269 
chiefly interested, such as lumber, (there being no soft wood grown in 
the colony,) tobacco, and the products of petroleum. 
There are in Victoria nearly two hundred telegraphic stations, from 
each of which a message not exceeding ten words (exclusive of the ad- 
dress) can be sent for one shilling, and one penny for each additional 
word; press-messages for half price. The colony, in addition to its 
internal telegraphic system, has telegraphic connections with New 
South Wales, Queensland, South Australia,and by submarine cable with 
Tasmania, (Van Diemen’s Land;) and expects soon to be in direct tele- 
graphic communication with England and the United States. From 
Sidney, New South Wales, to England, the distance is estimated at 
10,665 miles via Brindisi and Suez; and at 13,362 miles via Fiji, Hon- 
olulu, San Francisco, and New York. 
BRITISH IMPORTS. 
WHEAT.—The total of wheat imported by Great Britain, in the first 
four months of 1873, was 12,296,089 cwts., being an increase of 1,265,889 
ewts. over the imports of the corresponding months of 1872. Russia, 
which was so largely in advance last year, takes the second rank, and 
the United States stand first, though the receipts from the former in 
the first four months of 1872 were three times the quantity received 
from this country. Of these imports, 4,279,829 cwts. were from the 
United States, against 1,891,316 in the corresponding period in 1872; 
4,002,370 from Russia, against 6,592,426 in 1872; 874,518 from Germany, 
against 775,725 in 1872; 1,062,199 trom France, against 59,792 in 1872; 
from Denmark, 204,122; from Egypt, 524,975; from Chili, 402,374; from 
British North America, 19,025; and from other places, 827,783 ewts. 
The average cost, in 1873, was. 12s. 10d., per cwt.; the cost of that 
from the United States was 13s. 4d.; from Russia, 12s. 4d.; from Ger- 
many, 13s. 1143d.; from France, 12s. 9d.; andfrom British North America, 
14s. 9d. 
FLour.—The total of wheat, meal, and flour was 2,453,008 ewts., being 
an increase of 1,550,208 over the import in 1872; of which 280,731 ewts. 
were from the United States, against 181,265 in 1872; 1,244,232 from 
France; against 114,010 in 1872; 7,368 from British North America, 
against 930 in 1872. The average cost was 19 shillings per cwt.; cost 
of that from the United States, 17s. lldd.; from France, 19s.; from 
British North America, 18s. 74d.; from other countries, 19s. 2d. 
INDIAN CORN AND MEAL.—The import of Indian corn was 4,605,396 
ewts., being 449,273 less than in 1872; cost 6s. 9d.; Indiaa-corn meal, 
1,249 ewts., a decrease of 572 from 18725; cost £2 2s. ddd. 
Corron.—The total of raw cotton was 5,498,546 cwts., 271,447 less 
than in 1872: from the United States, 3,529,867 ewts., against 2,939,838 
in 1872; from British India, 812,821, against 1,435,602 in 1872; from 
Brazil, 183,340, against 450,352 in 1872; from Egypt, 814,268, against 
770,722 in 1872 ; and from Turkey, 33,656, against 31,301 in 1872. The 
average cost was £4 6s. 104d. per cwt.; cost of that from the United 
States £4 10s. 03d; from British India, £3 2s. 4d.; from Brazil, £4 1s. 
3d.; from Egypt, £4 17s. 44d.; from Turkey, £4 17s. 1d. 
EXTENT OF CROPS IN GREAT BriTAIn.—The following table exhibits 
the number of acres in Great Britain under each crop named, and the 
total under all crops, for the years 1871 and 1872: 
