Mr. G R. Burkill, supported by Messrs. T. E. Trueman and Ni G. Maitland (directors) and Mr. E. A. Prince (representing the secretaries and general managers, Messrs. A. R- Burkill & Sons), presided at the third annual general meeting of the Kota Bahroe Rubber Estates (1921), Ld., held at No. 2 Canton Road on Thursday afternoon. There was a total attendance of shareholders representing 54,032 sharra, In his speech, the Chairman said Since the last report, the producing area has been increased by 126 acres which now brings the tapping area up to 1,2413 acres.
With the exception of Sikamat Estate which only commenced tapping in November last, - all the estates were in tapping throughout the year. Full statistics of all the estates are now shown in the Report but those of Sikamat cover only a period of seven months' working. On Kota Bahroe, Gunong Rabat and Canning Estates. tapping was carried out on the system known as the alternate day V cut but on Sikamat a different system was adopted. On the resumption of tapping on_ this estate, it was decided to rest certain areas and only tap over an area of 130 acres, the system being a V cut on half the tree daily over the entire area for four months and then rested for four months.
All the properties were kept in a clean weeded condition at fairly moderate costs. The weeding costs on Canning were considerably higher than those of the other properties due {to the trouble experienced in weeding the young clearings in the low areas. A few cases of common to most rubber estates were reported and preventive measures were immediately put in hand. A number of trees were thinned out during the year and work in this direction will be stematically carried out during the current year. Labour is ample for all present requirements and the health of the various forces has been consistently good throughout the year. The estates have been regularly visited by Major G. Nevill Stevens whose reports show that all work is being maintained at a very high standard and shows considerable improvement over previous years.
In connexion with the Accounis, there is very little for me to say. The net result of the year's working shows a profit of Tls. 31,819.87 which under the circumstances cannot be regarded as unsatisfactory. As you are
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