The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GTSBOBNE, DECEMBER 17, 1903.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 697, 17 December 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GTSBOBNE, DECEMBER 17, 1903.

AN IMPORTANT TRADE, We are pleased lo learn iroui iMr Kweu Cameron that more than snlliuient stock lias been obtained to lill the space allotted to Gisborne on the steamer Devon, which the Government are dQspalching to South Africa. It is to he lioped that every' effort will now he made to retain and still further develop the market, that, is being opened up. Steamers are to call at Gisborne on -January 10th and February loth if there 'is a guarantee of sutlicient, stock being forthcoming. There is every reason to believe that there will he plenty, but the settlers themselves should take the matter up with some degree of enthusiasm, and assist in ensuring full shipments. It may lie thought that when there is such a good demand for meat there is no reason to he much concerned in the South African trade ; but though it is undoubtedly of great importance at the present time, it .should be a still greater boon in the future. Even the present shipment has bad an appreciable effect in hardening prices,, and this phase of the matter should commend itssclf to settlers. We are informed that the cargo to he taken from this district by the Devon will mean payments to farmers totalling about blo.unp, and the class of sheep taken are mainly those not saleable for ordinary freezing purposes. it. is cl,i.imed that the inferior class of sheep doubled in price owing to the demand for the South African market. Thus an excellent all-round market is presented. The duct ami now should he to maintain a. steady supply, and furmejs who have stork to offer for .the next shipments should as eariy as convenient communicate with Mr Cameron.