CO885-(18-19) — Page 114

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.885

18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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£100, and in that list nothing is taken as regards tramways. You will notice Mr. Aitken puts down the improvements on Belleisle from 1901 as £1,500. So I think I may with all feeling of accuracy say that £35,000 has been the minimum amount spent in new machinery from the Brussels Convention was arranged. I read over to Mr. Aitken the portion dealing with this question in my previous letter and he considers my remarks exceedingly moderate, and I feel certain that they are You will note that I forgot Fort William, who have rigged up a double crushing and green bagass furnace, I believe also Blackheath, who made their additions to

SO.

the works in 1904.

In closing, I must ask you to treat Mr. Aitken's letter, which I enclose, as con- fidential. Of course my letter you can make whatever use you like of.

While on the subject of the Brussels Convention, we Westmoreland planters should very much like to see Mr. Greenwood, M.P. for York, who has been giving his opinion of the Brussels Convention in the newspapers here, and I wonder how it could be arranged.

The Hon. H. Clarence Bourne,

Colonial Secretary,

DEAR SIR,

Kingston,

I have, &c.,

W. 'A. S. VICKERS.

Banbury, Savanna-la-Mar, P.O., January 7, 1907. I ENCLOSE herewith a list of sugar estates in this parish, and the approximate sums they have expended in the importation and erection of machinery and appara- tuses since 1901, as requested in your letter of 10th December last.

I would add that the sum total is not by any means all that has been expended, as repairs are not included, and only the places where new and additional machinery has been installed are mentioned.

The figures for some of the estates may not be nearly correct, but I feel sure they are not in excess of the outlay.

Hon. W. A. S. Vickers,

Fontabelle.

I am, &c.,

ROBERT AITKEN,

Engineer.

LIST of Sugar Estates in the Parish of Westmoreland, and the Sums they have Expended since 1901, in the Importation and Erection of Machinery and Apparatuses for the Manufacture of Sugar and Rum.

"Shrewsbury," in a nearly entirely new plant for both sugar and rum, and

alterations to buildings

£15,000

CC

Retreat," in a near approach to a new plant by new replaces and

additions

5,000

'Retrieve," in a near approach to a new plant by new replaces and

additions

4,000

of

Mase Mare,” in new parts and a reorganization

1,500

65

Glasgow,"

900

""

"

'Bluecastle,"

700

""

19

13

"Friendship,"

3,000

#

13

"Fort Williams,"

2,000

??

17

11

"Cornwall,"

2,000

11

#

Belleisle,"

1,500

"

**

600

350

2,000

£38,550

ROBERT AITKEN,

Engineer.

'Fontabelle," in additions

"Mount Eagle," in additions

Blackheath,"

J1

January 7, 1907.

Cornwall and, perhaps, Bluecastle were the only ones in 1901-2.

W. A. S. V.

SIR,

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Enclosure 7 in No. 22.

The CUSTOS OF ST. THOMAS to COLONIAL SECRETARY.

Moy Hall, Cedar Valley, P.O., January 4, 1907. WITH further reference to your letter, No. 10653/12627, dated the 10th December, 1906, relative to the effect the Sugar Convention has had on the Parish of St. Thomas, I beg to say that I have to-day received the enclosed letter from Mr. Grinan, sugar planter of Albion, the only large sugar estate in the Parish.

It may be useful to have this opinion, but as several answers are not quite accurate, I have quoted his answers to the questions asked me by His Excellency the Governor, which I sent Mr. Grinan to reply to, and my comments on same. 1. Mr. Grinan's reply: Prices have been steady and slightly higher. Answer: Being the only sugar planter this applies to himself only.

2. G: Acreage under canes has been increased about 15 per cent.

A: The collectors' returns show this not to be a fact, the falling off being from 782 acres in 1899/1900 to 555 acres in 1905/1906.

3. G: Local confidence and energy have been increased with the hope that the Convention will be continued, and that the same favourable conditions will continue to prevail.

A: The steady decline in cultivation as shown in the collectors' returns would seem to negative this.

4. Mr. Grinan: Fresh capital from outside has been invested in purchasing a sugar estate for the purpose of making a central factory (Serge Island and Garbrand Hall), and I myself have since the Convention put up improved machinery at Albion.

A: It cannot be contended that the Sugar Convention had anything to do with the purchase of Serge Island, &c. Mr. Mordecai, the late owner, writes me: "I must confess I am unable to give you information relative to the effect the Brussels Convention has had on the sugar industry." This proves that he never thought of the Convention when selling.

5. G: The estimated amount of foreign capital, so far about £40,000, part already spent and being spent.

A: This should be $40,000. Mr. Grinan, of course, alludes to the purchase of Serge Island, &c. The only amount recorded so far that I have seen was on the 20th December, of £9,000 to pay off the mortgage on the properties. The full amount of purchase money is supposed to be $60,000.

6. G: Machinery from Great Britain for the Parish, to my knowledge about £2,500 up to now.

A: This must be the machinery put up at Albion, alluded to by Mr. Grinan in paragraph 4. The Collector of Taxes informed me that he knew of no new machinery being put up in the Parish, and Mr. Mordecai says "New machinery will be erected as soon as sufficient canes are planted."

A: So none has been yet put up at Serge Island.

7. G: The uncertainty of the Convention not being continued will have the effect that no future improvements will be considered.

A: This is not my opinion as regards the Parish.

8. G: None; but if it should not be continued it will check further extension in planting.

A: The decrease of interest in sugar in the Parish is shown by the steady decline in cultivation for the past five years. Of course, the continuance of the Convention may personally benefit Mr. Grinan, but I am still of opinion that it will not have any effect on the Parish one way or another.

I have, &c.,

G. G. TAYLOR,

Custos of St. Thomas.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary.

DEAR SIR.

Kingston, Jamaica, December 31, 1908.

YOUR communication of the 17th instant is at hand, and I beg to reply to

your questions as follows:-

1. Prices have been steady and slightly higher.

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