Vol. VIII, No. 94. 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
[October, 1902.] 
2 75 
Bermuda. — Tariff Amendments. — The Board of Trade 
have received through the Colonial Office, a copy of the Supply 
and Appropriation Act, 1902-3 (No. 7 of 1902), which provides 
for imposition of duties on goods imported into Bermuda 
during the year ended 30th June, 1903. 
The alterations in the tariff provided for by the above Act 
are the reduction of the duty on bicycles (with wheels of not less 
than 18 ins. in diameter) from 10s. to 5s. each, and the inclusion 
in the free list of articles imported for the use of the Imperial 
Government, the Governor, Naval Cornmander-in-Chief, and 
officers in H.M. Service, and also prizes imported for competition 
at the annual Army and Navy Rifle Meeting. 
The import duties on all other articles remain as before. 
Malta. — Allowance to be made for Waste on Beer 
Imported. — Proclamation No. XX., dated 28th October, 1901, 
states that, whereas it has been the custom in Malta, in 
order not to submit importers of beer to the loss connected with 
the gauging thereof, and at the same time not to charge duty 
except on the quantity of liquid contained in each cask, after 
making a just allowance for deficiency, to allow seven and-a-half 
gallons in every 36 gallons of beer for deficiency in calculating the 
duty payable thereon. The Proclamation further recites that His 
Excellency the Governor considers that the ancient custom of 
making an allowance for the deficiency, irrespective of waste, in 
calculating the duty on beer, should continue, but that the per- 
centage of such deficiency, including waste, should be reduced 
from seven and-a-half gallons to four gallons on every 
36 gallons. 
It is ordered, therefore, that the Collector of Customs shall 
levy the duty on every hogshead, English barrel, kilderkin, or 
firkin, as if the hogshead contained 48 gallons, the English 
barrel contained 32 gallons, the kilderkin contained 16 gallons, 
and the firkin contained eight gallons, unless the importer 
prefers to have the actual quantity of beer gauged, in which 
case the beer shall be gauged and duty charged on the actual 
quantity imported, and an allowance shall be made only for 
waste liquid at the rate of 5 per cent. 
Newfoundland. — Import Duties on Foreign-built 
Vessels and Rough Undressed Leather, and Draw- 
back on Biscuit Imported.— The Board of Trade have 
received copies of the undermentioned Acts respecting import 
duties levied in the Colony of Newfoundland : — 
Act XIII. of 1902, under which a duty of 5 per cent. 
ad val. is levied on the fair market value of the hulls, rigging, 
boilers, steam engines, and other machinery, and all appurten- 
ances of ships and other vessels built in any foreign country, 
whether steam or sailing vessels, on application for registry in 
Newfoundland. It is provided that this shall not apply to ships 
and other vessels built in any foreign country which shall be 
continuously employed in connection with the trade or fisheries 
of the colony. 
Act XXYI. of 1902 alters the duty on rough, undressed 
leather, when imported by tanners for further dressing, from 
10 per cent, ad val. to 3 cents per lb. 
The Act also amends Section 8 of the Revenue Act, 1901, 
by substituting the word ten in lieu of the word one hundred in 
the last line of the Section. It is provided by the above- 
mentioned Section that a drawback of 17 cents per cwt. be 
allowed on the exportation of biscuit -which has been manu- 
factured in the colony from duty-paid imported flour. The 
drawback is now allowed when not less than ten bags are 
exported at any one time, instead of only when not less than 
100 bags are exported at any one time, as previously provided 
by the section. 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
France, — Imports of Coffee and Bananas from 
French Guinea. — A French Customs Circular of the 25th 
July last notifies that the quantities of coffee and bananas which 
may be imported into France from French Guinea under the 
conditions of Art. 3 of the Law of January n, 1892, between 
the 1st July, 1902, and the 30th June 1903, have been fixed as 
follows : — 
Coffee 25,000 kilogs. 
Bananas ..... 250,000 ,, 
In virtue of Art. 3 of the law referred to above, it is pro- 
vided that certain quantities, to be fixed annually, of bananas 
may be imported into France from French Guinea duty free, 
and that certain quantities of coffee may be similarly imported 
with a rebate of 78 francs per 100 kilogs. from the minimum 
tariff rate. 
Pepper from French Indo-China. — It is provided by a 
French Law of the 12th July last, that the quantity of pepper 
which may be imported into France from French Indo-China at 
half-rates of import duty is to be fixed annually by Presidential 
Decree. 
A recent French Customs Circular contains the text of a 
Decree, dated 4th August, issued under the above Law, fixing 
the quantity of pepper which may be imported during 1902, at 
the reduced rate, as follows : — 
From Cochin China . , . 1,000 tons. 
,, Cambodia .... 2,100 ,, 
These figures do not include stocks warehoused and ad- 
mitted to privileged conditions on the 31st March last. 
France (New Caledonia.)— Agricultural Implements 
Exempt from Duty. — According to a recent French Customs 
Circular, the following agricultural machines and implements 
are, in accordance with a Presidential Decree of the 12th July 
last, exempt from duty on importation into New Caledonia: — 
Hoes of all kinds, horse shovels, horse scrapers, rakes, in- 
cubators, churns, milk-skimmers, milk-sterilisers, machines for 
working up butter, cheese machines and presses, milk-curdling 
machines, forage presses, crushers, sifters, straw elevators, 
winnowers, oilcake-crushers, root-cutters, manure distributors, 
twig-cutters, turnip-cutters, maize-cutters. 
Italy. — “ Temporary Admission" of Certain Ar- 
ticles. — The Italian Bollettino Ufficiale del Ministero 
d' Agricoltura Industria e Commercio, for the 30th August, con- 
tains the text of a Royal Decree, dated the 3rd July, 1902, 
extending “temporary admission" conditions to galvanized 
iron rods intended for the manufacture of insulated electric 
cells, and to tin plates intended for the manufacture of boxes, 
chests, etc., for export. 
A copy of the Decree and of the Regulations under which 
temporary admission is accorded may be seen on application at 
the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, 
50, Parliament-street, S, W. , any day between the hours of 
10 a.rn. and 5 p.m. 
Mexico.— Regulations for Allowance ok Draw- 
back on Cotton Goods. — The Board of Trade are in receipt 
of a copy of the Mexican Diario Oftcial for the 4th August, 
which contains the text of the Regulations, issued under a Law 
of the 6th June last, according an allowance of drawback on 
the exportation from Mexico of textiles of domestic manu- 
facture. 
A copy of the Diario containing the Regulations in ques- 
tion may be seen on application at the Commercial Intelligence 
Branch of the Board of Trade. 
Netherlands. — Exemption from Duty of Vinegar 
and Acetic Acid for Certain Purposes.— The Board of 
Trade are in receipt of a translation of a Dutch Royal Decree 
dated the 6th Aug,, granting freedom from taxation for vinegar 
and acetic acid for use in the preparation of wires for electric 
glow-lamps. 
Russia. — Temporary Free Importation of Appli- 
ances for Destroying Insects, etc., injurious to 
Agriculture. — The Board of Trade are in receipt of the 
following list of implements and appliances necessary for the 
destruction of insects, etc., injurious to agriculture, which may 
be imported into Russia free of duty up to the i8th/3ist 
December, 1903. The free importation of these articles will be 
allowed on the presentation to the Customs Authorities, in each 
separate case, of a certificate from the Department of Agricul- 
ture to the effect that they are destined for the above-mentioned 
purpose : — 
1. Implements of various systems for spraying plants and 
trees with liquid remedies against destructive insects, etc. : — 
(a) Ordinary implements for spraying (without spray- 
nozzles, sprayers, and squirts). 
(b) Spray pumps, hand knapsack and horse, “ Vermorel’s," 
“ Platt’s," and other systems. 
2. Implements of all systems for sprinkling the soil with 
liquid remedies, *' Vermorel's," “ Shandon's,” and other 
injectors. 
3. Implements of various systems for covering plants and 
trees with powder remedies : — 
( a ) Bellows, ordinary and double action. 
(b) Powder distributors, “Torpili," “Vermorel's," “Platt’s," 
and others. 
4. Boilers of various systems for destroying insects, etc., by 
means of boiling water. 
5. Implements and appliances for coating plants, trees, etc. , 
with liquid remedies. 
6. Spare parts and appurtenances for the above-named 
implements (sections 1 to 5). 
7. Metallic gloves. 
8. Lamps and torches for destroying insects, etc., by means 
of the flame. 
9. Lamps and lanterns for catching destructive moths by 
means of the light. 
10. Traps, etc., for catching destructive animals and birds. 
11. Nets, bag-shaped and others, for catching insects. 
12. Artificial nests for insectivorous birds. 
13. Bags for the preservation of bunches of vines from 
destructive insects, etc. 
Temporary Increase of Import Duty on Tea im- 
ported by Land.- — The Board of Trade are also in receipt of 
a translation (in French) of an Imperial Ukaz published in the 
Russian Official Messenger of the 19th Aug., by which the import 
duty on tea (black, flower, green, and yellow) imported by the 
territories of Semiretchensk, the Steppes, Irkutsk, and the 
Amur is temporarily raised by 3 roubles per poud, i.e. , to 
25 roubles 50 copecks per poud.* 
*Note.— Poud = 36 lb. avoir. Rouble (too copecks) = 
2s. ijd. 
List of Duty-free Appliances for Destroying 
VERMIN. — With reference to the temporary free importation of 
appliances for destroying vermin, the Board of Trade are in 
receipt of a list of these exempted appliances. The list (in the 
original Russian) maybe seen on application at the Commercial 
Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade. 
Russia (Finland.) — Tar iff Alterations. — The Board of 
Trade have received information to the effect that the Board of 
Customs for Finland have decreed the following alterations in 
the Finnish Customs Tariff : — 
Fire-extinguishing apparatus , consisting of a thin brass 
socket containing chloride of ammonium and alum, is to be 
dutiable at the rate of 14 mks. 70 p. per 100 kilogs. (6s. per 
cwt. ). 
Furniture springs , consisting of cut hardened and coated 
wires provided with iron hooks- for fastening them, are to be 
dutiable at the rate of 20 mks. 60 p. per 100 kilogs. (8s. 4id. 
per cwt. ). 
United States of America. — Customs DecisiOxNs. — The 
following is the substance of some Decisions affecting the Customs 
Tariff of the United States, which have recently been issued by 
the Treasury Department at Washington for the guidance of 
United States Customs Officers and others : — 
Spun silk on cops is dutiable according to value and weight 
under para. 385 of the Tariff, I11 determining the value per 
pound of such merchandise, the value of each cep of silk 
( including the value of the cop itself) is to be divided by the 
weight of the silk alone without the cop. 
Holy water from Lourdes is uot a mineral water within the 
meaning of the Tariff Act, but is free of duty under para. 614 of 
the Tariff as a crude mineral not specially provided for. 
Free Entry of Re-imported Foreign Goods. — Ac- 
cording to a recent Circular of the United States Treasury 
Department, articles of foreign origin or manufacture upon 
which duty has been paid upon their first importation into the 
United States may, under certain conditions, be exported there- 
from, and thereafter be re-imported free of duty, if not advanced 
in value or improved in condition abroad. Each article should 
be presented for registration before it is exported, and satisfactory 
evidence furnished that the duty was properly paid on the first 
importation. A certificate will thereupon be issued to the owner 
entitling an article to free re-importation. 
TRANSPORT AND FREIGHTS. 
The Freight Market.— Outward rates have declined in 
most directions and recent fixtures have been on the basis of 
Alexandria, 5s. 3d.; Port Said, 5s.; Venice, 5s. 6d.; Las 
Palmas, 5s. gel. ; Plate, 10s. 6d. to ns. ; Rio, us. 9d. ; 
Colombo, 13s. gd. to 14s.; South Africa, 17s. American 
markets are weak, owing to the large amount of tonnage 
available. Australia.— Chartering business is practically at a 
standstill. Wool rates down to a farthing, with no demand for 
tonnage. Some good rains have fallen recently which make 
the prospects more hopeful. Black Sea market is dull, and 
recent berth fixtures have been on the basis of 10s. 6d. to ns., 
Nicolaief and Odessa. Eastern markets weak, with the exception 
of Calcutta, which has taken several boats at 19s. 6d. to 20s. for 
Jute. River Plate market steady at about 17s. to 17s. 6d., 
San Lorenzo limit. — Weddel, Turner it Co., Septem- 
ber 27th, 1902. 
COLONIES. 
Canada.— Navigation of the St. Lawrence.— Messrs. 
Elder, Dempster and Co., in a letter to the Times, dated 
September 4, state that, with a view to improving the aids for 
navigation in the St. Lawrence, they sought an interview with 
Sir William Mulock, and he advised them to write to the Hon. 
J. Sutherland, Dominion Minister of Marine. The following is 
a copy of the letter which was sent through Sir A. L. Jones, 
and also a list of the most desirable improvements : — 
“ While your colleagues are across here we thought it was 
a good opportunity to take up the question as to the possibility 
of improvements to the river St, Lawrence, with a view to the 
benefit of the public and ourselves, as we are large underwriters 
on our ships and cargo. We have had an interview with Sir 
William Mulock, and he informed us that we had better put all 
the documents before you. I therefore beg to hand you copies 
of letters from our lighthouse department in Liverpool, together 
with charts and suggestions by some of our captains. We think, 
ourselves, the suggestions made are all in the right direction, 
but if you will wire to our Montreal house they will send you a 
couple of our most experienced captains to confer w-ith you as 
to the possibility of making improvements all round. We feel 
sure that all the Ministers are equally as anxious as ourselves to 
make the St. Lawrence route as popular as any other to the 
mainland. At present we are handicapped ; the underwriters 
say we are in more risky navigation than the northern ports of 
the United States; but it is a fact, nevertheless, that we have 
completed during the last three years eighty voyages from 
Canada without a mishap. We are, therefore, indignant that 
our ships should be charged such high rates compared with 
those of steamship lines to American ports. It depends upon 
ourselves to convince the underwriters that they are wrong. It 
will do no harm in trying to accomplish this to recognise in any 
way the deficiencies that may exist in such things as fog signals, 
buoys, etc. Then, can the draught of water be made a little 
deeper and the turnings less difficult? If there is anything we 
can do on this side— we are so interested — we beg of you to 
command our assistance.” 
Some of Messrs. Elder, Dempster & Co.’s captains suggest 
the following improvements in the St. Lawrence, some of the 
captains having been in the St. Lawrence service for over twenty 
years : Rich Point. — Should have a fog signal and the light 
improved. Flower Ledges, —Should have a powerful fog-horn. 
Heath Point. — Interval, at present fifteen minutes, should not 
be greater than every two minutes (fog signal). Some captains 
suggest a lightship. South Point.- — Fog signal, at present a 
whistle, should be something more powerful. Fame Point. 
Should have a powerful fog signal. Father Point. — Fog signal 
requires improving. Cock Point. — Should have a gas and bell 
buoy. Cape Norman. — Fog signal at present not nearly 
powerful enough. Bird Rock. — Fog signals, at present every 
fifteen minutes, should be less. Sambro Fog Signal. — Should 
be improved, and the interval between the sounding of it should 
be lessened. Cape Ray. — Whistle not nearly powerful enough. 
Halifax Harbour Buoys. — Not nearly large enough ; want con- 
siderably improving. Cape Whittle. — Should have a light. 
St. Peter's Bay. — Should have a light and foghorn. Little 
Macattine. — Should have a light and foghorn. Mantane, — 
Should have a fog signal. Little Metis. — Should have a fog 
signal. All the captains urge that there should be a chart of 
the Belle Isle Straits taking in sixty miles round Belle Isle. At 
present, when in the vicinity of Belle Isle, they have to consult 
three charts of a different scale. 
The Gold Coast Railway.— Mr. R. Knights, the chief of 
the Gold Coast Railway, left Liverpool for Sekondi early in 
September, taking with him several engineers and others for 
service in the construction of the line. Mr. Knights said the 
line had now been laid 48 miles beyond Tarkwa, and traffic 
could be taken to that point. This meant that 86 miles had 
been constructed from the coast port of Sekondi, A survey had 
been made for a branch line to Princissu, where several gold 
mines are being developed. This was an important deviation 
from the main line. Over 16,000 natives are now employed on 
the line. In the wet season as much as four miles of the line 
were being laid per month, while between six and seven miles 
per month were constructed in the dry season. The line up to 
Obonassi would be completed by the end of this year and to 
Kumasi by the end of next year. A number of carriages for 
passengers were already on the coast, and others would be 
going out in a few months' time. Mr. Knights considered that 
very good progress was being made with the line, which had 
now reached Dunkwa, and it was from this point that the 
survey of the branch line had been made. 
Singapore and Australia. — Probable Extension. — 
The mail service recently inaugurated by the Netherlands India 
Company between Singapore, the Dutch East Indies, and 
Australia, will probably be extended to Sydney in the near 
future. 
Transcontinental Railway in Australia.— A recent report 
of the United States Consul-General at Melbourne contains the 
announcement of a projected trans-continental railway in Aus- 
tralia. This has been made by means of a letter from 
Mr. J. J. Rendle, secretary of the North Australian League, 
Melbourne. It is proposed to build a railway from Adelaide, 
South Australia, to Port Darwin, North Australia. The special 
object for making the announcement in this way was the desire 
to call the attention of capitalists and plant builders in the 
United States to it. Some details of the scheme are given, of 
which the following outline is taken from the Consul-General’s 
report. The South Australian Government, Mr. Rendle says, 
will introduce a measure in Parliament at an early date, offering 
capitalists facilities to build this line. He encloses maps and 
circulars descriptive of the route. The circulars set forth the 
advantages possessed by Northern Australia for stock raising. 
The drought in South Australia and in the Hinterland of New 
South Wales and Queensland has directed attention to the need 
of pastoral railways to carry fodder and transport the stock to 
meat works or new' pastures. The Government of New South 
Wales, to assist pastoralists, has declared its intention of 
extending a line north-westerly from Bourke to the Queensland 
border, which will become a stage in the transcontinental line. 
It is the policy of the Queensland Government to bisect the 
great lateral trunk lines with a north and south line from the 
border to Camooweal, which will form another stage. The 
country offers no engineering obstacles. The length of the entire 
line from Adelaide to Port Darwin will be 1,896 miles, and the 
journey from London, vid the Siberian Railway to Port Arthur 
and thence by steamer to Port Darwin can be made, it is esti- 
mated, in 17 days. 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
Austrian-Lloyd African. Service. — It is believed that the 
Austrian Lloyd will carry out, at the beginning of October and 
the end of December, a second and third voyage to South-East 
Africa, as far as Durban. It will depend upon the result of 
these trial voyages to what extent a regular service with South 
Africa will be created from the beginning of next year. If 
necessity should arise a connection betw'een Aden and India 
would be made. 
Belgium.— Bruges as a Seaport, — The vast works 
having for their object the transformation of Bruges into a sea- 
port are now nearly completed. The interior port and the 
maritime canal are already finished, and there but remains the 
completion of the necessary sheds, railroad connection, and so 
forth. The portion of this vast undertaking which has been, and 
is, causing the most trouble is the building of the jetty. The 
task was greatly retarded by the hurricane in 1901, which put 
everything back a full year or more, but, even despite this, the 
jetty will be ready in 1903. Navigation will be opened in the 
port at once, and then the large coal-laden Rhine steamers 
will be able to pass up on their way to the huge new Zee Brugge 
Coke Factory, which begins working on the 1st of October, and 
will be able to turn out annually 200,000 tons of coke, most of 
which will be exported to Germany. It is believed that this 
