CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 33, 24 May 1845, Page 4

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

The Cape Frontier Times contains a letter from Mr. Christopher, of London, giving the sales of Cape wools. By a comparison of prices, what are called prize bales sold for nearly double the price of other descriptions ; thus, wool sold at from 2s. 3d., to 2s. 10., and other wool from 6d. to Is. Sd. Among other -remarks, the writer states :—: — The Colonists, particularly the Cape, will recollect that such vast imports of the raw material effectually prevent any increase in prices; to have them sustained for equal qualities is all that may be hoped for. But in the improvement of quality there will yet be ample reward for care and labour, and let the Cape look to it. Let the prize bales tell their tale — their value nearly doubles the average. The same means resorted to throughout the colony spring a mine of wealth for every farmer ; but for the careless breeder and careless packer there is no hope of improvement. Many known good Cape flock masters feel surprised their wools do not meet the prices of their neighbours. This is partly accounted for by the better assorting, which is not done here. The loss to the purchaser on that which does not suit him, and the expense of re-sorting might all be retained in the pocket of the Cape colonist if this department of the business were better attended to. The advantages to be obtained by attending to these points, washing and sorting, is strikingly displayed by the good washing and equal sorting and packing the prize bales and a few other lots. New Zealand has just come into the field of competition, and has sent home wool worth Is. 7d. per lb. There ought not to be a bale of a lower .price than ,that from the Cape colony. Some praise mustfbe given to the Cape growers this season, they are mending fast ; but this is just the moment for further effort to stamp the colony with the character her resources deserve. The best Cape farmer is the greatest benefactor of the colony. Table Bay had been, for several days previous to the 12th of February, filled with vessels of all descriptions, to a greater extent than was ever known in the time of peace ; great numbers were from Ichaboe, and many were about to proceed to Malagas, in Saldanha Bay, for guano. Government, it was reported, had discovered another large deposit of this valuable manure, besides smaller ones in accessible positions along the coasts of the Cape Colony. A meeting of the Griqua chiefs was held on the 21st January last, at Block Drift, the residence of the Diplomatic Agent, Stretch, for the purpose of ratifying the new treaty or engagement, submitted to them by the LieutenantGovernor of Port Victoria, relative to this matter, which there is reason to hope will put an end to the Caffre disturbances.