, 1874-06-24

st. Croix, for the purpose of considering
and discussing the question of establishing
a Credit Association and, in connection
herewith, one or more Central Factories
in the Island. The following is a Report of
the discussions at the Meeting -
The Meeting was numerousIy attended.
Counc ilIor, Chief Judge RoSenstand in
tile Chair.
The Chairman gave the word to His
EXcellency Governor Garde.
Governor Garde would first observe, that
although he could not express himself with
certainty as to the realisation of the plans,
which the Assembly was aware of are
under discussion now for the welfare of
the Island, viz |, the Establishment of
Central Factories, and in order to gain
that, 2, the Establishment of a Credit
Association, yet he had thought it desir-
able to have a public meeting on the sub
iect, In order to ascertain that here is not
only a general Cesire but also an actual
will to give a support to the aboyemen-
toned questions, as tar as the means of the
island would allow it. He would in con-
sequence thereof commence the discussions
by giving a statement Of the present posi-
ton, and he felt confident, that he would
not meet with any opposition in saying,
that unless we succeed in introducing a
considerable change in the present system
OF sugar manufacture, so as to improve the
quality and increase the quantity of sugar
to be produced, this Island cannot expect
3Nr INV Dn0 4i,,a E,o,oo 4a - -
ducing, as it is beyond a doubt, that the
low prices of the present produce can
not cover the expenses of the Sugar Es-
tates. However, it has been proved by
the Investigations Of Mr.. Wulf, the gen
tleman sent out to examine the FEAST
bility of erecting Central Factories here,
that the yield of the canes is so very small
here compared with what is obtained else
where, that there can be no doubt of the
possibility OF increasing the produce in its
first stage, SO that sugar manufacture here,
all other conditions existing, might after all
prove not only a paying business but a
prosperous one. Mr.. Wulf intends to
visit Martinique to investigate the work
ings Of Central Factories there it is we'll
known that those Factories pay we'll, and
that the Sugar produced there is of such
a quality that it commands a high price
in the market. Although he could not at
present express himself with certainty on
this point, he believed that he was correct
when stating that in St. Croix the manu-
tacture yields only about Al lbs. of sugar
pr. 100 lbs. of cane, whereas in Martinique
the yield is 7 to 8 or even 8 lbs. and in
Demerara rs p. ct. crystalized sugar. But
if the diffusion system might be introduced
here instead Of the grinding mills, there is
reason to believe, after information re-
ceived from Denmark from a gentleman
who has recently established a beet root
sugar factory on the diffusion principle,
that the yield may be still greater, as much
as about Is P. CT. However, we will not
go SO far in our expectations let us be
satisfied in estimations of a future weld of
10 P. Ct; and we would then have more
than doubled the present average; and he
had scarcely any need to say that sugar
production and manufacture would then
pay we'll indeed. An increase must be
affirmed, even if it should not be to the
last mentioned extent else it is certain that
the future will be a %ruinous one for the
Island. None of us here can he so blind