180 TIMEHWRI. 
8. The project has been mooted of starting a line of small steamers, 
fitted for the conveyance of Indian emigrants, to trade direct between 
Calcutta and British Guiana, 
g. Such a line, financed on a rupee basis, could be made to pay, owing 
to the relatively low value of the white metal, as compared with gold. 
10. Such vessels would bring the Colony’s sugars to India at com- 
paratively low rates of freight if they had the conveyance of the return- 
ing emigrants. 
11. I have hitherto been opposed to the employment of steamers for 
the transport of emigrants from India to the West Indies, for several 
reasons. In the first place, the employment of large vessels carrying 
from 800 to 1,000 emigrants was contemplated, and no vessel, in my 
opinion, should carry over 500. Besides it is almost impossible to select 
such large numbers properly, and house them in Calcutta satisfactorily. 
12. The cost too, would have been prohibitive owing to the absence 
of freight on the return voyage. 
13. The risks of steamers breaking down in the more unfrequented 
parts of the ocean route was another of my objections, and it has not 
yet been provided against. 
14. I think the subject of the shipment of refined sugar to India, and 
the best means of bringing it about, is worthy of every consideration on 
the part of the Colony. 
; I have, &c., 
(Sgd.) ROBERT -W. S. MITCHELL, C.M.G., 
Govt. Emigration Agent for British Guiana, 
The Honourable the Government Secretary, 
British Guiana. 
From Emigration Agent, Calcutta, to the Government Secretarv. 
* * * * * 
The Jute industry to an appreciable extent supplanting Cane cultiva- 
tion, and the Sugar industry of Bengal, notwithstanding the introduction 
of improved mills for crushing, as jute is found much more easy of 
manipulation and pays better. 
As regards the great staple of ‘the colony, I had been promised 
samples of the different kinds of beet sugar, which are now making their 
way with success in the markets of India, but unfortunately they have 
not come to hand in time to be sent by this Mail. I asked for these 
samples with the view of showing Planters in the Colony exactly what 
kind of beet sugar found the readiest market here, 
