TRADE WITH FIJI.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6190, 10 December 1881, Page 2 (Supplement)

TRADE WITH FIJI.

- We (N.Z. Timea) have recently made reference to the possibilities of establishing a profitable trade between Wellington and Fiji, aud havo reason for congratulation that such remarks have already borne good results. Wo are now in a position to add to the information already collected. Mr Edmonds, who arrived here from Fiji in the achooner Albatross, and who lias had much varied experience in the trade of the islands, has brought with him a. sample of Fijian-grown tobacco, his object being, if possible, to establish a tobacco factory in thia city. Tho sample, in tho opinion of experts, is of first-class quality, and Mr Edmonds says ho is prepared to lay down in Wellington at least 50 tons during tlio first year and to increase the quantity thereafter in proportion to the |doiiiand. His idea is that for ±2000 a factory might be established on :>. small scale; tliat the work would bo done under supervision of the Customs Department in a bonded factory; and that, as the unmanufactured leaf could be laid down at from 9d to la per lb, a sufficient margin would bo left on current market rates to mako tho undertaking immediately profitable. Tho establishment of a local industry of thia kind would not militate against the local culture and manufacture of New Zealand tobacco. 'Wo may hero add that Mr Edmonds, who will remain for some little timo in Wellington, will bo prepared to give all further information needed.

Reverting to tlje subject of exports from this district to Fiji," Mr Edmonds has given ua sorno valuable information. He has, after some trouble, convinced Fijian residents that they can get timber moro cheaply from AVellington than from elsewhere, and it is, we understand, on his recommendation that the trial shipment of red pine, per schooner Albatrosa, will be mado. Auckland kauri timber costs lis; Wellington totara, (is or 7s; and Wellington red pine, 5a per 100 feet. Tlio froight from Auckland and AVellington is tho same, namely, 5s Gd. American dressed timber costs 4s, and undressed 5a per 100 feet, and the freight 10s on tho one and 10s (id on tho other. Eor comparison, we may say Wellington red pine laid down in Fiji costs (plus tho local duty of ls Gd) 10s Gd; American undressed lumber, lis; and Auckland kauri, 10s Gd por 100 feet. But the difference in price is not tho only gain in favour of timber sent from this district. Fijian builders have found, to their cost, that kauri timber, cut green from the bush,'shrinks and warps under the hot climate of the islands, so that buildings quickly become out of all decent shape and durability; but that red pine stands thu climate infinitely better, and that if regular supplies could be depended on, no other timber would be used. But this ia not tlio only -article for which tliere is, or would be wero supplies forthcoming, a constant and steady demand. The settlers prize New Zealand Hour whenever they can get it. Beef in tierces, or preserved iv tins, meets with profitable sale ; potatoes are at present worth £7 to £8 per ton ; dairy produce of every kind is needed. The publicans there are anxious that New y,fifl,land brewers should send_ down samples of beer in bulk to see if it will stand the climate, and if the experiment succeeds' they would buy no other. In short, they are ready to take anything of good quality tlipt Wellington shippers choose to send them. They have so long endured tlie annoyance of having to put up with tlie supplies of inferior goods from Sydney that, as our informant avers, they are ouly too anxious to open up new and more satisfactory relations. Tlio proposal to establish a tobacco factory here, in whin!) Fijian leaf tobacco would bo used, concurrently with the development of an export trado in timber mid produce, will, we think, commend itself among tho business men of this city.

A statue of Marco Polo, discovered in Oanton, has been received at hia native city, Venice, It is lif-J aiza, mado of woed, and gilt. The famQM Venetian traveller is represented *eated, wearing the Chineoe attire, although she cloak and hat aro after the European fashion. Siuco the lst January last 12 colliery ci: plosions in Great Britain havo beeu preceded by the iasue of colliery warnings from the Meteorological 'department. A terrible calamity ia reported from Marquette, Michigan, a powder mill having exploded and killed 11 porsona. A huudred .Towb who escaped from Ruasia left Brody pn route for America. It ia reported from War-saw that 551 Jewish wo»k-p*}(*ple belonging to the Kiet XoDaeco ivj.anniaui-.ury have* bepsi ordered to leave the town.

The 'Ballade of the Snotty-she J£ynge.' asserted to be the first printed English ballad, jis aSoyt to bs reprinted in facsimile by Mr Elliot Slock, with a copious historical introduction and notes.

A singular death occurred in Paris rf cently^ A man struck a mateii to n^ui. ~,, a**,, « un, v, phosphorus fl-jw on bin hand, buruing it Islightly. The next day there was a white spot, which .he covered with plaster. A pus vessel formed, which caused blood poisoning, aud tho man dlad.

Tte Russian journals publish somo terrible details: of the uiptherin epidemic in Russia, which ia alated far to exceed ia intensity and iv the extent of iia range wilt.lie previous visits oi thin disease, so peculiarly fatal to the young In certain coramunos and parishes it is ropsritd to have carried ofi all the children up to 15 years of age. . . A conspicioua increase ot auiciaeo amejig tho officers of the Austrian army baß led to'an hi-v-aiigal-iou, and it ia found that pecuniary embarrassment is the cause in 90 per cent, of the caaea. The cost of living hut greatly increased In Austria, as it has everywhere clas in Europe, within a. few yew. ">'d »\\™ oam«« tima tha manner of Hvug among Ihe army officers haa become m*.ra extravagant,, _ Io iff sot theae larger demands upon tceir incomes, thore haa been no prop*-rtionate. increase in their pay, which w«w alw-vj'.B nolouously miU