The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-15 00:00:00

COLONIAL.

CEYLON.
The Gunton quarterly returns concluding the
commercial year have been published, and show a
decrease in imports of 21,3911., the imports having
amounted in 1850 to 220,78;0., and in 1851 to
190,481/. The exports in 1850 amounted to 1113,853/.,
while in 1851 they have been 107,075/, showing an
increase of 1,192/.
The Colombo Monthly Examiner, of Dec. 15, in its
general summary, says:
Scarcely had our last despatches left when the Acting
Queen's Advocate, Mr. James Stewart, expired, after a
lingering illness. A splendid entertainment has been given
by the Kaadyan chiefs to hi Excellency the Governor. As
one of these indications of good-will which pave the way for
rulers to ameliorate the condition of the people, this really
well-managed affair is pleasing to contemplate by all lute-
rested in the improvement of the colony.
The return of the master-attendant from an inspection
of the pearl banks had raised our hopes respecting a source
of revenue long lost to the country. The report made to
government holds out the expectation of a small fishing in
18i} and one more considerable for a future year. Several
official changes are announced: the Hon. W. C. Gibson has
been confirmed al auditor general ; Mr. John Staples, dis-
trict judge at Kandy, going on sick leave, Mt. Lavelliere
will act for him ; and the llououruhle Mr. Justice Stark
having returned to the Supreme Court Bench, Mr. Tem-
ple resumes his duties in the District Court of Colombo,
Mr. T. Gibson, district judge of Kornegalle, going
on sick leave to England, Mr. torthmoro will act fur him,
and Mr. Bailey come, to Colombo as deputy flecal, Mr.
Atherton undertaking the duties of magistra:e of Calpentyn.
The Queen's-house iu Colombo is in progress of demolition ;
the Secretary of State having sanctioned an estimate of
5,000 f. for a new building, of course it will not be finished
under live times aa much. In the meantime, the capital of
the island is deprived of the presence of the governor and
his tinnily. We have three deaths to record, viz., of the
Hon. Mr. James Stewart, acting Queen's advocate ; Mr.
Charles Burrell, and Mr. James Walker ; the two latter
gentlemen were in planting occupations.
An elephant kraal, conducted by native", has taken place
near Ituanwelia, in order to capture a herd of 25 which
were devastating the neighbourhood. We hear a few of
them were taken; a fine tusker, after receiving a numberof
shots, ultimately broke through the enclosure ea escaped.
The coffee crop is well nigh housed except in the higher
mountain properties, and large quantities are coming down
fast from the interior. It is generally agreed that the
season is three weeks in advance of the overage period, and
improved se:citifies of transport have much increased the
quantity of produce now in store in Colombo, and for the
preparation and shipment of which the weather is now be-
coming favourable.
The crop appears to have generally ripened all at once,
.1
and on most estates is larger than last year, the exceptions
being on those estates which gave their first cops at full
beanug last year ; the after-pickings, which generally
occupy two mouths later, will in many instances be altoge-
ther insignificant in quantity. We arc therefore disposed
to think that the export, though it may probably exceed
that of 1850-51, will not reach that of 1849-50, end the I
quantity of both plantation and native descriptions will not
exceed .100,000 cwt. altogether. A more favourable season
both for taking in crop or fur the plantations, has seldom
been known, and though there arc many cameo; on which,
owing to the short supply of labour, the necessary operations
of clearing up the weeds and pruning and handling the
trees is only just beginning, still estates arc looking well and
vigorous. Wo hear of several new properties about to be
opened, but the new land opening is generally portions'
of old estates in addition to exiting clearings. This in the
aggregate must be a large extent of laud, and evidences I
how favourable the opinion of the speculation is amongst
those who have struggled hard and long against expendi-
ture on the one hand, and, until lately, falling market, on
the other. Competing as the colony now does in the mar-1
kets of the world, which can take off more than double the
present growth of Ceylon without any sensible impres-
sion, we trust to see capital again flow Into the
country fur employment in coffee cultivation. Any increase
made to to the supply from Ceylon for years to come will be
insufficient to meet the demand pr alueed by the rapid in-
crease of consumption in the United States and our North
American colonies. Again, as to continuance of present
prices, which, low as they are, remunerate estates under
improved management far better than the rates pre-
vailing when foreign coffee was only admitted to
consumption in Great Britain at a prohibitory duty;
there appears no likelihood of any reduction, but,
on the contrary, from the increasing demand, they may
ere long improve for a time. The price of ordinary St.
Domingo coffee which has ruled the foreign market for so
many years, has maintained en average price equal to pre-
met sates of ordinary native Ceylon. The interest' of Cey-
lon have materially suffered under the agitation which has
been carried on in the committee of parliament and through
the public ;press. However true or however false the
statement of each writer, the effect has been the same, to
bring Ceylon before the public eye as a place where capital
could not be safely invested. This impression will we trust
be dissipated ere long, and added to the success of those who
are now planting coffee by the aid of the dear bought expe-
rience of early planters will we hope bring about an activity '
in our jungles which has not been since tho hard times of
1846 and 1847 elms upon the colony.
Cinnamon planters are now recommencing to peel, which
has hitherto been delayed by showery weather and bud; the
cuttings are expected to be good.
The country is generally healthy, and we are induced to
think that the dawn of hope on the horizon has greatly to
de with the change in this respect from last year, when a
fearful mortality prevailed.