Ca, Ld., axe acting as agents for inson Process and I should here that from the beginning they have taken great interest in the invention and given every assistance to Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Ernest Samson, for the Secretaries, made a trip to the Straits in October for the purpose of visiting the estate but more particularly to gain firse hand information and to disewss with Mr. Wilkin son and the agents the commerical possibilities of the Wilkinson Process. Mr. Samson furnished a long. and interesting report on the sub-Ject which forms a useful record for future reference. I hope when the next annual meeting takes place, if, not before, the Directors may be able to report that the company's interest in the Wilkinson Process is a valuable asset, fully justifying the outlay of time and money devoted to its development.
New Estate Manager Reverting to general estate matters. When the late Mr. Jeffrey went to hospital the care of the estate devolved upon. Mr. Barbour who carried on the duties of the management in a conscientious and satisfactory manner. Later on it became necessary to replace Mr. Jeffrey, and Mr. Roberton, who had previously served as assistant under him end under Mr. Harrop, was appointed acting manager and has now been offered a year's agree ment in that eapasity.
The annual visit was made on September 4 by Mr. T. H. Menzies who summed up his report by state ing that he was satisfied with the leon dition of the estate generally; that the previous high standard of tapping was fully maintained; that the trees. generally and the' bark in. particular continue to improves that the 227 acres in the Newlands!
Division is exceptionally good, that! pests and diseases are not present. {to any serious extent and that fresh eases of root disease should very soon be prevented by clearing of dead timber which is about the only work on the estate which sti for expenditure.
The figure of standard production for 1924/5 has been raised to 463,840 Ib. and the estimates are leased on a restrictive allowance of 55 per cent,, which held good for October. On November 1" the al-
Howance was reduced to 60 per cent. the current quarter and whether this figure will be raised later on remains to be seen.
The price of rubber, as you are aware, is now some 20 cents per Ib.
igher_ than the average obtained last. year and the prospects of the year now entered upon being @ more profitable one are favourable.
One contract for the sale of thre tone of moked sheet per month 60 cents per Ib. throughout 1925 has' [been entered into.
(On the' proposition of the Chair+ man seconded by Mr. J. H. Teesdale the report and accounts were "The Chairman proposed' and Mr. 'T, Cock seconded:—That a dividend of 15 per cent. on the issued share capital of the company be declared and paid to the shareholders on the Register on December 23, 1924, Carried unanimously.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.