The tobacco warehouse abuts on the quay side for revenue security. Wines and spirits are kept on the quay one month before they are housed, consequently require considerable quay room.

To many other goods coopering and repairs are more conveniently done on the quays, and extensive quay and shed room saves the expense of housing on goods for immediate delivery.

"4. The means used to guard and protect the goods from combustion and the buildings from fire and accident; how and at what times fires are permitted or lights introduced, and in what manner, and the means for extinguishing fires?"

Answer. The principal warehouses in the dock for the deposit of goods are brick built, and divided into rooms and floors by thick partition walls communicating by double iron doors; the warehouses are situated at a considerable distance from the shipping, and separated from private buildings by a boundary wall having a space of thirty feet round outside.

Fires and lights are not allowed in the warehouses. The vaults are built with brick, stone and iron, no timber being used in their construction; open lamps are used in the wine vaults, no danger being apprehended therefrom; at the close of business the lamps are all brought forward and deposited in a rack, by which means it is instantly seen, by the person having charge thereof, if any are missing.

In the spirit vaults, open lights are not allowed-only lamps in locked lanterns.

Fires and lights are allowed on board ships under certain regulations, but never before 5 a. m., nor after 9 p. m. The proper times of lighting and extinguishing fires and lights on board ships, according to the season, are attended to by the police.

One powerful floating fire-engine, and four large land engines, with all necessary hose and gear, are kept in constant readiness, with a supply of water from the East London Water Works Company's mains by ten fire cocks, each of which are equal to a fire-engine of sixteen men; sixty of the company's servants residing within sound of the alarm bells, (of which there are four,) trained monthly in the use and management of the engines in the event of accidental fire. Firemen and police constables patrol the premises day and night.

"5. How far and to what extent iron has been introduced in the construction of warehouses, either for roof, rafters, joists, or otherwise, as well as the materials for flooring, and the expense of building such warehouses, with, if practicable, a ground plan of the dock and warehouses attached thereto?"

Answer. See memorandum, marked A and B.

"7. The amount of goods stored, giving the description as far as practicable, and the quantity and character of each, the rate of storage; how far the charge is diminished for a longer period of storage?" (This question refers only to goods in bond.)

Answer. The capacity of the several warehouses is shown on the paper marked A, attached hereto; the quantity and character of goods varies according to circumstances.

The rate of storage is shown by the company's table of rates; there is no diminution of rent in consideration of the length of storage, excepting on wood, which will be seen by reference to the company's table; b that the sont on wine is increased after a certain

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"12. How far marine or other railways are used for placing goods in the warehouses, and the length of time occupied in warehousing cargoes, as well as in shipping them from the warehouses, together with the delay on this account, and detention of vessels; and what portion of the time

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ticable, anu une quantity and character or each, the rate i svrage, far the charge is diminished for a longer period of storage?" (This question refers only to goods in bond.)

Answer. The capacity of the several warehouses is shown on the paper marked A, attached hereto; the quantity and character of goods varies according to circumstances.

The rate of storage is shown by the company's table of rates; there is no diminution of rent in consideration of the length of storage, excepting on wood, which will be seen by reference to the company's table; and which also shows that the rent on wine is increased after a certain length of storage.

"8. A full description of the books kept at such warehouses, and by what number and character of clerks and other officers; the checks on subordinate storekeepers to ascertain the disposition made of goods entrusted to their custody; the manner of keeping their accounts; how often examined to test their correctness, and by whom; how an examination is made of the goods on hand, and how often; the different blank forms for the receipt and delivery of merchandise, and the means to prevent adulteration of liquors and other articles?"

Answer. See memorandum, marked C, as to the books. Wines and spirits are imported by marks and brands, which generally denote the quality, and by which they are identified; these quality marks and brands are never allowed to be altered by the substitution of any others; neither is wine or spirits of other marks or brands allowed to be mixed without the erasure of all marks or brands on such mixed liquors, and the substitution of V or B, indicative of their having been vatted or blended; they are also under the joint lock of the Crown and the Company. Thus far the property is protected from being tampered with while under the company's charge.

The merchant generally samples at landing, and has access to his property at any time he thinks proper.

The rules and regulations for the guidance of the company's servants, with the general surveillance exercised for the due observance of these rules, is found sufficient to keep them from lending themselves to any malpractices.

"10. The hours within which the warehouses are kept open; what articles are considered combustible or perishable; and how or where the combustible or perishable articles are kept, and for what length of time?"

Answer. See book of rates and regulations, marked D. Spirits, tar, turpentine, pitch, hemp, flax, lucifer matches, acids, hay and straw, are considered combustible materials.

Brandy, rum, and Hollands are housed in the vaults. Spirits of turpentine, and the other articles as above, except hemp and flax, are not allowed to be housed.

There are very few, if any, perishable articles housed, or if housed, are not suffered to be long enough to perish.

There has never occurred a case of spontaneous combustion in the warehouses of these docks, although two cases have taken place on board ships, caused by bales of oiled clothing.

"12. How far marine or other railways are used for placing goods in the warehouses, and the length of time occupied in warehousing cargoes, as well as in shipping them from the warehouses, together with the delay on this account, and detention of vessels; and what portion of the time

of a vessel is taken up in depositing and receiving goods from each warehouse?"

Answer. The time occupied in the discharge of cargoes cannot be given with accuracy, as delay for lighters for overside goods entries at the custom-house frequently occurs; the latter cause is, to a certain extent, obviated by the law which empowers the London Dock Company to pass entries and land the goods after two days from the one on which the ship reported. Waiting for ballast is a delay of frequent occurrence. The time occupied in warehousing cargoes, &c., is dependent on circumstances, such as the nature of their goods, their being ready for unshipment and description of the stowage required; where there has been no impediment, vessels from two hundred to three hundred tons have been discharged in from one to two days.

"13. Packages in bad order, how repacked; how far the importer is allowed the control or supervision of such labor; whether the description of package can be altered, and under what restrictions?"

Answer. Repairs to packages are done according to the custom of the port.

The importer's attention is only called thereto where the repairs (being extensive) are likely to entail a heavy expense; his instructions are then obtained, but the work is always performed by the company. Packages are frequently altered, and if they are in bond, such alteration does not take place except in the presence of a revenue officer.

"14. What is the custom among importers in regard to insurance on merchandise in the docks; what rates of premium are charged? Do the dock company insure their warehouses; and if so, the premiums paid thereon ?"

Answer. Importers insure their goods in the dock warehouses, or not, as they please; the rates on merchandise are not known to the dock company.

The company insure their warehouses to a certain proportion of their value, the ordinary premium being 1s. 6d. per cent, per annum.

"15. What returns are made, statistical or otherwise, to the Government of the bonded goods on hand, and what data these returns are made from?"

Answer. A triennial comparison is made of the goods in store by the customs and company's books, and the customs officers satisfy themselves by inspection that the goods remain.

"16. Please give blank forms of such returns, and of all forms connected with the warehousing of bonded articles, and plans of the different descriptions of hoisting apparatus used in your docks?"

Answer. See forms marked E.

"17. Please give form of certificate issued to owner of goods in bond, the regulations concerning the transfer of property under such certificates, and the laws governing the same; are such certificates used as security for obtaining loans from the Bank of England or other bankers, and how do they compare with other securities in the markets?"

Answer. See forms marked F. The holder of a warrant duly endorsed