356 



DICKSON ON COLONEL ABBOTT'S REPORT 



" Mr. Morreli, who is here for a year or two, would be very 

 well contented to engage at once to supply rheea on a five 

 years' contract (and would leave for India next mail), at £25 

 per ton, or 2§d. per lb., delivered in London or Liverpool, 

 engaging for the first year 2,000 tons, and afterwards any 

 indefinite quantity. 



"It is, however, candidly admitted, that for a run of five 

 years, purchasers could grow it for much less by taking up a 

 grant, or hiring cleared lands (and Messrs. Morreli and others 

 are quite prepared to let it), and themselves form an establish- 

 ment for planting and growing it as described. 



" There seems much reason for thinking this the fact, and 

 the more so, if there was necessity for raising a very large 

 quantity; because one management, extending over the 

 whole, would every year find out more and more how to 

 economise and improve the production, reduce general charges, 

 and ensure uniformity of quality and regularity of quantity. 



" Mr. Morreli says, that the Sunderbund Lands are 

 admirably adapted for the growth of it. If so, that position 

 presents the advantage of being within a few hours' distance 

 from Calcutta by the railway being now constructed through 

 that district; and carriage to the port w T ould be trifling, and 

 supervision of the establishment much facilitated, by having 

 Calcutta people at hand for the purpose. 



" Whatever estimate may be formed of the quantity likely 

 to be consumed in this country, there is little doubt that a 

 similar amount would be required for continental countries; 

 and thus it might approximately be arrived at, what the 

 extent of the establishment should be, and what fche capital 

 and mode of supervision necessary. 



" There seems reason to think that it should be a separate 

 association, entirely devoted to this object; and there is quite 

 enough for the directors of such a company to attend to. 

 ' ' It does not seem probable that any more exact informa- 



