— 72 — 



able^ [at the next exhibition to show feathers of some 

 kind of hybrid Ostrich and Emeu birds. Such a result 

 would be highly interesting not only in a scientific 

 stand point, but Mr. Lienard might also find that the 

 cross breed as it is often the case is still more hardy 

 than the parent birds. 



The Cape Colony, it is reported, is soon likely to 

 lose a monopoly of this important local industry which 

 brings a yearly revenue of one million pounds sterling 

 in value for the feathers exported. Birds have however 

 since been introduced and are thriving exceedingly well 

 in the Eiver Plate, at Delhi in India, in South Australia 

 and New Zealand. 



The Cape Parliament have tried to check competition 

 -by putting a prohibition export duty of £ 100 on each 

 bird and £ 5 on each ostrich egg, but are too late in 

 their efforts. 



The Flore Mauricienne sent a few bottles of pre- 

 served Colonial fruits and vegetables which arrived most 

 of them in good order. This result is interesting as 

 illustrating the possibility of supplying the European 

 markets with preserved Colonial fruits which would be 

 highly favoured here. It is to be hoped that in Mami- 

 tius, as in Canada and in Australia, fruit preserving and 

 canning establishments will soon be started, which, 

 with proper management, will be found to be a good 

 investment. 



We have at hand in the Colony, the two essential 

 constituents of jams and jellies : Sugar in unlimited 



