19 
The only Excise duty is that on spirits, viz., 
$1.25 the proof gallon; the duty on imported spirits 
being $2.50 the proof gallon. 
There is a telephone line from Belize to Orange 
Walk, Corosal, and Consejo in the north, and to 
Mullins river, Stann Creek, Monkey river, and 
Punta Gorda, and other places, in the south. There 
is no direct telegraphic communication with places 
beyond the colony, but messages are sent by boat 
from Consejo to Payo Obispo, in Mexican territory, 
and transmitted thence. Negotiations are in pro¬ 
gress for a thorough service. There is a telephone 
exchange at Belize. 
There is direct communication with England by 
the Harrison line of steamers, which call at Colon 
on the way. Eleven steamers call every year. The 
dates of sailing are fixed, and notified by the Com¬ 
pany, before the commencement of the year. This 
certainty of the date of sailing is a great conveni¬ 
ence, and, but for it, we should not make so large 
a proportion of our purchases in England as we do. 
The time taken on the passage is about. 26 days. 
Therefore, passengers generally come by a quicker 
route. The steamers have, however, fair accom¬ 
modation. 
The Scrutton line of steamers sends about eight 
vessels every year to carry timber to London. It is 
in the nature of things unable to fix the dates of 
those sailings long beforehand, and the steamers 
sometimes return to the West Indies to complete 
their cargo. When they go direct the passage to 
London occupies about three weeks. They have a 
great reputation for comfort. 
These steamers take mahogany for London, and 
it may be noted that all the logs put on board are 
roughly squared. Other steamers take mahogany 
for various parts in the United States, and the logs 
are round. In the United States they make use of 
