Page:The Present State and Prospects of the Port Phillip District of New South Wales.djvu/42

 of horses to India, Manilla, and other places where they are in demand. The voyage from Sydney to Calcutta is on an average from two months to two months and a half; that from Melbourne would be somewhat shorter at one time of the year, and longer at another, according as the season suited for going round Cape Leewin, or through Torres straits. At present ships frequently go to India in ballast, so that the freight would not be very high. The terms on which horses have been shipped this year at Sydney have been £5 for every horse put on board, and £15 more for every one delivered safe over the ship's side. The ship provides stable fittings and water, and the owner of the horses attendance and provender. One cargo sent as a trial realized very good prices (they averaged £60); and there were few, or no casualties. It is supposed if an overland route is opened to Port Essington, the extreme northerly settlement of New South Wales, which is within fourteen days sail of China and Singapore, and one month of India, that horses may be sent with greater facility in that way. Port Essington is nearly the same distance, namely, two thousand miles, from Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. Supposing this road to be established, horses would make this journey in about two months and a half, and at little or no expense, except that of the wages and rations of the men in charge. But if this ever becomes available, the persons who will derive the greatest advantage from it will be the settlers to the north and north-west of Sydney, who would be much the nearest to the port of shipment. There is but little expense in rearing horses, and there is a fine breed of them at Port Phillip, chiefly