NORTH AMERICA : DOMINION OF CANADA. 329 



SYDNEY. 



There are no manufacturers of paper in this consular district. 



The population of Sydney is approximately 3,500. I have no 

 means of obtaining data as to illiterates, but am of opinion that the 

 number is small, as there is a good system of public schools in this 

 community. 



The greater proportion of the population is engaged in three 

 industries, viz, agriculture, mining, and fishing. 



CONSUMPTION. 



The paper employed here is almost entirely for the purposes of 

 correspondence, printing of newspapers, and the uses of mercantile 

 houses. There are no industries peculiar to the country requiring 

 paper in large quantities. Writing, news, and wrapping paper are 

 the kinds used almost exclusively. There are no special require- 

 ments as to quality, size, weight, etc. 



I am unable to state market prices, as the sales are made wholly 

 by agents and vary from time to time according to market value. 

 The terms of sale are the usual commercial rates of three months, 

 with discount for cash. 



There are no statistics available from which to obtain the quan- 

 tity or value of paper consumed. There are no paper firms, compa- 

 nies, or brokers resident here, each party using paper purchased 

 from commercial agents on their visits. 



There are published in this town i daily and 4 weekly papers of 

 small circulation. The total number of printers employed is about 

 25. There are no publishers outside of those of the papers named. 



No articles are manufactured from paper or pulp in this consular 

 district. There is no present indication of any increase in the use 

 of paper in this section. 



The Dominion of Canada dominates the paper trade here. An 

 occasional small order for wall paper is sent to the United States. 



The water power on this island is very small, there being no large 

 rivers or falls. Fuel in this section consists of wood and bitumi- 

 nous coal, the latter being more generally used. Slack or culm coal 

 is sold at this port at from 90 cents to $1.20 per ton; run-of-mine 

 coal, at from $1.40 to $1.80 per ton. Transportation facilities to 

 this port from the mines are good, either by water or rail. In more 

 remote sections, water transportation is the cheapest and best, except 

 on the direct line of the railway to Point Tupper. 



The raw material /. e. , timber is quite abundant in certain 



