69 
the owners were evi icted or are 
liable to eviction, while the 
T 
eee unsold were forfeited to the Government. he 
remaining properties numbered 294, and of these 29 only 
land. 
HEr any 
207. The Agricultural Commission ke ted by Sir Charles 
Bruce in 1895 indicated in its report that the circumstances 
described above as affecting the peasant mr with some 
notable exceptions, were applicable also to the proprietors of 
d 
large estates. It stated “most of 
“ island 
the agriculturists in the 
are in a nape of great ‘financial difficulty.” 
It continued : 6 In our o 
ial 
“ demanded for money in the islan 
he connection between 
h rate of inte 
“the standard rate for short loans is 8 to 10 per cent. and more ; 
“for loans made for a period of years, airs the condition that 
“ the borrower shall bep yam cacao to or through the lender, to be 
“ sold on commission, 6 per petes Bij chargec he 
g 
at a slightly better price, it 
arder at cacao estate urdened 
“with mortgages bearing such high rates of interest.” 
208. Further, many owners bought their present estates ist 
borrowed money when cacao was selling at 90s. per bag ; 
that cacao has depreciated to 50s. per bag they have still to hae 
the same sg of interest out of proceeds reduced by nearly one- 
half. The remedy it pci by the Agricultural Commission is 
“ the Tere bisak of money into the colony by a Governmen 
bar * guarantee to = lent out ata reasonable rate of interest 
‘on security of an ‘unquestionable character.” 
209. The range of prices in Grenada cacao during the last 
12 years is shown in the following table :— 
| 
Year. Ist January. | = Ist July. Ist December. 
s. S, $. 
1884 72 to 80 63 to 79 6l to 78 
1887 | 63 to 72 70 to 77 60 to 70 
1890 53 to 64 55 to 63 54 to 64 
1893 ENE SES 64 to 68 71 to 76 61 to 64 
1896 E ee 44 to 50 41 to 47 40 
It is admitted that at in 1896 were lower than they have 
been for more than 20 y 
The cost of production of cacao in Grenada is approxi- 
210, 
mately placed by Mr. Lascelles at 
t 17. 5s. per cwt. Mr. Gurney 
poe es the cost of producing a bag (168 Ibs.) of cacao at Ll. 5s. to 
This would kes at the rate of 16s. 8d. to 17. 3s. 4d. per r ewt. 
t is pors aerie from t 
the h 
are unencumbered and carefully and skilfully worked there is 
- Still a in for profit even at present prices. 
