The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-05-14
NEWS FROM CONSULS
AROUND THE WORLD
(Frern W. .. - Cnns1II at -

(Frcm " L. Avery, Consul at Belize)
The government of British Honduras
has made contract with the United
Fruit Company for mail service for the
next five years. which is of interest to
Southern exporters particularly. as chow
ing the schedule connections and rates
between this colony and the Gulf ports of
the United States
There has been no direct communica-
ton with New York since the withdrawal
OF the Tweedie Line in 1900. but begin
ming this month a schooner line has been
established. and vessel should leave
New York for Belize about every six
weeks.
The principal provisions of the contract
are:
The contractors shall convey all mails
between New Orleans aid Belize, and be-
tween Belize and Puerto Cortez, and he
tween Belize and every other port at
which any steam vessel EMPLOYED bv the
contractors under the stipulations Of this
agreement shall call, once in every week
Tor period Of FIVE years, TO be computed
from the 18th day of January, 1902, by
good and efficient steam vessels of not
less than 500 tons gross tonnage and
capable OF conveying the mails at a speed
OF not less than eleven knots an hour in
ordinary weather
a steam vessel shall. On every Thursday
during the continuance CT this agreement.
at O'Clock in the forenoon or as soon
thereafter as practicable, Immediately
after the mails are embarked. proceed
direct to Belize. and a like vessel shall
proceed with the mails direct to New Or
leans II at the appointed day the mails
from England shall not have arrived at
New OFleaRsI the vessel shall await their
arrival for six hours. Before returning to
New Orleans, vessels shall call. on the
voyage TO Puerto Cortez. at Siam Creek.
Monkey River, and Punta Gorda; on the
return voyage, at Monkey River. Sittee
River, and Siam Greek. provided that so
long as regular weekly steam coumuRi-
cation is maintained between Belize and
Punta Gorda, by the Orr and Lauben-
heimer COMPANY vessels shall be exempt
from the obligation of calling at Punta
Gorda. Failure TO fulfill the service shall
make the company liable to q fine OF $50
per twenty-fouT hours Mails shall be
conveyed within four days between Belize
and New Orleans and New Orleans and
Belize, respectively, under a like penalty
The government shall pay the Contrac-
tors the sum OF 81. 900 per annum- The
vessels shall not be compelled to take
pilots or be liable to the payment Of port
charges The contractors shall either give
security (S3. COOS for the performance of
this contract or else the government shall
be entitled 70 retain, until the determine
ton of this agreement, the three monthly
payments first 10 become due. The agree
ment shall not be assigned, underIet, OF
OF without the consent Of the
governor in council. Either party can
terminate 1t at the expiration Of FIVE
years from the 18th day of January. 1902,
on six months notice. The freight rates
shall be: From New Orleans 10 Belize or
from Belize TO New Orleans, IS cents per
barrel, OF where the articles shipped are
not in barrels. 20 cents per cubic foot
measurement.
The rates Of passage for cabin and deck
accommodations, respectively. are: From
Belize to New orIeaag. SIS and SIS. Re
turn tickets, available for six months.
S45