444 PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



that American paper is the cheapest and best used. As large quan- 

 tities are imported here from the United States, a tactful person could 

 completely control the trade of this port. It is only by personal 

 contact that business may be increased to any great extent. 



F. W. GODING, 

 NEWCASTLE, June 19, 1899. Consul. 



NEW ZEALAND. 



POPULATION. 



The estimated population of the colony of New Zealand on 

 December i, 1897, was 768,910. The percentage of illiterates was 

 19.4 (including children). The people, have mechanical traits. 



CONSUMPTION. 



Paper is used for bags, hanging, printing, wrapping, and writing. 

 Various qualities, weights, and sizes are employed. Paper bags 

 cost $6.45 per cwt. ; butter paper, 10^ cents per pound; hangings, 

 6 cents to $1.58 per piece; printing, 4^ to 8 cents per pound; wrap- 

 ping, $4.87 per cwt. ; writing, 7 to 48 cents per pound. 



Credits run for four, five, and six months. 



There are about 100 publications and 20 printers in the colony. 



PRODUCTION. 



The supply of undeveloped water power is almost unlimited in 

 various localities within reasonable distance of railways and navigable 

 water ways. 



Coal costs $2.79 per ton f. o. b. Westport; wood costs about $5.10 

 per cord. Facilities for transportation are good. 



Nine mills produced paper bags and cardboard boxes to the value 

 of $37,462.32 in 1897, and paid $15,333 in wages. Water power 

 and steam are employed. 



IMPORTS. 



In 1897, Great Britain sent 797,106 pieces of hangings and 93,597 

 cwts. of various papers to this colony. 



The tariff rates are: Paper bags coarse, $1.82 per cwt. (112 

 pounds); other, 25 per cent ad valorem; letter paper, free; hang- 

 ings, 15 per cent ad valorem ; printing, free; wrapping, $1.21 per 

 cwt. ; writing, 20 per cent ad valorem. 



