FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 7 



A tare of 10 per cent is allowed from the gross weight of salt codfish in cases or 

 barrels, and of 2 per cent when in sacks. 



MONEY RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS DUES. 



All customs dues in the island of Porto Rico shall be paid in United States money, 

 or in foreign gold coin, such as the Spanish alphonsinos (centen) and the French 

 louis, which will be accepted in i^ayment of such customs dues at the following 

 rates : 



Alphonsinos (25-pe8eta piece) $4. 82 



Louis (20- franc piece) 3. 86 



It is further ordered that on and after February 1, 1899, and until further pro- 

 vided, the following Porto Rican or Spanish silver coins now in circulation in the 

 island of Porto Rico shall be received for customs dues at the following fixed rates 

 in United States money : 



The peso (a Spanish dollar) $0. 60 



The medio peso 30 



The peseta 12 



The real 06 



The medio real 03 



It is further ordered and directed that out of the Porto Rican coins so received a 

 convenient supply shall be retained and carried for exchange for United States 

 money at the rate hereinbefore enumerated, namely, 60 cents United States money 

 for one Porto Rican silver peso. 



IMPORTED FISHERY PRODUCTS CONSIDERED BY PORTS. 



PONCE. 



This city is located in the central part of the south coast. Its 

 pojpulation is about 30,000, of which 3,000 to 4,000 are at the landing 

 or playa, the city proper being 2 miles inland. The harbor is spacious, 

 but much exposed; it has a good depth of water, except near the 

 shore, necessitating the lighterage of cargoes. At the landing are 

 located the custom-house and other ofiices of the government, and 

 the principal commission and wholesale firms. In the matter of fish 

 imports. Ponce is by far the most important place in Porto Eico. The 

 receipts for 1897 are said to be a fair average of the imports of late 

 years, and amounted in value to $1,016,447 on dry and pickled fish 

 and $14,406 on canned fish. The bulk of fish imported has for many 

 years been handled by three commission firms. The value of the dry 

 and pickled fish received in 1897 from different countries was as follows : 



British North American Possessions $771, 303. 52 



United States 234, 972. 50 



All others 10,171.17 



Total 1,016,447.19 



Imported dry fish consists principally of codfish. Hake and haddock 

 are said to stand the climate better than cod, but only a small amount 

 can be disposed of. Poor codfish is preferred to hake and haddock of 

 much better condition and lower price. Of pickled fish, a few herring 

 are used, but seldom any alewives. Split herring bring $1 a barrel 

 more than round. Smoked herring are only used to a limited extent, 

 "lengthwise" being preferred. 



