Your directors, in conjunction with the Straits agents, when planning the replantings to be done, when such were first permitted, decided to replant 73 acres during 1939, but in view of the replanting and experimental planting already started and the mew planting to be undertaken during 1939, they have decided to postpone further replanting until 1940; but if financial conditions permit this work will be started earlier.
The labour position generally on the estate is easier with present low export quotas, but the estate manager finds it very difficult to persuade regular estate labour to assist in the work of replanting with the result that some of the regular workers have had to be dismissed; this is re-grottable in that it prevents labour becoming settled on the estate, upsets the programme of work mapped out and makes it difficult to secure good field workers when required The 1926/27 plantings are in a very Satisfactory condition and their bark reserve position is very sound, The older mature areas continue to give economic yields and their bark reserves are satisfactory for the age of the trees; manuring experiments are being carried on but no decisive date is yet available, In the report of the directors you will note there is heavy increase in the cost per. acre for weeding; this is entirely due to the extra work which has been neces: sary on the replanted areas.
With the replanting and new planting work that is going on, the manager of the estate and Mr. Pinching will have a great deal of work to do and your thanks are due to these two gentlemen for the constructive suggestions that have been made regarding replanting and new planting, also to our Straits Agents for their good work during the year.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.