TOBACCO CULTURE.

Evening Star, Issue 3047, 23 November 1872, Page 2 (Supplement)

TOBACCO CULTURE.

The following important facts with reference to the success and remiuierativeness of the culture of tobacco in Auckland were given by Mr Gillies in speaking on the motion that the House should resolve itself into a committee to consider what assistance should be granted to encourage local industries “ Mr Gillies wished to call attention to the fact that one very important industry, which by a little assistance had been established in the Province of Auckland, had not been considered by the Local Industries Committee - an industry which lie thought there was sufficient evidence to show would become a very valuable industry in many parts of the Colony, especially the northern parts —lie meant the growth and manufacture of tobacco. It had already been successfully established ; but he wished to bring before the notice of the House and of the Government that when they were considering toe question of encouraging local industries, this one ought not to be lost sight of. The Provincial Government, by the expenditure of a very small sum -lie did not suppose of more than LIOO or Llso—had enabled it to be demonstrated that tobacco could be grown and manufactured at a very considerable profit, and in a way which would be very advantageous to small settlers, who could grow and prepare it themselves for market, lie would shortly state the facts. The Provincial Government, at the small cost of LloO or LI SD, had enabled a gentleman named Mr E. W. Goteh to grow between one and two acres of to-

bacco at Papakura, some twenty miles from Auckland, dining the past year. The result had been, notwithstanding the drawback of an unfavorable season and various other things, that lie had produced by bis own labor and that of his farmly, about 5(300 cigars—-the quality of which many hon. members bad had an opportunity of testing—and about Bewt. of cured tobacco beddes. Mr bad givmi him an account of the cost of production and the value of the produce. The cost of production was from L 23 to L 25 an acre of cured leaf. The produce of an acre was from lOewt. to 13 cw’. Taking it at lOewt., and reckoning the value of the cured leaf at Is a pound, it gave I 56 an acre as the value of the tobacco, which cost from 1.23 to L 25 an acre to pro iuce. It was very important for small settlers, who very often could not make corn and flax pay. to know that they w< re able in many places to produce an artii.de which would pay them to cultivate. The successful result of the experiment had induced many m we settlers in the ueigbb rhnod where Mr dutch resided to engage in tobacco cultivation, and they had planted about eight acres of tobacco during the present season. He thought the matter was worth the attention of the Government and of the Industrial Committee.”