Csr's Dividend Up

In Centenary Year

CELEBRATING its 100th birth day, the Colonial Sugar Re fining Co. Ltd., will pay an increased final half-yearly dividend of 20/- a share (5 per cent.), plus a special bonus of 10/- a share to mark the centenary.

The CSR Co., which is Australia’s oldest industrial company, has also been responsible for the building up of the sugar industry of Fiji.

The final dividend makes a basic total of 91 per cent, for the year, an increase from 9 per cent., the rate ruling since 1948. Including the bonus, the year’s distribution is 12 per cent.

In the last seven years capital has risen from £11,700,000 to £14,040,000.

The 9 1 per cent, dividend will amount to £1,338,800, and with the bonus the year’s distribution will be £1,684,800.

Net profit for 1953-54 was £1,417,943, equal to 10.1 on capital.

Sydney press comment was: “The increase in the basic half-yearly dividend must be interpreted as a move to a 10 per cent, annual rate.

From a company of CSR’s calibre it can hardly be doubted that the move is backed by substantial reasons”. t Tonga’s first death sentence for 30 years was passed in May on Kelekolio Kaihea, of Nukuhetulu, who had been found guilty of the murder of another young man of the same village, Sosefo Monu, on January 8.

HMr. Ambikanand, principal of the Samabula Government School, Suva, has been elected president of the Fiji Teachers’ Union in succession to Mr. Hari Charan, who retired after holding the post for 17 years.