The twenty-fifth annual general meeting of the Alma Estates, Limited, was held in the offices of the general managers and secretaries, Messrs. J. A, Wattle & Ca, Ltd, $8 Canton Road, at 1148 am. on Thursday. Mr. C.F. Shackleton was in the chair supported by Mr. LO, Canning, Alrector, and Mr. D, E. Levy, representing Messrs. J' A. Wattle Ca, Ltd, The number of shares represented was 15,200. Atter Mr.
Levy had read' the notice convening" the meeting and the funditor's report, the Chairman dressed those present as follows:
"The accounts now bet ateelose "a prone of Tis. equivalent of C.$65,02041,, the provement being on aceoint of the het price realized for our product cing 4.822, per pound as compared to 2514, per pound last year. the exercise of the stritest economy continued but wages ha conalderably increased and. in view fof the Deller outlook for the come your board have had the pleasure to raise the staff salaries to more equitable basis. The fact that Me, Sparke has the interest, of your estate at heart has enabled th Sompany. to survive the slump in very healthy ancial condition.
"At the end of the financial year there was a surplus of liquid assets amounting fo. C.$112,158.00 0 that If the board's recommendation {nal dividend is approved, the plus to be carried" to the current Ananclal year will be $70.156.0, the undivided profits C442, 'As regards planting matters no change "has taken "place In' the planted area during the year and Inder the restriction agreement it Will not be allowable to plant. up my. of the vacant ground' for. the next four years. The whole aren Under a cover of either fine grass or of some nitrogenous green cover lant, which help. to" atigment the fertility" of the sell, but a. litle more cultivation work has been done.
"he young gardens covering "an area of 438 acres, planted gradually {rom 1925 onwards, are reported 10 be making. 00d "progress and. {0 represent fair average. growth. for the district. During' the year "37 tores were taken Into tapping.
"The supply of labour was sum dent during the year, being an old established force, and' Iam pleated to say that the health of the coolles again lett nothing to be desired.
'Neither pests nor diseases gave any trouble during the year and' the nly trees removed {rom the gardens were 060, that were obviously of no further value to. the estate, The equitant wood being used for fuel in the smoke house as and when quired. of repair and the new sheeting bat-"All buildings are in a good state
tery continues to function efilentiy trid reduces the cost of manufacture.
"la conclusion, gentlemen, may aay that great thanks are due to there who, despite great dittculties, have been successful in. Bringing into operation the present multilateral fteheme to control crops. The stand-ford production for 1995 ts not yet known. But for 1084 Is. 684,047 The.
"That concludes may remarks, gentlemen, but before formally Proposing the adoption of the report mndaceaunts {shall be pleased 10 answer to the best of my ability any aiegtons that you may" wish 10
'There being no questions asked, the following resolutions were put to the meeting and passed:—'That the directors' report and state ment of accounts for the year end September 30, 10%, be adopted and passed, "Proposed by Mr. C. F. Shackle Ton, seconded by Mr. L. E. Canning.
"That a final dividend of 60. Chine standard dollar cents per share be pald making a total distribution of one dollar per share. Proposed by Mr. Shackleton, seconded by Mr.
Canning.
That. Sir Elly Kadoorte KBE. be re-elected a director of the company. pany be approved. Proposed by Mr.
Canning, seconded by Mr. 8. M.S, That Messrs. Thornton & Ca. be lected auditors. to. the company for the ensuing year. Proposed by Mr.
seconded by Mr. Wong Yuien-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.