The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-10 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMER 10, 1858.

CONTRACTS FOR HONDURAS MAHOGANY TIMBER
AND MOULMEIN TEAK TUIBER

Department of the Storekeeper Genqral of the Navy,
Somerset-place, Bth Sept., 1858.
TWE COMMISSIONERS for EXECUTING the
OFFICE of LORD HIGH ADMIRAL of the UNITED
KINGDOM of GREAT BRITAIN and IRELAND, t DO
HEREBY GIVE NOTICE, That on TUESDAY, the 28th
instant, at Two o'Clock, they will be ready to treat with such
Persons as may be willing to Contract for supplying. her
Majesty's Dockyards with 11,250 loads of HONDURAS
MAHOGANY TIMBER, and 7,500 loads of MOULMEIN
TEAK TIMBER, to be delivered during the years 1859,1860,
and 1861, according to distributions, which, with the forms of
the Tenders, the conditions of the Contracts, and a specimen
of the Mahogany Timber, may be seen at the said office. No
tender will be received after Two o'clock on the day of treaty,
nor will any be noticed unless the party attends, or au Agent
for him duly authorised in writing.
Every Tender must be addressed to the Secretary of the
Admiralty, and bear in the left-hand corner the words
" Tender for ," and must be delivered at Somerset-
place, accompanied by a Letter signed by Two responsible
Persons, engaging to become bound with the Person.tender-
ing, in the sum of £5OOO for, the due performance of each of
the Contracts.

GLENFIELD PATENT STARCH,
USED IN THE ROYAL LAUNDRY,
AND PRONOUNCED BY HER MAJESTY'S LAUNDRESS to be
THE FINEST STARCH SHE EVER USED.
Sold by all Chandlers, Grocers, &c., &c.

MILFORD HAVEN AND EMIGRATION.

MILFORD HAVEN, SEPT. 9.

A demonstration of great interest and importance
to the inhabitants of the districts on either side of
Haven took place yesterday at the Victoria
Hotel, Pembroke Dock. This demonstration had
for its object to direct public attention, and more
especially the attention of the - commercial- and
trading community, to the great natural advan-
tages which Milford Haven possesses as a shipping
port ; and as connected therewith, to pay a mark of
respect to Messrs. Pearson and Coleman, the exten-
sive shipping owners of Hull, whose screw- steam-
vessel, the Prince Alfred, is now moored alongside
of the Pontoon, at the Neyland terminus of the
South Wales Railway, for the purpose of coaling
and embarking emigrants fer Melbourne, Sydney,
and New Zealand. After landing her passengers,
the Prince Alfred is intended to convey mails and
passengers between Sydney and New Zealand, for
which Messrs. Pearson and Coleman have a con-
tract with Government. This is the second vessel
which the same firm have despatched from Milford
Haven, the Lord Ashley having left this port in
May last for New Zealand. It would seem, from
this selection of Milford as the starting point of a
second vessel, that the owners are perfectly satisfied
with the advantages which it presents as an out-
port for the Australian traffic. .
Milford Haven stands at the entrance of the Irish
and Bristol Channel:;. It opens fully on the broad
Atlantic, and lies in the track generally pursued by
homeward and outward-bound ships trading be-
tween Liverpool and New York. The entrance to
the harbour is nearly due south. From the mouth
of the haven, extending between St. Anne's Head,
on the west, to Sheep Island on the east,
the width is 21 miles, which narrows to
11 mile at the narrowest point between the east
and west Blockhouses. It is accessible from Hull
through the Midland Counties of Derby, Birming-
ham, and Gloucester ; from Manchester, through
Crewe, Oswestry, and the Shrewsbury, Hereford,
and Abergavenny Railway ; and from London by
the South Wales line, the terminus of which is at
Neyland, where there is in all states of the tide a
sufficient depth of water to float the largest vessels.
A glance at a map must at once enable any one to
recognise the value of a safe and commodious har-
bour at the south-western extremity of Wales.
The want of dock accommodation, and the distance
of Milford, previous to the introduction of railways,
from the centres of manufacturing industry, caused
its great natural advantages for commercial pur-
poses to be altogether neglected, except as a place
of refuge during tempestuous weather in the Chan-
cel. The eminence which Bristol once occupied
amongst the commercial ports of Great Britain is
the strongest evidence that large and commodious
shipping accommodation in the south-west of the
island is a real and not a factitious want. But
Bristol was not able to withstand the natural dis-
advantages of its long, narrow, funnel-shaped
entrance,combined with the grasping and monopoli-
sing policy of its ancient corporation,and its trade in
consequence was diverted to the Mersey. The rise and
progress of Liverpool, in spite of many natural
disadvantages, shows the sensitiveness of com-
merce, and that it will rather force the impedi-
ments of nature than succumb to the artificial re-
straints of man. The complaints from Manchester,
as the representative of the manufacturing inte-
rest, against the local and lighting. dues of Liver-
pool, show again in Liverpool, as in Bristol, the
tendency of overblown prosperity to become selfish
and exacting, and have encouraged the hope
amongst the people of Milford, Pembroke Dock,
end the inhabitants of this district generally, that
Milford Haven may rise into a place of first-rate
commercial importance. There are not wanting
sanguine people who maintain that so great are the
advantages of its position and its natural accom-
modation and capacity as a harbour, that nothing
can prevent its becoming a port second to none in
the kingdom. It is accessible at all times, has great
depth of water, is well sheltered, has numerous pills
[the Welsh equivalent for creeks], which might be
easily converted into basins, dry and wet docks.
The river runs for nearly 30 miles into the interior
of Pembrokeshire, the banks being dotted here and
there with villages, which in the distance present
an agreeable effect from the snow-white appearance
of the houses. The country abounds in coal and
iron, and recently a material for making fire-bricks
has been discovered, in which a considerable traffic
is now carried on. There are also sands which seem
to be well adapted for the manufacture of china-
ware. The lands about the Haven are hilly, but
they are richly clothed with verdure to the water s
edge. There is certainly nothing in the aspect of
the place to justify the expression used on a recent
occasion by one of the South Wales directors, when
he spoke of the " barren and desolate shores of
Milford Haven."

The numerous pills or creeks on either sid of the
Haven have given rise to conflicting opinions as to
the proper site to be selected for commercial docks.
The inhabitants of Hakin, Milford, and Neyland,
naturally stand up for the north side, and allege
reasons which appear to them to be preponderating
ones, whilst the inhabitants of Pembroke and Pem-
broke Dock, and the dwellers on the south, put
forward arguments in favour of the south, which
appear to them to be incontrovertible. Into this
controversy it is not desirable to enter, but it may
be suggested to both parties that the way to waste
strength is to pull in opposite directions, and that
docks cannot be established on either side without
doingimmense benefit to all. Two weighty consi-
derations are urged by the northerns—one, the fact
that the railway terminus is at Neyland, on the
north shore; the other, that the government naval
and military works on the south side are and would
continue to be an impediment to the development
of commerce on that side. On the other hand, no
one can look at a map of the country without per-
ceiving that the natural and shortest line of rail-
way would be by the south. The origin of the exist-
ing tortuous line is no doubt to be traced to the idea
that the through Irish traffic was the chief point to
be considered, and when the line to Fishguard was
abandoned, nothing remained but to make a sharp
turn from Haverfordw est to Neyland. Had the
line to Milford to be made over again, there is little
doubt that it would be carried to Pembroke and
Pembroke Dock with tieir population of 11,000
souls, and not to Neyland, which has only its hotel
and accommodation for a few railway officials. It is
difficult to conceive why the South Wales Company
did not carry on the line to the town of Milford,and
start their boats thence to Waterford instead of
stopping short at Neyland. This neglect on their
part is about to be remedied by Col. the Hon. R.
F. Greville, the principal proprietor of the lands
about the town of Milford, who with great spirit
and rare resolution has commenced on his own be-
half the formation of a junction line from Milford
to the South Wales line at Johnstone. The same
enterprising individual also contemplates the idea of
enclosing the Milford coast from Newton Oyes to
Hakin Point, and converting this vast area into
dock accommodation. This work would scem to be
too large for the grasp of an individual, though, if
accomplished, it would undoubte.dly secure for Mil-
ford the importance and pre-eminence which such
energy should deserve. Above Milford the chan-
nel narrows considerably, and midway between it
and Penar Bay there is a mud bank, called the
Pwllerochan Flat, which still more contracts its
navigable width. At the same time it must not be
forgotten that the Waterford mail-boats pass through
at night without the least difficulty. An inconve-
nient impediment, however, which may not be much
felt in the case of a limited traffic, might become an
intolerable obstruction were the trade of Milford to
develop itself to the proportions which some are
sanguine enough to anticipate. Within a mile of
the opening of the Inner Haven, and on the southern
side, stands Nangle Bay, which at high water has
sufficient depth to float large vessels. This is the
point at which many well informed persons cons:_.

der the docks should be brined-in connection 'with
a branch line to the South Wales •Bailway. -
The idea of making Milford a great naval 'and
commercial port is by no means new, for in the year
1757 a petition from the merchants-of London and
others interested in the trade of the country set
forth ‘.‘ that "the port of Milford, in the county of
Pembroke, was a safe and commodious lakbour,'
capable of receiving at all tunes the whole Royal
Navy and trade of Great Britain, and was most con-
veniently situated for the resort and security of
merchant ships when they cannot- easily enter the
English Channel." The naval and commercial men
of the present day appear to take the same view of
the capabilities of the Haven ' • though, strange to
say, no serious effort has yet been made to render
them available for commercial purposes. The port
of Milford would naturally form the outport onthis
side in connection with the proposed western route
to New Zealand and Sydney by Panama ; and
situated as if is in laioxiniity to the anthracite .coal
mines and the iron districts of Merthyr, Dowlais,
and Newport, there is no .reason why, with the aid
of a little energy, enterprise, and Capital; it might
not become one of the great termini on the British
shores for the American, Australian, and-Mediter-
ranean packets. There is ample evidence on the
part of American traders, who may be supposed to
be wholly disinterested in this matter, in favour of
Milford Haven as a first-class shippina port. Their
evidence goes to show that if Milford were the port
of ,departure from -England, there would be an im-
mense savinfr in wages of men, in steam-turf in
provisions, light dues, risks or collision, msur-,
ante ; and that one trip more to America in the
year could be accomplished, As a proof of the ex.-
-tent to which the trate of the- country has been
developed even" by the imperfect railway communi-
cation which now exists, it may be observed that
the total traffic on the South Wales .line, which in
the half-year ending 30th June, 1853, was £72,787,
mounted to £150,771 for the half-year ending 30th
June, 1856. A line to Manchester would be a neces
sary appendage if Milford were one°, elevated to the
position of a first-class port. This could be effected
by a junction at Llamdloes, and it appears that
such a line is warmly supported by the landed inte-
rest of the localities through which it would run.
Milford Haven would then be connected with the
east and north of England as well as with London,
and mails could be almost simultaneously delivered
in the great centre of business, so that no parties
could complain of priority of commercial intelli-
gence.
I have made no allusion to the important naval
dockyard at Pater, or as it seems. now •to be more
generally called, Pembroke Dock, or to the defences
of the Haven, a few words on which may not be
inappropriate. The dockyard stands on a large
block of land on the south of the Haven, the east
and west ends being protected by marten() towers.
On the hill above the yard there is a strong fort,
which commands the place, and higher up, near
Hobb's Point, there are hut barracks, which con-

taus at present about 700 men, under the command
of Col. Raymond. The dockyard 'consists of 13 slips
out of which some of the largest and finest speci-
mens of naval architecture have been launched.
The Windsor Castle, which was under repair, and
was launched about 10 days ago, when the Admi-
ralty authorities were here, is still in the river.
She is anything but a sightly vessel in the water,
and contrasts sadly with the more elegantly propor-
tioned vessels issued from the dockyards. The
Terrible, the Eagle, the Saturn, and some smaller
war craft, are also in the harbour. There are at
present six vessels in course of construction, viz. :
The Howe, 130; the Revenge, 90; the Immortality,
Aurora, Melpomene, and Greyhound. They are in
various stages, and the work seems to be carried on
with ardour. everal of the ships had to be lengthened
in order to meet the requirements of the modern
style of naval architecture. Great additions have
also been made to the machinery. New and more
powerful saw-mills are_about to be erected, and the
yard everywhere gives evidence of activity and in-
creased power. There are about 1,000 men in the
employment of the Government, and about half that
number employed by the contractors under Govern-
ment. The present superintendent is Capt. Ram-
say, a relative, I believe, of Lord Panmure, and, I
understand, very popular with the men and inhabi-
tants of the town. In addition to the defences im-
mediately surrounding; the yard, I should mention
that Thorn Island, a roily isolated rock just within
the entrance of the harbour, has for the first time
been fortified, and that Dale Promontory is also
now being fortified. -
Having now communicated whatever seemed to
be noteworthy in and about this rising port, I must
record the proceedings which took place at the din-
ner which was last night given to Messrs. Pearson
and Coleman.

.111.1111M=M0.41GM
best practical proof of his appreciation of it, because
he brought his steamers there and made it the_point
of departure for the mails and for those who were
about to emigrate to Australia. (Cheers.) He felt
satisfied that if the railway company, which had
the trade of the port in their hands, to a consider-
able extent, and if the gentlemen in the neighbour-
hood who were interested in the matter joined
heart and soul, they might make Milford what it
ought to be ; -for •it only required to be known to
induce men of commercial importance to come here
so as to make your hitherto comparatively unknown
harbour one of the most important shipping ports
r nntahvee
ncompany ilvino
iusledl
fp, rloi pe obs ee g
g"
eSdutco-
dAilrei Milford in the country. (Hear.) Mr. Cave who was an
eess activeto
thank them for the handsome manner in which his
health and that of Mr. Coleman had been proposed
and received. (Cheers.)
Mr. CAVE, in a lively speech, proposed " The
Prosperity. of Milford Haven," and connected with
the toast the name of Mr. A. F. Ridgway, London.
Mr. RIDGWAY, who has taken a most lively in-
terest in promoting the prosperity of Milford Haven,
and was most warmly received, said that he had
ahrays taken a deep interest in the prosperity of
Milford Haven. He had heard that statements dis-
paraging to Milford Haven had been made, and
that douts respecting its capacity to receive ships
of large draught of water had been circulated. The
sufficient answer to those statements and doubts
was that it received the Duke of Wellington, the
Tenible, the Windsor Castle, and the largest ships
of her Majesty's navy.- (Hear.) Neither the state-
ment of the hon. member for the Tower Hamlets,
who, it would seem, went to and came from India
without much knoWledge of the navigation of his
own country, might. say that Milford Haven was
" an insignificant spot," and the deputy-chairman
of the South Wales line might designate its shores
as barren and desolate, but he defied anyone to dis-
pute the fact that the largest, ships in the navy
floated in Milford Haven, or to contradict him when
he stated that the lands about Milford Haven were
not surpassed by any in the county, and he was
borne out in that opinion by an experienced York-
shire farmer, who sat beside him, Mr. Richardson,
who was going to New Zealand to better his for-
tunes, and who told him that he never saw a better
or richer country in his life than around Milford
Haven. (Cheers,) He should recommend them all
to follow the example of Mr, Richardson by emi-
grating with their families when there was not
room enough at home for them. (Hear.) He himself
emigrated from that, his native place, and he was
not the worse for it. (Hear.) They ought not to
consider the land in which they were born and
bound as their own land, butrather that land which
they could possess free and unencumbered, which
they could do what they likedwith, and which they
could really call their own. (Hear.) He could pre-
sent any proper and suitable man who emigrated to
New Zealand with 40 acres of land for himself, 40
for his wife, and 20 each for two children, free of
all expense, on the single condition that the passage
out was paid by the emigrant himself. (Hear, hear.)
He believed this was the way to check poor rates
and crimes. But he insisted that the first vessel
which took out the emigrants should start from Mil-
ford Haven, and it was only when the Lord Ashley
sailed from this port that the eyes of Messrs. Pear-
son and Coleman were awakened to the glories of
this noble harbour, which Lord Nelson declared to be
capable of holding all the navies of the world. (Hear,
hear.) His duty now was to propose the toast of
the entertainers on the present occasion. He would
ask them, as one who wished them well, to bury
all animosities, to discard all jealous feeling on
'one side or the other, and to recollect that unless
they first put seed into the ground they could not
expect to reap any fruit. (Hear, hear.) With the
toast of the entertainers he would couple the name
of Mr. M'Lean, a member of the town council of
Pembroke, and a gentleman who took an active part
in promoting the welfare of Milford Haven.
(Cheers.)

Mr. NPLEAN returned thanks, and expressed his
satisfaction and pleasure at the opportunity which
presented itself of paying a mark of respect totheir
excellent guests on that occasion. He had looked
forward to this evening with anxious anticipation,
and it was his ample reward if any labour of his
had contributed to bring together so splendid and
influential a' gathering. (Cheers.) To Milford
Haven he would only apply the idea of Burns, that
nature, after having tried her 'prentice hand on
other places, had formed this:harbour as her master-
piece. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he proposed
" The health •of the friends who accompanied
Messrs. Pearson and Coleman."

Mr. Justice BLAKENEY, who is proceeding in the
Prince Alfred to the Australian colonies, returned
thanks. He was happy to say that whilst there
were not ten saloon passengers in the four last
vessels that sailed. for Australia from the Thames,
the number proceeding in the Prince Alfred from
Milford Haven amounted to nearly thirty. (Cheers.)
Mr. LOCKE proposed the health of the chairman,
who briefly acknowledged the compliment.

Captain JACKSON proposed the next toast, which
was the health of Colonel Grenville, than whom no
man had done more to promote the welfare o 4
Milford Haven. (Cheers.)
Colonel GRENVILLE returned thanks, and recom-
mended unity amongst themselves as the best mode
of obtaining the object they had in view. As for
himself, he promised that he should be ready with
all the assistance he could afford whenever it was
wanted. (Cheers.)
The next toast was that of Mr. Merrick, a large
landed proprietor in the neighbourhood, which was
proposed by Dr. THOMAS.
Mr. MERRIcK having briefly replied,
Colonel GREVILLE proposed the health of the
Captain Superintendent of the Dockyard, whose
good wishes were with them, but who was unavoid-
ably absent in consequence of a previous engage-
ment.

At this point of the proceedings Viscount Emlyn
left the chair and retired. Mr. Ridgway was then
called thereto.

Mr. ROBERTSON proposed the next toast, which
was that of " Ships, Colonies, and Commerce." He
had considerable experience as a merchant and
agent for Lloyd's, in Milford Haven. He had been
in communication with merchants in Liverpool and
London, and from his own experience, as well as
from the testimony of so many mercantile men, he
could speak most highly of the capabilities of Mil-
ford Haven as a shipping port. Its merits were
even acknowledged by the press of Bristol and Liver-
pool, which might be considered as having an
adverse interest to that of Milford Haven.

Some other toasts were proposed and duly
acknowledged, after which the guests retired.
It ought to be mentioned that the Prince Alfred
is a vessel of 2,000 tons burthen and 400-horse
power. She takes out about 150 passengers,
amongst whom are officers of the army and navy
and others who are otherwise connected with the
imperial government. This is the third vessel
which Messrs. Pearson and Coleman have despatched
in the same service. The engines are on the
angular-trunk principle ; and on her voyage from
London to Milford, her consumption of coal did not
exceed 41b. per horse-power per hour. The
managing engineer of the company, Mr. Topham,
accompanied the vessel to Milford.—Daily News.

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