the April 1, the Standard Production of this Estate was reduced from' 302,610 Ibs. to 234,210 Ibs. and on the July 1, it was further reduced to 180,000 Ibs. This latter figure is more in keeping with the productive possibilities of the Estate if a conservative tapping policy is pursued. During the Slump and prior to the reorganization of the Capital of the Company it was essential to pursue a somewhat more drastic tapping system than one would normally have done in order to produce sufficient funds to enable the Company io keep its head above water and now for a few years we must give the trees a chance to recuperate from the strain, I have already told you that the installation of a new continuous Sheeting Battery has effected material economies in the cost of Manufacture in spite of the increase in wages. As far as we can tell at present the saving will be somewhere between 30 and 50 per cent.
As regards labour the Estate is a healthy and popular one being situated only 8 miles from Malacca Town and nothing but very temporary shortages of labour were experienced.
The gardens are reported to be in a tidy and satisfactory condition and no noxious growths are evident. Neither pests nor diseases gave any trouble during the year end such cases as were discovered were
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.