breeds of stock, and for machinery and materials for railways and industrial purposes. It is true, as will be observed in the list of imports free of duty, that about six millions may be put down to this account; but a similar reference to the imports of 1882, when the volume only reached to $47,000,000, will show almost the same thing for that year. The proof of this overtrading is alarmingly apparent in the fact that the public warehouses are fuller than they ever were before of European goods for which there is no sale, the supply being so much greater than the demand. In this condition of trade the fear is generally expressed that another commercial revulsion, like that of 1873-74, is staring the Argentine Republic in the face. TRANSIT COMMERCE. The transit commerce of the port of Buenos Ayres for the year 1883 was as follows: The movement of gold and silver money to and from the port of Buenos Ayres during the twelve months ending December 31, 1883,* was as follows: Making the total imports of gold and silver money, $1,603,847, and the total exports, $3,737,054. E. L. BAKER, Consul. Buenos Ayres, March 13, 1884. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, In these figures the imports of gold and silver bullion for coinage at the national mint are not included. FALKLAND ISLANDS. Report by Consul Lasar of Port Stanley, on the trade and commerce of the Falkland Islands. Finally it is my good fortune, after much waiting and asking, to be enabled to submit my October reports for the years 1881 and 1882, based upon the official statistics of the colony. Port Stanley is a free port with the exception of spirits, perfumed waters, and tobacco. As to the amount of duties realized upon the imports, I am prohibited from giving any figures, having been informed by the governor's, or government, messenger that they are private alto gether with the governor and secretary of this colony. This much I can say, however, that at present this colony, a crown colony, is selfsupporting, and that its revenue is between £13,000 and £15,000 sterl ing yearly, in our currency from $65,000 to $68,000, most of which is collected from the lease of lands held by so-called sheep-farmers, and customs on spirits and tobacco, a large amount of which is consumed in this colony. As soon as I shall be able to transmit the reports for 1883, I shall be most happy to submit them to your inspection. List of duties imposed in the Falkland Islands.-Spirits, 108. ($2.43) a gallon; wine, 28. (483 cents) a gallon; wine, per dozen bottles, 48. 6d. (81.08); beer and malt liquors, 3d. (6 cents) a gallon; cordials, the same as wine; tobacco, 38. (73 cents) a pound; all perfumed waters, 158. ($3.15) a gallon; all freeholds and leaseholders, d. ( of a cent) per acre. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, HENRY S. LASAR, Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, March 11, 1884. Consul. Statement showing the imports at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, for the year ending De cember 31, 1881. Statement showing the exports from Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, for the year ending December 31, 1881. Statement showing the navigation at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, for the year ending December 31, 1881. Statement showing the imports at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, for the year ending De Statement showing the imports at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, &c.—Continued. Statement showing the exports from Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, for the year ending Statement showing the navigation at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, for the year ending December 31, 1882. Two steamers remained in port to serve as local or intercolonial traders. Statement showing the navigation at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, &c.—Continued. Four sailing vessels (merchant ships) remained in port at close of year. WEST INDIES. BRITISH WEST INDIES. ANTIGUA. Report by Consul Jackson on the trade and commerce of Antigua for the year 1883. EXPORTS. The year 1883, for Antigua, proved dry, reducing the output of sugarfrom the preceding year by 2,000 tons or more. Lower prices prevailed through competition with beet-root sugar, everything tending to reduce the value of Antigua's principal export-sugar muscovado. The decrease in exports is here shown: Exports at Antigua, year 1882. Decrease... $1,300, 059 14. 1,068, 846 87 231, 212 27 By reference to the table of exports appended it will be seen that,. with the exception of molasses, but little is noteworthy in exports from Antigua. IMPORTS. In imports a small increase is noted, quite in variance with the general experience, for a decrease of exports means a decrease of imports, or vice versa. A larger amount of sugar machinery was imported, also an increase in hardware. The difference referred to is as follows: Imports at Antigua, year 1882. Imports at Antigua, year 1883. Increase $862, 644 20 885,777 66 23, 133 46 |