British Whig (Kingston, ON), March 6, 1885

p.3

COURT OF REVISION.

The Court of Revision met yesterday afternoon. Present: Ald. Whiting, chairman; Alds. Harty and Shannon.

The following petitioned for a tax reduction:

Clark Hamilton, for James Wilson, yacht Swan.

G.S. Oldrieve, schr. Acacia.

W.B. & S. Anglin, steamer City of Kingston.

Folger Bros., schrs. Annie Foster and O. Mowat.

T.F. Taylor, schr. A. Falconer.

W. Dandy and Joseph Swift, schr. B.W. Folger.

R. Davis, steambarge Freemason and consort Craftsman.

Breck & Booth, schr. Jessie H. Breck.

Capt. John Donnelly, schr. Grantham.

Capt. S. Fraser, steambarge Indian and schrs. R. Gaskin and Southampton.

Capt. Patterson, prop. Africa.

J.G. Hurley, steambarge R.D. Anglin.

The court recommended 40 per cent off the assessment of vessels.

Assessment On Steamboats.

B.W. Folger, for W. Nichol, asked for a reduction of the assessment of the steamers Maud and Pierrepont. Confirmed. The assessment of the steamer Watertown was, however, struck off.

C.F. Gildersleeve, in regard to the str. Hastings, got partial remission, that of the str. Hero was confirmed.

Stephen Tyo got the taxes on the schr. Vision struck off, and John Cornelius got a remission of taxes on the schr. Gazelle.

LATE MARINE NEWS.

Touching marine business in Chicago the Inter-Ocean says matters are sluggish. One schooner, Angus Smith, was chartered to carry a cargo of corn to Kingston on a seven cent rate. She carries 52,000 bushels. Later the schooner North Cape was chartered for corn to Kingston, at 5 1/2 cents per bushel, and pay her own canal tolls. This downward tendency of prices is the direct result of vague rumors about a railroad freight war.

The Canadian grain-carrying trade has been given a fresh impetus by President Arthur suspending the tonnage duty of 3 cents per ton on all vessels arriving in American ports from ports in Canada. For years this tonnage tax has been a heavy burden to vessel owners, and especially since cheap freights have been the rule, and now that it is removed entirely it will give fresh impetus to the trades. Previous to June 26th, 1884, this tonnage tax was assessed at the rate of 20 cents per ton, and in consequence a good share of a vessel's earnings was annually eaten by its payment. Frequently a vessel which made only one trip to a Canadian port during the season had to pay $350 for the privilege.