§ Mr. GEORGE TERRELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it was the opinion of the Court of Inquiry into the loss of the sailing ship "Dalgonar" that the casualty was due to the shifting of loose ballast shipped at Callao; whether the sailing ship "Inveravon," carrying ballast of a similar character on a voyage from Callao to Portland, Oregon, is now posted as missing; and whether he proposes to take any and, if any, what steps to secure that in future movable ballast shall be properly stowed, and that the owners of British ships shall bear full responsibility 2161W for accidents due to their negligence or want of care in regard to the proper stowage of ballast or cargo?
§ Mr. BURNSThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board of Trade have already prepared and are about to issue a notice calling the attention of shipowners and shipmasters to the dangerous character of the shingle ballast shipped at Callao and to the necessity of taking adequate measures to prevent it from shifting. The notice will also be handed by the Consul at Callao to the masters of all British ships taking ballast at that port.