Cost of Sugar Production in B. Guiana. 121 



eluding superintendence, picking water canes and bal- 

 ing punts. During the past few years the cost of cane- 

 cutting has been high ; many of the best cane-cutters 

 were absent in the gold bush during crop time, and 

 labour generally was in great demand. The average 

 expenditure, if fair rates of wages are paid, should not 

 exceed $4 50 per ton sugar. 



Labour expenditure for manufa6lure has now to be 

 considered, and the first item is that of labour for 

 manufadlure proper. This includes the expenditure 

 necessary in the fa6lory, from the time the punts of canes 

 are delivered in the mill dock until the produce is 

 manufa6lured ready for shipment. In a well condu6led 

 factory, with modern appliances, a sum of $3 per ton 

 sugar will cover cost of labour for manufaClure proper. 

 Transport. — Under this head provision has to be made 

 for the cost of stock-keepers, grass-cutters, cartmen, &c., 

 cleaning and digging navigation trenches and water 

 supply trenches, repairing punts and transporting pro- 

 duce, coals and stores. A sum of $r 75 per ton 

 sugar should meet average expenditure. Maintenance. 

 — Expenditure necessary on the following has to 

 be provided for under maintenance, viz., engineers 

 and blacksmiths, masons, carpenters, painters, cleaning 

 machinery, &c., and one-third cost of repairing dwellings. 

 A sum of $1 50 should cover average expenditure per 

 ton sugar. Sundries and Hospital. — Provision has to 

 bs made under sundries and hospital for one-third cost 

 of watchmen, messengers, staff attendants, weeding and 

 cleaning yards and hospital staff, &c., and 60 cents per 

 ton sugar should meet the average outlay. 



2. I have now dealt with items of labour expenditure, 



Q 



