THE CAPE TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 279, 24 November 1896, Page 2

THE CAPE TRADE.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, thia day. For some time past correspondence has been going on between the local manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Mr T. H. Hanna) and Mr Walter Halse, of Capetown, with the view to the opening, up of a trade in New Zealand products with the Cape. Mr H-lao, who was one of the delegates sent to thia colony by tho Cape Government tor tbe purpose of ascertaining the extonb of our agricultural and pastoral resources, i* convinced thab many of our products would find a ready sale at the Cape, nnd he has beon making enquiries on the subiecs from Mr Hanna, who has supplied him with current quotations for stud sheep, draught horses, timber, and grain. Difficulty has, however, occurred in tho matter of transport. The New Zealand Shipping Company could, ib is believed, be prevailed upon to send one of its steamers Home via the Cape, bub it is understood that the froighb would be aa greab aa if bhe cargo were tuken on to London. The Union Company has expressed its willingness, on payment of £3,500. to send a vesfel capable of carrying 2,000 tons dead weight, and 500 live sheep, to leave in February, Match cr April, the last-named month preferred, and will undertake the responsibility of secur--ing a return cargo. Mr Halse waa only recently informed of tho Union Company's offer, and has nob yet bad time to fully consider the position.