- f-. . IN THE s^y .i^- WEST , t ._ > ■^w?:-.- /A7)M ■v^-.'-" ■ #> llllllllllllllilllllllllliiMlllllllllllillllllllilillllllllllillilflllllillllllillllllllli ISLANDS Issued by the Canadian Pacific Railway Co. 1897. TRRDE i. \> WITH THE West Indi4 Islmds. The Canadian Pacific Railway Company, having in view more extended trade relations between the Dominion of Canada and the West India Islands, sent out their Commercial Agent, Mr. J. H. VanZile, to thoroughly make a personal inquiry and investigation in connection with all lines of trade imported and exported. This officer has just returned from a three months' trip, having visited Bermuda, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Kitts, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad, and Demerara. It is hoped that the following information contained in his report will be found of use to the manufacturers and merchants in the Dominion of Canada, and will enable them to largely ex- tend their exports to this territory. It will be seen from the infor- mation given that the principal imports into the British West Indian Islands are from the United States, and that Canada plays but a small part in catering to the wants of these thickly populated islands. ■ • > ■ "- '- .--'■' v.. As the Canadian Pacific Railway Company is giving the same export rates to the port of St. John, as current from the same shipping points to the port of New York, and the steamship rates from St. John to these islands are the same as current from New York, there is no reason why the Canadian manufacturer and merchant cannot now successfully compete for this traffic. BERMUDA. The conditions of trade with this Island are as follows, the importations as shown being taken from the Blue Book issued by the government for the year 1896. Imi'Orts from the United States. Imports from Canada. Agricultural Implements ... 14 pkgs. Alcohol 293 gals. Bran 21,596 pkgs. Bread 4,002 bbls. BuilJiitg Material, 2,791 pkgs. Butter 119 tons. Box Material 50,478 feet. Boats 6 Bicycle Supplies 41 pkgs. Books 98 pkgs. Bulbs I " Bicycle 863 Cake 18 pkgs. Candles 279 boxes. Carriages 48 Cheese 40 tons. Clothing Ill pkgs. Coffee and Cocoa 19 tons. Corks 10 pkgs. Corn 4i>i84 bushs. Confectionery 839 pkgs. Cotton Goods 561 " Carriage Material 116 " Cigars 289,575 Cigarettes 14 cwt. Coals 5,686 tons. Cordials 12 gals. Drugs 1,374 pkgs. Earthenware 679 " Electric Goods 83 " Eggs 538 " Fertilizer I4>707 lbs. Fish, preserved 942 pkgs. Fancy Goods 370 " Flour 20,886 bbls. Fruit, fresh 3,543 pkgs. " dried 2,304 '* Agricultural Implements nil. Alcohol " Bran " Bread 6 bbls. Building Material 50 pkgs. Butter 13 tons. Box Material 286,000 feet. Boats nil. Bicycle Supplies ... " Books 30 pkgs. Bulbs nil. Bicycles 15 Cake " Candles " Carriages 14 Cheese 14 tons. Clothing 20 pkgs. Coffee and Cocoa nil. Corks " Corn " Confectionery 9 pkgs. Cotton Goods ... 12 " Carriage Material nil. Cigars 150 in No. Cigarettes i cwt. Coals nil. Cordials " Drugs 151 pkgs. Earthenware 3 pkgs. Electric Goods nil. Eggs 49pl4i4 pkgs. Fancy Goods 7 " Flour 29 bbls. Fruit, fresh 260 pkgs. " dried 112 " ■^ Imports from the United States. Imports from Canada. Continued. Fruit, canned 6,236 pkgs. Furniture 1,534 pkgs. Firewood 12 cords. Fireworks 19 pkgs. Feed nil. Glassware 579 pkgs. Groceries 7,602 " Gunpowder 198 bbls. Gasolene 641 gals. - Gas 127 pkgs. Hay 8,880 bdls. . Hardware 2,238 pkgs. Horses 69 Ice 1>I24 tons. Jewelry and Plated Ware, 194 pkgs. Lard 27 j^ ton. Leather Manufactures. .1,011 lbs. Lumber 1,250,000 feet. Laths 50 pkgs. Malt Liquor 2 hhds. and 1,281 doz. Metal Manufactures 781 pkgs. Machinery 280 " Matches 3^ " Meal 3.923 IjWs. . Musical Instruments 72 pkgs. Mineral Waters 133 bbls. Moss ....9 " Molasses 1,438 gals. ' Meats, chilled 36 tons. Marble nil. Naphtha 5.443 gals. Natural History Specimens. .'4 pkgs. Oats 73.276 bushs. '' Oil, kerosene 220,045 gals. . Oils, paints 292 pkgs. Oleomargarine 15 tons. Oxen and Cows 1.755 Perfumery 93 P^^gs- Paper 1,037 lbs. Potatoes 5.883 bbls. Poultry 132 pkgs. Continued. Fruit, canned 123 pkgs. Furniture 490 pkgs. Firewood 23 cords. Fireworks nil. Feed, 3,270 bushs. Glassware nil. Groceries 183 pkgs. Gunpowder n\\. Gasolene *' Gas " Hay 8,638 bdls. Hardware 25 pkgs. Horses 23 Ice nil. Jewelry and Plated Ware. . ..8 pkgs. Lard 10 cwt. Leather Manufactures 320 lbs. Lumber 39.953 feet. Laths 1 ,070 pkgs. Malt Liquor 1 1 hhds. and 37 doz. Metal Manufactures nil. Machinery I pkg. Matches 293 " Meal 71 bbls. Musical Instruments 5 pl^gs* Mineral Waters nil. Moss ... " Molasses 121 gals. Meats, chilled nil. ■ Marble 12 pkgs. Naptha nil. Natural History Specimens . . . nil. Oats 36,644 bushs. Oil, kerosene nil. Oils, paints 47 pkgs. Oleomargarine nil. Oxen and Cows 16 Perfumery " Paper ** Potatoes 9,360 bbls. Poultry 92 pkgs. 4 Imports irom the United States. Continued. Provisions 330 tons. Pigs 13 ple nil. Rum 12 gals. Salt 847 bbls. Seeds 112 pkgs. Sheep 2,441 head. Ship Chandlery 70 pkgs. Soap and Starch 4»S46 ** Stationery 361 " Straw Goods 1,158 " Sugar 130 tons. Sawdust 43 pkgs. Spars 150 Silk Goods 2 pkgs. Straw 1,116 bales. Sculpture 3 pkgs. Tea 23 tons. Tinware 292 pkgs. Tobacco 14 tons. Vegetables i ,643 pkgs. Woodenware 275 *' Woolen Goods 6 " Whiskey 972 gals. Wine 82 pkgs. Exports to the United States. Arrowroot i ton. Beets . . 464 crates. Bulbs 13.658 pkgs. Barrels, empty 2,719 Bottles, empty nil. Casks, empty 2,002 Cedar 4 pkgs. ; Imports from Canada. Continued. < Provisions ,i ton. Pigs 7 pkgs. Photo. Goods nil. Phosphate Rock " Preserves ** Peas and Beans 5 ^^bls. Plants V . . nil. Paintings, Engravings " Rice " Rape " Rope 12 pkgs. Rum nil. Salt " Seeds *' Sheep , 107 head. Ship Chandlery 13 pkgs. Soap and Starch 82 " Stationery 9 " Straw Goods nil. ' Sugar ' 28 tons. Sawdust nil. Spars 90 Silk Goods nil. Straw " Sculpture 27 pkgs. Tea 4 cwt. Tinware nil. Tobacco 2 tons. Vegetables .' . 1 ,681 pkgs. Woodenware ... 121 " Woolen Goods nil. Whiskey 985 gals. Wine II pkgs. Exports to Canada. "■■-■ Arrowroot nil. - Beets «* Bulbs 574 pkgs. Barrels, empty nil. Bottles, empty 184 doz. Casks, empty 632 Cedar nil. :::■'.'■';:• ■" ^" ' ' ' ' S ; ,, Exports to the United Si^ates. ' : Cotitimted. ■ s. ■ Fruit, fresh . . 12 pkgs. Furniture 48 *' .) Flowers, cut 4,951 pkgs. V . '' Groceries 37 " ' * Hides 1,031 Iron, old nil. Marine Specimens 9 Metal, old nil. Onions 313,229 crates. ' Potatoes 21,610 bbls. Plants 127 pkgs. ; , , Piano nil. ^' ' Skins 1,737 Spirits 26 casks. Taliow 84 bbls. Tomatoes 38 bxs. Vegetables 11,441 pkgs. Wine 21 " ?- r • ' Whalebone nil. f: Whale Oil " Exports to Canada. Continued. Fruit, fresh 5 pkgs. Furniture 103 " Flowers, cut ....15 pkgs. Groceries 54 '* Hides 303 Iron, old 100 tons. Marine Specimens nil. Metal, old 7 tons. Onions 6, 100 crates Potatoes I 74 bbls. Plants nil. Piano I Skins nil. Spirits " Tallow " Tomatoes 401 boxes. Vegetables 24 pkgs. Wine nil. Whalebone I ton. Whale Oil 6 puns. '.•«,'■ The reader will note from the above that but a small propor- tion is from Canada, compared with that from the United States. There were only 29 bbls. flour from Canada in the year 1896, as against 20,886 bbls. from the United States; other goods in pro- portion. -, ■, ... , . , ,„ ..,-■-:?-, n;;H:;K:-;n The cost of goods varies according to the condition of the market, and is governed by New York quotations. Dealers on this Island purchase direct, and are continually getting quotations from manufacturers in all parts of the world. Very few goods are shipped there on consignment. ' : ; * Bermuda admits all Canadian goods, except tobacco, wines and spirits, at 5 per cent, ad valorem. The rate on flour from New York is practically 40 cents per barrel. Corn is shipped in two-bushel bags ; Oats 96 lb. bags j Split Peas in barrels; Hay in pressed bundles of from 100 to 120 lbs. each. There are also shipped to this Island a large number of beef cattle for supplying the military post ; they are shipped in lots from 20 to 3c head per month and slaughtered there. This con- tract is awarded yearly, and generally 10 a resident butcher, who l)urchases the cattle delivered at Bermuda, to be slaughtered by him there. A contract is also awarded for supplying the military post with bread, and the baker filling this contract uses about 400 bbls. flour per month. ST. THOMAS. St. Thomas, a Danish Island, has a population of about 12,000, who import the larger portion of their goods from New York. This Island does not export anything excepting Bay Rum, which is distilled there, and sold at $3.50 (gold) in cases of 12 quart bottles. 20,000 bbls. American Flour, and 3,000 bbls. Corn Meal, the latter costing $1.80 per bbl. of 196 lbs., was consumed last year. The impression exists that Canadian Corn Meal is not ground as fine as that imported from the United States, and on that account United States meal is preferred. Oats are received mostly from Prince Edward Island on con- signment, prices based on New York quotations. Yellow Corn is shipped in bags of 112 lbs. ; White Oats in bags of 160 lbs. ; Split Peas in bbls. of 210 lbs. Freight from New York at the following rates : Oats 40 cts. per bag. Corn 20 cts.. Peas 60 cts. Very little Hay or Straw is imported. The Butter used on this Island is mostly from Halifax; Oleo- margarine comes from New York. Pork, from 3,000 to 3,500 bbls., is imported from New York at a cost of from $7.00 to $9.00 per bbl. of 200 lbs. 20,600 lbs. Lard, in bbls, of 200 lbs., tierces of 300 lbs., and tins of 25 lbs., also about 4,000 bushels of Black and Peed Eyed Peas, all of which are imported from New York. There is about 10,000 lbs. Canadian Butter used on this Island yearly; it is well liked, and no doubt the amount can be increased. About 4,000 thirty-six pound boxes of common Soap, purchased in Liverpool at from 3^ to 4 cents per pound, are used annually. Danish Butter is sold there in one pound tins at 50 cents, two pound tins 90 cts., twenty-eight pound tins at 35 cts. per pound ; American Butter in 5 and 25 pound tins at 14 cts. per pound delivered at St. Thomas ; Halifax Ikitter, imported in tubs of 25 pounds each, cubls, landed at St. Thomas, 17^ cts., and is sold for 20 cts. per pound ; it is considered a better Butter than American, but will not last as long on account of the latter being put up in better packagts. The American Lard, in 5 lb. tins, costs at St. Thomas 37 cts., and in 25 pound tins, 6 cts. per pound. This Lard costs them net in New York $5.10 per 100 lbs in 25 pound tins, and $6.10 per TOO lbs. in 5 pound tins. Biscuits, Harris', New York, " Pilot " and " Navy *', in barrels averaging 75 ponnds, at $1.75 to $2.00 per bbl. All Canned Goods are imported from England, except Corned Beef, which is put up in Chicago. *' Ferris' " New York Hams sell from 16 to 18 cts. per pound. Cheese, a very small amount used, but there should be a market for Canadian Cheese put up in 7 or 8 pound packages, which would retail at from 20 to 22 cts. per pound. Cfirriages, not more than 6 or 8 per year imported, and mostly second hand. Hardware, from $1,500 to $2,500 worth imported from the United States each year. Furniture, a small quantity, very inferior White Pine, imported from New York. Boots and Shoes, about 10,000 pairs imported per year from the United States, mostly a cheap, inferior quality. The business on this Island is done mostly by actual sale to merchants, they paying for their goods in drafts of 30 to 60 days. Coal, Ice, and Vegetables, are free of customs duty. All other goods are subject to duty of 3 per cent, on the declared value at place of purchase. , , ST. CROIX. ...^ :;'';<;-•-:::, J": St. Croix, a Danish Island, has a population of about 20,000. Of this number 10 per cent, only are white. There are 20,000 bbls. Flour used on this Island per year, the price is based on New York quotations, the freight is 50 cts. per bbl. Goods for this Island are principally imported from New York, with the exception of about 500 bags of Oats from Canada, and a small quantity of Butter, which compares very favorably with Danish butter. They import about 200,000 lbs. 8 Butter, TO per cent, of which being high grade, and the balance mostly " Oleomargarine " imported from New York at a cost of from 7 to 8 cts. per pound in that city. Groceries, Dry Goods and Hardware are all imported from New York. Very little demand for Furniture, as it is mostly manufactured there. Import duties average about 12^2 per cent, on the value of the goods landed on the Island. The exports from the Island are about 12,000 tons Sugar and 1,000 puncheons Molasses. Rum is also manufactured, but they have very little demand for it. White Rum is sold at 22 cts. (proof) wine gallon. The two principal towns on this Island are Frederiksted and Christiansted, they being about 15 miles apart, on opposite sides of the Island. At the former place (leaward side) vessels of any draft can enter the harbor ; but at the lat ter placeo nly sailing vessels of light draft can be used. ST. KITTS. The British Island of St. Kitts has a population of 32,000. It dees very little business with Canada, except in Butter and Cheese. Of the former 7,363 lbs. was imported in 1896 from Canada, compared with 5,664 lbs. from the United States, and 7,993 lbs. from the United Kingdom; and of Cheese 5,121 lbs. from Canada, compared with 21,633 lbs. from the United States, and 616 lbs. from the United Kingdom. Flour, Corn and Oats, amounting last year to 24,273 bbls., 18,966 bushels, and 51,762 lbs., respectively, were imported from the United States ; the majority of the Sugar Estates import their Oats direct from England. The brands of flour used are princi- pally "Knickerbocker," "St. Lawrence," "West India Belle," and " Foaming Sea." Freight rate from 25 to 50 cts. per bbl. Corn in two-bushel bags costs 74 cts. per bag on the Island. Holmes & Coutts' New York Biscuit is used principally, at a cost of from $1.95 to $2.00 per barrel in New York. Very few Canned Goods are used. • , • ;; - ; ^ •; ^;^;.r Of Hams about 10 tons are consumed ; the "Diadem" brand, costing in New York about 9>^ cents per pound. These Hams 9 '"" - / are sugar-cured, with and without covers. Of Corn Meal quite a large quantity is used, costing $2.65 per bol. of 196 lbs., delivered. Groceries and Dry Goods are all imported from England and New York. P'urniture very little imported. Boots and Shoes, about half the quantity used is imported from Canada, The following is a statement of the principal goods imported, and duties levied on same : Flour, per bbl $1 20 Oat Meal, per bbl 96 Corn Meal, per bbl 50 Hams and Bacon, per 100 lbs 2 00 Lard and its compounds, per 100 lbs i 00 Butter, per 100 lbs 2 00 Cheese, per 100 lbs 2 00 Bread and Biscuits, common, per bbl 25 Grain, Oats, per bushel 6 Peas, Beans, and Barley, per bushel 12 Salt Beef, per 100 lbs i 00 Fish, dried or smoked 36 GOODS ADMITTED FREE. Animals, alive, to include Sheep, Hogs, Poultry, and all Suckling Animals. Books ; Eggs ; Fish, fresh or on ice ; Fruits ; Salt ; Furniture in use. The principal exports of this island are Sugar, Molasses, and Rum. • ,, - „. - ^-. r^-:: ■';'■-■■''' '-■': ■''>:,,;,.-'"' ;^ ,^ ANTIGUA. ^^■:;;||'''""'" This Island is a British Colony, with a population of about 36,000. The annual import of Wheat Flour for the year 1896 was 16,303 bbls. ; Rye Flour 66 bbls. ; Corn Meal 7,046 bbls. ; Corn 29,696 bushels, all of which was imported from the United States. The Flour principally used there is the " St. Lawrence," " Knick- erbocker," and "White Light" brands. There were 1,304 bushels Oats imported from Canada, 59 bushels from the United States, lO and 830 bushels Peas and Beans; of this 370 bushels were from Canada. There were 571,200 lbs. Pork imported from the United States, and 78,600 lbs. from Canada. Cheese, 11,470 lbs. im- ported from United States, and 4,412 lbs. from Canada. Butter, 6,808 lbs. from the United States, 31,785 lbs. from the United Kingdom, and 2,802 lbs. from Canada. There were imported to this Island from the United States 4,438 lbs. Lard, 40,130 lbs. Beef, 11,318 lbs. Ham and Bacon, also from the United Kingdom, 6,094 lbs. of Hams and Bacon and 5,828 lbs. Tea. The Corn Meal for this Island should be well kiln dried, and put up in barrels of 196 lbs. net. Oats are imported in two- bushel bags of 1 1 2 lbs. The principal Biscuits imported are the " Bordeaux " brand, costing $2.10 per bbl. in New York; also about 600 half-barrels Butter Crackers, and from 300 to 400 boxes of Fancy Crackers, such as Lemon and Sugar; the latter are principally imported from England. Of condensed Milk about 200 dozen i pound tins are used. A market for a first-class article may be found there at $1.10 per dozen. Of Canned Meats Armour's manufacture is principally used, and about 40,000 lbs. of all kinds consumed. Corned Beef . is put up in square pound tins; Roast Beef in circular i pound tins. Cheese "Randall's Young America" and "'Gloucester" brands, in 7 and 30 pound packages, costing on an average about 14 cts. per pound in New York. No demand for Carriages on this Island. Groceries and Dry Goods are mostly imported from England. Grey, Blue and Brown Duck is imported from Canada at from 6 to 10 cts. per yard. The English Duck at 6 cents is not quite equal to Canadian. There should be a limited market for Canadian Oils and Paints on account of freight rates being less than from England, where they are now purchased. Boots and Shoes are mostly imported from the United States ; the kind used cost from 90 cents to $1.30 per pair; only a small quantity of a better quality used. Canned Salmon, from 400 to 500 dozen one pound tins are used, Columbia River "Republic" brand, purchased in New York at $1.50 per dozen, "Anchor" at $1.25. \r. The following is a statement of the principal goods imported, and duties levied on same : Flour, per bbl $i 20 Oat Meal 96 Corn Meal 48 Hams and Bacon, per 100 lbs 2 00 Lard and its compounds, per 100 lbs. i 00 Butter, per 100 lbs .. 2 00 Cheese, " 2 00 Bread and Biscuits, common, per bbl, of 200 lbs. 24 Grain, Oats, per bushel 6 Peas, Beans, and Barley, per bushel 12 Salt Beef, per 100 lbs i 00 ■ Fish, dried or smoked, per 100 lbs 36 Cattle, each , i 20 GOODS ADMITTED FREE. * Animals, alive, to include Sheep, Hogs, Poultry, and all Suckling Animals. Books; Eggs; Fish, fresh or on ice; Fruits; Salt; Furniture in use. . , DOMINICA. This Island is a British colony with a population of about 27,000. The imports for the year 1896 were 6,471 bbls. Flour, mostly of the New York brands " St. Lawrence " and " Knicker- bocker"; 827 bushels Corn, and 434 bushels Oats, all from the United States. Hay and Straw are not imported. 227 bbls. Biscuits, "Pilot" and "Bordeaux" brands, from the United States; 1,475 ^bs. Canned Fruits were imported from the United Kingdom. Hams, 6,689 lbs., half from the United States and half from the United Kingdom ; and 126 bbls. Corn Meal from the United States. Cheese 3,594 lbs.. Butter 23,782 lbs. Lard 5,152 lbs., all imported from the United States. Groceries and Hardware, about $6,000 worth is imported from the United Kingdom and United States. Paints and Paint Oils are imported from the United Kingdom; 2,579 gallons of Kerosene and 2,299 , ■ V : - 12 •;^"/,-. gallons of Cotton Seed Oil were imported from the United States. Medicines and Drugs, to the value of about $2,000 ; also. Boots and Shoes to the value of about $7,500, from the United Kingdom. The exports from this Island for the year 1896 were 616 tons of "Muscovado" Sugar, and 229 tons "Crystalized" Sugar; 7,100 Bunches of Banana.s 4,036 bbls. Limes, 2,850 bbls. Oranges, 100,925 Cocoanuts, 50,367 gallons concentrated Lime Juice, and 107,344 gallons raw Lime Juice. 434 gallons of Bay Oils, 27 gallons of Orange Oils, 1,942 gallons of Lime Oils, and Cocoa 993,456 lbs. The following is a statement of the principal goods imported, and duties levied on same: Flour, per bbl $1 46 Corn Meal 72 Hams and Bacon, per 100 lbs 2 00 ^ Lard and its compounds, per 100 lbs i 20 Butter, per 100 lbs 2 40 Cheese, " 2 00 . Bread, Pilot or Navy, Crackers and Soda Biscuit, per bbl., not exceeding 100 lbs 72 Cattle, each i 02 Grain, Oats, per bushel 12 ^ Peas, Beans, and Barley, per bushel 12 Salt Beef, per 100 lbs j 00 Fish, dried or smoked, per 100 lbs 60 GOODS ADMITTED FREE. , y _ , :;t'./' Books ; Eggs ; Fish, fresh or on ice ; Fruits ; Salt ; Furniture in use. v.- ■V;-,^':' ;•■ ;■ ST. LUCIA -; . • - - r -;-;-; Is an English Colony with a population of 46,671. This Island is the principal Coaling Station for the English Navy in the West Indies, and is very strongly fortified and a large number of English Troops are stationed here. '^[■•■■- --::■:■? j::-'^- 14,011 bbls. Flour were imported in the year 1896, the prin- cipal brand is " Prize Winner," manufactured by Hecker, Jones, .■; 'i. > ■■ Jewel Milling Co., of New York; and 2,907 bushels Corn, princi- pally from the United States; 581 bushels Oats imported from Canada, and 3,003 bushels Peas and about 100 tons of pressed . Hay from the United States. '. Of Biscuits, 6,979 lbs, (fancy) from England; 666 lbs. (fancy) from the United States; 725 bbls. common Biscuits from the United States. Smoked Hams, 18,437 lbs., principally "Mount Vernon" brand used, weight from 8 to 10 lbs. each; 11,435 ^^s. of these Hams were imported from the United States, the remainder from > the United Kingdom. Cheese and Lard are imported from the United States ; Butter . from France and the United Kingdom. A few packages of Canadian Butter have been imported, put up in tubs of 50 lbs., and the Butter from France in from i to 2 pound tins. The amount of Cheese, Lard and Butter imported was, Cheese 24,822, Butter 22,650, Lard 65,254 lbs. Only one Carriage imported during the year ; very few used. Groceries, Dry Goods and Hardware imported principally from the United Kingdom. Furniture to the value of $1,156 was imported principally from the United Kingdom, and consisted chiefly of Bent Wood Furniture. Drugs to the value of $3,608 were imported principally from the United Kingdom. Boots and Shoes valued at from $1.00 to $2.00 per pair retail, principally imported from the United States ; a small quantity from France and Canada. The exports from the Island consisted of the following : " Muscovado" Sugar, 493 tons; "Usine" Sugar, 3,055 tons; Molasses, 105,000 gallons ; Rum, 1,280 gallons. The following is a statement of the principal goods imported, and duties levied on same : Flour, per bbl $1 lo^s Corn Meal 55V5 Lard and its compounds, per lb 372 Butter 4V5 10 5 , .-. * . ,»4" I ■ Cheese 2 /i, Oats, per bushel 9/5 Peas and Beans, per bushel 9V5 Cattle, each i 38 Beef, salted or pickled, per lb 2"/ Biscuits and Bread, common, per bbl 55V5 " " fancy, per 100 lbs i io75 Fish, salted and dried, per 100 lbs 55V5 Pork, salted or pickled, per lb 3 Salt, coarse, per bbl 20 /,o " table, per 100 lbs 2775 GOODS ADMITTED FREE. Eggs; Fish, fresh or on ice; Fruits and Vegetables, fresh. BARBADOS. An English Colony with a population of 189,000. Of this about 12 per cent, are white. The Island has an area of 166 square miles, and an average population to the square mile of 1,100. It is the principal port of call for the English Royal Mail Steamers. These steamers arrive and sail on the Monday of every alternate week, to the westward for Jamaica and Colon, eastward for England, south for Demerara, and north to St. Thomas and intermediate Islands. * Bridgetown is the principal city and port on this Island. The imports (per Barbados Blue Book) consist of the follow- ing : Flour imported from the United States in 1896 was 56,381 bbls. ; none from Canada ; the brands being principally " St. Lawrence," " Honest John," " Elm City," " West India Belle," and " Royal Duke." Corn in 112 pound bags is sold at $1.10 per bag; there was imported from the United States 5,878,751 lbs., and of Corn Meal 38,128 lbs. ' ' ' • ' Split Peas, 24,413 bbls. were imported from the United States, and 2,750 bbls. from Canada, the barrels containing 210 lbs. net. Oats in bags of 160 lbs. at $1.90 per bag. Hay, about 200 tons were imported from the United States, and 125 tons from Canada; it is valued there at about $20.00 per ton. Biscuits, Pilot, Navy, and Crackers, 28,596 lbs. were imported from the United Kingdom, 4,954,272 lbs. from the '^lited States, and 56 lbs. from Canada. Canned Goods are principally imported from New York ; Boxed Meats and Hams from New York. " Ferris'" Hams cost about i3>^ cts. per pound, and retail at 18 cts. per pound. "Williams'" Hams cost 7^ cts. in New York; "York " English Hams cost 30 cts. per pound ; "York" cut Hams 21 to 24 cts. per pound. ' Oat Meal is principally purchased in England. Cheese imported from the United Kingdom, 18,158 lbs.; from the United States 12,325 lbs., and from Canada 9,283 lbs. V: Butter, French and Danish, in pound tins, retails at 40 cts. per pound. There were 21,450 lbs. imported from France, ; 289,000 lbs. from the United Kingdom, 6,219 lbs. from Canada, • and 1,185 ^bs- ^^*^*^ ^^^ United States. Lard, 413,193 lbs. were imported from the United States, put up in 50 pound tin packages, also in 2, 3 and 5 pound Tin Pails; retails at 12 cts. per pound. ' ■ Carriages are ^ rincipally imported from the United States, but the majority of them are second-hand, used by Cabmen. Groceries, Dry Goods and Hardware are purchased principally in New York; also Furniture, principally Pine Wood and Iron Bedsteads ; also Oils, Paints and Medi'cine are imported princi- pally from New York. .1 :" ' ;*; The exports from this Island were, in 1896, as follows : Molasses 33,727 gallons to Canada, and 2,575 gallons to the United States ; " Manjak " 571 tons to the United States, Great Britain 249 tons; Sugar, "Muscovado," to Great Britain, 1,101 hhds. ; United States, 43,808 hhds. ; Canada, 835 hhds. Dry Sugar, Great Britain 1,592 hhds., United States 2,017 hhds. The following is a statement of the principal goods imported, and duties levied on same : Flour, per bbl. of 196 lbs $1 00 Grain, including Peas and Beans, per 100 lbs 8 Lard, per 100 lbs i 00 Butter, " 2 00 • I Cheese, per I oo lbs. 2 00 Fish, dried, salted or smoked, 112 lbs 36 Indian Meal, or other kinds, per bbl. of 196 lbs. 30 Hay, per 100 lbs 6 Meat, salted or cured, per 100 lbs i 00 Cattle, each i 00 Salt, per ton 72 Soap, per 100 lbs 36 Tallow " 48 Oil, kerosene, per gallon 8 GOODS ADMITTED FREE. Books; Eggs; Fresh Fish; Fresh Fruit and Vegetables ; Straw. TRINIDAD. This Island is a British Colony ; with a population estimated at 245,000 ; of this number about one-third are East Indian Coolies. Trinidad does a large export trade of general produce and merchandise, (^imported to Trinidad from other countries) with Venezuela. Of imports there were 153,539 bbls. Flour from the United States, principally the "West Indian Belle," "St. Lawrence," and " White Light " brands. No Flour was imported from Canada during 1896. The regular freight rate on Flour is 30 cts. per bbl. (this is the only Island where the Merchants do not object to Flat Hooped Barrels, but prefer Round). The importation of Corn for 1896 was 25,513 bushels ; Oats, 102,100 bushels. All of the Corn and 30,000 bushels of Oats were imported from the United States, and 48,600 bushels of Oats from Canada ; the balance from Holland and Germany. Corn is put up in Bags of 112 lbs. net ; Oats in Bags of 160 lbs.; Split Peas in Barrels of 210 lbs. The latter are largely Canadian Split Peas, imported via New York, through New York commission houses. Hay is imported in pressed bundles of from 100 to no lbs., principally from New York, at 30 cts. per 100 lbs. freight. .A r*'V* - ■•■ — ■ 17 ' ■• Canned Salmon put up in i pound Tins, 4 dozen tins to the Box, are imported from New York. Boxed Meats and Smoked Hams — Hams weighing from 8 to 10 pounds each, neatly covered with paper and canvas are sold largely there packed in Crates con- taining from 100 to 120 lbs. Oat Meal in i pound Tins is imported mostly from Scotland and the United States. Corn Meal in bbls. of 212 lbs. net, is imported from the United States. 248,094 lbs. Cheese, in 28 to 30 lb. packages, imported, 20,927 lbs. being made in Canada, 180,337 lbs. in the United States, and the balance in small quantities from France, Germany, Holland, and Venezuela. Butter, 678,440 lbs. was imported. Of this Canada supplied 2,128 lbs., France 467,640 lbs., and the United States 75,027 lbs. The choice Butter is put up in i pound Tins; the cheaper Butter in 33 and 66 pound Kegs. I^rd, 1,407,404 lbs., being principally imported from the United States, put up in 25 pound Tin Pails, 4 in a Case. Hardware is principally imported from the United States and England. Furniture is principally imported from Europe ; a small quan- tity of a very cheap quality being imported from the United States. Dry Goods are principally imported from England. Merchants say that English Cottons are much better than United States Cottons, on account of their being better filled,*making the goods much stiffen Large quantities of the staple Dry Goods bought in New York are summer goods purchased in the fall of the year, frequently at a discount of 50 per cent, on the actual cost. Potatoes are principally imported from Nova Scotia, the price depending entirely upon the supply on hand. Potatoes have sold there at $1.25 per bbl., but, at times when there is a scarcity, prices advance to $4.00 and $4.50 per bbl. Boots and Shoes, fine and fancy goods, are imported from England ; Rubbers of a cheap quality are imported from the United States, and small lots from Canada. Woodenware is used only to a small extent. Timber, White Pine and Spruce, from Canada ; the largest quantity of the White Pine comes via New York. i8 Whiskey, Canadian Rye, is used to a very limited extent ; Scotch and Irish preferred, imported in cases of about 2 imperial gallons. Lager Beer largely used, but (lerman brand preferred. American Lagers are being sent to this Island in small (juantities by quick Steamers, generally in good condition. Pints in Cases or BarreL of 6 to lo doz. preferred ; duty i8 cts. per doz. Pints, less allowance (4 percent.) for breakage. Ale, very lim'^ed consump- tion, principally Bass and Scotch Ales ; Stout largely used, chiefly from Scotland. Horses; there is a limited demand for good, serviceable horses, weight about 1,000 lbs., i^j4 hands high, used principally for carriage horses ; mules and asses are used for teaming. The business of this Island is done principally by consignment. The following is u statement of the principal goods imported, and duties levied on same : Bread, all kinds, per bbl $ 25 Boots and shoes, value $500 24 00 Butter, per pound 2 Cheese, " 2 Corn and Oats, per bushel 8 Flour, per bbl. of 196 lbs 80 Lard and its compounds, per 100 lbs i 00 Meal, per bbl. of 195 lbs 36 Oil, petroleum, per gallon , 30 Soap, per 100 lbs 50 GOODS ADMI'^TED FREE. Beans ; Eggs ; Fruit, fresh ; Fish, all kinds ; Meats, all kinds ; Peas. BRITISH GUIANA. This is an English Colony with a population of about 278,328; of this 4,558 are Whites, and 105,463 Coolies. The imports for the year 1896 were : Flour 174,803 bbls., of which 173,588 bbls. were imported from the United States, and 1 50 bbls. from Canada. Pillsbury's "Best XXXX," "St. Lawrence," "Knickerbocker," and "Retriev- »9 er" are the principal brands, sold at from $6.25 to $6.40 per bbl; freight rate 25 to 30 cts. per bbl. from New York. The com- plaint is that Canadian Flour in that climate turns sour, while that from New York retains its sweetness. Corn, 22,925 bushels were imported from the United States in Bags of 112 lbs. net ; Oats 410,824 lbs., 1 16,824 lbs. of which was imported from the United States, 107,960 lbs. from Canada (P. E. I.), and 186,000 lbs. from the United Kingdom. Oats for this Market should be very heavy, not less than 40 lbs. to the Bushtl, and very clean, put up in bags of 160 lbs. net. Split Peas, 1 1 2,900 bushels were imported, in bbls. containing 210 lbs. net, freight from 25 to 30 cts. per bbl., and on Corn 15 cts. per Bag. These commodities were all imported from New York. Hay in pressed Bales of from 100 to 150 lbs., about 517 tons imported ; 454 tons from the United States, and 63 tons from Canada. No demand for Straw. Biscuits, 450,384 lbs., of which 406,912 lbs. were imported from the United States. " Maddies " and " Pilot Brown " are the principal brands used, put up in bbls. of 56 to 60 lbs. net. There is also a local Biscuit Factory in Georgetown. Canned Lobsters are imported from Canada direct in i pound tins ; but Canned Salmon is imported only via England. Smoked Hams 296,714 lbs. imported; of this Canada supplied 720 lbs., the United States 222,692 lbs., and England 73,242 lbs. Canned Meats in i pound Tins, 98,054 lbs. were imported, of which 81,537 lbs. were from the United States. Oat Meal in bbls. containing 180 to 200 lbs.. Corn Meal in bbls. of 200 lbs. net ; the total amount imported of these was 1,071,480 lbs., of which 960,936 lbs. came from the United States. Of potatoes Canada supplied 30,256 bbls. of the total impor- tation of 59,495 bbls., freight by Canadian steamers 55 cts. per bbl. ; selling price from $1.50 to $4.00 per bbl, according to the supply and demand. Cheese in Boxes of 28 to 30 lbs., also in 5, 10 and 25 pound tins, amount imported 266,284 lbs., of which 172,314 lbs. was from the United States, 9,826 lbs. from Canada, 42,401 from Holland, and 41,743 lbs. from England. 20 Butter, total importation 566,381 lbs.; of this 257,605 lbs. was from the United Kingdom, 20,326 lbs. from the United States, 276,876 lbs. from France, and 2,696 lbs. from Canada. The best Butter from Copenhagen, put up in 1 and 2 pound Tins, retails for 45 and 48 cts. per pound. Lard, total importation 370,804 lbs., of which the United States supplied 369,802 lbs., Canada 96 lbs., England 907 lbs. This is put up in 25 pound Tin Pails, 4 in a case; "Q'^een," New York brand seems to be the favorite. Carriages, a few Victorias and Doctors' Buggies with Rumble, are sold. Furniture, very little imported ; made locally with Native Hardwoods, which withstands the ravages of Wood Ants and other Insects ; Softwood Furniture is of no lise. Oils are imported from the United States ; Paints from England. The exports are principally Sugar, Molasses, Rum, Charcoal, and Cocoa. The following is a statement of the principal goods imported, and duties levied on same : Bacon, and Bacon Hams, per lb $ 2c. Beef, salted or pickled, per bbl. of 200 lbs . . . i 00 Bread, Navy Biscuits, or Crackers, per 100 lbs. 50 Cattle, per head 5 00 Butter, per lb 2c. Cheese, " 2c. Corn Meal and Oat Meal, per 100 lbs 25 , Fish, dried, per 1 1 2 lbs 50 " pickled, per bbl. of 200 lbs 25 Flour, per bbl. of 196 lbs i 00 Hams and Sausages, per lb 2c. Hay, per 100 lbs 10 Lard, per lb ^ ; i-. ic. Oats, " X Paints, per 112 lbs 25 Pork, salted or pickled, per bbl. of 200 lbs. . . i 00 Soap, fancy, per lb 2c. Soap, common, " }^ GOODS ADMITTED FREE. Fruits and Vegetables ; Books ; Salt. * - ax PACKAGES. In introducing Canadian goods into the West Indies, manu- facturers should be very particular in regard to the packages in which the goods are put up, and see that the outside of same is neat and attractive. There seems to be an impression in many of these islands that Canadian P'lour will not stand the climate, on account of its not being sufficiently kiln-dried. But this may in a measure be due to misrepresentation of competitors. One reason, however, may be that the Barrels are too large, and the Flour is not com- pressed sufficiently in the Barrel to exclude the air ; the Flour being loose in the Barrel. Then the Barrel should be of Hard- wood. American Barrels are mostly made of Oak, with round Hoops ; flat Hoops do not seem to be strong enough to hold the Packages together so that the F'our will not sift between the staves. The Barrels should be neatly branded, as the brand and the appearance of the package has much to do with the sale to many of the people of these Islands. The empty Barrels are used for packing Sugar, Fruit, etc. Grain and Hay should be put up in uniform packages. It is a mistake to ship Hay in bundles over loo to 125 lbs. weight. Merchants say they have lost the sale of good hay on account of it being in bundles of from 200 to 250 lbs. The people have been educated to buying Hay by the bundle, and do not expect it to contain more than 100 to 125 pounds. Canned Goods. The Wooden Package containing Canned goods should be of planed Lumber, and neatly branded, to com- pete with American goods, as the American Manufacturer pays a great deal of attention to the neatness and strength of his pack- ages for this trade. The West Indian Merchant receiving a consignment of canned goods and other merchandise, in cases, de- sires to put them in a conspicuous place in his Store for advertise- ment. Particular attention should also be given to the marking or stenciling of the packages. Cheeses of over 28 to 30 lbs. weight should never be shipped to these Islands, for Merchants do not like them, as they cannot 22 find ready purchasers for larger packages among retail trade, and the packages containing 30 pound are stronger and not so likely to be damaged in transit. Butter. There is a good market for a first-class article, not too salt, and slightly colored, put up in i pound tins, hermetically sealed. If possible these Tins should be so made that they can be readily opened and closed, as the better class of consumers prefer their Butter in Tins of this size, it keeping better. In most of the Islands it retails at 48 cents per pound. Lard should be put up in 25 pound Tin Pails, with an inside cover, hermetically sealed, as when the package is opened by the consumer he removes the inside cover, uses the outer cover to keep the Lard clean, and protect it from the climate until the pail is empty — the empty Pail is afterwards used by many for a water pail. Square wooden packages, such as those used for Canned Meats, Lard, etc., should in all cases be bound on the ends with Band Iron. Packages handled on steamers must necessarily be much stronger than those used for transporting goods by Rail, as in most cases the Steamers load and unload in the harbor from and into Lighters. Sometimes the weather is very rough and these packages have to be handled in Slings by Derricks, and unless properly fastened they are liable to be damaged or broken. There are many other Islands in this group with which trade could be opened. There are also the British Islands of Granada, St. Vincent and Jamaica, a number of French, Dutch and Spanish Islands, and the Island of Hayti, all of which deal principally with New York. To merchants and manufacturers intending to extend their business into these Islands we would suggest that they give the closest attention to keeping the (quality of their goods fully up to the standard of that first introduced into the market. We find in some cases goods that were successfully introduced eventually were driven out of the market by the failure on the part of the manufacturer to keep up the standard of the quality of his brand. The following is a list of commission merchants on the different Islands, wijh whom merchants and manufacturers can communi- cate, and so far as we can learn they are responsible business firms: Bermuda, W. S. James. St. Croix, Merwin Woods & Co. St. Kitts, S. L. Horsford & Co. Antigua, G. W. Bennet, Bryson & Co. Dominica, J. G. Mclntyre. St. Lucia, McFarlane, Jennir & Co. Barbados, S. P. Musson Sons & Co. Trinidad, Gordon, Grant & Co. Do Rust, Trowbridge & Co. Demerara, Sandbach, Parker & Co. to THE MANUFACTURERS AND MERCHANTS OF CANADA. Correspondence with reference to Extension of Trade "between Canada and the West India Islands addressed to any of the following Officers of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company will receive prompt attention :— E. TIFFIN, General freight Agent, W. B. BULLING, General Freight Agent, J. N. SUTHERLAND, General Freight Agent, ROBT. KERR, Traffic Manager, G. M. BOSWORTII, Freight Traffic Manager, Toronto. Montreal. St. John, N. B. WiNNII'EG. Montreal.