Mr. Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies, was the principal guest at the British North Borneo Company's dinner. Sir Joseph West Ridgeway, who presided, said that the shareholders of the Company bad been actiog the part of Empire-makers and were now reaping the results. The charter involved great responsibil lities. The Company had done its best and thanks to rabber cultiva~ tion and the railway they were now on velvet. Their policy was one of vigorous development. He announced that he was leaving for Borneo in a few days.
Mr. Harcourt dwelt on the prosperity of Borneo which he said asked for no grants in its aid. The administration had been most efficient and progressive. The Company was really the responsible government. Mr. Harcourt referred in glowing terms to the policy bursaed by the Company and the results achieved. He warned them as to the national importance of scientific conservation of forests.
Mr. Alfred Lyttleton also replied and spoke in eulogistic terms of the past and future of the Company.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.