Your directors have for a long time had in their minds the desirability of making some provision for extending the rubber area of the Estate but having practically no spare land and times being bad nothing could be done. The fter has again been taken up as the prospects are brighter than they have ever been before, and it would seem that the best scheme may be to cut out 100 acres of coconuts and plant rubber instead. We have 209 acres of coconuts which bring in a very small return per acre compared with rubber even at hal its present price. Moreover, it is. very desirable as our trees get older to hav some new areas coming into bearing, and the agents have been asked to go into the question with the manager and submit figures for this and any alternative scheme they may have to suggest.
As regards the prospects for the wye entered upon they a the most encouraging we have ever had the pleasure of looking forward to. A slight increase in the standard production has been granted bringing it up to 342,500 Our estimates are based on an export allowance of 318,126 1b, we can easily produce with our existing labour force. Our forward contracts amount to 120,960 1b, at an average price of $0.9605 per Ib. leaving for sale 197,168 1b. at current market rates, or as be determined. I prefer to prophesying to those who have al gift for it, but I think in considering these figures one is justified looking forward to 'a very gratifying return on one's investment.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.