AUSTRALIA: MELBOURNE, VICTORIA. 
197 
made by the Government warehouse are higher than those of other 
warehouses, and it is consequently used mainly for the storage of 
unclaimed and seized goods. 
The proprietors of the warehouses refuse to furnish information as 
to their receipts and expenditures. For several years past the busi 
ness has not been very remunerative, owing to many causes, chiefly 
commercial depression, small stocks held, and rapid steamer commu 
nication with other parts of the world. A general warehouse pays 
£200 ($973.30) per annum for license and the services of a customs 
officer known as a “ locker.” The overtime charge for the services of 
this officer is 2 shillings (48 cents) per hour. The amount received 
by the Government from the bonded warehouses at Melbourne dur 
ing the year 1903 for license fees and fees for lockers’ services, at 2 
shillings (48 cents) per hour, was £5,532 ($20,922) for license fees 
and £200 ($1,205) for lockers; total, £5,792 ($28,187). The annual 
cost to the Government of the warehouse branch of the customs 
department was: For salaries, £8.304 ($40,703), and for contingen 
cies. £90 ($438); total, £8,454 ($41,141). 
The chief classes of goods stored are spirits, liquors, bitters, med 
ical preparations, essences, wine, ale and beer (stout, lager), tobacco 
unmanufactured, tobacco manufactured, cigars, cigarettes, hops, 
candles, condensed milk, coffee, coffee essence, cocoa and chocolate, 
wheat, rice, salt, sugar, glucose, vinegar, matches, cement, plaster, 
flour, soft goods, drapery, etc.; hardware, ironmongery, etc.; ma 
chinery, provisions, etc. The length of time goods remain in bond 
varies so much that no rule can be given. If the goods are not 
cleared within three years they are sold under the provisions of the 
customs act unless rewarehoused. All nationalities are treated alike. 
Goods are removed to warehouses by carriers licensed under the 
customs act. Goods for export or removal from bond are similarly 
dealt with. The cost of removal is according to arrangement between 
the importer and the carrier. 
The warehouses are secured by Government locks, except in special 
cases, such as timber yards. In most of the warehouses lockers are 
permanently stationed and the keys are kept in a safe in the custom 
house overnight. During the day the lockers retain possession of 
the keys. As often as possible the warehouses are visited by the 
supervisor of the warehouse branch, whose duty it is to see that 
lockers are at their posts and attending to their duties, and also to 
inspect their books and inquire into any matters which lie may con 
sider to be essential to the protection of the revenue. Lockers regauge 
wines and spirits and weigh some low-duty goods subject to duty at 
fixed rates, check receipts into and deliveries from warehouses, and 
exercise a general supervision over goods stored therein and over 
all operations carried on in them. The lockers attend at the ware 
houses from 8.30 a. m. to 5 p. m. in winter, and in the summer from 
8 a. m. to 5 p. m., and on Saturdays till 12 noon. No goods are 
delivered from warehouse by lockers except upon presentation of an 
order signed by an officer of the warehouse branch in the custom 
house. 
John P. Bray, Consul-General. 
Melbourne, Victoria, August #3, lOOJf.