For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Straits Times, 3 January 1933, Page 10 NOTES OF THE DAY. LOCAL CHINA TEA. One paragraph in Mr. A. B. Milne’s letter about tea cultivation in Malaya is somewhat disturbing to those who had hoped that there was a future for Asiatic cultivators in Malaya in supplying the Chinese population with locally produced teas. “I would recommend the greatest caution with regard to tea in the case of small holders”, he writes. “The greenleaf vendor is entirely in the hands of the man with the factory and unless some workable scheme eventuates to deal with manufacture on a co-operative basis, this proposition may well be left alone.” Mr. Milne probably knows more about tea cultivation and manufacture than anyone else in Malaya. He spent many years as a tea planter in Ceylon; he laid out and planned Boh Plantations at Cameron Highlands; and he has recently returned from an extended visit to Ceylon, where no doubt he studied the latest technique in the tea industry. Any warning that Mr. Milne chooses to give must therefore be heeded. In this case he was perhaps thinking only of small European properties without co-operative factory facilities, but it would be interesting to have his views on the possibilities of fostering a peasant tea industry to cater for the Chinese population, which after all offers by far the largest market for tea in this country. Incidentally it would be helpful if Mr. Milne’s assistance could be obtained in the manufacture of tea by the Department of Agriculture at Cameron Highlands. It is rumoured that Mr. Milne is a prospective settler up there, and his advice would surely go far towards meeting the criticisms that have been made. (897 words)
The Straits Times, 6 January 1933, Page 15 MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS. Sakais As Estate Labourers Experiment At The Highlands. (By Our Planting Correspondent) An experiment which is probably the first of its kind in Malaya is being made in the Cameron Highlands, where Boh Plantations Ltd., the pioneer hill-country estate, is making an attempt to employ indigenous Sakai labour. The high-grown tea estate is in the Sakai country and from its commencement Mr. A. B. Milne, who was its first manager, gave employment in felling jungle to a number of local Sakais in return for a promise from their chief that his people would abstain in future from destroying bird life on and in the immediate vicinity of the plantation. • Mr. Milne’s efforts in this direction were distinctly successful and an area which almost devoid of feathered population is now so full of birds that visitors from Ceylon have favourably commented on the great number to be seen of these valuable assistants to the planter as compared with avian conditions prevailing in up-country Ceylon. • His Excellency’s Visit • With less felling work to do the majority of the Sakais left; but a few always remained on the estate doing odd jobs and were noticed by H.E. the High Commissioner when Sir Cecil visited the plantation last July. • In view of the remarks made by H.E. and the British Resident, the Hon. Mr. H.G.R. Leonard, the company decided to make a trial of employing Sakais for ordinary estate work. The difficulty of employing these aborigines is that after working with fair regularity for one month or two they will, for no other reason than that are bored with work, suddenly leave the estate in a body without giving any notice. They simply vanish during the night! • To induce permanent settlement Boh Plantations have now made arrangement with the Sakai chief that his people shall be given an area of estate land as a sort of reserve where they can build their village and cultivate their own foodstuffs. They are being supplied with free vegetable and tobacco seed. In an endeavor to overcome the Sakai habit of suddenly ceasing work in a body, a system is being tried out on the estate whereby the force is divided into sections which work in rotation, a period on the plantation and a period off. • A Force of Seventy. • It is too early to say whether the experiment will prove a success, but so far it is promising. Since the trail was begun the Sakai labour force on Boh estate has varied from as many as 80 men to as few as 30, while once for three or four days the whole force cleared off. The present number is about 70. It is hoped to build up the force of some 250 men with a regular daily outturn throughout the year of approximately 100, and the estate management is not unhopeful of success. • As the future of the Sakai population of the F.M.S. represents a real and rather worrying poser for our benevolent administration, it is to be hoped that the experiment of Boh Plantations will prove that something can be done for these original inhabitants of the Peninsula, and that they in turn will show that they are capable of becoming useful members of the community instead of continuing to suffer the privations of a nomadic existence and presenting Government with a problem that is bound to be more and more difficult as years go by. (Summary: not much progress. in road construction or golf course. Rubber. Book by Mr. W. R. Macandrew, 81 pages on tea growing, etc) • (2406 words)
The Straits Times, 8 January 1933, Page 4 Mainly About Malayans NEW YEAR PROSPECTS. BY THE WANDERER. ….. Sakais on Estates. The employment of Sakais on estates is not new, for these people were frequently used in the early days for felling jungle, but what is unquestionably new is the experiment in the Cameron Highlands to accustom Sakais to routine estate work. Conservative planters may shake their heads over this, but Boh Plantations, the company which is making the experiment, had struck out along bold and original lines from the start. This was the first estate to open up the hill- country of Malaya- excluding certain small and unsuccessful enterprises in Perak and Negri Sembilan in the eighties- and in the crops grown and the manner of cultivation on hill terraces it is entirely unlike any other estate in Malaya. A Highlands Showplace. No doubt similar estates will open up at the Highlands in years to come, but at the moment a visit to Boh Plantations is a most informative experience. For anyone accustomed to lowland agriculture it is really thrilling to cross the divide into the Boh Valley and suddenly see terraces of tea and coffee bushes winding along incredibly steep slopes and down into deep valleys. The firm behind Boh Plantations are J. A. Russell and Co., of Kuala Lumpur, who have also been allotted some 1,500 acres on the Perak side of the Highlands region but presumably the question of what is done with the latter depends to some extent on the results that are obtained for Boh. (1951 words) (Illustrated with drawing of Archie)
The Straits Times, 1 February 1933, Page 19 GRANT-EARNING SCHOOLS To the Editor of the Straits Times. (Summary: Letter about charitable schools in Malaya since 1851, reaction to critical government report, Government introduced new system after war, committee appointed in 1921-22 to criticize it, endorsed it… on Committee Mr. J. A. Russell, (in place of the Hon’ble Mr. J. M. Robson on leave). Missionary schools saving public funds not a burden on them… by Laurence Henderson. )(2148 words)
The Straits Times, 3 February 1933, Page 17 MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS. The Highlands Tea Problem. (By Our Planting Correspondent) Tea at Tanah Rata. The Government replies to Mr. Savage Bailey at the last meeting of the Federal Council may be said to have been satisfactory so far as they went, but it will undoubtedly be a great disappointment to those who have already invested capital at the Highlands, or are waiting to do so, to learn that Government is not prepared to publish the reports already received and will not be in a position to give the information that is now required until a long period, possibly covering many months, has passed. • We are left to wonder why this policy could not have been announced before, and presumably the answer is that is has been decided upon only recently. • One of the arguments advanced will not carry much weight with tea growers, and that is the following: “ having in view the possibilities of variations in the quality of tea produced at different seasons of the year and under varying conditions of manufacture, Government considers that it is essential that a range of samples covering a period of some months should be submitted for expert report and valuation before publication of the results is undertaken.” • Now, we already know that one of the main attractions of tea-growing at Cameron Highlands is that there is very little variation in climatic conditions there such as is found in Java, Darjeeling and even Ceylon. For that reason tea planters agree that there should be practically no variation in the quality of tea made at Tanah Rata all year round. Therefore this reason for delaying the publication of expert reports on samples is far from convincing. • Another Factor. • The Government may, however, be on surer ground when it speaks of “ varying conditions of manufacture”, for a factory manager who is inexperienced in coping with such variations will require time before he can learn how to overcome them, and any tea planter could tell Government that while an inexperienced man may be able to get good reports on one or two breaks of tea it is quite another matter for him always to be able to do so. • Unquestionably the man in charge must have experience of meeting varying conditions of manufacture, and for that reason we may have to wait a long time- and six months have already passed since the Tanah Rata factory was opened- before we shall be allowed to know what is the real quality of tea that can be manufactured in the Highlands. • Government is possibly right in maintaining that unless and until it finds itself in a position to turn out good samples of tea regularly it is wiser to hold back reports, but where I do not agree with the official policy is in delaying matters for an indefinite period when that period could be considerably shortened by inviting the co-operation of the one or more experienced tea planters who are now available in Malaya. • The Present Position • Surely Government could have met present and potential tea growers to the extent of publishing the report which it has already received, and which it says is satisfactory, and at the same time Government could have stated that that no further reports would be published until a range of them had been obtained. If that had been done no one would have been able to put an unfavourable construction on Government’s refusal to publish the report now in its possession. • The position as some of us see it today is that in spite of large amount of money spent at Tanah Rata we shall have to wait for an indefinite period before any return on that money can be looked for, and with Boh Plantations coming into bearing (this year I believe) it seems likely that private enterprise will give definite results before the Tanah Rata experiment station does so. • In the matter of yields per acre, too much value should not be placed upon the figure of 330 pounds per acre for four-year-old tea that was given in the Federal Council, for I understand that the area in question has not been plucked regularly and systematically throughout the year. Unless an official denial of this belief can be obtained the figure of 330 pounds should be accepted with considerable reserve.• (2866 words)
The Straits Times, 8 February 1933, Page 6 TEA CULTIVATION. Can It Make Ends Meet? To the Editor of the Straits Times Sir, — However tempting the areas stretching towards Mount Penelope and Mount Cecil may be, it is hardly a moral act to induce a further cultivation of tea areas at a time when British tea areas elsewhere cannot make ends meet. (Summary: majority of companies trading at a loss, over supply, figures, “probably Boh Plantations has cost around about £100 per acre, but there is no reason why properties opened now under present conditions should cost anything like this figure”, better to try other crops.) Signed H.M.M. (475 words)
The Malay Mail, Monday February 20, 1933, page 8. Mr. J. A. Russell was admitted to hospital yesterday evening and was operated on for appendicitis. The Straits Times, 21 February 1933, Page 10. SOCIAL PERSONAL. Mr. J. A. Russell, of Kuala Lumpur, has undergone an operation for appendicitis.
The Straits Times, 25 February 1933, Page 17 A JOURNAL IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. Coffee And Tea Pioneers. (By Our Kuala Lumpur Correspondent.) Malayan Tea Ventures. Tea cultivation on an estate scale has a very brief history in this country. The first tea to be planted by Europeans in the Malay States was tried out in Johore in the eighties, but those estates soon petered out or changed over to coffee. Apart from Government experimental gardens on Arang Para in the early days and at Sedang in recent times I have not heard of any other attempts by Europeans to grow this crop until Mr. M. J. Kennaway planted a small area on Escot Estate, Tangjong Malim, after the War and sold his hand-made Escotelle brand. That experiment proved conclusively that low-country tea could be grown successfully on the plains of Malaya, but Mr. Kennaway did not carry it further, the reason being I believe, that he was unable to get additional land in the vicinity. It is only in the last three years that tea growing has been taken up commercially in the F.M.S., that tendency having been encouraged by the imposition of the import duty on tea, and there are now three Malayan-grown brands on the market- the Bigia tea from Kedah, the Serdang tea grown at the main Government experimental station, and Perak tea grown on Mr. A. J. Ferguson’s estate at Tajong Rambutan, Perak. Boh Plantations, who hope to turn out high-grade tea at Cameron Highlands, are not yet marketing their product, but I hear that they may get their factory going by the end of this year. A Low Country product Mr. Ferguson’s tea is a low-country product, and although I have not tasted it myself I have been assured by a tea-drinker who is a true connoisseur and an importer of a special brand of Ceylon tea that he has is delighted with Mr. Ferguson’s tea and astonished that a product of such quality can be turned out from a low-country estate. It will not be very long before Mr. Ferguson has more rivals than exist now, for new tea estates are being opened up in Selangor and elsewhere, but the local market is a not inconsiderable one and it is at least satisfactory to see planters making a determined effort to grow and sell something more profitable than rubber. (2996 words)
The Malay Mail, Monday February 27, 1933, page 8. We are glad to hear that Mr. J.A. Russell is much better.
The Straits Times, 2 March 1933, Page 12 . BRITISH INSTITUTE OP CHEMISTRY. Malayan Section's Meeting And Dinner. The ninth annual general meeting of the Malaya section of the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain and Ireland was held in the Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday. There were thirteen members present…… The chairman, in the course of his address, referred to the financial depression which had effected the section both numerically and financially. He also expressed the sympathy of the section towards Mr. J. A. Russell in his illness….. Visit to Malayan Collieries. In connection with the annual meeting a visit was paid to the Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang on Sunday morning. All those present were greatly impressed at the efficiency of the organization, by which no portion of raw material is wasted. Members were taken round all the subsidiary undertakings of the company and finished up with a trip down one of the company’s deep mines. The party then adjourned to the headquarters’ bungalow where they were entertained to tiffin. The proceedings concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to Malayan Collieries for a most entertaining and interesting visit. ( 284 words)
The Straits Times, 8 March 1933, Page 12 EUROPEAN UNEMPLOYED Donations received by the European Unemployment Committee last month were as follows:-…. Clubs $1,700.10, Incorporated Society of Planters 560.1, Royal Society of St. George (Selangor) 308.42, Penang St. Andrew's Society 100, Raffles Hotel Revue 356, Mr. J. A. Russell 100, Singapore Presbyterian Church 69.46, Mrs. G. C. Bucknell etc . (80 words)
Letter from Chairman, Sanitary Board, Kuala Lumpur to the Secretary to Resident Selangor-13.03.1933 Sanitary Board Offices, Kuala Lumpur, 15th March, 1933. Sir, With reference to Mr. Russell’s appeal to the Supreme Court against valuation for purposes of assessment, 1933 of the lands owned by him I have the honour to inform you that I have approached Mr. F. W. Douglas and he is willing to act in the case for a total fee of $350/- as follows: - “Simple valuation $200.00 Working up the case And attending court 150.00” $350.00 2. I shall be glad to be informed early if I may engage Mr. Douglas on the terms mentioned above. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, D. Richards. Chairman, Sanitary Board, Kuala Lumpur. From National Archives of Malaysia. Divisional Office of Selangor (480/1933). Transcribed by P.C
The Straits Times, 17 March 1933, Page 16 SUCCESS OF CHARCOAL GAS FOR TRANSPORT GUARANTEED EFFICIENCY Large Saving in running costs ….Fit a Koela Plant to your Lorry or Tractor, Local Agents J. A. Russell and Co. Kuala Lumpur F.M.S. Manufactured by: The Producer Gas Plant Company, 62, Conduit Street, London W1 England. (572 words)
The Straits Times, 21 March 1933, Page 6 OUR LONDON LETTER.The Straits Times, 21 March 1933, Page 6 Mr. R. C. Russell is among the large number of passengers for Malaya in the Ranchi, which left London on Friday. • PASSENGERS OUTWARD [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 21 March 1933, Page 13 • PASSENGERS OUTWARD The following passengers sailed on the P and O Ranchi which left London on March 3rd, for the Far East. …Mr. R. C. Russell…
The Straits Times, 21& 22 March 1933, Page 4 PUBLIC NOTICES. MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD. Notice of Nineteenth Annual General Meeting and Closure of Share Registers NOTICE is Hereby given that the Nineteenth Annual General Meeting of the members of the Company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company, Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, F.M.S. on Wednesday, Mar. 29, 1933 at noon. (Etc.). By order of the Board, J. A. Russell and Co. Secretaries.
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(INCORPORATED IN F.M.S.)
DIRECTORS' REPORT
AND
ACCOUNTS
For the Year Ended 31st December, 1932.
TO BE PRESENTED AT THE
NINETEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT THE
Registered Office of the Company,
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur,
ON
Wednesday the 29th March, 1933, At Noon.
J. A. RUSSELL & COMPANY,
General Managers & Secretaries.
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(INCORPORATED IN F.M.S.)
DIRECTORS' REPORT
AND
ACCOUNTS
For the Year Ended 31st December, 1932.
TO BE PRESENTED AT THE
NINETEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT THE
Registered Office of the Company,
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur,
ON
Wednesday the 29th March, 1933, At Noon.
J. A. RUSSELL & COMPANY,
General Managers & Secretaries,
The Chest of Distinction
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(Incorporated in Federated Malay States.)
Directors,
JOHN ARCHIBALD RUSSELL, Esq. (Chairman.)
HUBERT HARRY ROBBINS, Esq. (Deputy Chairman.) FREDERICK CUNNINGHAM, Esq.
WILLIAM HENRY MARTIN, Esq.
ALBERT JAMES KELMAN, Esq.
General Managers and Secretaries..
J. A. RUSSELL & Co., Kuala Lumpur.
Consulting Electrical Engineers.
SPARKS and PARTNERS, London.
Registered offices
HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANK BUILDINGS, KUALA LUMPUR.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the Nineteenth Annual General MEETING of the Members of the Company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday, 29th March, 1933, at Noon, for the following purposes: —
To receive and consider the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 31st December, 1932 and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors.
To Declare a Final Dividend for the year 1932.
To Declare Directors' remuneration for the year 1932.
To Elect Directors in place of those retiring.
To Elect Auditors for the ensuing year.
The Share Registers will be closed from Thursday, 23rd March, 1933 to Thursday, 30th March, 1933, both days inclusive.
By Order of the Board,
J. A. RUSSELL & Co.,
Secretaries.
Dated 8th March, 1933,
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings,
Kuala Lumpur, F.M.S.
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(Incorporated in Federated Malay States.)
Directors' Report for the Nineteenth Year of the Company ended 31st December, 1932.
The Directors have pleasure in submitting their Nineteenth Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st December, 1932.
As is customary, the working of the Company's undertakings is reviewed by the General Managers in their report which is appended.
Batu Arang Colliery. The continued depression in trade, combined with certain special circumstances entirely beyond the control of your Board, is reflected in the production figures, the actual sales being only 67.93% of those of the previous year.
The year was an extremely difficult one, calling for the closest co-ordination of all factors to ensure the winning of any material profit. The current year is likely to be one of still lower demand for our product, but everything possible is being done in an endeavour to ensure that the earnings will not shew a corresponding decrease.
In the meantime, all plant is not only being maintained in an excellent state, but is actually being reorganised by additions and improvements against the day when it will once again be called upon to produce tonnages more in keeping with its capacity.
Pamoekan Bay Colliery. This property continued in charge of a caretaker and there is still no indication of the time when it may pay to resume operations.
General. The capital expenditure during the year was of a general nature and included the purchase of a considerable quantity of railway materials, timber getting and milling equipment, all of which were purchased upon favourable terms.
The subsidiary undertakings of the Company suffered in keeping with all industry, but being operated in conjunction with the Company's general organisation, achieved much better results than undoubtedly would have been the case had they operated as entirely independent enterprises.
An application was lodged with Government for a timber area within working distance by rail of Batu Arang and there is every hope that this will be granted. The timber requirements of the Company are steadily increasing, and as a secondary consideration, it is proposed to respond to the insistent demand of Empire markets for timber of Empire origin, by supplying some of the Malayan timbers which have been favourably reported upon, but which have not hitherto been available in a suitably manufactured form, or with any assurance of continuity of supply.
A wood distillation plant, which was installed new sometime ago in Pahang by a company now defunct, was acquired at only a fraction of its original cost, and it is hoped during the current year to prove that wood distillation, though not hitherto successful in Malaya as a separate entity, may be made a technical and financial success when developed and operated as a department of an existing undertaking for the utilisation of an at present waste product.
Government for an unexplained reason did not grant our application for a lease over an area of clay-bearing ground near Bidor.
Investigations into all phases of the manufacture of cement, and its transportation and marketing have been completed. As such matters as Royalties, Excise Duties, Leases and Way Leaves are involved, our complete proposals have been placed before Government and we hope for decisions at an early date.
Investments. Advantage was taken of the high prices for gilt-edged securities ruling during the latter part of the year, to realise upon £31,000/-of 4% Funding Loan 1960/90. The profit on realisation amounted to $59,375.78 which amount has not been incorporated with the trading profit, but has been allocated as to $35,000 to Bad Debts Reserve and as to the balance of $24,375.78 to the adjustment of the remaining investments.
Profits. The profits for the year under
review, subject to the Directors' and Auditors’ fees amount to ... ... $482,567.96
To which is to be added the unappropriated
balance from the previous year of ... 308,157.83
$790,725.79
Three Interim Dividends each of 3% totalling
9% on 257,505 shares were declared during the year absorbing ... ... ... 231,754.50
$558,971.29
You will be asked to sanction fees to Directors
in respect of 1932 at the rate of $20,000.00
Auditors' fees at the rate of ... ... ... 2,500.00
and Donations to the Malayan Unemployment
Committees ... ... ... 500.00 23,000.00
Leaving available $535,971.29
Which your Directors recommend should be dealt with as follows:—
Final dividend of 6% making 15% for
the year ... ... ... $154,503.00
Write off Leasehold property 100,000.00 254,503.00
Balance to carry forward to next year's account $281,468.29
Directors. Mr. J. A. Russell being the Director longest in office, retires under the provisions of the Articles of Association, and being eligible, offers himself for re-election.
Auditors. Messrs. Evatt & Co. retire and being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
By Order of the Board, J. A. RUSSELL & CO.,
Secretaries.
Kuala Lumpur,
8th March, 1933.
Malayan Collieries, Limited
The Directors,
MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD.,
Kuala Lumpur.
Gentlemen,
We have pleasure in submitting herewith our report upon the working of the Company's undertakings during the year ended 31st December, 1932.
BATU ARANG COLLIERY. The sales of coal were down almost 33% on the previous year.
The demand was rather less erratic than during 1931, and though the monthly figures shew considerable variation owing to the incidence of tin restriction, the quarterly averages have more or less kept step with releases under the Tin Restriction Legislation.
It has been our endeavour to retain all possible labour on the property, and wherever practicable in the actual winning of coal, labour has been given preference over machines. All machinery so displaced has been kept standing by for use in case of emergency. Our costs were a little increased by this policy, but it was agreed that this was fully justified, as any loss of experienced colliery labour, as a result of our inability to keep it employed at this time, might well result in its permanent loss, much to the detriment of the country and ourselves when conditions improve.
All plant was maintained at a high standard of efficiency and a number of additions and improvements in plant, layout and practice were carried out.
There was a considerable slowing down of capital work which called for any outlay other than on labour, the principal individual item completed on colliery account being the washery, which installation was put to commercial production just before the close of the year.
Underground Production. Owing to the lack of demand, the North Mine was taken off production early in the year, and it was closed entirely just at the end of the year.
The East Mine continued on production throughout the year. A fire occurred in the No. 17 Level Rise District, and to cope with this in the most effective manner, the district was temporarily sealed off. As all requirements can be obtained from other districts of the mine, it is not proposed to re-open the No. 17 Level Rise District until demand justifies it, and this will, in the meantime, result in a considerable amount being saved in maintenance, while the district will be perfectly safe against further fires.
Underground Development. The area of coal opened out being more than sufficient for present or early future requirements, no further extensions were made. The main dip section was, however, brought to the production stage by the completion of all preparations for the extension of the main haulage to the 34 Level, and the complete development and equipment of two new longwall districts, each having an independent ventilating system and capable of producing 10,000 tons per month.
With the employment for hydraulic stowage of a lower grade material containing a considerable percentage of slimes, the pumping arrangements in the mine called for revision. After considerable investigation and trial, series pumping and settling in Nos. 34, 26 and 18 Levels were adopted. This, with the secondary stowage of the settled slime product, has proved satisfactory and indications are that, even with full production, the water as delivered to the high lift pumps will be sufficiently clear of suspended solids to be pumped to the surface system without undue wear upon the pumps.
In this matter of pumping and in all other respects, the hydraulic stowage system functioned satisfactorily with the material available, the bulk of which was won in the course of coal or clay stripping, railway cuttings and other excavation work about the property.
Opencasts. Shale stripping proceeded throughout, but ceased with the close of the year. Reserves of stripped coal are such that it is not expected that stripping need be resumed for at least two years.
Buildings and Plant. Maintenance throughout was of a satisfactory nature.
Two Tamil Coolie Lines, each of 20 rooms and complete with water-borne sewage arrangements, were completed, while four blocks of clerks quarters were commenced. The heavy machinery store was extended, and a new coal testing laboratory was erected at the washery.
The power plant operated satisfactorily at a capacity in keeping with the demand.
Water Supply. The major works in connection with this having been completed in the previous year, work was confined to the extension of the supply and this work is still in progress.
PAMOEKAN BAY COLLIERY. This property continued in charge of a caretaker, and prospects are still against any serious thought of a resumption of operations.
SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS. Clay Workings. Production amounted to 6,006,400 bricks, while the quantity sold or utilised on the property was 2,971,400. The stocks as at the end of the year being 4,772,500 bricks, it was decided to shut down the continuous kiln and to continue the production of fire-bricks, facing bricks and special shapes in the intermittent kiln.
Progress made with trials and experiments in the manufacture of Roofing Tiles was such as to justify a decision to proceed with the installation of plant for small scale commercial production.
Plywood. The production reached the full capacity of the initial plant. Sales were for the most part in the form of rubber chests, but enquiry and demand for our product for other purposes were encouraging. To cope with the potential demand which the reception of our product has led us to expect, arrangements are now in hand for the doubling of the output.
Agriculture. Work in this connection has been confined to the maintenance of the area under experimental crops. The results obtained from the pineapple area are entirely unpromising and we have arrived at the definite conclusion that our soil is unsuitable for this crop.
Cement Manufacture. All investigations were completed and the results summarised to facilitate decisions in due course.
Timber. Considerable work was done in connection with the timber requirements of the various departments and applications were made for an area calculated to serve our general requirements for a number of years.
Wood Distillation. The plant of the liquidated Malayan Wood Distillation Ltd., was acquired during the year and re-erection at Batu Arang is well advanced. It is proposed to operate this plant upon the waste cores and slabs from the plywood works and the proposed enlarged sawmill.
GENERAL. The resident population at Batu Arang shewed some reduction as compared with the previous year but the number of families remained about the same.
The general health remained exceedingly good.
During the early part of the year we had the pleasure of shewing round the property H.E. The High Commissioner Sir Cecil Clementi accompanied by the Hon. Mr. A. C. Caldecott, Chief Secretary, F.M.S. and party, H.H. The Sultan of Selangor and staff, and the Hon. Mr. T. S. Adams, British Resident, Selangor.
We are, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully,
J. A. RUSSELL & Co.,
General Managers.
Kuala Lumpur,
6th March, 1933.
(For accounts see M.C. page for 1933)
Above from: MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED REPORTS & BALANCE SHEETS AND PROCEEDINGS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS 1926- 1935 & THE MALAY MAIL, SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1933 p.13 & The Straits Times, 22 March 1933, Page 9 and MALAYAN COLLIERIES TO PAY 15 PER CENT. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 23 March 1933, Page 15
The Straits Times, 24 March 1933, Page 10 (Leader) The Straits Times SINGAPORE, FRIDAY. MAR. 24. 1933. COLLIERIES PROFITS. It has never been usual to class Malayan mining shares among gilt-edged securities, but Malayan Collieries continue to qualify for that class. They made nearly half a million dollars profit last year, despite a falling-off of over thirty per cent. in sales, and if the final recommendations of the directors are accepted the shareholders will receive dividends totally fifteen per cent. in respect of last year. This is an enviable position and Malaya should be a much happier country if all its limited liability companies could present as good a report. But there is one fly in the ointment. Is not fifteen per cent. too much, having regard to the financial position of the Collieries principal customers, the Railways and the tin mines? This dividend is being paid out of profits actually earned during the year, only about $4.000 being drawn from reserves to make up the necessary amount. These are days when shareholders ought to be very glad to get ten of twelve per cent., and although there will be some who will argue that the Collieries company is entitled to make as much profit as it can, slump or no slump, it is believed that the company’s directors do not take that view but acknowledge the necessity of cherishing the geese which lay the golden eggs. One of those birds, in the shape of the F.M.S. Railways, is going to squawk rather loudly in the Federal Council next Monday, when it will ask for nearly $1,500,000 to cover its working loss for 1932. That loss looks more depressing than ever when compared with the profits earned by the company from which the railways buy their coal. Mr. J. A. Russell, the chairman of Malayan Collieries, doubtless has a good answer to this comment but perhaps he will agree that in the circumstances is it a reasonable attitude for an unbiased observer. At any rate there will be an opportunity to reply to it at the Collieries annual meeting next week. No one grudges the shareholders of this company adequate rewards for the possession of an exceedingly well-managed property and one of great value to the industries and railways of this country, and the fact that the railways are running at a loss is no reason why the Collieries should do so. Moreover, Mr. Russell will be entitled to point out in his speech that few, if any, Malayan tin-mining companies are making an actual loss at the present time and most of them are showing a modest profit. On the other hand, there must be some relation between the profits earned by the Collieries and the financial position of their Malayan customers. A hard-headed business man might challenge this proposition to this extent: and he would argue that the Collieries are entitled to charge as high prices as they think they can get without losing business to importers of foreign coal. There is no question of course, that the Collieries are entitled to charge anything they please. They are running in open competition with foreign coal producers and receive no tariff protection or special treatment from Government. Therefore their shareholders may say that the company must be run on a strictly commercial basis and that neither the F.M.S. Railways nor the miners have any right to receive coal at a dollar below actual competitive costs, fixed in relation to costs of imported coal. This might be done in the cases of the mines, but the F.M.S. Railways are a rather more formidable proposition and if the railways administration decided that it should be possible for Malayan Collieries to supply them with coal at cheaper rates and yet pay a steady ten per cent., they might begin to look more seriously into the possibilities of buying imported coal or of trying Diesel engines (which would make railway travel in this country much more comfortable). Accordingly the F.M.S. Railways are not in an entirely helpless position and in the light of the Collieries annual report a little gentle pressure is indicated in the interest of taxpayers who are now being asked to foot a highly unwelcome bill for railway losses. Possibly a more economical arrangement has been arrived at between the Collieries and the railways since the directors’ report was written, or another possibility is that the Collieries’ quotations to the railways are already down to bedrock and the company is making its profit out of other more fortunately situated customers. These again are points about which Mr. Russell may tell us more at the annual general meeting next week. As compared to last year the shareholders’ dividends have fallen from twenty two and half to fifteen per cent., and they may think that that the decline has gone far enough, but if the matter is looked at dispassionately from the F.M.S. taxpayers’ point of view it is not easy to agree with the shareholders. The railways are making heavy losses while the Collieries are making relatively large profits. It is therefore necessary to put the question plainly to the Collieries’ directors:” Could you not supply coal to the railways at lower prices and still pay ten per cent?” If the answer is in the negative, the taxpayers will be satisfied; and if it is in the affirmative they will begin to apply goads to the railway donkey.
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 27 March 1933, Page 2 AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES OF MALAYA The "Cruel Tragedy Of Industrial Depression QUIET PROGRESS OF NEW CROPS HEAVY REPATRIATION OF LABOUR (Summary: problems in rubber industry.. lists of imports and exports of different crops, including tea, mentions Boh, effects on work force.) • (4168 words)
Decree on Appeal, Supreme Court F. M. S. 28.03.1933 The Supreme Court of the Federated Malay States State of Selangor. DECREE ON APPEAL In the Court of the Judge at Kuala Lumpur Civil Appeal No: 6 of 1933. R. C. Russell as Committee } of the estate of Khoo Khye Cheah }………………Appellant versus The chairman of the Sanitary Board } Kuala Lumpur }……………..Respondant Appeal from the decision of the Sanitary Board at Kuala Lumpur dated the 23rd day of January 1933. This appeal coming on for hearing on Tuesday the 28th day of March 1933 before The Honourable Mr. Justice à Beckett Terrell, Acting Chief Justice, Federated Malay States in the presence of Mr. A. W. Delamore for the Appellant and of the Deputy Legal Advisor for the Respondent, IT IS ORDERED BY CONSENT that this Appeal do stand dismissed AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the sum of $1, 794-24 deposited in court by the Appellant be repaid to him AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that each of the parties hereto do pay his own costs. Given under my hand and the seal of the Court this 28th day of March 1933. Registrar, Supreme Court, Kuala Lumpur. From National Archives of Malaysia. Divisional Office of Selangor (G480/1934). Transcribed by P.C
Decree on Appeal, Supreme Court F. M. S. 28.03.1933 The Supreme Court of the Federated Malay States State of Selangor. DECREE ON APPEAL In the Court of the Judge at Kuala Lumpur Civil Appeal No: 7 of 1933. 1. J. A. Russell } 2. D.O. Russell }……………………………….Appellants Versus The Chairman of the Sanitary Board} Kuala Lumpur }…………Respondent. Appeal from the decision of the Sanitary Board at Kuala Lumpur dated the 23rd day of January 1933. This appeal coming on for hearing on Tuesday the 28th day of March 1933 before The Honourable Mr. Justice à Beckett Terrell, Acting Chief Justice, Federated Malay States in the presence of Mr. A. W. Delamore for the Appellants and of the Deputy Legal Advisor for the Respondent, IT IS ORDERED BY CONSENT that the assessment list of the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board for the year 1933 be amended by the alteration of the unimproved value of the lands comprised in Lots 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21 and 22 of section 40 of the Town of Kuala Lumpur from the sum of $408,200-00 to the sum of $208,944-00 and by the alteration of the unimproved value of the lands comprised in Lot 21 of section 71 of the Town of Kuala Lumpur from the sum of $2,250-00 to the sum of $1,500-00 per acre AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the sum of $7, 217-28 deposited in court by the Appellants be repaid to them. The costs of this Appeal including all disbursements and allowances to expert witnesses amounting to $1,706-28 are to be paid by the Respondent to the Appellants. Given under my hand and the seal of the Court this 28th day of March 1933. Registrar, Supreme Court, Kuala Lumpur. From National Archives of Malaysia. Divisional Office of Selangor (G480/1934). Transcribed by P.C
Decree on Appeal, Supreme Court F. M. S. 28.03.1933 The Supreme Court of the Federated Malay States State of Selangor. DECREE ON APPEAL In the Court of the Judge at Kuala Lumpur Civil Appeal No: 8 of 1933. J. A. Russell………………………………….Appellant Versus The Chairman of the Sanitary Board} Kuala Lumpur }…………Respondent. Appeal from the decision of the Sanitary Board at Kuala Lumpur dated the 23rd day of January 1933. This appeal coming on for hearing on Tuesday the 28th day of March 1933 before The Honourable Mr. Justice à Beckett Terrell, Acting Chief Justice, Federated Malay States in the presence of Mr. A. W. Delamore for the Appellant and of the Deputy Legal Advisor for the Respondent, IT IS ORDERED BY CONSENT that the assessment list of the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board for the year 1933 be amended by the alteration of the unimproved value of the lands comprised in Lot 291 of section 46 of the Town of Kuala Lumpur from the sum of $184,100-00 to the sum of $70,000-00 AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that no amendment be made to the said assessment list for the year 1933 in respect of the other lands the subject matter of this appeal AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the sum of $6,600-72 deposited in court by the Appellant be repaid to him. The costs of this Appeal including all disbursements and allowances to expert witnesses amounting to $1,708-28 are to be paid by the Respondent to the Appellant. Given under my hand and the seal of the Court this 28th day of March 1933. Registrar, Supreme Court, Kuala Lumpur. From National Archives of Malaysia. Divisional Office of Selangor (G480/1934). Transcribed by P.C
The Straits Times, 28 March 1933, Page 14 Higher Charges For Land At The Highlands. HIGHLANDS POLICY Higher rates to be asked for Land. (Summary: Report of Federal Council Meeting, questions about new terms of alienation of land in Highlands, Government has spent money on 26 mile long road and development of Tanah Rata.. to create hill station and give access to lands for agricultural development..road 15 miles in Perak and rest in Pahang.. details of areas accessible by road..Ringlet, Tanah Rata , Ulu Telom… heavy expenditure.. “land suitable for cultivation of products which require a high elevation is limited” decided that terms were too liberal and new terms were devised and approved. Details of existing terms & forms of title at Ringlet and Tanah Rata,… “ I exclude certain pioneers- Boh Plantations- who some years ago were given land at a small rate of premium because there was no road and they had to do everything themselves” Present rates… difference between Ringlet and Ulu Telom. With new terms land will be wholly alienated and Government will get a fair return.) (6428 words)
The Straits Times, 29 March 1933, Page 10 Mr. J. A. Russell, chairman of Malayan Collieries., was admitted to the General Hospital Singapore, yesterday and underwent an operation.
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(INCORPORATED IN F.M.S.)
PROCEEDINGS
AT THE
NINETEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
HELD AT THE
Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur,
ON
Wednesday the 29th March, 1933,
At Noon.
Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
(INCORPORATED IN F.M.S.)
PROCEEDINGS
AT THE
NINETEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
HELD AT THE
Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur,
ON
Wednesday the 29th March, 1933,
At Noon.
Malayan Collieries, Limited.
(Incorporated in Federated Malay States.)
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, F.M.S.
The Shareholders,
MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD.
Dear Sir, or Madam,
We have pleasure in reporting to you the proceedings at the Nineteenth Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of the Company which was held at the Registered Office, on Wednesday, 29th March, 1933.
Yours faithfully,
J. A. RUSSELL & CO.,
Secretaries.
Dated 29th March, 1933.
Malayan Collieries Limited.
(Incorporated in Federated Malay States)
Proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual General Meeting
The Nineteenth Annual General Meeting of Malayan Collieries Ltd., was held at the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Buildings, Kuala Lumpur, at noon on Wednesday the 29th March, 1933.
The Deputy Chairman, Mr. H. H. Robbins presided and the others present were: —Messrs. W. H. Martin, F. Cunningham (Directors) and P. W. Gleeson, John Hands, C. W. S. Gardner, Seymour Williams, Colin J. Chisholm, E. D. Butler and A. Arbuthnott (Shareholders).
The representative of the Secretaries having read the notice convening the Meeting and the Auditors' Report, the Deputy Chairman, before moving the adoption of the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 31st December, 1932 and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors, addressed the Meeting as follows: —
Gentlemen,
The Report and Accounts having been in your hands for the prescribed period, I will assume it is your wish that they be taken as read.
It is with deep regret that I have to announce the inability of your Chairman, Mr. J. A. Russell, to be present, due to a serious illness. I am sure you will join with me in wishing him a speedy recovery and with your permission I will read to you the address which Mr. Russell, up to a day or so ago, hoped to have the pleasure of delivering in person.
The year through which we have just passed has been a gruelling one for most of us, and it will not come as a surprise to you that a further restriction of trading figures and profits falls to be recorded. I, therefore, trust that the figures presented are not regarded as unduly disappointing.
The Pamoekan Bay Colliery still remains shut down and I am afraid that it will be some considerable time after the return of prosperity, before the Eastern bunker market will sufficiently improve to justify the re-opening of this mine.
The sales of Malayan coal ex our Batu Arang Colliery shewed a further material falling off as compared with the previous year. As an indication of the shrinkage in our sales, I might say that those of 1932 were less by 120,075 tons than those of 1931, and 239,155 tons less than the average for the five years 1927/31. The present production is less than one third of that for which the colliery is equipped to produce. With such indications, it will not be difficult to visualise the problems with which your Board, and the management of your Company have been confronted.
The Accounts before you are set out in the usual manner. The expenditure on capital account, though less than during the previous year, was somewhat higher than was intimated by me when last addressing you. This is due to the presentation of a favourable opportunity to purchase a quantity of logging and sawmill equipment, to which matter I propose referring later. The balance of expenditure on capital account on plant of other than a general colliery nature, was upon the purchase of a complete wood distillation plant which was some time ago installed in the State of Pahang, and which was operated for a matter of a few months only. To this item also I will refer later.
The amount allocated to depreciation is $178,000, which amount, especially having regard to the limited wear and tear on the plant, may be regarded as a fair one.
The item "Mine Stores, Spares, Coal, Brick and Plywood Stocks" is higher than that in respect of the previous year, owing principally to heavier coal and brick stocks, and to the purchase of a quantity of railway materials. This figure of $529,492.92 is made up as to $408,697.04 for mine stores and spares, $25,108.20 for railway materials in stock and $95,687.68 for coal, brick and plywood stocks.
"Sundry Debtors and Debit Balances" is down on the previous year by $120,569.16, this of course being due to the reduced turnover. It will be seen that, with the addition for the year, the Bad Debts Reserve now stands at $135,000. "Sundry Creditors and Credit Balances" is also down by $78,983.19, again due to the smaller volume of business.
"Unclaimed Dividend." This item is somewhat higher, due to the payment of the December 1932 dividend rather later in the month than was the case in respect of the corresponding dividend for the previous year.
"Staff Leave and Passage" is slightly increased, but calls for no special comment.
"Investments." With the appreciation in value of gilt-edged securities, the £31,000/- in 4% Funding Loan 1960/90 was returning us only 3.7% on the market prices for the stock, and as it seemed to your Board that prices were likely to deteriorate, and in view of the extremely uncertain outlook, it was decided to sell. The peak prices were not obtained, but the realisation has returned us a profit on cost of some $59,375.78.
Though it is not proposed immediately to utilise the balance of the proceeds of the sale of these investments, it may, a little later on, be considered advisable to do so in the installation of plant, the operation of which would tend to broaden the basis of our dividend earning capacity.
By this it is not suggested that your Board consider that gilt-edged investment reserves should not be accumulated, on the contrary, with the return of prosperity it is hoped that it will be possible to build up such liquid reserves from the increased profits made by money which has been spent during the last few years, and from that which it is proposed to spend. We, as a company, cannot stand still, for not to progress would, for a business of our type, only be the first stage of a retrograde movement. Reluctant though anyone may be under conditions at present prevailing to incur expenditure upon new undertakings, plant and equipment, it is essential for us to plan for the day of revival; especially as all soundly conceived and progressively and efficiently managed undertakings must then, we think, inevitably benefit.
"Cash in hand and at Bank" at the close of accounts was $207,187.23 which included the balance of the proceeds of the sale of investments, of which $150,000 has since been placed on fixed deposit at a satisfactory rate. This item should of course be read in conjunction with "Sundry Debtors" the bulk of which amount was received during January.
The "Trading and Profit & Loss Account" has been drawn up in such a way as to shew the ordinary trading receipts and expenditure. It will be seen that the turnover was down on that of the previous year by the large sum of $1,125,933.85. The payments on account of Government Royalties are, of course, down in keeping with the turnover.
The profit on the sale of investments has not been taken to swell our trading, profit; it being absorbed as to $35,000 in increasing the Bad Debts Reserve (thus bringing this to $135,000) and as to the balance of $24,375.78 in adjusting the difference between the book value, and year end market value of the undisposed of balance of investments. These investments are made up of HK. $20,000/- of Hongkong Government 6% Loan, and 2,441 shares of £1.0.0 each in the Singapore Traction Co., Ltd. In the case of the Hongkong Government Loan the depreciation is as a result of exchange, which we trust will eventually right itself. The Singapore Traction Company's shares do not represent a purchase, but were taken over by this Company in settlement of the old Singapore Tramway Company's indebtedness to us for coal supplied. We trust that this investment also will ultimately improve in value.
The foregoing summarises the position as set out by the accounts. The happenings of the year under review are known to all, and I would be detaining you needlessly by attempting to review the numerous natural, as apart from the special causes which have contributed to such a tremendous shrinkage in our figures. When I had the pleasure of addressing you last year, the immediate future was extremely obscure. Part of the future then confronting us is covered by the year under review, and about the only thing that one can quite safely and unquestionably say is, that we are twelve months nearer a recovery.
In a country situated as Malaya is, I am not prepared to suggest that we have reached bottom, for with the passing of every week the country's resources are being steadily drained. It is astonishing the degree of fortitude that is being displayed and this can only have as a basis the supreme confidence of the individuals in the resourcefulness of the country and its ability to survive.
In so far as our Company in particular is concerned, it is extremely unfortunate for us that, not only have we had to contend with the results of the natural economic ills of the country generally, but we have also suffered from the results of such actions that have introduced arbitrarily uneconomic conditions which would not otherwise have existed. I refer in the first instance to the Perak River Hydro Electric Power Company Ltd., the operation of which has only been made possible by the investing, and lending by the Government of this Country, of a colossal and irrecoverable sum for bolstering up an uneconomic undertaking which must otherwise have failed. This Power Company has been operating for some time and, had it not been given still further Government aid, its affect upon our sales seemed calculable Not content, however, with sinking into the concern some $12,000,000/-, the F.M.S. Government has now, by foregoing its prior rights, enabled the Power Company to raise funds with which to purchase and close down the steam station of one of your Company's largest consumers in Perak.
The second instance is the purchase by Government of the Ulu Langat Hydro Electric station upon terms which can only be described as fabulously liberal, and I am glad to note that the Hon. the Financial Adviser, F.M.S., is in agreement with this view. I had intended referring to this matter at length, but because of what the Financial Adviser, F.M.S., has said in Council, and to the fact that a Commission of Enquiry has been appointed to go into the question, I will refrain from making any comment, but merely express the hope, and indeed the conviction, that Government will benefit by the experience which has been so costly to itself and so extremely unfair to your Company. We can at least hold our own against ordinary competition, but we are powerless against Government support of our competitors, given without any consideration of economic return, and it is but little consolation to us to surmise that, in the matter of the Perak River Hydro Electric Power Co., Ltd., a large part of that support was given on the instructions of the Colonial Office, and definitely against the wishes and considered opinion of the highest local authorities, and in the case of the acquisition of the Ulu Langat Hydro Electric Power Station, that a grave though gracefully admitted mistake was made.
It is significant, that Government's own Electrical Adviser originally investigated and turned down the Perak River Hydro Electric scheme, yet, when company promoters took up the rejected idea, Government sank large sums into the undertaking, and granted an astoundingly one-sided monopoly to its promoters, so that the Perak River Hydro Electric Power Co., Ltd., while protected from the competition of any other power supply company can, apparently with the aid of Government money, or money the raising of which is made possible by Government sacrifice, offer the most discriminating terms to any user of power who is burning your Company's coal. In fact, while protected and while bolstered up by Government, the Company appears to have no obligations whatsoever, and can use Government money in an attempt to crush its rivals. It is true that the original promoter-directors are no longer on the Board of the Power Company and while one naturally sympathises with the present directors of the Company, and would like to see them succeed in their task, there is not a valid, or even permissible excuse £or a continuance of the sacrifice of the welfare of the F.M.S. to the interests of the Home company promoter, the Home manufacturer and the Home Treasury.
I am not much in favour of those who are asking for a greater measure of local self-government, but when one realises how the F.M.S. is treated by the Home Authorities and ordered to pay out millions of money, apparently with little regard for the interests of the F.M.S. itself, and how the F.M.S. Government is over-ridden in a way in which the Home Government would seldom dare to over-ride a Crown Colony, let alone a self governing protectorate, one wonders whether the evils of local self government could be much more detrimental to the welfare of these States, than is the present system which has also dissipated our reserves as to reduce us from the proud position of being financially one of the strongest and soundest little governments in the world, to our present position of F.M.S. Treasury penury.
The unfortunate fact that Government is deeply financially involved in the Perak River Hydro Electric undertaking, is no justification for a policy of disregarding, or deliberately sacrificing, all other interests, including those of the F.M.S. Railways, in a reckless endeavour to save something from the wreck. That a large part of the huge sums sunk is irretrievably lost seems certain, and a halt should be called to ascertain just how far Government is justified in going in an endeavour to save the other part. I refer to the sacrifice of the interests of the F.M.S. Railways advisedly, as the effect of this latest action of Government upon Railway freight receipts, during conditions of unrestricted tin production, will be from $100,000 to $150,000 per annum. While the recipients of the benevolencies of Government are to be congratulated, Government itself stands to lose enormous sums in capital, and is losing and will continue to lose, very important sums annually in coal Royalties, in coal Freights and in Customs.
Since its inception, your Company has contributed to the F.M.S. Railways some $7,500,000 in freights, to the Selangor Government some $1,700,000 in Royalties and Quit Rent, and to the F.M.S. Trade and Customs Department some $200,000. This Company has employed a labour force rising from nothing to over 3,000 people, the total population supported being well in excess of 5000 souls. The Police protection of this population has throughout been borne by your Company at a cost of approximately $75,000. I calculate roughly that by its policy of supporting these two hydro electric stations, Government stand to lose in coal freights, coal royalties and Trade and Customs Revenue alone quite $400,000 per annum. This is an absolute loss against which there is no corresponding benefit to the State to be credited and a loss which the country can ill afford deliberately to incur.
It is the normal task of the Board of a Company such as yours, to have to conduct its business successfully against all normal hazards in the way of ordinary competition from undertakings financed and operated by private enterprise, and in such conduct I think you will grant us credit for a measure of success. Owing, however, to the lavish financial support by Government in the one case, resulting in the sale of power quite regardless of its cost of production, and to its uneconomic acquisition in the other, we have experienced and are likely to continue to experience, a shrinkage in our normal business. While, for the greater part of the year under review, we have felt the full effect of the Ulu Langat purchase, (from which station, power has been taken by Government since April of last year) and also of the attempt to squeeze us out by the Perak River Hydro Electric Power Company Ltd. and have discounted in our estimates for the current year the further results of the policy of the latter, it naturally behoves us to broaden the basis of our earning capacity in such ways as we can in order to make up for the ravages of this subsidised uneconomic competition. I will, therefore, now briefly refer to our subsidiary undertakings.
The brickworks operated throughout the year at below full production, and while we were successful in obtaining orders for the bricks required in the construction of all the principal buildings within our radius of deliveries, such orders were not nearly sufficient to absorb our production, and output has since been still further drastically curtailed.
Experimental work for the production of roofing tiles and other products was continued, and by the end of the year a satisfactory roofing tile was being regularly produced in the experimental plant. Arrangements have since been made for the installation of a small commercial-scale plant, and production should be commenced during the current year.
Our investigations into, and experiments with, the possibility of profitably growing Hawaiian pineapples on our land at Batu Arang were brought to a close with negative results. This is unfortunate, but enquiries and investigations into the possibilities of other likely crops will be continued.
The production of plywood reached approximately the capacity of the plant. Towards the end of the year, arrangements were put in hand for the doubling of the production, and this will be in operation at an early date. The reception given our product, which is marketed under the registered trade name of "MalAply “, has been encouraging, and we hope for a steady increase in support which will enable us to maintain the levelling effect which our product has had upon local prices, and at the same time to make for your company a satisfactory profit. In the meantime, Soviet-Russian and Japanese chests are entering this market in considerable quantities. It is possible that the largest individual exporter to Malaya is Soviet-Russia, and while it is certain that these exports would be less if the chests were marketed under their true colours, one can only hope that the importers have some reciprocal arrangement whereby Malayan rubber is bartered for Russian chests.
What we hope will prove to be an advantageous acquisition by your company was effected early in the year, when the entire plant of the Malayan Wood Distillation Ltd. (Liquidated) was purchased and transferred to Batu Arang. This in practice will operate entirely upon waste timber produced in felling, milling and veneering, and upon this basis should yield satisfactory returns. This plant is now in course of erection, and the products will be charcoal, wood-alcohol, acetate of lime and a wood preservative. All these products are saleable, but the form in which they will be sold will depend upon demand, and present indications are that the production of the works will, to commence with, be disposed of in the form of charcoal, a solvent for use in the cellulose and lacquer industries and a wood preservative for local use.
As an extended source of supply of timber for our existing undertakings, and to enable us further to expand our operations by milling suitable kinds of timber for export, we have applied to Government for an area of 26,000 acres of timber land within a working distance by rail from Batu Arang and for the right to select a further similar area within a period of years. Government has not yet conveyed its official reply, but we understand that our application has been favourably received.
The opportunity presented itself for the acquisition of a complete logging and sawmilling plant, together with some 10 miles of railway track and all necessary rolling stock for conveying logs from the forest to the Sawmill. Though the area of forest land required to justify this plant was not actually granted us, we felt justified in purchasing the plant upon the terms which we were able to negotiate, and it is now at Batu Arang awaiting the decision of Government.
I should like to say that our proposed entrance into the timber milling business with plant of a larger capacity than that which we have hitherto employed, is not as a result of a decision in any sense lightly arrived at. While your Company has not spent a great deal of money or, up to twelve months ago, of time, on the investigation of the possibilities of the conversion of Malayan timbers, my firm in its private capacity has, during the past four years, very carefully investigated every phase of the business, from logging to final utilisation by the purchaser of the lumber, and the whole of the results of this outlay in time and capital has been placed at the disposal of your Company.
The timber land for which we have applied is not large in area, nor are the stands of timber, as an average, remarkably heavy, and in both respects we could no doubt have done better by going farther afield. As against this, the area is reasonably accessible from Batu Arang, which is the centre of our operations, and the value to this company of a concentration of its activities is calculated to out-balance many disadvantages.
The utilisation by your company of modern methods in the extraction and milling of timber should yield interesting results, and if these are as satisfactory as we hope may be the case, the return should be a fair one. While local timber is at present being offered at prices below the cost of production, any material increase in the demand for timber would soon bring prices to a level as high as the present prices are low. In normal times, not only is the cost of local timber for the better class of work prohibitively high, but the quality is such that architects and builders prefer to specify, and to use, either imported timber or substitutes, such as steel.
Though our main objective is the production of timber for our own requirements and for export, it is considered that an established business, such as that which we propose, may in prosperous times not only have an equalising effect upon local prices, but also a reducing effect upon the importation into British Malaya of foreign timber.
By far the largest and most important undertaking which we have under consideration is, of course, the proposed cement works, with its quarry and transportation system. We have indicated in our Report to you that the whole of our proposals have been submitted for the consideration of Government, and as the result of this consideration has not yet been conveyed to us, it would at this stage be inadvisable for me to make any other than general comments.
The condition, of course, of the cement markets in the East is at present little short of chaotic, due to the general curtailment of building works and to the organised dumping of Japanese cement, but we believe that the present state of affairs cannot last and the position is being very carefully watched.
In the meantime, pending the decision of Government, everything which can be done by us, short of actually placing contracts, has been done. The utmost caution has guided us from the commencement of our investigations and this consideration will continue to guide us to the end. In the financing of the undertaking, should it mature, the strictest economy will be practised and due regard will be had for the average shareholder's command of new capital. Technically, the works which we have under consideration are quite the last word in proved efficiency; while financially, the closely estimated initial capital expenditure, per ton of annual production, is as favourable as anything yet achieved in the installation of similar plant. These factors, coupled with our favourable concentration of raw materials, existing organisation and the proposed facilities for export, require only an assurance of demand for the product, at prices based upon the most favourable possible production costs, plus a reasonable profit, to assure us of satisfactory returns. That the demand has in the past existed for several times our proposed initial production, statistics will prove. Cement is so fast becoming one of the staple requirements of civilisation, that it is inconceivable that the demand will not revive, and if this view be accepted, the whole matter is reduced to a consideration of competition. As I have already mentioned, with our proposed facilities, we have no doubt of our favourable position to compete with the production of any country, as long as that production is sold at something above its actual cost plus freight. Against dumping, we, in common with other manufacturers, cannot profitably compete in open markets. In referring to dumping, I naturally discriminate between such and legitimate keen competition.
So much for the problems and considerations which confront us in arriving at a decision in connection with our cement works proposals. The whole matter is constantly before us, and it is hoped that a member of your Board will shortly confer with our consulting engineers in London, and with the principal tenderers for the supply of the plant. You will be advised immediately any decision is arrived at, and in the meantime, I repeat that it will not in any case be necessary for you to earmark any capital for this project, as until such time as it may be considered wise to make a new issue of shares, finance can almost certainly be arranged.
I am not asking you to sanction a bonus to the members of the staff, and though everyone has worked whole-heartedly during the year, I am sure all have a full realisation of the times and a due appreciation of the fact that to be employed in these days upon favourable conditions is something to be grateful for. Some small portion of our earnings, however, might be voted to help in lightening the lot of the dependent unemployed, and you will, I am sure, appreciate the suggestion that donations of $250/- each be given to the funds of the European and Asiatic Unemployment Committees.
As I mentioned in my speech last year, His Excellency the High Commissioner and the Chief Secretary and party visited your operations at Batu Arang in January. Later in the year, His Highness the Sultan of Selangor and suite and the Hon. the British Resident, Selangor, Mr. T. S. Adams, similarly honoured your Company.
Mr. Kelman returned from leave and resumed his seat on the Board.
Before concluding I should like to refer to a leading article which appeared in the "Straits Times" since the issue of the accounts, criticising the principle that your Company should make profits while the Railways continue to be operated at a loss.
Like the Railways, your company has been financed very largely out of the revenue of prosperous times, but, unlike the Railways, such revenue has never been added to the capital upon which our profits are calculated.
It would be perfectly easy for us to do as the Railways have done and call our capital the actual amount spent on Capital Account regardless of its origin, on which basis we would now be distributing, not 15% on a paid capital of $2,575,050, but 4.29% on a capital of $9,000,000. We have considered the course which we have adopted preferable and more conservative, but other companies have capitalised from time to time their reserves by the issue of bonus shares, and as one does not hear criticism of profits, which, on the watered capital, look moderate, but which, on the actual subscribed capital, would be very large indeed, one can only conclude that at least one of the merits of inflation is the avoidance of criticism. If the "Straits Times" agree that the steady 10% which they consider sufficient for a colliery Company to make is to be based upon the total capital employed, we agree that this is a fair figure, but if it is suggested that $386,257 per annum is sufficient return upon $9,000,000 of capital, we regret we cannot agree.
It has always been the policy of your Board to plan for adversity, even when this seemed so remote as in 1929, and the fruits of this policy are the moderate dividends which we are now able to pay. It is not suggested that we have any preferential treatment, but perhaps the manner in which our interests have been sacrificed as mentioned by me to-day has not been realised. While we greatly value the support of the Railways I cannot, in the interests of all concerned, too strongly emphasise that the Railways purchase their coal from us strictly because it is the most economical fuel for them to use, and this after extended enquiry and trials of alternatives.
Last year a good deal was heard about Diesel Electric Locomotives, and during the local "Buy British Week" a Danish Diesel-Electric Locomotive was conducted over the F.M.S.R. system to the accompaniment of inspired and often erroneous press articles. It was suggested that the capital outlay of some millions of dollars in foreign Diesel Electric Locomotives may be necessary to relieve the F.M.S. Railways of its at present crushing burden of fuel costs, in order to make them prosperous again. The actual facts are that during 1931, which is the last complete year for which figures are published, the total cost of fuel, in the form of Malayan coal, for the whole of the F.M.S. Railways, represented just 7.3% of the total working expenditure on revenue account (after making due provision to the Renewals and Betterments Funds) or 27 cents only of the total cost of $3.70 per train mile. During 1932, the F.M.S. Railways enjoyed a considerable reduction in the cost of Malayan coal, and so the actual cost per train mile was no doubt correspondingly reduced.
The Straits Times suggests that we should distribute all profits over 10% to our consumers. Actually, if this sum in respect of 1932, amounting to $128,752, had been entirely applied to the reduction of the fuel cost of the F.M.S. Railways, the saving on the cost of $3.70 per train mile would have been 3 cents. It is clear, therefore, that it does not lie within the power of the suppliers of fuel to convert the present temporary losses of the F.M.S. Railways into profits, or even, to any material extent to reduce them. Even on the hypothetical assumption that we were to deliver the coal requirements of the system without charge, the present deficit would not be bridged, and the net result would be two undertakings operating at a loss instead of one.
During 1931, the total tonnage hauled over the F.M.S. Railways system for your Company's account represented as much as 14% of the total tonnage of paying freight hauled. The total freight paid to the F.M.S. Railways for the carriage of coal, machinery and general stores during 1931 represented nearly 10% of the total receipts of the F.M.S. Railways on account of freights. Royalty paid by your Company to the State in respect of coal sold during 1931 under contract to the F.M.S. Railways, amounted to $46,272, and one wonders whether it would not be possible for Royalty to be waived m respect of coal delivered to Government undertakings, in which case our price to the Railways would be correspondingly reduced.
Though the F.M.S. Railways enjoyed lower prices for their fuel during 1932, representing a saving of 5.4% and are this year enjoying a further reduction of some 5.5%, their freights rates on the conveyance of coal over distances exceeding 50 miles were increased, and this increase in the case of all tin mining consumers was borne by your Company. Whereas the suppliers of electric power demand a payment to cover the maintenance of, and interest upon, their plant when no power is being drawn, we have done nothing of the kind, and despite contracts, have discontinued and resumed supplies to our mining customers at any time and at a moment's notice. This reasonableness on our part has actually operated against us, in that those customers who also have electric dredges, or are grouped with companies so situated, prefer to operate the otherwise more expensive electric dredges to save the no-demand standby charges payable to the suppliers of power, the steam dredges, which are normally consumers of our coal, and which are more economical to run, being rendered idle.
Your Company has been, and still is, one of the largest individual contributors to the country's revenue, and but for factors beyond our control, and to which I have already referred at length, would be a very much greater one still. We have repeatedly assured the F.M.S. Railways Administration that, as soon as our coal sales increase, we shall be able to reduce still further the price of our coal to them, and the Railways have ample reason, in the form of past voluntary reductions, to realise the substance of such assurances on our part. In addition, our contract is based upon a sliding scale which provides the Railways with a progressive decrease in price with any increase in demand.
When it comes to the Railways finance, your company is by far the most important individual contributor to its revenue, and if we do not actually contribute by delivering coal to the system at a loss, we certainly contribute by paying high freights on coal, which make possible the carriage of higher priced commodities (which higher priced commodities have the roads as an alternative means of transport) at the same or even lower rates. (Applause)
I will now formally propose that the Balance Sheet and Accounts to the 31st December 1932 and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors, be received and adopted, which resolution I will ask Mr. Martin to second; but before I put the same to the meeting, I shall be glad to answer if I can any questions bearing upon the Report and Accounts which shareholders present may care to ask.
There being no questions asked, the Reports and Balance Sheet were unanimously adopted on the motion of the Deputy Chairman, seconded by Mr. W. H. Martin, who said: —
In seconding the proposal that the Balance Sheet and Accounts to the 31st December 1932, and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors be received and adopted, I should like to refer to the regrettable absence of your Chairman. Mr. Russell has been intimately identified with this Company since its inception and of course it is unnecessary for me to say that the measure of success achieved has been primarily due to his guidance. Mr. Russell has presided at seventeen Annual General Meetings in the nineteen years life of the Company, and though at the moment he is too ill to be with us, his thoughts are no doubt with us and I know you will join with us in sending him a message that we sincerely hope he will be spared to preside at our meetings for many more years.
In formally seconding the resolution, I hope that you are satisfied with the results which we are able to shew on operations during an exceedingly difficult year. Moderate though the results are, they represent the product of very hard work by all concerned and the strictest economy, and in this connection I should like to say how much we are indebted to the General Managers and the staff. (Applause)
The Final Dividend of 6% was unanimously approved on the motion of the Deputy Chairman seconded by Mr. F. Cunningham.
The Directors' remuneration of $20,000/- for the past year was unanimously carried on the motion of the Deputy Chairman and seconded by Mr. P. W. Gleeson, who remarked that the results before the meeting fully justified what, in his opinion, was only a moderate fee after taking into account the magnitude and the operations of the Company.
Mr. J. A. Russell was re-elected a Director on the proposal of the Deputy Chairman, seconded by Mr. P. W. Gleeson.
Mr. J. Hands proposed, and Mr. C. W. S. Gardner seconded that Messrs. Evatt & Co. be re-elected Auditors for the ensuing year.
The Meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
NOTE. —By the courtesy of the Straits Times Press Ltd. we reprint on the following pages an article published in the "Straits Times" of Friday 24th March, 1933, under the heading of "Collieries Profits," and to which reference is made in the Chairman’s speech.
THE "STRAITS TIMES."
Friday, 24th March 1933.
" COLLIERIES’ PROFITS. "
It has never been usual to class Malayan mining shares among gilt-edged securities, but Malayan Collieries continue to qualify for that class. They made nearly half a million dollars profit last year, despite a falling-off of over thirty per cent, in sales, and if the final recommendations of the directors are accepted the shareholders will receive dividends totalling fifteen per cent, in respect of last year. This is an enviable position and Malaya would be a much happier country if all its limited liability companies could present as good a report. But there is one fly in the ointment. Is not fifteen per cent, too much, having regard to the financial position of the Collieries’ principal customers, the railways and tin mines? This dividend is being paid out of profits actually earned during the year, only about $4,000 being drawn from reserves to make up the necessary amount. *These are days when shareholders ought to be very glad to get ten or twelve per cent., and although there will be some who will argue that the Collieries company is entitled to make as much profit as it can, slump or no slump, it is believed that the company's directors do not take that view but acknowledge the necessity of cherishing the geese which lay the golden eggs. One of those birds, in the shape of the F.M.S. Railways, is going to squawk rather loudly in the Federal Council next Monday, when it will ask for nearly $1,500,000 to cover its working loss for 1932. That loss looks more depressing than ever when compared with the profits earned by the company from which the railways buy their coal. Mr. J. A. Russell, the chairman of Malayan Collieries, doubtless has a good answer to this comment but perhaps he will agree that in the circumstances it is a reasonable attitude for an unbiassed observer. At any rate there will be an opportunity to reply to it at the Collieries' annual meeting next week. No one grudges the shareholders of this company adequate rewards for the possession of an exceedingly well-managed property and one of great value to the industries and railways of this country, and the fact that the railways are running at a loss is no reason why the Collieries should do so. Moreover, Mr. Russell will be entitled to point out in his speech that few, if any, Malayan tin-mining companies are making an actual loss at the present time and most of them are showing a modest profit.
On the other hand, there must be some relation between the profits earned by the Collieries and the financial position of their Malayan customers. A hard-headed business man might challenge this proposition to this extent: that he would argue that the Collieries are perfectly entitled to charge as high prices as they think they can get without losing business to importers of foreign coal. There is no question, of course, that the Collieries are entitled to charge anything they please. They are running in open competition with foreign coal producers and receive no tariff protection or special treatment from Government. Therefore, their shareholders may say that the company must be run on a strictly commercial basis and that neither the F.M.S. Railways nor the miners have any right to expect to receive coal at a dollar below actual competitive costs, fixed in relation to costs of imported coal. This might be done in the case of the mines, but the F.M.S. Railways are a rather more formidable proposition and if the railways administration decided that it should be possible for Malayan Collieries to supply them with coal at cheaper rates and yet pay a steady ten per cent., they might begin to look more seriously into the possibilities of buying imported coal or of trying Diesel engines (which would make railway travel in this country much more comfortable). Accordingly, the F.M.S. Railways are not in an entirely helpless position and in the light of the Collieries' annual report a little gentle pressure is indicated in the interests of taxpayers who are now being asked to foot a highly unwelcome bill for railway losses. Possibly a more economical arrangement has been arrived at between the Collieries and the railways since the directors' report was written, or another possibility is that the Collieries' quotations to the railways are already down to bedrock and the company is making its profit out of other and more fortunately situated customers. These again are points about which Mr. Russell may tell us more at the annual meeting next week. As compared with last year the shareholders’ dividends have fallen from twenty-two and a half to fifteen per cent., and they may think that the decline has gone far enough, but if the matter is looked at dispassionately from the F.M.S. taxpayers' point of view it is not easy to agree with the shareholders. The railways are making heavy losses while the Collieries are making relatively large profits. It is therefore necessary to put the question plainly to the Collieries' directors: "Could you not supply coal to the railways at lower prices and still pay ten per cent?" If the answer is in the negative, the taxpayers will be satisfied; if it is in the affirmative they will begin to apply goads to the railway donkey.
* Actually, the dividend absorbed 80% of the profits for the year 1932.
The following article was published in the "Straits Times" of Thursday, 30th March 1933, under the heading of The Collieries Reply. "
“ THE COLLIERIES REPLY."
A very full and detailed reply to the comments made in this column last week on the payment by Malayan Collieries of a fifteen per cent, dividend at a time when their principal customer, the F.M.S. Railways, are running at a heavy loss, was made at the annual meeting of the Collieries company yesterday. In the absence of Mr. J. A. Russell, whose serious illness has aroused anxiety among all who are concerned to see the industries of this country conducted with efficiency and foresight, Mr. H. H. Robbins dealt with our criticisms, and did so very effectively and at the same time with a moderation which is duly appreciated. No company or body of shareholders likes to hear criticisms of what it considers to be its own business—using that phrase in the colloquial as well as the literal sense—but the Collieries company evidently considered that it had a strong case and would only weaken that case by recriminations of the kind which sometimes mar differences of opinion of this nature. In this particular instance, however, it is not at all unlikely that the company actually welcomed our criticisms, for they provided an opportunity to make the position of the company perfectly clear to the public, and the Collieries directors must have been well aware that the declaration of a fifteen per cent, dividend at the very time at which the F.M.S. Railways were taking one and a half million dollars out of the Government treasury to cover last year's losses was bound to cause public comment. We freely admit, however, that Mr. Robbins made a much more convincing reply than we had thought possible.
Mr. Robbins was not quite right in saying that the "Straits Times" had criticised "the principle that your company should make profits while the railways continue to be operated at a loss." On the contrary, we explicitly stated that the fact that the railways were running at a loss was no reason why the Collieries should do so. But leaving that aside, we may concede that Mr. Robbins made a good point in stating that the Collieries company has put back into its undertaking over six millions of its earnings and its reserves to make up the necessary amount. These are days when share-shareholders are now entitled to reap some reward for the sacrifices they have made in the past. It is not unusual for companies to finance development out of revenue to some extent, but the Collieries may reasonably claim that the lengths to which they have carried this policy have been quite abnormal. They have erected a large power station, installed highly expensive equipment, and carried out many other ambitious developments, all with profits earned. Many another company would have financed these developments by issuing more shares, in which event the Collieries shareholders would—at any rate for a time—have received much larger dividends in the past than actually were paid to them, and Mr. Robbins points out that the dividend which has just been declared, if calculated on the actual capital expenditure, is not fifteen but 4.29 per cent., which is considerably less than the ten per cent, which we suggested as reasonable in present circumstances. Moreover, Mr. Robbins showed conclusively that the Collieries rates for coal are not the cause of the F.M.S. Railways' losses, since the cost of fuel represents only twenty-seven cents of the total cost of $3.70 per train mile. Another portion of Mr. Robbins' speech which was an indirect reply to the Straits Times criticisms was that in which he described the effect upon the Collieries' business of the F.M.S. Government's action in sinking twelve millions dollars in a rival company, the Perak Hydro-Electric Company, and another large sum in the purchase of the Sungei Besi Mines' power station. There may have been good reasons for both these transactions but they were unmistakably damaging to Malayan Collieries and Collieries are now justified in complaining that Government is not doing unto them as it (in the shape of its railways) would be done by. Indeed this aggressive competition by the F.M.S. Government, through the Perak Hydro-Electric Company, with the Collieries company for business obtainable in the mine-fields of Perak forms, in our view, the strongest argument advanced by Mr. Robbins.
By the courtesy of the Straits Times Press Ltd. we re-produce the following paragraph which appeared in the Straits Times" of Friday, 31st March 1933.
"A MALAYAN RECORD;”
It must have been a great disappointment to Mr. J. A. Russell yesterday not to have been able to attend the annual meeting of Malayan Collieries, for he has presided at seventeen out of nineteen annual meetings in the history of this company. It is doubtful whether any other local company has worked under the same chairmanship for so long a period and the regard in which the shareholders of Malayan Collieries hold Mr. Russell is shown by the following words uttered by Mr. W. H. Martin yesterday: "Mr. Russell has been intimately identified with this company since its inception and it is unnecessary for me to say that the measure of success achieved has been primarily due to his guidance." Mr. Russell is now lying ill in hospital in Singapore, but the very able speech delivered at the meeting yesterday clearly bears the impress of his forceful and original mind, and at a time when nearly all industrial undertakings are marking time it may be commended to our readers as being, in those parts of it which relate to subsidiary undertakings at Batu Arang, the most progressive and optimistic address which has been made by a company chairman in Malaya for a long time.
(NB The last article: "A MALAYAN RECORD;” can not be foud in S.T. in Singapore Archives.)
Above from: MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED REPORTS & BALANCE SHEETS AND PROCEEDINGS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS 1926- 1935 & meeting reported in: THE MALAY MAIL, THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1933, ps 4 & 5, under Headlines: Planning for Day of Revival, Astonishing Fortitude Shown & Malayan Collieries Reply to Press Criticism,various parts of meeting reported in The Straits Times, 30 March 1933, Page 10 SINGAPORE, THURSDAY, MAR. 30, 1933. Leader Article THE COLLIERIES' REPLY, & The Straits Times, 30 March 1933, Page 9 Malayan Collieries And Perak Hydro. CHAIRMAN'S SLASHING ATTACK. Millions Sunk In Electrical Undertakings. The chairman's speech at the Malayan Collieries' meeting yesterday was of exceptional interest, as it dealt with the F.M.S. Government's action in investing in the Perak Hydro-Electric Company and in purchasing the power station of Sungei Besi Mines. The Chairman also discussed at length the existing subsidiary enterprises of the Collieries Company and referred to the probability of developing cement, logging and wood distillation industries. BATU ARANG SUBSIDIARY SCHEMES & NEARER RECOVERY. [Articles] The Straits Times, 30 March 1933, Page 9 & The Straits Times, 30 March 1933, Page 14 OTHER BUSINESS. Deep Regret At Illness of Mr. J. A. Russell, & The Straits Times, 30 March 1933, Page 11 COLLIERIES F.M.S. RAILWAYS. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 30 March 1933, Page 9 F.M.S. POLICY CRITICISED Millions Sunk In Perak River Scheme UNFAIR MONOPOLY Malayan Collieries' Chief Attacks Government From Our Own Correspondent Kuala Lumpur, Mar 29 Mr. H. H. Robbins presiding at the annual meeting of Malayan Collieries to-day read a long review prepared by Mr. J. A. Russell. (Shorter version of Straits Times record) (1141 words)
The Straits Times, 30 March 1933, Page 10 & The Malay Mail, Friday, March 31, 1933, page 8. The condition of Mr. J. A. Russell, chairman of Malayan Collieries, Ltd who was admitted to the Singapore General Hospital on Tuesday and underwent an operation, is unchanged today.
The Straits Times, 31 March 1933, Page 10 SOCIAL PERSONAL On inquiry at the general Hospital this morning it was stated that there was no change in the condition of Mr. J. A. Russell
The Straits Times, 31 March 1933, Page 6 and The Straits Times, 18 April 1933, Page 14 THIS IS JUST AN ADVERTISEMENT ABOUT CHARCOAL GAS FOR LORRIES and TRACTORS BUT IF YOU RUN TRANSPORT its of vital importance to you…. Fit a Koela Plant to your Lorry or Tractor, Local Agent J. A. Russell and Co. Kuala Lumpur FMS manufactured by: The Producer Gas Plant Company, 62, Conduit Street, London W1 England.
The Straits Times, 7 April 1933, Page 10 • The Straits Times SINGAPORE, FRIDAY, APRIL, 7, 1933. (Leader) ANOTHER VIEWPOINT. A remarkable amount of interest has been aroused by the articles which have appeared in this column of the Straits Times on the subject of the profits earned by Malayan Collieries and by the reply made by the deputy chairman of the company. It is not easy to get an impartial opinion, because the Collieries shares are widely held and the holders have been accustomed for so long to receive substantial dividends at regular intervals, and have put back so much of their profits into the development of their undertaking, that they find it difficult to look at the matter from any point of view other than their own. Moreover, so many local companies are passing their dividends or drastically reducing them at the present time that the dependence of a large section of the public on the profits earned and distributed by the Collieries is greater than it has ever been. Another factor in the response to our comments has been the support which the man-in-the-street instinctively gives to a private company when he sees it striving to hold its own in the face of active competition from Government. And, indeed that is an aspect of the matter which must arouse general sympathy. So long as the F.M.S Government has twelve million dollars invested in the Perak Hydro –Electric Company, and so long as it is supplying Kuala Lumpur with hydro-electric power generated at its newly acquired station at Sungei Besi, it cannot be surprised if the shareholders of Malayan Collieries feel resentment and if the company’s quotations to the Government railways are not on quite as altruistic a basis as they conceivably might be. • But resentment is a dangerous luxury when clear-headed judgment is required, and while it may be conceded that the protest made by the deputy chairman of Malayan Collieries was fully justified, yet the fact remains that the Collieries must frame their policy in the light of the accomplished facts and not theoretical circumstances. It may well be that Government should never have sunk so much money into Perak Hydro-Electric Company, but the great station at Chenderoh is now in existence and cannot be allowed to rust in idleness. Moreover, as Mr. Robbins admitted in his speech, the F.M.S. Government finds itself the owner or part owner of two hydro–electric stations, not by choice but by force of circumstance. Accordingly, the very best thing for the Collieries company to do is to carry on as amicably as possible in the belief that whole the economic outlook changes there will be plenty of business for everyone concerned. It is possible that anyone reading Mr. Robbins’ speech may overestimate the importance of electrical competition to the Collieries. This competition is certainly serious, but the tin mining industry is not the principal customer of the Collieries. As Mr. Robbins puts it, “ the railways purchase their coal from us strictly because it is the most economical fuel for them to use, and this after extended inquiry and alternatives.” So long as that position continues, the Collieries will always be a dividend-payer, and many another company would be thankful to have so substantial and reliable a customer. But apart from the railways there must always be a market for Collieries coal in this country. The average possible load of the Perak River and Sungei Besi hydro–electric stations only represents a coal consumption of 130,500 tons per year, whereas in 1929 the Collieries produced as much as 600,000 tons. Possibly we shall never see the prosperity of 1929 again, but at least we may expect an improvement in some degree and when that happens there will be, beyond the limits of hydro- electric development, a large demand for power from steam stations which will benefit the Collieries. • One important point which has not been brought out hitherto in this discussion is the Collieries’ position in relation to imported oil fuel. The importation of this industrial fuel showed an amazing increase of 437 per cent. during the five years 1925-29, or from 16,893 to 90,841 tons, and of the latter quantity 73,356 tons were used in mining. The 1929 figure is the equivalent of about 200,000 tons of Malayan Collieries coal, and whatever success the Collieries can achieve in competing with oil fuel will befit the country as a whole, since oil fuel pays no import duty and is mainly transported by road whereas Batu Arang coal is carried by the railways and provides revenue for Government and dividends for the local public. No doubt a large part of this oil fuel business is outside the scope of the Collieries competition, but there are some well-informed people who believe that that competition could be more effective than it is and that the Collieries have kept their prices dangerously high, having regard to the calorific value of their product. Another point which should be made is that the more business the Perak River hydro-electric station obtains, the nearer comes the day when the Malim Nawar and Malayan Tin steam stations will be reopened, thus increasing the demand for Collieries coal. Having regard to the facts and figures advanced by Mr. Robbins the Straits Times is frankly not prepared to take an uncompromising stand on the matter of the Collieries profits, but it is desirable to indicate the various angles from which the question should be examined and we are bound to confess that there is more support than we had imagined for the belief that so long as the slump lasts a dividend nearer ten than fifteen per cent. would be advisable in the interests not only of the railways, but of the company itself. •
Letter from Chairman, Sanitary Board, Kuala Lumpur to the Secretary to Resident Selangor-8.04.1933 Sanitary Board Offices, Kuala Lumpur, 13th March, 1933. Sir, In continuation with the appeal by Messrs. J. A. Russell & Co. against the valuation for assessment purposes of certain properties in Kuala Lumpur, I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of the Court order and to ask that a warrant be issued for payment of $3,416.56 being the amount of costs of the suit plus $250- being the amount payable to Mr. F. W. Douglas vide your G. 480/33. 2. To meet this special unforeseen expenditure of $3,666.56 I am prepared to make a corresponding saving in vote “Town Improvements” item 119 page 36, Selangor Estimates, 1933. ($ 10,000). I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, D. Richards Chairman, Sanitary Board, Kuala Lumpur. From National Archives of Malaysia. Divisional Office of Selangor (G480/1933). Transcribed by P.C
The Malay Mail April 8 1933 p.9, & Times of Malaya and Planters and Miners Gazette p.9 Obituary Mr. J. A. Russell A WONDERFUL CAREER We regret to announce the death of Mr. J. A. Russell which took place at the Singapore hospital yesterday evening, at the age of 50. The funeral took place this morning in Singapore. The late Mr. J. A. Russell had a long family and business connection with Malaya which began when a Mr. John Russell, accompanied by his wife and family, came out to Kuala Lumpur from England in the very early nineties of the last century to take up a Government appointment. Mr. John Russell’s wife met with a fatal carriage accident in Singapore after a comparatively short residence in this country and her husband was left to bring up a family of five sons and start them in life. Mr. John Russell was a man of character and ability, so it is not surprising that all his sons have had successful careers in Malaya or elsewhere. The eldest son was Manager of the Federated Engineering Company here before he left for England where he now has a business of his own. The late Mr. J. A. Russell - known to his friends as Archie - was the second of five brothers three of whom survive him. Archie began his business training as an assistant in the Straits Trading Company and whilst there perfected his knowledge of Chinese and learnt about tin-mining. He left the Straits Trading Company in 1903 to join the International Tin Corporation (U.S.A) which at that time was proposing to operate in Malaya. Whilst working for the American company he spent most of his time in Ipoh where he learnt more about tin-mining. Before long he become a tin-miner himself and a few years later started the well known Kuala Lumpur firm of J. A. Russell & Co., in which his youngest brother Mr. R. C. Russell is a partner. These were the initial stages of a career which was to culminate in his becoming the greatest European commercial man in Malaya having important business interests in four continents. His many commercial interests outside Malaya included W. H. Loxley and Co., (London), with branches at Hong Kong and Canton; Perrin, Cooper and Co., Shanghai and Tientsin, the financial control of the North China Wool Co., of Tientsin and the Loxley Wool Co., (Pty). Ltd., of Cape Province, South Africa. The China and South Africa interests were controlled jointly by Mr. J. A. Russell and his brother, Mr. D. O. Russell who came over from South Africa last month to see his brother partner and afterwards went on to Hong Kong. Archie’s great monument in this country already exists in the Malayan Collieries which he created some twenty years ago when the proposition had been considered and turned down by more than one hard-headed business man. How successful the venture has been is known to all. But Archie had, also many other commercial interests in Malaya. For years he was a purchaser of real estate, including practically the whole of the shop-houses in the new town part of Ipoh. And it may be remembered that of recent years he had been one of the first to realize the possibilities of tea growing in the neighbourhood of Cameron Highlands and had backed his belief by starting to grow tea there on a large scale. His whole career has been a business romance of such magnitude that it cannot be compared with the achievements of any other European in Malaya - past or present. He did not play any great part in the public life of this country, but it will be remembered that faced with financial difficulties which necessitated the appointment of a Retrenchment Commission, Archie was one of the men the Government turned to for assistance and advice in its hour of need. During the War he presented the British Government with an aeroplane. Without money or interest a young assistant in the Straits Trading Company acquired both wealth and a unique position by pluck, industry, sound sense and vision. He was never afraid to take a risk, after careful consideration of future possibilities. If he had never made any other speech in his life, the address he prepared for delivery at the Malayan Collieries meeting recently would stamp him as a man of remarkable ability and foresight. Of slight built and with a quiet somewhat retiring manner, his success in life was entirely due to his mental equipment. He looked the student rather than a hard-headed pushing business man. He had no particular hobbies outside his business and his books. He made no parade of his wealth. He was whimsically cynical at times when talking with old friends but his smile betrayed the kindness of his heart. He was a devoted son. His father who only died a year or two ago reciprocated these sentiments of deep affection. Archie married somewhat late in life. His only child - a boy - was born about nine months ago. To his widow and surviving brothers will go out the sympathetic condolences of a large number of friends. THE FUNERAL (From Our Correspondent) Singapore, TO-DAY. Mr. John Archibald Russell, Chairman of Malayan Collieries Ltd., died at the General Hospital last night. It is understood that he entered the Kuala Lumpur hospital for an operation for appendicitis but it was discovered that he was suffering from a more serious complaint and a second operation become necessary which was undertaken in the Singapore Hospital. His condition thereafter steadily grew worse and he passed away at 8 p.m. The deceased was a son of Mr. John Russell, formerly in the Selangor Government Service, and received his early education at Raffles Institution, Singapore, subsequently proceeding to England to compete studies. 0. The funeral took place at the Bidadari cemetery this morning and was largely attended. There was a great profusion of floral tributes.
The Straits Times, 8 April 1933, Page 11 DEATH OF MR. J. A. RUSSELL “One of Our Greatest Business Men.” LOSS TO THE F.M.S. Founder of Malayan Collieries. Mr. J. A. Russell, the chairman of Malayan Collieries Ltd., and one of the leading European residents of the Federated Malay States, died in the General Hospital, Singapore, last night about 8 o’clock. Mr. Russell, who was fifty years of age, was never of robust appearance but was able to bear with apparent ease heavy and ever-growing business responsibilities until a few weeks ago, when he was operated upon for appendicitis. Unfortunately a more deepseated trouble was then discovered and it was intended that he should sail for Home last week. It became necessary, however, for him to enter hospital again, and a second operation was performed, but he was beyond human aid. He is survived by his widow, and infant child and three brothers. The Funeral. A number of leading business men attended the funeral at Bidadari cemetery this morning, the service being conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Graham White. Those present were : Mr. W. H. Martin and Mr. H. H. Robbins, directors of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., the Hon. Mr. J. Bagnall, the Hon. Mr. W. A. Fell,and Messrs. J. A. Clarke, J. A. P. Strachan, P. R. Davison, A. Dobson, W. Mansfield and L. W. Richards. Wreaths were sent by : Kathleen and Tristan ; Sheelah, Bobby and Doreen ; George, Madelene and John ; Hilda and children ; Don, Ethel and children ; Bob, Andrew and Irene ; Robby and Joyce ; John and Rita ; Freddy ; Peter ; Lill and Lauder ; Jack and Lynn ; the Hon. Mr. W. A. Fell ; Mr. J. A. P. Strachan ; Mr. and Mrs W. Hay ; Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Hitchcock ; Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation ; Mr. Reggy Holmes ; Mr. and Mrs. P. R. Davison ; Mr. W. H. Macgregor ; Staff, J. A. Russell and Co., Board of Directors, Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Staff, Malayan Collieries Ltd., Board of Directors, United Engineers, Ltd ; Mr. and Mrs. A. Dobson ; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. M. Robson ; Mr and Mrs. Stoney Archer ; Mr. W. H. Martin ; London Staff, W. R. Loxley and Co., China staff, W. R. Loxley and Co., Ford and Delamore ; Mrs. James Cunningham and family ; Col. and Mrs. Archer ; Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Watson, Mr. and Mrs. C. Farnworth ; Raffles Hotel ; Mr. P.W. Gleeson ; Mr. L. Richards ; Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Banks ; Union Insurance Society of Canton, Ltd., American Express Co., Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Williams ; A. A. Henggler ; Evatt and Co., I.A. Elias ; Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Atken-Berry ; Dr. J. G. Hanna ; Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Blair ; Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Rogers ; Elthie and Pip ; President and Members the Selangor Club ; Harrisons, Barker, Ltd. Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Miles ; Dr. J. Reed ; Mr. D. H. Hampshire. An Economic Pioneer. John Archibald Russell was one of the outstanding figures in the business world of Malaya and had he not died at an untimely age he would have written his name across the economic history of this country in even bolder letters than those which are to be seen today. Of a retiring and studious disposition, he rarely entered into local society and showed no desire for public office or reputation. It is true that at the very end of his career he unselfishly shouldered the heavy burden of membership of the F. M. S. Retrenchment Commission but up to that time he had confined himself almost entirely to the conduct of the various and important undertakings with which he was associated. A man who had know him for many years described him to the present writer as “one of the greatest business men this country has ever known.” This is a true description, for his whole temperament and metal equipment were adapted to the economic rather than the administrative, political or social spheres. It is probable that he was not particularly interested in dividends as such, although he always safeguarded the interests of his shareholders most zealously, but his was the type of mind which finds its principal outlets in organization and development on the grand scale, in exploring new paths, and in co-ordinating many enterprises into a harmonious whole. But with this progressiveness, this refusal to stand still and rest content with achieved success, which was one of the strongest elements in his character, he combined levelheadedness, caution and thoroughness. He never went into a new venture until he had studied it thoroughly from all angles and he never hesitated to spend money on the best advice obtainable. All the subsidiary industries at the Batu Arang coal-field, both those in existence and those which are now under consideration, have been examined by leading specialist brought out from Great Britain and kept out here for as long was necessary. History of the Collieries. It is with the very large and prosperous undertaking known as Malayan Collieries Ltd, that Mr. “Archie” Russell’s name will always be principally associated. The story of the foundation of this, the only colliery company in Malaya, is a romantic one and begins with a Malay picking up pieces of coal in the jungle and bringing them to a British mining engineer. Prospecting followed and soon after the wealth of the Batu Arang coal-field had been discovered the Collieries company was floated by J. A. Russell and Co. It has had a record on unbroken success and rapid but wisely planned and controlled development. So far has it surpassed the original plans of its founders that its present power station alone cost three times the amount of capital stated in the original prospectus as required to open up the mine and provide the necessary equipment. Since the company was floated nineteen years ago the amount of capital sunk into it has totalled nine million dollars, over six million of which have come out of profits actually earned. Those who read the chairman’s speech delivered at the annual meeting of the Collieries company last Wednesday will recall the staggering figures then given of the contributions which the company has made to the F. M. S Railways and to Government in other directions since its inception. Nevertheless it has been a regular and generous dividend-payer and has been looked upon for many years past as on of the safest investments in the country. In 1931 it paid 22 ½ percent, and last year fifteen per cent., and the efficiency of its plant and the extent of its coal reserves are such that it should continue to enjoy a prosperous career despite the depressed conditions which now prevail. A Brilliant Chairman. It is fully recognized that Mr. Russell was the guiding spirit of this company up to the time of his death. He presided at seventeen out of nineteen annual meetings in the history of the company and his speech to the shareholders was always one of the ablest heard during the Malayan commercial year. The speech delivered in Mr. Russell’s absence by Mr. Robbins last Wednesday was written by Mr. Russell and it was notable for the vigour with which it criticized Government’s policy in relation to electrical rivals of Malayan Collieries and the clarity with which it discussed the numerous subsidiary enterprises, such as the manufacture of cement, bricks, and tiles, the logging of timber and the distillation of waste timber in which the company is now interested or has in view at Batu Arang. The faith placed by the Collieries shareholders in Mr. Russell was amply demonstrated during the famous litigation in which Mr. Russell’s firm were sued by Mr. F. C. Peck in connection with the purchase of the Pamoekan Bay colliery by Malayan Collieries. No account of Mr. Russell’s career would be complete without reference to this case, which turned upon Mr. Russell’s dual position as chairman of Malayan Collieries and also as chairman of a separate firm which acted as managing agents for the Collieries and at the same time conducted a prospecting business on its own behalf. This litigation lasted a fortnight and although the decision was adverse to Mr. Russell the vast majority of shareholders felt that the issue was purely a legal one, of no ethical significances and Mr. Russell continued to guide the destinies of the Collieries company with his co-directors. Boyhood In Kuala Lumpur Mr. Russell’s connection with Malaya dates from his infancy, when his father, the late Mr. John Russell, came out to Kuala Lumpur from the Illustrated London News somewhere about 1888 to be the first Government Printer in Selangor. Mr. John Russell was a man of exceptional ability, as it shown by the following sketch written by Mr. J. H. M. Robson and published in the Malay Mail several years ago. “In the case of the late Mr. John Russell the State had the chance of utilising the services of a man who, coming here as Superintendent of the then newly opened Government Printing Department, was obviously well fitted to undertake more important administrative work. Unfortunately Russell was very good at his particular work and equally unfortunately for the State, he happened to be one of those people who never think of blowing their own trumpets or asking for promotion. A man of great industry, with a strong sense of duty, backed by unlimited common sense, his services would have been extremely valuable in any appointment open to other than cadets. I feel sure that if he had remained here long enough William Maxwell would have had Russell out of the Printing Office and in some other more responsible appointment but fate willed it otherwise.” During Mr. “Archie” Russell’s early years in Kuala Lumpur he learnt to speak Chinese with the fluency of a native a gift which stood him in good stead in business life in later years. It is believed that he spent a year or two at Raffles School, Singapore, together with his eldest brother, and finished his education in England. Subsequently he and his four brothers returned to Malaya in various capacities and all had successful careers out here or elsewhere in the East. The Five Brothers. The oldest of the five, Mr. G. D. Russell, was head of the Federated Engineering Company, Kuala Lumpur, some years ago and has since been associated with a large engineering concern in England. The third son, Mr. “Phil” Russell, who died some years ago, was head of the Singapore firm of Swan and Maclaren before he retired. Mr. D. O. Russell, who studied mining engineering in the United States, is head of the well known Eastern firm of Loxley and Co., and the youngest of the five brothers, Mr. “Bob” Russell, is a partner in J. A. Russell and Co., of Kuala Lumpur. Mr. “Archie” Russell commenced his Malayan career as an assistant in the Straits Trading Company about thirty years ago. He subsequently joined the International Tin Company, an American company which went into liquidation, and Mr. Russell then started his own business of J. A. Russell and Co. One of his most sensational transactions occurred when he bought up practically one third of the town of Ipoh, in the shape of the Yau Tet Shin estate, otherwise know as the Newton area. Another important chapter in Mr. Russell’s career is bound up with development of Boh Plantations at Cameron Highlands. This was the first hill-country estate to be opened up in Malaya and has now about 800 acres planted in high grade tea and coffee. It was inevitably a very costly venture, for the land granted to Boh Plantations was five miles from Government road and all the planting had to be done on hill-sides of varying steepness. It was financed entirely by Mr. “Archie” Russell and will do more to prove the economic value of the Highlands hill region than any Government experimental work. Numerous as are the activities outlined above, Mr. Russell’s business responsibilities were by no means confined to Malaya but extended throughout the Far East and even to Africa. W. R. Loxley and Co., of London, Hong Kong and Canton, and Perrin Cooper and Company, of Tientsin and Shanghai, were entirely owned and controlled by Mr. J. A. Russell, with his brother Mr. D. O. Russell; while the North China Wool Company, of Tientsin, and the Loxley Wool Coy.(Pty) Ltd., of South Africa, were financially controlled by Mr. J. A. Russell, again with his brother Mr. D. O. Russell. Mr. Russell’s death is a grievous loss not only to Malayan Collieries but to the F. M. S. as a whole, for he did much towards exploiting the natural resources of this territory along sound lines, and had he lived he would undoubtedly have added several new industries to those which his fertile brain had already planned and brought into being. Especially at this time, when business judgment and foresight are necessary as never before in this slump-ridden and harassed country. Mr. Russell’s death comes as a shock which has been felt far outside the circles of those who knew him personally or were associated with him in business activities.
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 8 April 1933, Page 9 PIONEER OF A GREAT INDUSTRY DEATH OP MR. JOHN A. RUSSELL Malayan Collieries Chairman Mr. John Archibald Russell, Chairman Malayan Collieries Ltd., and one of the best-known Europeans in Malaya, died in the General Hospital last night, at the age of 50 years. Mr. Russell had entered the hospital a few weeks ago to be operated upon for appendicitis. It was found he was suffering from a much more serious complaint and a second operation became necessary. His condition worsened and he passed away about eight o’clock. He leaves a widow and infant child. 0. Mr. Russell has been described as one of the greatest business men this country has ever known. His connection with Malaya dates from his very early childhood when his father Mr. John Russell came to Kuala Lumpur to take the position of Government Printer, Selangor. IPOH INTERESTS His education was begun at Raffles School, Singapore and he afterwards went to England to finish. Subsequently he and his four brothers all returned to Malaya. He commenced his career in Malaya as an assistant in the Straits Trading Company and later joined the International Tin Company, an American concern which went into liquidation. Subsequently Mr. Russell started his own business under the style of J. A. Russell and Co. He was connected with the development of the Boh Plantation at Cameron Highlands, the first of the Malayan hill stations, and many years ago he bought up the Yau Tet Shin Estate at Ipoh which comprised almost one third of the town and was known as the New Town Area. His death is a great loss to the F.M.S. for he has done a great deal towards exploiting the natural resources of the country on sound lines. 0. He had business interests throughout the Far East and in Africa. He and his brother, Mr. D. O. Russell, were the principals of the firm W. R. Loxley and Co. of London, Hong Kong and Canton, also of the North China Wool Co. Tientsin and the Loxley Wool Co. of South Africa. 0. RETRENCHMENT COMMISSION Of a retiring and peaceful disposition, Mr. Russell rarely entered into local society and showed no desire for public office, although latterly he had been a member of the F.M.S. Retrenchment Commission. He gave most of his time to his business and his great strength of character, his wide knowledge of local business affairs and the thoroughness with which he tackled anything in which he was interested, stamped him as a man of outstanding ability, and one who inspired confidence in everybody with whom he came in contact. 0. Throughout his career he never departed from the high standard he set at the very commencement and shareholders who came under his influence were always assured that their interests would be properly safeguarded. MALAYAN COLLERIES He laid the foundation of a great industry at the Batu Arang coalfield and it was always his practice to have any proposed extension or development thoroughly investigated before it was proceeded with. It was Mr. Russell’s keen insight into the prospects of coal mining in Malaya some 20 years ago that has resulted in the Malayan Collieries which, has, thanks to his careful guiding, materialised into a most successful concern. To-day the collieries stand on a safe and sure foundation, the only concern of its kind in the country. Some idea of the extent to which the business has developed will be gained when it is remembered that the present power station involved an outlay much in excess of the original capital announced in the first prospectus issued with a view to opening up the mine. Nine million dollars worth of capital has since been sunk into Malayan Collieries. The company has made generous contributions to the F.M.S. Railways and to the Government since its foundation and shareholders have received regular dividends. In 1931, when most business concerns were beginning to tighten up their affairs the Malayan Collieries paid 22 ½ per cent. Last year a dividend of 15 per cent was paid and despite the depression the future gives no cause for anxiety. FAMOUS LITIGATION. Reference to the Malayan Collieries and Mr. Russell’s connection with the business would not be complete without recalling the famous litigation in which the firm was sued by Mr. F. C. Peck. The action rose in connection with the purchase of the Pamoekan Bay Colliery by Mr. Russell’s firm, and as a chairman of the Malayan Collieries and chairman also of a separate firm acting as managing agents for the collieries, Mr. Russell was closely connected with the court proceedings which lasted two weeks. The decision of the court was adverse to Mr. Russell, but the position was accepted by everyone who knew Mr. Russell personally or had business dealings with him as being purely a matter of legal argument. Mr. Russell continued as chairman of the company. 0. Mr. Russell was recently re- elected director of United Engineers Ltd., but resigned and was to have gone on leave by the Comorin. The funeral will take place this morning at 10 o’clock at Bidadari.
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 10 April 1933, Page 7 LATE MR. J. A. RUSSELL Burial at Bidadari Cemetery The funeral of Mr. Join Archibald Russell, who died in the General Hospital on Friday night, took place at Bidadari Cemetery on Saturday. There was a fairly large gathering present of prominent business men, and a wealth of beautiful wreaths covered the coffin. The Ven Archdeacon Graham White officiated, there being the usual short service in the Chapel before the burial. Those present at the graveside were: 0. Mr. W. H. Martin and Mr. H. H. Robbins, directors of Malayan Collieries, Ltd., the Hon. Mr. J. Bagnall, the Hon. Mr. W. A. Fell, and Messrs. J. A. Clarke, J. A. P. Strachan, P. R. Davison, A. Dobson, W. Mansfield and L. W. Richards. Wreaths were sent by: Kathleen and Tristan; Sheelah, Bobby and Doreen; George, Madelene and John; Hilda and children; Don, Ethel and children; Bob, Andrew and Irene; Robby and Joyce; John and Rita; Freddy; Peter; Lill and Lauder; Jack and Lynn; the Hon. Mr. W. A. Fell; Mr. J. A. P. Strachan; Mr. and Mrs. W. Hay; Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Hitchcock; Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation; Mr. Reggy Holmes; Mr. and Mrs. P. R. Davison; Mr. W. H. Macgregor; Staff, J. A. Russell and Co., Board of Directors, Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Staff, Malayan Collieries Ltd., Board of Directors, United Engineers, Ltd ; Mr. and Mrs. A. Dobson ; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. M. Robson ; Mr. and Mrs. Stoney Archer ; Mr. W. H. Martin ; London Staff, W. R. Loxley and Co., China staff, W. R. Loxley and Co., Ford and Delamore ; Mrs. James Cunningham and family ; Col. and Mrs. Archer ; Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Watson, Mr. and Mrs. C. Farnworth ; Raffles Hotel ; Mr. P.W. Gleeson ; Mr. L. Richards ; Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Banks ; Union Insurance Society of Canton, Ltd., American Express Co., Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Williams ; A. A. Henggeler ; Evatt and Co., I.A. Elias ; Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Atken-Berry ; Dr. J. G. Hanna ; Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Blair ; Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Rogers ; Elthie and Pip ; President and Members the Selangor Club ; Harrisons, Barker, Ltd. Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Miles ; Dr. J. Reed ; Mr. D. H. Hampshire and Mr. and Mrs. Rex, Kuala Lumpur.
The Straits Times, 10 April 1933, Page 10 NOTES OF THE DAY. MALAYAN INDUSTRIES (Extract: Malayan Breweries…” substantial capital was employed in the formation of both the breweries and the collieries companies… But what is the attitude of Governments? In the case of Malayan Collieries, the F.M.S. Government has entered into direct competition…These decisions are hardly in accordance with many pious expressions of a determination to encourage local enterprise.
The Straits Times, 11 April 1933, Page 10 and Untitled [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 12 April 1933, Page 8. SOCIAL PERSONAL. Mr. J. Joice, of Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., has been appointed manager of the Buffalo Reef Gold Mine which is being developed by the Buffalo Reef Prospecting and Development Co., Ltd.
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 11 April 1933, Page 14 & The Straits Times, 11 April 1933, Page 19 MARCH DONATIONS Aid For European Unemployment Committee Following is the list of donations received by the European Unemployment Committee in March: ..Malayan Collieries Ltd. $250.00…
The Straits Times, 11 April 1933, Page 14 & The Straits Times, 2 May 1933, Page 14 RUN YOUR LORRIES AND TRACTORS ON CHARCOAL GAS LARGE SAVING IN RUNNING COST!... Fit a Koela Plant to your Lorry or Tractor, Local Agents J. A. Russell and Co. Kuala Lumpur F.M.S. manufactured by: The Producer Gas Plant Company, 62, Conduit Street, London W1 England.
Malayan Saturday Post, 15 April 1933, Page 1 Personalia... here and there in Malaya Mr. J. A. Russell, chairman of Malayan Collieries Ltd., and one of the leading European Residents of the F.M.S. died in the general Hospital in Singapore, on Friday evening last week. Mr. Russell who was 50 years of age, was recently operated on for appendicitis, but a more deep seated trouble was then discovered and it was intended that he should sail for Home last week, It became necessary, however for him to enter hospital again, and a second operation was performed, but this was unavailing. He is survived by a widow, an infant child and three brothers. A number of leading business men attended the funeral at Bidadari cemetery on Saturday morning, the service being conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Graham White.
The Straits Times, 15 April 1933, Page 28 MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS. . Mr. "Archie" Russell . (By Our Planting Correspondent) A Loss to Malaya. My notes would not be complete this week without reference to the great loss which Malayan agriculture has sustained in the passing of “ Archie” Russell. While many obituary notices have referred to the various and extensive enterprises that Mr. Russell so successfully built up during the last twenty years, few have given due weight to the practical interest he showed in the development of plantation agriculture in this country. 0. Going back nearly a quarter of a century I recall that his first venture was obtaining an option over Kamasan Estate, Kuala Selangor, in partnership with a planter. That company has since paid out 374 per cent. In dividends and passed its dividend for the first time this year. In those early days Mr. Russell was also associated with the floatation of Sungei Ramal, New Serandah, Utan Simpan and other local companies and was a member of their boards for some years. More recently the pressure of other business compelled him to hand over these duties to Mr. R. C. Russell. He also built up substantial rubber interests of his own, so much so that at the date of his death he was, I believe, the largest private owner in Malaya. 0. Planters should not forget what they owe to “Archie”, in his capacity as chairman of Malayan Collieries, for placing locally made rubber cases on the market at competitive prices. I think I am right in saying that until the Malaply cases made at Batu Arang, or Malayan Timbers and with Malayan labour, were put on the market there was no tendency towards a material reduction in the prices of imported cases. Other Enterprises. “Archie’s” agricultural interests were not confined to rubber. The well- thought- out venture in highland tea known as Boh Plantations, carried out under very difficult pioneering conditions, is now approaching the bearing stage and for many years will constitute an enterprise of fundamental importance to Malaya. 0. Probably few people know that Mr. Russell conceived equally ambitious agricultural schemes which, but for the red tape of government officials, might have been as well established today as Boh Plantations. To give an example, it was only the refusal of the government some years ago to alienate land except on very onerous terms that prevented this far seeing man from planting several thousand acres in high yielding sugar cane, and it is not without significance that most of the land which asked for at the time is still a virgin jungle today. Possibly Government at that time had not appreciated the outstanding ability of Mr. Russell and his capacity to carry through very large schemes. I well remember the disappointment he expressed to me at the apathy of Government towards his sugar-planting venture. Gone are the days when capital for enterprises of that magnitude could be easily raised, but apart form financial considerations we have to lament the fact that in Archie Russell Malaya has lost a powerful supporter of any well considered enterprise, and it will be many years before we see his like again………..
Warrant from Secretary to Resident Selangor to the Chairman of the Sanitary Board Kuala Lumpur. 22.04.1933 FEDERATED MALAY STATES SELANGOR GOVERNMENT SUPPLEMENTARY WARRANT No. 19 of 1933 Sel.G. 480/33 Try. 1147/33 Chairman, Sanitary Board, Kuala Lumpur. TO THE TREASURER You are hereby authorized and required to pay the following supplementary provision over the current estimates for 1933 on account of Sanitary Boards (Reserved Services) Kuala Lumpur Other Charges – Special expenditure (Unprovided) Cost of appeal in the case Russell versus the Chairman, Sanitary Board, Kuala Lumpur and fees for Expert Witnesses … …… $3,666-56 NOTE: - A corresponding saving to be made on Item 119 – Town Improvements, under P. W., S. S., Sanitary Board, K. Lumpur, page 36, Selangor Estimates. Reserved Services, 1933. (Dollars three thousand, six hundred & sixty-six & cents fifty-six only). and in addition to the amount provided under supplementary Warrants Nos.—previously issued during the current year for that service, and for so doing, this, together with the proper Bills, Certificates and Aquittances, shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge. Registered in the Treasurer’s Office, F.M.S. By Command, Sd: M.PONNAMPALAM N.COULSON Treasurer F. M. S. Secretary to Resident, Selangor 18th April, 1933 22nd April 1933 From National Archives of Malaysia. Divisional Office of Selangor (G480/1933). Transcribed by P.C
The Straits Times, 19 April 1933, Page 12 and The Malay Mail, April 18, 1933 page 10 . TRIBUTE TO THEIR LATE CHIEF. . Malayan Collieries & Mr. J. A. Russell. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 18 . The following circular has been issued to the shareholders in Malayan Collieries Ltd. signed by the directors -H. H. Robbins, V. H. Martin, P. Cunningham and A. J. Kelman: It is with deepest regret that we have to advise you of the untimely death of your chairman Mr. J. A. Russell at the early age of 50 years. Mr. Russell became ill on the evening of Feb. 19 when a surgical operation was found necessary. The operation was successful and he recovered sufficiently to prepare his address for the annual general meeting and contemplated delivering it in person. Unfortunately complications set in and he passed away in Singapore on the 7th instant. It is not proposed herein to review Mr. Russell’s career; the press have already done this in a worthy manner. You are familiar with him as the founder and builder of the activities of your company, and the company’s record and its present standing remain as a monument to an exceptionably able man, a most tolerant and helpful colleague, a considerate and approachable employer and a staunch and loyal friend. It is for us to acknowledge gratefully the invaluable services which Mr. Russell has rendered to your company since its inception, and we deplore the loss of his definite personality, shrewd discrimination and mature and well balanced judgment. It was Mr. Russell’s invariable practice to discuss very fully all matters of current and future policy with his colleagues. This, and the long association which all members of the board have had with him, will be of great help to us in continuing the guidance of the destinies of your company. In tendering your company’s sympathy to his widow and infant son and relatives in their bereavement, we would share with them a sense of pride in our association with Mr. Russell, and in all that he was and did for Malaya in general and for your company in particular.
The Straits Times, 22 April 1933, Page 10 NOTES OF THE DAY. THE TRUTH ABOUT TEA • Since there may be exaggerated notions in currency as to the scope of a tea-growing industry in Malaya it is advisable to call attention to an article in the current number of the Agricultural Journal in which Messrs. Milsum and Marsh suggest that no more than 8,500 acres of this crop are required to satisfy local consumption. This is not too cheering, and when it is added that nearly 3,000 acres are already planted with tea in this country hopes of an extensive new industry for Malaya recede even further into the distance. According to the estimates made by Messrs. Milsum and Marsh, only 2,000 acres of black tea and 6,500 of China tea are required. The point at which over- production would be reached is therefore not very far away, but even so there appears to be no scramble to plant tea. Apart from Boh Plantations, which ought with any luck to capture a good share of the trade in good-quality black tea, there are only two European tea estates in bearing in this country and one other in an early stage of development. Possibly there may be others in process of planting, but if so their owners are keeping it very quiet. Anyway, the people who get in first and establish their brands on the market are likely to reap their reward, so that anyone with money to spare should lose no time in starting a tea estate either on the lowlands or highlands. The latter class of land, of course, is expected to produce a quality of tea which will command a premium on the London market, as well as sell at profitable prices in Malaya, but until F.M.S. Government is in a position to publish reports on its Tanah Rata samples, or until Boh Plantations build their factory, we shall be kept guessing as to the quality of the tea which can be grown in the Cameron highlands.
The Straits Times, 23 April 1933, Page 11 Mainly About Malayans by THE WANDERER. A Historic Sample. The romantic manner in which the Batu Arang coalfield was discovered has been recalled recently by the death of Mr. J. A. Russell, and the part played in the story by a Malay described in the Malay Mail by a correspondent who signs himself “Sagittarius”. “ The Malay in question” he writes, “was Forester Wahab of the Forest Development who, at the time, was stationed at Rawang, and if I remember rightly, about 1910 or 1911, or possibly a year later. “Wahab, in the course of his frequent jungle trips to the Kuang Forest Reserve, and the forests in the neighborhood of Kuang, came across some pieces of black substance, which were sent to the late Mr. A. M. Burns–Murdoch, then conservator of forests, F.M.S. and S.S. who passed them on to the geologist F.M.S., for analysis, and that was the birth of Malayan Collieries” 0. This is not quite the whole story, I think, for Mr. Mungo Park, the Kuala Lumpur mining engineer, had a great deal to do with the early efforts to interest capitalists in the discovery, and it was not for some time after that the coal was found that J A Russell and Co. floated the Collieries company. Mr. Mungo Park made the first survey of the coalfield and it was his report that led to Mr. “Archie” Russell interesting himself in the matter.
Mr. J. A. Russell. A correspondent writes: Your obituary columns of late have, I regret to note, recorded the passing of some old acquaintances. Perhaps the following recollections may supply some of the few remaining gaps in the already somewhat full memoirs published. I knew the late Mr. J. A. Russell soon after he left school and when he had joined the clerical staff of the Straits Trading Company in Kuala Lumpur. Not long after he had done so, a certain Mr. Lancaster arrived to conduct local proceedings for the International Tin Company, an American concern which proposed to buy up tin in Malaya and ship to ?elaborate smelting works set up in New York for treatment; but Sir Frank Swettenham, the then Governor here, immediately knocked the bottom out of the proposition by enacting legislation whereby the tin won in British Malaya came to be smelted within the country. 0. Now the manager of the American company had meanwhile spent $20,000 on what were then regarded as gorgeous quarters for his forthcoming staff in ?Wiles Hill, Kuala Lumpur and had also acquired a godown site in Brickfields Road, and when the blow fell, it became necessary to appoint somebody to look after the already vested interests in the F.M.S. The choice fell on Mr. J A Russell, who had left the Straits Trading Company to join the new concern. Learned Chinese. During the two years or more that he held this guardianship, Mr. Russell had the opportunity not only to study tin mining intimately, but also to learn to speak Chinese, thereby contradicting the oft quoted assertion that, to do so, it is absolutely essential to go to China. With the experience and knowledge then gained, Mr. Russell, who came of an exceptionally able family, never looked back. During the long period that he remained unmarried he lived with his father and brothers in Kuala Lumpur until the former who had been head of the Selangor and F.M.S. printing departments for many years, retired on pension. It was said of him- affectionately known as “Lord John”- that his knowledge of the working of the whole government machinery was so intimate that he could have at a moments notice filled with credit any appointment, even that of Resident. The untimely death of Mr. J. A. Russell is especially to be deplored just at the period when the development of his pet project appears to be approaching fruition, as outlined recently at the annual general meeting of the Rawang Colliery Company.
The Straits Times, 24 April 1933, Page 10 NOTES OF THE DAY. MALAYAN MATCHES. Although Kelantan is isolated from the rest of Malaya and might be expected to rest content with comfortable stagnation, it is the home of a number of new and promising developments, especially where the Malays are concerned. The latest of these is a match factory which was opened in February this year at Kota Baru and is reported to be making rapid progress. There is no reason at all why this factory should not succeed, given sufficient technical skill in its management. Two match factories are already operating in the Malay States, one in Selangor and one in Jahore. Both are using Malayan timbers, providing employment for local labour and putting a cheap and quite satisfactory product on the market. The enterprising Chinese proprietors of these factories have succeeded where Europeans with larger financial and technical resources failed, and all who have the interests of the unfederated States at heart will wish the promoter of the Kota Baru venture similar success.
The Straits Times, 25 April 1933, Page 16 SUCCESS OF CHARCOAL GAS FOR TRANSPORT GUARANTEED EFFICIENCY Large Saving in running costs ….Fit a Koela Plant to your Lorry or Tractor, Local Agents J. A. Russell and Co. Kuala Lumpur FMS Manufactured by: The Producer Gas Plant Company, 62, Conduit Street, London W1 England.
The Straits Times, 5 May 1933, Page 17 MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS. Estates at Cameron Highlands 0. Boh Plantations Going Ahead-Tea on Steep Hillsides (By our Planting Correspondent.) (Extract from longer article) 0. ……………Malaya’s Best Hill Estate 0. I will now ask my readers to accompany me to the valley of the Boh river, where Boh Plantations Ltd. have opened up and planted at least three times as much land as that covered by agricultural operations in the remainder of the Highlands. 0. The Boh concession of 4,000 acres is moreover the largest that has been alienated by Government at the Highlands to any single firm or individual. While applications of similar magnitude have been made by others they have all been dropped owing to the slump or turned down by the Government, and I understand that in future large applications are not likely to be entertained by Government unless satisfactory assurances are forthcoming that sufficient capital is available for immediate development. 0. A rough survey of the land at the Highlands at an elevation of between 4,500 and 5,500 feet, which is the elevation required for high-quality tea, reveals an area of approximately 45,000 to 50,000 acres. 0. Tea made at this elevation should have no difficulty in competing on the London market with teas exported from Ceylon, South India and Java, and although the Malayan Agricultural Journal has shown how limited is the acreage required to supply the Malayan market with black tea, it would not be right to deduce from that article that hill-country tea in this country is not a promising proposition, since the export prospect appear to be very hopeful. 0. Boh Plantations Road. 0. To reach Boh Plantations one travels thirty-two miles on the main trunk road from Tapah and branches off at the ill-starred village site of Lubok Tamang. One then crosses the Bertam river and on the other side sees a dozen homesteads that have been erected by settlers during the past two years. With the exception of a solid and artistic bridge which Mr. Cornwall has built at his own expense, no permanent bridge capable of taking a motor-car exists across the river. 0. On the other side of the river one follows a Government bridle path for a mile and then turns off on the bridle path to Boh Plantations. This path, which the company constructed four years ago at their own expense, is three and half miles long and reaches to the boundary of the estate. After many delays permission has now been given by Government to Boh Plantations to convert this bridle path into a motor road and build a bridge over the Bertram river, and here is another instance of a road which will be built by private enterprise and yet will improve greatly the value of undeveloped land available for other buyers. 0. On my walk over this bridle path I did not see any agricultural development in the valley through which it runs, but when the motor road is made a very different story will probably have to be told, as there is undoubtedly some good agricultural land on both sides of this road. 0. A Wonderful Sight. 0. At the end of the path one crosses a ridge and sees spread out before one the estate of Boh Plantations Ltd. Here is an extensive roaded and cultivated area planted with tea and coffee that was a standing jungle a few years ago. Actually 1,600 acres have been felled, of which 600 are planted in tea, 200 in coffee, and 50 in cardamoms. It is intended to plant up the area felled ahead as and when circumstances permit. 0. Those who make this journey on foot for the first time will probably want to rest after their walk up the valley and gaze at the view. On the left-hand side are the slopes of Gunong Chantek towering up to the summit 6,000 feet high, while to the right one sees cultivated land stretching up to 5,400 feet, where a ridge marks a boundary line between the valleys of the Boh and the Chekho. 0. At this gap where the road ends one sees the site already partly cleared and levelled of what will be for many years to come the largest tea factory in Malaya. This factory is to be erected this year, and but for prolonged negotiations with Government on the question of constructing an access road it might have been nearing completion at the present moment. 0. The Estate Road. 0. Proceeding down the Boh valley one is surprised to find oneself walking on a 12-foot motor road and to learn that between four and five miles of this road have been finished for some months and that only conversion of the bridle path through the intervening jungle is necessary to connect this road with the main Government Road from Tapah. In fact one sees here five miles of a well-graded road over which no car or lorry has ever travelled. 0. After walking one mile one reaches the estate office, around which are scattered the coolie lines, while three small bungalows are close by. Here my host, Mr. J. H. Clarkson, met me and we went to his bungalow, built originally by Mr. A. B. Milne with timber felled on the estate. Here I may mention that Mr. A. G. McKay is the acting superintendent, with Mr. Clarkson of J. A. Russell and Co., paying visits to the estate every month. 0. On the first morning of my visit my host took me round the greater part of the estate and showed me different fields of tea of various ages from three and half years to five months old. Some were in the stage of being pruned down and others were being plucked for the first time, the green leaf being sold to Chinese dealers. 0. People not conversant with the cultivation of tea do not realise the amount of pruning down of young plants that has to be done repeatedly before what is known as a “table spread” of the bush is obtained. This table- spread is essential for easy plucking and maximum crops. Nevertheless people who see a green field of healthy looking tea three to four feet in height, and see the same field in the following month when the whole of it has been pruned down to a height of less than one foot, giving a bare appearance and resulting in a temporary cessation of yield, are apt to be disappointed. 0. Where Experts Are Wanted. 0. It is, I believe, true to state that more than one tea concern in Malaya, through not carrying out the pruning work required in young tea, has not only interfered with the proper building up of the tea bush but has delayed the day when optimum revenue returns can be obtained. It is not easy to sympathise with people who, having no experience of tea growing, have failed to call in expert and up-to-date advice on this most important stage of pruning and tipping, as no tropical cultivation stands in greater need of the services of an expert visiting agent as tea. 0. I have referred to this subject of pruning on Boh Plantations at some length, as visitors may at first be disappointed when they see some fields almost devoid of leaf, but they now know the reason for that appearance. As a matter of fact it may be some years before one can see at Boh Plantations, as one does in Ceylon, an entire area covered in what appears to be a raised green carpet of tea bushes. 0. During our walk it was explained to me that while most of the earlier clearings opened up by Mr. A. B. Milne were situated at an elevation of between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, the policy was now to open up all the higher land first and thus get a better quality of tea. 0. Preventing Soil Wash. 0. Boh Plantations now have a planted tea area extending from just over 4,000 feet to just under 6,000 feet. Inevitably there are some very steep slopes where one would expect to find serious loss of top soil, and indeed until the bushes have obtained the required table-spread a certain amount of wash must take place. Nevertheless I was told that a recent investigation made by Government in the Mensem river below the property showed no sign of silting. 0. That this has been prevented to a certain extent by the planting of cover crops and the cutting of silt-pits cannot be denied, I think, but my own impression was that the extensive system of roads and paths on Boh Plantations has been an important contributing factor in preventing undue wash. Since the estate was opened up over forty miles of carefully graded four-foot paths have been cut, not including the five miles of road already referred to. 0. This is no mean achievement for an estate of this size and provides an object lesson for those about to open up land in the Highlands. With the roading system on Boh the labour force can reach any part of the estate within half an hour of muster, thus preventing serious loss of time and energy. 0. A Coffee Area. 0. On the lower portion of the estate I saw 200 acres of two-year-old Arabica coffee, every bush of which is sprayed sometimes twice a year with chemical mixtures. It is hoped that as a result of this treatment the coffee will be immune to a great extent from the very serious attacks of fungus diseases and pests to which this crop is subject. At any rate such has been the case in South India, where the practice of annual spaying is now widely adopted. 0. In the lower part of the estate I was shown a settlement which has been reserved by the owners for the use of the Ski who are employed by the estate. This is an interesting experiment but although the land was originally cleared for these people and their dwellings built it seems they still wander off into the jungle from time to time. On the day of my visit only the headmen were to be seen, although the others will doubtless return later when the mood takes them. 0. On our way back to the Bungalow I was shown an experimental area in which some twenty-five minor crops are being grown on a small scale. Some are showing good results and others indifferent results, but space does not permit of detailed comment. In the ravines where the jungle had not been felled I was shown the cardamom area, which appears to have very promising prospects. A small portion of this area was planted up by Mr. Milne and this is now in flower. 0. A Fine Memorial. 0. On the second morning of my visit, my host being busy, I walked on well- graded paths through tea the whole way to the top of Gunong Chanek. This is 5,916 feet high and one of the highest peaks in the Highlands. As I stood there and saw unbroken fields of tea extending 2,000 feet below me I thought that the late Archie Russell, in opening up the slopes of Gunong Chantek, had erected his own monument and no planter could wish for a better one. 0. I have always had the impression that of all the various enterprises in which Archie was engaged Boh Plantations was his pet scheme, and it is impossible to look at the estate, which is likely to be the largest hill-country venture in Malaya for some years to come, without recalling the brilliant business man and financier in whose brain it was conceived. 0. I came away from Boh Plantations with a strong impression of the through and careful manner in which all stages of this undertaking have been and are being carried out. That manufacture, which was expected to begin this year is not likely to start until next year is due to more than one cause, one being delay in the construction of the access road, but in the meantime one can confidently say that steady progress is being made with the only commercial plantation of highland tea which will reach the producing stage in Malaya for some years to come. If Boh Plantations had not existed we should have had to wait at least another four years before tea planted on a commercial scale at the highlands could have come into bearing. 0. The enterprising firm of J. A. Russell and Co., which has financed Boh Plantations, has continued to push on with this scheme in spite of the slump and in spite of many obstacles that it has had to contend with, and one cordially wishes it the success with this hill–country estate that it so thoroughly deserves.
The Straits Times, 6 May 1933, Page 17 A JOURNAL IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL.(Written by Kuala Lumpur Correspondent and does not necessarily reflect the editorial policy or opinions of Straits Times.) A NEW TEA DISTRICT Enterprise in the Highlands. People who want to know what is really happening at Cameron Highlands cannot do better than read the article by the Straits Times planting correspondent which was published yesterday….article optimistic in tone and everyone will endorse his appreciation of the enterprise and determination which these early settlers in the Cameron Highlands are showing..isolated life…A New Tea Country. The Straits Times planting correspondent made a statement of deep significance in his article yesterday. He said there are about fifty thousand acres of land at the Highlands at the elevation required to grow high-quality tea. There is no such land left in Ceylon, and the same is probably true of India.. (Summary: not all land in Highlands cultivable…present writer had interviewed an optimistic tea planter.. Government official told him maps showed land more suitable for goats, but didn’t understand hill country agriculture “ Some of the fields of tea at Boh Plantations are so steep that it will be difficult to keep a footing on them, let alone pluck the bushes. Yet those fields were planted by a man who knew what he was about and are expected to give very satisfactory results later on. The Main Question. .. Pahang fortunate enough to possess what is likely to become one of the most important tea districts in the world. It has the elevation, it has the soil, it has the access roads and it has ocean transport a day’s journey away. Only one question remains to be answered, and that is whether, owing to some unpredictable factor, Highlands tea will fall short of the standard required for the London market. The Department of Agriculture is now collecting expert reports on a range of samples plucked at different times of the year and no doubt it will publish these reports as soon as it can, but if the truth be told most people are looking to the new factory at Boh Plantations rather than to the modest departmental efforts at Tanah Ratah to prove to the world the quality of Highlands Tea. … Pahang Government raised price of land in Telom Valley….small planters cancelling applications.. European population there numbers less than a dozen…possible stagnation.. However, the Pahang Government will doubtless reply that if Highlands tea really is going to be valuable, then wealthy interests will be prepared to lease land at the new terms, and that having regard to the four and half millions spent on the Cameron Highlands the Government has a right to charge the premium terms so long as it thinks there is a reasonable chance of investors accepting them. What Visitors See… 2 houses in residential area, site of 20 room hotel.. proposed school... last green on golf course.. fresh vegetables..dairy herd.. climate.. walking..views.. and also Boh Plantations- the show-place of the Highlands- which is in a secluded valley four miles off the main road…bleak, desolate, cheerless… picnickers on Sundays.. “On the whole it looks as though the Highlands, which at present are little more inspiriting than a Yorkshire Moor on a January afternoon, should develop in a modest way into a popular and recognised holiday resort in the next five years. But the rate of agricultural development is likely to be slowed down appreciably by the very much higher price now asked for land, and it remains to be seen whether the market value of Highlands tea will justify that decision or whether the Pahang Government will not have to turn once again to the individual settler and offer him rates which he can afford to pay. (2932 words)
The Straits Times, 10 May 1933, Page 18 Kedah Report Makes Cheerful Reading. (From annual report of the acting British Advisor in Kedah, Capt. A. C. Baker.) ………… WOLFRAM MINE And Iron Ore Enterprise On Kedah Peak Three prospecting licences for wolfram were issued during the year. But ore was not found in paying quantities, and the total production of wolfram came from the mine of Mr. J. A. Russell at Sintok. These mines are being equipped with compressed air drills, and it is hoped to increase the present output…….. (1411 words)
The Straits Times, 15 May 1933, Page 5 Mrs. J. A. Russell left Kuala Lumpur for home last night.
The Straits Times, 25 May 1933, Page 10 SOCIAL PERSONAL Mr. H. H. Robbins, general manager of J. A. Russell and Co., Kuala Lumpur, and Mrs. Robbins are going home on leave by the Carthage.
The Straits Times, 26 May 1933, Page 17 MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS. Packing Costs Cut In Half A Cheap Local Product – (Article on whether rubber should be packed in wooden cases or whether it should be baled… cases unnecessary expense..margin of profit so small. “ My friend did not go on to say whether he thought the explanation lay in the forcing down of prices by the makers of the Malaply case, but I cannot help thinking that the two events are not unconnected… always be a market for wooden cases for European market, because where rubber has been transshipped from London to other destinations cases have advantages over bales. 70% rubber arriving at New York in 1932 in bales..locally made Malayan matting..Opposition from those who deal in cases is to be expected..
The Straits Times, 21 June 1933, Page 4 , The Straits Times, 22 June 1933, Page 4 , The Straits Times, 23 June 1933, Page 4 MALAYAN COLLERIES LTD Notice of Declaration of Dividend No 50 and Closure of Share Registers….First Interim Dividend of 2%... J A Russell and Co., June 20, 1933 (638 words) The Straits Times, 22 June 1933, Page 12 Town And Country In Malaya. MALAYAN Collieries, Ltd. have declared their first interim dividend of two per cent, in respect of the current year.
The Straits Times, 11 July 1933, Page 13 REFUSED TO BRING AN ACTION. Official Assignee. COURT ASKED TO ALTER HIS DECISION. 0. An important question of law is being discussed before the Chief Justice, Sir Walter Huggard, in the Supreme Court. 0. The facts are that some months before his bankruptcy of Mr. H. E. Trenerry sold some shares to a purchaser who did not register his name until he had notice of the bankruptcy. The petitioning creditors in the bankruptcy requested the Official Assignee to bring an action to set the sale aside, but the Official Assignee, acting under his discretion, refused to bring the action. 0. (Summary: Appeal against this decision:” The first Official Assignee heard of the shares was when a letter was received from Derrick and Co., reading inter alia that they had had presented to them a certificate for 1,000 Kajang shares for transfer to the name of J. A. Russell. The shares were sold in August 1932…..” We are asked by the petitioning creditors, he said to take advantage of Mr. Russell’s mistake in not registering these shares, a mistake which was in no way contributed to by the trustee and had nothing whatever to do with the bankrupt”… “ “Unless the gentleman from whom Mr. Russell bought the shares was made a party to the action, it seems extremely probably that Mr. Russell would make some kind of claim on his vendor and the latter in turn would make a claim on the Official Assignee”… “There was no taint or stain on Mr. Russell’s title. He had not done anything that a perfectly honest and straightforward man could not do. There only thing that could be said against him was that he acted in disregard of a very doubtful provision of law and that possibly he took a slight risk.”… It had been admitted by Mr. Stevens that one of the objects of the creditors in coming to court was that Mr. Russell might be forced to take advice and pay something by way of settlement”… Hearing adjourned till Friday.) (1039 words)
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 11 July 1933, Page 7 SHARES SOLD BEFORE BANKRUPTCY . NOT REGISTERED BY PURCHASER -1. Important Question of Law Involved . An important question of law is being discussed before the Chief Justice, Sir Walter Huggard in the Supreme Court. The facts are that some months before the bankruptcy of Mr. H. E. Trenerry sold some shares to a purchaser who did not register his name until he had notice of the bankruptcy. The petitioning creditors in the bankruptcy requested the Official Assignee to bring an action to set the sale aside, but the Official Assignee, acting under his discretion, refused to bring the action. etc ( See above) :(1010 words)
The Straits Times, 21 July 1933, Page 18 TELOM SETTLERS. Successful Experiments With Sheep And Cattle. Much has been heard recently about the Telom valley, an outlying district of Cameron Highlands. Progress in this area is summarised in the Pahang annual report as follows: The total area alienated at the end of the year was 7,388 acres, the largest holders being Boh Plantations with 4,797 acres being used for the cultivation of tea and coffee. (Summary: other holders, construction of roads) (182 words)
The Straits Times, 14 August 1933, Page 10 The Straits Times SINGAPORE, MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1933. REAL PROGRESS. The August Bank Holiday week-end seems to have become the recognised time at which to take stock of the agricultural position in Malaya, and this year convincing evidence of progress has been presented. (Summary: rice, copra, “ In the plantation industry very good news is forthcoming. The F.M.S. Government having resisted pressure from impatient planters for some time, has published the reports and valuations made by London experts on Cameron Highlands tea, and there is reason to hope that the Highlands may become one of the most prosperous tea regions in the world. Admittedly, it is a little alarming to the layman to be told that the general quality of Highlands tea is satisfactory, but that it has so far “shown no signs of possessing the characteristic termed flavour”. It appears, however, that “flavour” is used here in a technical sense and means that the Highland samples cannot be classed among the highly astringent teas which are used for blending. Nevertheless, this tea has been valued at over ten pence a pound, which is above the actual market price realised for all other teas except those of Ceylon during the same period. The prospects of a new industry in the Highlands, producing a high-class grade tea for export, are therefore bright. The final test has yet to be made, however, for it is one thing to send a carefully manufactured and selected sample to London and another to send large commercial consignments regularly, and perhaps we shall have to wait until Boh Plantations get into production before we shall know with certainty whether the new hill station is destined to be the centre of a planting district as well as a holiday resort. (833 words)
The Straits Times, 3 September 1933, Page 2 Behind The Front Page IN stating this there is no attempt to belittle the output or the potentialities of Malayan Collieries Ltd.— but it is well-known that coal is not a mineral profusely distributed beneath the surface of this Peninsula. The fact is, as far as I can gather from a cursory glance at the authorities, coal is only found in workable quantities in three small patches of sedimentary rocks: in Selangor, Perak, and on the border of perils and Lower Siam. (Summary: Kent mining, gas from coal, end of petrol, petrol prices. Research in UK) (1413 words)
The Straits Times, 7 September 1933, Page 9 BAKAU TIN'S FIVE PER CENT. Search For Workable Deposits. The directors of Bakau Tin Ltd. have recommended payment of a dividend of five per cent, absorbing $3,000. The net profit for the past year was $4,178. to which has to be added $5,104 brought forward from the previous year. 0. The managing agents, J. A. Russell and Co. report as follows: . (Summary: Report as Singapore Press.) (810 words)
The Straits Times, 8 September 1933, Page 17 MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS. By Our Planting Correspondent. 0. Criticism of Mr. L. A. J. Rijk for his animosity to R.G.A….” another outstanding member of that committee is the head of the firm of J. A. Russell and Co., who represent some of the largest proprietary rubber interests in this country”…. (3144 words)
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 11 September 1933, Page 10 BAKAU TIN'S NETT PROFIT OF $4,179 0. Payment of Dividend of 5 Per Cent Recommended 0. The director’s report and statement accounts for the year ended June; 30, 1933. for presentation at the eighteenth annual general meeting of shareholders of Bakau Tin. Ltd., to be held at the registered office of the company, No 1, Embankment, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday, September 26, states: - The net profit for the year is $4,179.30 to which falls to be added $5,104.53 brought forwards from the previous year, making a total of $9,283.92 which your directors recommend to be dealt with as follows: - Payment for a dividend of 5 per cent absorbing $5,000, carry forward $4,283.92. 0. During the course of the year Mr. E. H.H. Everest was co-opted to the board in place of Mr. R. W. Hughes who resigned, and Mr. R. C. Russell was co-opted upon the death of Mr. J. A. Russell. Both these gentleman’s appointments require to be confirmed. Mr. R. C. Russell retires by rotation and, being eligible offers himself for re- election. Renewal of Leases Refused. Messrs. J. A. Russell and Co., the managing agents, report: (Summary: 2 mining leases renewal refused…lease covered mine offices and reduction plant… temporary lease for a search for fresh ore…year secure lease for next 12 years…reluctant to spend company’s resources prospecting if leases renewal depends on undisclosed government policy.. two members of board waited on British Resident were assured two leases would not be alienated to others…. Outputs show decrease of 17.81 per cent.. tin quota reduced…length of workings.)(921 words)
The Straits Times, 15 September 1933, Page 17 MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS Malaya’s Tea Acreage. Recently I received a circular from the Statistics Department asking for particulars as soon as possible of the area and the age of tea planted since 1922….tea producers asked Government that locally made tea be introduced into various institutions financed by the taxpayer, Government endeavoring to find out what local supplies of tea are available.. interest taken by retailers.. within last week two Chinese business houses one in K.L. and other in Ipoh, have written to me asking whether I had any tea for sale, and if so at what price. Result of Questionnaire will be disappointing. For example, tea on Cameron Highlands from all I hear, is now at a standstill on the smaller estates, as settlers are becoming more interested in stock breeding… Limited Seed Supply. Incidentally, while the international tea control scheme is in force the export of seed from India, Ceylon and Dutch East Indies is to be prohibited, so presumably we shall have to rely on our own limited supply. Not only is the total acreage revealed in this questionnaire likely to be disappointing but it seems doubtful whether there is any likelihood of further development of tea planting on a big scale for some time to come. • The adoption of restriction by the principal tea-producing countries, the changing ideas of settlers at the Highlands, and the possibility of a shortage of planting material all point to that conclusion. For what may be called the bazaar market and the cheaper brands of tea generally the low-country of Malaya still offers quicker and more satisfactory returns on capital laid out than can be expected at present at Cameron Highlands, always provided of course, that sound planting principals are observed in the early stages of a new enterprise. Mr. Curtler’s Results. As one who has had a good to say in the past about the risks involved in not trusting the preparation of samples of Cameron Highlands tea to a trained planter, I am bound to say that I do not quite agree with the opinion expressed editorially by the Straits Times a few days ago. After a short review of what Dr. Tempany has told us recently about reports on Highlands tea this editorial note went on to say “ It appears that, taken on the whole, the reports do not reflect particularly great credit on the manufacturer and it would be interesting to see what an expert practical planter with wide tea experience in Ceylon or India could do in the same factory” The fact that valuations of tea made by Mr. Curtler at the Tanah Rata factory compare so favourably with those of India and Ceylon does, I consider, reflect very great credit on this officer, especially when one remembers that so far high-grown tea is concerned his experience has been of an entirely academic nature. Not Special Samples. There is another point I would mention, and that is that in a previous note I suggested that these valuations would have been more useful if the samples had been taken from breaks of tea. I have since learned that the samples forwarded to London were all taken from breaks that included all grades, and were not specially prepared. I am glad to take an early opportunity of stating that this criticism has been satisfactorily answered. Nevertheless, I agree with the editorial comment to this extent: that despite the favourable reports that have been received it would not only interesting but probably more worth while to allow a trained tea planter to see whether he could overcome the problem of flavour that has arisen. We must wait and see whether Boh Plantations receive better valuations when they get going. • (2802 words)
The Straits Times, 18 September 1933, Page 13 and AMATEURS SHINE [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 19 September 1933, Page 3 • A MILNE PLAY and AMATEURS SHINE, CLEVER TROUP IN MILNE PLAY • Saturday Night Chuckles At Kuala Lumpur. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Sept 10, Kuala Lumpur gets so little entertainment other than talkies and cabarets nowadays, that a play is always welcome, and the Town Hall was nearly full last night when a group of Ipoh amateurs presented A. E. Milne’s “Belinda”…. • ……staging of drawing room scene for which Mr. R. C. Russell was responsible was admirably done…..
The Straits Times, 20 September 1933, Page 4, The Straits Times, 21 September 1933, Page 4 . The Straits Times, 22 September 1933, Page 4 The Straits Times, 23 September 1933, Page 4 , The Straits Times, 25 September 1933, Page 4 The Straits Times, 26 September 1933, Page 4 The Straits Times, 27 September 1933, Page 4,The Straits Times, 28 September 1933, Page 4 Malayan Collieries Ltd . Notice of Dividend No 51 and Closure of Share Registers Notice is hereby given that the Directors declare a Second interim Dividend of 2% (making 4% Interim Distribution) in respect of year ending 31 December 1933, payable September 27, 1933 etc. 0. J. A. Russell and Co. K.L. September 19 1933
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser , 22 September 1933, Page 10 and AMALGAMATED MALAY PROFIT. [Articles] The Straits Times, 19 September 1933, Page 9 • AMALGAMATED MALAY • Amalgamated Malay Estate Declares Dividend • The directors of Amalgamated Malay Estates Ltd., in their annual report and statement of accounts for the year ended June 30. 1933, state: • The nett profit on the year's working amounted to $4,952 37 to which falls to be added $35,797.39 brought forward from previous year, making a total available of $40,749.76. This your directors recommend should be disposed of as follows: - In payment of dividend of 3 per cent $22,053.36; carried forward subject to payment of the manager’s commission $18,696.40. • The crop harvested during the year amounted to 552,00lbs and compares with 603,327 lbs obtained during the previous year. During both years tapping was confined to Serdang Estate. • The average gross price for the year including stock in hand at valuation was 6.83 cents per lb. as compared with 8.15 cents per lb. for the previous year. • There was no change in the tapping system. Bark consumption continued normal. Both properties have been maintained in a satisfactory condition. • So far no trouble has been experienced, and the labour force remains sufficient for all requirements. Health has been satisfactory. • As from July 1, 1933, a further 236 acres of the area of 273 acres planted in 1926 were brought into tapping on Serdang Estate, making a total of 1,259 acres. The crop to be harvested therefrom during the current financial year is estimated at 650,800 lbs. • Mr. N. C. Athorne returned from leave early in October 1932, and has since remained in charge of both properties. • Mr. R. C. Russell retires by rotation and, being eligible, offers himself for re election as a director. Messrs. Neill and Bell, Chartered Accountants, the company’s auditors, retire and offer themselves for reappointment. • Meeting: 1, Embankment, Kuala Lumpur, October 5, 10.30 am.
The Straits Times, 24 September 1933, Page 9 NEW HILL STATION IS BOOMING TWELVE MONTHS OF AMAZING PROGRESS CAMERON HIGHLANDS HAS ROUNDED THE CORNER (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Saturday. . In contrast with the depressing appearance it wore in the depths of the slump, Malaya's new hill station is now a scene of bustle and activity. This is the impression received by a European resident who has just come down from the Cameron Highlands. “When I saw the Highlands in the middle of last year,” he said,” everything seemed to be at a standstill. Today there are signs of real progress.” . At the village of Renglet, in the lower Highlands, one sees comfortable permanent bungalows being built on both sides of the road, and a large sized police station has come into existence. “Higher up still I came across a particularly interesting sight – Major Doyle’s new racehorse establishment, where horses were kicking up their heels in paddocks planted with English grasses. More Progress ” In the central part of the Highlands, the administrative and residential area of Tanah Rata and Bintang, there is even more impressive progress. “The untidy mess which existed at Tanah Rata while the river was being deviated has been cleared up, and anew police station has been built. Moreover at the Government plantation I saw a pile of cases which represented the first big ‘break’ of tea that has been dispatched for commercial sale in London. “The first thing that catches the eye at the Bintang residential area is the new hotel, which is a long, one storied building. The main block is practically finished and the bedroom block is being roofed. With any luck holiday-makers should be sitting around the fire in that hotel on Christmas night. Then there is the house that is being built for the Sultan of Perak.” European Settlers. Another feature that impressed the visitor was the five mile metalled road to Boh Plantations. This road is nearly finished and is being constructed entirely at the expense of the estate company, in which the Kuala Lumpur firm of J A Russell are chiefly interested. A side trip down a jungle path, starting from the village of Renglet, runs past some excellent Chinese market gardens, where English vegetables are being raised with great success. In the Renglet locality he also found a surprising number of European settlers trying to make a success of holdings of a hundred acres or so, but his impression was that although this class of settler is contributing more to the development of the highlands at present than more ambitious interests, there is still much uncertainty as to the crops that should be grown. There is no doubt that tea, coffee and other crops will grow well enough, but the question is whether they will be commercially successful. At the moment the pioneers are still feeling their way, but there is no doubt that after a long period of stagnation the new hill station is really showing encouraging signs of progress. (498 words)
The Straits Times, 25 September 1933, Page 13 HIGHLANDS GOING AHEAD. Visitor's Impressions. SLUMP STAGNATION SHAKEN OFF. (Prom Our Own Correspondent) Kuala Lumpur, Sept. 22. In contrast with the depressing appearance it wore during the depth of the slump, Malaya's new hill station is pervaded by an air of bustle and activity. This is the impression received by a European resident of Kuala Lumpur who has just come down from the highlands. (Summary: racehorses, hotel, Sultans house, “Another new feature that impressed this visitor was the five-mile metalled road to Boh Plantations. This road is nearly finished and is being constructed entirely at the expense of the company, in which the Kuala Lumpur firm of J. A. Russell and Co. are chiefly interested” (709 words)
The Straits Times, 1 October 1933, Page 10 HAMPERS FOR HOME UNIQUE XMAS GIFTS SOME weeks ago a proposal was made to send Christmas hampers of Malayan produce to relatives and friends in England. The scheme had a cool reception in Singapore, where merchants thought it would fail owing to various difficulties, but upcountry it was viewed more optimistically. The Sunday Times is able to announce that the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association is going into the matter and hopes to work out a scheme whereby Malayan hampers will be available as gifts next Christmas. The probably contents will be: Tea, Coffee, Tinned Pineapple, Brazil nuts, Ground-nuts, Candied lemon, Chutney or Pickles, Tapioca, Pepper, Cloves, Nutmegs, Mace and Polished Rice. To add variety there may also be a locally woven sarong (probably from Kelantan), and articles of Malayan pewter and Port Dickson basketry. A trial hamper has already been made up by the executive of the M.A.H.A., and the Malayan Collieries Ltd., are submitting a sample case made from local wood at their Batu Arang factory. The planting correspondence of the “Straits Times” from whom the proposal originated, suggest that other Malayan products which might be included in the Christmas hamper are local sweetmeats, cigarettes made from local Virginia tobacco, sugar from the estate of Nipah Distilleries Ltd., and Malayan matches. This planting writer thinks that there may well be a demand for several hundred of these hampers if the scheme is made known to the public in plenty of time before Christmas. The Straits Times, 6 October 1933, Page 17 • MALAYAN PLANTING TOPICS. • More About Malayan Hampers as Christmas gifts, trial hamper being made by M.A.H.A. “ Malayan Collieries are submitting a sample Malaply case.” Contents, costs, advertising possibilities, orders, profit margins) • (3288 words) The Straits Times, 11 October 1933, Page 12 CHRISTMAS HAMPERS OF LOCAL PRODUCE. Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association Enterprise. Adopting a suggestion made by the Planting Correspondent of the Straits Times, the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association is offering Christmas hampers of Malayan produce to be delivered at home. Contents and chest will be entirely Malayan products. The price inclusive of freight, duty and delivery id $15. …” Messrs the Malayan Collieries Ltd were approached, with the result that the hamper itself is a particularly attractive malaply chest, measuring roughly 14 in by 11 in by 11 in, and of course, purely a Malayan product.” Contents listed. Costs. Closing date for orders Oct 31. (413 words)
The Straits Times, 10 October 1933, Page 9 • and AMALGAMATED MALAY ESTATES [Articles] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 10 October 1933, Page 10 AMALGAMATED MALAY ESTATES Rubber Company Pays Dividend AMPLE CASH RESERVES At the annual general meeting of the shareholders of Amalgamated Malay Estates, Ltd., in Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday, Mr. D. H. Hampshire presiding said: I would refer you first to the balance sheet, wherein you will note that we have now written down our buildings, furniture ad machinery account to $1, having transferred the sum of $18,563.25 from “reserve for development”. (Summary: transfers, small portions of Jinjang Estate sold to mining companies and Government, depreciation, accounts, 71 acres of immature rubber to upkeep, investments, Jinjang Tin Ltd. gone into liquidation, profit and loss, no dividend paid since year ended June 30, dividend of 3%, Jinjang Estate still on care and maintenance, not proposed to restart tapping until results of negotiations between British and Dutch interests regarding restriction, Serdang Estate weeded, tapping good, yield less than previous year due to wet days,. Average yield per acre, 777lbs, manufacture good, whole of output sold locally to Chinese dealers. Layout of factory not satisfactory, considering alterations. Labour satisfactory rates of pay increasing, productions costs increased, manager Mr. Althorne, forward contract, proceeds will cover expenditure, questions about restriction, report and accounts seconded by Mr. Russell, no questions, retiring director Mr. R. C. Russell re elected. Neill and Bell reappointed auditors.)
The Straits Times, 14 October 1933, Page 12 BAD YEAR FOR THE F.M.S. RAILWAYS. Another Heavy Loss Met By Federal Treasury. Summary: Report on railways losses due to depression, tin restriction and road motor competition.) “ The tonnage of coal traffic forwarded from the Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang was very much less than in the preceding years” The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 16 October 1933, Page 7 BIG DECREASE IN F.M.S.R. REVENUE Interest Obligations May Not Be Met Federated Malay States Railways last year showed a loss of nearly $1,500,000, passenger and goods receipts showing big reductions. (Summary: Loss due to trade depression, tin restriction and competition from roads, accounts, new rates, decrease in revenue, receipts, carriage of rubber,” The tonnage of traffic forwarded from Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang was very much less than in the two preceding years” loss of traffic from tin mines, reduction in rates, competition.)
The Straits Times, 16 October 1933, Page 9 UNITED ENGINEERS LIMITED. Recommendation Of Dividends. 0. In the directors’ report to be submitted at the 22nd ordinary general meeting of United Engineers Ltd. to be held at noon on Oct 25 it the offices in River Valley Road It Is stated: There Is a loss of $28,943 38 on working account (Summary: directors’ recommendations…Directors- The vacancy on the Board caused by the death of Mr. J. A. Russell was filled by Mr. H. H. Robbins… auditors) (319 words)
The Straits Times, 16 October 1933, Page 13 . MALAYAN ENGINEERS RELAX. Annual Dinner. NEW LINKS WITH LONDON ANNOUNCED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur. Oct. I5. About two hundred members and guests of the Engineering Association of Malaya attended the annual dinner of this association at the Hotel Majestic last night. Summary: Visit to Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang.. history of association, slump 1930, speeches guests toasted.) The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 16 October 1933, Page 10 RECOMMENDED DIVIDENDS UNITED ENGINEERS' REPORT Loss On Working Account In the directors' report to be submitted at the 22nd ordinary general meeting of United Engineers Ltd., to be held on October 25 at River Valley Road (etc. as above) (339 words) The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 16 October 1933, Page 9 • In connection with the annual general meeting of the Engineering Association of Malaya, in Kuala Lumpur, the members on Friday visited the Nipah distilleries at Tinggi River Estate and Elmina Estate oil palm factory and this morning visited the Malayan Collieries at Batu Caves. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 17 October 1933, Page 2 GUIDING HAND IN DEVELOPMENT Malayan Engineers Going To School Again Amongst some interesting announcements made at the annual conference of the Engineering Association of Malaya at the week-end was that the Institutes of Electrical Engineers and Structural Engineers had appointed the Association as their representatives here. (Summary: 200 members annual dinner, visits “the Nipah Distilleries of Malaya Ltd at Kuala Selangor, the tank installation of the Malayan Water Transport Company, the factory of the Elmina oil-palm estate and the mines of Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang” History of association, effects of slump, Malaya’s new industries, speeches. (1269 words)
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 23 October 1933, Page 8 FROM DAY TO DAY Mr. H. H. Robbins. Chairman, Malayan Collieries, Ltd., and Mrs. Robbins are expected back in Kuala Lumpur shortly from Home.
The Straits Times, 26 October 1933, Page 9 Loss Of $28,963 For The Year. United Engineers Meeting.SHAREHOLDERS' CRITICISM OF BALANCE SHEET. . The twenty-second annual general meeting of United Engineers Ltd.. was held at the registered office, River Valley Road, yesterday, the chairman, Mr. J. A. P. Strachan, presiding. (Summary: report of meeting:… H. H. Robbins present…finances ..assetts..work… investments…” It was a great satisfaction to us all when the late Mr. J. A. Russell agreed to fill the vacancy on the Board… to our great regret Mr. Russell was compelled to resign in March 1933, owing to ill health, and Mr. H. H. Robbins took his place….. Death of Mr. Russell. I feel sure you will wish to record in the proceedings of this meeting, an expression of our deepest regret at the death of Mr. Russell, and an appreciation of the loss thereby sustained, not only by this company but also by the entire business community of Malaya. An extract of these minutes will be sent to his widow to whom we extend our deepest sympathy”….directors’ fees, year under review has again been one of extreme difficulty and anxiety… circumstances beyond our control…. unfavourable economic situation.. last year with tin and rubber.. adverse conditions continued throughout year.. in Malaya.. in Burmah … where price of paddy fell…… fall off in turn over.. reduction in revenue…repatriation of staff…interests merged with Bangkok Dock Co. Ltd.,…closing business in Bangkok.. unfavourable conditions in Siam…arrangements with Sarawak Government..operating electrical supply..America largest consumer of rubber and tin and may recover economically in future… civil engineering dept short of work in Malaya.. Government contract for rolling stock… supply of dredge operating in Malaya.. reconstruction of plant in Siam… manufacturing.. steel foundry.. electrical structural and sanitary contracts.. chairman retiring.. Capt Snow criticized accounts…and chairman of board of directors’… tribute to chairman…Mr. Robbins elected director…) 3848 words) The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 26 October 1933, Page 10 $28, (963 LOSS ON WORKING ACCOUNT But United Engineers Pay A Dividend STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION Capt. Snow Criticises Balance Sheet THE twenty-second annual general meeting of United Engineers Ltd., was held at the registered office, River Valley Road, yesterday, the chairman, Mr. J. A. P. Strachan, presiding. It was reported (report as in Straits Times above) (3867 words)
The Straits Times, 24 November 1933, Page 6 OPERATION OF DREDGE BOILERS. Economies In Fuel. A very full and instructive paper on "The Dredge Boiler with particular reference to the use of coal" was presented by Mr. J. Drysdale, B.Sc. at a meeting of the Dredging Association of Southern Malaya held In Kuala Lumpur. Mr. E. F. Harris, the president, was in the chair and there was a large gathering. (Drysdale’s paper with Qs and As) (1077 words)
The Straits Times, 4 December 1933, Page 12 & The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 5 December 1933, Page 3 M.A.H.A. AS FATHER CHRISTMAS. Malayan Hampers, PROJECT'S ASTONISHING SUCCESS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 4. One hundred and eight Christmas hampers are now on their way from Malaya to England. This proposal, which was first mooted by the planting correspondent of the Straits Times, has been a remarkable success. (Summary: loaded on P and O Burdwan at Port Swettenham, on Nov 17, 18 products “ even the hamper is a local product, being made of Malayan Timbers at the plywood factory of Malayan Collieries.” plan to repeat it again next year, popular, easy solution to Christmas present) (394 words)
The Straits Times, 14 December 1933, Page 13 & The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 22 December 1933, Page 8 FROM DAY TO DAY Malayan Collieries, Ltd. has secured a contract to supply Batu Arang coal to the St. James’ Power station, Singapore, during the year 1934. The contract is to deliver coal at the rate of 110 tons daily for 12 months, beginning in January next, and this coal will replace foreign coal. The competitive quotation from a local source was the result of collaboration by the colliery company and the railway both parties working together and cutting their charges to the lowest limits in order to secure the contract. (350 words)
The Straits Times, 20 December 1933, Page 4,The Straits Times, 21 December 1933, Page 4 , The Straits Times, 22 December 1933, Page 4 Malayan Collieries Ltd. Notice of Declaration of Dividend No. 52….....Third Interim Dividend of 2% (making 6% Interim Distribution) etc. J. A. Russell & Co. K.L . Dec 19, 1933
The Straits Times, 24 December 1933, Page 12 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 25 December 1933, Page 3 , & The Straits Times, 26 December 1933, Page 12 MALAYAN COAL FOR POWER STATION FOR the first time, Malayan coal will be used continuously, for a year at least, by the Singapore Municipality in connection with St. James Power Station. Malayan Collieries Ltd., have secured a contract to supply Batu Arang coal to the station during 1934. Hitherto the supply of coal to the station has, it is understood, been monopolised by Japanese firms who submitted the lowest tenders. The present suppliers are Japanese, and the coal comes from Fushun, now in Manchukuo territory. The coal was brought from Fushen to Singapore by vessels and here transported to the station yards by means of tongkangs. For the supply of the year 1934, the present suppliers, it is understood, did not submit any tender. Malayan Collieries were, it is believed, the lowest tenderer, together with the Dutch Government, but the preference was given to the local company. Malayan Collieries were able to secure this contract as a result of collaboration by the railway and the company, both parties working together and cutting their charges to the lowest limits. Despite this, it is understood, the sum in the tender is much higher than submitted last year by the present suppliers. • The coal will arrive by rail in Singapore station where the power station has its own shunting yard, from which lines run to the yard at the power station. • About four years ago, an attempt to use Malayan Coal was made, but it was found that the cost to the Municipality was too high.
Plywood chest advertising during the year.• The Straits Times, The Straits Times, 3 January 1933, Page 17 , • 6 January 1933, Page 15 , 10 January 1933, Page 6 , The Straits Times, 13 January 1933, Page 16 , The Straits Times, 17 January 1933, Page 16, 20 January 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 24 January 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 27 January 1933, Page 6 , The Straits Times, 31 January 1933, Page 16 , The Straits Times, 3 February 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 7 February 1933, Page 6 , The Straits Times, 10 February 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 14 February 1933, Page 16 , The Straits Times, 17 February 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 21 February 1933, Page 16 , The Straits Times, 24 February 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 28 February 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 3 March 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 7 March 1933, Page 16 , The Straits Times, 10 March 1933, Page 17, The Straits Times, 14 March 1933, Page 14 , The Straits Times, 17 March 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 21 March 1933, Page 16 , The Straits Times, 21 March 1933, Page 4 , The Straits Times, 21 March 1933, Page 4 , The Straits Times, 24 March 1933, Page 18 , The Straits Times, 28 March 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 31 March 1933, Page 17 ,The Straits Times, 4 April 1933, Page 14 The Straits Times, 7 April 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 11 April 1933, Page 6 , The Straits Times, 15 April 1933, Page 28 , The Straits Times, 18 April 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 21 April 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 25 April 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 28 April 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 2 May 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 5 May 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 9 May 1933, Page 15 , The Straits Times, 12 May 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 16 May 1933, Page 18 , The Straits Times, 19 May 1933, Page 14 , The Straits Times, 23 May 1933, Page 14 , The Straits Times, 30 May 1933, Page 15 , The Straits Times, 2 June 1933, Page 17 THE ONLY ALL BRITISH CHEST ON THIS MARKET AND THE BEST. A PRODUCT OF MALAYA BY MALAYAN COLLIERIES. LTD. Tel. 4265. KUALA LUMPUR. Telegrams "ARANG."
The Straits Times, 9 June 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 16 June 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 23 June 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 30 June 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 7 July 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 14 July 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 28 July 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 4 August 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 11 August 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 18 August 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 25 August 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times 1 September 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 8 September 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 15 September 1933, Page 17, The Straits Times, 22 September 1933, Page 17, The Straits Times, 29 September 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 6 October 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 13 October 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 20 October 1933, Page 17,The Straits Times, 27 October 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 3 November 1933, Page 17, The Straits Times, 17 November 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 24 November 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 1 December 1933, Page 17, The Straits Times, 8 December 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 15 December 1933, Page 17 , The Straits Times, 22 December 1933, Page 17 . • A PRODUCT OF MALAYA HIGH QUALITY LOW PRICE 100% BRITISH MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. KUALA LUMPUR. Tel. 4265 Telegrams “ARANG”
1933 News and other Sources
Russell & Co., J. A.
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Buildings, Kuala Lumpur.
Telegraphic Address :-“Jar”
Codes – Private, Boe (Shipping),
Imperial Combination (Mining)
Acme & Bentley’s (General)
Partner J. A. Russell (London)
Do. D. O. Russell (China)
Do. R. C. Russell (Malaya)
Gen. Manager H. H. Robbins
Staff
J. Drysdale L. B. Jeavons
(signs per pro) E. L. Jorgenson
S. Brown J. Joice
H. C. Clarkson T. J. Johns
F. J. B. Maggs
General Managers & Secretaries Malayan Collieries, Ltd.
Managing Agents
Boh Plantations, Ltd.
Bakau Tin, Ltd.
The Netherlands Indies Commercial Agricultural & Mining Co., Ltd.
Insurance Agencies:
Royal Exchange Assurance Corp
Queensland Insurance Co., Ltd.
Proprietors of
Sungei Tua Estates, Batu Caves
Russell Estate, Tenang.
Bukit Bisa Estate, Kajang.
Sintok Mines, Kedah
Associated Firms.
W. R. Loxley & Co.—Hongkong, Shanghai, Canton, & London.
Perrin Cooper & Co.—Tientsin.