Assistant in charge or small P. D’s billet., About seven years planting in Ceylon , four years tea, three years rubber, last employed Stokesland Group Udugama, Galle. Salary expected Rs. 250 to Rs.300. Reference S. Biann Stokesland Udugama.

Assistant Superintendent --- 24 years planting in Ceylon, salary expected Rs. 150. Last employed Silverdale Estate. References R/ C. Fowler Agrapatana, E. C. De Fonseka Proctor Notary.

Tea yields around the world in the early 1960’s

The yield of finished tea per acre varies from counter to country, from district to district, from a few hundred pounds in Taiwan to 2,000 pounds in parts of Japan. India the largest individual producing country with around 826 million pounds in 1960 obtains about 1,000 pounds of tea per acre. Ceylon is the next important producer with about 482 million pounds per year and an average yield of just over 800 pounds per acre. Third in the production stakes come Japan with 184 million pounds. Indonesia comes next with around 99 million pounds in 1964, a figure which has remained static for a decade or so.

1. Withering
2. Rolling
3. Roll-breaking
4. Fermenting
5. firing
6. Sifting and grading
7. Packing

Putting a kick into your cuppa

“Make a strong brew of tea using double the normal quantity. Strain it and into each measure, of tea add an equal amount of Scotch Whisky, half measure of strained fresh lemon juice, and half measure of sugar, Allow the mixture to go cold and when ready, pour it into tumblers quarter filled with ice so that the glasses are three parts full. Top up each glass with dry ginger. It is a glowing answer to anyone who may have the idea that tea drinking is only for the birds.”

For sale --- Allen Portable Bath Apparatus, complete with stove for hot water, offered during July and August for Rs. 20 only. This apparatus provides a luxurious with one to three gallons of water, hot or cold. Literature describing this wonderful invention sent free. H. J. P Samarasekera Jr. Edward Hill Estate Pussellawa.

Motosacoche Motor cycles --- If you are on the look out for a machine for general reliability, and saving in upkeep, I can recommend these well known cycles, fitted with or without speeds. Speed can be reduced to walking pace. Ladies machines also supplied. Lists on application.

How Ceylon tea made the grade many decades ago

Ceylon tea is divided into various grades. These grade names are an indication of size or appearance of manufactured leaf and not of its quality. There is nevertheless a lack of uniformity today, in the grades offered for sale, which makes it difficult to describe them with any accuracy.

Briefly, they are divided into two groups. The leafy grades, and broken grades.

Leafy grades are usually divided into

Orange pekoe (OP) :- Long, thin, wiry leaves which sometimes contain tip. The liquor is light in cup.

Pekoe (Pek) :- The leaf of this grade is shorter to an OP but shotty in appearance. Liquor is light but more coloury than an OP.
Souchong (Sou) :- A bold and round leaf with pale liquor.

Broken grades are divided into

Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) :- This was one of the most sought after grades. It was much smaller than any of the leafy grades and contained tip. The liquor had good colour and strength.

Broken Pekoe (BP) :- slightly larger than BOP with rather less colour in the cup, useful as a filler.

Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings (BOPF) :- This grade is also much sought after, especially in Britain and fetches high prices. It was much smaller that a BOP, and its main virtues are quick brewing with good colour in the cup

Dust (D) :- The smallest of the grades manufactured, and the liquor id very coloury.

In addition, there are the various “Flowery” varieties of the main grades (eg FOP and FBOPF) This tea possesses extraordinary quality in liquor and is composed almost entirely of small golden tip which are the extreme ends of the small succulent shoots of the plant, and the preparation of such tea is course most costly, since it involves sorting out the tip by hand.

Only a small quantity of the leafy and flowery grades were produced. The former finds their chief markets in South America, and to a lesser degree in North Africa and a few North African countries. The latter is mostly popular in the Middle East, particularly Iran. Few of the up-country estates make these grades at all. Their stable lines are BOP and BOPF such as are dominant in Britain, Australia and South Africa. The demand appears to be for ever smaller and smaller leaf, and a great deal of cutting or milling is resorted today, both in countries of origin and by the packers.

“Throughout the long history of planting enterprise in Ceylon, we have counted our efficient and contended Tamil labour force as one of our most valued assets, and have therefore, in recent years regarded them with much concern the attempts which have been made to foment trouble on estates by political agitators, now usually in the guise of trade union officials.”

Estate workers pay compared to a government servant

An estate worker was paid about Rs 28/- per month with other amenities such as, free housing, free schooling, free medical attendance, free hospital care, free drugs, free maternity benefits, rice and food at less than cost price, free firewood, crèche and free milk for children.

An advertisement for a government ran as follows :- “ To Ceylonese of good physique between the ages of 20 and 30 years, who should have passed the 7th standard in English, Sinhalese and Tamil, and who should be prepared to perform all the work expected of the institution (the Mental Hospital Angoda) who also are prepared to be transferred to other institutions whenever it is thought necessary, the following salary is offered. Rs. 240/- rising to Rs. 390/- per annum, with no pension.”

A few instances of labour unrest during January and May 1939 :-

January 10th :- A major riot on Mooloya Estate when the police was called in and after having their car damaged, had to fire and kill one man in self-defense..

April ;- Seven hundred excited and rioting laborers armed with clubs and sticks surrounded the bungalow of a married superintendent on Ramboda Estate, The superintendent was hit with a stone and was injured.

April :- On Vellai Oya Group Estate. The laborers rioted and injured an estate conductor.

May :- Strife occurred between two lots of laborers on Naseby Estate. Five of the injured were admitted to hospital.

May :- There was serious trouble on Needwood Estate and the police were attacked, one being seriously injured.

May :- In a riot on Weywelhena Estate a large number were injured, as many as 40 being treated in hospital.

May :- The Kangany on Uda Radella Estate was injured and taken to hospital.

May :- The police were injured by armed laborers on Wewesse Estate and the superintendent was asked to leave the estate as the police would not be responsible for his safety or that of his wife.

May :- The superintendent of St. Andrew’s Estate was assaulted by laborers and both his arms were injured, one arm being fractured.

On Plantation Owners and Plantation Managers

“The coffee boom now started, in 1834 mere 337 acres were alienated, while by 1841 this figure had soared to 78,658. Much of this land was of course bought by speculators for resale at a profit.”

“Most coffee planters were of a class then known as “Galle Face Planters,” who passed their time cantering about the Colombo race-course and idling in the town, while their estates lay a hundred miles distant, uncared for and, naturally, ruining their properties.”

“For coffee, literally anyone was taken, and planters in those days were a strange medley of retired or cashiered army and navy officers, medical men, engineers, veterinary surgeons, steamer captains, chemists, shop-keepers of all kinds, stable-keepers, used-up policeman, clerks, and goodness knows who besides.”

Description of a planters house:- “This miserable cabin could not have been more than twelve feet long, and six feet wide. This small space was lessened by heaps of tools, sundry boxes, and baskets, an old rickety table, and one chair. At the furthest end, was a jungle bedstead formed by driving green stakes in the floor and walls, and stretching rope across them.”

His working dress:- “A sort of wicker helmet, covered with a long padded white cloth which hung down his back like a baby’s quilt. A shooting jacket and trousers of checked country cloth, immense leech gaiters fitting close inside the roomy canvas boots, and a Chinese paper umbrella made up his singular attire.”

“The Mousagalla Factory was situated close to Pitakande and was run by a water wheel from a small dam. Water was scarce, and the planters had to work the rollers by hand.”

“Hunter Blair, received a letter from Earl of Glasgow the owner of Hoolankande Estate saying the tea brokers had complained that there was far too much of “red leaf” in the teas, and suggested that the tea bushes which gave the red leaf be cut and removed.”

About Clarendon Estate Dimbulla “ A planter named Black owned it. He allowed the place to become abandoned and it seemed that the tea, having grown up into more or less a jungle, was quite good. Many people wanted to purchase it, and went to see old Black at the bungalow. In the end, he threatened to shoot anyone who went there. Eventually he died, and Baur and Company purchased it.

Jenkins an old planter recalled that “Planters in those days got all their supplies from Nuwara Eliya, stinking beef and mouldy bread being their most frequent fare.” Bread generally reached the planter when it was about ten days old, mildewed and full of ants. “Toast was the best way of eating it, as this killed the ants and made them more digestible too.” The Danish butter that came in purple tins when opened revealed on top a lot of yellow liquid like oil, and beneath a layer of yellow grit, when all mixed a compound like that used for greasing the axles of railway wagons resulted.

Status symbols

“Earlier a gun, cart or hackery had been the sign of a well to do villager, they were soon replaced by sewing machines and gramophones.” These became the hallmark of respectability and wealth in the villages.

About sport

There is no sport to be had in Ceylon, at least the race week is the only sport I knew of. I have an estate in the interior, and I have never seen an elephant.

Government Expenditure :-

“ In 1933 - 1934 the country’s expenditure was Rs. 93, 299,498. In 1937 - 1938 the last year before the war, the expenditure was Rs. 115,370,075. In 1942 - 1943 it had reached the figure of Rs. 135,006,506. In 1945 - 1956 it became a 286 million budget, with a guarantee that the education vote will soon increase to Rs. 67 million.

Golden Tip :-

Small quantities have been sold in London for as much as Pounds 10 to Pounds 35 per pound. A parcel of this extraordinary tea was first sent from Gartmore Estate Maskeliya. Its unusual character was quickly recognised by the dealers and bidding began at a Pounds, but at a later date this tea was able to obtain 35 Pounds for a pound.

The Royal Mail Coach

“When a horse’s bolting propensities are found to be incurable, when its proneness to kick the tiles out of his stable roof has become a nuisance and expense, when he has completely smashed his owners carriage, and knocked down the columns of his portico, and, by way of varying his escapades, has tossed his rider over a cinnamon bush. And has escaped from the saddle without breaking the girths, with the additional trifle of driving his hoofs into the lungs of the muttu, or the horse-keeper, he is thereupon considered to have earned his promotion to the service of Her Majesty’s Mail coach.

Harbour Workers

“The tongue of the harbour workers seem to move automatically, but the Britishers are told that the soft tones which he ejaculates could not be translated into English, as the language has no words or phrases sufficiently shocking for the purpose. Since they do not understand him, they are not offended, but their methods and proceedings amuse them.”

The Post Office

“ Was the first building to be erected in the Fort in Queen’s Street.”

Kadugannawa Pass

“ For Centuries the Kandyans held this pass against all attempts of European to take their capital. Neither the Portuguese who occupied the maritime provinces in the 16th century, nor the Dutch by whom they were ousted in the 17th century, were ever able to conquer them. It is true that the Portuguese reached Kandy and even partly destroyed it, but were never able to hold it. At length, the British drove out the Dutch in 1796, and permanently later, but to gain possession of Kandy was by no means an easy task even for the British. This mountain stronghold was destined to give much trouble to its new assailants and to be the scene of much bloodshed treachery, and horrible barbarity before it was finally conquered.”

Food prices in 1894

An egg 1.5 Cents, Paddy Rs.1 per bushel, and rice Rs. 3 per bushel, Manioc was 1 cent a pound, and coconuts 5 cents each. Fish was 10 cents a pound, and oysters 20 cents per dozen. Large prawns were 5 cents each, ducks 50 cents each and beef 18 cents per pound. Mutton was 25 cents per pound, and venison 15 cents. A bottle of milk was 10 cents.

These high prices they claimed were due to the following rates of import duties prevailing in 1894.

Trade union leader

“The principal of Ananda College in 1894 was Mr. A. E. Buultjens an old Thomian. He was an educationist, historian, oriental scholar, and linguist. He was also a pioneer of the labour movement and helped to form the first trade union when the late Mr. A. E. Goonesinghe was then a three year toddler.”

Transport

“ 1894 was a landmark in the history of transport in Ceylon. The year saw the completion of work on the Kelani bridge, the river being spanned earlier by a bridge of boats.”

Carriages were the main mode of transport between towns, and in Colombo a ferry service was opened between Pettah and Slave Island. The ferry operated every five minutes and the fare was 2 cents.”

Electricity

“ Was introduced in the billiard room at the Bristol hotel in 1894.”

Telegrams

“ The Ceylon Telegraph office informed customers that the accuracy of massages was not guaranteed in the transmission of massages.”

Colombo Harbour

The dye was finally cast in Colombo’s favour when the Prince of Wales, later King Edward the V11 laid the foundation stone for a breakwater in December 1877. A choir of 1000 children sang an ode for the occasion and the Bishop’s Commissary, Rev. Ireland Jones recited a prayer composed for the event.

Work was finally completed in 1884 and the cost was Pounds Sterling 705,207. By 1891 expansion had become necessary and new arms were added to the break water at a cost of pounds Sterling 488,975. The tonnage of ships using the port, which had earlier been negligible rose to 606,200 tons in 1871 and 8,919,148 tons in 1911. Harbour revenue increased from Rs. 63,290 in 1871 to Rs. 259,949 by 1911.

The total cost of three million Sterling made Colombo “the most cheaply constructed artificial harbour in the world for its size, accommodation and equipment.”

Railway

“ The petitions, memorials, and letters in the press, editorials etc. on this subject during the period would have covered the distance from Colombo to Kandy several times over. Those were the days when Governors personally presided over debates and participated in them. A weary Sir Henry Ward is on record as saying “of those arguments and letters, petitions and resolutions in which they were embodied, I wish to speak with the most perfect respect. But I beg the council to recollect that that petitions are not infallible, public meetings are not infallible, Chambers of Commerce are not infallible.” And he added with obvious sarcasm, “Even Planters Associations are not infallible - Haven have mercy on us, if they are so.”

The cutting of the first sod for the Ceylon Railway on August 3ed 1858 by Sir. Henry Ward at the auspicious time of half past five, was one of the most glittering social events during the last century. The ceremony took place at Maligakande. The Bishop of Colombo as usual invoked blessings, the Royal Artillery fired a salute, and Governor Ward turned the first sod. The Company had constructed a special pavilion for 600 guests and this structure was compared to the Crystal Palace. The decorations bore the words “Railways,” “Roads,” Civilisation,” Progress,” and “God Bless Queen Victoria.”

“ the Colombo Kandy railway proved an instant success. The first year of operation in 1868 yielded a profit of Pounds Sterling 85,000. The following year the export duty on coffee levied during construction was repealed, and with the profits work on extensions began.”


Bad state of roads

“ The roads were so bad and travel was so slow that the Governor Viscount Torrington pleaded with the Colonial Secretary not to turn down his travel claims because “ To move, I am obliged to take everything, kitchen, cook, beds, servants, and often I may say house.”

“ Expenditure on roads increased steeply from Pounds Sterling %4,919 in 1650 to Pounds Sterling 207,203 in 1863. In 1863 the island had a total of 2,096 miles of roads, of which 564 miles were mettalled, 456 were gravelled, and 1,076 were un-gravelled.

Major Skinners own experience

Skinners contacted “jungle fever” and the treatment was as follows. “My doctor bled me till there was scarcely a drop of blood left in my body. He than gave me 40 grains of calomel and in the evening as the fever was still raging he ordered me to be taken out to the yard of my quarters, laid me on a bare rattan couch and buckets of cold water thrown over me for about twenty minutes. To make matters worse he heard the melancholy call of the owl, named by the natives as the “Devil Bird, “ because its cry is a precursor of death. Skinner survived the water treatment and the devil bird.

Horses are temperamental animals

“A planter recalls how a fire was started under a horse that refused to budge, but the carriage it as that caught fire.”

“Mr. C. Harn of Messes Bohringer was the first to import the first motor cycle into the country. Lack of patrol was his grievance. This favoured steam cars, and Mr. Money imported the first car, a Locomobile. Damages were claimed for a frightened horse and a pair of broken shafts. Importation of patrol driven cars followed, and among the Ceylonese, E. L. F, de Soysa and N. D. B. Silva figured among car owners.

Important dates to remember

Mini Iceberg

Sir Thomas Villiers in his work “Mercantile Lore” relates how a group of Colombo residents met on 26th June 1847 to discuss the import of ice, and the first shipment finally arrived from America on 11th April 1848. The ice was auctioned at the wharf and buyers of blocks folded them into thick blankets and sped home as fast as their horse carriages could take them. The purchase of ice by anyone was news that spread along the conventional grapevine and invitations to parties where iced drinks were served were the equivalent of this century’s cocktail circuit.

Signs of prosperity

Imported goods reached the remotest villages. Surveying the first decade of the last century, Mr. E. B. Denham observed in his Census report that earlier a gun, cart or hackery had been “the signs of the well to do villager.” These status symbols were gradually replaced by “sewing machines and gramophones as the hall mark of respectability and wealth in the villages. The gramophone is to be heard everywhere and has completely taken the place of the rabana.”

Tea caught on fast

The first account of tea reached the Arabs in 850 AD, the Venetians in 1559, the English in 1598, the Portuguese in 1600. The Dutch brought the first tea to Europe about 1610, it reached Russia in 1618, Paris in 1648, and England about 1650.

Teas were sold by the name of the ship which carried them.

The first of the season always carried a premium. In fact, the name of the ship became such a selling point that some agencies even commented that they were being asked to buy “named” teas before the ship concerned has been signalled past Deal.

The famous clipper race.

In the great race of 1866, Ariel, Taeping and Serica sailed on the same day (28May) from Foochow. The Ariel signalled her number off Deal at 8 a. m on 6th September 1866. The Taeping ten minutes later, and the Serica at noon. All three ships docked the same evening. The Taeping at 9.47 p. m, the Ariel at 10.15 p. m, and the Serica at 11.30 p. m. The premium of 10 Shillings per pound was shared between the Ariel and Teaping and thereafter abandoned as an incentive. But the following year the successful ships were able to command extra freight.

Tea and Whisky

George Hamilton’s comparison of whisky and tea might seem incongruous today, says Serena Hardy in the “Tea Book”. In life it seems good sense. Tea started its career in the West as a favoured aristocrat. It was rare and expensive, an extravagant delicacy. Its costliness is evident from the rich silver tea caddies that now fetch very high prices in the sale-rooms. and the tiny porcelain tea-pot, enough for one or two cups that every lady craves to have.