TRADE OF INVERCARGILL.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2796, 2 February 1872, Page 3

TRADE OF INVERCARGILL.

During tlie year 1871, the export trade of Invercargill'amounted ' tq L18(J,G10. The amount for the preceding year (1870) was LICG.ICG, so that we have here an apparent fal.ipg off of 25 per cent. In estimating this comparison, however, it is necessary to hear in mind that throughout the past year an exceptionally large proportion of the export trade of the district has been sent coastwise, which means that it has been forwarded to Dunedin for shipment, not a single farthing of which is credited in the aforesaid returns. In token of that, we have only to point to the fact that no mention whatever is made of preserved meals, despite the large quantities manufactured during the year.

The import trade amounted to a declared value of L 79.357 against L 91,405 for the receding yt-ar. This is a decrease of about 15 per cent., which fails to he accounted for by causes similar to those which have operated against the export returns. The amount paid for imports, deducted from the sum received for exports, leaves L 51,253 in favor of the district for last year, and L 54,761 for the preceding year. This increase is mainly the result of a further development and increased utilisation of our native resources. Oats, for example, show an increase of 1,760; sheep skins, L 118; and hides, LlO9. The most astonishing increase, however, is in the ; exportation of gold. In 1870 it was 2456 ounces, valued at L9S3O. In 1871 it amounted to 4286 ounces, valued at LI 7,150, or nearly double that of the proceeding year. The question arises—How is this increase to be aceoun'ed for ? Is the gold produced by Otago proper, finding its way here, or is the goldfields’ area of Southland extending, and the yields increasing ? We are inclined to adopt the latter view, from the fact that our trade and exchange with the goldfields of Otago are not known to have increased to any perceptible extent. On the other hand it is a wellknown fact that the escort service of Otago is so complete that it is very unlikely indeed that much of the gold will find its way into any other dhanncl than that of Dunedin. Then we have the fact that Orepuki is yielding handsome returns to the few parties engaged upon it, and that all along the coast beach parties have set in to work. This is of itself a highly encouraging state ofj matters, and should lead us to devote more attention to the auriferous resources of the district. In addition to those enumerated above, wc have timber, sealskins, bones, and oatmeal, all of which appear as hopeful items, and some of which did not show in the previous year’s returns. On the reverse side of the picture we have got wool, which has decreased from 2,404,539 lbs. in 1870, to 1,975.853 lbs. in 1871. This staple alone gives a rebate of L 40,012. The apparent deficiency, however, is accounted for by the increase in the shipping trade coastwise. Indeed we >have been informed on good authority that instea 1 of a deficiency in the wool produce of the district, it has increased from 1500 to 2000 bales. It is just however as we have stated above. Until a more equitable adjustment of the trade of the different ports has been provided for, any increase, or in fact the actual state of affairs, cannot be properly ascertained, —Southland Timvs.