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For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell


Passengers Overseas. [Articles] . The Straits Times, 11 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 12 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 13 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 17 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 18 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 20 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 21 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 23 February 1914, Page 12, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 23 February 1914, Page 8, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 24 February 1914, Page 8, The Straits Times, 24 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 25 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 26 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 28 February 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 2 March 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 3 March 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 6 March 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 7 March 1914, Page 12, Passengers Overseas. [Articles] The Straits Times, 9 March 1914, Page 12
, The Straits Times, 12 March 1914, Page 12, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 12 March 1914, Page 8, The Straits Times, 13 March 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 14 March 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 17 March 1914, Page 12 Passengers Overseas. FORTHCOMING ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES. Latest Lists. Homeward Bound Per P.and O.str India connecting at Colombo with Moldavia, sailing March 20-….. Mr. J. A. Russell……..

The Straits Times, 18 March 1914, Page 9 and The Malay Daily Chronicle, page 8. SERENDAH HYDRAULIC. Syndicate's Offer and Dividend Outlook. The following is the report of the directors of Serendah Hydraulic Tin Mining Company to be submitted at the eighth ordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held at the company's office, the Pharmacy Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday, 25th inst.:-. The directors now submit the duly audited balance sheet of the Company as at December 31, 1913. The gross profit for the year was $18,099.48. Adding the sum of $4,372.87 brought forward from last account, there is a sum of $21,472.35 available which your directors recommend should be disposed of as follows: (a) Write off the value of the pipe line…$6,754.41 0. Pipe line building and furniture… $7,686.98 Pipe Tools and Plant…$2,879.02 0. Pipe crushing plant…$3,642.60 (b) Carry forward to next account…$509.33 $21,472.35 The company’s share of ore from the tributers during the year was piculs 418.90, realizing the sum of $23,336.65. Negotiations are being conducted with a local syndicate who have offered to take over the mine on a two year’s lease at a fixed monthly premium tribute with an additional percentage on all ore gained, the syndicate to upkeep the pipe line ditches and dams. In the event of these negotiations being satisfactorily concluded practically all management expenses would cease and it is expected that the company would at the end of the year be in a position to resume the payment of dividends. In terms of the articles of association Mr. J.A. Russell now retires from the board but offers himself for re-election. The auditors Messrs. Neill and Bell, retire and offer themselves for re-election.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 18 March 1914, Page 10, The Straits Times, 18 March 1914, Page 12, The Straits Times, 19 March 1914, Page 12, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 20 March 1914, Page 4 PASSENGERS EXPECTED. Per P.and O.str India connecting at Colombo with Moldavia, sailing March 20-….. Mr. J. A. Russell……..

The Straits Times, 23 March 1914, Page 10 and The Malay Daily Chronicle, page 3 Saturday, March 28, 1914 and MALAYAN COLLIERIES. [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 23 March 1914, Page 6
 MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. Preliminary Equipment of The Plant.. Messrs. J. A. Russell and Company, agents and secretaries, have issued the following circular to shareholders in Malayan Collieries, Ltd.:— . With reference to our circular letter to shareholders, of February 2, we have been instructed by the board of directors to inform you that our mine manager, Mr. McCall, having now concluded the sinking into the coal of the trial shafts put down with a view to obtaining working data as to the nature of the coal and covering shales, has thus been able to complete the drawing up of the plans, specifications and report for the full equipment and development upon modern lines of a colliery capable of turning out, screening, washing, and loading into trucks 1,500 tons of coal a day, and that this report and these plans, after having been submitted by your board to the Senior Warden of Mines, have been sent home to the consulting engineers in Cardiff for them to deal with. 0. But the installation of the entire plant will take some little while to effect, and it will be impossible to get every part of it ready for use by the time that the railway is constructed to the pit-head and able to convey coal to the market. So, as the full pumping and winding plant will not be required at the outset when neither pumping nor winding would be heavy (and the same condition will apply to a great deal of the rest of the equipment), and remembering that the market will not at once be able to consume anything like a daily out-turn of 1,500 tons, your directors after consulting with your mine manager, have decided to commence mining operations by only installing to start with a modified selection and adaptation of the full equipment, and have with this in view instructed Messrs. Forster Brown and Rees to order from stock and to ship out with all possible speed only those portions of the plant necessary for the initial development and working of the mine. 0. This preliminary equipment will be capable of handling some 500 tons day; an amount which will probably suffice the market for some little time to come. Its component parts will all be easily procurable from stock. It will be possible to transport it over the company’s cart road to the mine and probably to erect it and get it in working order by the time that the railway is ready to convey coal to the market. The total cost of this will be well within the amount allowed for plant in the company’s prospectus. With very slight modifications it will all fit in with the full equipment when later on that latter comes to be installed. As in the final scheme so in this preliminary one all vital portions of the plant will be in duplicate. 0. It is intended to work the mine by four inclined shafts; two of these will be equipped with rails for haulage and the other two will serve for man-way, pumping and electric cable purposes. By thus duplicating the shafts it is hoped to obviate the risks of a total break-down. A vertical ventilation shaft will also be sunk and cross cut into the workings. When the full plant has been finally installed, this latter shaft, together with a companion vertical haulage shaft, will be continued down into the North Seam and both seams be simultaneously operated. Good progress, it might in conclusion be mentioned, is being made by the Railway Department with the construction of our line to the pit-head. (597 words)

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 27 March 1914, Page 6 Who will succeed the Hon’ble Mr. G. H. Day, when he retires from the Federal council next month? The shortest odds are apparently on Mr. Kenyan- one of the Perak legal fraternity. Other names mentioned when the subject is being discussed among unofficials are- in alphabetical order – H.N. Ferrers, A.K. E. Hampshire, H. P. Robinson, J. A. Russell and H.C.E. Zacharias. It is assumed by everybody that Mr. Macfadyen will succeed Mr Skinner (who goes home later on in the year) as the planting member.- M.M.

Trade of the F.M.S. [Articles] The Straits Times, 2 April 1914, Page 9
 Trade of the F.M.S. MOMENTOUS YEAR FOR RUBBER INDUSTRY. Selangor Chamber of Commerce. At the annual general meeting of the Selangor Chamber of Commerce held at Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Mr. H. C. E. Zacharias presided over a good attendance. From the account of the proceedings in the Malay Mail (Summary: trade figures, tin mining, high price of fuel)“ In this connection it is interesting to record the floatation during the year of Malayan Collieries Limited, to work the Rawang coal measures. The owners anticipate that the colliery will be able to place good commercial coal on the market at a cheaper rate than firewood, or imported coal, and if these hopes are realized this will be of substantial assistance to the mining industry” (Rubber,) (1216 words)

Letter from Drew and Napier, Advocates and Solicitors, Kuala Lumpur, Federated Malay States, to the Secretary to the Resident Selangor. 2 April 1914. Re Malayan Collieries Ltd. Prospecting Licence. . Sir, We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo in this matter. We have seen Mr. J. A. Russell upon your letter and his recollection, coinciding with Mr. Robinson’s recollection, of the result of the interview with the Resident on the 13th January, is that the Resident agreed in principal to the request of the Directors of the Malayan Collieries Ltd. and that the Resident was to consider whether the wording of the condition of the Prospecting Licence could not be modified so as to cover the reasons for its insertion and no more. The reason for its insertion as given to Messrs. J. A. Russell & Company was that it was designed to prevent a monopoly in collieries arising in the Malayan coalfields. The wording of the condition does not deal with this point specifically though of course it is wide enough to affect the object of the Government, but the Directors point is that it not only effects this object but it is also very much wider than what the Government require for the purpose the have in view. The effect of it is that the Company is not only subject to all the requirements of the Mining Enactment, including the clause with regard to employing one cooly per acre, but it also imposes additional liabilities on the Company to work the land in accordance with the wishes of the Resident, which is an addition vague in itself and under it the Company might be called upon to do things in addition to what is required of the Lessees by the Mining Enactment, and these things, as we have said, cannot be known to the lessees until the Resident calls for them to be done. At the interview with the Resident referred to above it was suggested as an alternative that the labour clause of the Mining Enactment should be modified by relieving the lessees from the obligation to employ one cooly per acre, a number which in coal mining it may be impracticable to employ when a large area is taken up. Both Mr. Russell and Mr. Robinson left the interview under the impression that it had been agreed in principle that the Government would meet the Company on one or the other of the alternatives named above. Under these circumstances your letter of reply came as a surprise to the Directors, and we have the honour to request that you will lay this letter before the Resident in order to remind him of the circumstances. The matter is of great importance to the Company which is perfectly willing to agree to any stipulation to effect the prohibition of a monopoly which was the reason for the condition being imposed upon, but, as framed, that condition is a great deal wider than the government require for their purpose and is liable to embarrass the Company in their work to a considerable extent. We have the honour to be, Sir. Your obedient servants, Drew and Napier. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 3943/13

The Straits Times, 8 April 1914, Page 9 ACTING COLONIAL ENGINEER. Farewell Banquet to Mr. Eyre Kenny. Mr. W. Eyre Kenny, Senior Warden of Mines, F. M.S., who is leaving Kuala Lumpur for Singapore to-day to act as Colonial Engineer was on Monday the principal guest of the leading Chinese and European mineowners of the State who entertained him to a dinner at the Selangor Mines’ association. The chair was taken by Mr. J. A Russell, who was supported by Mr. L. Chow Thye, and some thirty or more miners were present. Besides the guest of honour, the only other guests were Mr. Kenny’s successor in office, Mr. G. D. Lucas, the officers of the Selangor Mines Department and the Hon. W. F. Nutt, without whom, as the chairman put it, no Selangor miner’s dinner could possibly be considered complete. 0. Speeches were made in English, Malay and in various and peculiar sounding dialects of Chinese, expressing in all these many tongues the sentiments of esteem and respect with which the whole mining community regarded Mr. Kenny, and also congratulating him on his new appointment, the chairman confidently predicting that in Mr. Kenny’s career would be witnessed a parallel with that of Sir Henry McCallum. Mr. Kenny in a well–worded reply, thanked the miners for their kind sentiments during the evening, and also for their unfailing assistance and good-will during his tenure of the office of Senior Warden. He also gave some interesting anecdotes of experiences in may parts of the world during the course of a very varied career. 0. The Hon. W. F. Nutt, in replying for the other guests, spoke on many problems vital to the interests and to the welfare of miners, and especially Chinese miners in the F.M.S. (283 words)

Letter from O. F. Stonor, Secretary to the Resident, to Messrs. Drew and Napier, Advocates and Solicitors, Kuala Lumpur. 9th April 1914. Gentlemen, In reply to your letter of the 2nd April on the subject of the Prospecting License held by “the Malayan Collieries Ltd.” I am directed to say that the Resident has no recollection of having agreed to anything at the interview referred to except that he would be willing to consider any further representations that the Company wish to make on the matter. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Sd. O.F. Stoner secretary to the Resident, Selangor. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 3943/13

The Malay Mail, Thursday April 9, 1914, page 9 Selangor Miners. Annual General Meeting The Years Working. The annual general meeting of the Selangor Miners’ Association was held on the 3rd instant at the Association’s Building. Mr. J. A. Russell being in the chair. The Chairman, in reviewing the work of the year, mentioned that the two most important items of work done were, firstly, the drafting up and presenting to Government of a lengthy petition on various matters affecting the interests of the mining industry in Selangor, and secondly the arrangement whereby the Selangor Association became affiliated with the F.M.S. Chamber of Mines and obtained representation on the Council. Since the presentation of their petition it was noticeable that the Government was not so drastic in its enforcement of many of the regulations and restrictions regarding which the petition complained. The thanks of the Committee were due to Mr. Mungo Park and the others who had done so much good work in connection with preparing this petition. The suggestion, when the question of joining the F.M.S. Chamber was mooted, that he, the Chairman of the Association, had made to the effect that the Selangor body should be abolished had met with strong opposition, members feeling that such a step would be premature until the F.M.S. Chamber had been in existence a sufficiently long enough time to prove that it really did represent F.M.S. interests and was not merely the old Perak Chamber under a new name. It would moreover, to prove that it not only represented European interests but, like the Selangor Association, also represented the interests of the Chinese mine owner. This being the feeling, he had withdrawn his suggestion, and it had been decided that the Selangor Miners’ Association should not be dissolved. Their membership now numbered 90 members, individual or mining firms. In September last they had dispensed with the services of their Assistant Secretary, but it being found that there was more work to do than the present Secretary, Mr. Lo Man Kam, could adequately cope with, and it was imperative that they should engage an extra Secretary, preferably a European. The thanks of the Association were due to Messrs. Huttenbach and Co. for presenting them with an electric light installation and to Mr. Choo Kia Peng for raising from members during the early part of the year a special donation fund; and also to Mr. L. Chow Thye for a special loan for the Association. Mr. J. A. Russell was then elected President, while Mr. Choo Kia Peng was elected Vice President for the coming year, Mr. L. Chow Thye did not wish to stand as he intended very shortly leaving for China. The usual European and Chinese Committee for the Kuala Lumpur District and outstations were then elected. Increased Wharfage Dues on Tin. After the election a discussion took place on the increased wharfage fees on tin and tin ore charged at Port Swettenham. The feeling was very strong that the Government should have notified the miners about this proposed increase. It was understood that the European Chamber of Commerce had been consulted, but not the miners who would have to pay the increased charges on tin and tin ore. The Government would not have consulted the Miners’ Association on the subject of the import of soap or beer, or the European Chamber of Commerce on questions connected with planting, therefore it was not right that that a question affecting the greatest industry of the country should be referred to by the Government to a body of import traders, and the miners themselves, presumably by an oversight, forgotten. The question was for this reason, quite as much one of principle as of the actual amount of the fresh impost; although that latter would be no inconsiderable amount. The subject had been referred to the F.M.S. Chamber of Mines who had written promising to take up the matter strongly. There was also reason to believe that tin dealers in Singapore would also be willing to assist them in moving in the matter. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 13 April 1914, Page 12 Passengers. Per Perak….J. A Russell….

The Straits Times 13 April 1914, Page 8 and The Malay Mail Thursday April 9. 1914, page 9: Mining Within Town Limits. An application from Mr. J. A. Russell to mine 9 acres of land situated in Sungei Besi township was considered at the last meeting of the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board and, on the suggestion of the chairman, it was resolved to recommend that the application be granted on a ten year’s lease providing for the filling up of the holes as work proceeds, also for compliance with the Board’s instructions as to drainage, stagnant water etc. Mr Choo Kia Peng and Mr H P Clodd disagreed on the ground that it would be creating a precedent if mining operations were allowed within the Sanitary Board’s area.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 15 April 1914, Page 240 and The Malayan Tin and Rubber Journal 27 April Vol. III, No 8 p. 31 LOCAL WIRES. Kuala Lumpur. April 14. Kuala Lumpur April 9. The annual meeting of the Selangor Mining association was held on April 3, Mr. J. A. Russell presiding. In reviewing the year’s work he mentioned the affiliation with the F.M.S. Chamber of Mines and said there was a strong objection by the members to abolishing the Chamber till the F.M.S. Chamber had existed long enough to prove that it did not need the Selangor Chamber. Mr. Russell was re elected President and a discussion took place re the Government action in imposing increased wharfage fees upon tin at Port Swettenham without consulting the Chamber.

The Malay Mail, 2 May, 1914, page 8. Mr. J. A. Russell has taken larger officers on the first floor of Loke Yew Buildings.

Malay Mail Wednesday, May 20th, 1914 and Untitled [Articles] The Straits Times, 22 May 1914, Page 8. Untitled [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 22 May 1914, Page 6
 Two thousand part- paid shares in the Malayan Collieries, Ltd., were put up for sale on Saturday last by the Chinese Industrial Bank, and were bought by Mr. Loke Chow Kit at $2.50 per share.

The Malay Daily Chronicle. Ipoh, Friday 29th May 1914 The Tin And Rubber Crisis. It is noteworthy that whilst unpopular taxation may always be resented, particularly during a fall in the prices of manufactured commodities intended for export, the total qualities of these commodities tend to increase and not diminish. This observation is particularly applicable at the present time in Perak. There can be no mistake now that the country has entered the sphere of severe crisis which will require delicate management. Rubber has again fallen in value and the price of tin remains down at a figure at which many mines, except those worked by hydraulic power, must be unprofitable. The effect will not be at once visible. The F.M.S. will never arrive perhaps at the state of labour revolt lately existing in Colorado; nor is it likely that miners and planters will ever engage in a strike extending over a year. But, as the State is the supreme landlord over all the land of the country, discontent will demand from it redress of grievances connected with the slump in price. Already the reaction from activity and prosperity to stagnation has reached Selangor. The news published of the manifest discontent of the Chinese coolies in Kuala Lumpur is serious. The effect of the closing of the mines near Gopeng will have no less influence upon the fortunes of the community. At such a moment one may ask is the Government to stand idle and wait until industrious coolies become criminals, and larceny and housebreaking begin to flourish? If mining on the large scale and if rubber planting cannot pay expenses, unemployment must increase. Another difficulty arises. When the price of tin was satisfactory, the demand was for more labour, in order that operations be extended. Now, when the price has fallen, work cannot continue and there is no longer a demand for labour. The old established mines are able to stand the strain of the collapse in the tin market, but the small companies of mining coolies under a headman with no capital and depending on the advance system are the first to feel the effects and become bankrupt. Yet these are the very backbone of the mining industry. They are to mining what the tramp steamer is to the British trade. The are ready to wander into unfelled jungle, to begin operations even in the rudest manner, and seek for good samples provided that subsistence only be assured them. When they have opened the road and discovered the tin deposit, their success will encourage their friends to increase their numbers, until the developed land has led to the necessity of deep mining. If such men are overwhelmed by disaster, the whole mining community of Perak suffers For these men, if out of employment, the State ought to take some thought. The Public Works as yet not commenced should be set in hand at once. The work of constructing new roads projected should be given on contract without delay; and the railway extensions ought to be undertaken at the most opportune moment. Wages have fallen in almost all mines worked by Chinese towkays in the Ampang, Tabun and Menglenbu Districts. The rate is now sixty cents without food, a fall of twenty cents at least. Unfortunately the price of provisions has, owing to the fact that the F.M.S. are dependent upon supplies from abroad, not shown any decline. The demand for ready cash by shopkeepers is almost universal. The receipts among the class of shopkeepers, supplying coolies and mines in Ipoh, have shown a fifty per cent decrease. Where a shopkeeper in the early part of the year received twelve hundred dollars a day for supplies delivered to coolies and mines, he succeeds in obtaining now barely six hundred dollars. As the profit in these shops depends altogether upon the turn -over of trade upon a large output, and in the case of rice, vegetables and dried fish, and other necessities, rarely exceeds one per cent, the tremendous decrease in the volume of their trade is followed by such a reduction of gross profit as to render the possibility of a net profit very remote. If this state of affairs continues, liquidation must supervene in the in the case of several respectable firms, overcome by disaster due to fluctuations in the price of the two raw materials exported by the States. There appears to be no method short of some insurance scheme, by which provisions against losses due to a fall in prices and the consequent loss of trade can be secured. It is not surprising that some of the small firms, including the moneylenders, have closed their business and endeavoured to collect their capital and outstanding debts by forcible measures. The only ray of hope on the horizon is the knowledge that, as far as tin is concerned, these fluctuations of price are to be expected. Perak recovered from the fearful slump of 1895 and from the equally trying catastrophe of 1908. She will recover from that of the present year; but her people now need sympathy ad assistance. As for rubber one can only be a Cassandra.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 15 June 1914, Page 6 and Untitled [Articles] The Straits Times, 15 June 1914, Page 10 Mr. G.D. Russell, of Kuala Lumpur, was on a brief visit to Canada last month. He crossed by the Empress of Britain, and judging from a letter received by one of his friends here, had intended to return by the Empress of Ireland. Luckily however, the date did not fit with his arrangements, and it is definitely known that he was not on the ill-fated ship. Mr J. A Russell received a telegram to this effect after the disaster. M.M.

The Straits Times 11 July 1914 Page 9 UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE F.M.S. Government Proposals to Meet Difficulty FOOC KL July 10 At the request of the Selangor miners, Mr. J. A. Russell and Choo Kia Peng called on the Resident the other day to discuss the unemployment of mining coolies and suggested that the Government should prepare for the continuation or aggravation of the evil. The Resident discussed the matter fully and said Government were already giving the matter attention. Should matters grow worse, they would undertake several large labour employing works.

From J.H.M. Robson: Records and Recollections (1889-1934) Kyle and Palmer, 1934, pages 62-64 "When War Broke Out. On Sunday, August 3rd, 1914, Germany declared war on France. On Monday. August 4th, 1914, Great Britain declared war on Germany. A special meeting of the Selangor Chamber of Commerce with A.K.E. Hampshire in the chair was held at Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, August 2nd, 1914, to consider the position in the event of War being declared. Many views were expressed at this meeting: various suggestions were agreed to and certain lines of action were approved. The latter included the appointment then and there of an Emergency Committee consisting of the Hon. Mr. E. B. Skinner (planter), the Hon. Mr. W. F. Nutt (Straits Trading Co.), the Hon. Mr. Eric Macfadyen (planter), A, K. E. Hampshire (merchant), P. de C. Morris (Hongkong and Shanghai Bank), J. Argyll Robertson (Chartered Bank of I.A. & C.), J. H. M. Robson (Malay Mail Press Co.), J. A. Russell (miner and property owner) and H. C. E. Zacharias (Secretary, Planters' Association of Malaya) with P. W. Gleeson as Secretary. The immediate objective of this Emergency Committee was to interview the Acting British Resident (in the absence of the Acting Chief Secretary to Government) and the Under Secretary to Government, F.M.S., in order to place before these high officials the various suggestions made and conclusions arrived at by the Selangor Chamber of Commerce in special meeting assembled. The Emergency Committee was to remain in office as a means of placing before the Government "the views of the public" and was only to be dissolved by its own resolution. The official interview took place. My personal impression is that both E. M. Burnside (acting Resident) and J. F. Owen (Under Secretary to Government, F.M.S.) were surprised at being asked to meet us. They were polite but somewhat chilly, although the popular J. F. Owen was the friend of everybody present. No doubt nerves were a little on edge at such an anxious time and the Government representatives probably thought we were taking too much upon ourselves in telling them what we thought they ought to do. We said that owing to the extremely critical state of affairs it was essential that the Acting Chief Secretary to Government (R. G. Watson,) should return at once to Kuala Lumpur from a hill station where he was at the moment. He did so and probably would have done so in any case; but it was understood at the time that he resented being "called" back to headquarters. In the light of what we know now of Selangor during the War years, some of the suggestions made by the local Chamber of Commerce at the beginning of August 1914 make somewhat quaint rending. One was that in the event of a run on the banks, the Government should authorise the banks to pay out a part only of the money asked for. Actually there was no run on the banks. Various suggestions were made to ensure the maintenance of law and order, including the concentration of Volunteers in mufti in the mining centres, the appointment of a military man as Adjutant to the Volunteers (the holder of the appointment was ill), the withdrawal of some of the Malay Police from the rural districts to head-quarters, the keeping open of the telegraph and telephone offices day and night, the regulation of food prices, the arming of guards and other officials on goods trains to prevent said trains being raided at stations, and the supply of search-lights for the use of Volunteers on night duty. As the War might "continue for a considerable time" thought the members of the Chamber of Commerce, it was suggested that planters should be asked to plant up small areas of their estates with quick growing food crops. It was also agreed at the special meeting that the Government be requested to suspend the working of the Labour Code, so far as it concerned the payment of coolies' wages in full. Rut what was troubling the unofficial community more than anything else at the moment was the fact that the Metal Market had closed in London so there was no market for tin. It was naturally thought that this might lead to serious local disturbances. So it was decided to ask the Government to approve of the two big tin smelting companies advancing, under Government guarantee, 50% on the value of tin ore, based on the price when the Metal Exchange closed, and W. F. Nutt was requested to proceed to Singapore to consult with his Directors with a view to bringing the facts of the tin position before the High Commissioner. (R. J. Wilkinson was then acting Governor and High Commissioner. Sir Arthur Young returned in September). To quote from the records of the Selangor Chamber of Commerce : — "A meeting subsequently took place at Government House, Singapore, and an arrangement was come to by which the F.M.S. Government created a market for tin at $60 and purchased through the European smelters at that price….. It is interesting at this juncture to note that owing to the financial stringency of the F.M.S., due to financing the Siamese and other foreign loans, the F.M.S. Government, though possessing sound securities, was not in a position owing to shortage of ready cash to finance the tin purchases and the S.S. Government therefore had to come to its assistance. "There is little doubt that the timely assistance of Government in creating a market at $60 saved the tin industry from a serious set back and the Native States from a serious crisis."

The Straits Times, 5 August 1914, Page 10, Malay Mail, 7 August 1914, p.15 and The Malay Daily Chronicle, Thursday August 6 1914, and MALAYAN COLLIERIES. [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 4 August 1914, Page 12 MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. . Mine Manager Describes Progress Of Borings. The first annual report of the directors of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., for the year ended June 30, to be presented at the general meeting at Kuala Lumpur on the 22nd inst., runs as follows:- . TITLE.— The company's mining certificate has now been exchanged for mining lease No. 2549, district of Ulu Selangor, over an area of 1,282 acres. The balance of the concession, however is still held under a prospecting licence giving the company the right at any time to select, at a premium of $5 an acre, the whole or any part of the land covered by it. 0. Prospecting.- Further prospecting was carried on throughout the year. The coal area proved extends beyond the boundaries of the land so far under lease, and it is intended to convert more of the concession to leasehold land, applying for a renewal of the prospecting licence over the balance. 0. Management.- The directors were of the opinion that it was advisable in laying out their plant to secure the advice and services of the very best home consulting engineers to be obtained, and also to engage a mine manager who had practical experience as a manager of a large home colliery. With this end in view they engaged in the first capacity the services of Messrs. Forster Brown and Rees of Cardiff and London, one of the largest firms of consulting colliery engineers in Great Britain, and these latter on behalf of the Company selected and engaged as mine- engineer Mr. T.L. McCall. Mr. McCall, however, was unable to leave the Ormiston collieries until the end of the year, which made a delay of some months; but the directors thought it better to incur this delay rather than to secure as manager a man not so well recommended. Arrangements are now being made at home to engage an assistant manager, and a mechanical-electrical engineer. 0. System of Working.- Mr. McCall after his arrival was first engaged in obtaining data regarding, and consulting with the directors concerning, the particular system by which the mine should be worked: that is to say, whether by open cast, by vertical shafts sunk to meet the seam at the 300ft level, or by means of inclined shafts sunk on the outcrop. The latter was the method finally decided upon. 0. Mines.- The mine will be worked by two diverging haulage inclines which should insure a regular and continuous output capable of being at any time considerably expanded beyond the initially intended supply of 500 tons per diem. A shallow vertical ventilation shaft is being sunk between these two haulage mines. 0. Plant.- In a circular to shareholders issued on March 20 it was stated that the directors hoped the 500 ton per day installation that is being erected could all be obtained from stock. Unfortunately this anticipation has proved to be wrong, the most of the plant having to be specially manufactured. The majority of it has now been inspected under trail by our consulting engineers, passed, and is on its way out. In the meantime to avoid delay in opening up, a temporary and locally obtained plant has been installed. 0. Railway.-The Government railway line to the collieries is well in hand, and is estimated to be completed by the end of the year. A brick- kiln has been started on the concession to supply the needs of the mine, and probably also those of the railway. 0. Telephone.-The government has agreed to connect up the Colliery with the telephone system. 0. Directorate.- Mr. Tan Chay Yan, having been unable to attend three consecutive meetings of the board, in accordance with the articles of association of the company resigned his seat. The board do not consider it necessary to elect at present another director in his place. The Government have not availed themselves of the right for which they asked to nominate a Government Official to a seat on the board. The retiring directors are Mr. J.A. Russell and Mr. Foo Choo Choon, who being eligible offer themselves for re- election. The auditors, Messrs F. W. Barker and Co retire, and offer themselves for re election for the ensuing year. 0. Mine Manager’s Report. 0. For the half year ending June 30, Mr. McCall, the mine manager, reports from Rawang under date June 30:- 0. On assuming duties at the mine at the beginning of this year, the first steps taken were to examine the field and prepare plans and reports for Messrs. Forster Brown and Rees, your consulting engineers. These plans and reports having met with your approval were dispatched towards the end of February. In order to expedite matters, I assumed that Messrs. Forster Brown and Rees would agree to the general outline of the plan and according put down a few shallow bores in the neighbourhood of the inclines or mines, by which mines the coal will be brought to the surface. These bores were necessary for the purpose of starting the mines to catch the coal at the correct inclination. This work was finished by the end of April. 0. On receipt of a cablegram from the consulting engineers, stating that the plans submitted had met with their approval, the south mine or incline to the main coal seam was stated on May 22. Owing to a spell of dry weather the incline was driven down without the use of pumps until June 6 by which time the distance on the slope from the surface was 55 feet. At this juncture work had to be suspended owing to the flooding of the mine due to the resumption of the rains. A temporary boiler and pump were installed and work on the incline was resumed on June 17, coal was struck some 76 feet (on the slope) from the surface and the mine is now 10 feet into coal. The north mine or incline to this same seam was started on June 16 and is making good progress. The coal as shown in the south mine is hard and compact and so far is free from shale bands. It is being burnt in the temporary boiler with satisfactory results. There is a minimum of ash, the small quality that there is being fine dust. There is no clinkering and the fuel is almost smokeless. I cannot yet report on its storing qualities. 0. The road in the coalfield, through the jungle, has been widened out and the bridges have been rebuilt. It is now possible to bring in sufficient machinery over this road to develop the mine, until such time as the railway may be through. There is good brick clay on the property and a brick kiln is in the course of erection, which will be shortly producing. Further borings for coal are now in progress on the lands over which the company have prospecting rights. A kedai has been erected on the mine and is open for the sale of provisions, etc. The labour employed is Chinese throughout, and I am glad to be able to state that the general health of the workface has been good. 0. 1196 words) 0. Document: Malayan Collieries Limited, Directors Report and Statement of Accounts. For the year Ending 30th June 1914. To be Presented at the first Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Registered Offices, 8,9 and 10, Loke Yew Buildings, Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, the 22nd day of August, 1914, at 10 a.m. (Content as reported by The Straits Times, of 5 August 1914, Page 10) Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 2/2144

The Malay Mail, Thursday, August 6, 1914 and Selangor Miners. [Articles] The Straits Times, 8 August 1914, Page 10 Selangor Miners. KEEPING ORDER AND HELPING DESTITUTE. F.M.S. Government Thanked. 0. A meeting of practically all the leading mine-owners in Selangor was held on Wednesday evening at the Selangor Miners' association building in Kuala Lumpur, with Mr. J. A. Russell in the chair. The Malay Mail says the meeting was perhaps the most largely attended of any meeting of mine owners ever held in Selangor. Although only convened at the shortest of notice, leading mine- owners arrived by the evening mail from Kuala Kubu and the other out- stations to attend. There was great applause when the chairman mentioned that they had been given to understand that the government would support and protect the tin- mining industry whatever happened. The present arrangements were explained and questions answered. Mr. A.A. Henggeler informed the meeting of the arrangements made for buying ore containing wolfram. Mine owners were exhorted to act together and loyally to support the government in keeping order and helping those destitute. The following resolutions were all passed nem.con., the vote of thanks to the Government and the resolutions to keep mines open and to allow coolies to work mines co-operatively being carried with enthusiasm:- 0. Resolutions Passed. 0. 1. The representatives of the mining community of the State of Selangor here assembled wish to express to the F.M.S. Government their deepest and sincerest gratitude and appreciation of the action of the Government in supporting the tin market, and, by the purchase of tin at the present juncture, thus averting a terrible calamity. And it is further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Chief Secretary and to the British Resident, Selangor. 0. Committees of management. 0. 2. The representatives of the mining community of Selangor here assembled also wish to express their gratitude and appreciation of the action of the Government in taking steps to control the sale of foodstuffs. 0. 3. This meeting does hereby resolve that it is the duty of the mine- owners in the State to assist the Government to the fullest extent of their power and ability in keeping open and at full work all tin mines owned by them. 0. 4. This meeting does hereby resolve that any mine worked at a loss on wages should not be closed down and the labour force disbanded, but that the mine should be handed over to the coolies to work on the fan-tszka or co-operative system. 0. 5. This meeting does hereby resolve that it notes with approval the decision of the Government temporarily to suspend the provisions of the Labour Code as regards truck and the payment of coolies. 0. 6. This meeting does hereby resolve that all mine- owners be asked during the continuance of the present crisis to feed their coolies and to pay each coolie a sum of two dollars a month, the balance of wages over and above such amount of $2 to be settled in cash, after deducting the net cost price of provisions supplied, on the return to normal conditions. 0. 7. This meeting does hereby resolve that mine- owners be asked to reduce all mine wages by a minimum reduction of twenty per cent upon the rate of wages now being paid. 0. 8. This meeting does hereby resolve that it is the opinion of the meeting that there is no reason why the mining industry and trade in general of the State should not continue quietly and calmly until such time as the affairs of the world are again more normal. 0. 9. This meeting does hereby resolve that a circular embodying these resolutions shall be printed in the Chinese language and issued to mine- owners and others in the State of Selangor. 0. Committee of management 0. 10. This meeting does hereby resolve that a committee be formed to arrange for the distribution of notices in Chinese informing the Chinese community of the present Government tin buying arrangements and of other matters that arise or may from time to time arise in connection with the present situation and the preservation of tranquility amongst the Chinese mining community, and it is further resolved that this committee consist of the President of the Selangor Miners’ Association Mr. J. A. Russell, the Vice president of the Selangor Miners’ Association Mr. Cho Kia Peng, and the following gentlemen representing the Cantonese, Kheh and Hokkien mining communities:- Mr. L. Kong Lam, M.C. Mr. Chan Sow Lin, M.C. Mr. C. Kam Chuan, Mr. Chong Yoke Choy, Mr. Yap Loong Hin, Mr. San Ah Wing, Mr. Low Leong Gan, Mr. Khoo Hock Cheong and Mr. Loke Chow Kit. The following resolution was proposed by Mr. L. Man Pan and seconded by Mr. Koh Yew Kee, the chairman alone dissenting:- This meeting does hereby resolve that the Government be asked during the continuation of the present crisis to remit the collection of duty upon firewood used upon mines.

The Straits Times, 19 August 1914, Page 10 Government and Miners. The following letter has been received by Mr. J. A. Russell, as chairman of the meeting of Selangor miners held on August 5, acknowledging the receipt from him of a letter expressing the vote of thanks to the Government for supporting the tin market, passed at that meeting. Sir, - I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant and to say that the Resident is gratified to learn that the action of the Government has given such general satisfaction to the mine owners of the State and that he thanks them for the expression of their gratitude and appreciation. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant (Sd.) O.F. Stonor, Secretary to Resident, Selangor.

The Malay Mail, Thursday, August, 27, 1914. Rawang Coal. The Collieries’ Meeting. Chairman’s Statement. The first annual general meeting of the shareholders in the Malayan Collieries, Ltd., was held on the 22nd inst., at the registered offices of the company, Loke Yew Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, Mr. J. A. Russell (the Chairman) presiding. Mr. P.P. Spradbery, for the agents and secretaries, having read the notice convening the meeting and the report of the auditors. The Chairman in the course of his speech said:- I should first like to explain that our original reason for fixing this day of the week and this hour for the holding of our general meeting was that it might fit in with the Race Meeting intended to take place today. We thought it possible that the racing fixture would bring many Perak, Penang, and other distant share holders to Kuala Lumpur, while by holding our own meeting as early at 10 o’clock in the morning, shareholders could still get away in time to attend the lotteries at eleven thirty. Unfortunately for us all a temporary crisis has since arisen, and race meetings like other more important matters have had for the time being to be suspended. ( Rest of meeting as reported in The Straits Times, 28 August 1914, Page 10.M See below)

Malayan Collieries. [Articles] The Straits Times, 28 August 1914, Page 10 and edited version in RAWANG COAL. [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 31 August 1914, Page 10
 Malayan Collieries. 0. PAST YEAR'S WORK ON RAWANG COALFIELDS. Present Position and Prospects. The first annual general meeting of the shareholders in the Malayan Collieries, Ltd., was held on the 22nd inst., at the registered offices of the company, Loke Yew Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, Mr. J. A. Russell (the Chairman) presiding. A report of the chairman’s speech is sent to us by the secretaries, Messrs, J. A. Russell and Co. The chairman in the course of his speech said:- 0. The report and accounts of the company showing the year’s working to June 30 last have been in your hands for some time, and I shall, therefore, ask you to take them as read. The accounts, which are from the formation of the company till the end of June, are, I think, self-explanatory. The total preliminary expenses incurred, not including brokerage, have been found to be $5,585.58, of which amount, in accordance with the terms of the prospectus, the vendor has now to refund the sum of $585.58. From the Directors’ and the mine manager’s reports before you, you will have learned briefly what we have done up to June 30, and the position of the mine at that date, and I should like now, after this further six months, emphatically to confirm what I said at the statutory meeting of this company; that is, that everything that has so far transpired in the development of your property has but tended to confirm the statements made in the prospectus. The prospectus at the time was described, perhaps cynically so, as “ an extremely glowing one”: the year’s working has proved the potentialities and prospects of what is popularly known as the Rawang Coalfields to be equally “glowing”. Quality of the Coal. Our coal in fact is all that it was claimed for it, while the Main Seam, which is the seam we are now developing, would, so far as we have opened it up, appear to be with regard to freedom from shale bands even better than was anticipated. The coal is perhaps harder in texture than was thought, but despite this extra hardness it is not believed that the working costs per ton as estimated in the prospectus will be exceeded. We are ourselves already in a position to turn out a certain amount of coal, and have had numbers of enquiries for consignments of it, we presume for trial, from the local shipping interests, engine ring firms, mines and others; but until the railway is through we can supply nothing. We are, however, using out coal for our own plant and with great success. The Chinese engine- drivers upon the coalfield, who have previously worked on mines using Indian fuel, tell us that they can obtain from our Rawang coal more satisfactory results than could they formally get from Indian stuff, and this I tell you for what it is worth. We wish, however, to be perfectly frank with our shareholders, and I must warn you that on certain points, such for instance as the coal’s storage properties, we have not yet had sufficient experience to guide as at arriving at a definitive conclusion; but I can and do say that indications on all these points are on the whole favourable, and that none of them are of sufficient importance to outweigh the many good qualities of the fuel. 0. The majority of our permanent plant has now arrived, or should be arriving in a day or two at Port Swettenham. That which has already arrived is in the process of being carted from Rawang to the coalfield, where foundations to receive it are in the course of construction. Plant and management. 0. Messrs. Foster, Brown and Rees, our consulting engineers at home, in conjunction with our mine manager, have drawn up very full plans, and have purchased and tested for us all our plant. In order to obtain the best plant at the cheapest prices, a contract has been given for the whole amount to one firm, but the supply has been split up amongst some twenty firms. Messrs. Forster, Brown and Rees have called for tenders for each separate part of the plant, specifying exactly down to the minutest details what we require, and seeing that we get our requirements. This is the value of our employing the best colliery engineers to be obtained; their fee may be high, but in specifying for machinery, and for all the hundreds of articles used in the equipment of a mine, one has the advantage of their years of experience in managing many of the largest collieries in the British Isles; and in daily using themselves the very articles which we require; they know how to get the best and cheapest of everything, and, moreover, no commission is charged on purchases. 0. You will see by the directors’ report that arrangements are now being made to engage an underground assistant mine manager and an engineer from home. Well, we have thought it our duty to cancel the engagement of the engineer, and take on a local man, one who has been most highly recommended to us. In times like these, if we can possibly do so with safety, we must do what we can to assist local men. We do not think it safe or possible, however, to engage out here the class of man that we want as an assistant mine- manager, one that is, who has had years of practical experience in all branches, including the lower ones, of actual coal winning; so our assistant manager we shall be obtaining from home. With regard to the system of working I should like to assure you that your directors have gone very thoroughly into the question and have only adopted the system which they have done after full consideration of many other methods. 0. The Government have promised that their railway line shall be ready for the transportation of coal by the end of this year. There is at present pending between the Government and ourselves a question as to who shall pay for the marshalling sidings; but the Chief Secretary has verbally assured us that any delay in coming to a decision upon this matter will not affect the actual time of completion. 0. We shall require for use on the mine a considerable number of bricks, and having very excellent clay and abundant fuel we have found it cheaper to erect a kiln and make our own bricks than to purchase these bricks in Kuala Lumpur and cart them to the coalfield. The acting Chief Resident Engineer for Construction has informed us that if our bricks are of good quality, and we can deliver them on the line, he is prepared to take a considerable number form us, while when the line is open we hope to place them on the Kuala Lumpur market. The Proposed Call. 0. I now come to a matter about which I am sure you are all anxious to hear; I refer to the call which has been made of $1 payable on or before the last of September next. Several shareholders have asked the secretaries whether it is not possible in view of the present crisis to defer this call. It has been pointed out that most companies are deferring their calls until the advent of more normal times and it is inquired why this company cannot do likewise. As announced by a circular issued to shareholders on February 2 last, the policy of this company’s board was, and is, to make calls as infrequent and easy as possible. I do not think that any shareholder when applying for shares in the company ever for a moment thought it would be over a year before the first call would be made, or that when made such call would be only one of a dollar; but by the practice of a rigid economy upon the part of the board, and I think I can also say by good management, this happy result has been achieved. Prospectus estimates are generally exceeded, and in the same manner that at the time of floatation of this company many voiced their opinion, even in the public press, that the facts stated in the prospectus were incorrect, so it was also said that our estimates were bound to be exceeded. Well, we have not only so far kept within our estimates, but we have kept well within them, and we shall endeavor in future to be as careful in the matter of making calls as we have hitherto been. But this present call must be made, and must be made now. The amount of our plant we have reduced to a minimum consistent with safety and efficiency, but this minimum has all been ordered and made, and must now be paid for. There is the freight and insurance and the transport upon it to meet; it has to be erected; there are foundations now being built, and bungalows and stores being put up. We shall want money for all these. I might mention that only essential development work upon the mine is being carried out, and that our labour wages have all been reduced; although of course we have not paid off any old hands wishing to remain on, and willing to work. We have work enough for all. 0. Two installments of 50 Cents. 0. By carefully arranging our finances I am now able to announce to you at this meeting that we shall be prepared to receive the call in two installments of fifty cents each: the first installment to be paid on or before September 10, and the second on or before November. Shareholders’ certificates will not be endorsed as having had the call paid until both installments have been paid in full, and I would earnestly ask such shareholders as can do so to pay the whole of their call straight away. But in justice to those shareholders who do pay, the company cannot afford to be lenient to those who don’t, and I must therefore warn you that if by the dates I have mentioned the installments of call upon any shares remain unpaid, steps will be taken under section 21 and 22 of the Company’s Articles of Association to forfeit such shares. 0. In conclusion I would add that there being so many Chinese shareholders in this company many of whom probably do not read English, it is intended to send to each Chinese shareholder a translation in Chinese of the report and accounts and of these remarks of mine. I think that this is all I have to say, and I will now formally move that the directors report and accounts be received and adopted, which I shall ask Mr. Henggeler to second; but before putting the motion to the meeting I shall be pleased to answer to the best of my ability any questions which any shareholder may desire to put. 0. No questions being asked, Mr. Henggeler seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. The formal business was next transacted, and a vote of thanks to the agents and secretaries and another to the chairman and directors terminated the proceedings. 0. (1880 words)

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 31 August 1914, Page 10 RAWANG COAL. The first annual general meeting of the shareholders in the Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Edited version of article in The Straits Times, 28 August 1914, Page 10 ( See above)

Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 28 August 1914, Page 6, Page 16 Advertisements Column 3 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 31 August 1914, Page 16 and Page 16 Advertisements Column 3 [Advertisements] 0. The Straits Times, 2 September 1914, Page 16 Page 16 Advertisements Column 3 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 3 September 1914, Page 16 MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED Re first Call of $1 per share.Payable 1st September 1914 (making $7 per share call up). 0. Notice is hereby given that the above call may be paid in two instalments of fifty cents each, the first instalment to be paid on or before the 10th September, 1914, and the second instalment on or before the 10th November 1914. Certificates will not be endorsed as having the call paid until both instalments have been paid in full. Steps will be taken to forfeit shares upon which instalments have not been paid by the abovementioned dates. By Order of the Board, J.A.RUSSELL & CO.,. Agents and Secretaries Loke Yew Building, Kuala Lumpur.

F.M.S. Trade Returns. [Articles] The Straits Times, 5 September 1914, Page 9. F.M.S. Trade Returns. SIGNS OF DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS. Phenomenal Increases. The voluminous report of Mr. Firmstone, Commissioner of Trade and Customs, is published with a recent issue of the F.M.S. Gazette and is brimful of information on the economic year of the F.M.S. We give below some of the main (Summary: trade, weak food supplies, “ Coal was an import of nearly $700,000 in value. We may, however, look for a change in the future. The formation of the Malayan Collieries Limited, for the development of the Rawang coal-field took place last year. Mining has not yet begun, but is waiting for the completion of the branch railway to the mining area. If, as is hoped, the venture is a success, with coal available at our doors, it will be recognized that the country will be possessed of an asset of great value, bound to add to its wealth and prosperity” (railway, ports, steamers, records of trade returns.) 0. (1848 words)

The Malay Mail, Friday October, 23, 1914 and The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 28 October 1914, Page 8 MALAYAN MINERS. [Articles] MALAYAN MINERS. Government's Buying Rate Mr. J. A. Russell writes to the Editor of the Malay Mail as follows:- Sir, In the issue of the Malay Mail of yesterday I notice that your Ipoh correspondent criticizes the Government for reducing their tin buying price from $6O to $57 a pikul. It is not however, generally known that the Government’s lowest buying limit has from the first been stated by them to be this figure of $57, but that though at this limit the Government said they would be prepared to purchase the whole of the F.M.S. tin production for a period, if necessary, of six months, still they would endeavor if it could possibly be done to give miners a higher rate of $60 a pikul. The Selangor Miner’s Association, fearing that the Government resources might be inadequate to the strain of continuing to purchase at $60, asked me to approach them with a suggestion that miners should have the option either of selling outright at $60 or of taking an advance only. Presumably the Government funds were ample, for they refused to consider the scheme put before them. The Government is now reducing the buying price to their limit of $57 are thus not breaking any former promise; but, unfortunately although the Selangor Miner’s Association did their best at the time to make known the conditions on which Government intended to purchase, it is feared that many Chinese miners paid but little heed to what the association said on this subject. The reason for this lack of attention to what the association had to say was due to the Government not dealing more directly with the various mining associations of the F.M.S. so that Chinese miners became skeptical as to how much the association really knew. It has consequently and unhappily become firmly fixed in the minds of the majority of Chinese miners that the Government’s minimum price was always intended to be $60, so that when without warning the quotation was dropped to $57 a panic seized them. I think I may confidently say that the majority of the mines being worked at $60 have been doing so at a loss, and that rather than close them down their owners have hoped for better times and continued mining. But this unheralded fall has now scared them and weakened their belief in the strength of the Government. They do not know where the fall is going to stop. So the struggle has been given up, and they are closing their places down. 0. It is needless to point out what this is going to mean to the general trade, to the revenue, and to the labouring classes of the country. They all mainly depend upon the continuation of the tin- mining industry. Yet in my opinion, this unfounded panic as to the future with its disastrous consequences, might to a great extant have been mitigated had the Government in the first place communicated more directly with the various mining associations as to their buying scheme, and, in the second place, have given a day’s notice and some explanation before suddenly reducing their buying rate by $3.

Letter: To the Secretary to the Resident from District Officer, Ulu Selangor Kuala Kubu. 3rd December 1914 U.S.L. No. 841/13 No. 3943/13 Appln. From the Malayan Collieries Ltd. for the renewal of their P.L. Sir, With reference to your correspondence Nos. 3943/13 & 2812/14, I have the honour to inform you that the Malayan Collieries Limited have applied for a renewal of the Prospecting Licence issued to the Company on the 17th November 1913 and expiring on the 16th November 1914. The Company applies for a selection area of 268 acres under this prospecting Licence, as shown on the attached tracing. 2. As regards the renewal of the Prospecting Licence I understand that the Resident approved it subject to conditions, laid down in 2812/14 and accepted by the Company. 3. The selection area adjoins the land for which a lease has already issued to the Company (shown as P.1285 on the plan.) It falls within the prospecting area. 4. I can see no objection to the granting of this application and would therefore recommend it subject to the conditions imposed in the case of the lease already issued and approved in your correspondence No. 2459/12. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, ?CMOwen, District officer, Ulu Selangor. Document in the National Archives of Malaysia 2819/14

The Malay Mail 18/12/ 1914 The Malayan Collieries, Ltd, Lost Scrip. Notice is hereby given that the following shares in the above Company are alleged to have been lost: Nos. 33598 to 33697 and 33698 to 33747 registered to the name of Frank August Nissen of Ampang Road, Kuala Lumpur, the certificates being numbered 101 and 110. Application has been made to this company for duplicate certificates, and should no objection be lodged with the Agents and Secretaries within 30 days from the date hereof the application will be complied with. By Order of the board, J. A. Russell and Co., Agents and Secretaries, Kuala Lumpur, 15 December, 1914.

NEWS 1914