Dearie:Russell Family History

The Straits Times, 15 March 1941, Page 2,The Straits Times, 17 March 1941, Page 2 , The Straits Times, 18 March 1941, Page 5 MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED. (Incorporated in the F.M S.) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Twenty-Seventh 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 Friday, 28th March 1941 at noon. (Etc.). By Order of the Board, J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd. K.L. 15th March, 1941

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 21 March 1941, Page 7  MALAYAN COLLIERIES EARNS $756,167. Dividend Maintained At 16 Per Cent. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Mar. 20. A NET profit of $753,167 was earned by Malayan Collieries Ltd. in the year ended December last. This compares with $620,775 in the preceding year. Three interim dividends of three per cent. each were paid, absorbing $309,006 and the directors recommend a final dividend of seven per cent. making 16 per cent. for the year, the same rate as was paid in respect of 1939. • Shareholders are to be asked to sanction a contribution of $25,000 to the Malayan Miners Bomber Fund and directors’ fees totalling $20,000. A transfer of $100,000 to general reserve is also recommended. • If the directors’ recommendations are approved at the annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur next Friday, there will remain $382,797 to be carried forward, compared with $320,975 brought forward from 1939.

The Straits Times, 21 March 1941, Page 4 MALAYAN COLLIERIES 1940 PRODUCTION A RECORD Profit Rises to $756,167: Dividend Unchanged At 16%. DEPRECIATION $412,808: WAR TAXATION RESERVED. The net profit earned by Malayan Collieries Ltd. in 1940 was $756,167 after charging $412,809 for depreciation and $212,565 paid in royalties to the F. M. S. Government and making a reserve of an undisclosed amount for war taxation and contingencies. This compares with $620,775 in 1939. The dividend paid and recommended, at 16 per cent., is the same rate as paid for 1939. Three interims of three per cent. each were paid and the directors recommend a final of seven per cent. Shareholders are to be asked to sanction a contribution of $25,000 to the Malayan Miners Bomber Fund and to pay directors’ fees totalling $20,000. They are also being asked to approve a transfer of $100,000 to general reserve. Nothing was placed to general reserve in 1939 but $105,000 was written-off leasehold property. No provision for further writing-down of this asset is made in the accounts of 1940. If the directors’ recommendations are approved at the annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Friday there will remain $382,797 to be carried forward, compared with $320,975 brought forward from 1939. The directors state that the quantity of coal sold was the highest in the history of the company and that demand exceeded supply by approximately the capacity of the east mine which was lost in September 1939. In addition to the inevitably slow progress with the recovery of this mine, every endeavour has been made to increase the underground production to a capacity sufficient to meet the full peacetime demand; the policy being to maintain the remaining opencast reserves to take care of the present or future abnormal demand or as a means of tiding over any emergency. While the Brickworks and wood distillation plant operated to meet an inadequate demand, the plywood plant was increased in capacity. Here again, the sales constituted a record on both quantity and yield. Demand For Products Capital expenditure was principally on mechanical and other equipment in an attempt to meet the national emergency. The value of engineering stores and stocks of manufacturing materials are much higher in the same cause. The general managers J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd., say that the demand for coal was practically double that of 1939 in keeping with the quota releases under the International Tin Control scheme and considerably in excess of anything before experienced. The subsidiary undertakings operated satisfactorily, according to the demand for the products. The capacity of the plywood plant was almost doubled and the quantity sold was fully twice that of the previous year. Toward the end of the year, the very large emergency demand for timber within the country had started to tell upon the regularity of the supply to the plywood factory. Balance Sheet The balance sheet shows several important changes. Capital, authorised and issued, remains at $4,000,000 and $3,433,400 respectively. General reserve and amortization fund are also unchanged at $1,231,250 and $1,000,000 respectively, but a new reserve called “underground reserve” at $590,000 appears for the first time. Sundry creditors and credit balances have risen from $492,762 to $732,111, including provision for war taxation. Unclaimed dividends have risen from $11,910, to $12,744. On the assets side, leasehold property has been written-down by $105,000 approved at the last annual meeting and now appears at the round figure of $1,000,000. Capital expenditure on buildings was $200,975 and depreciation was $63,158, making the value at the close of the year, $926,837, compared with $789,020 at the end of 1939. Capital expenditure on plant and machinery during the year was $649,432 and depreciation charged was $349,651, leaving the valuation at the end of the year at $3, 064,861, compared with $2,785,080 at the end of 1939. Plant Increased Operating stores and spares, goods in transit and trading stocks, less reserves, have risen from $1,100,088 in 1939 to $1,537,145 at the end of 1940. Sundry debtors and debit balances are also higher at $529,888 compared with $386,338 in 1939. Investments, at cost less reserve, have risen from $242,831 to $659,048 but cash has fallen from $472,277 to $49,860. The Board consists of Messrs. H. H. Robbins, chairman, F. Cunningham, A. W. Delamore, J. Drysdale and A. J. Kelman.   

The Straits Times, 29 March 1941, Page 4  Malayan Collieries Dividend Policy Explained $25,000 Donation Made To Miners Bomber Fund RESERVES STRENGTHENED: NO LABOUR TROUBLES. Shareholders in Malayan Collieries Ltd. at the annual meeting yesterday in Kuala Lumpur unanimously approved a donation of $25,000 to the Malayan Miners Bomber Fund. The chairman, Mr. H. H. Robbins, explained why the profit for the year was low in relation to the turnover and he also explained why the dividend proposed, 16 per cent. for the year, had not been increased. Shareholders who were disappointed with the distribution were referred to the fact that when many undertakings now making record distributions were passing their dividends Malayan Collieries had been criticised for paying what was considered unduly high dividends. Proposing the adoption of the report and accounts Mr. Robbins said:- We meet again to consider the results of another year. Before proceeding further, however, I should like to refer to the retirement of Mr. W. H. Martin, after an association of many years. Had it not been for the war, we might have had Mr. Martin with us for several years longer. As it was, he felt that with his main work here completed, he could contribute more to the war effort by taking personal charge of his farming interests in England and no argument on our part would convince him otherwise. We miss his wise counsel and wish him long life in his retirement. Moved by the same consideration Mr. Kelman has returned from semi-retirement to his main interest here in Malaya, probably for the duration of the war and he has rejoined the Board to fill the vacancy. It will be seen that the liabilities side of the balance sheet has been recast to show at a glance the total of issued capital and reserves. The capital remains unaltered. In connection with the sub-division of the shares from the original denomination of $10 to the present one of $1, the holders of some 4648 shares on the old basis, have still not applied for sub-division. Though the owners of these shares are for all time secure in their title, it would be nice to have all shares sub-divided and the matter finally disposed of as early as might be convenient to the shareholders concerned. General Reserve Increase The general reserve has been increased by the transfer of an odd amount from the amortization fund, which latter has been rounded off at $1,000,000 to balance leasehold property. The annual allocation previously made to the amortization fund has been transferred to an insurance fund which meantime is included in sundry creditors. It is intended that this insurance fund should be developed to provide cover against loss of underground plant through fire or flood, this as a result of our experience with the East Mine in 1939. A new feature is the underground reserve and to this I shall refer later on. It will be seen that in addition to contingencies, sundry creditors include provision for war taxation on the year’s profits. The item “unclaimed dividends” is normal. On the assets side, “leasehold and freehold property,” after the provision made at the last annual general meeting, stands at $1,000,001 and the former at the round million is covered by the amortization fund, as previously explained. Buildings, after depreciation, shew an increase of $137,817, the additions during the year being mostly of a permanent nature. Plant Extended Plant and machinery, again after depreciation, shews an increase of $299,781 and, as explained in the report, the principal outlay was on plant of a general nature required to increase the production of both coal and plywood. The provision for depreciation is of necessity larger than is usual under more normal conditions. Much of the plant subject to heavy wear and tear was worked at its full capacity, in addition to this, new plant was installed in an endeavour to meet the wartime demand and it may or may not be possible to find profitable employment for it under normal post-war trading conditions. “Operating stores and spares, goods in transit and trading stocks less reserve” at $1,537,145.06 shews an increase of $437, 056.94. This is as a result of the necessity of carrying much larger stocks of stores and spares as a safeguard against delayed arrivals from our overseas sources of supply, and the financing of such has meantime necessitated heavy inroads into our cash resources. The reserve is against obsolescence and deterioration. “Sundry debtors and debit balances less reserve” shews an increase of $143,550.46, this being as a direct result of the larger volume of business transacted. Investments Rise Investments were increased by a purchase of F. M. S. War Loan, and, taken together with cash in hand less the amount by which we were temporarily overdrawn at our bankers, totalled about the same as for the previous year. The trading and profit and loss account shows a net profit of $756,166.64 which is higher by $135,391.32 than that for the previous year. Working costs in total, and per unit, were very materially up. Increased labour and materials costs contributed to this, as did the increased cost of underground coal and a heavy stripping programme to counteract the effect on stripped reserves, of the large opencast production. The margin between costs and selling prices considerably narrowed and the average of prices to non-contract consumers was increased. Contract consumers continued to be supplied at pre-war rates, and insofar as government undertakings were concerned, at prices shewing very little if any margin of profit. All such contracts will have expired within a month or so to make possible suitable price adjustment. Changing Conditions Since I last addressed you, we have experienced the results of rapidly changing world conditions and unprecedented demands for our principal products. The year was one of maximum out-turn of coal, though it is to be regretted that, elastic though our organisation and equipment for production are designed to be, and strenuous the endeavours made, we were not able to meet in full the demands upon us. An anomalous aspect of the position is, that had our efforts to meet the demand been less, our profits would have been greater. With the loss of the East Mine in September 1939 our underground production was seriously reduced and the bulk of the extra demand was consequently thrown upon the opencasts. This called for heavy expenditure in preparation for increased underground production, also in stripping to maintain the stripped opencast reserves, the new reserves to replace the old, calling for stripping to greater depth. The large opencast production during the year has accelerated the time when we shall have to depend entirely upon underground production to meet the normal demand, the remaining opencast reserves being retained to carry abnormal peaks and as a means of tiding over any emergency. This is the policy which is now well advanced and which explains the presence of an underground reserve in the accounts. In short, we have been obliged to take out of our stripped reserves in one year, a quantity of previously stripped coal which would normally have been spread over several years, and so we have, as far as possible, reserved for those years the benefit which would normally have accrued to them. Low-Priced Contracts On the revenue side, the high costs and provisions of the year coincided with the reaching of the tail end of low priced coal contracts which were entered into several years ago. With these disposed of early in the current year, the average return per ton will improve. The ratio of profit to turnover is low for the reasons given. Had we succeeded in meeting the demand in full in the correct ratio of underground to opencast production and without any embarrassment, the Board might, or perhaps should, have decided to recommend a somewhat higher dividend. But our inability last year to achieve that which rightly or wrongly was expected of us, together with the general uncertainty of the times, counselled caution and a conservative policy. We have abnormally large sums tied up in engineering stores and manufacturing stocks and as long as we are allowed to conduct our business without interruption, such will, in due course, be converted into cash with a not unsatisfactory addition in the form of profit. If we should encounter any interruption through hostile action, we shall require everything that is or can be made liquid in the common interest. War Tax Reserved The dividend proposed, is after provision for war taxation and therefore Malayan income tax free to individual shareholders. This will be our first experience of taxation on profits, and we cannot yet say whether, in setting aside $100,000 to meet this liability, we have over or under-reserved. I have explained some of the reasons why the dividend has not been lifted. Quite apart from other considerations of the matter, it is of very considerable importance, not only to our consumers and to the government, but also to the Empire, that production of our coal should be sufficient to meet the full demand, and we must, in the general interest, conserve our resources in every reasonable way to assist in obtaining that objective. Meantime, may I refer any who may be disappointed with the distribution, to the fact that when many undertakings which are at present distributing record profits were passing their dividends we were criticised for paying what were then regarded as unduly high dividends. A study of accounts over a decade rather than a year will make it clear that annual profits to not depend entirely upon production. During good years—as for instance 1937 when the tonnage was high and conditions certainly easier than during 1940—an attempt is made to provide for bad years. Otherwise, with annual demand ranging between a quarter and threequarters of a million tons, it would be reasonable to expect much more violent fluctuations in dividend recommendations than have in fact occurred. Plywood Products With the shutting off of all supplies of plywood chests from Baltic sources, the demand upon our plant represented almost the full requirements of the Malayan rubber industry. Further plant was purchased and installed and every effort has been, and is being, exerted to expand production to meet the demand. As mentioned in the general managers’ report, the competition for forest labour set up by the emergency timber requirements of the governments has temporarily reduced our supplies of timber, but production is now well on the upgrade. The brickworks operated only part time though in this section, the development was the perfection of a roofing tile of the Marseilles type which is now in commercial production. No Labour Troubles We had no serious labour troubles during the year and a feature under this heading was the growing influence of the local labour association, with which body this company was pleased to treat in all relevant matters. It is upon the nature of the influence which the committee of this association will exercise on its members that the future relations between the company and its labour will depend. This company supplies rice to its workers and their families at pre-war prices and has undertaken to near any material increase in the cost of living based upon a typical budget and, as long as this budget or the principle of a reasonable and representative budget or budgets can be agreed, adjustments should be automatic and mutually satisfactory. Such, then, is the position of the past year, the most unsatisfactory feature of which, in my opinion, being our failure to meet the full demand upon us. Always reluctant to prophesy regarding the outcome of a current year’s working, even though that year at the time of our annual meeting is three months old, I will not be expected to prophesy in respect of this. Our production for the first quarter will be down on that of the corresponding period of last year, but, given uninterrupted production, we may anticipate not unsatisfactory results. In conclusion, I wish, also on behalf of my colleagues, to thank the managerial, executive, supervisory and clerical staffs, from bottom to top, for the hard work which they have put into the achievement of the results shewn. The report and accounts were adopted and the final dividend of seven per cent. was approved. Messrs. A. W. Delamore and J. Drysdale were re-elected directors and Evatt and Co. were reappointed auditors. A shareholder expressed appreciation of the efficient manner in which the general managers had conducted the affairs of the company during a very difficult year.

The Straits Times, 8 April 1941, Page 10 COAL MINERS ON STRIKE No Work Going On At Batu Arang STATEMENT BY THE COMPANY (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Apr.8. THE labour strike at the Malayan Collieries coal fields at Batu Arang, involving the whole labour force of 5,000 Chinese and Indians, continues and coal production is at a complete standstill. The general managers of the Collieries, in a statement issued this morning said: - “Shortly before noon yesterday as the result of negotiations with the staff labour association, the Company made an offer of 12 ½ per cent. increase of the basic wages, this being an improvement of five per cent. on the 7 ½ per cent. increase announced on Apr. 1. “While this offer was being considered by the executive committee of the labour association, a number of the men ceased work. Offer Accepted “In the afternoon, the executive committee of the labour association accepted the Company’s offer and the chairman of the committee informed the Company that all men would resume work by 7 a.m. today at the latest. “Unfortunately, however, the men have been otherwise persuaded and coal production is at a complete standstill.” It is understood the strike has also affected the plywood factory. Negotiations are still going on between the Company and the labour association, in the presence of the Chinese Consul.

The Singapore Free Press 9 April 1941, Page 7 Coal Field Strike Continues (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 8. The strike at Malayan Collieries’ Batu Arang coal fields, where over 5,000 Chinese and Indian labourers have downed tools, still continues. Work at the colliery is at a complete standstill. The plywood factory is also affected. The labourers have an association and their accredited representatives are negotiating with the management. It is understood that the labourers are asking for a 20 per cent. increase in wages and that the management, who on Apr. 1 agreed to a 7 ½ per cent increase were yesterday prepared to give another 5 per cent. increase, amounting in all to 12 ½ per cent. The labour association committee considered this latest concession and said the workers would begin work this morning, but the labourers have been persuaded otherwise, it is stated. Some of the open cast mine labourers, it is believed, are agreeable to receiving a 15 per cent. increase, but the entire force of underground miners are not prepared to accept for the moment anything less than the demanded 20 per cent. increase. They claim that the cost of living at Batu Arang has risen appreciably in recent months, a rise in the cost of cigarettes being particularly felt. There have been no disturbances at the mine, where about 100 police are now stationed. The labourers have savings on which they could live for some time while many have their own vegetable gardens and rear poultry and pigs. All underground pits have been working of late, with the exception of East Mine No. 1, while four of the nine open-cast mines have also been in operation. Negotiations are still proceeding in the presence of the Chinese Consul Mr. Tsze Zau Tsung.

Straits Times, 10 April 1941, Page 10 COAL STRIKE CONTINUES Workers Reject Company’s Offer (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur. Apr. 10. Some Chinese labourers returned to work this morning at the Malayan Collieries, under police protection. The whole labour force of more than 5,000 workers, both Indian and Chinese, has been on strike since Monday morning. It is now stated that the executive committee of the labour association at the Collieries met on Monday in consultation with the management, who agreed to give a 12 ½ per cent. increase on the basic wage. By a majority of 31 to 35 votes the executive committee agreed to accept the company’s offer and promised that the men would return to work that afternoon. The labourers however, seem to have repudiated the agreement reached between the company and their delegates. A general meeting of the labour association was held yesterday and the company’s offer was turned down by the men. A statement by the company on the latest position is expected today.

The Singapore Free Press 11 April 1941, Page 11 Coal Mine Company’s Ultimatum To Strikers Will Expire To-day. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 10. Malayan Collieries have issued an ultimatum which expires to-day to labourers on their coal mines at Batu Arang who are on strike, requiring them either to return to work or be paid off and leave Batu Arang mining property. The majority of the 3,200 Chinese labourers involved are agreeable to accepting a 12 ½ per cent. increase offered by the management, but it is believed that they feel reluctant to return to work as 1,800 Indian labourers have completely rejected the company’s offer and will not return to work. It is believed that the limited supplies of local coal kept on tin mines might become low if the strike continues for a great length of time, but as the F. M. S. Railways have large stocks of imported coal, the strike is not causing any immediate anxiety in that quarter. After a great deal of negotiation at 3 p.m. yesterday, some of the more technical departments, such as workshops, had a full turn-out of workers and about 300 Chinese went to work on the mines, but Indian labour failed to turn up for duty. Later on, those who went to work on the mines returned to their kongsis. Late last night, the manager issued this notice to the executive committee of the labourer’s association: “The labourers association’s representatives, on behalf of the labour force, gave an answer to the company at 12.30 p.m. which said the company’s offer had been accepted and the men would return to work at 3 p.m. to-day. Very few men turned up for work and many who wished to return were prevented from doing so by intimidation. Many of those who resumed work have been persuaded to stop work. “This position is totally unsatisfactory and cannot be tolerated. All will be given another opportunity to return to work tomorrow by normal shifts. Those who do not wish to work will be paid off by the company and will be expected to leave Batu Arang. Any persons who prevented men from going to work will be subjected to immediate arrest by the police.” This morning, police were guarding places where work should have been continued and were preventing intimidation or picketing.

The Singapore Free Press 14 April 1941, Page 3 & The Straits Times,14 April Page 8 NO CHANGE IN BATU ARANG STRIKE POSITION & NO SETTLEMENT YET AT BATU ARANG (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 13. The situation at Malayan Collieries’ coal mines at Batu Arang, where 5,000 labourers, both Chinese and Indians, have been on strike since last Monday, remains unchanged. The company last Thursday gave an ultimatum to the labourers to either return to work or be paid off and leave the premises, and yesterday the management, who had offered an extra five per cent. increase in wages, withdrew their offer. There has been no violence on the mine and though representatives of the labour association who negotiated with the management promised twice that the men would return to work the labourers are still holding out. It is learned that Chinese labourers are in the main agreeable to returning to work but Indians are sticking out for an increase in wages. Police are still at the mine.

The Straits Times, 14 April 1941, Page 8 •  WAR FUND ADVANCES BY MORE THAN $10,000 (article and list including) Malayan Collieries Ltd., $25.000.

The Straits Times, 15 April 1941, Page 10 MEN MAY BE PAID OFF Strike Situation At Collieries (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 14. The following statement was issued this morning by Malayan Collieries concerning the strike situation at their Batu Arang coal mines, where the entire labour force of 5,000 Chinese and Indians have been on strike since last Monday. “Arrangements have been made by the company to pay off to-day all men who do not wish to resume work at the colliery. Work at the colliery continues to be at a standstill” As few tin mines in the F. M. S. hold large reserves of stocks in coal, the position at the colliery is being watched with interest by mining companies. Out of 14 dredges operating in south-eastern Selangor, only two are electric power- driven, the balance working with coal fuel. Dredges in remote places are not immediately affected as they usually carry substantial reserves owing to difficulty of transport. It is freely remarked however, that a prolonged coal strike might become a threat to the important industry in Malaya, while tin production is vital to the Empire’s war effort in holding up foreign exchange resources.

The Straits Times, 16 April 1941, Page 10 COLLIERIES STRIKE IS OVER (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 16. The strike at the Malayan Collieries has ended. Following the paying off yesterday of 1,4000 labourers, of whom 500 were sent off the mine property and a surprise raid by police, large numbers of men have returned to work and others have agree to return to-day by shifts.

The Straits Times, 17 April 1941, Page 8 STRIKES Firm Hand Needed To Suppress Agitators To the Editor of the Straits Times Sir, —It is Good Friday morning and the position at Malayan Collieries is stated to be “the same” after three or four days’ complete stoppage. Emergency regulations were, so it is said, framed to deal with intimidation and stoppage of essential industries during wartime. “Interference with essential industries in wartime will not be tolerated.” (The italics are mine). Will agitators and intimidators ever be firmly dealt with? The man largely concerned in a recent twelve-day stoppage of tin production on a certain mine is still at large, and stated to be joyfully running a “Mutual Aid Society” in a village nearby. Oh, for a little authoritative succour in these days, when workers in our valiant Home Country are really under control and the workman getting 45 shillings per week pays two shillings tax. The Asiatic tukang drawing $90 per month (49 shillings per week) pays no tax, and downs tools with impunity. Yours, etc., MANU FORTI. Selangor, April 11.

The Straits Times, 1 May 1941, Page 5  NEW SERENDAH EARNS $84,418. Dividend 10%: War Fund Gets $5,000. A NET profit of $64,418 was earned by New Serendah Rubber Co. Ltd. in the year ended December last. This compares with $42, 288 in the preceding year. An Interim dividend of five per cent, was paid and the directors recommend a final dividend of five per cent. the directors have transferred $22,000 to a reserve for replanting and they recommend a second donation of $2,500 to the F.M.S. War Fund. If the directors’ recommendations are approved at the annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, there will remain $30,507 to be carried forward, compared with $21,651 brought forward from 1939. The dividend paid for 1939 was 7 1/2%. The Board consists of Messrs D. H. Hampshire, chairman, M.J. Kennaway, E. G. Leyne and J. H. Clarkson. Messrs. Hampshire and Leyne retire but seek re election and Neill and Bell offer themselves for reappointment as auditors. (158 words)

The Straits Times, 11 June 1941, Page 2 The Straits Times, 12 June 1941, Page 4 . The Straits Times, 13 June 1941, Page 5 PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE MALAYAN COLLERIES LTD Notice of Declaration of Dividend No. 82 and Closure of Share Registers….First Interim Dividend of 3 %... J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd., 9th June, 1941

The Straits Times, 18 June 1941, Page 4 UTAN SIMPAN EARNS $77,898 Dividend Raised To 15 Per Cent. A NET profit of $77,898 was earned by Utan Slmpan Rubber Co., Ltd in the year ended December last. This compares with $33,504 in the preceding year. Interim dividends totaling 15 per cent were paid (the second interim dividend of 10 per cent. (Summary: Accounts, reserve for planting, Board consists of Board consists of Messrs D. H. Hampshire, V.G.A. Reeve-Tucker and J. H. Clarkson) (154 words)

The Straits Times, 28 June 1941, Page 11  & The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 23 October 1941, Page 6  PATRIOTIC FUND. SELANGOR DONATIONS TO PATRIOTIC FUND. (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, June 25. TOTAL Selangor contributions to the Malaya Patriotic Fund are fast approaching the half million dollar mark According to a list issued by the Chartered Bank to-day, the present total stands at $472,217. Details are: Previously acknowledged (list inc.) Mr. and Mrs. J. Drysdale monthly contribution $20. (175 words)

The Straits Times, 23 July 1941, Page 11  Labour Adviser's Up-country Tour (From Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, July 22. EXPECTED to leave here for Perak at the end of this week is Major G. St. John Orde Browne, Labour Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Major Orde Browne arrived in Kuala Lumpur last week on a visit to investigate labour problems in Malaya. He has already visited several estates and places with large labour forces, among them Malayan Collieries coalfields at Batu Arang. Major Orde Browne has further met officials of the United Planting Association of Malaya and the Incorporated Society of Planters and also the Agent for the Government of India, Mr. S. Dutt. He is at present staying at the Federal Secretary’s residence.

The Straits Times, 17 September 1941, Page 2, The Straits Times, 18 September 1941, Page 4,The Straits Times, 19 September 1941, Page 4  MALAYAN COLLERIES LTD Notice of Declaration of Dividend No 83 and Closure of Share Registers….Second Interim Dividend of 3 %... J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd, 16th September 1941

The Straits Times, 17 September 1941, Page 8 The Straits Times SINGAPORE, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 1941. (745th. Day Of The War.) (Leader Article) Silent Figures. After a series of hesitant moves, in which there was some evidence of bewilderment and reluctance, the authorities have clamped down an absolute ban on the publication of any information regarding the production in or export from Malaya of any mineral. (Summary: production figures should not appear in any published return, coal, gold any other mineral, shareholders may not know results of working of properties, ban on coal and gold indefensible, detailed statistics always been available, “ to suggest that the enemy is likely to benefit by knowing whether the output of Malayan Collieries is up or down by ten per cent …is ludicrous” gold shares speculative, rumours “the sharks are going to have a wonderful time at the expense of the gullible and the nervous. The same applies, perhaps to Malayan Collieries, and in neither of these cases would publication of output figures effect the war effort in the smallest degree, directly or indirectly”. Tin unrestricted, output below quota, reasons suggested, profits can be obtained on output below maximum production, these facts may be responsible for present ban, International Tin Control Committee and Malayan Mining Industry, concealment of facts, damaging effects in long run.) (1057 words)

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 30 September 1941, Page 2  CHURCHILL TANK FIND PASSES $20,000 MARK. The Churchill Tank Fund has passed the $20,000 mark. Latest list of contributors is as follows previously acknowledged $19,492.11 (list inc) Malayan Collieries Club. Batu Arang-Victory Fund, proceeds of “ Churchill Tank Fund Club Night” $182.25.

Boh Tea Advertising:The Straits Times, 15 January 1941, Page 15  BOH TEA. A CAMERON HIGHLANDS PRODUCT. REASONS FOR BUYING THIS EXCELLENT TEA. No price increase since commencement of hostilities ..it is still $0.75 per lb. Compare this price with imported teas to-day. An All-Malayan product..the elimination of overseas freight and charges allows this pure quality tea to be retailed cheaply. Every pound of Boh Tea consumed makes space in overseas shipments for more vital commodities… buy Boh Tea. 75 c PER POUND. Grown & Manufactured by BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. Distributors: HARPER GILFILLAN & Co., Ltd. All Branches.

The Straits Times, 29 January 1941, Page 15  &The Straits Times, 26 February 1941, Page 14 &The Straits Times, 12 March 1941, Page 14 BOH TEA A CAMERON HIGHLANDS PRODUCT REASONS FOR BUYING THIS EXCELLENT TEA • No price increase since commencement of hostilities ..it is still $0.75 per lb. Compare this price with imported teas to-day. An All-Malayan product..the elimination of overseas freight and charges allows this pure quality tea to be retailed at a low price. Boh Tea is Cameron Highlands grown and produced in a modern factory under exacting conditions..only the best quality leaf is used.. 75 c PER POUND. Grown & Manufactured by BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. Distributors: HARPER GILFILLAN & Co., Ltd. All Branches.

The Straits Times, 2 April 1941, Page 14  & The Straits Times, 16 April 1941, Page 14  The Straits Times, 30 April 1941, Page 11 BOH TEA. A CAMERON HIGHLANDS PRODUCT. REASONS FOR BUYING THIS EXCELLENT TEA • No price increase since commencement of hostilities ..it is still $0.75 per lb. Compare this price with imported teas to-day. Every pound of Boh Tea consumed makes space in overseas shipments for more vital commodities… buy Boh Tea. 75 c PER POUND. Distributors: HARPER GILFILLAN & Co., Ltd. Grown & Manufactured by BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. All Branches.

The Straits Times, 21 May 1941, Page 12 &   The Straits Times, 4 June 1941, Page 12  &The Straits Times, 18 June 1941, Page 15 BOH TEA. A CAMERON HIGHLANDS PRODUCT. REASONS FOR BUYING THIS EXCELLENT TEA • It is $0.80 per lb. Compare this price with imported teas to-day. An All-Malayan product..the elimination of overseas freight and charges allows this pure quality tea to be retailed at a low price. Boh Tea is Cameron Highlands grown and produced in a modern factory under exacting conditions..only the best quality leaf is used.. 80 CTS. PER POUND. Grown & Manufactured by BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. Distributors: HARPER GILFILLAN & Co., Ltd. All Branches.

13 July 1941, Page 14  BOH TEA. A CAMERON HIGHLANDS PRODUCT. REASONS FOR BUYING THIS EXCELLENT TEA It is $0.80 per lb. Compare this price with imported teas to-day. Every pound of Boh Tea consumed makes space in overseas shipments for more vital commodities… buy Boh Tea. 80 cts PER POUND. Grown & Manufactured by Boh Plantations Ltd. Distributors: HARPER GILFILLAN & Co., LTD. All Branches.

Two files of copies of JAR & Co Limited minutes dating from 1935 . Last entry is meeting dated 11th November 1941.

• Japanese invasion 8th Dec 1941