CANTERBURY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 195, 14 June 1860, Page 3

CANTERBURY.

Though trade cannot be described as brisk, either in the wholesale or trade departments, it is in a sounder position than was the case a year ago. During the past four months* the great, bulk of our staple export has been shipped from Lyttelton; ‘ Five ships which have taken cargoes of wool from this Port have followed one another in quick succession and have taken 6011 bales,-weight 2,137,616/lbs., value <£l49-560; other New Zealand produce £ 1,605 ; British produce £160; total value £151,325. The additional value to the credit of our wool exports will be rather over <£24,000 when the whole is shipped, bringing cup the sum lto-about £175,000; The exports -of last harvest’s grain at a low estimate will amount to £15.000 in value. We are therefore in a position to say that the year’s exports from the province will reach at least £190,000. The imports have been of moderate extent during the same period. The list of arrivals from the Ist February includes eight ‘vessels from London, four of which have brought a total of 764 emigrants ; six out of the eight brought general cargoes, one calling in to deliver railway material only, and another to deliver some live stock. Ten vessels have arrived from Sydney, eight with general cargo and two with horses. Four arrivals are noted from Hobarton, two with timber and two with horses.

The imports of timber from Auckland and Wellington have been considerable during the last two months; and our export of wheat to the latter place in the same period may be roughly estimated at 40,000 busheis, of the value of £II,OOO. The pastoral interest, which may fairly be termed the backbone of the province iu its present early days, is in a flourishing condi tion; sheep increase and wool grows .while we talk and write; and, better still,, places at home seem to grow too, year by year. As a natural consequence, the prices of runs and stations continue to rise, and the value of stock maintains a high level. From the reports of the inspectors, the country bids fair to become clean, thanks to the severe penal ties inflicted in all cases of scab; The attention of wool growers has been roused to the necessity of improving their breed of sheep and sending home their produce in good condition. When these reforms have been fairly carried out, it is believed on the authority of .’he best judges in England, that New Zealand woorwilrstand A Tin flleilome market; ~ In connection with this subject we may mention that Mr. George /?icb, a gentleman who lias made himself famous wherever sheep are fed and wool is grown throughout the world, has lately come to reside in this province for a time at least. .Our. sheep breeders are already largely indebted to Mr. Bich for drafts from his highly esteemed flocks bred iu the province of Auckland and descended from the imported ram .* Sliakspere,’ specimens of whose wool induced the manager of the French Emperor’s sheep farms to beg for some of the blood. Mr. Rich has brought with him, on his present visit, a specimen ram from the flock which he purchased in Germany—a flock boasting of pure Spanish blood, unique upon the continent. This ram is the cynosure of all eyes."

The agricultural interest, ‘ only in importance to the pastoral, be congratulated on its flourishing position. With a good price and steady demand for wheat since harvest, and au amide supply of labour at lower rates than have prevailed for the last t hree or four years, it would be hard indeed if the fanner licensed grumbler as he is all over the world, were not satisfied, A great im-petus-has been given to this branch of industry. From returns collected by reliable authorities, upwards of 4000 acres of new land are being • prepared this seasou for the reception of seed. I he almost total cessation of public works has thus proved a great boon, in encouraging the progress of an interest, which wiij, one day, exceed in importance even that of the wool grower. Wheat, since harvest, has fluctuated between ss. 6d. and 75., and may now be quoted at 6s. 6d. to 7s. Flour lias remained at ,£22. a ton. The relative, prices of wheat and flour are out of proportion ; and the public appear to be losers to a much greater extent than is explained by the cost of grinding. Barley and oats have been dull of sale, and both exhibit a falling tendency. The potato crop has been short, owing to the dry weather; at one time they w r ere quoted as high as from .£8 to <£lo a ton, since which they have come in more freely; the present price is M to JB6 10s. a ton. The root crops have suffered both from drought and blight; carrots being small and scarce, and turnips a total failure. The fruit crop has been "a fair average, the demand far exceeding the supply. Orchard ' planting and cultivating pro'mises to he a profitable occupation for years to come ; very inferior apples from Nelson fetching readily 6d. a pound wholesale, and being retailed at lOd. and Is. per lb. —Lyttelton Times, 26th May.