Vol. VIII. No. 87. 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
[March, 1902.] 79 
TRANSPORT AND FREIGHTS. 
The Freight Market.— Outward rates are weaker, with 
the exception of Mediterranean Ports, which, owing to a combi- 
nation of circumstances, have improved 3d, to 6d. Last Welsh 
fixtures have been on basis of 5s. pd., Genoa ; 4s. 6d., Malta; 
6s. 6d., Adriatic; 5s. 9d., Constantinople; 5s. 6d., Port Said ; 
95, 6d., Montevideo; 9s. 3d., Colombo; 15s. 6d., Mauritius; 
16s. 6d., South Africa. American markets continue weak in all 
directions. Australia quiet. Recent fixtures have been on 
basis of 60s. hay to South Africa ; 6s. to 6s. 6d. time charter 
foreign trades; 7s,, Colonial register. Newcastle paid 9s. 
Singapore. Black Sea dull. Odessa rate has fallen to 8s. 
berth, 9s. 6d. charter. Eastern markets have been well 
maintained all round, and Rangoon has improved 2s. 6d., last 
fixtures having been on basis of 23s. 9d. Mediterranean 
markets continue in a state of stagnation. River Plate 
weaker. San Lorenzo down to 16s. 6d. — We duel, Turner 
& Co., London, 25th February, 1902. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Dover. — The new Prince of Wales Pier at Dover, which has 
cost over hal f-a -million sterling, was completed last month after 
having been nine years in construction. The pier forms the new 
commercial harbour, which encloses an area of seventy-five 
acres. 
COLONIES. 
Bermuda. — New Floating Dock. — On the 6th February 
last, C. S. Swan & Hunter, Limited, of Wallsend-on-Tyne, 
launched a large floating-dock, which has been built to the order 
of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to be placed in 
the Government Dockyard at Bermuda, where it will replace the 
old floating-dock that has been there since 1869, and which 
has now become obsolete. The present dock is 545 feet long, 
and, having no gates, the length of ship it can take is not 
restricted ; its clear width of entrance between rubbing fenders 
is 100 feet. Us lifting power up to the pontoon deck level is 
15,500 tons, but by utilizing the shallow pound this can be 
increased to 17,500 tons, and the walls are of sufficient height to 
allow of a vessel drawing 32 feet to be taken on 3 ft. 6 ins. 
keel-blocks. The present dock is of the type known as a floating 
graving-dock, the invention of Messrs. Clark & Standfield, from 
whose plans it was built. The dock will have to lift the liue- 
of-battle ships of 15,000 tons displacement with a length of 
bearing keel of 343 feet, but in addition it lias to deal with 
cruisers of the Terrible class of about the same displacement, 
but with 383 feet of bearing keel, and lastly auxiliary cruisers 
like the Campania , Weighing some 17,000 tons, with a bearing 
length of keel of 502 feet. 
Canada. — Steamship Line to South Africa. — A Reuter 
telegram, dated Ottawa, February 13, states that the Dominion 
Parliament was opened on that day by Lord Minto, Governor- 
General. In his speech from the throne His Excellency said : 
I have pleasure in informing you that the Governments of 
Australia and New Zealand have accepted the invitation of my 
Government to attend the conference in London in June for the 
consideration of trade, transportation, cable, and other matters 
of intercolonial concern, and it is hoped that the meeting will 
lead to the extension of Canadian trade with those important 
portions of His Majesty's dominions. I have further to advise 
you that the Government, having caused an enquiry to be made, 
has reached the conclusion that the establishment of a direct 
steamship line with South Africa will enable Canada to secure in 
that country a profitable market for her varied products, and that 
it will endeavour to arrange such a service. — During next season 
the Canadian Forwarding and Export Company intends to run 
a regular fortnightly service of steamers between Rotterdam and 
Montreal, to commence in the middle of April. 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
Brazil. — Rio Janeiro Harbour Improvements. — The 
Brazilian Government issued a decree on the 6th November 
sanctioning the formation of the ‘‘Companhia Docas do Rio 
de Janeiro,” and some particulars on the subject are furnished 
to the Hamburgische Borsenhalle by its correspondent at Sao 
Paulo. This Company, it appears, has been created by the 
fusion of two companies each of which had obtained the 
privilege of constructing and working quays in the harbour of 
Rio de Janeiro, namely, the Empreza Industrial de Melhora- 
mentos do Brazil, and the Rio de Janeiro Harbour and Docks 
Company. Hitherto these two companies have been bitterly 
antagonistic, to the prejudice of the work they were supposed 
to forward, and the fusion now effected is expected to result in 
a great impetus to the carrying out of the quay improvements 
as planned. It is estimated that a capital amounting to 
150,000 contos of reis will be required for executing the works, 
the undertaking being therefore a gigantic one. The privileges 
granted to the new concern are somewhat greater than those 
accorded to the Santos Quays Company. The tariff at Santos 
will be taken as the basis of that of the Rio Quays Company as 
regards the dues to be levied for the mooring, discharging, and 
loading of vessels, and the storing of merchandise in the 
warehouses, but in addition to these charges the privilege of 
levying a tax not exceeding 2 per cent, of the value of goods 
imported into Rio for the period of forty years, dating from 
the 1st January, 1902, is granted to the Rio Company, as an 
equivalent of 6 per cent, interest on the capital invested, and 
for maintenance and general expenses. A sinking fund has 
also to be provided on the basis of a redemption within the 
period of sixty-nine years. The hope is indulged in that the 
projected new quays may be completed within ten years from 
the present time, and then it is estimated that the profits 
realised will render it possible to pay interest at the rate of 
8 per cent, on the capital of the Company. Besides the 
ordinary income from shipping operations, large profits are 
expected to be made from the sale of valuable building plots, 
formed by the draining and filling in of ground contiguous to 
the quays. It is quite possible, in the present condition of 
Brazilian finance, that some of the capital may be sought for on 
this side of the Atlantic. — Fairplay. 
Madagascar.— Tugs at Tamatave, — The Consul- 
General for France is informed by the French Ministry ol 
Commerce, that the Soctefo du Wharf de Tamatave, Mada- 
gascar, has now, for the service of that port, two tugs — the 
Alsace of 100 horse-power, and Lorraine of 50 horse-power. 
In signalling for a tug the pilot flag should be hoisted under 
the national one. The above information is of the highest 
interest, as it appears that a recent wreck might have been 
avoided if the captain had been acquainted with the signal. 
New York and the Levant. — The new direct steamship 
line between New York and the Levant, established jointly by 
the Hamburg-American Company and the German Levant 
Line, is already in operation. The first boat (the Levant 
steamer Seriphos) left New York with a full cargo on the 7th 
ult. , and the next to follow will be the Hamburg-American 
Line boat Sicilia. The ports to be included in this direct 
homeward service are Malta, Alexandria, the Piraeus, Smyrna, 
Constantinople, Novorossisk, and Odessa. The first voyage 
from the Levant to America is announced for the 20th March, 
starting from Odessa, and the boat will call at Constantinople, 
the Piraeus, Patras, Malta, and Algiers — Beyrout and Alexandria 
will be included later on. 
Russia. — A New Railway from St. Petersburg to 
Odessa. — The Odessa correspondent of the Times writes 
under date February 4 : — The question of establishing a new 
line of railway joining St. Petersburg and Odessa and coinciding 
as nearly as practicable with the 30th parallel of longitude E. 
has occupied the attention of the Russian Minister of Ways 
and Communications, Prince Khilkoff, for many ) r ears past. 
According to the latest advices, there seems good ground for 
concluding that the decision of the Russian authorities will 
shortly be given in favour of the construction of this railway, 
which will be known as the St. Petersburg- Kieff-Odessa Southern 
Trunk Line. The new line will not only effect a very consider- 
able saving in the journey between the northern and southern 
capitals of the empire, but will open up many vast and wealthy 
grain and mineral areas at present either served inefficiently by 
the existing railways or not served at all. Both from the 
commercial and the strategical point of view such a trunk line 
of minimum length will possess advantages for Russia difficult 
to over-estimate. 

OFFICIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Bournemouth.. — T enders are invited, until the 8th inst. , 
for Traction and Arc Lighting Switchboards. Partic- 
ulars (£3. 3s. ) may be obtained from F. W. Lacey, borough 
engineer, Municipal Offices, Bournemouth. 
Colchester. — Tenders are invited, until the 6th inst., for 
the Supply and Delivery for twelve months of York curbing, 
granite cubes, broken granite, broken Kentish ragstone, Kentish 
sifted red flints, Portland cement, glazed stoneware sewer pipes, 
from 24 in. to 4 in., with junctions, bends, traps, taper pipes, 
and gullies. Particulars may be obtained from Herbert Goodyear, 
borough engineer and surveyor, Colchester. — Tenders are also 
invited until the 6th inst., for the Supply of about 450 tons of 
the best hand-picked Buxton or Derbyshire stone Lime, to be 
delivered at the rate of about 9 tons per week. Particulars as 
above. 
Ilkeston. — Tenders are invited, until the 27th inst., for 
the Construction of a Pumping Station. Particulars 
(£10, 10s.) may be obtained from Messrs. G. andF. W. Hodson, 
Loughborough. 
London.— The London County Council invite Tenders, 
until the nth inst., for the Supply, Delivery, and Erection 
of a To-ton OVERHEAD Traveller. Particulars (£1} may be 
obtained from the Engineer's Department, County-hall, Spring- 
gardens, S.W. 
Oban. — Tenders are invited, until the 7th inst., for the 
Supply and Erection of (4) steam, exhaust, drain, and other 
pipes, pumps, condensing plant, etc. ; (5) balancing transformers 
and motor generators ; (6) storage batteries ; (7) switchboard ; 
(8) arc lamps, incandescent lamps and fittings ; (9) cable work ; 
( r 1 ) travelling crane. Particulars (£2) may be obtained from 
Burstall and Monkhouse, 14, Ok! Queen street, Westminster. 
, Swansea. — Tenders are invited, until the 8th inst., for 
the Supply, Delivery, and Erection of two 600-k.w. 
continuous-current Steam Dynamos, together with condensing 
plant, steam and exhaust pipes, and valves. Particulars 
(£3- 3 s -) may be obtained from Mr. C. A. L. Prasmann, 
Electricity Works, Swansea. 
Tynemouth. — Tenders are invited, until the 18th inst., 
for the Construction of a Gravitation Main, consisting 
of 12^ miles of iS-in. east-iron pipes from Stannington to 
Tynemouth. Particulars (£5) may be obtained from Mr. James 
Mansergh, 5, Victoria-street, Westminster. 
COLONIES. 
New South Wales. — The Government of New South 
Wales are prepared to grant a concession of a 99 years' 
lease of a suitable floating-dock site at the port' of Newcastle, 
N.S.W. , to any responsible owner or company undertaking to 
build, equip, and maintain a floating-dock suitable for accommo- 
dating vessels up to 5,000 gross tonnage. Tenders to be 
addressed to the Under- Secretary for Public Works, Sydney, 
and to be delivered in Sydney up to the 7th April, 1902. Par- 
ticulars may be obtained at the office of the Agent-General for 
New South Wales, 9, Victoria-street, Westminster, London, 
S.W. 
Queensland.— The Municipality of Rockhampton invite 
'Fenders, until the 31st inst., for the Construction of an 
Electric Tramway System complete. Particulars may be 
obtained from Mr. H. E. Bellamy, the city engineer. 
South Australia. — Tenders will be received at the Supply 
and Tender Board Office, Adelaide, up till the 16th April, for 
the Supply of the following Materials, delivered in bond, on 
wharf, Port Adelaide, wharfage to be paid by the contractor : — 
12 mild steel boiler plates. 
17 mild steel smokebox tube plates for flanging (five draw- 
ings, is. each). 
4 mild steel firebox back casing plates for flanging (two 
drawings, is. each). 
8 mild steel firebox throat plates for flanging. 
17 copper tube plates for flanging (four drawings, is. each). 
4 copper wrapping plates. 
329 engine and tender tyres (ten drawings, is. each). 
500 carriage and wagon tyres (one drawing, is.). 
24 metal water-closet pans (one drawing, is, 6d.), 
24 metal folding lavatories (one drawing, 2s.). 
2 No. 6 Stow flexible shafts. 
1,000 indiarubber draw springs (one drawing, is.). 
50 indiarubber hose pipes (one drawing, is. ). 
12 bars channel steel (one drawing, is.). 
20 bars Yorkshire angle iron (two drawings, is. each), 
156 firebricks for gas furnaces. 
760 bronze flexible unscrewed firebox stays. 
32 bars of stay bolt metal. 
500 indiarubber washers for hose pipe couplings. 
750 compound indiarubber washers. 
1 ton “ Damascus” metal. 
4 cone bearing inspectors or journal jacks. 
2 circular best Yorkshire iron plates. 
4 ball-bearing car jacks. 
200 plain indiarubber washers. 
2 best steel crank axles (one drawing, 5s.). 
Particulars may be obtained at the above office, and the office 
of the chief mechanical engineer, Islington, Adelaide, and 
also at the office of the Agent-General for South Australia, in 
London, 1, Crosby-square, E.C. 
INDIA. 
Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway. — Tenders 
are invited, until the 5th inst., for the Supply of the following 
Stores : — {«) Fish bolts, spikes, spring steel, rails ; ( c ) cross- 
ings. Particulars (a, 21s. each ; r, 5s. each) may be obtained 
at the offices, Gloucester-house, Bishopsgate-street-w i thout , 
E.C. 
Calcutta. — The Commissioners of the Corporation Water- 
works invite Tenders, until the 23rd April, for io.ooo Stop- 
cocks, as follows: — 1,428 inch, 2,856 three-quarter inch, 5,716 
half-inch; delivered c.f.i. Calcutta. The stopcocks are to be a 
strong pattern, gun-metal, with loose valve, square head on 
spindle, and a false spindle not less than ^ in. square on all 
sides. Stops to have male ends screwed for iron pipe. Tenders 
to be addressed to the vice-chairman, at the Municipal Office, 
Calcutta. 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
Argentine Republic.— Tenders will shortly be called for 
by the Argentine Government for the Extension of the Buenos 
Ayres Docks. Particulars respecting the conditions of tender 
may be seen at the Commercial Department of the Foreign 
Office. 
Belgium. — Tenders are invited, until the 26th inst., by 
the National Company of Local Railways, at No. 14, Rue de 
la Science, Brussels, for the Construction of the Section of 
the Line from Moustier to Bouvignies on the Railway from 
Tournai to Ath. The upset price of the work is i9o,894’96 
francs (,£7,635. t6s.), and a deposit of 19,000 francs (£760) is 
required. Particulars (lod. ) may be obtained at the company's 
offices, and at the office of M. Dolmans, No, 104, Avenue de 
Maire, Tournai. 
China (Shanghai). — The ratepayers of the international 
settlements at Shanghai have voted in favour of establishing a 
System of Tramways in that city, and the Council has 
invited Tenders, until the 7th inst., for the Construction 
and Operation of such a system. 
Cuba, — Tenders are invited by the United States Govern- 
ment for the Construction of a Pier, Freight House, etc., 
at Matanzas, to cost about $200,000. Particulars may be 
obtained of the United States engineer at Matanzas. Contract 
closes March 8. 
Egypt.— The Administration of the Egyptian State Rail- 
ways invites Tenders up to the i6th inst. for the Supply of 
360.000 Pine Sleepers, in lots of 20,000 each. Particulars 
{ as. ) may be obtained from Lieut. -Colonel 1. H. Western, 
k.e., C.M.G., Broad way-chambers, Westminster. — Tenders 
are also invited by the Egyptian State Railways Department, 
up to the 16th inst., for the Supply of Carriage Trimmings. 
Particulars (2s.) may be obtained at the offices of the inspecting 
engineer, Lieut. -Colonel 1. LI. Western, k.e., c. m.g., Broadway- 
chambers, Westminster, S.W. 
Russia.— Prizes of 5,000 roubles, 3,000 roubles, and 1,000 
roubles are offered for the best Automatic Coupling 
Apparatus for railway cars. Foreigners, as well as Russian;, 
may take part in the competition, The final date for the 
presentation of plans is fixed for the 15th April, 1903. They 
should be addressed to the Congress of the Representatives of 
Russian Railways, St. Petersburg, Nevsky 30. 
Siam. — Tenders are invited by the Siamese Government, 
to be received not later than April 1, for the supply of Rolling 
Stock for the Siamese State Railways. Particulars at the 
Commercial Department, Foreign Office. 
Spain. — The Port Works Committee at Barcelona invite 
Tenders, until the 10th inst., for the Supply of a Steam Tug. 
A provisional deposit of 2,000 pesetas (£77) is required to 
qualify any tender.— The Ministry of Marine, Madrid, require 
a Supply of Gunpowder and Mauser Cartridges for the 
fleet for two years. No date for closing contract is stated. — 
Tenders are invited, until the 7th inst., for the Installation 
and WORKING for 15 years of Electric Light in the “ Carcel 
Modelo,” Madrid, no result having apparently followed the 
previous call. The upset price is 40,000 pesetas (about £1,173) 
per annum, payable in monthly instalments. A deposit of 
2.000 pesetas (£59) is required to qualify any tender. Partic- 
ulars are given in the Gaceta de Madrid. — TENDERS are 
invited, until the 15th inst., for the SUPPLY of Coal and Iron 
to the committee of the “ Maestranza de Artilleria” of Sevilla 
during the fiscal year 1902, as follows : — 1,500 metric quintals ot 
foundry coal at the upset price of 4^95 pesetas per metric 
quintal, 3,000 metric quintals of machine coal at the upset 
price of 5 pesetas per metric quintal, 9,000 kilogs. of angle-iron, 
T’s, double T’s, rails, etc., at the upset price of 50 cents per 
kilog., 3,500 kilogs. of iron plates at 60 cents per kilog., and 
60.000 kilogs. of bolt, bar, and plate-iron at 45 cents per kilog. 
Particulars may be seen at the Maestranza. • — Tenders are 
invited, until the 14th inst., for the Supply of Plumbago 
Crucibles to the Spanish Mint during the years 1902, 1903 
and 1904. The sizes and quantities (expected) required are as 
follows : — 4,000 crucibles No. 6o, 3,600 crucibles No. 50, 600 
crucibles No. 35, 2,100 lids No. 60, 1,800 lids No. 50, 300 lids 
No. 35. Particulars may be obtained in the office of the Fabrica 
Nacional de la Moneda y Timbre , Madrid. 
+- 
commercial law intelligence. 
Shipowners’ Lien for Freight,— In the King’s Bench 
Division on the 10th ult., Messrs. Tag ART, Beaton and 
Co. sued Messrs. FISHER, of Barrow, for £i,ooo. Plaintiffs 
were agents for the sale of timber shipped by Messrs. Baars, 
Dumvody and Co., who, on the 29th May last, sent plaintiffs 
bills of lading for a quantity of timber valued at £3,867, shipped 
in the Askekall (s.), the freight being payable by the consignees. 
The bills of lading stated that £3,750 had been advanced against 
the freight at the port of shipment, so that the value of the 
goods with the paid freight amounted to £7,617. Against this 
sum Messrs. Baars had drawn on plaintiffs for £6,ooo, plaintiffs 
to sell the goods in the ordinary way. At the same time a 
freight note for £1,000 signed by the captain and dated 27th 
May was also sent, which stated “ Five days after arrival at port 
of destination of the Askekall, of which 1 am master, I promise 
to pay to the order of myself £1,000 value received for account 
of freight on cargo nowon board my said vessel, payable under 
terms of charter dated 15th May, 1901. And for the payment 
of this note I pledge my said freight, and the consignees of iny 
cargo and my agents are hereby directed to pay the amount of 
this obligation from the first amounts due for freight. ” This note 
was endorsed “ pay Tagart, Beaton & Co., or order.” On the 
9th July, plaintiffs sold the timber and the vessel was ordered to 
Barrow. The duty of superintending the delivery of the cargo, 
and collecting as much freight as remained payable in England, 
was placed in defendants’ hands. They knew that they had to 
collect £1,635, which £1,000 was to be used in redeeming the 
captain's note, and the balance was to be accounted for to 
Messrs. Baars's agent. On the 15th July, plaintiffs gave defend- 
ants notice that they were the holders of the note, which notice 
was acknowledged by defendants on the 16th July. On the 
19th July the Askekall arrived at Barrow, and the discharge 
began on the 20th. On the 26th July the note was pre- 
sented, but defendants not having collected any freight re- 
fused payment. On the 3rd August, defendants had ample 
funds in hand to pay the note, but in the meantime (on the 1st 
August), the owners of the vessel, the West Hartlepool Steam 
Navigation Company, had telegraphed defendants not to pay 
