CENTRAL AMERICA. 



BRITISH HONDURAS. 



In reply to Department circular of November 16, 1898, I would 

 say that the questions under the head of " consumption and im- 

 ports " are the only ones that can be answered at this consulate, as 

 British Honduras does not produce and export anything in the paper 

 line. From the customs report, I can quote the total amount of en- 

 tries, but can not classify the different kinds or quality. Wrapping, 

 printing, and writing papers are entered under the head of " paper 

 and stationery." The imports for the past year were: 



From United Kingdom $2, in 



From United States 2, 472 



From Germany 134 



From France 10 



The duty collected was $472.40. The wrapping paper used here 

 is of the cheapest grade of brown "straw," and a vast improvement 

 in the article is needed. An attractive wrapping paper or service- 

 able paper bags could be introduced, but whether with much success, 

 only a trial would show. The quantity of paper used by the printers 

 is small and the quality poor. There are two weekly papers pub- 

 lished in the colony the Colonial Guardian and the Clarion. The 

 Government issues a weekly gazette, and there are two church 

 papers with a monthly issue. As the population of 33,000 is largely 

 black and mostly scattered in the back country, the circulation of 

 printed matter must of necessity be limited. The only manufac- 

 tures of this colony are ice and sugar, both on a small scale. The 

 wealth of British Honduras consists of dyewoods and mahogany. 

 There are no banks and no telegraphic facilities, but there is ample 

 steam communication with the United States and with Great Brit- 

 ain a weekly mail line to New Orleans and steamers every two 

 weeks to Mobile and New York. The service is good and the arriv- 

 als regular, but all this commerce is carried on under the British 

 and Norwegian flags, the Breakwater of the New Orleans line being 

 the only steamer under the American colors. 



It is evident from the figures quoted that the United States con- 

 trols over half the trade in the line for which the Department calls 

 for information, and it could be increased; but with a total importa- 

 tion of less than $5,000 per annum, the market is not very valuable. 

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