SEBASTOPOL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 339, 25 May 1877, Page 4

SEBASTOPOL.

A great change is coming over Sebastopol. Heretofore grain for export from districts north of the Sea of Azoff has been brought to ports of that sea ; but the superior advantage offered by Sebastopol, "with its magnificent harbour never frozen oyer, have induced the Russian Government to make it a commercial port. At the close of war in 1856, compensation was given to the owners of property, but no attempt was made to rebuild the town, as there was no intimation given that its future character would be commercial, and it was generally presumed that it would remain in ruins until circumstances should enable Russia to restore it in a fortified form. Hence the land was of no value, and seven years ago the population : may be said to have consisted of the dockyard workmen and one division of the 13th Regiment of Foot. But since 1871, when a railway to Lozovo was rapidly improved, and from the opening of the railway in January, 1875, and the official announcement in March that the future of Sebastopol was commercial, its rise has become simply a question of money. ConsulGeneral Stanley, in his report this year from Odessa, giving an account of a recent visit to the Crimea, states that he was much struck with the active movement displayed at Sebastopol. He says : "Most extensive Custom-houses and warehouses are being built there, and good roads are being made to the wharves. Quays a mile in length, faced with concrete, alongside which the largest steamers can moor, are completed. The railway is brought along the quay, passing the doors of the warehouses, so as to reduce to a minimum the cost of loading. Houses are sprung up in every direction. It seems evident that Sebastopol is destined to be the outlet for a large grain growing country. I feel quite convinced that corn can be shipped there considerably cheaper, not only than at the Sea of Azoff ports, but than at the present prices at Odessa and Nicolaieff. Both these are further from Constantinople than Sebastopol is, and Sebastopol is nearer than Odessa to Moscow and St. Petersburg by rail." Vice-Consul Harford, reporting from Sebastopol, says :—"A handsome railway station has been erected on the site of the old Greek battery, whence trains arrive and depart daily from Moscow, and a branch line runs along the west side of the bay. The Malakoff, Redan, and Flag Staff Batteries are beiug laid out as boulevards, dedicated to England, Russia, and France. Several large hotels, one of them on the site of Fort Nicholas, afford good accommodation, but the charges are hi«di." The population was estimated at in the spring of 1876. The ViceConsul, reporting at that period, describes the garrison as consisting of two divisions of the 13th Regiment, and a brigade of artillery, the other two divisions being quartered at Sympheropal, and a Tartar squadron (300 strength) raised in 1874 being at Bakcliisseri, and he observes that the horses are Caucasian, and though small are very hardy, and so easily trained that three months after the organisation of the regiment every horse lays down at the sound of the trumpet. He adds that the drill, both of this corps and the infantry, is admirable. He says that the climate of the Crimea is too dry for cereals, and the principal productions are salt and wine. The wines come from the south coast; most excellent clarets and sauternes are sold at Sebastopol from 9d. to 3s. per bottle, and he is of opinion that the wine would sell well in England. He sees no reason why the extensive steepes of the north-west coast should not be utilised for sheep farming, and a wool trade established. He comes to the conclusion that though want of capital and the influence of other ports may retard the progress of Sebastopol, its ultimate commercial success is insured by its geographical position, its harbour, and its healthy climate.