278 EBPOET— 1881. 



wliolesale and bd. per lb. retail, the total value would be 11,700,000Z. wbole- 

 sale and 14,500,000?. retail, or in the proportion of 0-26d. as a gross, and 

 0'2Bd. as a net expenditure per day per person. 



Sutter and Cheese. 



Butter and cheese are important articles of food. Mr. Caird estimated 

 the home produce of these at 3,000,000 cwts., valued at 13,500,000/., and 

 at a similar quantity and amount the butter and cheese imported. In 

 1880, however, the imports were 2,326,000 cwts. butter, and 1,775,000 

 cwts. cheese, of the collective value of 17,232, OOOL, making, with the 

 home produce, a total of about 30,000,000?., and, with 20 per cent, for 

 distribution, a total of 36,000,000Z., or in the proportion of 0'67(Z. as a 

 gross, and 0'56d. as a net expenditure per day per person. 



3IilJc and Eggs. 



The value of home-grown milk is estimated at 26,000,000?., and the 

 value of eggs imported in 1880 at 2,300,000?., representing, probably, 

 one-fourth of the total consumption, or 9,000,000?., giving an aggregate 

 in milk and eggs of 35,000,000?., which, with 20 per cent, for distribution, 

 amounts to 42,000,000?., or equal to 0-78d. as a gross, and 0-66d. as a net 

 expenditure per day per person. 



Fruit and other Articles of Import. 



To these we must add the following articles of import, at their 

 declared value, viz. : Fruit, raw and dry, 6,507,000?. ; I'ice, 1,697,000?. ; 

 spices, 506,000?. ; and confectionery, 568,000?. Total, 9,278,000?. ; and, 

 with 20 per cent, for distribution, 11,133,000?., equal to 0'19tl as a gross, 

 and 0'l7d. as a net expenditure per day per person. 



Sugar. 



Sugar is partly used as food, and partly as drink. According to the 

 report of the Commissioners of Customs, the value of sugar retained for 

 consumption, in 1880, was 22,770,000?. Deducting the quantity used in 

 brewing, 1,136,000 cwts., value 1,200,000?., and adding the cost of refining 

 upon at least the half of the raw sugar consumed, 9,000,000?., the 

 entire cost may be taken at 24,700,000?., and, Avith 10 per cent, for profit 

 and distribution, 27,000,000?., or 0"50c?. as a gross, and 0'46cZ. as a net 

 expenditure per day per person. 



Tea and Coffee. 



The value of tea retained for consumption, in 1880, was 8,809,000?. 

 Add the duty, 3,964,000?., we have a total of 12,773,000?., and, with 

 20 per cent, for distribution, the total cost to consumers would be 

 15,327,000?., or 0'60c?. as a gross, and 0"16t/. as a net expenditure per day. 



Of coffee and cocoa, the quantity retained for consumption was valued 

 at 2,196,000?. Add duty, 330,000?., and 20 per cent, for profit and dis- 

 tribution, and we have a total of about 3,000,000?., or in the proportion 

 of O'Obd. as a gross, and 0'04cZ. as a net expenditure per day per person. 



Beer. 



Of alcoholic drinks, the consumption is large. In the year ended 

 30th September, 1880, the quantity of malt brewed in the United King- 



