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General matters, 1909-1918

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Shelfmark: MSS. Afr. s. 92, fols. 1-530
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Comprises:

  1. (fols. 1-3) signed copy of a schedule by H.E. Ratsey, Head of the Marine and Engineering Department, of the composition of the Niger Company's fleet at 1 Jan 1911, 3 Apr 1911
  2. (fols. 4-5) copy of a Schedule initialled by A.A.R[atsey, brother of H.E. Ratsey] of the fleet at 1 Jan 1909, 20 Jul 1909
  3. (fols. 6-20) signed copies of Marine and Engineering Reports Nos. 39 ['Chairman's copy', with latter's annotations] and 40 by H.E. Ratsey. Both concern work on the fleet at Burutu and in England, and staff matters; also, a coal shortage (fols. 6, 19); a site and buildings for Agent General's quarters at Burutu (fols. 7, 17); accommodation at Burutu and on the Plateau and transport to cope with demand of developing mining industry (fols. 7-8, 12, 17-19), and Transport Returns for Nov (fol. 14) and Dec 1910 (fol. 20); need for new accommodation at Yola (fols. 9-10, 17), shipping of iron stores (fols. 11, 17); and extensions to the Burutu Wharf (fols. 13, 19). Report No. 39, in addition, mentions building of new quarters for indigenous employees (fol. 9) and tenders for installing electric light in Burutu (fol. 11); Report No. 40 raises Watts's suggestion of a concrete block making machine (fol. 18), 17 Jan; 15 Feb 1911
  4. (fols. 21-23) copy of a letter from Walter Watts, Agent General, to the Company Secretary, defending his choice of the new site at Burutu; and warning the Directors of congestion on the frontage [with annotations in Scarbrough's hand], 14 Mar 1911
  5. (fols. 24-27) signed copy of Ratsey's Marine Report No. 41 on repairs to the flotilla and wharf, and construction work; also, Transport Returns for Jan, 16 Mar 1911
  6. (fols. 28-31) copy of a letter from Robert Lenthall to the Directors (fols. 28-29), enclosing correspondence with the Lokoja Marine Superintendent about new river rates, 22-23 Mar 1911
  7. (fols. 32-43) copy of part of a 'Produce and General' letter from Watts on markets (fols. 32-35), and enclosing copies of documents and correspondence on the following subjects: (a) the Degama Native Council Rule on Trade Tax, 1903, a 'thinly veiled form of slavery (fols. 36-37, 42-43); (b) relations with the Bank of Nigeria (fols. 38-39); and (c) the Jebba freehold and the government (fols. 40-41), 6-24 Mar 1911
  8. (fols. 44-53) signed copies of Ratsey's Marine Reports Nos 42 and 43 on the poor state of the river; the transport situation, and decisions about accommodation, 27 Apr and 18 May 1911
  9. (fols. 54-55) extracts copied from the Agents Generals' letters (four from Lenthall; one from Watts) about new steamers, particularly on the need for passenger facilities, 25 May-21 Aug 1911
  10. (fols. 56-64) signed copies of Marine Reports Nos 44 and 45 from A.A.R[atsey] and H.E. Ratsey, concerning transport and accommodation matters, 7 and 17 Jul 1911
  11. (fols. 65-66) letter from A. Miller to Scarbrough on H.E. Ratsey's salary agreement, 18 Aug [for Sep?] 1911
  12. (fol. 67) brief note in Scarbrough's hand of sums and bonuses paid, 1903-1911 [to H.E.R.?], n.d. [1912?]
  13. (fols. 68-80) two letters from H.E. Ratsey to Scarbrough about his salary (fols. 68, 70-71), with Scarbrough's manuscript note of the Executive decision (fol. 72); and copies of Ratsey's Marine Reports Nos 46 (fol. 69, first page only; remainder bound as fols. 91-95), 47 and 48 on transport, accommodation, and staff matters (Nos 47-48 signed), 16 Sep-9 Nov 1911
  14. (fol. 81) extract copied from a Company letter from Agent General [Lenthall] on the 'immense value' of a relief beach at Burutu, 20 Nov 1911
  15. (fols. 82-84) 'Private and Confidential' Minutes circulated to members of the West African section of the London Chamber of Commerce after a meeting on transport facilities between the United Kingdom and stations on the Baro-Kano and Lagos railways; meeting attended by representatives of the Northern Nigeria and Lagos railways, Elder Dempster and the Niger Company [J.E. Trigge], 16 Dec 1911
  16. (fols. 85-101) signed copies of Ratsey's Marine Reports Nos 46 (fols. 91-95, first page bound fol. 69) and 49 (fols. 85-89), with summaries of the fleet and the Department's work for 1911 (fols. 90, 96-101), 21 Dec 1911, n.d. [21 Sep 1911]; 19 Aug 1912, n.d.
  17. (fols. 102-106) undated notes in Scarbrough's hand; first set entitled 'Notes from Waghorn's Report for 1912' [see also MSS. Afr. s. 91, fols. 665-666]; the remainder being Scarbrough's own jottings on transport matters for discussion with Nigerian Government and commercial officials, n.d. [1912]
  18. (fols. 107-117) a letter from Ratsey to Scarbrough (fol. 107) enclosing note of costs of necessary improvements (fol. 108); also, signed copies of his Marine Reports Nos 50 and 51: all dealing with extensions on the Burutu Beach; the state of the transport; difficulties in obtaining staff because of competition from the Mining plateau, 11 Jan-14 Feb 1912
  19. (fol. 118) extract copied from Agent General's letter to the Company about facilities at Baro, 27 Feb 1912
  20. (fol. 119) scale sketch of the Company's station at Burutu, 5 Mar 1912
  21. (fols. 120-132) copies of correspondence between the Agents General, and the government officials Eaglesome, Biffen, and Doyle about freight rates on the Baro-Kano railway, and the government's measures to promote Lagos as port and railhead, 22 Feb-30 Apr 1912
  22. (fols. 133-136) signed copy of Marine Report No. 52 by Ratsey about transport and accommodation, 20 Mar 1912
  23. (fols. 137-140) unsigned notes, mainly in Scarbrough's hand, on rail rates, 3 Apr 1912
  24. (fol. 141) extract copied from Agent General's letter to the Company on the latest government freight rates, 5 Apr 1912
  25. (fols. 142-143) letter from Lugard, 'at sea', to Scarbrough on his terms for working in Nigeria, and Lady Lugard's health, 6 Apr 1912
  26. (fols. 144-145) copies of an extract from the Agent General's letter and the cable it quotes on rates for tin shipment, 9 Apr 1912
  27. (fols. 146-147) letter from Sir Owen Philipps to Scarbrough, about taking over the Union Castle line, 9 Apr 1912
  28. (fols. 148-149) letter from Charles Strachey to W.G. Rand about arranging a meeting on the new freight rates, 10 Apr 1912
  29. (fol. 150) extract copied from a letter from the Agent General about needing storage facilities at Bahama, 12 Apr 1912
  30. (fol. 151) letter from Trigge to Scarbrough about through transit rates and possible competition with the government, 13 Apr 1912
  31. (fols. 152-154) signed copy of Marine Report No. 53 from Ratsey on transport, and the use of 'Hy-Rib' reinforced concrete in Nigeria, 18 Apr 1912
  32. (fols. 155-159) copies of extracts from three of the Agent General's letters enclosing copies of notices from government officials, W.F. Pearce and E.H. Biffen, advising railway users on procedure and rates (fols. 157, 159), 27 Mar-1 May 1912
  33. (fols. 160-164) signed copies of Marine Report No. 54 and notes of total cargo shipments 1909-1911 (fol. 164) by Ratsey; the report mainly concerns the large extensions for Burutu, 23-24 May 1912
  34. (fol. 165) copy of a Lagos cable on rates for tools, 30 May 1912
  35. (fol. 166) copy of a Company notice on through transit rates to the tin fields, 31 May 1912
  36. (fols. 167-168) letter from P.C. Wilkinson, Colonial Office, to Lugard replying to his enquiry [on Scarbrough's behalf?] about appointing a cavalry officer, Lane, to Northern Nigeria [enclosed in fols. 169-170?], 27 Jun 1912
  37. (fols. 169-170) letter from Lugard to Scarbrough to accompany two enclosures [one being fols. 167-168, second missing?]; mentioning a new treatment for his sick wife, but mainly concerns reaching agreement over freight rates, 28 Jun 1912
  38. (fols. 171-177) signed copies of Ratsey's two Marine Reports for Jul, No. 55 (fols. 171-174, 175-177) on the state of the fleet, 1 and 31 Jul 1912
  39. (fols. 178-180) memorandum initialled by Scarbrough on the 'River Transport Problem' of the government and Company fleets, n.d. [Aug 1912]
  40. (fol. 181) copy of a letter from Watts to the Company on shea nut and tool rates, 11 Aug 1912
  41. (fol. 182) extract copied from a letter from Downham [to the Company] about methods of evading the government rate on transporting shea nuts, 9 Aug 1912
  42. (fol. 183) unsigned statement of costs and revenue from fleet; with emendation in Scarbrough's hand, 20 Aug 1912
  43. (fols. 184-189) four letters, a telegram (fol. 185) and estimate (fol. 189) by Ratsey for Scarbrough about tenders for; and progress of, new steamers, 27-31 Aug 1912
  44. (fols. 190-200) correspondence between Lugard, on leave, (fols. 190-194, 196-197) and Scarbrough (draft fol. 195) and a summary of points raised in it by Scarbrough (fols. 198-200): all concerning the contract between the government and Company, and the river service, 2-16 Sep 1912
  45. (fols. 201-206) signed copy of Ratsey's Marine Report No. 56 about fleet replacements or repair in view of the increase of transport work, and buildings and vehicles for development work in Northern Nigeria, 19 Sep 1912
  46. (fols. 207-217) two letters (fols. 211-212, 213-214) and an annotated draft Transport Agreement (fols. 207-210) from Lugard, at sea, as well as a manuscript memorandum by Scarbrough (fols. 215-217) commenting on the proposals, 22 Sep 1912
  47. (fols. 218-221) signed copy of Ratsey's Marine Report No. 57 on the condition of the fleet; ferrying German troops to Garua (Garoua) has improved the passenger returns, 18 Oct 1912
  48. (fols. 222-223) letter from Lugard, in Lagos, to Scarbrough, about the pressure of business and his programme; ending with a passage about Lady Scarbrough in her bereavement [death of her son, for which see also MSS. Afr. s. 87, fol. 525], 28 Oct 1912
  49. (fols. 224-228) copy of a formal letter from Scarbrough to Lugard (fol. 224) enclosing Lugard's amended Draft Transport (Niger) Agreement (fols. 225-228); [this copy's emendations in Scarbrough's and another's hand], 19 Nov 1912
  50. (fols. 229-231) signed copy of Ratsey's Marine Report No. 58, about flotilla repairs, and the despatch of the first motor transport wagon to Rahama, 22 Nov 1912
  51. (fols. 232-233) letter from Lugard to Scarbrough about reasons for delaying beginning the Company's transport service, 18 Dec 1912
  52. (fol. 234) note from Fiddes to Scarbrough to defer the service until receiving Lugard's further emendations, 20 Dec 1912
  53. (fols. 235-238) signed copy of Ratsey's Marine Report No. 59 on the state of the fleet; also, on the need for better accommodation in view of Onitsha's increasing importance, 20 Dec 1912
  54. (fol. 239) confirmation copy of a telegram from Eaglesome to Scarbrough on railway facilities, 28 Dec 1912
  55. (fols. 240-241) letter from Lugard to Scarbrough on sending the amended Transport Agreement, 30 Dec 1912
  56. (fols. 242-246) signed copy of Ratsey's 1912 Annual Report for the Marine and Engineering Department, 26 Jul 1913
  57. (fols. 247-249) signed copy of a schedule by Ratsey of the Company's fleet, 3 Jan 1913
  58. (fols. 250-251) copy of a 'Produce and General' letter from Watts, headed by Scarbrough 'Marine requirements', urging the construction of light draft steamers to cope with increasing year-round transport requirements, 7 Jan 1913
  59. (fols. 252-253) letter from Strachey to Scarbrough on further delays over the Agreement, 16 Jan 1913
  60. (fols. 254-257) signed copy of Ratsey's Marine Report No. 60 on the state of the fleet, and motor transport, 16 Jan 1913
  61. (fols. 258-260) initialled copy of Ratsey's memorandum on 'Transport Proposals', suggesting creation of the Niger Transport Company, to separate the Company's trading and river interests, 21 Jan 1913
  62. (fols. 261-271) correspondence between Fiddes (fol. 261) and Scarbrough (copies fols. 265-266, 267-268), and from latter to Lugard (fols. 269-270, 271) with a related office memorandum (fols. 262-264) criticising Lugard's latest proposed Agreement, 29 Jan-11 Feb 1913
  63. (fols. 272-281) signed copies of Marine Reports Nos 61 and 62 from Ratsey stressing the need for lighter craft to cope with increased river business; government cargo handling at Baro poor, any improvements fall on the Company; motor wagons proving useful despite the seasonal nature of roads, 20 Feb; 13 Mar 1913
  64. (fols. 282-283) two sheets of notes by Scarbrough on the River contract; with draft of proposed cable to Lugard (fol. 283) stating objections to an altered section on rates, 15 Apr 1913; n.d.
  65. (fols. 284-289) signed copy of Ratsey's Marine Report No. 63, mainly concerned with the motor wagons, but also mentioning shipping and accommodation requirements, 17 Apr 1913
  66. (fol. 290) memorandum of a meeting between Biffen of the Railways and representatives of the Company and Elder Dempster to settle river traffic rates, 22 Apr 1913
  67. (fols. 291-292) sketch map by 'A.J.D.' and cross-section of the Gurrum River Gorge area traversed by the Baro railway, 6 May 1913
  68. (fol. 293) telegram from the London Office to Scarbrough about completing the Agreement, and the amount of £220,000 paid out in duties for 1912, 16 May 1913
  69. (fols. 294-295) letter from Lugard, in London, to Scarbrough about the final details of the Agreement, 16 May 1913
  70. (fols. 296-298) signed copy of Ratsey's Marine Report No. 64 on the state of the fleet, 29 May 1913
  71. (fol. 299) brief manuscript note in Scarbrough's hand on Marine Requirements, Jun 1913
  72. (fol. 300) scheme in Scarbrough's hand of the Government Marine Department's organisation, n.d.
  73. (fol. 301) extract copied from a letter from Lenthall to the Shipping Department on establishing a reliable cargo service before the Lagos Railway rolling stock can compete, 3 Jun 1913
  74. (fols. 302-313) signed copies of Marine Reports, No. 65 by H.E. Ratsey and No. 66 by A.A. Ratsey, respectively; with copies of related letters from H.E. Ratsey to Scarbrough (fol. 305) and Lenthall (fols. 306, 307-310); mainly about plans for the reorganisation of Burutu, 19 Jun-30 Jul 1913
  75. (fols. 314-317) correspondence between Scarbrough and Fiddes about the S/S Col.'s approval for the River Contract, and the need for speed, 30 Jun 1913
  76. (fol. 318) cover note from Lugard to Scarbrough to accompany Colonial Office comments on the Agreement; endorsed with comment by Scarbrough, 11 Jul 1913
  77. (fols. 319-359) draft Agreement, (fols. 319-325) and Schedules (fols. 326-332) amended by Scarbrough and with unsigned typescript notes annexed (fols. 333-335); copy of the Agreement (fols. 336-342) and Schedules (fols. 343-359) incorporating some of these emendations, May, Jul; 1 Aug 1913
  78. (fols. 360-361) extracts copied from two letters from Lenthall to the Shipping Department on timber and iron requirements for numerous station buildings, 12 and 19 Aug 1913
  79. (fols. 362-364) unsigned copy of an office letter to Ratsey in Burutu on general matters, and cooperating with the government over Bonny-Kaduna railway material, 9 Sep 1913
  80. (fol. 365) extracts copied from H.E. Ratsey's letters from Burutu on fleet additions, 9 and 16 Sep 1915
  81. (fols. 366-385) signed copies of Marine Reports from A.A. Ratsey Nos 67, 68, 69, and 70; also, a letter to Scarbrough (fol. 375): about the unusually low river; the state of fleet and accommodation; and the selection of European motor mechanics and drivers, and equipment of vehicles for naphtha instead of kerosene, 26 Sep-19 Dec 1913
  82. (fols. 386-388) correspondence between Charles E. Musgrave of the London Chamber of Commerce and Scarbrough about the Company's experience of state ownership in Nigeria being of benefit to the Royal Commission of Railways, 24 and 29 Dec 1913
  83. (fols. 389-397) signed copy of the Marine and Engineering Department's Report and Transport schedules for 1913 by H.E. Ratsey, summarising the past year's activities, 16 Jul 1914
  84. (fols. 398-401) signed copy of the Marine Report No. 71 by A.A. Ratsey on shipping and building repairs, and the motor transport, 16 Jan 1914
  85. (fols. 402-403) cover note from Trigge to Scarbrough (fol. 403) with a cable from Watts, Burutu, asking for new small steamers of the 'Oguta' class (fol. 402; see reference fol. 662), 30 and 31 Jan 1914
  86. (fols. 404-419) circulars for members of the West African Section of the London Chamber of Commerce: a copy of a letter from H.J. Read, Colonial Office (fol. 405) with a copy of a proposed agreement by Attorney General A.R. Pennington for handing over government transport services on the Cross River and other Nigerian Inland Waters to private enterprise (fols. 406-411); also, copy of a letter from Sir Owen Philipps to Sir John Anderson on Lagos Harbour dues, commenting on Lugard's despatch (fols. 413-419), 11 Nov 1913; 24 Jan and 9 Feb 1914
  87. (fols. 420-435) signed copies of four Marine Reports three from A.A. Ratsey, No. 72, an unnumbered one prepared for Board Meeting, and No. 75; and one from H.E. Ratsey, No. 76; concerning the state of the fleet, especially in view of the low river; and the motor transport returns, 20 Feb-22 May 1914
  88. (fols. 436-437) copies of correspondence between Lieut. R.A. Child, Lugard, and Scarbrough about dredging of the 'Burutu Flats', 27-31 May 1914
  89. (fols. 438-442) signed copy of Marine Report No. 78 by H.E. Ratsey on requirements, the state of the fleet, and motor transport; raises possibility of selling lorries to mining companies with the extension of the railway to Jos, 18 Jun 1914
  90. (fols. 443-446) cover note from Ratsey to Scarbrough (fol. 443) with signed copy of his earlier transport Proposals [see fols. 258-260], with a view to submitting them to Goldie, Jan 1913; 7 Dec 1914
  91. (fols. 447-453) signed copy of Ratsey's Marine and Engineering Department Report for 1914, summarising a year disrupted by abnormally low water and the outbreak of war, n.d. [Jul 1915?]
  92. (fols. 454-473) signed copies of seven Marine Reports by Ratsey: Nos 84, 86, 87, 90, 92, 93, and 94 on reductions necessitated by wartime; but generally commenting on an improved river and tolerable trading situation; reports the loss of life and goods in the sinking of the S.S. 'Falaba' (fols. 459-460) [see also MSS. Afr. s. 99, fols. 611-613], 20 Jan-19 Nov 1915
  93. (fols. 474-476) extracts copied from office letters to the Agent General and Burutu about river transport and the 'God-send' of government railway cargo, 28 May-19 Oct 1915
  94. (fols. 477-486) special report by Ratsey on the Company's properties (with a summary of the report by Friend, Superintendent Carpenter, of replacements and repairs), including the Garua (Garoua) station destroyed by Germans, 11 Dec 1915
  95. (fols. 487-491) signed copy of the Marine and Engineering Department Report for 1915 by A.A. Ratsey, 1 Sep 1916
  96. (fols. 492-513) signed copies of six Marine Reports from H.E. Ratsey, Nos 96-101: because of rising fuel and working costs, suggests putting up river freights; incorporates Capt. Brown's report on the 'Sandbeck's' trip to Abonnema (fols. 496, 499-500); Brown's instability and resignation as Marine Superintendent (fols. 507-508, 511); also, information on shipping repair matters, 21 Jan-23 Jun 1916
  97. (fol. 514) unsigned copy of a letter [from Scarbrough] to the Secretary of the War Office releasing Ratsey to a position in Inland Water Transport, 23 Jun 1916
  98. (fols. 515-519) signed copy of Marine Report No. 102 by A.A. Ratsey on general shipping; the auction of German vessels; Capt. H.E. Ratsey's job as Assistant Director of Transport and membership of the Special Commission into Transport on the R. Tigris, 21 Jul 1916
  99. (fols. 520-524) signed copy of Marine Report No. 116 by A.A. Ratsey on replacements and repairs, and tests with Udi coal and wood fuel; reports of yellow fever on the Benue, 17 Sep 1917
  100. (fols. 525-530) signed copy of the Marine and Engineering Report for 1917 by A.A. Ratsey on relatively good conditions in Nigeria, materials obtained from America before its embargo; recommendations for utilising local timber; the destruction by fire of 60% of the Burutu Beach property, valued at £27,000; and its rebuilding, estimated at £100,000, 1 Oct 1918.

Dates

  • Creation: 1909-1918

Extent

530 Leaves

Language of Materials

  • English

Shelfmark

MSS. Afr. s. 92, fols. 1-530

Repository Details

Repository Details

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