The number and value of staves imported into all the ports of this colony for the three last years were as follows:

Almost the whole of this importation comes in at this port, Cape Town.

Oak staves are the only kind imported into the colony, and, in fact, are the only kind used; scarcely anything being put into barrels but wine, bags and baskets being cheaper than wood for most purposes.

These oak staves are shipped from New York and probably come from the Louisville market. They come in the "rough"-i. e., as they are split.

The usual sizes are 45 and 54 inches long, 3 to 5 inches wide, varying in thickness from 3 to 2 inches.

It will be noticed that the importation in 1890 fell much below that of the preceding years. This is accounted for by the short crops of grapes in that year and the consequent decrease in the manufacture of wine.

Practically the grape crop determines the amount of the stave trade in the colony.

UNITED STATES CONSULATE,

GEO. F. HOLLIS,

Consul.

Cape Town, May 9, 1891.

AUSTRALASIA.

NEW ZEALAND.

REPORT BY CONSUL CONNOLLY, OF AUCKLAND.

It is utterly impossible to give even an approximate estimate of the number and value of staves used in this colony. There are no statis tics available for this purpose, consequently any attempt made in this respect must prove valueless.

The kind of staves in greatest demand are those used for tallow casks and butter kegs.

Staves are supplied by local factories, but can not say as to the cost to the consumer.

If staves were imported, I am informed the particular kind likely to command the highest market price would be those with "shot edges." For tallow casks, 3 feet 6 inches by 4 inches; for butter kegs, etc., 1 foot 6 inches by 3 inches.

The particular kind of timber used in the manufacture of staves in this colony, and gives the best satisfaction, is native white pine and Taira (a species of oak).

The supply far exceeds the demand.

There are no imported staves sold in New Zealand.

Consumers and manufacturers are of the opinion that staves can be made in this colony as cheaply as in the United States. The local article they assert meets every requirement. Manufacturers, consumers, and others having a knowledge of this particular kind of trade are unanimous in their opinions to the effect that imported staves could not be sold except at a sacrifice in this market. Staves are not used for beer casks, as the casks imported with the English beer are fully suffi cient to meet the requirements of the local breweries.

Therefore, I can offer no encouragement to stave manufacturers to successfully introduce their wares into this colony. In fact I am informed that an enterprising importer conceived the idea of placing American staves on this market about two years ago, and that he has not been able to dispose of them; that on the contrary he has still a quantity in stock. Consequently the present outlook is not at all inviting so far as this industry is concerned.

UNITED STATES CONSULATE,

JNO. D. CONNOLLY,

Consul.

128

Auckland, June 17, 1891.

SPECIAL CONSULAR REPORTS.

TARIFFS

OF

FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

REPORTS FROM THE CONSULS OF THE UNITED STATES IN ANSWER TO

A CIRCULAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

ISSUED FROM THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS, DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

ALL REQUESTS FOR THESE REPORTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

TARIFFS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

CONTINENT OF EUROPE.

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

GENERAL CUSTOMS TARIFF OF MAY 25, 1882, FOR THE AUSTROHUNGARIAN CUSTOMS DISTRICT, WITH THE ALTERATIONS RESULTING FROM THE LAW OF MAY 21, 1887 (R. G. BL. No. 52) AND OFFICIAL LIST OF GOODS.

CUSTOMS LAW.

ARTICLE I.

The provisions of this law are valid for the common customs and trade district of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and do not apply to the districts exempt from the customs duties.

ARTICLE II.

In entering, all goods are dutiable unless expressly declared free of duty, and are subject to those duties which are prescribed in the accompanying customs tariff on imports, according to the tariff number to which the goods belong.

Where it is not expressly stated otherwise in the tariff, articles of consumption are also to pay, according to the respective legal regulations, the internal state, province, or city consumption tax and additions.

For the transit of goods no duty is to be paid.

Only such goods are subject to an export duty as are specified in the customs tariff on exports.

ARTICLE III.

Goods coming from countries which treat Austrian and Hungarian vessels or goods of Austro-Hungarian origin less favorably than those of other nations are on entering subject, besides the duty contained in the tariff, to an additional payment of 30 per cent, and if the tariff declares them to be free, then a special, specific ad valorem duty of 15 per cent will be levied upon them by special order. The Government is empowered to make exceptions from this rule by special order, either in only applying it to certain categories of goods or in imposing upon certain categories of goods additional duties and duties in a higher or lower measure than that above indicated.

ARTICLE IV.

An alphabetical list of goods to be published by order will determine the detailed arrangement of the different articles in the proper class of the customs tariff according to its letter and spirit; in case of necessity, the same may be completed and altered.