aggrieved made proper representation to the management in the ordinary way there would not have been the least difficulty in satisfying them. As it is an harmonious record as between the Company and employees has been temporarily interrupted but with the resultant clearer understanding which now exists discord should be avoided in the future. “All the men other than a few who have left the property have returned to work and normal operations have been resumed. Yesterday’s production approached a record figure and additional despatches were made and still are being made to enable consumers to build up their stocks. “In making a final reference to this matter it is fitting and only fair to say that except for some disorder and unruliness at the outset on Saturday night, the workers and population generally were thoroughly orderly and not so much as a scratch was incurred by anyone in the way of personal injury or a cent’s worth of damage done to property. “The Company takes this opportunity of expressing appreciation of the services rendered by all those who assisted in dealing with the situation and of thanking consumers for their helpful co-operation during the time of the restricted dispatch of coal. The co-operation of the Press is also appreciated.” Last night all police guards were withdrawn leaving only the local force which has now been increased to 18 by the addition permanently of ten policemen and two senior officers.

The Straits Times, 23 November 1936, Page 12 & The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 24 November 1936, Page 6COLLIERY STRIKE SEQUEL. Unlawful Society Charge. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 21. The recent strike of labourers in the Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang had a sequel in the Kuala Lumpur Police Court today, when a Chinese named Foo Sin Ling was produced before Mr. C. H. Dakers, charged with being a member of an unlawful society, namely the General Labour Union. Foo pleaded guilty and said that he was asked to join a society known as the Hong Yit Cheng Chew society. He did not know its correct name. Mr. R. O. W. M. Davis, Officer in Charge of Detectives, Selangor, said that Foo was arrested in connection with the disorders at Batu Arang riots. He was brought to Kuala Lumpur where they found that he was a member of the society. Further Inquiries. “I believe the facts are that the accused joined the society some three years ago,” went on Mr. Davis, “but he states that since he joined it he has not been active. As Foo claimed membership of a different society the magistrate postponed sentence until Monday in order to enable the police to make further inquiries. The case against Yap Yin, another collieries worker, of extortion by putting Mr. J. A. Porteous in fear of grievous hurt and thereby dishonestly inducing him to deliver two letters was withdrawn by Mr. Davis on the instruction of the Deputy Legal Advisor.

The Straits Times, 23 November 1936, Page 13 CLONAL SEED AREAS ALLOWANCES. Representations For 1938 Negotiations. U.P.A.M. PLANTING SECTION'S IMPORTANT MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 21. THE United Planting Association of Malaya has decided to refer to the Controller of Rubber with a view to representations being made to the International Committee that the question of allowances for clonal seed areas shall not be overlooked when negotiations are begun for renewing the rubber regulation beyond 1938. (Summary: minutes of planting section of UPAM. Proprietor’s section met. Summary of proceedings. Those present listed. Labour deputation from India. Activities of money lenders who visit estates, recruitment of Javanese labourers, flat rate vs. graded grants to estate schools, duty on Indian tobacco, allowances for Clonal seed areas, greater help in co-op credit societies, rubber research institute advice discontinued (letter), menace of straying buffaloes at night. Meeting of proprietors Section held in K.L. on Oct 30, list of those present inc. Mr. R. C. Russell. Renewal of International Regulation Agreement discussed, cost of rubber and devaluation of guilder, statistics collected by controller of Rubber rather than Registrar general of Statistics, rules of Malayan Planters Provident Fund amended to allow contributions in excess of 5%. Council meeting association held on Oct 30, Honble Mr. W. S. Reeve-Tucker declared elected Vice President, future meeting vegetable oils section.)(1548 words)

The Straits Times, 27 November 1936, Page 18
 Photograph of van with Tiger Tea written on it, captioned: “Messrs Boh Plantations, Ltd., pioneers of the Malayan tea industry, own this van, which is the first stream line van on Malayan Roads and was made by Borneo Motors.”

The Straits Times, 29 November 1936, Page 8 
 & The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 30 November 1936, Page 6
 MALAYAN COLLIERIES Request For Private Railway Extensions (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 28 Malayan Collieries Want More Railway (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur. Saturday. MALAYAN Collieries, Ltd., Malaya's largest coal mine operators, of Batu Arang, Selangor, have asked for legislative powers from the F.M.S. Government authorising the construction, maintenance and working of private railway extensions for transporting their own goods, produce and plant “between such points as the Resident may from time to time approve” For this purpose a Bill has been drafted for introduction to the Federal Council seeking to give authorisation to use locomotive engines and run trains over the new railway. The Bill states that the company shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $50 if the railway is used for the conveyance of any goods, produce or plant not the property of the company or for the conveyance of passengers for reward.

The Straits Times, 8 December 1936, Page 10 Social and personal Mr. H. H. Robbins, of J. A. Russell and Co., Ltd. and a director of Malayan Collieries and United Engineers, was a passenger in Qantas plane which left Singapore for Charleville on Monday.

The Straits Times, 8 December 1936, Page 2
, The Straits Times, 9 December 1936, Page 2
, &The Straits Times, 10 December 1936, Page 2
, MALAYAN COLLERIES LTD Notice of Declaration of Dividend No. 64 and Closure of Share Registers. Third Interim Dividend of 2 ½ %... J. A. Russell and Co., December 7, 1936

The Straits Times, 20 December 1936, Page 22 JUDGMENT IN $250,000 WILL CASE Finding Against The Adopted Son JUDGE AND "DRAMATIC CIRCUMSTANCES" (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur. THAT one of the “ very foremost doctors in Malaya” had erred in his examination of an insane person was the opinion of Mr. Justice Pedlow in the Kuala Lumpur Supreme Court today, when he gave judgment in a will case….The estate involved… is valued at over a quarter of a million dollars, and the judge made an award to Mr. Robert Cecil Russell, as administrator and plaintiff, against Khoo Boo Hooi… (Details of judgment 2846 words)

Advertising for Plywood :The Straits Times, 13 January 1936, Page 9,The Straits Times, 3 February 1936, Page 10
The Straits Times, 24 February 1936, Page 19
 •The Straits Times, 16 March 1936, Page 14
 The Straits Times, 6 April 1936, Page 13,The Straits Times, 27 April 1936, Page 13
 
MALAPLY. STRONG-DURABLE PLYWOOD THERE IS NONE BETTER AT THE PRICE for BUILDING-PANELLING-FURNITURE AND RUBBER CHESTS.... ANY THICKNESS MADE TO ORDER. THREE PLY ALWAYS AVAILABLE Joint Distributors: BOUSTEAD CO., LTD. HARPER GILFILLAN CO., LTD. A product of Malaya by MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. KUALA LUMPUR. (Text only version)

The Straits Times, 8 June 1936, Page 9,The Straits Times, 15 June 1936, Page 19
 ,The Straits Times, 17 August 1936, Page 16The Straits Times, 27 August 1936, Page 9There is none better at the price for BUILDING PANELLING- FURNITURE and RUBBER CHESTS. MALAPLY STRONG -DURABLE PLYWOOD. Made from Malayan Timbers, Malaply is widely used in Building-Panelling-Furniture and for Rubber Chests. Thoroughly seasoned, it is extremely durable, and stands alone both in price and quality. Any thickness made to order. A PRODUCT OF MALAYA BY MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. KUALA LUMPUR. Joint Distributors of Rubber Chests. BOUSTEAD & CO., LTD., HARPER, GILFILLAN & CO., LTD., Kuala Lumpur. (Man holding sheet)


Advertising for chests:The Straits Times, 18 May 1936, Page 13
 MALAPLY STRONG DUABLE RUBBER CHESTS MalAply Rubber Chests are consistently standing up to heavy duty. Made from thoroughly seasoned Malayan Timbers, they are extremely durable, and remarkably low in cost. A product of Malaya by MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD. KUALA LUMPUR. Joint Distributors BOUSTEAD & CO., LTD., HARPER GILFILLAN & CO., LTD., Kuala Lumpur.

Advertising for MALASOL: The Straits Times, 27 January 1936, Page 9
,The Straits Times, 17 February 1936, Page 19,The Straits Times, 9 March 1936, Page 18,The Straits Times, 30 March 1936, Page 13,The Straits Times, 20 April 1936, Page 13
 


MALASOL THE SWIFT & SURE DISINFECTANT FOR EVERY POSSIBLE USE IN HOSPITALS ON ESTATES AND IN THE HOUSEHOLD RED ARROW BRAND REGD. A PRODUCT OF MALAYA BY MALAYAN COLLIERIES’ LIMITED F.M.S. KILLS ALL GERMS. MALASOL is a high grade disinfectant, economical to use because of its strength and germicidal qualities. A product of Malaya by MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD. Kuala Lumpur.(arrow)

The Straits Times, 11 May 1936, Page 9
,The Straits Times, 22 June 1936, Page 13
 Banish Fear of Infection! MALASOL Disinfectant is swift and positive in its action. Its strength and germicidal qualities permit considerable dilution, with the result that it is most economical in use. For every possible use in Hospitals, on Estates, and in the Household, it is highly recommended. MALASOL DISINFECTANT KILLS ALL GERMS. MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD., KUALA LUMPUR. (man and bin)

Advertising for MALASOTE The Straits Times, 25 May 1936, Page 18
, The Straits Times, 29 June 1936, Page 19MALASOTE WOOD PRESERVATIVE. A thoroughly effective preservative for all timber. MALASOTE not only provides a protective coat, but penetrates into woodwork and preserves it from insect attack, dry rot, etc., indefinitely. Easy to apply, it does not clog the surface and pores. It is by far the lowest priced high grade wood preservative available. A product of Malaya by MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD., Distributors: IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES (MALAYA) LTD. KUALA LUMPUR

Advertising for bricks :(Ladder) The Straits Times, 1 June 1936, Page 19
 MalAcol Brick MalAcol Bricks have gone to the making of a great many buildings in Malaya, and time has served to fully substantiate all claims made for them. They are specified where the best quality is desired. For general building purposes. Pressed and Wlrecut. For lightweight construction, and economy in transport. Perforated and Honeycomb. For Partitions and heat, and/or sound insulation Hollow blocks. Prices extremely reasonable. Prompt attention to all enquiries. A PRODUCT OF MALAYA BY MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. KUALA LUMPUR and The Straits Times, 26 July 1936, Page 10
(picture of cinema)

Advertising for Boh Tea: The Straits Times, 7 April 1936, Page 19
 The Straits Times, 19 June 1936, Page 8
, The Straits Times, 26 June 1936, Page 19
 Gold Seal Boh Tea. At last, a Cameron Highlands Tea, and well worth waiting for! Grown at 4,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level BOH TEA has that indefinable something which marks out a tea of distinction. It pleases, satisfies and sustains. BOH TEA 75 CENTS PER lb. A product of –BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. CAMERON HIGHLANDS Distributors: - HARPER, GILFILLAN & CO., LTD. Obtainable at your usual Store.

The Straits Times, 1 May 1936, Page 19
, The Straits Times, 29 May 1936, Page 19
, & The Straits Times, 3 July 1936, Page 19
 ‘YES! I’LL TRY A PACKET’ ‘WHAT A LOVELY TEA DEAR!’ GOLD SEAL BOH TEA. BOH TEA 75 CENTS PER lb. Grown at an altitude of a mile above the plains, everything about BOH TEA is of the same high order except the price! Just try it once- make sure it is infused with freshly boiled water- and you will never ask for any other tea. A product of BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. CAMERON HIGHLANDS Obtainable at your usual Store, Distributors: - HARPER, GILFILLAN & CO., LTD.

The Straits Times, 21 May 1936, Page 9GOLD SEAL BOH TEA .BOH TEA CAREFULLY MATURED PURE UNBLENDED. BOH TEA has Excellent Body, Flavour and Aroma. The ladies declare it to be the finest and most refreshing tea they have ever tasted. A Product of BOH PLANTATIONS LTD., CAMERON HIGHLANDS. OBTAINABLE FROM YOUR USUAL STORE. Distributors”- HARPER GILFILLAN & CO., LTD.

 

 

J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd. News and other Sources 1936

RUSSELL & CO., J. A.

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Buildings, Kuala Lumpur.

Telegraphic Address :-“Jar”

Codes – Private, Boe (Shipping), Imperial Combination (Mining) Acme & Bentley’s (General), Standard.

Mang. Director  H. H. Robbins

Do.                   R. C. Russell 

Director            P. B. Ford

Do.                   C. J. Chisholm                         

 Staff in Alphabetical order

S. Brown           A. E, Llewellyn

J. H. Clarkson    F. J. B. Maggs 

(signs per pro)     R. G. Pash

J. Drysdale                          

(signs per pro)

General Managers & Secretaries: 

Malayan Collieries, Ltd.

Managing Agents

Boh Plantations, Ltd.

Bakau Tin, Ltd.

The Netherlands Indies Commercial Agricultural & Mining Co., Ltd.

Insurance Agencies:

Royal Exchange Assurance Corp

Queensland Insurance Co., Ltd.

Managing Proprietors :

Sungei Tua Estates, Batu Caves

Russell Estate, Tenang.

Bukit Bisa Estate, Kajang.

Sintok Mines, Kedah

SUNGEI TUA ESTATE

Postal Address—Batu Caves, Selangor.

Telegraphic Address—“Sungei Tua,” Batu Caves.

Distance from Railway Station—2 ½  miles.

Distance from Telegraph office—2 miles.

Telephone No. 19, Batu Caves.

Proprietors                                           J. A. Russell & Co.

Managing Agents & Secretaries            J. A. Russell & Co

Acreage—Total 1,018, cultivated (Rubber) 1,108

TAIK HING KONGSI

13 ½ miles from Kuala Lumpur

Postal Address—Kanching, Rawang.

Head Office—Chan Thye Lee, High Street, Kuala Lumpur.

Distance from Rawang Telegraph Office—4 miles.

Distance from Rawang Railway Station—4 miles.

Resd. Manager            Mah Peng Kuan

Advancer                     Ho Man

Lessees                        Ho Man and J. A. Russell.

M. C. 1497, M. L. 3724,3559, etc,  Port. Nos 1833,1752,852, etc.

Total area—620 acres.

Plant—Three Oil Engines 200 h.p. each, three Oil Engines 120 h.p. each, one Oil Engine 150 h.p., one Oil Engine 80 h.p., five Electric Motors 490 h.p., seven Gravel Pumps, three Water Pumps and 50 Monitors.

 

All from the Singapore and Straits Directory, Fraser and Neave, 1936 SOAS archives