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mother State, the consumption of Newcastle coal last year was 169,932 tons less than in 1901, Queensland being the only State whose requirements were not diminished; it took 21,933 tons in excess, while Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania called for 41,518 tons, 58,701 tons, 66,897 tons, and 2,816 tons, respectively, less. Another heavy falling off was in the trade with Honolulu. The United States, also, was not such a good customer as formerly. These deficiencies were to some extent counteracted by the greater business done with the eastern markets and those of the west coast of South America. Chile, which still retains her place as by far the best of Newcastle's foreign customers, increased her demands by 13,132 tons.

The return of the trade, as prepared by the custom-house officials, is as follows:

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Martinique-Guadeloupe Wireless Telegraphy.-Under date of January 24, 1903, Consul L. H. Aymé, of Guadeloupe, reports:

Regular daily communication has been established between this colony and Martinique by a system of wireless telegraphy. The station in Guadeloupe is situated near to Gosier light-house, and that in Martinique, I am informed, somewhere on the peninsula of La Caravelle, on the east side of that island, so that the air line between the two stations passes entirely over the sea. These stations have been installed by a detachment of army engineers, and only official messages between the governors of the two colonies have thus far been exchanged. The officer in charge informs me that the system used is not the Marconi, but is one devised by the French engineer corps. The spark used is about 4 inches long, and the power is obtained from a small dynamo driven by an engine using vaporized naphtha. Four wires are used, separated at the top and bottom, forming a long, rectangular cage. The mast is said to be 170 feet high. As all cable communication with Martinique has been interrupted for several months, this is the only means of sending telegraphic messages.

Brazilian Cacao Crop in 1902.-Under date of February 2, 1903, Consul K. K. Kenneday sends from Para a statement of the cacao exports in 1902, as follows:

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Commercial Legislation in Colombia.-The Department has received from Minister Hart, of Bogotá, under date of December 12, 1902, notice that the legislative decrees of November, 1901, concerning the registry of public and private documents, have been abolished. The first decree provided that every document containing a contract or obligation must be registered, or the act would be void. Another article prohibited the drawing up of contracts stipulating for cash or credit payment in moneys other than the bills of the National Bank of Colombia. As the larger part of commercial agreements, the minister noted, are concluded not by means of private documents or public instruments, but by correspondence whose registration would be impossible, the decrees became of grave importance in their effect upon foreign trade. The matter was finally submitted to the consideration of the attorney-general of the Republic, and his opinion has been followed by the above definite legislation.

Mahogany Exports from Nicaragua.-Consul A. L. M. Gottschalk, of San Juan del Norte, January 27, 1903, transmits figures of the exports of mahogany from the port of Bluefields during the year 1902. The data, which were furnished by the Emery Mahogany Works at that port, show that some 24,583 logs were exported, which represented about 6,759,325 feet of lumber and a total value of $337,966 in United States currency. The shipments were, in detail:

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Imports at Puerto Cortes, Honduras.-Consul W. E. Alger sends from Puerto Cortes, January 28, 1903, the following table of importations through the customs at Puerto Cortes for 1902 and 1901:

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Steel Plant at Monterey, Mexico.-Consul-General P. C. Hanna sends the following from Monterey, February 14, 1903:

The Monterey Steel Plant, with a capital of about $4,000,000 gold, in which several wealthy Americans are largely interested, started working on the first of this month. The Monterey Daily News says:

Castings now being made at the steel plant are molded from iron turned out of the blast furnace. In no respect has the iron proved inferior to any, and the operators declare that the product is of the best quality. Casts are now being made with considerable regularity and the output is nearly 125 tons a day. It is expected eventually to turn out no less than 300 tons a day.

It is the opinion of many persons that the establishment of this plant, which will furnish cheaper raw iron to industries, will result very soon in the opening of several smaller manufactories in Monterey.

Machinery for the Yukon.-Under date of February 4, 1903, Consul L. E. Dudley, of Vancouver, reports:

It is said here that very large amounts of mining machinery will be sent into the Klondike or Yukon region during the coming summer. I have been informed that hundreds of tons of such machinery are being ordered, some from firms in Victoria and Vancouver and some from other points in Canada and in the United States. The Dawson correspondent of one of the newspapers says that several hundred tons more of machinery would have arrived in Dawson during the past year had it not been for the strikes in the coal regions and in manufacturing concerns. Boilers, huge steam pumps, and all manner of equipment have been ordered in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and eastern Canada.

Niagara Falls Power for Toronto.- Under date of February 26, 1903, Consul E. N. Gunsaulus, of Toronto, says that a recent issue of the Canadian Manufacturer, of that city, contained the following:

The New Niagara Falls Power Company, which will be financed largely by Toronto capital, will commence operations immediately after the Government agrees to give it the right to develop power. The electricity will be brought to the city by cable over the entire distance of 90 miles, and it is expected that at least 125,000 horsepower will be generated when the plant is working to its full capacity. For use within the city, 20,000 horsepower will be produced at first, but the company intends to sell power to municipalities and firms along the line. The power will be used to operate the Toronto Street Railway and the Electric Light Company's piant. It is expected that the expenditure will total about $5,000,000, and the work will be completed within two years or less.

It is proposed, the consul notes, to convey the power to Toronto by means of a double-pole line.

Canadian Request for Molybdenum.-Consul E. N. Gunsaulus sends from Toronto, February 24, 1903, a letter from Mr. W. B. Bentley, 72 Queen street W., Toronto, as follows:

I am interested in molybdenite and actinolite properties, of good quality, in Ontario.

Molybdenum, as you know, was formerly used in the dyeing of silks and cottons, but its recent application to the production of a peculiar high-grade steel, rendered possible by recent advances in electro-metallurgy, has resulted in molybdenite emerging from its position of comparitive obscurity as a rare mineralogical specimen to an article of great commercial value.

I desire to get into communication with the various dealers (chemical companies, I presume) in the United States who handle this mineral, and would be greatly obliged if you would forward my inquiry to the proper parties.

Steamship Line between Rotterdam and Montreal.-Under date of February 13, 1903, Consul-General S. Listoe, of Rotterdam, writes:

The Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad of February 13, 1903, quotes the Rotterdam correspondent of the Hamburger Borsenhalle as follows:

The British shipowners, who, as I stated before, intend to inaugurate a direct steamship line between Rotterdam and Montreal, compose the firm of William Peterson, Limited, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. This firm has agreed with its agents, Messrs. Thomas Ronaldson & Co., Limited (at Rotterdam), that the line shall be called Canadian Ocean and Inland Line. The first sailing date from Rotterdam is April 15. When there is sufficient cargo, the steamers will also touch Quebec.

It is reported that the agents for the new line have already closed a contract with German shippers for the forwarding of 30,000 tons of rails. Besides, it is expected that much general merchandise will be carried.

New Russian Tariff.-Consul-General W. R. Holloway reports. from St. Petersburg, January 31, 1903:

The tariff experts of the customs bureau have been working for a considerable time on a new tariff, in view of the approaching expiration of the trade treaty with Germany. There is a decided increase in many articles, but it is believed here that it is being formulated mainly as a basis for the negotiation of new treaties.

The St. Petersburg correspondent of the London Times* quotes from the Novoe Vremya the following:

In the vast majority of cases, the duties of the new tariff show an increase of 50 per cent on those of the tariff of 1891. The duties on many articles have been doubled, and in some cases more than doubled. This applies especially to manufactured goods, and to a less extent to agricultural products and to gastronomic delicacies.

* Edition of February 3, 1903.

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