Vol. VIII. No. 96. 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
[December, 1902.] 
^ •> 
JOO 
Peat Company, have added a new machine known as an 
artificial drier. Under the old process, the bog was cut and 
sun dried. With the new machine, the crude peat is run 
through the apparatus as fast as dug from the bog. Part of 
the moisture is evaporated by the heat of the process and the 
balance removed by the immense pressure the material under- 
goes, until it drops from the machine in cubes ready for the 
market. This process of converting the raw material into 
marketable fuel is a great improvement over the old method, 
but further improvements are expected. The whole question of 
making the inexhaustible beds of bog commercially valuable lies 
in the drying process. Thus far, the nearest solution to the 
problem lies probably in the machine invented by Dr. Dobson, 
now in use at his peat works at Beaverton, near Lake Simcoe, 
in northern Ontario. This machine consists of a press, drier, 
and spreader, and is a most ingenious contrivance, for it cuts, 
pulverizes, and spreads the material at the same time. This 
reduces the moisture 50 per cent. , and the balance is taken out 
by the drying process. The machine in operation at this plant 
has a capacity of 20 tons a day. The bogs are three miles from 
a railroad, and yet the demand for the fuel is such that it brings 
$3 ‘25 a ton at the plant, and is retailed at Toronto at $4 ’25, 
The plant near Stratford now has a daily capacity of 25 tons 
and a ready sale for all the fuel it can produce. It is run night 
and day, with a view to supplying the demand caused by the 
scarcity of hard coal . — United States Cojisular Report, 
Openings for Steel and Iron in Greece.— The United 
States Consul at Patras reports as follows: “ Enquiries have 
recently been made at this consulate concerning the possibility 
of importing American wire for the manufacture of wire nails. 
Before bringing the matter to the attention of United States 
manufacturers, I have taken occasion to enquire into the possi- 
bilities of such a trade in this section, and I find (1) that the 
market is sufficiently active to merit attention, and (2) that 
it is wholly dependent upon Europe for its supply of the raw 
material. The annual importation of steel wire into this district 
is about 2,000 tons, arriving principally during two months of 
the year, April and May, at which time there is extraordinary 
activity in the manufacture of boxes and barrels for the opening 
of the currant trade in August of each year. Belgium gets the 
largest share of this trade, although Germany and Servia are 
participators to some extent ; the average price at which these 
countries export this wire being 20 francs ($3 '86) per 100 kilograms 
(22 o - 46 pounds). In Patras there are three nail factories ; in 
Piraeus, three ; and in Volo, one. There is also, I am told, a 
market for iron girders and beams for building purposes, 
bridges, etc., to the extent of 6,000 tons or more annually. 
Practically, the whole of this trade is controlled at present by 
Belgium, which has also been supplying large quantities of steel 
rails and construction iron for the extension of the Peloponnesus 
railroad to Calamata.’’ 
4 
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE REPORTS. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Dundee. — Plarbour affairs, High School affairs, and the 
scarcity of clerks in London, formed the subjects around which 
important discussions took place at a meeting of the Dundee 
Chamber on the 6th ult. The president, Mr. A. B. Gilroy, 
occupied the chair. 
Mr. Rudolph Polack was unable to give a very hopeful 
picture regarding the financial position of the High School, and 
made an appeal for financial aid from those who had benefited 
from their education at the High School. 
Major W. H. Fergusson, one of the representatives at the 
Harbour Board, in giving a resumd of the work done, said the 
most pressing question before the Board at the present time was 
that of the new coal hoist. It had been erected at considerable 
expense, duly tested, and found to be capable of performing the 
work it was erected for. Unfortunately, however, when the 
railway companies had been asked to work the hoist, by sending 
coal to it, they had refused to do so. 
Touching on the question of the importation of Canadian 
cattle, he said, in answer to a request by the Town Council, 
their representatives attended the London conference in October 
regarding the removal of the restrictions. The conference was 
most representative, and on the second day a large number of 
members of Parliament attended. Though they were unable to 
hold out strong hopes of anything being done at present, they 
were at one with the. meeting in thinking the restrictions ought 
to be removed, and they were willing to act for that end. 
Referring to the resolution arrived at at the last meeting of the 
Board, fixing the hour for cartage of jute at 7.30 instead of eight 
o'clock, he said this would greatly add to the despatch with 
which vessels could be discharged, and would allow merchants 
to get their jute earlier. 
The works and finances of the Harbour were in a most 
satisfactory condition. The president said there was an expendi- 
ture that the Harbour Board would have to incur in the near 
future, but which they were loth to commence on account of 
the expense. That was making permanent their present wooden 
jetties on the river frontage at which the jute vessels were 
discharged. They would admit that the plan adopted by the 
Trustees, who built these wooden piers some years ago, had 
proved of the greatest benefit to the Board. These jetties must 
only be regarded as temporary. 
The action of marine growth eats away the piles, and in 
course of time these piles will have to be renewed, and the 
Trustees have under contemplation the erection of a sea wall 
outside the present jetties, and the enlargement of the sheds. 
The work can only be carried out in sections, but when com- 
pleted a permanent wharf, with increased shed accommodation, 
will be available, and even greater facilities given to large 
steamers than at present. The wall may cost ,£80,000 before it 
is finished, but the expenditure must be faced, and it will likely 
involve an increase on the Harbour debt. 
Hitherto the policy of the Trustees had been to keep the 
Harbour debt as low as possible. Up till now the Board had 
been successful in its endeavours not to increase it, and it was 
practically the same as it was about ten years ago. W ere they 
to undertake such a large work he did not see how they could 
do it other than by adding to their present debt. 
Referring to the matter of the coal hoist, he said he hoped 
in the near future the railway companies would see that it was 
as much to their advantage to work the hoist as it was to the 
Board to provide facilities for steamers obtaining coals. 
A letter was read to the meeting from the Secretary of the 
Employment Department of the London Chamber of Commerce, 
stating that it was becoming increasingly evident that the 
demand in London for well-educated youths fresh from school 
was greatly in excess of the supply, and the Department would 
have no difficulty at present in securing appointments there for 
at least a dozen lads a week in addition to those now being 
placed in situations. Moreover, if a regular supply of such 
youths could be maintained there was little doubt that places 
could be found for a large number. Mr. C. B. Ovenstone said 
the rates in Dundee for beginners were arK - £ 2 °- He 
did not think there were too many young men in Dundee coming 
forward to become apprentice clerks, and he did not think it was 
to the advantage of Dundee manufacturers to send the lads 
away. Ultimately it was agreed that the matter should be 
brought before the notice of the public. 
Hull. — At the annual meeting of the Hull Chamber of 
Commerce and Shipping, on Wednesday, the question of the 
delay in construction of the new joint dock was discussed. The 
president, Mr. T. R. Ferens, said increased dock facilities were 
absolutely necessary for Hull, as it was now 17 years since the 
last dock — the Alexandra Dock — was opened. Mr. Arthur 
Wilson complained of the action of that chamber and the city 
towards the promoters of the joint dock, and said he did not 
think the railway companies would object to the city's taking 
over the docks if terms could be arranged, but he scarcely 
thought the ratepayers would like to spend five or six millions 
on them. Alderman Massey opposed the arrangement between 
the two railway companies concerned. Mr. James Stuart 
thought the independence of the Hull and Barnsley Railway 
Company would be strengthened rather than prejudiced by the 
construction of the joint dock. Sir James Reckitt said the city 
had waited three years for a new dock, and they were no nearer 
its realisation. The question was, could they wait any longer? 
A dock trust, he considered, would be impracticable. No 
definite action was taken by the chamber. 
Liverpool. — An important conference between the Com- 
mittee of the African Trade Section of the Liverpool Chamber 
of Commerce and the Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Matthew 
Nathan, K.C.M.G. , was held, recently, in the Exchange 
Station Hotel, Liverpool, Sir Alfred Jones (chairman) 
presiding. 
Sir Alfred Jones stated that the following subjects regarding 
the Gold Coast Colony would be discussed : — Trade of the 
colony, sanitation and water supply, railways, demarcation of 
boundaries in land concessions, and cotton-growing. He said 
that in regard to the first-named subject, as a result of the 
stoppage in the trade of arms and gunpowder, traders at French 
Ivory Coast ports were sending these articles to Ashanti, and 
were getting large quantities of rubber in exchange ; whilst the 
Gold Coast merchants were losing their trade in rubber. With 
regard to the question of sanitation and water supply, Dr. Logan 
Taylor, of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, visited 
the Gold Coast Colony in the spring of the year, and many 
suggestions for improving the health of Cape Coast Town have 
been reported upon by Sir Mathew Nathan. The water supply 
was chiefly rain water, and short and bad. Means to preserve 
such water from contagion in the tanks had been suggested, 
sources of additional supply had been indicated. Turning to 
railways, he said there was a great need for new lines to tap 
timber and agricultural as well as mining districts. The 
Sekondi Tarquah Railway extension to Kumasi should be 
hurried to completion, but the railways in mining districts 
should not be the only ones built. The committee had already 
recommended the construction of the proposed railway from 
Accra to Kpong. 
Sir Matthew Nathan, in reply, observed that nearly every- 
thing was going on satisfactorily on the Gold Coast, although 
one branch of trade— the export trade — was not satisfactory. 
There was always fluctuation in the natural products of the 
country. One new industry that had been raising the hopes of 
the Government was cocoa. Ten years ago the export value of 
the article was nil ; last year it was ^40,000 ; and this year he 
hoped it would reach nearly ^£8o,ooo, as it was coming down in 
great quantities to Accra. They must look for new products to 
export, such as cotton, but too much must not be expected. 
Cotton was an article which required a great amount of care in 
cultivation, and the native was not a careful cultivator. 
In connection with cotton-growing Mr. Hutton stated that 
the movement in its favour was intended to be experimental at 
first. The great thing they wanted to find out was whether the 
long staple which commanded the highest price could be grown 
in the colony. If so, then there was an assured industry before 
it. They did not want to confine the efforts to the Gold Coast 
Colony, but hoped that experiments would be made in all the 
West African colonies. 
Manchester. — At the quarterly meeting of the Manchester 
Chamber of Commerce on the 5th ult., Mr. J. Thomson, the 
president, gave his usual address. Dealing with the Chinese 
treaty, he said that many of our merchants were sceptical as to 
the probability that the stipulations for the abolition of likin 
would really be carried out. Their trade was chiefly with the 
northern part of China, where likin had been small or non- 
existent, and they did not consider that its abolition would be a 
sufficient equivalent for the proposed surtax. The heavy 
indemnity laid upon China was exercising a very depressing 
effect upon the price of silver, and had already raised the laying- 
down cost in dollars and taels of British and American piece- 
goods to an unprecedentedly high point. Referring to cotton 
cultivation, the British Cotton-growing Association was 
vigorously endeavouring to extend the growth of the plant on 
the West Coast of Africa and in the Eastern Sudan, where there 
was suitable soil and climate, a good supply of labour, and 
facilities for transport. In the West Indies, also, some stimulus 
might be given to the production of good quality. The progress 
of the port of Manchester during the last quarter had been 
exceedingly encouraging, and with tire International Marine 
Association’s steamers from Boston to Manchester their trade 
would be further increased. Sir W. H. Houldsworth, M.P. , 
said that, with regard to the Patent Law Amendment Act, he 
should like to point out that it was a very great advauce over 
the present system. Sir William said that, with regard to West 
African affairs, he did not consider Mr. Hulton was going too 
far in claiming that the Manchester Chamber had a right to 
ask for further information from the Colonial Office. There 
was a Minister of Commerce looming in the future, and there 
was no doubt the committee on commerce had instituted a 
discussion upon the subject. 
Sir Charles King-PIarman, Governor of Sierra Leone, on 
the 6th ult., met the members of the African section of the 
Manchester Chamber of Commerce and representatives of the 
British Colton-growing Association in conference. He under- 
took to do his utmost to further the efforts which are being 
made to promote the cultivation of cotton in Sierra Leone, 
recognising that great good to the colony would probably 
result. Four needs had to be satisfied to make a satisfactory 
start — seed, capital, land, and labour. The first two, he 
supposed, the association would be willing to supply ; he had 
already received a quantity of seed from Sir Alfred Jones last 
spring ; this had been distributed in various parts of the Protec- 
torate, and when he returned at the close of the present month 
he expected to learn the result of the experimental planting. 
As to the land necessary the Government would be answerable 
for that, and would seek the co-operation of the chiefs to obtain 
a proper supply of labour. He would endeavour to provide for 
the free transport of cotton by railway, at least until cotton 
could be raised and sold on a commercial basis. The Govern- 
ment would also be glad to take its full share in paying for the 
services of an expert upon whose services it must rely as to the 
best way of proceeding. The sooner that gentleman went out 
the sooner effective action could be taken. The Government 
of the Colony might further assist by remitting for a period 
some of the Customs duties on the machinery necessary for 
“ginning" and pressing the cotton. He would also see what 
could be done in the establishment of a system of prizes and 
bonuses for the cultivation of the best and greatest quantity of 
cotton. Estates might be acquired, or the natives might be 
encouraged to grow cotton themselves. Land in the Protec- 
torate belonged absolutely to the natives. A great deal could 
be done through the chiefs, and in many cases, with a little 
encouragement and help, the cultivation of cotton could be 
extended and undertaken much more systematically than it was 
at present. He would give his personal attention to it on his 
return. They were dealing with a race which was very 
suspicious of the white mail, and the chiefs would not embark 
npon a speculative work until they could see their way to 
succeed in it. 
Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire. — 
Contrary to the usual practice, the fifth Congress of Chambers 
of Commerce of the Empire will be held in the colonies, the 
London Chamber of Commerce (the body responsible for the 
organisation of the congresses) having accepted the invitation of 
the Montreal Board of Trade to hold the fifth congress in that 
city in August, 1903. It is the intention of the Montreal Board 
to arrange for the free transportation of the delegates (who will 
represent the chambers of commerce from every part of the 
Empire) to various parts of the Dominion, in order that they 
may have an opportunity of becoming acquainted to some 
extent with its vast agricultural and mineral resources, its 
industrial development, and also with its requirements for the 
products of the mother-country and the Empire in general. In 
the meantime, the London Chamber is inviting many eminent 
men who are or have been intimately connected with the 
colonies to become honorary vice-presidents of the congress. 
^ 
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE OF THE PAST 
MONTH. 
November, 1902. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Nov. 1st ‘ The King arrived at Buckingham Palace from 
Newmarket. The Rev. C. Strange, Vicar of Edgbaston, was 
appointed Canon of Worcester Cathedral. Sir R. Finlay, 
Attorney-General, was elected Lord Rector of Edinburgh 
University. A demonstration took place a£ the Alexandra 
Palace to protest against the Education Bill. General De Wet 
left Southampton for the Cape. The Municipal Elections took 
place, the Liberals gaining 83 seats. 
2nd: Mr. R. L. Morant, C.B., was appointed secretary to 
the Board of Education in place of Sir G. Kekewich, resigned. 
The Colonial Conference Blue Book was issued. 
4th : The King inspected the 3rd Scots Guards returned 
from South Africa. Mr. W. Redmond was arrested at Kings- 
town. The 84th session of the Institution of Civil Engineers 
was inaugurated. Princess Christian opened new workhouse 
premises at Brentford. 
5th : Mr. Chamberlain unveiled a memorial at University 
College School to old boys killed in South Africa. Lord Rose- 
bery inspected the physiological laboratory at the London 
University. The Session of the Institute of Bankers was opened. 
6th: The King left London for Sandringham. Col. C. 
Malcolm Fox was appointed Inspector of Physical Training 
under the Board of Education. Mr. H. Samuel (L. ) was elected 
M.P. for the Cleveland Division of Yorkshire, and Mr. Austin 
Taylor (U.) for the East Toxteth Division of Liverpool. 
7th : Lord Rosebery accepted the presidency of the Liberal 
Association at Epsom. A meeting of the Egypt Exploration 
Fund was held. 
8th: Death of Sir Tames Graham-Montgomery. Death of 
Sir F. Perkins. The German Emperor arrived at ShorncUffe 
camp, inspected the 1st Royal Dragoons, and afterwards went 
to Sandringham. Alderman Sir Marcus Samuel was installed 
as Lord Mayor of London. 
10th : Death ot Sir A. Mackenzie, late Lieut. -Governor of 
Bengal. The Lor d Mayor's banquet took place at the Guildhall, 
The elections of Mayors were held throughout the country. The 
King’s birthday was celebrated in London. 
nth: Mr. Chamberlain held a private interview with 
Generals Botha and Delarey. 
1 2th : Lord Roberts was entertained at dinner by the 
Merchant Taylors’ Company. A meeting of the National 
Service League was held at Oxford. Mr. James Guthrie was 
elected President of the Royal Scottish Academy. Sir 
J. Dimsdale was elected City Chamberlain. _ 
13th : The Colston Banquet was held at Bristol. Princess 
Louise, Duchess of Argyll, opened the Queen Victoria Seamen s 
Rest at Poplar. Death of Mr. W. H. Barlow, F. R.S. 
14th : A great meeting was held at the Albert-hall in support 
of the Education Bill. Mr. Choate, the U.S. Ambassador, 
unveiled a memorial window to Bishop Simpson in City-road 
Chapel. 
15th : The German Emperor left Sandringham for Lowther 
Castle on a visit to Lord Lonsdale. 
16th : Death of Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar. Death of 
Mr. G. A. Henty. 
17th : The King left Sandringham for Windsor to meet the 
King of Portugal. The Prince of Wales left London for 
Market Weighton on a visit to Lord Londesborough. Mr. 
Chamberlain was entertained at a farewell banquet in 
Birmingham. Death of the Rev. Hugh Price Hughes. Lord 
Wolverton was appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household. 
18th : An appeal was issued by Lady E. Cecil on behalf of 
the Loyalists in South Africa. Death of Vice-Admiral 
G. H. Parkin. 
19th : Sir Savile Crossley, M.P,, was appointed Paymaster- 
General in the room of the Duke of Marlborough, resigned. 
Mr. John Redmond, M.P., arrived in Dublin. A meeting was 
held in aid of the endowment of King's College. 
20th : The German Emperor left Lowther Castle, and after 
visiting Lord Rosebery at Dalmeny, embarked on board his 
yacht for Germany. A conference on the subject of municipal 
telephones was held in London. 
21st : Sir E. Carson addressed a Conservative meeting at 
York. Death of Mr. R. M. Kerr, late judge of the City of 
London Court. The Stanley Cycle Show was opened at the 
Agricultural-hall. The National Cycle and Motor Show was 
opened at the Crystal Palace. 
22nd : Death of Sir William Roberts- Austen, Chemist and 
Assayer at the Royal Mint. The Lord- Lieutenant and Lady 
Dudley arrived in Belfast. 
24th : The King and Queen left Windsor for Sandringham. 
The King of Portugal proceeded to Norfolk on a visit to Lord 
and Lady Amhurst. The Lord Lieutentant and Lady Dudley 
paid their first official visit to Belfast. 
25th : Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain left London for Ports- 
mouth en route for South Africa. Mr. Cathcart Wason (I. L. ) was 
elected M.P. for Orkney and Shetland. Lord Salisbury arrived 
in London from Beaulieu. The General Medical Council opened 
its winter session. A meeting of the British Cotton-growing 
Association was held at the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. 
Death of Colonel E. Hardy. 
