, 1888-02-22

about equal in quantity to the last but are
glad to note that the ''sugar situation is
much brighter and more hopeful than it was
at this time last year. The c%ontinu-
ally decreasing price in sugar for the
last three years has led To an increased
consumption; and now The pendulum as
to price has fortunately swung the other
Way. True, within the last fortnight we
have to note a decline of Cd per evil. in
the United Kingdom from the quoted
figure of 1913 and i in the American Mar
ket, to which the greater part Of our sugar
is now, to the %pecuniary advantage OF the
planter, finding its way. Added to this,
there is the prospect of the abolition OF
bOuntleS on beet-Sugar on the Continent
OF Europe, and the reduction, If not the
total abolition, of duties upon raw sugar,
in the United States of America. The
outlook is certainly more hopeful, and III
consequence our planters are more cheer
ful. 1t seems to US that Il reliable index
of this improved aspect of atta.ts is 70 be
seen in the purchase of several estates out
of the Chancery Court during the past
two months. Those gentlemen who have
been selected of late as appraisers Of eS-
tateS in Chancery have wisely forSaken
the old beaten track Of their forefathers,
and have appraised properties, not by the
old hard and fast rule of so much per acre,
but more in accordance with what is some
thing like the real value of land at present
in Barbados under the altered condition
of the market throughout the world. We
make bold to say that The estates which
have lately changed hands would, most
of them, have been to-day still under the
control of Receivers of the COur OF Cham
Gerry had not a wise and ~Salutary change
been made in the mode Of their appraiSe-
ment. We fancy, however, that we de
tect in some of the later appralSementS, a
tendency, If not to revert to the old con-
dition OF things, at least to value estates
at a higher figure than they were put at
two or three months ago. No doubt, the
inclination to do this has been caused by
the rise which has taken place for sugars
in the English and American markets.
We very much regret to note this teuden-
cy, as we are of opinion that it is an
utSound and retrogradepolicy. 1t is MOI
desirable that Estates should be appraised
to remain in the Court OF Chancery. 1t is
III every way very desirable that nothing
whatever should be done to hinder capital
lists, whether in the Island or from else
where, from investing in Estates and
taking them out Of the control OF the
Court. The present appearance OF our
fields sheWS how rich and fertile is our
soil. The numerous huts to be seen
everywhere, III every conceivable nook
and corner, the numbers of people to be
met, show Enthusiastically the large amount
of labour |obtainable, and at a cheap rate.
If then sugar estates in Barbados are
offered for sale at a fair value,-at such a
value as will nor make it impossible for
the clearances to meet the interest on the
invested capitaI-they will command pur-
chasers, because they will pay. The
recent purchase Of horne Factory in ST.
Lucia by certain English capitalists is an
earnest, we hope, Of others coming here
"to do likewise ."-BarbadOs agricultural
Reporter.