336 PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



The cost of labor is from $2 per day for day laborers to $5 per 

 day for experts. 



A paper mill at Alberni turned out about 500 tons of wrapping 

 paper three years ago, but ran only one year. While running, it was 

 capable of turning out 5 or 6 tons of wrapping paper per week. The 

 mill was run by water power; it was of the old style, and not suc- 

 cessful. A company is now being formed in Glasgow, Scotland, of 

 $500,000 capital, of which half is subscribed, to rebuild, enlarge, and 

 operate this mill under the charge of an English capitalist resi- 

 dent in Victoria. An English expert examined the site and reported 

 favorably. The plan is to^ make paper from wood pulp. The plant 

 is ordered in England and will be brought round Cape Horn on sail- 

 ing vessels to save freight charges. The wood-pulp machinery is 

 to be bought in Pennsylvania and to be of the latest modern manu- 

 facture. The company expects to have the mill in running order a 

 year hence. 



IMPORTS, MAILS, AND TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES. 



The Canadian tariff on strawboard, printing paper of all kinds; 

 etc., is 25 per cent ad valorem. 



Mails run daily between this point and the United States. The 

 telegraph facilities are good, including direct connection with the 

 Western Union Telegraph Company. 



Some special grades of paper and cardboard are imported from 

 England. The relative importance of the countries supplying paper 

 and articles manufactured therefrom to this district is: First, Canada; 

 second, United States; third, Great Britain. 



Trade could be increased between this point and the United 

 States in paper and in many other lines, were more attention given 

 to the matter by our dealers. The Canadian manufactory at Hull, 

 Ontario, has a resident agent here, who naturally secures the bulk 

 of the trade. Occasionally, a commercial traveler comes from a 

 Massachusetts firm, and an agent of a St. Louis house comes from 

 Seattle every month. Large dealers here, who buy coarse paper 

 in carload lots, say they get about half from the United States. All 

 who deal in or use flat and writing paper and stationery in large 

 quantities prefer to buy our goods, as being not only cheaper, but 

 of superior grade and put up in better shape. It is evident that 

 closer canvass and more frequent visits of United States agents 

 would largely increase the sale of paper arid articles manufactured 

 therefrom. 



EXPORTS AND TRANSPORTATION. 



No paper is exported from this island. 



The rates for transportation to Victoria from Chicago and St. 

 Paul are: In carload lots for fine papers, $1.05 per iog pounds; 



