99 



1 



L. E. Asser, C.E., to Director of Public Gardens and Plantations. 



The Hague. Holland. 

 11th March, 1895. 



Dear Sir, 



I should now very much like to know if there will be a possibility 

 to bring out a company in Jamaica for starting a factory in one of the 

 districts. The afforded capital for the machinery buildings, etc , for 

 working 20,000 tons Bananas, would amount with working capital to 

 £25,0u0. We would agree to sell our patent to the company, 

 principally for a part in the benefit, and are also disposed to send out all 

 necessary machinery and to assist in the starting of the factory. Mr. 

 Hartogh would not object to establish himself some time in Jamaica 

 for this purpose. If now it is thought desirable that one of us or 

 perhaps both come to Jam iica to settle the affair we wait some proposi- 

 tion on this account. It might be desirable in this case if we were put 

 in connection with London friends of the Jamaica planters in question 

 before, in order to interest them also. If necessary for cabling the 

 ABC Code can be used and the address Asser, Hague, will suffice. 



Very truly yours, 

 L. E. Asser. 



SHIPPING FRUIT TO ENGLAND. 



When in Englan 1 I had interviews with Shipping Agents on the 

 question of shipping bananas and other fruits to England. I was 

 assured that there would be no difficulty in finding suitable steamers, if 

 planters in Jamaica would guarantee cargoes at certain intervals. 



The following letter has been received on the subject, and planters 

 will be able to judge for themselves whether shipping to England is 

 likely to pay. 



W. F. 



Messrs. Tatham, Bromage Co., to Director of Public Gardens and 



Plantations. 



St. Michael's Buildings, 



9 Gracechurch Street, London. 



26th March, 1895. 



Sir, 



Respecting the banana trade, the kind of ship to take would be the 

 s. s. " Buccaneer," about 950 tons gross register, with a speed of 10J to 

 11 knots. She ran in the banana trade to New York during 1893. She 

 is fitted with temporary tween decks, and is specially ventilated. 

 • Now, in consequence of the unprofitable nature of outward freights, 

 the only way to get a shipowner to do it, is to run in ballast from 

 Cardiff, taking on board coals for the entire voyage, of which she would 

 need approximately 500 — 600 tons, at a cost of about 10s. 6d. per ton 

 in Cardiff. She would occupy eighteen days on each passage, and would 

 take three days to be discharged in London, and four days to go to 

 Cardiff, and away from there. Her expenses here would be approxim- 



