TABLE L.-Statement showing number of registered letters and parcels received from and dispatched to United States, foreign countries, and Philippine postoffices by the Manila post-office during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902.

TABLE M.—Statement showing mails received from and dispatched to Philippine offices by the Manila post-office during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902.

TABLE N.-Statement of mails received from and dispatched to the United States on transports and on liners via Hongkong and Japan ports by the Manila postoffice during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902.

TABLE O.-Statement of mails received from, and dispatched to, Honolulu, Guam, and United States ships and troops in foreign ports by the Manila post-office during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902.

a San Francisco, Cal., "dispatched," except steamer direct, accounts for no mail being dispatched direct.

WAR 1902-VOL 10—16

TABLE P.-Statement of mails received from and dispatched to foreign countrů s by the Manila post-office during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report to the governor on the work of this bureau since its establishment, October 17, 1901:

Under the provisions of the act establishing the bureau of coast guard and transportation, the civil governor appointed the captain of the port of Manila as chief of the bureau of coast guard and transportation, and up to March 1, 1902, the clerical force of the captain of the port's office performed the work of the bureau of coast guard and transportation. On March 1 the bureau started its own clerical force, appointing only as many as were needed at the time; since then the force has been increased, but it is still not up to the full complement, and will not be until January 1, 1903.

On January 26, 1902, Lieut. Commander J. C. Fremont, U. S. Navy, was confirmed as superintendent of the construction and maintenance of vessels; on March 13, Lieut. Commander J. M. Helm, U. S. Navy, was confirmed as superintendent of the lighthouse service; and on March 24, Capt. Henry Jervey, U. S. Army, was confirmed as superintendent of light-house construction. Lieut. Commander Fremont was detached from duty in this bureau on September 4, and no one has been ordered to take his place so far.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICE.

The principal work of the bureau in the transportation service has been the designing, construction, and supervision of construction of 15 composite steamers; 10 of them single screw, 148 feet long, now being built at Shanghai, China, by S. C. Farnham Boyd & Co., and the other 5 twin screw, 140 feet long, now being built at Uraga, Japan, by the Uraga Dock Company. At present the stages of completion of these vessels are as follows: Cutter No. 1, completed, on duty; No. 2, completed, on duty; No. 3, 65 per cent completed; No. 4, 90 per cent completed; No. 5, 90 per cent completed; No. 6, 80 per cent completed; No. 7, 65 per cent completed; No. 8, 65 per cent completed; No. 9, 80 per cent completed; No. 10, 90 per cent completed; No. 11, 55 per cent completed; No. 12, 55 per cent completed; No. 13, 50 per cent completed; No. 14, 50 per cent completed; No. 15, 50 per cent completed. The full speed of the above vessels, without forced draft, is to be 10 knots, and they will carry at least twelve days' coal for steaming at an economical speed, which will be about 8 knots. Each of the single-screw vessels is to be armed with two 1-pounder Hotchkiss rapid-firing guns, and each of the twin-screw vessels is to be armed with two Gatling guns. An electric plant will be installed in each vessel, and they will carry a searchlight of 18 inches diameter; also an evaporator of sufficient capacity for distilling sufficient drinking water for everyone on board.

Two of the vessels have already been delivered at Manila, and are satisfactory in every way. The Negros, cutter No. 2, arrived September 13; and the Luzon, cutter No. 1, on the trial trip, made, on natural draft for nine hours, a speed of 11.57 knots per hour, which is far above the contract speed. The Negros made a run similar to that of the Luzon, and the working of her engines showed she was in every way equal to the Luzon, but on account of a strong head wind and a heavy sea her speed was about half a knot less. The Luzon arrived in Manila September 20. state that these two vessels are pronounced, by all who

I am glad to be able to

have seen them, a success. Although only of 420 tons when loaded, they can carry enough coal in the bunkers to steam 2,300 miles; carry a cargo of 250 tons; have good quarters for the officers and crew and accommodation for 12 first-class passengers. Besides these, a number of other passengers can be carried on deck.

The further work of this bureau consisted in the purchase and necessary altering of five seagoing launches, two of which were detailed for service in the customhouse, and were on January 1, 1902, completely turned over to the custom-house. The cost of purchasing these vessels and maintaining them up to January 1, 1902, is charged to this bureau.

A

The three other launches were detailed as soon as they arrived and were fitted out for constabulary service and will continue to be a part of the fleet of this bureau. river launch was also purchased and detailed for service under the constabulary. In June, 1902, the twin-screw seagoing tug Picket was purchased in Shanghai and altered so as to be fitted for the work of a light-house tender. She arrived at Manila on August 7 and has since been doing that work. The cutter No. 5, nearly completed at Shanghai, will also be especially fitted for light-house and buoy work.

A stern-wheel steamer about 75 feet long and of very light draft was contracted for with S. C. Farnham, Boyd & Co., of Shanghai, China, and arrived September 30. It will be assembled at or near Aparri, and stationed in the Cagayan de Luzon River.

The two other boats, bay and river launches, were also turned over to the customhouse on March 1, 1902.

LIGHT-HOUSE SERVICE.

The first satisfactory inspection of all light-houses and stations in these islands was completed on May 30, 1902, when the superintendent of the light-house service and the superintendent of light-house construction made a complete tour of the islands, visiting all stations and at the same time investigating in regard to the necessary buoyage and light-houses to be constructed in the future.

Previous to this inspection the officer making the tour had command of the vessel and it was impossible for him to attend to both duties properly, as he frequently had to remain on board to care for his ship.

The reports show that a large amount of work is necessary to put the lights now established in proper condition. The first-order lights built by the Spaniards are excellent; in fact, the dwellings and towers are equal to any that we have in the United States, and are on a much more elaborate scale than is necessary, but they were found to be in such a state that minor repairs were urgently needed to preserve their good condition.

Many of the lights have never been completed, and although lights were established and are in working order the dwellings are incomplete. The necessity of early attention to this was at once recognized, not only to preserve the lights but also to make the stations efficient and habitable. It is estimated that to complete this will cost $200,000 and extend over a period of eighteen months more. This work was commenced at once.

NEW LIGHTS.

The subject of establishing new lights is being carefully considered, and as soon as a systematic plan has been decided upon it will be submitted to you and the necessary appropriation will be requested.

During the Spanish rule the only lights of any importance were the sea lights on the north and west coasts of Luzon, the lights around Iloilo and Cebu, and the light in San Bernardino Strait, on the east coast, and that on Cape Melville, in the southern part of the islands.

The great increase in trade, considerable of which is interisland, makes a number of new lights absolutely necessary. It is thought that with the modern idea of architecture the general system for new light stations should be iron framework for the towers instead of masonry. Such towers are strong enough to withstand typhoons and are probably better adapted to resist earthquakes. They are also less expensive and can be erected in a much shorter space of time.

During the past year the following lights have been established: Range lights and day marks at San Fernando de Union; light at Kananay Island, San Juanica Strait; temporary light at Jintontolo; harbor lights at Batangas, Lucena, Boac, Calapan, Taal, Balayan, Catbalogan, and Calbayog; lighted beacon at head of Pasig River.

The following work of repairs and construction has been done: Napindan beacon reerected and painted; Cape Engano Station extensively repaired and painted; Catbalogan, wooden skeleton tower erected.