278 [October, 1902.] 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL, 
Vol. VIII. No. 94- 
the fact of its being the centre or headquarters of military 
expenditure. It might also be due to other causes, but they all 
knew that importations through the various ports were upset at 
the present moment and it was impossible to judge what the 
after-war effect would be. 
The exports had been increased also during the year, but 
they were still considerably short, even exclusive of the gold 
exports, of what they were prior to the war. He was afraid 
that it was inevitable that after the war it would take a long 
time before the figures could reach the total at which they stood 
prior to the war. 
If they turned to railways, they would find that there was 
only one item which they were able to give. The general 
manager’s report had not yet been issued, and the figures given 
only dealt with the earnings for the past year. Taking all the 
systems, the total earnings were ^4. 8s. 4b. per cent., as against 
,£6. 5s. per cent, for the previous year. It was a tremendous 
drop. They could understand why the Midland system should 
be so low, because the Midland railway had been principally 
used for military traffic. But the total was certainly surprising. 
He had been informed, however, that this was partly due to the 
fact that the earnings had this year been reckoned on a new 
basis. In former years any amount spent on new rolling stock 
was added to capital account, without reference to stock which 
had worn out and had to be replaced. This year earnings were 
debited for stock which had to be replaced, which was distinctly 
an improvement and a correct method of working. Perhaps 
this might account for the big drop in the railway returns. 
Taking their local interests in railway affairs, they would 
find in the report full details of their troubles during the 
past year, for it had been nothing but a series of troubles. 
They knew that military requirements had a great deal to 
do with them, but they thought that many things might 
have been remedied which were not dependent upon the 
military. That there should have been a shortage of trucks 
for civil traffic was perhaps excusable, but that there should 
have been trucks available which had to be stopped when 
loaded for the want of tarpaulins was not a sign of military 
occupation, but a sign of railway mismanagement. That had 
been the case this week. They thought here that this was due 
to their traffic manager not being given sufficient power. They 
wanted to see less centralisation of power in Cape Town, and 
more power given to the traffic manager of the Midland line. 
Turning to Harbour Board affairs, the figures show that 
the tonnage dealt with during the year was something over one 
million. This was the biggest figure they had ever reached. 
The prosperity of the port depended more than anything else 
upon railway rates and railway routes. They had been 
endeavouring during the past two or three years to get into 
communication with other States to get some assistance in these 
matters, but the whole thing had been hung up. Recently, 
however, they had read in the Natal Parliament that it had been 
decided that there shall be a Railway Conference between 
representatives of all States to deal with railway rates, so that 
each State shall get a fair hearing and voice in the decision. 
Nothing better could be wanted. But they thought that in a 
matter of this sort there should be mercantile representatives at 
the conference, because it was a matter which affected the 
mercantile community very largely. They were pleased to hear 
that there was to be a railway conference, they knew there would 
also be a Customs conference, and these conferences would 
prepare the way for a federation of all South African States. 
He had said that railway rates were the principal thing, but 
before they could get goods on to the railway, they had to get 
them ashore by means of their harbour facilities. There was a 
diversity of opinion as to what the conditions would be after the 
war, but there was no diversity of opinion regarding the fact 
there would be a big tonnage to deal with. The Harbour Board 
Commissioners had partly dealt with the matter of increasing 
the facilities of this port, and the Government had been -very 
willing to help them. The Don Pedro Jetty was to be extended, 
and soundings were to be taken at the north end, and also, he 
thought, at Zwartkops mouth. So their harbour commissioners 
were alive to the necessity of dealing with these matters, but 
they wanted to see their jetties constructed and their facilities 
increased in such a way as would enable them to be most 
economically utilized. 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
Egypt. — The annual report for 1901 of the British Chamber 
of Commerce of Egypt states that the imports of piece-goods 
and yarns for 1901 show an increase in nearly all branches over 
those of the preceding year. The total of 28,780 packages — the 
largest quantity yet imported in twelve months — is divided into 
23,723 packages of piece-goods and 5,057 packages of yarns. 
Although Great Britain continues to send the bulk of the 
piece-goods in general, there is a remarkable advance in the 
imports of cotton flannelettes from the Continent. The returns 
would tend to show that British makers of this article cannot 
compete against their Continental rivals, as they have supplied 
only ^£13,828 worth against ^E73,3i2 worth from Italy, 
Austria, and Germany. 
The figures for yarns include 1,751 bales from Italy, con- 
sisting almost entirely of the grey and bleached sewings, 
attempts to introduce Italian single yarns not having met with 
much success so far. It also includes 184 bales single yarns 
from India. The importation of yarns from India is the chief 
feature of the year. There is some reason to suppose that these 
184 bales represent only the quantity arrived at Alexandria, in 
consequence of the Suez returns not being yet available. 
In spite of the large arrivals which make 1901 a record 
year, it is doubtful whether merchants or traders can regard it 
with the same satisfaction as they regarded its immediate pre- 
decessor. There is evidence that the large imports were in 
excess of the demand. The market became overstocked, and 
great eagerness to sell was displayed with the usual deplorable 
results. The year closed with somewhat heavy stocks, which 
may, or may not, leave a margin on the right side, and with the 
market in a condition which cannot be truthfully described as 
healthy. 
During the year the local mills have started work, and seem 
to find no difficulty in disposing of their produce. As this 
produce will have to be distributed in Egypt, it will naturally 
affect the imports from Manchester in proportion to its im- 
portance. 

» 
New Use for Tafia Fibre.— In the Journal Officiel, 
Tananarive, is an interesting reference to the new experiment of 
employing rafia fibre for the manufacture of cigarette paper. 
The Erench firm which has taken this initiative is that of 
Messrs. A. & P. Duplat freres, 17 rue des Bons-Enfants, 
Marseilles, and samples are now in the Commercial Museum at 
Tananarivo. The paper presents the qualities of decided 
suppleness and strength and, as the fibre from the start is taste- 
less, inodorous, and exceedingly clean, it certainly recommends 
.tself to the most fastidious. The attention of paper manu- 
facturers, always in search of new productions, might well be 
turned to the possibilities of this fibre for other uses. These are 
too varied to quote, but will immediately suggest themselves to 
the scientific manufacturer who might be interested in following 
the experiments. 
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE OF THE PAST 
MONTH. 
September , 1902, 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Sept. 1st: The King and Queen arrived at Uig on board 
the Royal Yacht. The Trade Union Congress opened its 
35th annual meeting. The Institute of Journalists opened their 
annual conference at Birmingham. The Scottish Horse arrived 
in Edinburgh from South Africa. A series of trials of motor 
vehicles was begun under the auspices of the Automobile Club. 
The provisions of the Crimes Act were extended to further 
counties and boroughs in Ireland. 
2nd : The King and Queen visited Stornoway. Lords 
Mount Stephen and Strathcona presented to King Edward's 
Hospital Bund an endowment of £16,000 per annum. 
3rd : Death of Lord Connemara. Lord Kitchener visited 
Powis Castle. 
4th : The King and Queen visited Dunrobin Castle. 
Mr. Brodrick and Lord Roberts left London for Berlin to attend 
the German manoeuvres. 
5th : Mr. Chamberlain held a conference with the Boer 
Generals at the Colonial Office. A meeting was held in Dublin 
to protest against the proclamation of the City under the Crimes 
Act. 
6th : Mr. Chamberlain had a private interview with General 
Botha, Lord Kitchener distributed war medals at Welshpool. 
Death of Jjir F. A. Abel, G.C.V.O., K.C.B., in his 76th year. 
Death of Mr. Philip I. Bailey, author of Festus. 
8th : The King and Queen arrived at Balmoral. Mr. Seddon 
left London for New Zealand. 
9th : Mr. Wyndham, Chief Secretary, visited the Cork 
Exhibition. The Boer Generals left London for the Continent. 
The Sanitary Institute began its annual congress at Manchester. 
The Welsh National Eisteddfod was opened at Bangor. The 
i nstitute of British Carriage Builders held its annual conference 
at Oxford. Death of Lady Macartney. 
loth : The British Association began its annual meeting at 
Belfast. Death of Mr. G. II. Croad, Clerk to the London 
School Board. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of Loudon visited 
Bath. 
nth : The King and Queen were present at the Highland 
Braemar gathering at Cluny. The Secretary of Scotland 
appointed a committee to inquire into the constitution, powers 
and duties of the Board of Manufacturers. Death of Mr. H. R. 
Grenfell. 
12th : A meeting of the Dublin Corporation denounced the 
action of the Government in proclaiming the city under the 
Crimes Act. The Lord Mayor of London was presented with 
an address of welcome at Exeter. 
13th : A meeting of Nationalists was held in Phoenix Park, 
Dublin, to protest against the Crimes Act Proclamation. A 
congress of postal and Telegraphic employes was held in the 
Elolborn Town Hall. 
15th : The British Archaeological Association opened its 
annual congress at Westminster. The Royal Commission on 
Physical Training in Scotland sat in Edinburgh. Mr. H. de 
Windt landed at Plymouth from New York. 
16th: The Queen and Princess Victoria visited Lord Rose- 
bery at Dalmeny. The Institute of Mining Engineers began 
their annual meeting at Newcastle-on-Tyne. 
17th : The Queen and Princess Victoria left Queensferry for 
Copenhagen. The British Association concluded its meeting at 
Belfast. Death of General Sir Robert White, K.C.B. 
18th : The King and the Prince of Wales took part in a 
deer drive in Abergeldie. Sir. C. Dilke was the principal speaker 
at a miners' demonstration at Porth, Rhondda Valley. 
19th : The cruiser Terrible arrived at Portsmouth. 
20th : Mr. Balfour was presented with the freedom of the 
burgh of Haddington. Death of Rear-Admiral Burges Watson 
at Malta. A Demonstration against the Education Bill took 
place on Woodhouse Moor, Leeds. The Grocery Exhibition 
was opened at the Agricultural Hall. 
22nd : Lord Kitchener was presented with the freedom of 
Ipswich. The Catholic Truth Society opened its annual con- 
ference at Newport, Monmouthshire. 
23rd : The Library Association opened its annual meeting 
at Birmingham, Captain Percy Scott and the officers and crew 
of the Terrible were entertained at a banquet at Portsmouth. 
24th: The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lady Dudley and 
Suite, left London for Dublin. 
25th : Lord Dudley made his state entry into Dublin. 
Mr, J. O'Donnell, M.P.,and Mr. J. Roche, M.P,, were arrested 
for failing to attend the Crimes Act Court. 
36th : Lord Roberts received the freedom of Bath, and 
unveiled a mural tablet to Lord Clive. The memorial window 
to the late Duke of Westminster was dedicated in Westminster 
Abbey. Lady Airlie opened the Dundee Sanatorium for Con- 
sumptives, near Auchterhouse. The Princess of Wales left 
Abergeldie for Perth, en route for London. Death of Mr. John 
Latey. 
27th : The new Sheriffs of the City of London, Mr. Aider- 
man Truscott and Mr. Brooke-Hitching, were formally admitted 
to office. The Lord Lieutenant received at Dublin Castle an 
address of welcome from the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. 
The National Federation of Assistant Teachers held their annual 
conference at Reading. Death of Sir Thomas Erskine. 
29th : Alderman Sir Marcus Samuel was elected Lord 
Mayor of the City of London. 
30th : The Cutlers' Feast took place at Sheffield. The 
National Sea-fisheries Protection Association opened their 
annual conference at Grimsby. 
COLONIES. 
Australia. — 4th : The Federal House of Representatives 
agreed to waive the constitutional question as to the right of the 
Senate to send a second message urging amendments to the 
Tariff Bill. The Parliament agreed to allow the next Governor- 
General ^5,500 per annum. — 9th: The Federal Senate finally 
passed the Commonwealth Tariff Bill. New South Wales. — 
iith: The shearers’ strike was ended. — 17th: The Water and 
Drainage Bill was passed. ’Victoria. — 10th : The Ministry was 
defeated in the Legislative Assembly on a clause in the Re- 
trenchment Bill providing for the reduction of salaries in the 
public service. — 13th : Canon Lowther Clarke, Vicar of Hud- 
dersfield, accepted the Bishopric of Melbourne. Queensland. — 
24th : The Premier stated that the colony was dissatisfied with 
the result of federation. 
Canada. — 1st : — The National Guards from Albany, New 
York State, and the Hong Kong Coronation Contingent were 
reviewed by Lord Minto at Ottawa. — 3rd : Sir E. Barton, Sir 
]. Forrest and other Australian visitors were entertained at a 
banquet at Toronto by the Board of Trade. — 5th: The Do- 
minion Millers’ Association held their annual meeting. — 15th: 
Lieutenant Peary, in the Windward, arrived at Sydney, Cape 
Breton. — 20th: Sir E. Barton left Victoria, B C. , for Australia. 
Cape Colony. — 1st : A violent gale occurred in Algoa Bay 
and Port Elizabeth. — 3rd : The House of Assembly passed the 
third reading of the General Indemnity Bill, — 4th : A proposal 
of the Bond leaders for an enquiry as to the powers of School 
Committees was carried in the Assembly.' — 5th : 'The Harbour 
Boards Loan Bill was read a second time. — 9th : Sir G. Spriggs 
presented his budget, and stated that the Navy grant would be 
increased to ,£50,000 per annum, — 19th : Martial Law was 
abolished, and the Peace Preservation Act put in force.— 22nd : 
In the House of Assembly, Mr. Merriman’s anti-suspension 
motion was carried. — 23rd: Mr. Te Water was seized with 
paralysis in the House of Assembly. — 26th : In the House of 
Assembly, the War Losses Additional Compensation Bill was 
read a second time. 
Newfoundland. — 7th: Mr. A. Lytteton, the arbitrator in 
the Reid claims, tendered his resignation. — nth : Mr. Lyttelton 
consented to remain as arbitrator. 
Orange River Colony. — 4th : Special measures were 
adopted for the settlement of British and Irish agriculturists 
In the Colony. 
Rhodesia.— 6th : An outbreak of rabies occurring, the 
Indunas promised to destroy their dogs. 
St. 'Vincent. — 4th : Another violent eruption of the Soufrifere 
was reported, 
Transvaal. — 1st : Sir A. Lawley, the new Lieutenant- 
Governor, held an official reception at Pretoria. — 3rd: The 
number of natives at work in the Rand mines numbered only 
5,209. — 6th : The office of Military Governor of Pretoria was 
abolished. — nth: Lord Milner left Johannesburg on a tour 
through Western Transvaal. It was decided to charge 
,£3,000,000 to the Imperial Exchequer for repatriating the Boer, 
and £0,000,000 to compensate British subjects, foreigners and 
natives. — 17th : A new gold reetwas discovered on the Rand. — 
23rd : The war debt of the Transvaal to the Imperial exchequer 
was stated to be ,£100,000,000. The number of natives working 
in the Rand mines was 36,363. — 25th : The Martial Law Com- 
mission left Pretoria, for Natal. 
INDIA. 
2nd : The rainfall was generally well distributed, — 5th : It 
was announced that the Duke of Connaught would represent 
the Kiug-Ei,nperor at the Coronation Durbar at Delhi. The 
number of persons on famine relief was reduced to 450,000, a 
decrease of about 120,000. — 15th : Great floods occurred in 
Southern Bengal. — 18th : The number of persons on famine 
relief fell to 305,000. — 22nd: Lt.-Col, W. H. Curzon Wyllie 
was appointed a K.C. I.E.— 23rd : Mr. Nowrojee Manockjee 
Wadia, a Parsee of Bombay, offered to present ,£1, 000, 000 for 
the relief of the destitute deprived of subsistence by sudden 
calamities. — 25th : The number of persons on famine relief fell 
to 287,000. 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
Abyssinia. — 19th: The Emperor Menelik received the 
Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath from King Edward. 
Argentina. — 4th : The drought continued. The Chamber 
rejected the Divorce Bill. 
Austria-Hungary. — 1st : Serious riots occurred in Agram 
between Croats and Serbs. — 3rd : Martial law was proclaimed 
in Agram. — 19th : The centenary of the birth of Kossuth was 
celebrated. — 28th : The British Exhibition of Arts and Crafts 
was opened at Budapest, 
Belgium. — 1st : An International Congress with reference 
to the insane was opened at Antwerp. — 18th: The Institute of 
International Law began its sittings at Brussels. — 19th : Death 
of the Queen. 
Bulgaria.' — 15th : The elections for the Sobranje resulted 
in a victory for the Government. — 28th : It was reported that an 
insurrection had broken out in the vilayet of Monastir. 
China. — 5th : The Anglo-Chinese treaty was signed after 
an arrangement had been made regarding the surtax funds, — 
9th : Sortie alterations dealing with the abolition of likiti were 
made in Sir J. Mackay’s Treaty, — 10th : Sir J. Mackay left 
Shanghai for England, vid Japan, — 12th: The restoration of 
Manchuria was delayed. — 13th : The Emperor, the Dowager 
Empress and the Court moved into the Summer Palace at 
Peking. — 29th : The Peking-Shan-hai-kwan railway was restored 
to the Chinese. 
Colombia. — 9th : Government troops were sent to Colon in 
anticipation of an attack by the rebels. Agua Dulce surrendered 
to the revolutionists.' — 15th: The rebel general Carreazo 
surrendered. 
Denmark. — 19th : Queen Alexandra arrived at Copen- 
hagen. 
Egypt. — nth: The cholera epidemic increased. — 28th: The 
cholera commenced to decrease. 
France. — 1st : Sir W. Laurier was entertained at a banquet 
in Paris, M. Ribot presiding. The Shah visited the Louvre. — 
5th : Colonel de St. Remy was sentenced to a day's imprisonment. 
— 7th : The Shah received the Spanish Mission sent to present 
him with the Order of the Golden Fleece. The Khedive visited 
the Shah. Colonel de St. Remy was compulsorily retired. — 
13th: The Shah left Paris. — 25th: It was stated the French 
investments abroad amounted to 30 milliards. — 29th : Death 
of Emile Zola, accidentally asphyxiated. 
Erench Indo-China. — 5th : News was received of a serious 
meeting of Annamite troops at Hanoi. 
Germany. — 3rd : The Delegates of the Iron and Steel 
Institute held their meeting in the Town Hall of Dusseldorf. 
The Emperor presented new colours to' regiments of the 5th 
Army Corps at Posen. — 4th : The Emperor unveiled a memorial 
to the Emperor Frederick at Posen. — 5th : Death of Professor 
Virchow. Mr. Brodrick and Lord Roberts arrived in Berlin. 
The 13th International Congress of Orientalists was opened at 
Hamburg. — 9th : The military manoeuvres commenced near 
the river Obra, — 15th : The 13th German Socialist Congress 
was opened at Munich, — 19th : A Congress of Bankers was 
opened at Frankfort. — 25th : The International Maritime Com- 
mittee assembled at Hamburg. — 28th : The Emperor issued new 
articles of war. 
German West Africa, — 13th : A concession was granted to 
a company for the construction of a railway from the coast to 
the interior of the Cameroons. 
Haiti. — 7th: The Firminist gunboat Crdte a Pierot was 
sunk by the German cruiser Panther . 
Holland.— 9th : Death of Dr. Van Asch van Wyk, Minister 
of the Colonies. — 10th : The Boer Generals arrived at the 
Hague. — 15th : The Hague Arbitration Court was opened for 
the consideration of a dispute between the United States and 
Mexico. — x6tli : The session of the States General was opened 
by the Queen in person. — 22nd: The Boer Generals visited 
I lamburg. — 24th : The Boer Generals issued from Amsterdam 
an “ appeal to the civilized world." 
Italy. — 8th : A serious peasant riot took place at Candela 
in Apulia. — 20th : The anniversary of the entry of the Italian 
troops into Rome in 1870 was celebrated. — 26th : Several build- 
ings in Venice were reported to be unsafe. A cyclonic storm 
visited Eastern Sicily. 
Japan. — 16th : The Ministry agreed on a financial policy 
and decided to make no reduction on the land tax. 
Morocco. — 5th : The Berber tribes submitted to the Sultan's 
authority. — 6th : — Death of the Sultan’s mother. — 7th : The 
Sultan ordered a large army to be in readiness to leave Fez 
on December 1. — 26th : The Sultan improved the Morocco 
prisons, and the condition of the prisoners. 
Philippines. — 30th : A serious cholera epidemic spread 
throughout the island of Luzon. 
