The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-12
JAMAICA.
Statistics Concerning the Trade and
Commerce OF the ColOny-Change in
the G0vernorship.

Statistics Concerning the Trade and
Commerce OF the Colony-Change In
the Governorship.
KINGSTON. Dec. 81, 1873.
The accidental circumstance Of the Atlas Com.
pany despatching second steamer this month
affords me the opportunity OF forwarding another
letter at an earlier period than contemplated.
There is very little to note, however, that is likely
to interest the distant reader unless 1t be to
inform him that the weather is unusually warm for
this period OF the year, much so that in the day
summer clothes are luxury and to go any dis
tance out OF doors an umbrella is indispensable to
shelter one from the scorchng rays OF the sun. In
the mountains, however, 1t is delightfully."- cool and
bamy; Just the sort OF climate that would suit peo-
pie in the North. who cannot stand the rigors
of the winter. II this island had been better known
to the people o. me United States long ere this
they would have established this country as their
winter resort Our Governor is anxious to en-.
courage this idea, and stated not long ago that II
any capitalist or company would undertake to
build and establish here hotel after the American
system, an inGucement to Americans to come
here. he would make free grant OF land and
$4,000 out OF the public funds as gratuity tow
ards liz. IL would be a great blessing 10 the coun-
try if It could be carried out.
In the agricultural districts the weather Is all
that can be desired Tor
REAPING OPERATIONS
and tile sugar and coffee crops are being taken in
very rapidly; 1t is, however, unlavOrable to the
growing plants, and unless a lew showers fall in
the course OF the next three or four weeks next
years crop OF sugar Will hardly realize the esti,
mates. Coiee picking and curing are progressing
rapidly under the stimulus OF the high prices
obtained Tor this article. This time last year Cos.
per hundredwetght was paid for the best coffee;
now 75s. is paid for any quality, and the carefully
picked mountain berry would command great
deal more. The
RETURNS OF EXPORTS
for the quarter ended on the 30th OF September
show the industry OF the island to be steadily pro-
pressing, as most or the articles exhibit n
crease over the quantities detailed in the returns
at the corresponding period Of last year. During
heads OF sugar 6,461 puncheons OF rum. 1906 hun
dredweight OF coffee, 2,760 hundredweght of gin
nuts, 5,221 tons logwood and 400 hundredwelght
OF beeswax. These are the leading staples but In
the minor ones, of which there are some fifteen or
twenty, general increase Is also observable. The
crop OF pimento mas fallen Off, put as the price has
risen so per cent those plantations which sue
ceeded in their reaping nave been well compen-
stated. The total vaue OF the exports during the
quarter is set do"n at s3o3222, against f29o029
tle corresponding quarter OF last year.
YELLOW FEVER
has been doing some damage among the lately
arrived Europeans at Port Royal. Among the
deaths Is that OF Mr Farrar the engineer OF the
new water works. man of great ability and
kindly disposition, who had rendered himself be-
loved by all classes. The fever having attacked
the shipping. all the vesses-of-war In port have
been ordered away to Bermuda and Halifax The
Meet OF steamers belonging TO the Telegraph Main
tenance Company arrived at Holland Bay in this
island, on Monday last The object is the laying OF
new line OF cable between Jamaica and Porto
Rico. When this Is completed a second line will
be laid between Jamaica and Colon, the existing
cable having proved all but worthless
In political matters there Is very little to note,
affairs being Ia stdtu quo till the arrival OF sir vii
liam Gray the new Governor. His EXcellency Will
be here by the end OF next month, SIR j. y.
Grant has made all arrangements Tor his departure
In the first packet in February.
The Virginius excitement has quite Gained down,
and the Niobe which had been sent to CuDa Tor the
protection OF British interests, has returned 10
Port Royal.
There has been quite revival OF business for the
Christmas holidays: still the market continues
fairly supplied with the staple articles OF con-
sumption.
IL is reported that Governor Grant has decided
70 annuI the postal contract existing between
Messrs. Lsech, Harrison Forwood, OF Liverpool.
and this gOpernment for the conveyance OF mail
matter between Jamaica and New York. It Is said
thal the non-performance OF the terms OF the COLI
tract mas brought about the alleged rupture.
MANY OF the leading merchants here would like
70 see an American line OF steamships established
DetWeep Kingston apd New Ysrk.