AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 203 



GENERAL BUILDING. 



Concerning building operations in Hull and the consequent con- 

 sumption of wood used in this connection, it would appear that, taking 

 an average, there are 800 houses built per annum. In the construc- 

 tion of these Baltic timber is used. An increase of domestic buildings 

 is not anticipated, that is to say, to any extraordinary extent. The 

 town council has formulated a new and more stringent code of build- 

 ing regulations, which will tend to check speculative building and 

 increase the cost of construction. Wooden buildings are likely to 

 become fewer and fewer under the new regulations. Moreover, wood 

 paving, which has been largely used in the streets, now appears to be 

 discouraged by the municipal government, and seemingly there wilt 

 not be much extension in this direction. 



Since the construction of the Hull and Barusley Eailway, which was 

 opened in 1884 or 1885, there has been no railway enterprise of any 

 moment, nor is there any probability of new undertakings or extensions 

 for some time to come. The acquisition of the dock estate by the North- 

 eastern Eailway will result in the immediate renovation of much plant, 

 which must involve considerable orders for wood. At the same time, 

 with regard to warehouses on the estate, there is ample accommodation 

 for present requirements. 



In shipbuilding, wood becomes less and less in demand. Iron is 

 almost wholly used except as regards fittings. The fishing fleet of the 

 port, which aggregates over 400 vessels of different sizes, consists 

 almost entirely of steam trawlers constructed of iron. The result is 

 that very few wooden craft are built. Even the small river and dock 

 vessels, called lighters and keels, are being built of iron. The tendency 

 is wholly in the direction of iron and steel for shipbuilding purposes. 



Having regard to the distance of the American ports, the difference 

 in the rates of freight, and the fact that in the lumber trade with the 

 north of Europe steamers are becoming increasingly employed, it is 

 difficult to suggest any means of stimulating the development of 

 imports from the United States. It is purely a question of competition 

 which can only be determined by the prices which may rule for the 

 time being. As before mentioned, there will in all probability be a 

 demand and preference for the fancy woods from the United States. 



EXTENSION OF LUMBER TEADE. 



The two great staple trades of Hull are the seed-crushing and timber 

 trades, and the port has hitherto enjoyed preeminence in both, so far 

 as the northeast coast of England is concerned. Hartlepool has for 

 some years been a keen rival, and Hull merchants have been much 

 aggrieved by the preferential charges of the Northeastern Eailway 

 Company in favor of Hartlepool. This company, however, has acquired 

 by purchase the docks owned by the Hull Dock Company, so that the 



