Dearie:Russell Family History

Straits Times, 9 January 1954, Page 10 Coal output falls Malayan Collieries produced 60,108 tons of coal in the last quarter of 1953, making 286,364 tons for the year, compared with 314,922 tons in 1952.

The Straits Times, 9 January 1954, Page 7 Tin industry leader dies The death occurred at St. Mary’s Hospital, London, on December 31 of Mr. Albert James Kelman, a leading member of the Malayan tin industry. Mr. Kelman was a director of Malayan Collieries Ltd. when he lived in Malaya. He joined the boards of several Malayan tin companies after he retired to London. He was a director of Ayer Hitam Tin Dredging, Kramat Pulal, Lahat Mines, Malayan Tin Dredging and South Malayan Tin Dredging companies. He was 67.

The Straits Times, 15 February 1954, Page 7 Oil to coal plan makes these talks a riddle KUALA LUMPUR. Sun. WHILE Government talks on the future of Malaya’s coal industry continue, the Government-owned railways are switching over from coal to oil fuel for machinery and locomotives. To date 60 engines have been converted. And power stations too, are doing the same. Towards the end of last year Malayan Collieries, owners of the federations only coal mine at Batu Arang, complained that the industry was “severely threatened” by the Governments coal to oil plan and asked for a statement of future plans. Today Government officials reported: “The discussions on coal are still continuing.”

The Straits Times, 17 February 1954, Page 10 Malayan Collieries, which are still feeling the backdraft from inconclusive talks with the Federation Government, slipped down to 80 cents buyers, 83 cents sellers. This issue has lost about 10 cents in the past few weeks. (Extract)

The Straits Times, 18 February 1954, Page 8 Shophouses to go for school playground COLLIERIES DECIDE KUALA LUMPUR, Wednesday. THE MALAYAN COLLIERIES would definitely demolish 14 shophouses which prevent extension of a Chinese school’s playing field in Batu Arang, a company spokesman told the Straits Times today. The shopkeepers and the Malayan Chinese Association had petitioned the Malayan Collieries to let the buildings stand. The shopkeepers said they understood the playing field would not be extended for several years. The collieries spokesman said there would be no hardship for the former occupants who were moved on Monday. All of them had been found new homes or business premises. He denied it would be long before the playing field was extended. Unavoidable The buildings were temporary constructions dating from the Japanese occupation and were in such a state they were hardly worth keeping. Batu Arang was entirely dependent on Malayan Colliery’s activities. A hospital, schools and various public amenities were being run by the company. Though some inconvenience had been caused it was an unavoidable result of a welcome civic improvement, he said.

The Straits Times, 18 February 1954, Page 10 Investors wait Malayan Collieries were done at 81 cents, three cents below last week’s transactions, investors still waiting the outcome of the talks between the company and the Federation Government. (Extract)

The Straits Times, 1 March 1954, Page 10 Colliery shares decline I HAVE watched the steady decline in the value of Malayan Collieries shares and wonder what steps are being taken by the highly paid directors to arrest this fall. Would it not be possible to issue an interim report to the shareholders and if the company is being run at a loss a decision taken to close down the mine and conserve the company’s remaining assets or direct them to some more profitable enterprise? SHAREHOLDER Singapore

The Straits Times, 17 March 1954, Page 4 300 workers are told: No job for you next month DISMISSALS AT MINE KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday. THE management has told 300 workers at the Batu Arang colliery in Selangor that there will be no work for them after the end of this month. More than 800 surface workers at the coal mine have been dismissed since October. None of the pit’s 900 underground workers have been affected so far. The sackings began when the Government-owned railways and power stations switched from coal to oil for power. Coal has piled up at the mine since the Government, formerly the colliery’s biggest buyer, cut its orders. The owners appealed to the Government last year for a clear decision on its future coal policy. They complained that the industry was being “severely threatened” by the Government plan to change over from coal to oil for power production. Mr. John Drysdale, chairman of Malayan Collieries, said today: “Our negotiations with the Government are still continuing.” We’ll make it pay for you, boss is told WORKER’S PLEA KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. WORKERS at the Kuala Lumpur Joo Seng rubber factory asked again today for negotiations with the management in a bid to stop the factory closing at the end of the month. They promised that they would do their bit “to enable the factory to operate on an economic basis.”

The Straits Times, 19 March 1954, Page 12 MALAYAN B.I.F. EXHIBITORS THE full list of exhibitors from Malaya and Singapore at the British Industries Fair besides RID A are: …….. Boh Plantations, Ltd., Kuala Lumpur, (tea); …….. Malayan Cement Ltd., Rawang, Selangor, (Portland Cement);

The Straits Times, 19 March 1954, Page 10 & The Straits Times, 20 March 1954, Page 10 MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LIMITED BATU ARANG Tenders are invited for the following surplus motor vehicles:- 1. ONE Austin A-40 Saloon car, late 1952, excellent condition 2. ONE Armoured Dodge Car with Turret. 3. ONE Willys Jeep Station Wagon completely reconditioned. 4. ONE Chevrolet 3 Ton Military type lorry. Above may be inspected at any time during normal working hours. Sealed Tenders addressed to General Manager to reach him not later than 31/3/54. The Company does not bind itself to accept the highest or any tender.

The Straits Times, 29 March 1954, Page 8 MALAYAN CEMENT, LIMITED (Incorporated in the Federation of Malaya) NOTICE OF MEETING NOTICE is hereby given that the fourth general meeting of members of the company will be held at the Registered Office of the company, Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Building, Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday. 22nd April, 1954, at 12.00 noon for the following purposes: - To receive and consider the balance sheet as at 30th November, 1953 and the reports of the directors, general managers and auditors. To determine directors’ remuneration for the year ended 30th November, 1953. To appoint auditors to hold office for the ensuing year. To Transact any other business of an annual general meeting. By Order of the Board J. A. RUSSELL AND CO., Ltd, SECRETARIES. Kuala Lumpur, 29th March 1954

The Straits Times, 13 April 1954, Page 12 Malayan Railways to test invention An executive and engineer of a British company has come to Malaya to introduce his own fuel oil burning invention to Malayan Railways and carry out a practical test on train engines. He is Mr. A. B. S. Laidlaw, managing director of Laidlaw and Drew Co. Ltd. of Britain, who are manufacturers of all kinds of liquid fuel burning equipment. Mr Laidlaw will try out of the equipment with Malayan Railway engineers shortly after Easter. He is an authority on liquid fuel combustion and designed the combustion for Britain's first jet engine. Mr Laidlaw will spend a month in Malaya before leaving for Australia. He said: "This equipment which uses residual oil as fuel, is used mainly for industrial purposes in the United Kingdom". He said that Buckingham Palace has for the last two years used the equipment for heating. The Americans have a similar range of equipment known as the Mexican Trough, Laidlaw Drew equipment, the British manufacturers claim, have two advantages over the Mexican Trough. Fuel consumption for stopping trains, they say is 10–15 per cent lower when the locomotives are fitted with Laidlaw Drew equipment. Also the durability of the boiler fire box is greater in Laidlaw Drew equipment. Laidlaw Drew’s Malayan representative is MacAlister and Co., Ltd. Since 1949, Malayan Railways have been converting their locomotives from coal to oil burning. The chairman of the Malayan Collieries at the annual meeting in December 1953 said "Fuel oil is available at not much more than 1941 prices, with which coal is not able to compete."

The Straits Times, 26 April 1954, Page 8 Malayan Collieries fell again to 74 cents buyers and 77 cents sellers but their associated company Malayan Cement, at whose annual meeting last week, the chairman Mr. John Drysdale made an optimistic speech, were in good demand with takers at $1.32 ½ , $1.33 and $1.33 ½ . (Extract)

The Straits Times, 3 May 1954, Page 7 Coal town ‘down but not out’ Kuala Lumpur, Sun. The men, women and children of Batu Arang coal-mining township 29 miles north-west of Kuala Lumpur celebrated Labour Day yesterday in a big way, although there is fear of unemployment. They attended the opening of a new community hall and basketball courts and the laying of a foundation stone of the new labour union headquarters and held their annual sports. The building was used by the local police from 1920 to 1938. Then it accommodated school teachers. Now it has been renovated to make a hall for the villagers. Mr. N. M. Warmington, general manager of Malayan Collieries opened the hall. He said that the Emergency was "no longer a major factor in our lives. "However, when it appeared life might become more pleasant, we suddenly found that coal had lost its value in the face of competition from imported foreign oil," Mr. Warmington added. "The fear of unemployment is in the minds of all. I know, however, that you have plenty of courage to face this present crisis. "Let this hall be a symbol of our faith and courage and let us tell the world that although we may be down, we are not out. "There is still plenty of fight in us and, given a fair chance, we will prove our worth and show that Batu Arang is still one of the most valuable assets Malaya possesses."

The Straits Times, 13 May 1954, Page 5 Selangor Sultan's birthday honours MENTRI BESAR TOPS THE LIST THE list of honours granted by the Sultan of Selangor on his birthday today includes the Mentri Besar. four state councillors, a municipal councillor and police and police volunteer reserve officers. Sixteen people have been given the Selangor Meritorious Service medal, two, including the late Mr. L. A. Searle, the Distinguished Conduct Medal and three have been made justices of the peace. Owing to the Puasa the investiture will not take place until June 7 at the Istana. The birthday awards are: - MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL ………… Mr. John Drysdale: Member of Executive and State Councils: Has given outstanding service to the State for 23 years. Is chairman of Directors of Malayan Collieries.

The Straits Times, 22 May 1954, Page 7 Unions' team for coal probe KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. THE Malayan Trade Union Council has named its two-man team to investigate unemployment at the Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang, Selangor. They are Mr. K V Thaver, M.T.U.C. member on the Federal Legislative Council, and Mr. Tan Tuan Boon, Selangor, M.T.U.C. divisional committee member and State Councillor. Mr. Kenneth Khoo, secretary of the M.T.U.C. Selangor division, today said that more than 400 workers had lost their jobs at Batu Arang since last year. Mr. Thaver and Mr. Tan may be asked by the M.T.U.C. to interview Inche Mustapha Albakri, Member for Industrial and Social relations, after their investigations.

The Straits Times, 26 May 1954, Page 5 Request for switch back to coal fails DIESEL OIL STAYS ON THE TRAINS KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday. The Federation Government is to make no change in its policy of using diesel oil for powering its locomotives and electricity stations, a Government source disclosed today. But talks with economic experts on how to prevent the growing problem of unemployment at Malaya’s only coal mine at Batu Arang continue. The Federation Government decided last year to switch form coal to diesel oil. Towards the end of the year, Malayan Collieries, owners of the Batu Arang pit, complained that the industry was being “severely threatened” by the change-over. Government ‘duty’ Colliery chairman Mr. John Drysdale asked for Government co-operation to “ensure the continued use of coal by the railway and the Central Electricity Board.” Mt. Drysdale said that in view of Government’s declared policy of encouraging secondary industries it was their duty to find ways of using the Malayan colliery’s full output. But the Government source said today: “It has been decided that it would be completely uneconomical to change back to coal. It is all a matter of simple economics. The Government has no intention of subsidising a private company.

The Straits Times, 27 May 1954, Page 10 QUIET TRADE IN SHARES • Collieries decline The improved conditions on the Singapore Share Market which became evident on Tuesday continued yesterday that the volume of business shrunk away slightly. This was due to buyers being reluctant to raise their bids to limits set by sellers. Malayan Collieries declined to their lowest prices so far – 50 cents buyers and 60 cents sellers – on the news that the Federation Government is to make no change in its policy of running locomotives and electricity stations on diesel oil instead of coal. These $1 shares which touched $3.40 pre-war and as much as $2.95 in 1948 are not likely to recover with the news of coal piling up at the colliery and 1,000 workers dismissed from Batu Arang since October.

The Straits Times, 28 May 1954, Page 7 New mine chiefs elected IPOH, Thurs— Newly elected officials of the Malayan Mining Employers' Association are as follows: ……committee: …… J. Drysdale. …….

The Straits Times, 10 June 1954, Page 14 FOR SALE to Permit Holders only. 25/3000 Rifle in New condition with 100 rounds Ammunition. Price $185. Apply General Manager, Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Batu Arang.

Sultan's medal in London for her [Articles] The Straits Times, 15 June 1954, Page 4  Sultan's medal in London for her KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. …. Sixteen people received the Selangor Meritorious Service Medal . They included...and state councilors Mr. J. Drysdale and Inche Mahidin bin Mohd. Rashad (Extract)

The Straits Times, 12 July 1954, Page 5 &The Straits Times, 28 June 1954, Page 10 HIGH QUALITY PRODUCE OF BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. THE CREAM OF THE CROP. DISTRIBUTORS FOR MALAYA: HARPER GILFILLAN & Co., LTD.

• Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 12 July 1954, Page 5  & Page 10 Advertisements Column 2 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 28 June 1954, Page 10 HIGH QUALITY PRODUCE OF BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. Cameronian Tea. THE CREAM OF THE CROP. DISTRIBUTORS FOR MALAYA. HARPER GILFILLAN & CO LTD.

The Straits Times, 26 July 1954, Page 4 MINE BLAST KILLS 1, INJURES 2 KUALA LUMPUR, Sun. AN Indian mine-worker, A P. Karuppia, 24, was fatally injured and two other workmen hurt in an underground explosion at Malayan Collieries, Batu Arang, Selangor, on Friday. The accident occurred at about 5 p.m. while Karuppia. P. Veeran. 39, and C. Nallu, 32, were placing a dynamite charge in a rock face in No 3 mine. A stray spark is believed to have ignited the charge prematurely. Karuppia, nearest the charge, caught the full force of the blast in his face. Veeran and Nallu were injured by flying debris. Both received burns. The three were taken to the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital. Karuppia, whose wife is expecting another child, died yesterday evening. Veeran and Nallu are making satisfactory progress in hospital, though Veeran will probably lose his sight in one eye. Both men have been working at the mine for over 15 years. This is the second time Veeran has been injured in an accident at the mine. The inspector of Mines, Ulu Selangor, Mr. K. B. Storey, is investigating the cause of the explosion.

The Straits Times, 28 July 1954, Page 2  MALAYAN CEMENT LIMITED "TIGER" "TIGER" IMPORTANT TO ALL BUILDERS If you want good cement buy "TIGER” Quality guaranteed to be in excess of British Standard Specification PLACE YOUR ORDERS NOW WITH OUR SELLING AGENTS William Jacks &Co (M) Ltd. Guthrie & Co Ltd. James Warren & Co Ltd. Henry Waugh & Co Ltd. Harper Gilfillan & Co Ltd. Boustead & Co Ltd. FEDERATION BRANCHES ONLY.

The Straits Times, 30 July 1954, Page 5 Mr. Tooms dies in U.K. Mr. Douglas Tooms, former Chief Engineer of Malayan Collieries, died recently in England after a brief illness. Mr Tooms first arrived in Malaya in 1928 and until 1936 he was Chief Engineer at the collieries in Batu Arang, Selangor. He returned to the collieries after the war in 1945 and retired in 1952.

The Straits Times, 31 July 1954, Page 6 ASSISTANT Chemist Vacancy in works laboratory. Apply in writing with details of nationality, age, whether married, training, qualifications and experience, to Malayan Cement Ltd., Rawang, Selangor. TOOMS, DOUGLAS: Died on 31st May 1954, at “Wayside” Victoria Road, Prestatyn, North Wales. Formerly of Batu Arang, Selangor. •   

The Straits Times, 31 July 1954, Page 1 MINE SACKS 2,300 MORE Govt. promises temporary jobs KUALA LUMPUR, Friday Temporary relief work on local projects will be found for colliery workers sacked at the Batu Arang coal mine, Selangor, the Federation Government announced tonight. This follows the Malayan Collieries’ decision to close down the second of the three underground workings and to sack another 2,300 workers, after the Government had said it could not guarantee an assured market for the coal nor assist in keeping the mine open. This announcement was made during a meeting with the colliery management and union representatives on Thursday. The Mine Workers Union leaders met at the mine tonight. Not justified The Government said tonight: "After studying the preliminary report of the technical experts and after considering the economic, strategic and social implications of any reduction in mining at activity at Batu Arang, the Government came reluctantly to the conclusion that it would not be justified in guaranteeing the colliery the assured market for Malayan Railways and the Central Electricity Board at the price offered. The Government considered most carefully the effect on the Malayan economy of the railways and Central Electricity Board being required to consume a certain quantity of coal at higher price than the present or foreseeable cost of oil fuel. "As regards the social implications of a reduction in the labour force at the colliery, the Government is taking all possible steps to find alternative employment for those displaced. “The Selangor Government is arranging to take over some of the financial commitments of the colliery in Batu Arang most notably in education and medical services, and will ensure that the essential services are not interrupted. " The latest close-down leaves the mine with only one underground pit and one open cast ? still working. When the dismissal notices are sent out there will be only 1,200 men left on the colliery’s pay roll against nearly 3,000 underground and surface workers a year ago Dismissals began last October ? when the Federation Government, once the colliery’s main consumer, switched from coal to diesel oil for powering its locomotives and power stations. Mr John Drysdale, chairman of Malayan Collieries said in Kuala Lumpur today: “It is a great pity that the Government has offered no ? to keep the colliery going and I consider its policy short sighted. “For many years the company co-operated with the Government to its advantage. The least the company could have expected was some reciprocal co-operation. The colliery has had a raw deal and the Government’s ? wrong,” he said. (NB missing words due to article's poor repro on archive)

The Straits Times, 1 August 1954, Page 5 UNION CONSIDERS MINE SACKINGS KUALA LUMPUR, Saturday. THE Batu Arang Mine Workers' Union will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss the Malayan Collieries' decision to sack another 300 workers because of the falling market for Malayan coal. The meeting will also consider the Federal Government's promise to give the sacked men temporary relief work on local projects. The Malayan Collieries’ Asian Staff Union met last night to consider the Government offer but reached no decision. Malayan Collieries decided to close down the second of its three underground pits involving the sacking of 300 workers after the Government had announced its inability to guarantee an assured market for the coal or to help it keep the mine open.

The Straits Times, 2 August 1954, Page 14 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS ASSISTANT Chemist Vacancy in works laboratory. Apply in writing with details of nationality, age, whether married, training, qualifications and experience, to Malayan Cement Ltd., Rawang, Selangor.

The Straits Times, 2 August 1954, Page 7 BATU ARANG MINERS TO SEEK AID FROM GOVERNMENT And they ask: ‘How can we live?’ BATU ARANG, Sunday. More than 1,000 coal miners met here today to protest against the Federation Government’s refusal to guarantee an assured market for the town’s coal mine. After the Government's decision, the colliery owners closed the second of the mine’s three underground pits and dismissed 300 workers. The miners, worried about the prospect of a complete closedown of the mine at the end of the year, met today to seek a solution to the town's growing unemployment problem. Later this week, with the expected backing of the Malayan Trade Union Council, the colliery workers’ union will send a delegation to Kuala Lumpur to see the Government’s Commissioner for Labour. They will ask the Government to aid the mine until plans can be made to find work for the dismissed workers. They will also protest at the Government's failure to consult the colliery unions before reaching its decision. The colliery workers’ union president Mr. P.K.R.Kurup, said today: “The Government arrived at its decision without any of the usual conciliation methods. "We feel very strongly about the union not being consulted for thousands of people will suffer if the mine closes down." 43 on strike The men were told by their president that the Government hopes to find alternative work for many of them at the end of the year, but dismissal notices for the latest 300 sacked workers will go out this week. Mr. Kurup asked: "How are the men going to live for the next four months? Even then there is only a possibility of work. "Plans for finding alternative employment for the mine workers should have been made before this latest decision was taken." More than 1,500 workers at the mine have been dismissed since July last year when government orders for coal dropped after it decided to switch from coal to oil for powering locomotives and electricity stations. Business in the town is almost at a standstill. Sixteen shops have shut and others report: "Hardly enough business to keep going." Late today 43 sanitation and refuse workers in the town went on strike after Malayan Collieries, owners of the mine, ordered the six sanitation gangs to be reduced from seven to six men each and cut their ten-day, joint wage from $39 to $30. The men have refused to work until a wage of $35 for each gang is assured.

The Straits Times, 6 August 1954, Page 8 Electric power and coal MAY I offer a correction concerning your editorial comment on Batu Arang. It was stated that the Central Electricity Board "has never used coal." That is incorrect. The C E B and the Electricity Department as it was before the C.E.B was formed, have until recently been large and valued consumers of Malayan coal ant it was only when the supply of Malayan coal fell short of demand that boilers at Bungsar power station were converted from coal to oil burning. The new C.E.B. power station at Klang was designed to burn Malayan coal with oil-firing equipment as standby but owing to the coal supply being short of demand, the Klang power station was started up on oil fuel. I might add that the reason for the shortage in coal supply was the shortage of labour. JOHN DRYSDALE Batu Arang

The Straits Times, 7 August 1954, Page 12 Ipoh. What about a new industry? BEFORE the war Nipah Distilleries Ltd. had to close down for good. Is the same thing going to happen with Malayan Collieries Ltd? Both Malayan industries. Is Batu Arang coal not of good enough quality for the extraction of coal tar for the Making of the hundred and one synthetics such as dyes, medicines? ROSA DARTLE. Johore

The Straits Times, 13 August 1954, Page 10 U.S. BUYING MORE TIN ……….. Mr. W. Gemmill, chairman of J. A. Russell and Co., who have a big holding in Malayan Collieries, said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday that shareholders had been overlooked in the Batu Arang crisis. In the past six months the value of the company’s holdings had dropped from $1,750,000 to $300,000. Shareholders had spent $9,000,000 developing Batu Arang and had received only moderate dividends. (Extract)

The Straits Times, 14 August 1954, Page 5 A new mine opens —but it's still the sack for 300 IN 30 MONTHS DEMAND FELL BY 13,000 TONS AND SOON THE LAST PIT WILL CLOSE KUALA LUMPUR. Friday. MALAYAN COLLIERIES today announced that another open cast mine at Batu Arang is being re-developed and when it comes into full production the remaining underground pit will probably be closed. Equipment for this new mine is coming and the switch will be made gradually during the next 12 to 18 months. Three hundred men are being retrenched this month. Two underground mines are being closed permanently, leaving one working temporarily and work still on at one open cast mine. In a statement to shareholders Malayan Collieries said that during the last 30 months the demand for its coal dropped from 30,000 tons a month to 17,000 tons. This was due to the Malayan Railway and Central Electricity Board switching from coal to fuel oil, which is cheaper. At the reduced demand there is ample coal in the new open cast mine for ten to fifteen years use. Although demand may drop below 10,000 tons a month within the next few years the board is confident that further losses on actual coal production will be avoided. No demands However, it will be necessary to write off some portion of the company’s assets, which can no longer be regarded as of value under the changed circumstances the statement added. It said that no "demands" were ever made by the company to the Government during negotiations, nor was a financial loan an essential part of the proposals placed before the authorities. The proposals were that the Government should ensure that the Malayan Railway and the Electricity Board should use Malayan coal for a stated proportion of their fuel requirements. The demand was still dropping because the railway was converting more locomotives to oil firing, said the statement. Even now, the statement added, these conversions could be stopped and coal production maintained at a higher level than is otherwise the case. This in turn would justify the retention of the underground unit.

The Straits Times, 26 August 1954, Page 6 Fair competition and oil prices WITH reference to the letter by Mr. D.H. Palmer, general manager, Shell Co. of Singapore Ltd., I would like to say that I do not associate myself with the attack by “Anxious" on the oil industry. I would, however, like to refer to fair competition and ruling prices of oil. I understand that the price tendered by the Shell Company for the Central Electricity Board contract was unsuccessful because it was undercut by about $10 a ton by an American company very desirous of getting into this market and which has no organisation in the Federation and therefore does not contribute to the economy of the country by employing personnel within it. I do not think Mr. Palmer could consider this fair competition at ruling prices. Whether he does or not, the C.E.B. availed itself of the abnormally low price with which Malayan coal is unable to compete and that is the sum and substance of the matter. J. DRYSDALE Chairman Malayan Collieries Ltd., Kuala Lumpur.

The Singapore Free Press, 31 August 1954, Page 7 Attack with iron bar alleged RAWANG, Tues. OSMAN bin Abdullah, a fitter, was charged in the Magistrate's Court here with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to E. E. Monterio, a shift engineer of the Malayan Cement Works, Limited, on May 20. Monterio said that when he was closing a store after issuing tools to an apprentice fitter, Osman came from behind and struck him several times with an iron bar. In his defence, Osman said he hit Monteiro after the latter had taken out a penknife to stab him. The Magistrate ordered Osman to stand trial in the Sessions Court.

The Straits Times, 14 September 1954, Page 10 The industrial section of the market was generally firm yesterday. An exception was Malayan Collieries, which with business done at 52 cents, eased to 50 cents buyers, 54 cents sellers.(Extract)

The Singapore Free Press, 14 September 1954, Page 1 Land caves in at mine GROUND at the Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang, Selangor, subsided last night, causing damage to the main office building and the police station nearby. The subsidence was caused by underground working at Mine No. 3. No-one was injured. •

Untitled [Articles + Illustrations] The Singapore Free Press, 15 September 1954, Page 3, FREE PRESS  Picture. A CLOSE UP of the Malayan Collieries' office building cracked and twisted by tremors from an underground cave-in at Batu Arang. In the foreground is a pile of office files and records removed from the temporarily abandoned building. -Free Press Picture

The Straits Times, 15 September 1954, Page 1 Tremors hit the coal town KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. BATU ARANG already badly hit by the coal slump, had more bad luck last night when a subsidence in disused mine workings beneath the town partially wrecked the police station and the main office building of Malayan Collieries, Ltd. Both buildings, in a dangerous condition, have been temporarily abandoned. Inside the single-storey office building, stone walls were split from top to bottom. The building leaned drunkenly on its foundations. Its shattered floor bulged up at an angle. The nearby police station was in a similar state, with its concrete inquiry counter torn in two. A jigsaw-like pattern of cracks covered the outside walls of the buildings. The co-operative stores opposite the police station in the main street and the nearby police barracks were slightly damaged by tremors from the cave-in, which occurred 160 feet below the ground. The town centre of Batu Arang looked today as if it had been struck by an earthquake. Deep fissures – one nearly a foot wide – crisscrossed the dirt roads, one of which was reported to have sunk several feet. There had been activity in a mine which was being worked 200 feet beneath the old one when the tremors started. Work in the mine was instantly stopped. Tremors continued until early this morning. Constant checks were being made to see if cracks were extending. PHOTO Inside the Batu Arang Police Station a heavy chunk of masonry lies on the floor beneath the arch from which it fell. Daylight can be seen through the wide cracks in the wall while the window bars have been wrenched out of position by the force of the tremors. —S. T. pictures PHOTO Cracks run across the road and up the walls of the Batu Arang Police Station, which was one of two buildings badly damaged by tremors from an underground mine cave-in at the town on Monday night.

The Straits Times, 16 September 1954, Page 7 TREMOR TOWN IS BACK TO NORMAL KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. WORKERS were back at their jobs and things were normal again in the coal-mining town of Batu Arang, which was shaken by tremors on Monday night. The cordon on the affected area has been lifted and people can now go where they like, said Mr. G. W. Warner, the acting mine manager of Malayan Collieries Ltd. A freak subsidence in a disused mine under the town wrecked the police station and the main office building of Malayan Collieries. The station is now housed in a building at the back and tomorrow officials of the Selangor Mines Department will visit the town to look for a new site. The old station has been cordoned off. Meanwhile everything is being moved out of the damaged office and Malayan Collieries is debating whether to abandon it. The new offices may be housed in two disused wings of the mine hospital.

The Straits Times, 16 September 1954, Page 10 In direct contrast is the sorry picture of Malayan Collieries which yesterday sank to the new low level of 47 cents buyers, 52 cents sellers following the damage causes at Batu Arang by mining subsidence. These $1 shares which touched $3.40 pre-war and a post-war high of $2.95 in 1948 have been depressed for month’s following the Federation Government’s decision to run its locomotives and electricity stations on diesel oil instead of coal. (Extract)

The Straits Times, 23 September 1954, Page 10 CEMENTS UP ON NEW TAX Rubber at 70 cents By OUR MARKET CORRESPONDENT MALAYAN Cement shares appreciated slightly on the Singapore Share Market yesterday following the raising of the duty on imported cement by the Federation Government on Tuesday. The quotation for this company, which only came into existence nine and a half months ago, went to $1.35 buyers, £1.40 sellers. Duty on cement in the Federation has been increased from $6 to $10 a ton (full duty and preferential duty is $4 a ton).

The Straits Times, 4 October 1954, Page 12 & The Straits Times, 5 October 1954, Page 14 ONE—Kelvinator, Cold Display Cabinet in excellent condition. Glass Display Area approx. 16 Sq.Ft. $1,700 or offer and One—Mitchell 1 H.P. Air- Conditioner window Model as new $1,365 or offer. Apply Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Batu Arang. •

The Straits Times, 13 October 1954, Page 6 WANTED MECHANICAL Workshops Chargehand $7/8 per day with Free Accommodation, Light and Water. Applicants must be Experienced in Heavy Industry and should Apply in Own Writing with Age, Experience, Testimonials, Languages Spoken to Malayan Cement., Ltd. Rawang.

The Straits Times, 22 October 1954, Page 12Boh Tea to raise production to one million LEADING Malayan tea growers, Boh plantations in the Cameron Highlands are to step up production to full capacity of 1,000,000 lb. a year. This was prompted among other things by increased demand for tea in Britain said Mr. J. Drysdale chairman of Boh plantations. Mr. Drysdale said that Malayan tea was much sought after by tea blenders in Britain. Boh plantations famous for its Boh, Tiger 9 and Cameronean brands had a record crop of 800,000 lb. this year compared with 750,000 lb. in 1953. Mr. Drysdale said “the estate is expanding its output by gradual stages and we are planning to increase the yield to a million lb. a year which is the full capacity of our factory. “Our main market is Malaya and only the surplus is exported to Britain.” The company has exported 22 per cent of its produce to Britain during the past two years. Mr. Drysdale said that the British market for Malayan tea had gone up considerably because of the fall in production in Assam and Ceylon caused by unusual weather recently. The price of tea today is about 71d. a lb. compared with 43d. last year.   

The Straits Times, 3 November 1954, Page 10 Two counters in the industrial section which have not altered in quotation for several weeks also showed gains yesterday; Malayan Collieries went to 54 cents buyers and 56 cents sellers while Straits Steamships were $16.90 buyers and $17.10 sellers. (Extract)

The Straits Times, 24 November 1954, Page 10 MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LIMITED. (Incorporated in the Federation of Malaya) NOTICE OF MEETING. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Thirty-sixth General Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Building, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday, 8th December, 1954 at 12.00 Noon for the following purposes: - 1. To receive and consider the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 30th June, 1954, and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors. 2. To determine Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 30th June, 1954. 3. To elect Directors in place of those retiring 4. To appoint Auditors for the ensuing year 5. To transact any other business of an Annual General Meeting. By Order of the Board J. A. RUSSELL & CO., LIMITED. Secretaries Kuala Lumpur, 24th November, 1954

The Straits Times, 26 November 1954, Page 10 LOST SHARE CERTIFICATE Application has been made to the Directors to issue a duplicate Share Certificate to replace the original Certificate stated to have been lost or destroyed. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That if within 30 days of the date hereof, no representation or claim is made to the Directors, they will proceed with the application for a duplicate certificate and the lost certificate will be regarded as having been cancelled, viz: - Malayan Cement Limited (Shares of $1 each—fully paid) Name of Shareholder Cert. No. No. of Shares Distinctive Nos: Swamidason David Joseph 3592 1000 2262611/2263610 By Order of the Board J. A. RUSSELL & CO., LIMITED. Secretaries Kuala Lumpur, 26th November, 1954

The Straits Times, 2 December 1954, Page 10 HEAVY LOSS SHOWN IN COLLIERIES' NEW BALANCE SHEET THE effect of the decision of the Federation Government to use imported diesel oil for its locomotives and electricity stations instead of coal is shown in the accounts of Malayan Collieries published yesterday, which reveal a loss of $221,571 for the year ended June 30. This compares with a profit of $16,770 for the previous year and the loss would have been substantially greater, says the directors’ report, had it not been for the benefit of revenue other than that from the sale of coal. “A very disappointing result at the end of a very difficult and uncertain year” comments the chairman, Mr. J. Drysdale, and he adds “I consider that Government has treated the company in a most inconsiderate manner and has dealt with the only coal resources of the country in a very short-sighted way.” The total production for the year (238,752 tons) averaged less than 20,000 tons of coal per month “an uneconomic output the result of which is seen in the financial results.” Revenue dropped by about $2.6 million as compared with the previous year, due to the smaller volume of sales, while total expenditure including depreciation fell by about $2.3 million. It is expected that when demand falls to 14,000 to 15,000 tons by about the middle of 1955 the remaining underground mine will be closed and coal will be won only from the opencast workings requiring labour to be reduced to a minimum. There was a very small volume of business written on the Singapore Share Market yesterday.

The Straits Times, 9 December 1954, Page 10 NOTICE & The Straits Times, 10 December 1954, Page 12 MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. BATU ARANG TENDERS are invited for the purchase of the following, as they become available at Batu Arang for the first half year 1955. A. Steel Scrap B. Empty Oil, Creosote and other Drums For Tender Forms, inspection and any further particulars apply to Purchasing Officer, at any time during working hours. Tenders close at 12 noon on 22nd December, 1954 and should be addressed to General Manager.

The Straits Times, 14 December 1954, Page 16 & The Straits Times, 15 December 1954, Page 16 FOR SALE—Two G.E.C. 5 ½ cu. ft. and one Frigidaire 6 cu.ft. Electric Refrigerators in excellent condition-$500 or nearest offer, and two 20/30 gall. Electric water heaters, offers to Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Batu Arang. •

The Singapore Free Press, 23 December 1954, Page 16 DEATHS 20 Words $6 (minimum) PATRICK CLARKE, died suddenly al Malayan Cement Works, Rawang. Funeral Thursday Morning at Cheras Road Cemetery.

The Straits Times, 25 December 1954, Page 4 Died after meal RAWANG, Fri.- N. Thamotharan Assan, aged 45, a labourer at Malayan Collieries. Batu Arang, collapsed and died after having a meal with some friends on Wednesday. He died as he was being taken to the mine hospital.