CO885-(18-19) — Page 112

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.8

Reference :-

885

18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

SIR,

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Enclosure 3 in No. 22.

The CUSTOS OF CLARENDON to COLONIAL SECRETARY.

(10453/12627.)

Newleigh, Manchester, December 5, 1908.

I HAVE the honour of acknowledging the receipt of your letter, dated 4th December, and of answering to the best of my ability the questions contained therein, merely premising that I fully agree with every word that you say as to the importance of the matter to Jamaica.

I take the questions in order.

(1) So far as can be judged none whatsoever the rapid and violent fluctuations in price last year having been due partly to natural causes, partly to wild specula- tion.

(2) In the parish of Clarendon, especially in the lower part, the tendency has been to increase the acreage in canes.

(3) Apparently none, but it must be borne in mind that it was the confidence inspired by the Brussels Convention which alone has enabled the necessary capital to be forthcoming.

(4) and (5) Four factories have been or are being started-two of these are Now, calculated to turn out 3,000 tons of sugar each. The other two not so much. in Antigua, a 3,000-ton factory has cost something over £40,000; this sum may therefore be taken as a basis for calculation, other things being equal, and Dr. Watts, a very good authority, allows £12 per calculated ton of sugar as a reasonable cost for erecting a factory; in Jamaica the plant needed for a distillery

would cause some increase.

(6) The machinery will have been supplied almost, if not entirely, by British makers.

(7) I do not think that in the parish of Clarendon this has hitherto had any effect, for since it is obvious that the competition of the cane and beet must tend to keep the price of sugar down to the lowest possible level, it has seemed to be hardly likely that an arrangement calculated to effect this should be disturbed by any presumably intelligent body of men.

8. I am not aware of any cane land having been abandoned certainly not in the lower part of the parish-since the establishment of the Brussels Convention.

I have, &c.,

Enclosure 4 in No. 22.

J. W. MITCHELL,

Custos.

The CUSTOS OF TRELAWNY to COLONIAL SECRETARY.

SIR,

Glenmorgan, Duncans, January 7, 1907. I BEG to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 13th December last, No. 13811/ 12821, and by the approval of His Excellency the Governor therein contained, laid your letter of the 4th December, in regard to the effect on the sugar industry of the Brussels Convention in Trelawny, before the meeting of the Northside Sugar Plantation, held on the 5th instant. I regret to write that I failed to elicit any consensus of opinion from the meeting, many of the members saying that their opinions were fully expressed in the resolution of the meeting held on 6th October last (which has been sent to you); other members saying they would answer the questions contained in your letter of the 4th December themselves. I enclose two letters that I have received on this matter, one from Mr. H. T. Hoskins, the largest attorney of sugar estates in the Eastern District of Trelawny, and one from Mr. H. J. Kerr, a large proprietor and attorney in the Western District. Personally I find it difficult to reply to the questions in your letter of the 4th December, but will endeavour to do so to the best of my ability.

(1) Low prices for sugar have ruled for the last three years except in the early months of 1905, when, owing to speculation prices were abnormally high; but in my opinion prices would have been lower yet but for the Brussels Convention.

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(2) I have not noticed much alteration in the acreage under cane.

(3) Nor have I noticed more local confidence or energy than heretofore.

(4) I cannot say that it has as yet to my knowledge led to the introduction of

fresh capital from outside being invested in this parish.

(5) None that I am aware of-in my own case, indeed, the London firm, with whom I had done business for over 40 years, foreclosed their mortgage last year; and have taken possession of my estates.

(6) Only such parts of machinery that require renewal are imported.

(7) The recent uncertainty of the continuance of the Brussels Convention must entirely check the importation of new machinery, or the increase of cane cultivation. (8) During the past three years three estates have gone out of cane cultivation, and are planters of fruit; whilst two other estates, which were throwing up cane when the Convention was put into force, are increasing their acreage on the strength of its continuance. I am indeed well aware of the great importance of this question to the Colony. It must be borne in mind that in Trelawny the fine rum that many of the estates make has been its mainstay during these bad years of sugar-in the past year of 1905 these estates turned most of their produce into rum; some estates made no sugar, only rum.

I have, &c.,

L. C. SHIRLEY,

The Honourable

H. Clarence Bourne, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary,

MY DEAR SHIRLEY,

Kingston.

Custos of Trelawny.

Vale Royal, Duncans P/0,,

Jamaica, December 11, 1906.

I RETURN herewith the Colonial Secretary's letter of 4th instant to you, and submit the following replies to the questions contained therein :--

(1) Price of sugar in 1903 averaged £6 13s. per ton; 1906 £7 per ton.

(2) The Brussels Convention has had no effect on the extent of acreage under

cane.

(3) And none in the development of local confidence and energy.

(4) And has induced no fresh capital from outside.

(5) No fresh capital.

(6) No machinery except what was absolutely necessary has been imported.

(7) The recent uncertainty as to the continuance of the Convention has had

no effect on the cultivation of the estates.

(8) And the acreage of canes continues the same.

As you are aware Trelawny is more a rum than sugar-making parish, and suffers much from drought.

Whole crops of sugar are sent to the distillery on these estates making fine rums, and the effect of the Brussels Convention on the sugar industry in this parish cannot therefore be fairly estimated.

MY DEAR SIR,

Yours, &c.,

H. S. HOSKINS.

Falmouth, P.O., Jamaica, December 17, 1906. I SENT the enclosed letter to my brother, who no doubt will write you himself. I do not think the Convention has had any effect on prices so far, owing to the shortage of crops in the early part of 1905, which led to an enormous amount of speculation, and the idea that the abolition of bounties would make increased prices. I think, however, without doubt, that if the Convention is not renewed, it will have the effect of keeping back capitalists from investing their money in central factories.

As far as Trelawny is concerned, I do not think the acreage under cultivation has been affected one way or the other. I feel sure, however, that our merchants would not have taken us up had it not been for the Convention.