80 
WAREHOUSES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
special attention that the greatest regularity and correctness is main 
tained. Were this not so, and were the custom-house to learn of any 
abuses of its confidence, the concession accorded to the company 
would be withdrawn. 
H. P. Smith, Vice and Deputy Consul. 
Milan, Italy, August j, 190J^. 
MALTA. 
(From, United Slates Consul Grout, Valetta, Malta.) 
It would be difficult to state when the warehouses used for storage 
of goods at rental or in bond were erected and I do not believe it 
would be possible to ascertain the cost of construction, inasmuch as all 
now in use, both public and private, were built originally by the 
Knights of Malta in the latter part of their control here many years 
ago. Some of the buildings were constructed for the purpose of stor 
age while others were intended for other objects. There are a few 
warehouses in the hands of private firms, but nearly all are owned by 
the local government, being conducted by the customs branch. The 
administration of the service is regarded as very satisfactory. Many 
officials are employed as guards and custodians, and goods are trans 
ferred from ship to warehouse, or vice versa, in a simple manner, but 
according to an efficient system. 
No regulation is made as to length of time goods may be stored, a 
parcel paying the same charge for a day or two as for a much longer 
term. Beer pays a rental of 2 cents per barrel. Wines having not 
more than 15 per cent of alcohol are charged 4 cents per barrel, while 
classes containing from 16 to 23 per cent of alcohol pay 8 cents per 
barrel. Petroleum pays 3 farthings ( 1-J cents) per 8 gallons. For 
each 112 pounds, or 64 rotoli, sugar is charged a little over 2 cents. A 
rent of 6 cents is charged for 100 boxes containing 100 cigars each. 
Cavendish or other manufactured tobacco is charged 12 cents per 100 
pounds weight. 
According to the last annual report of the local government receipts 
on account of warehouse rentals amounted to $8,251.36. It would be 
impossible to even estimate the actual cost of the service, on account 
of the diversified duties of the officers in charge. 
As a rule only goods liable to duty are stored in the Government 
warehouses. They chiefly comprise beer, spirits, wines, grain, flour, 
canned meats, coffee, and petroleum. As a rule goods do not remain 
in bond for any great length of time, one year being considered some 
thing unusual. Perhaps one month might be considered a fair aver 
age. Very little use is made of the warehouses here by Americans. 
All nationalities are treated alike, there being no discriminating 
charges. On account of rapidly increasing cost of labor it would be 
impossible to give any fixed charge for handling. Recently as high 
as 36 cents per small cartload from boat at water’s edge to warehouse 
has been asked. 
John II. Grout, Consul. 
Valetta, Malta, July 19, 190.l¡..