The Falkland Islands.

Manawatu Herald, 11 June 1895, Page 3

The Falkland Islands.

This constantly overlooked portion of the British Empire has the proud position of being the most southerly organised colony in the Empire. At present the inhabitants appear to be chiefly what are known here as »» social peslißj" they hold land and owfc sheep. So secluded are they, that the advanced strides made by this colony in socialism, are unknown to them, and they wrote asking for a scab inspector at £800 a year salary. This was insufficient to induce any applications, and the Falkland " pests '.' had to go one better and bid another £100. We understand that probably the Government will have little trouble in securing some one at this rate.

y -The Falkland Islands would appear better adapted to make money in, than to ruralise, as there is no timber to speak ■$$ the fuel being peat, and kitchen gardens are tb e

only cultivated part. The climate, though bleak, is usually considered healthy, the thermometer ranging in winter frem 80 to 50 degrees, and in summer from 40 to 65 degrees. The ifllatids are situated in the South Atlantic and are 6 ifoslte the Straits of Magellan anu off the southernmost point of Patagonia. They consist of 100 small islands, the aggregate comprising 6,500 square miles, and having a population of 1890. There are two large islands, East Falkland, having 8000 square miles and West Falkland having 2800 square miles. The only important settlement is Port Stanley, at the head of Port William on the coast of fiast Falkland.

The chief industries are sheepfarming and the seafaring industries, the chief exports being wool, sheepskins, frozen mutton and tallow.