As regards the See Kee properties no change was made in the planted area during the year. The standard of tapping is satisfactory and the rate of Bark consumption and Bark renewal are normal. The conservative tapping system that has been in vogue for the past few years has greatly benefitted the health of the trees and the younger areas are reported to be in first class condition.
The supply of labour has been ample throughout the year and the Coolies appear to be settled and contented. The average wages were 45.06 cents per day as compared with 46.84 cents last year. The health of the coolies, 1 am glad to say, has been very good throughout the year.
The cost of Weeding averaged 35 cents per acre per month as compared with 55 cents per acre last year. The Estates are now free from lallang and other rough growths and are under a routine weeding roster. Green covers are being established where desirable.
Here also Root disease continues its slow but steady toll of the trees. Mouldy rot on the other hand gave very little trouble, any cases that there were, were treated as soon as discovered and yielded readily to treatment.
The factory and plant are reported to be in good order and functioning satisfactorily.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.