logo

For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell


The Straits Times, 9 February 1912, Page 6 Messrs. M. Duncan, E. E. Lessler, P.E. Cobham, M. Maude, and A.R. Morgan in Perak and Messrs. H. A. Koek, A. Fox, D. O. Russell, J. A. Russell, R .F. Grey, Syed S. Alsagoff, T.A. Mauchip and N.S. Mansergh in Selangor have been appointed first class appraisers in Perak for 1912. The following have been granted second class licences also for the same State and for the same period: Messrs G. C. Bannerji, H. A. Koek, P.C. Russell, J.A. Russell, D.O. Russell, Syed S. Alsagoff, and Abdulla bin Haji Hashim.

NEWS 1912

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 23 May 1912, Page 331 NEW SERENDAH. COMPANYS FLOURISHING POSTION. Dr. E A O Travers, chairman, presided at the second annual general meeting of shareholders of New Serendah Rubber company, Limited held at Kuala Lumpur. 0. The net profit for the year amounted to $23,985.10, which together with the bounds brought forward from 1910 amounted to $24,030.47. After paying off $303.15 as preliminary expenses, paying a dividend of 5 percent absorbing $20,800, and paying directors fees amounting to $2,500, of which 25 per cent was chargeable to revenue, a balance of $2,302,32 was carried forward. Dr. Travers said they had all received a copy of the report and balance sheet and would notice that in this case the directors have given them in full the report of Mr. Harvey, the visiting agent. The directors desired to keep shareholders in touch with all that was being down on the estate and thought it better to do this than to rely upon casual remarks made by the Chairman at the annual meeting. The 16,000 shares which the company issued last year would rank for dividend as from the first of July, and, therefore, they would receive a dividend for the half-year. There seemed to be some misunderstanding in the minds of some shareholders, who thought they were to receive a dividend for the whole year. Share is now issued would rank for dividend from the first of May this year. (Summary: the article covers the price obtained for rubber, cost of production, compared to The Straits Rubber Company, Glenshiel and Crocodile, which was good and showed good management. Mr. Ferrers, a shareholder complained that annual meeting ought to have been held in February and that the 5 directors were paid $500 each a year, and asked how many meetings they attended and was told 2.) “ He did not bring forward this point in a contentious spirit, but when the Company paid one-tenth of its profits to directors, shareholders ought, surely, to know it had been well spent. As a fact three of the five directors were not in Kula Lumpur for a great length of time last year. Mr. J. A. Russell, was in Hong Kong and Mr. Russell Grey and Dr. Travers were also away. He thought people would wonder how it was these gentlemen, and were being paid for services, which, on the face of it, they were not performing satisfactorily. If a man were appointed a director he should not appoint another man to act for him, while he took a holiday. At the same time he did not suppose the substitution of Mr. Don Russell for Mr. Archie Russell affected the value of the shares. In other respects Mr.Ferrers was thoroughly satisfied with the excellent report. The chairman in reply explained that the date of the annual meeting had to be deferred, as it was not possible to pay a dividend until new shares were issued, and that the accounts were only just complete. As to the question of the directors’ fees he said he received $300 for attending two meetings of the Federal Dispensary, as a director last year, and not $10 and meeting. Further, because a man was a director of a rubber company was he to be compelled to stay in this country all his life? Directors were paid not for attending meetings, but for their advice, the work they did for the companies, and the thought they gave them. (The report and statement of accounts was passed, Dr Travers and Mr. McFadyen were re elected directors.) (851 words)

The Straits Times, 10 October 1912, Page 9 Utan Simpan Rubber Co. SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF DIRECTORS. Tapping To Begin in January. The report of the directors of the Utan Simpan Rubber Co., Ltd., which is to be presented to shareholders at the second annual general meeting to be held at Kuala Lumpur on Saturday next, states:- CULTIVATION. — The area under cultivation remains the same as last year, viz. 294 acres planted between 1908 and 1910. The dates at which the planting was done cannot unfortunately be taken as a fair guide to the condition of the trees, whose growth has undoubtedly been retarded by the dirty condition into which the estate had fallen before being taken over by the Company. Large quantities of lallang had, it will be remembered, been allowed to spring up. The evil effects of this are however fast wearing off, and except that the development of the rubber has been slower than was anticipated the condition of the estate leaves nothing to be desired. The following is an extract from the Company’s Visiting Agent’s latest report, dated September 18, 1912: - “The growth has improved all over since my last visit in May, but especially in the 50 acres which were dug over and limed in May last. I measured 20 trees of varying sizes in this area and found an increase of girth of 2 and a quarter inches per tree. This in four months is very satisfactory and encourages us to proceed with the cultivation. I have recommended that the balance of the 200 acres to be dug over and limed. “The estate is in capital order and there is practically no disease to be seen. “There are 50 Tamil coolies on the estate and more will probably be obtained soon.” With the exception of a small piece of land laid out for nurseries no new clearing has been attempted during the year. Of $8,608.67 devoted to upkeep, $6,059.76 was spent on weeding, the remainder mainly on putting in supplies, cleaning and making up existing paths and drains, keeping down pests, and clearing timber. BUILDINGS- A substantial bungalow has been built for the Manager at a cost of $2,945, and improvements to the permanent lines, including a brick well, have cost a further $400. FUNDS. - The estate’s expenditure during the year amounted to $16,815,05, which was $4,415,05 in excess of the estimates. The extra outlay was necessitated by the large amount of labour necessary to keep the estate clean, the monthly cost of weeding averaging $1.71 per acre. It is expected that with the employment of Tamil labour instead of Chinese, the weeding this year will cost not more than $1 per acre per mensum. The Company’s previously uncalled capital amounting to $16,500 has now all been called up, the calls shewn as outstanding in the balance sheet having since been paid. The expenditure for the coming year, which is estimated at $22,480, will be met either by a fresh issue of shares or by a loan. Our hopes that it would be possible to commence light tapping over 200 acres in June, 1912, have not been fulfilled, owing to the backward condition of the trees, already commented on. The Manager states that 40 per cent of the trees in this area will be tappable by January 1913 and though the variations in their size make an estimate difficult, he considers that by June 30 not less than 6,000lbs should be obtained. The retiring directors are Messrs. V U. Kelso and H.E.G. Solbe who being eligible offer themselves for re-election. The auditors retire, but being eligible offer themselves for re-election. (654 words)

The Straits Times, 5 October 1912, Page 9 COOLIES FOR MALAYA. Further Evidence in Kit Lang Agency Case. Before Mr. Justice Gompertz in the Summary Court, Hongkong, on September 27, says the S. C. Morning Post, the case was again mentioned in which a Chinese sued a boarding house keeper for the recovery of $1,000 alleged to be due to him under a note of acknowledgement in regard to the shipment of coolies to the Straits. 0. Mr. Crewe, of Messrs. Hastings and Hastings, appeared for the plaintiff, while Mr. Lewis, of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master, defended. 0. Mr. Crewe explained that on the last occasion the case was adjourned in order that a representative of Messrs. Dodwell and Co. could be called. The only question, other than a legal point between him and his friend was whether in May or June there was a refusal on the part of the defendants to deliver coolies or a refusal on the part of the plaintiff to accept them. 0. Mr. G. Morton Smith, sub manager of Messrs. Dodwell and Co., stated that the firm were agents of the Kit Lang firm, of Kuala Lumpur, a firm which was started in order to procure labour for the rubber estates. The manager of the firm was Mr. J. A. Russell. The duties of Messrs. Dodwell and Company were mostly those in connection with the finance, and a Chinese agent was appointed to procure the coolies. Messrs. Dodwell’s occasionally received instructions apart from those relating to finance, and in August 1910, they received a cable telling them to stop sending inferior coolies, and then they received a further cable telling them not to send any opium smokers. Later in the same month they were asked not to send any coolies at all. Mr. Russell subsequently came back to Hongkong, and while he was there he had charge of the arrangements. (307 words)

The Straits Times, 9 October 1912, Page 11. SUPPLYING COOLIES. Kit Lang Case Again Before the Court. . On September 27, in the Summary Court, Hongkong before. Mr. Justice Gompertz, the case was mentioned in which Wong Hong Chi, trading as Tai Ying Chan, brought an action against Wing Chang Chan and Lau Tsan Yau, claiming the sum of $1,016, balance of money lent to the defendant by the plaintiff. The plaintiff waved the sum of $16 to bring the matter within the jurisdiction of the court. Mr. Crewe, of Messrs. Hastings and Hastings, appeared for the plaintiff, while Mr. D. H. Lewis, of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master, for the defence.. It will be remembered that the defence was that the money was to be wiped off by deductions when the defendant gave the plaintiff shipments of coolies for Singapore and that the plaintiff, by going out of the business, had deprived the defendant of this means of making the payments. . The case had been adjourned so that Mr. Morton Smith, submanager of Messrs. Dodwell and Co., might be called. He deposed that from June 1910 his firm acted as agents for the Kit Lang firm of Kuala Lumpur, a company formed to secure labour for rubber estates. Their part of the business was to advance money to the plaintiff which they did until Mr. Russell came back to the Colony. The supply of the coolies was not satisfactory enough in Hongkong and a branch office had to established in Hoihow. Judgment was reserved. (252 words)
The Malay Daily Chronicle, Wednesday , October 23, 1912. Extracts from report of Chief Secretary, Mr. E. L. Brockman C.M.G. on the Federated Malay States for the year 1911: “Coal. Progress was made with the prospecting operations in the coal area at Rawang, or rather Rantau Panjang, as it should be called. A sufficient quantity of coal has already been located, and experiments have been made with a view to testing the quality. It is proved that the coal has a commercial value, and the promoters of the undertaking hope that it will find a sale among the mining community. It will be a valuable asset to the country if it can be produced at such a price as to compete with firewood, and thus save the forests of the Federated Malay States from the destruction with which they are threatened. Fuel is becoming a serious question for the mines, and a cheap coal will benefit the industry very greatly.” (Report also covers revenue from licences, customs, railways, tin royalties, expenditure on transport, pensions, census, land purchase, buildings, roads, bridges, irrigation, and railways. Assets, liabilities. Trade: imports, which include cattle, rice, alcohol, opium, and tobacco, and exports: rubber, tin, gold, and wolfram. Chinese affairs: immigration, contracts system, societies, farm system for opium abolished, sale of prepared opium is government monopoly, falling consumption, increase in government revenues due to increase in population. Prepared opium made in government factory in Singapore, depot in KL for licensed dealers, packed in KL, licensed for public smoking in saloons or retail only, table showing amount imported. Education, no. of schools, Tamil vernacular education on some estates, technical school in K.L. for positions in survey department, 10 Malays, 7 Chinese and 50 Indians. Great need for technical education for public works department, department of survey, railways, telegraph and mines departments. No serious attempt has been made to attract local youth and the various departments have had to rely on strangers from India and Ceylon.)
Copy of Letter: October 25, 1912. From Rawang F.M.S. Coal Syndicate Ltd., London, to Messrs. Osborne and Chappel, Ipoh 25/10/12 Dear Sirs, I am instructed by my Directors to inform you that Mr. J.A. Russell, by the terms of an agreement, dated October 22nd, is financially associating himself with this Company. My Directors have also been advised, that in the interests of the Company, they should endeavour, as far as possible, to obtain the co-operation of the Chinese and the big consumers of fuel in the F.M.S. and allow of their becoming financially interested in the future of the coalfield. The time appears to be now ripe for this action. There seemed to be difficulties in bringing any such scheme to maturity, without enlisting the services of someone thoroughly conversant with the Chinese and their language, and to obviate these difficulties, the Directors have entered into the agreement above referred to. To enable him, to negotiate on these lines, Mr. J. A. Russell is proceeding to the Federated Malay States at once, and will at an early date, either call or correspond with you. My Directors request that you will consider him as an emissary from the Board, whose interests are largely identical with those of the Company, and therefore that you will give him at all times such particulars of the past and present prospecting operations as he may request, and give him full access to all plans. My Directors would also be obliged, if you would at any interviews with Officials of the Government, when his attendance might be beneficial to the interests of the Company, request him to be present with your representative, notifying the Official or Officials concerned, that Mr. J. A. Russell, is associated with the Company, and therefore in that capacity, that his interests being identical with the Company’s, due attention to his requests may be given by the Government and yourselves. It is quite likely that he may see no good arising from his being present at any interviews, but should such an opposite policy seem desirable, then I would suggest that you should before any such meetings request Mr. J. A. Russell to meet your representative and arrange as to the line of policy pursued. Should any question arise as to his locus standi, then would you please present a copy of this letter to the Official or Officials, showing that he is authorised to do so on behalf of this Company. Mr. J. A. Russell has also been given an authenticated copy of this letter. Would you please also instruct Mr. Mungo Park to give Mr. Russell access to all portions of the land, and to all plans and results of prospecting operations, and also to afford him verbally all such information as he may require. My Directors wish to make it quite clear that Mr. J. A. Russell’s position as an emissary of this Company, in no way supersedes in any respect your legal position as our present Agents and Consulting Engineers. Our agreement with Mr. J. A. Russell specifically mentions that we shall endeavour to obtain the renewal of our prospecting licence, and to apply for all land likely to be coal bearing. We have already requested you to further these objects. Any fees required over and above those necessary in connection with the application you made for the 1,200 acres, will be defrayed by Mr. J. A. Russell. Should Mr. J. A. Russell desire to be supplied with coal for trials, I should be obliged if you would comply with any request made by him. He will defray all expenses in connection with the getting of such coal. Should there be any conflict of opinion between you and Mr. Russell regarding any request he may make to you, would you then refer such matter to me by cable for the decision of my Directors. I am, Dear Sirs, Yours faithfully, (Sgn) C. Leslie. Secretary. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia SEC. SERL 999/1913
Document: U. S. 544/10, No. 5239, Government of Selangor P.L. No. 15/12 Schedule . Under Section 46 of “The Mining Enactment, 1904” Prospecting Licence This licence authorises the Rawang, F.M.S. Coal Syndicate Ltd. of London (a) To prospect for the following metal or mineral- namely Coal and oil for the period of 18 months commencing from the 13th day of January 1912, within the area hereunder described, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in part III of the “Mining Enactment, 1904” (b) To select and receive a lease for the whole or any part of State Land within the area hereunder described on proof to the satisfaction of the Resident that the licensee has done a sufficient amount of prospecting work to entitle him to such a lease. Note. - This licence is liable to cancellation by the Resident if the licensee shall cease altogether to work within the area hereunder described for a period of 6 months. Description of Prospecting Area. The available area within a radius of 3 miles from the adit of the Selangor Coal Field near the 26th mile Rawang- Kuala Selangor Road and also such part of the additional area as lies within the Ulu Selangor district together with such part of the additional area as lies within 80 chains of the District boundary. Dated this 25th day of October, 1912. Fee paid $25/- Sd. Re E. Gordon- Walker, Collector. Rt. 6441/12 Special Conditions (Endorsed on back of License) The licensees shall prospect on the express understanding that no lease will be granted without a proviso to the effect that the Government shall always have the right of entering upon the land for the purpose of mining and taking mineral oil for the ships of H.B.M.’s Navy or for other purposes of H.B.M.’s Admiralty and further subject to such other conditions as may be settled hereafter. The issue of the lease will also be subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for the colonies. Sd. R. E. Gordon- Walker, Collector of land Revenue, Ulu Selangor. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 3943/13
Letter: From District Officer U. Langat, District office, Kajang, 6th November, 1912 to Secretary to Resident, Selangor Kuala Lumpur. Subject. Application by Mr. D. O. Russell for mining rights over agricultural Grant No. 3230 of Ulu Langat. Sir, With reference to your correspondence No. 2728/08, I have the honour to report that Mr. D. O. Russell has renewed the application for mining rights over agricultural grant No. 3230 of Ulu Langat, part of the estate of Khoo Khye Chiah 2. The inspector of mines writes as follows: 1. No damage should accrue to other interests if reasonable care were taken. 2. By open cast methods- the land would be ruined for agricultural purposes afterwards- which could largely be avoided by bucket- dredging.” 3. The land is on the side of the road, and though mostly in lalang it contains durian dusun. A mine in this locality would be a blot on a somewhat picturesque landscape, and I see no reason for recommending that the decision already given be reversed. I have the honour to be Sir, Your obedient servant, F. Gayle, Dictrict Officer, U. Langat. (Attached map) Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 2728/08
The Straits Times, 16 November 1912, Page 12 Dollar Share Values.. A REVIEW OF THE PRESENT POSITION. With Some Forecast Valuations. 0. In continuation of the resurvey of Dollar Share Values, we deal to day with two additional Companies. Our readers are now sufficiently familiar with the principles on which examination is being made to save us the necessity of repeating the explanatory introduction published in our issue of November 13. KAMASAN FORMED JUNE, 1910 Situation of the estate: Two and half miles from Kuala Selanagor Board of directors. John Gibson, R. F. Grey, J. A. Russell, W. H. Totter, A. K. E. Hampshire. Secretaries and Registered officers: Boustead Hampshire and Co. Kuala Lumpur Capital Authorized $250,000 Capital Paid up 190,000 Rubber Outputs Decr. 1911 to October 1912 9,096 lbs. Area of Estate. The area of the state is given in the last annual report (to Decr 31 1911 as follows:- Rubber:- Planted 1907 …70 acres Planted 1908…50 acres Planted 1909 …47 acres Planted 1910…144 acres Planted 1911… 232 acres 543 Reserve, part cleared 176 0. Total 719 Theoretical valuation. A calculation based on Sengat scale, taking the rubber as at December 31,1910, and par value of authorized capital the basis for calculation of dividends, worked out as follows: . Total valuation £20,860 The production so far is a little above scale estimate, and the prospect, from an output point if view, seems promising. Financial Position. (Summary: The article continues with liabilities and assets and a forecast valuation with expected estimated dividends up to the year 1917) (605 words)
From the Singapore and Straits Directory, Fraser and Neave, 1912. SOAS archives

RUSSELL, J. A. & Co.,

Miners, Contractors and Land Agents

14 and 15 Loke Yew Buildings.

Telegraphic Address :-“Jar”

Codes—A. B. C. 5th Edition, Lieber’s,

Broomhall’s Rubber and Western Union

Telephone No. 77. 

 

Partner                          J. A. Russell

Assistant              D. O. Russell E.M. (signs per pro)

Do.                          K. F. Brackenbury

Chief Clerk              M. Packianathan

Clerk                          G. M. Guruswamy

Do                          Lew Kong

Do.                          Kee Sen

Rent Collector   Chuk Tong

Mines Overseer Lew Pow

From the Singapore and Straits Directory, Fraser and Neave, 1912. SOAS archives

THE NEW SERENDAH RUBBER CO., LTD.

                     Directors

 

E. A. O. Travers            J. A. Russell

Frank Harvey                        H. F. Dupuis

                   Russell F. Grey

                      Secretaries

Boustead, Hampshire & Co., Ltd.

Kuala Lumpur.