An area of 58 acres of the old rubber is being felled and made ready for replanting in March 1939. In passing I may say that the small trial area of 9% acres planted and bud-grafted in 1932 has developed very satisfactorily and should soon become tappable. In order to secure a reserve of land for future development an application has been made for an area of State land adjoining the estate, but whether this will be granted or not it is too early to say. A small area of jungle land, also adjoining the estate, has been offered to us and negotiations for its acquisition are still proceeding.
The supply of labour was sufcient throughout the year and the incidence of malaria has been much reduced by the energetic antimalarial measures that have been exercised. It is with great regret that I have to announce that Mr. Roberton, who only returned from Home Leave in March, died from Tneumonia on June 6. Mr. Roberton had always given of his best to the Ayer Tawah and the benefit of his services will be greatly missed.
Unfortunately. Mr. Barbour after 18 years service with the company, had retired in March 1938 but we were fortunate in having secured the services of Mr. J. Watson, who had been an assistant on the estate from 1926 to 1931 to replace him, and this gentleman is now in charge of the estate and working to the satisfaction of the agents and visiting agent.
Speaking generally the estate is in a satisfactory condition and the bulk of the heavy expenditure on weeding and the elimination of pests and diseases is now a thing of the past.
In conclusion Gentlemen, I would like to convey our best thanks to the Staff on the estate, to the Straits agents and to the visiting agent for the efficient manner in which they have administered the affairs of the estate during the year under review.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.