214 PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



especially requiring paper. The classes used are, as a rule, from 

 the very cheap to the medium for printing purposes, according 

 to the particular trade requiring it, and from the medium to the best 

 for correspondence or commercial purposes. Requirements as to 

 sizes and weights are much the same as those in the United States. 

 The kind generally used here for printing purposes is ordered in 

 sheets 22 by 35 inches, and is billed at $1.45 to $2.43 per ream. Cor- 

 respondence paper varies according to quality. An inferior quality 

 of note size costs at wholesale 36 cents per ream, while the highest 

 grade used reaches $1.21. Letter size runs from 36 to 97 cents per 

 ream. Wrapping paper costs from 30 to 60 cents per ream and is 

 of the double-crown size. As to terms given, Italian houses, from 

 which most of the island's supply comes, usually allow credit for 

 from four to six months or deduct 2^2 to 3 per cent for cash. Ship- 

 ments from this source usually come free on board at Malta. A very 

 good quality of paper comes from England and is confined mostly to 

 printing and correspondence. 



In regard to the quantities and value of paper consumed by these 

 islands, I would say that, owing to the fact that the customs authori- 

 ties do not keep a record of the quantities and values of imports, ex- 

 cept of those articles upon which there is a duty, statistics are not 

 available. 



DEALERS IN PAPER AND PUBLISHERS. 



There are no business houses here confining themselves to the 

 sale of paper, except possibly three or four stationers. The following 

 firms, however, deal in paper as a branch of their general business: 



John Critien, stationer, 34 Strada Reale. 



L. C. Critien, stationer, 28 Strada San Giovanni. 



G. Muscat, 48 Strada Mercanti. 



Antonio Gauci, artists' materials, Strada San Giovanni. 



A. C. Aquilina & Co., publishers, 58 Strada Reale. 



Scicluna & Co., Strada Mercanti. 



Luigi Calleja, 35 Strada Tesorereia. 



All of these are at the capital city, Valletta, Malta. Following 

 is a list of the regular publications issued here: 



The Malta Times; published every Friday at 7 Strada Zecca; quarterly subscrip- 

 tion, 55. ($1.22); single copy, 6d. (12 cents). 



The Daily Malta Chronicle; published daily, except on Sundays and holidays, at 

 104 piazza S. Giovanni; quarterly subscription, 5s. 3d. ($1.28); single copy, id. (2 

 cents). 



The Public Opinion; published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 

 Strada Mezzodi; quarterly subscription, 55.; single copy, 2d. (4 cents). 



The Government Gazette; published in English and Italian at the government 

 printing office on the ist, loth, and 2oth of every month and oftener when neces- 

 sary; annual subscription, 8s. ($1.95); single copy, id. (2 cents) for every eight pages. 



