249
Some difficulty was experienced in dealing with the Clyde repairers, as the information asked for was considered confidential. I obtained, however, from the General Manager of Messrs. Barclay, Curle and Company, a confidential printed schedule of rates, giving the charges agreed upon by the Clyde firms. This schedule* is also put in.
From the Clyde I returned to this office on the 22nd instant.
While visiting the principal centres described above, note was taken of the class of machine tools employed in engineering and ship-repair workshops, and it was found without exception that modern machines were fitted, such machines having a turning out power of two to three times that of the machines of twelve to twenty years ago, such as the majority of the machines owned by the Company.
It may be noted that the working of the machines is in no way complicated, they are really simplified and, being so, are better adapted for working by the Chinese usually employed by the Company. As a matter of fact, a local establishment in competition with the Company, employing modern methods in their work would place the Company's machinery and plant into the limbo of obsoletism.
DEAR SIR,
•
I have, &c.,
W. J. TROWELL,
Inspector Marine Surveys,
Enclosure 1 in No. 245.
Straits Settlements.
Palmer's Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Limited,
Jarrow, August 18 (Friday), 1905.
WE herewith return lists of materials and labour with our current rates filled in, observing that the rates for material are for our usual goods, and not for Admiralty quality.
With regard to the percentage for working charges and profits: in the case of warships the lowest terms have been 35 per cent. on wages for departmental charges, plus 5 per cent. for profit, and the cost of material plus 5 per cent. for profit.
We have carried out some fairly extensive repairs to merchant vessels on the terms of 15 per cent. added to the actual labour and material for charges, plus 10 per cent. for profit.
We are, &c.,
For PALMER'S SHIPBUILDING AND IRON COMPANY, LIMITED,
W. J. Trowell, Esq.,
Colonial Office,
Downing Street,
London.
DEAR SIR,
MALCOLM DILLON,
General Manager and Secretary.
Enclosure 2 in No. 245.
High Docks, South Shields, August 21, 1905. REFERRING to your visit here of some days ago, we herewith have pleasure in returning you your list marked with the cost we pay for our labour, which we trust will be of use to you.
As mentioned at our interview, with regard to the charging out price, we consider our minimum charge on the return of cost to be 15 per cent. plus 10 per cent. Of course, anything beyond this is discretionary.
With regard to your list of material this same rule applies, and as the prices we pay will not bear any comparison with what you have to pay, perhaps the information with regard to the charging price being the same as aforesaid will be sufficient for your requirements.
Always glad to be of service,
W. J. Trowell, Esq.,
Colonial Office,
We remain, &c.,
Downing Street,
London.
HENRY DARLING, Secretary,
For SMITH'S DOCK COMPANY,
LIMITED.
30433
SIR,
No: 246.
MR. W. J. TROWELL to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received August 24, 1905.)
[Copy to Governor, August 25, 1905, Confidential. L.F.]
Colonial Office, Downing Street, August 23, 1905. Tanjong Pagar Arbitration.
I HAVE the honour to report that, in accordance with your telegram of the 14th instant,* authorising the payment of one hundred guineas to Messrs. H. and C. Grayson, on receipt from them of information respecting cost and charging prices for labour and material as practised in the Liverpool district, such information has now been received in a form useful as evidence before the Arbitration Court and the Crown Agents for the Colonies, may, I think, be instructed to pay the above sum to Messrs. H. and C. Grayson, Engineers and Shipbuilders, Drury Buildings, Water Street, Liverpool.
I have, &c.,
W. J. TROWELL.
P.S.-I arranged that the sum of one hundred guineas included a visit of Mr. R. Smith, Messrs. Grayson's representative, to this Office from Liverpool.
27042
SIR,
(No. 238.)
No. 247.
MR. LYTTELTON to GOVERNOR SIR J. ANDERSON.
Downing Street, August 23, 1905.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 294, of the 6th ultimo,† respecting the Tanjong Pagar Dock Arbitration.
The enclosures to your despatch have been submitted to Counsel, those referred to in paragraph 2 having been received from Mr. W. J. Trowell, who reported him- self at this Office on the 29th July. Since his arrival Mr. Trowell's time has been wholly devoted to the preparation of the case. He has been in daily attendance here until the 11th instant, when he left to collect certain information with respect to docking and repairing charges in England and Scotland. He returned to London on the 22nd instant, and I enclose a copy of a letter from him reporting his pro- ceedings. He leaves here, for Singapore, vià Marseilles, on the 24th instant.
Mr. Trowell's presence in this country has been of much assistance to those charged with the duty of preparing the case for the Colonial Government. He has shown that he possesses a thorough knowledge of the facts, and his zeal and industry are deserving of commendation. I have pleasure in recording my appre- ciation of his services, and I have directed that he be furnished with a copy of this despatch.
I have, &c.,
30018
No. 248.
ALFRED LYTTELTON.
COLONIAL OFFICE to MESSRS. SUTTON, OMMANNEY, AND RENDALL. GENTLEMEN,
Downing Street, August 23, 1905. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, No. 1, § with regard to the Tanjong Pagar Dock Arbitra- tion.
• Not printed.
No. 232.
† No. 196.
‡ No. 245.
§ No. 240.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TILUC.O. 882
8
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
250