Copra In 1885.

When B.P. Entered Papuan Trade.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Nov. 28.

IT is interesting to read in a report of G. Seymour Fort, secretary to Sir Peter Scratchley, the first Special Commissioner to New Guinea in 1885, the comments on the price of copra at that time.

The price of coconuts on the south east coast of New Guinea (Papua) rang-ed between 20 to 40 for one stick of tobacco, and 6,000 to 7,000 went to the ton. Putting the tobacco at 1/6 a pound and 22 sticks to the pound, he esti mated with the cost of labour and dry ing, etc.,” the cost of copra per ton on the ground to be about £ 5.”

The Sydney market at the time ranged from £10 to £14 per ton (1885-6).

Mr. Fort does not state what price the traders received in those days for their copra or by what means they disposed of it, other than by their own schooners.

But later, we learn, in 1886-1889, that Messrs. Burns, Philp, under agreement with the Special Commissioner at that time (Hon. John Douglas, C.M.G.), undertook gradually to establish trading stations along the coast at various points. These stations were for the pur pose of collecting copra and beche-de mer, and also for offering inducements to natives to engage in industries and in the development of the resources of the country.

On April 13, 1886, an agreement was made between Hon. John Douglas (Spe cial Commissioner) and Messrs. Burns, Philp, by which the latter agreed to run a monthly steamer service, the “Vic tory,” 80 tons, between Thursday Island and Port Moresby, and to extend the service, if necessary, along the south east coast to East Cape, and Dinner Is land (Samarai) for a subsidy of £50 per month from July 1, 1886, to June 30, 1889.