SUGAR. 



169 



ready his fields, in planting and cutting of the canes, and some- 

 times in the bringing of the canes to the mill ; while, in return for 

 this assistance, he ceded to the Government a certain portion of 

 his produce at a fixed price. It was found, however, that these con- 

 ditions did not suit the present times, and in 1870 a measure was 

 introduced and passed by the Chamber, in which several important 

 modifications were made. The chief was that, instead of as hitherto 

 paying Government in kind, planters could pay Government a 

 certain sum of money in proportion to the product and extent of 

 their estates. The consequence of this was that in 1872 a very 

 much larger quantity of sugar than heretofore passed through the 

 hands of the commercial community, and the yearly Government 

 auctions, the aggregate of which in 1871 was 37,500 tons, will no 

 longer be held. The number of plantations are over 200 in all, with 

 about 70,000 acres under culture, and the total production of Java 

 may be estimated roughly at about 160,000 tons. In 1863 the 

 exports were 130,000 tons; in 1873 the production was estimated at 

 2,500,000 piculs. 



Borneo. — The sugar-cane is grown by the natives sufficient for their 

 own consumption. 



In 1863 an English company was started, and 200 acres planted 

 with cane, and sugar and rum are now articles of export to Singa- 

 pore. Sugar to the value of about 10,000 dollars was shipped in 

 1865. 



Sandwich Islands. — There were in 1868 thirty-three sugar plantations 

 in operation, having 10,260 acres planted with cane, and the monthly 

 expenses were about 9801Z. The actual cost of producing sugar on an 

 old plantation free from incumbrance does not exceed 2(1. per pound 

 for all grades manufactured. The produce is about 30,000,000 lbs. 

 sugar, and 500,000 gallons of molasses. Three thousand one hundred 

 and eighty-five persons were employed on the plantations. In 1874 

 the exports of sugar were 24,567,000 lbs. 



Fiji Islands. — The natives grow canes for sugar for their own 

 consumption. In 1863 there was one plantation, and the quality pro- 

 duced was good. Sugar is now also produced in the Society Islands. 



At Tahiti, in 1847 there were about 250 acres of land under 

 sugar-cane, and three small sugar mills in operation ; fifteen tons of 

 sugar were exported. In 1874 there were 290 acres, and the produce 

 was 40,000 kilos, of raw sugar, and 71,400 kilos, of turbined. 



Queensland. — Sugar is now a leading agricultural product here ; 

 it has started into existence within but a very few years, and as 

 a large and increasing area of country has been taken up for its 

 growth, it may be confidently expected that the industry will soon 

 assume very large proportions. The planters have for the most part 

 entered without experience on their work, and much has yet to be 

 learned as to the best mode of cultivation and manufacture adapted to 

 the conditions of soil and climate. Considerable quantities of sugar 

 are shipped to the neighbouring colonies, where it commands a good 

 price. A refinery has been established. Queensland, besides pro- 

 viding for its own consumption, will soon be able to supply Austral- 

 asia with an article of a superior description. Sugar has succeeded in 



