OATS FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, 5 February 1902, Page 2

OATS FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT.

(Per Press Association.) . , . . NELSON, last night. A L iast night s banquet the Premier . cferred to the ordei recently received by the Government tor oats, and said l.e I.ad now received the conditions which were such that it was next to Uiijiscible for the producers to coai-I'-j >■- ith. and doubted whether any. fifu v ould oiler. The conditions were that the oats were to lie shipped in March or April, in bags of the best quality, containing eighty pounds net, and inspected by tne uovermnent; the cost of re-bagging, if necessary, at the port of discharge to fall on the contractors, the decision of the military, authorities on this matter to be final, tiie steamer to carry no deck cargo, and the steamer’s name, port of loading, and date oi shipment to lie reported. Any alterations, immediately the steamer calling for orders at Durban, to be given within 24 hours of arriving, she may be required to discharge at any two of the following ports : Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, Capetown and Delagoa Bay ; in event of the steamer being unable to cross the ha: at East London, lighterage to he paid for by the contractor ; oats to lie unloaded at an average rate of not less than 250 tons per day, the British Government paying demurrage at the rate of sixpence per day per net registcied ton, half a day demurrage only to be paid in case of detention not exceeding twelve hours on arrival at Durban. An advance of eighty per cent will be made .n London on the value of the cargo, exclusive of freights on production of insurance policies and bills of lading, insurance to tie effected by approved underwriters or compan.es ; in case of iieight or freight contingencies being insured, the advance will be 80 per cent of the invoice vrlne, the balance due to he paid in London within 14 days of the receipt cf a cable from 'me general officer commanding at Capetown notifying the discharge.) With reg'trc to aey payment of the contractors in respenc of freight or demurrage, he shall indemnify the War Office, and a line claim on the snip owner for cancelling the contract, in case of the vessel hol arriving at. the port of discharge u the date to be agreed upon. The I-iemier said it was an insult to offer such terms,