4 io 



THE COST OF MAKING COPRA. 



IN the May (1913) issue of Tropical Lifetime 

 cost of making copra in Queensland was quoted 

 as being ;i8 a ton. This statement caused 

 the Editor to receive several calls, as well as 

 a good many letters, from those interested in 

 estimates for making copra, or from others 

 who wished for further particulars for their own 

 guidance. Asa result of these communications 

 we would say that if copra costs ^15, ^18 

 or any other sum c. and f., this amount can 

 roughly be divided into three equal parts. 

 One-third would be taken up in the cost of 

 upkeep of large estates, for such areas as are 

 in bearing, provided they were in good order 

 to start with, and needed no exceptional ex- 

 penditure, as heavy weeding or drainage, during 

 the year ; one-third (or on the basis of ^15 a 

 ton, it might, as shown later on, come to seven- 

 fifteenths with interest) for interest, picking 

 the nuts, and transporting them to the factory, 

 for husking, splitting, removing the meat, dry- 

 ing the copra, and bags and bagging for ship- 

 ment ; whilst the last third (or maybe only 

 three-fifteenths) goes for transport to the ex- 

 port ship and freight across. For copra to cost 

 18 a ton, the labour bill as in Queensland 

 must be heavy, or else the cost may come in 



