MAURITIUS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3457, 14 August 1868, Page 2

MAURITIUS.

The Sydney Morning Herald's Mauritius correa- [ pondent's letter of June 18 » as follows :—: — I Now that there is no mail service between this and Galle, there »re few opportunities of writing to Sydney, and the present letter is aent rift Melbourne. Arrivals from Sydney, and in fact *H the Australian portß, have latterly been very few; and Australian produce is, almost without exception, scarce and dear. Breadstuff* may be particularly mentioned as being much wanted, 'ihere is now no flour in first bands, -while those who purchased of the article some little time ago are now able to sell *t 31s per 1001b. It Is as well to mention, however, that the above rate is only obtained in consequence of the small quantity of flour in the island. Were 3,000 or 4,000 bags to arrive a decline of 23 or 3s at least would occur. Coals are in fair request j and would probably realise 8 dollars 75 cents to 9 dollars per ton from alongside for the quality usually imported from New South Wales. Br»n, 2 dollars 25 cents to 2 dollars 40 cents per 1001b. Demand limited. 'J allow is very much required ; and Australian in casks would find purchasers at 17 dollars to 18 dollars per 1001b. Salt beef is very scarce ; and there are no stocks in first hands. First ai rivals will probably fetsh 25 dollars to 26 dollars per tierce. The prospects of the coming sugar cop continue favourable, aud it is generally thought that the position of our colonists— the plantiugcommunity especially — will experience a decided change for the better towards the end of 1868, when the greater part of the sugar of the approaching yield will have been disposed of. The fever still oontinues in the Island, but it has decreased very much in severity since the winter has set in, and the deaths now do not much exceed the ordinary average of healthy years. The oolonists cease to trouble themselve regarding the disease. The finances of the colony continue in a languishing state ; the fact is we have been " over-running the constable" for some years past, and the railways, with two or three bad sugar years, have given us the finishing stroke. Our civil service is now being reduced wherever a reduction is possible ; but, notwithstanding this, it appears to be more than the Government can do to make both ends meet. The great hope of all classes here is that we shall make a J 50, 000 ton crop next season; and it really seema as if this, quantity of sugar would once more be made in spite of " pon blanc," "borer," and all the "other ills that sugarcanes are heirs to." The prices now asked for our staple are as follow :— Finest white crystals, 7 dollars to 7 dollars 25 cents per 1001b. ; second quality ditto, 6 dollars 60 cents to 7 dollars 70 cent* ditto j finest yellow crystals, 6 dollars 50 cents to 6 dollars 75 cents ditto ; second quality ditto, 6 dollars 25 cents to 6 dollar." 50 cents ditto ; very fine yellow counters, 6 dollars 50 cents to 6 dollars 75 cents ; middling to good ditto, 5 dollars 60 cents to 5 dollars 80 cents ; good to tine yellow syrups, 5 dollars to 5 dollars 75 cents ; low to medium ditto, & dollars to 4 dollars 60 cents. | The island has lately lost one of its leading men in the Hon. Sholio Douglas, the Procureur-General in the Supreme Court. M. Douglas wos made a member of the Legislative Council shortly before his death ; and be recently introduced one or two important changes in our code of laws. His death was occasioned by lock-jaw, brought on by a fall, in which he fractured his leg. News has been received from the Cape to the effect that some misunderstanding had occurred between the Government of that colony and the Orange River Free State, in consequence of the Cape Government having, at the instance of the Home authorities, extended its protection to a tribe of natives with which the Free State was at war. The Cape authorities sent a body of the mounted police to render effective assistance, if necessary, to the natives; and some fears were entertained that the matter would end in a rupture between the English Government and that of the Orange River Free State. A proclamation had been issued in the Cape colony announcing that any British subjects found with arms in their bands, assisting the Free State Government againbt their enemies, would be treated as traitors. Exports for all quarters have been very slack since my last, and rates of freight are almost nominal The following are rates asked : — London, £2 to £2 5s ; Cork, for orders, £2 5s ; Australia, according to port and size, £2 to £2 5s ; Bombay, 15 annas per ton.