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A selection from the writings and speeches of John Robert Godley

Lyttelton, February 28, 1851

Lyttelton, February 28, 1851.

I have made two exceptions of no great importance or amount to my general rule of not engaging in any mercantile adventure. One is the purchase of a small schooner which I have made with a view of reducing the exhorbitant fares between Lyttelton and Sumner; fares which, though I have now left them to the ordinary course of trade for nearly three months, have showed no tendency. Twenty shillings per ton are now charged for taking round goods about six miles, i.e. nearly half as much as is paid from London to New Zealand.

This case has appeared to me so flagrant as to constitute an exception to ordinary rules, and there is not the smallest doubt but that, barring accidents, the schooner will pay herself in a year.

The other speculation I have made is in coals, which I had a good opportunity of bringing down under the ordinary price in a cattle ship, and which it is exceedingly desirable to bring before the notice of the people here immediately, as wood will be excessively dear in the winter; and I have seen no probability of coals being introduced in the ordinary course of page 193trade, When they shall have been once tried, no doubt orders will be given and consignment made by private parties to the required amount. I have ordered 100 tons at £2 per ton.