Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-01
POSTOFFIC,E RECEIPTS.

POSTOFFICE RECEIPTS.
The next best index to the financial
condition of the people and their bust
ness activity is the postoiiice receipts.
The Ngginian Pilot is informed that
the postoGice receipts this year Will
reach at least Sl0o goo, large gains over
1897.
REAL. ESTATE SALES.
There has been activity in real estate
transactions and building The year
1897 will be remembered as the year
in which two OF the handsomest pub
lie buildings were compieted-the citi-
zen's Bank and the Monticello Hotel.
and preliminary work begun for the
erection OF the new pcstofiicc.
The real estate sales for the city of
Norfolk amount to $l,Sl9,S05; for Nor
folk county, Sl.l23. Ib6, q total of S291S,-
O6l. Add to this $a35.i90 for the city of
Portsmouth, and there is a grand total
of $3,20S.55 There was no unjustiii-
able excitement in real estate sales. The
prices were based on substan val
ueS.
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
The exports for the eleven months 10
November 30th were Sll So go rs re-
ported from the custom house. As the
records of the collector have not been
made up for the last month of 1881. ac-
tual figures cannot he obtained, but,
placing the shipments for this month.
which was one of the best months of
the year, at 1850 COO, the value of the
total shipments will be s13lc2,270. 4
Slight decline from last years trans
actions due to the obstruction of trans
portat!on by the SpanishAmerican
war.
The imports will amount to 100000.
This is Il slight increase on the figures
of last year.
VESSELS ENTERED AND CLEAR
During the year the vessels which
entered this port from foreign ports
numbered ISL. cleared $40. Total tom
mage of vessels cleared, S4l.6l5; total
tonnage of vessels that entered, az,
O5S
OF the vessels engaged in the coast
wise trade 2.O2o entered this port and
1885 cleared.
COAL RECEIPTS.
The reaein;S OF coal over the Norfolk
and Western railroad delivered at
I.amberts Point for II months ending
November 30, were 1921 $40 tons. The
statement for the month of Deem Der
has not been made UP. When it is com
pieted it VIII be found that the total
receipts will he over 1000. goo tons.
This is very satisfactory gain over
the year of 1897.
The Fiat Top fields have furnished
thousands Of tons to the United States
'
lieved that the high stan1ing OF the
fuel for steam navigation Will cause it
tn be used in greater quantities by
the fighting ships.
When ADMIRAL Schley ovcrhaulcd the
Spanish fleet OF Santiago he was burn
ire cnal IaceiYed from the port Of Nor
fclk. An order has been issued IN
s.ructirg the warshirs to coal ut Nor
folk when it is possible TO dc so.
COTTON TRADE
Tho following is Il statement Of the
receipts and shipments Of cotton at
Norfolk for the four months ending
December 3lst lS9S. These figures are
furnished by Mr. Norman Eel, of The
CottoA Exchange, and are reliable:
Bales.
n n:Apor,s 49,, c.,,ci,s, -,
To December Slst ......,. .i5S Hoo
Coastwise. overland and inland
shipments ...... ...... .........@f12l
Stock on hand ........ ....-..... 6u.s'2
The receipts are larger than last year
by 1928 bales.
The exports fan short OF the trans
actions Of last year by 2G,4Se hnles.
The stock on hand is less than last
year by Ii 52i bales.
LUMBER TRADE
This city is one OF the Nargest lum-
lantic coast. There are said To be more
than Sky mills represented in Norfolk
by agents or owners.
The business IL; one OF Norfolk's most
substantial industries. employing thous-
and Of lahorers and requiring millions
of dollars annually.
The general Offices of the North Caro-
lima Pine Association are here and their
mills -rodure about s0o.OG0.000 feet Of
lumber yearly
At recent meeting of the associa-
ton Ii was reported by the secretary
that the outlook for future operations
Were never brighter. Last year there
were about 5000 COO feot OF lumber at
each Of the mills connected with The
association at the close of the sea son:
al the present time there is not a foot
Of unsoid lumber at any of the mills.
The lumhermen expect great activity
during the remainder Of the winter
and the early spring months. Notwith-
standing there is an Increased demand
prices have not been advanced.
The shipments Of lumber from this
port for ten months of the past year
were as follows:
b ,,,e teet ''''....,... '......ile.5t2.0s2
PilinG, feet ...,,..... 1900. s52,6S4
Railroad ties .......... ..... 1864
Shingles ...... ........ ........ IS $50. 275
slaves ........ ......... ..... S,&S2, 800
Norfolk has enjoyed valuable lum.
Der trade with the West Indies for
more than nifty years, and with the
control OF Cuba and Porto Rico by the
United States Government. the business
is expected to develop rapidly.
OYSTERS AND FISH
This Industry employs about 10000
people in Eastern Virginia, and not less
than 5000 in The city Of Norfolk and
T.