The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-29


80 much SO is this the case that many insurance
companies refuse to take the risk Of vessel pass
ing these straits. OF course, these dangers could
be minimi2ed II the channels were adequately
buoyed but that development is thing Of the
future
circumstances in connection with the town Of
Punia Arenas are considered. the growth and
development during the last ten years can only
he regarded as something phenomenal Founded
orginally as PENAL settlement by the Chilnn
authorities thus ultima thule Of civilization dragged
out miserable existence for many years, the gen
cral opinion Of any chance visitor being that the
creation OF any industries was impossible owing
10 climatic conditions \ quarter Of q century
agosa few cntcrpusing settlers, with little, money
but plenty Of energy. obtained grants Of land IN
the nelghborhood and determined to try their
luck IN sheep farming For time little attention
was paid 10 the doIngs Of these Pioneers in the far
Sout and It was not until 1889 that reports
reached Chian and Argentine centres Of the
substantial success ctcndInE the efforts Of these
southern farmers. The number Of settlers on
both sides Of the straits steadily increased and
Punta Arenas became the centre OF distribution
for all the supplies and neccssar.cs OF life for the
inhabitants Of these districts.
in 1889 the town of Punta Arenas consisted
only OF a very limited number OF wooden shantics
Of the poorest description. two or three general
stores representing the trading interests Of the
thousand or thcrcabouts OF the popul alton. in the
ten years from 1850 10 1890 the number of inhabi-
tants has increased to 1900, substantial dwelling
houses have replaced the former huts, streets
have been laid out, q muniC' pal;ty formed, banks
opened, hotels built. an important and increasing
trade established with other Patagonian settle
shipping OF produce, the city now lighted by
electricity. and. finally, a commencement has been
The CHILEAN Government has wisely allowed
i'unta Arenas to remain free port hitherto. and
ior the next five wears at least 1t is unlikely that
thus privilege will be withdrawn unless special
circumstances should arse 10 ncCcssltae an altered
policy in this respect.
The principal trade Of Punta Arenas oday
consists in the importation Of supplies Of all kinds
for the CONSUMPTION Of the farmers Of southern
Patagonia and Terra del Fucgo: the expectation
Of tl,.N
shipment Of skins, feathers and gold dust To foreign
markets. Sheep farming is the main industry
OF the district the number If animals in the tocks
IN this southern zone now comprising between
hve and six millions. As rule the lands are
leased at nominal rental from the Gillian or
Argentine Government or can he purchased out
right for the equivalent Of % cents, United States
currency, an acre. The breed OF sheep is as rule
standing the cold winters better than any other,
so far as experience has yet shown The mutton
Tor shipment IS prepared on board hulk specially
fitted with all necessary freezing machinery, and
thence transferred 70 steamers sent from England
TO carry it 10 the European markets Formerly
This cargo was shipped by steamers calling, at
Punta Arenas on the way from New Zealand 10
British ports but the loss Of one Of the vessels in
the straits led to the abandonment Of this trade.
The sheep farms are not fenced, and the ranges
as rule are extensive.
Two dangers To the farmer are always present:
the first is an unusual ly severe winter, the sec
consequent loss Of wool. This year the SHOWS
have been unusually heavy and the mortality
humber Of f' animals in the Gs rt So long as
the farms remain unfenced the eradication Of
the sCab pest is almost impossible on account OF
neighbOring hocks meeting and spreading the
disease.
Skins and ostrich feathers, are bought from
ind a ready sale. Formefly sealskins were cx-
ported from here to some extent but OF late years
very little has been done in this direction. Gold
dust is washed out Of the deposits along the river
beds in Patagonia and Terra del Fuego but the
amount collected is comparatively small Hin
on n large scale; but the country has been very
roughly prospccted as yet, and 1t Is quite posi-
bic that valuable gold bearing quartz deposits
may be discovered in the future. Coal exists
within a few miles Of Punta Arenas and has been
mined from time to time; the caIorc power or prod
uct Of these deposits is, however. very low, and
steamships will not take II II any other coal is
to be obtained. \ company has lately been
projected in London to work the lumber Of he
full however, II this timber Will be utilized for
other than local needs, the wood being somewhat
unusual extent during the process Of seasoning.
Communication with Punta Arenas is now reg
Of the Paciac Steam Navigation Company, once
monthly by the German 'kosmOs' line, Occa-
sioTay by oth sI seamsnPs calling a, this Pot,
is also Chitan naval station. and one or two
warships arc invariably cruising near there:
Of Magellan is not possible. The sunshine in
the summer season does not contain sufficient
heat to ripen wheat or other cereals nor will fruit
a crnn ~ nnf,toes ran be obteincd and "a hhnges
cauli Howcrs lettuce md other GARDEN nrnduct
are grown in sheltered nleces in fairly abundant
ouebtities Uardy animal 1nwara arc sisn IN
he seen in some ~ the frardens NJ The more pre
tentinI. hnmsas The c"nstant gales ~ wind
however tmaLe hortiruIturoI %,,,iSo,iGn ~ maize
81 incascant m xie,v md eYnense The ciimste
ms in sone ,xays n cnn,nrnsatinn fnr ali the
Lr.whaci,u .rn"S,oininr T., a.. innr con,;nmed
,,ossp re ~ III ond anI,r in the yinte, r,nnths
II III W. iSt - , 1f - ~ We NJ y, hW,,,,
Ii'ep, a,in, a L hnd hIi alI w. 80 e,
nduIgr in hat mode "f e%ercis. a" and his port
- ,h ~ TO- th y, dis,ri, o." Nv III S,h
A w 10 nc p'I '.' y ~ ~, b b tu1
In h ,; Si'rh ave- Led 70,
Int rarely resorted 10 Tor trensnort of freipht
m b are 10 s yat ontsde Oh. nwS ~
3D., ] h,,li % ' 1850 ,h nam,o a"
At nrssent servIinr as the oniv means Of Inland
az p.ooriis iin',s % ~ ~ O'ty ,i ~ ,s,,i
t W tnn'3a anu '''' p''A ''o Wv "'ua'
"o ~ VI W ~ t.no,, c,ro;,s q, ,ho ,o.,
d ~ Pp,n1 ' amaS s ,na "a ,ha Do cSc ccesn
MH ~ Vi uiitn .nein 1--WE ei stn d;nt
e 1,, ntai snss .'p 10. ,hr,int,v rom he
watc,,s cdnc both in PATAGONIA and Terra del
E I 49, ~ ~ hIHGs s,.nd ont ~ hod
III On a;tkbs and ahnSe these tow, inv
r..ii. oh oi.,ea go; ~ ~, La H.,
p,Siins siiom ,,}Rii ss,a n,n ho irar;red ,bsn
10, nru , ;i n. tfe s fnzen meats r,Idin
ue sun rts ;' Nc .cH rpors' snh @
bancn 'he natIaliv wild asSect Of he iandsrape