330 PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



sections of the island, especially the northern portion. It consists 

 principally of spruce of a medium-sized growth, rarely running over 

 18 inches in diameter at the base. Vegetable fibers, grasses, rags, 

 or waste materials are of such a limited quantity as not to be taken 

 into account. 



There are no facilities here for making paper machinery. 



IMPORTS. 



At present, there appears to be but little opening for the intro- 

 duction of articles manufactured from paper from the United States, 

 on account of the tariff. Upper Canada controls this market, hav- 

 ing both rail and water communication. 



The only course, in my judgment, by which the United States 

 merchants can open up exportation of articles manufactured from 

 paper into this section of country would be by sending representa- 

 tives with full and complete samples of their goods and offering in- 

 ducements in the way of low prices, good style and quality of wares, 

 and the same terms as to time on accounts and discounts as their 

 competitors. 



SCHEDULE FOR TRANSPORTATION. 



The Intercolonial Railway, owned by the Dominion Government, 

 has a line from this port to Halifax, St. John, New Brunswick, and 

 Montreal. There are also regular lines of steamers running from 

 Boston, Mass., to Halifax, one of which touches at Port Hawks- 

 bury, in the Strait of Canso, and another at North Sydney, 6 miles 

 distant. Water transportation, however, is good by sail vessels to 

 almost any point, as there are numerous bays and arms of the sea. 



The water-carrying trade is almost wholly controlled by the Ca- 

 nadian commerce, except in the export of coal to the United States, 

 which, requiring large vessels, is chiefly in United States boats. 



GEORGE N. WEST, 



SYDNEY, December 27, 1898. Consul. 



VANCOUVER. 



There is no wholesale paper concern here, and each retail dealer 

 buys his supply of stationery on his own account. They are very 

 reticent when -asked for information. I inclose a letter from Mr. 

 J. C. McLagan, editor of the World, a daily newspaper published 

 here, which gives pretty full data from his point of view. 



The population of this city is estimated at about 26,000. I am 

 not able to give the percentage of illiterates. 



