108 The Journal of the Royal 
The dark cloud of depression which hung over the 
staple industry of the colony at the beginning of the 
year, and which darkened more and more under the 
pressure of lessening prices for sugar as the year 
advanced, happily now shows some sign of parting, and 
the long looked for glimpse of sunshine may be seen 
bursting through the rift in the cheering prospects of a 
risinoj market as at present indicated. Another hopeful 
prospect lies in the promise of the success of the 
Brussels Conference, which was sitting in some doubt 
and uncertainty as to results at the time of my opening 
address last January. The successive ratifications of 
the convention which are taking place by the various 
Governments concerned, are hopeful signs that before 
another twelve months elapse the obnoxious bounties 
will be abolished, free trade in sugar re-established, and 
f airplay extended to the products of the cane. '• A 
fair field and no favour " is what our Sugar Planters 
have long asked for, and we shall all alike rejoice to see 
their patience rewarded and their desires accomplished. 
The year now approaching its close has been most 
favourable for cultivation generally, the weather being 
neither too wet nor too dry, so that agricultural returns 
in canes, rice and provisions have been excellent : the 
crop of colony grown rice this year is probably the 
largest on record, and the industry appears now to be 
fully established, the result being that the quantities of 
imported rice are being reduced year by year, and 
probably before long, rice will form a considerable item 
in our list of exports to neighbouring colonies. 
Although this extension of the local rice industry aftects 
materially an important source of revenue, I think the 
colony is to be congratulated on the whole on saving 
