21 
The fresh fruits a from the Colony in 1885 were valued at 
Rs. 253. ‘They were sent to the * Cape Colonies.” But this export is 
said to be ** not of local NA ” in the Blue 
However, the shipping which visits the island during a year consumes, 
while in harbour, quantities of the fruits grown in the Colony; and a 
Some bunches of bananas are, I believe, exported to Port ne 
but no value is given for them in the Blue Book as of local ori 
Excepting cocoa- nuts, to the value of Rs. 260, that were exported 18 
the * Cape Colonies " in 1885, there were no other _ fruits, the 
produce of Mauritius, exported in ihe year just mentio 
The value of the ee ies made in the Colony adi exported from 
it during 1885, was Rs. 1,0 The most of it was sent to France. 
e kinds are not given in "iie Blue Book, but they are supposed to 
have been Arad pickles and guava jelly. 
ere is room for all the kinds of fruits pow Des being largely 
extended, even for local supply, let alone expor 
The country enjoying a temperate climate inae to eaten is the 
Cape of Good Hope. There tropical fruits do not grow, and there and 
the hie of Sout rica, now opened up by railways, a prim market 
might be obtained for f nas, pine-apples, &c. I have no dou 
store the fruits s dae the voyage. 
Hitherto rapid communication by steamers between Mauritius and 
South Africa has been intermittent; therefore, there has not been much 
if wate rea g ent to plant and grow fruits for export to Cape Ports, 
wher ical fruits would find a market. 
But ee conditions of shipping safely and fair profits o 
ments a demand w soon arise. his would stimulate Peu to 
grow fruits forthis market. I have no doubt whatever that tropical 
ruits, bananas, pine-apples, &c. will readily find a mise at the Cape 
Ports, if Es ey be landed in good condition and sold chea 
ven now there is a rumour abroad among the people idt the Colony 
is to aeiihdraw its subsidy from the “ Castle Packets Co ompany," whose 
ecd run four-weekly to the Cape of Good Ho 
there is not much hope that these or other steamers will 
omnt to South African ports, we consequently people are afraid 
to venture into growing fruit for this trade. 
The withdrawal of this subsidy by Mauritius acts like a premium to 
the sugar planters and tropical fruit growers of Natal; when the 
steamers cease to run thence to the Cape ports, Natal commands the _ 
arke = South Africa with its sugars and. tropical fruits, without 
opposit s 
P to Australia, Mauritius, I am afraid, will be too veio in point - 
Marit " Cor any, whose steamers no m gue to 
Tende erected making Mahé, Seychelles, ‘their head-quarters in 
ese seas, and a branch steamer will c carry goods and passengers from 
Mauritius and Bourbon to Mahé, to unite with ihe. main line between — 
Marseilles and Australia wee 
ing hee are unsuitable for this trade, between Mauritius: id : 
diti, and | € th reales the duration of their ropie iie too 
nee , and too unce: l 
