54 TASMANIAX ADVANTAGES, &C. 



Sops. — Hops also do well, and are cultivated successfully 

 to a limited extent. The exports for 1902 are valued at 

 about £38,000. This business could be considerably ex- 

 tended. 



JBeer. — Owing to natural conditions, better beer can be 

 brewed in Tasmania than in other parts of the Common- 

 wealth of Austi'alia. 



Weaving. — Small beginnings have been successfully made 

 in the w^eaving of blankets, flannel, and tweed, and in the 

 making of biscuits. Under the new Customs regulations all 

 these industries are likely to grow. 



Steam Communication. — One of the results of the growth 

 of the above industries has been an increase in the tonnage 

 of steamers calling at the ports of Tasmania, not only from 

 the other colonies, but from Europe. The tonnage for 1903 

 (the present year), entering the port of Hobart alone, is 

 estimated to reach about six hundred thousand tons net, or a 

 million tons gross. This port is a fine open sheet of water, 

 completely landlocked. The wharves, situated 12 miles 

 from the sea, can berth the largest ocean-going steamers, 

 and during the past season single vessels have been loaded 

 with up to twenty thousand tons of cargo, and have left the 

 wharf without trouble, drawing thirty-one feet of water. 

 At present the steamers from London, via the Cape, to New 

 Zealand make Hobart a port of call ; also arrangements are 

 being made for a new line from New Zealand to the Cape ; 

 and, besides this, the P. and O., Orient, Pacific, White Star, 

 Holt's Blue Funnel, and intercolonial steamers of several 

 companies call at various ports in the island. The new line 

 of steamers about to be started from New Zealand to the 

 Cape, making Hobart a port of call, besides increasing the 

 facilities of transport, will be likely to lower the cost of 

 living. 



