New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-13
SIR AMBROSE SHEA IN TOWN.
HIS WORK IN DEVELOPING A PROFITABLE IN
DUsTRY IN THE BAHAMAS.

HIS WORK IN DEVELOPING 4 PROFITABLE IN
DUsTRY IN THE BAHAMAS.
Sir Ambrose Shea, X. c. NJ. G., Governor OF the
Bahamas, arrived in New-York yesterday his way
TO Great Britain. He and Lady Shea went TO the Park
Avenue Hotel, and they will sail this morning for
Scotland on the Anchor Line steamship Crcassa. Sir
Ambroses record Governor Of the Bahamas promises
to be historical by of the remarkable develop
ment of the islands due TO his sagacity When he went
there three years ago he found the nhabitants-who
we're making living by fruit and sponge culture-do
ing their best to cxtirpate fbrOus plant which over
ran the land. The Governor recognized in the tall,
healthy, vigorous weed against which the natives were
making q vain fight burning it down only to have 1T
revive remarkably fine specimen Of the "ssa grass"
whose cultivation in inferior quality in Mexico, for
use in rope making had built up large fortunes in that
country. After investigation of the business In
Mexico Sir Ambrose proceeded to teach the people of
the Bahamas that they had been desptefully using
their best friend and the cultivation and dressing by
machinery of ssal established, with Government
bounty of cent pound for expectation, to remain
N effect until 1895. The bahama plant is not 10 be
known to the commercial world as sisal, but as
Bahama fibre" It is the free list of the United
States and in this country as well Great Britain
4 large market is expected with confidence.
Sir Ambrose Shea, in talking TO Tribune reporter
yesterday said: "The Bahamas are jumping There will
DO cable from the Bahamas to Florida within this year.
Do think that that will be regarded In America as
0 promoter of annexation? Well, we are annexed to
the United states all but politically. There is moro
American business in the Bahamas than any Other and
we very glad to see Americans.
"This Bahama fibre-it is TOO good to be callen
ssal-s very superior article to that obtained
IN Mexico. 1t makes an excellent rope
and 1t is believed it will go into
fabrics the threads fine. To show you what Is
thought OF the fibre by ehrewd business man, may
tell you that Joseph Chamberlain, after six months
careful examination has taken 10000 acres Of land
and his two sons are ont there now taking charge OF
the estate don't care TO sell very much more land
Where before there was European capital invested
I'm the Bahamas, there are now nrstclass men like
Mr.. Chamberlain coming in and giving an impetus 10
the fibre industry We shall begin to export the
fibre next year. 1t takes four years to come to
maturity but after II Is in harvest condition you can
get leaves from the plant for twelve or fourteen
wears without renewal OF any kind. 1t Is very fine
nlant a little of the cactus order The leaves, which
contain the fibre, are from five to six feet long
What is the price Of the bre-growing land ~
asked the reporter
alt has advanced from 81 25 to 81 an acre.
wouldn't advise any so to the bahamas to take
loss than q thousand acres. YOu get halftOn Of
fibre from an acre"
"Wouh you advise Young Americans to so to the
Bahamas and become fibre farmers7"
"What saw 10 every one who proposes to enter
on the cultivation is, Come and Investigate on the
SPOT At the same time mind you, the quantity OF
land have available Is as I said, very limited, and
am fixing a limit TO the cultivation. After the dis
posal of very moderate quantity of land, the sale
will be suspended for ten years.
II should be remembered that wherever Sir Ambrose
speaks of land be means Crown land Government land
Owing 10 his official place he has not felt al liberty
10 engage in the fibre enterprise. His own business
interests lie In Newfoundland, and his influence in the
commercial development Of the Bahamas has been
purely public spirited.