NOTE. The figures given in the tables relating to British shipping in the Consular reports are exclusive of vessels arriving at the port to which the tables relate from other ports in the same country, unless they loaded cargo at that port from another country, and similarly of vessels departing for other ports in the same country unless they loaded cargo for another country. The figures differ in consequence, in some cases, from the figures given in the tables relating to shipping of all nationalities, which are based on the local shipping returns. Currency. The currency of the Alpes Maritimes and Monaco is that of France, viz., francs and centimes.

1 fr. (100 c.)

...

...

=9d. (about) Exchange. Rates of exchange in Nice follow those of Paris.

Weights and measures.—The metric system of weights and measures is in use in the Alpes Maritimes and Monaco.

Population. The population of the Alpes Maritimes Department according to the last census in March, 1911, was 356,338, showing an increase of 22,331 in

the last five years. In addition to this there was a floating population of 25,245

in the Commune of Nice alone.

The population of the chief towns was as under :—

The principal ports are:-Nice, Cannes, Golf Juan, Antibes, Villefranche, St. Jean, Beaulieu, Mentone and Monaco.

The district of the Alpes Maritimes cannot be said to be agricultural, except as regards the flower trade

Its manufactures of perfumery (chiefly at Grasse), pottery (chiefly at Valauris), oil and oil refining, and macaroni and other pastes, have, however, a certain importance (see report for 1912 No. 4948).

Reference to previous Report, Annual Series No. 5178.

Report on the Trade and Commerce of the Consular District of Nice for the Year 1913

By MR. CONSUL J. W. KEOGH.

Public health. The health of the Alpes Maritimes and the Principality of Monaco for the year 1913 was excellent. As the Riviera receives so many thousands of wealthy visitors each year bringing trade with them, the question of health is always an important consideration. And it is satisfactory to know that the authorities are alive to this fact and do not spare expense where there is a question of improving water supply or general sanitary conditions. During eight or nine months of the year the French Riviera is particularly free from all zymotic diseases.

Nice Harbour.-A further enlargement of the two interior quays is being carried out. A more convenient water supply will shortly be laid down along the quays; and it is hoped to considerably lower the price of this water, which at present costs from 2 to 5 fr. per ton according to the quantity taken.

Quay dues.-The present quay dues are 1 fr. per net tonnage of vessel if the total tonnage of merchandise landed or embarked is greater than half the net tonnage of the ship; 50 c. per net tonnage of the ship if the total goods tonnage is equal to or less than a quarter of the ship's tonnage; 25 c. per ton if less than a quarter and more than a tenth; and 10 c. per ton if less than one-tenth of the ship's tonnage. For further information regarding port dues and pilotage at the harbours of Nice, Villefranche and Monaco, see the Nice trade. report for the year 1912 (No. 4948, Annual Series).

Railways. Work on the Nice to Cuneo Railway is progressing steadily, and the line should be open for traffic in 1918.

Nice to Grenoble.-An important project is on foot to construct a broad gauge railway from Nice to Grenoble. At the present time there is only a narrow gauge, and this for many reasons is unsatisfactory and only of limited use.

Olive oil.-Olive oil for table purposes produced in the Alpes Maritimes, as also oil imported into this Department and refined here, is of excellent quality, and the importation of it into the United Kingdom is increasing. The area under olive cultivation within the Alpes Maritimes is about 212,400 acres, which in a normal year (659)

A 2

should give a return of from 8,000,000 to 12,000,000 kilos. of oil The average retail current prices are :

Table 1.-TOTAL Imports of Principal Articles into the Consular District of Nice during the Years 1911-13.

Table 2.-TOTAL Exports of Principal Articles from the Consular District of Nice during the Years 1911-13.

15,618

£ 3,645,500 149,376 142,428 156,576 113,805 134,813 148,422 31,764 37,675 346,545 330,369 384,412 17,940 7,869 321,759 948,273 383,321 300,803 298,419 254,115 54,945

£

£

Table 3.-IMPORTS of Principal Articles into Nice during the Years

Table 4.-EXPORTS of Principal Articles from Nice during the Years

Table 5.-RETURN of Shipping of all Nationalities which Entered and Cleared in the Foreign Trade of the Port of Nice during the Year 1913.

Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage.

Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage.

Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage.

Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage.

Table 6.-RETURN of British Shipping which Entered and Cleared in the Foreign Trade of the Port of Nice during the Year 1913.

Mr. Vice-Consul Taylor reports as follows:

The falling-off of imports for the year 1913 amounts in value to 35,3031. This decrease is principally in cereals, pottery, glass, timber, coke and charcoal. There was an increase in exports to the value of 2,8571.