the first yields 3 per cent. net on the capital; and the third when both first and second give the same (33 per cent.) net returns.

5. All lands necessary for the line, stations, &c., shall be ceded gratis to the company.

6. At least eighteen miles shall be open to traffic within two years, and the rest of the first section in twelve months later.

7. Government may interfere in the traffic when the dividends exceed 15 per cent.

There is every likelihood of this enterprise being revived, and the Governments of Entre Rios and Corrientes will perhaps give a land-grant along the line, similar to that of the Central Argentine.

LUXAN AND SALTO RAILWAY.-This was a project by M. Lacroze, to run a branch from the Western Railway northwards, the Government of Buenos Ayres finding the funds, to be reimbursed in part by municipal taxation in the «partidos>> benefited by the line. It was judged impracticable.

PARANÁ AND NOGOYA RAILWAY.-The surveys for this line were made in October 1865 by Neville Mortimer, C. E., who estimated the cost at £321.536 sterling; or £5,024 per mile, the length being 64 miles. Nothing has since been done in the matter.

LOBOS RAILWAY.-In June 1867 several land-holders of Lobos and neighbouring partidos prevailed on Governor Alsina to order the surveys of a branch-line from the Western to Lobos. The idea of Government consisted in proposing to the Legislature of Buenos Ayres the emission of twenty millions currency (£160,000 sterling) in 6 per cent. funds, saleable at 85, with an annual sinking-fund of 1 per cent. Vice-President Paz and Dr. Acosta assured Governor Alsina that most of the said funds would be taken up in Lobos, Navarro, Saladillo &c.: they even promised to get all the land gratis, along the route. The branch-line would start from Moreno or Rodriguez station; the cost would be about £5,000 per mile, but it is difficult to suppose the funds could be provided by subscription among the estancieros.

RIO LUXAN PORT AND RAILWAY.-In October 1867, a project was started, to run a branch railway from Floresta, on the Western line, to the River Lujan. The cost was estimated at £100,000, and the projectors sought no guarantee but a monopoly for twenty years, the great object being to make a port on the Rio Lujan, for the city of Buenos Ayres, at a place where the water is said to have a depth of twelve feet.

SAN FERNANDO CANALIZATION.-The concession, bearing date 20th July, 1863, is as follows:

HARBOR ACCOMMODATION.

111

1. Mr. Edward A. Hopkins is hereby authorized to form a joint-stock company for the canalization of the Arroyo Capitan, between the Parana de las Palmas and Lujan river, opposite the town of San Fernando, with a mole, warehouses, and deposit stores, suitable to the requirements of the coasting craft of the upper rivers.

2. The capital of the company shall not exceed one million five hundred thousand silver dollars.

3. The company may charge the tolls, mole, and deposit dues which it shall judge fit, for the term of twenty years, provided that the receipts do not exceed the sum of eighteen per cent nett profit on the capital.

4. The Arroyo del Capitan shall be canalized and improved and shall have at least eighteen metres in breadth throughout the whole length at surface, and three metres in depth at mean tide.

5. The dues payable for the use of the canal shall only be recoverable in proportion to its cost, which must not exceed the sum of three hundred and seventy-eight thousand four hundred and twelve silver dollars, according to the estimates of the concessionaire.

6. At the expiration of the twenty years mentioned in article 3, the canal shall be free from all the company's dues.

7. At any time during the period of this concession the Government shall have the right of expropriating the canal works for the benefit of the public, at the value of their cost, and 25 per cent extra as indemnification. 8. The company shall have the requisite number of tug-boats for the service of the moles and canal.

9. The works shall commence within the period of eighteen months. In 1865 Congress gave a prolongation of the concession, and Mr. Hopkins began the works in the following year. A company was formed in Buenos Ayres in 1867, since when the works go on favorably. The ironwork is ordered from England, the machinery from the United States; among the latter is a dredge capable of throwing 100 tons an hour.

1

PORT FOR BUENOS AYRES.-In 1859, Mr. Coghlan, C.E., prepared a complete survey, with plans, for the construction of a harbor, the estimated cost being £800,000: the plans still decorate the ante-chamber of the Provincial Legislature. In 1864 the project was taken up under another form by Señor Garay. There is now some talk of Congress devoting the extra duties hitherto used for war purposes in this more useful manner. In 1866 Mr. Petty, the pilot, submitted a project to clear the roadstead of the many wrecks and lost anchors lying about; he asked no other remuneration than the anchors, &c., to be recovered, whereupon the authorities called

for tenders to clean the port, and nothing has since been done in the

matter.

HARBOR AT THE BOCA.-In July 1863, Don Manuel Lynch submitted to Congress the subjoined project, which died, like so many others, in embryo

1. The company shall construct, at their own risk and expense, a harbor for this city.

2. The entrance to such harbor will be near Quilmes, with a depth of water fourteen feet at low tide, with a proper sluice-gate.

3. This entrance will be prolonged as far as the Riachuelo de la Boca, by means of a canal.

4. The company shall erect, at their own cost, warehouses and depots. 5. When the section shall be finished to the Riachuelo, all vessels shall be obliged to enter the canal and Riachuelo for unloading or loading.

6. The company shall recover, in such cases, on unloading, 12 reals s. per ton register, and the same for loading.

7. The company shall have one or more tug-boats to take vessels in or out of the port, the fee for which shall not exceed 4 reals s. per ton register.

8. This concession shall be for a term of thirty years, after which the Government shall enter into full possession of the canals and lighthouse.

GUNPOWDER MANUFACTORY.-In September 1865, this company was formed, with a capital of £10,000, in shares of £50 each, under the direction of Mr. Liesenberg, who had had ten years' experience in Europe. An unlucky explosion occurred in July 1867, the day before the proposed inauguration: Mr. Liesenberg was seriously injured; but the enterprise was not abandoned. The works are situate at Palermo.

STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH UNITED STATES.-In August 1865, Congress voted £4,000 per annum as a subsidy for a branch line of the United States and Brazilian mail service: up to the present no branch has been established.

BUENOS AYRES WATER-WORKS.-In August 1863 a proposal was sent in by Messrs. Easton, Amos, & Co., London, to provide water-works for the city. The supply was to be 30,000 pipes daily, the water being taken from above the Gas-house. The cost was estimated at £102,000, for which the Municipality would give 7 per cent. bonds. Several other projects were initiated from time to time, but the Municipality paid no attention to the wants of the city, till, in January 1868, the cholera caused such ravages Governor Alsina and the Legislature took the matter in hand.

SEWAGE AND WATER-WORKS.

113

Mr. Coghlan was authorised to construct water-works near the Recoleta, at an estimated cost of £48,000, and an engineer was despatched to England for machinery.

Mr. Coghlan states, in a report to Don Emilio Castro, dated May 15, that the original design has been considerably extended, being now calculated for the distribution of 1,300,000 gallons daily. All the machinery being provided in duplicate the quantity may be at any time extended by additional reservoirs and filters. The addition of a third engine similar to the two already contracted for, would be sufficient for increasing the supply to 2,500,000 gallons daily.

The works were inaugurated with great pomp on the 15th September, the machinery is already shipped from England, and it is expected the whole project will be carried out early in 1869. The pipes will suffice for twelve miles of ground.

DRAINAGE, WATER SUPPLY, AND PAVING.-There are several projects under consideration, some one of which will probably be carried out before long. The works undertaken by Mr. Coghlan are in a manner temporary, as they do not include drainage and paving, and the new proposals include the purchase of said works. The proposals of Robinson & Co., and Gotto & Neate, are the most important.

Thomas Robinson and Co.'s Proposals.

Drainage. Will construct all necessary sewers, two disinfecting stations, gullies for street water, junction pipes to facilitate house drainage.

Water-works. Will supply 2,000,000 gallons filtered water daily, constant pressure, fire-plugs at every cross street, hydrants, air valves, water tower, and cistern.

Will execute at least twelve squares (1,700 yards) of both works every two months, and complete all in four years. Will commence works immediately on signing contract.

Terms. To be paid for 400 manzanas (blocks 425 feet square) £820,000 in Provincial Bonds bearing 7 per cent. interest, and 3 per cent. sinking fund, payable in London or Buenos Ayres at choice of contractor. For every additional manzana £1,350.

Gotto and Neate's Proposal: Capital, £1,200,000. Sewerage.-Pipes to carry off sewage and rain water. Junctions to

houses.

Water-works.-Supply of 6,000,000 gallons in twenty-four hours, constant

pressure.

I

Paving. Of 136 squares (58,000 lineal feet) with granite blocks, in

concrete.

Will maintain and work water supply and drainage for term of concession, and keep paving in repair for one year.

Terms.-Monopoly for ninety-nine years. Exemption from duties, import and export. Payment by Provincial Government of $48 s. (£9 15s.) per annum for each house within the city. The Municipality to pay $25,000 s. (£5,100) per annum for water for fountains, fires, and watering the streets.

EXPORT OF CATTLE.-In August 1868, Messrs. Alexander F. Baillie and P. Barry, on the part of a London company, petitioned the Argentine Government for a concession to export live stock to Europe. The capital of the company was stated at £500,000, and a fleet of seven first-class steamers would be constructed, with the double purpose of bringing out emigrants, and taking home cattle in the return voyage: the annual export of stock to be at least 5,000 head of horned cattle and 3,000 sheep. They solicited a monopoly for seven years, and a total exemption from Customs'duties. Mr. Baillie returned to England in October, and states that he has obtained the concession prayed for, as far as regards all exportation of live stock to England and France.

NEW GAS COMPANY. In the beginning of 1867, Mr. James Bell of Montevideo, associated with some men of influence and capital in Buenos Ayres, projected a new gas company in Buenos Ayres, in opposition to the original company established in 1856. The capital of the old company is $18,000,000, or £144,000 sterling, and the dividends in recent years have varied from 20 to 30 per cent. per annum: the shares are still over 50 per cent. premium. The present price of gas is about £1 3s. per 1,000 cubic feet, and the proposed new company promises to make a great reduction; as yet, however, it remains merely a project, the only step taken being the submission of the statutes to the Argentine Government, which has approved of same. The term of monopoly granted to the old company has long since expired. It is intended to erect the works of the new company at the south end, in Barracas.