Special Consular Reports

GERMAN EAST AFRICAN POSSESSIONS.

[From the British Board of Trade Journal.]

According to the Moniteur Belge for the 27th September, the German Imperial commissariat at Zanzibar has issued the following order bearing on the importation and sale of spirits:

The import of spirits (schnaps) into the territory occupied by the Germans is only permitted with the authority of the commandant; this authority is required for each consignment.

The regulation must be rigorously observed, and the sale of schnaps along the coast by third persons is absolutely prohibited.

As regards spirituous liquors, wine, beer, and vermouth only may be sold. Sir C. Euan-Smith, Her Majesty's agent and consul-general at Zanzibar, in a telegram to the foreign office, dated the 31st December, says:

"German consul has sent to me copy of an official notification issued to-day by German powers, and dated December 28, limiting imports and exports of goods under severe penalties to eight specified ports on German coast line, and declaring that all duties on the coast will from 1st proximo be collected on behalf of German Government alone."

REGULATIONS AFFECTING TRADING OPERATIONS.

It appears from a notice published in the Reichsanzeiger of the 24th December, 1890, that the German Government does not intend changing the rates of duties at present levied in the German possessions on the east coast of Africa, nor the regulations established by the treaties concluded by the Sultan of Zanzibar.

The imperial commissioner for East Africa has been instructed to publish a proclamation to the under-mentioned effect. A reference to this proclamation appeared on page 15 of the Board of Trade Journal for January last.

"After the 1st January, 1891, imports and exports of goods on the German coast of East Africa will only be permitted at the following eight ports:

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Tonga, Pangani, Soudani, Bagamoyo, Dar-es-Salam, Rilway, Luidi, and Mikindani.

"Offenders wil be severely punished, and goods imported or exported in other than the places specified will be confiscated.

"After the 1st January the collection of customs duties on the coast will take place on account of the Imperial Government."

The Reichsanzeiger remarks that in future goods coming from the island of Zanzibar will be liable to duties as coming from abroad.

Exception will not be made for goods which have already paid duty in the island of Zanzibar. It is, therefore, better to forward goods destined for the east coast of German Africa, not to the island of Zanzibar, but the ports of that coast where customs offices are established.

GOLD COAST.*

Statement of the rates of duty now levied under the customs tariff of the Gold Coast on articles imported into that colony.

Statement of the rates of duty now levied under the customs tariff of the Gold Coast on articles imported into that colony--Continued."

The under-mentioned articles are charged with an ad valorem duty of 10 per cent:

Books, newspapers, and printed matter. Hand bags and dressing cases.

The following articles are admitted free of duty --Continued.

Oils, except kerosene and other illumi- Steam launches.

nating oils.

Paints.

Stones, grind.
Stones, tomb.

Tarpaulins.

Tools.

Toys.

Trays.

The following are the rates of duty levied on articles imported into any part of the Gold Coast Colony or of the protectected territories lying to the eastward of the River Volta:

On gin, not being sweetened or mixed with any article so that the degree of strength thereof can not be ascertained by Sykes's hydrometer where the degree of strength does not exceed proof, for each old wine gallon or part thereof.

On brandy, rum, liqueurs, and miscellaneous spirits or strong waters,
not being sweetened or mixed with any article so that the degree of
strength thereof can not be ascertained by Sykes's hydrometer where
the degree of strength does not exceed proof, for each old wine gal-
lon or part thereof.

And for every degree or part of a degree overproof an additional duty,
per old wine gallon or part thereof
On tobacco. .

On gunpowder.

On guns

0 0.01 -per pound.. 0 0 11 -per 100 pounds. 0 5 0 ...each. O 1 0

All other merchandise unenumerated shall be exempt from duty.

LABUAN.

[British official returns, June, 1891.]

Table of import duties under Orders No. 4 of 1868 (spirits), No.1 of 1879 (tobacco), and No. 4 of 1874 (fish).

Brandy, arrack, and other spirits, $3 per dozen quarts, or 2 gallons.

Wines, $2 per dozen quarts, or 2 gallons.

Beer, 40 cents per dozen quarts, or 2 gallons.

Toddy, 40 cents per dozen quarts, or 2 gallons.

Cigars, 20 cents per pound.

Manufactured tobacco, 10 cents per pound.

Fish (fresh or dried), 5 per cent on value imported.
There is no export duty,

Imports for use of the Government or the administrator; printed matter and educational apparatus; scientific, surgical, or photographic instruments and material; current coin; building materials; packages and passengers' luggage ; all building and roofing materials.

Drawbacks.

On goods exported to Porto Novo or beyond sea:

Spirits, 44d. per gallon.

Tobacco, 14d. per pound.

All other goods:

To Porto Novo, half the duty.

Beyond sea, one-third of the duty.

There are no export duties.

LIBERIA.

TRANSMITTED BY CONSUL-GENERAL CLARK, OF MONROVIA.

AN ACT PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE, 1890.

[Published by authority.]

AN ACT fixing a tariff on goods, wares, and merchandise imported into, and on produce exported from, the Republic of Liberia.

It is enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Repulic of Liberia in legislature assembled:

SECTION 1. That from and after the passage of this act the present regulations with respect to invoices and the landing and shipment of goods, wares, merchandise, and produce, and the time of payment of duties shall continue in force. SEC. 2. The collectors of customs are hereby authorized in cases where there is a prospect of the payment of duties being evaded, or where there is a patent disposition to avoid the payment of duties, to detain the goods of any importer in bond until the legal duties have been paid.

SEC. 3. All invoices of goods imported into the Republic of Liberia must be verified and certified by the consul of the Republic at the port of departure under the penalty of confiscation of the goods affected. This section shall take effect from the 1st day of May of the present year. The fee of the consul shall be $1.25 for invoices covering goods of the value of not more than $50 and $2.50 for invoices covering goods of over $50 value. The secretary of the treasury may issue such instructions from time to time to the consuls of Liberia explanatory of this provision as he deems opportune and necessary.

SEC. 4. That from and after the 1st day of March, 1890. specific duties upon the following articles if imported into the Republic shall be levied, assessed, and collected at the following rates: