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James Burness & Sons
London and 3, Bute Crescent, Cardiff
138, Leadenhall Street

London, 28th December, 1915
MM. Worms & Co - Paris

Dear Sirs,
Natal coal for Messageries C°
When speaking to us today you requested us to ask MM. Mitchell Cotts & C° to make an offer to the Messageries C° for a cargo coal contract over next year.
We have been endeavouring to get them to make an offer for a renewal of this year's contract for some time past but, fearing heavy demands on their stocks both at Natal & Cape Town owing to boats proceeding East via the Cape instead of via the Canal, they were unwilling to agree to supply Natal Navigation &/or Glencoa Coal only.
We have however today told MM. Mitchell Cotts & C° we would put forward an offer for the same coals as this year, viz. Natal Navigation, Glencoe, Burnside &/or St. Georges, but we pointed out to them that during the course of the year complaints had almost always occurred when any considerable portion of Burnside or St. Georges were included in cargoes so we hoped if business resulted they would confine their shipments almost exclusively to these two qualities, which we trust you will approve.
MM. Mitchell Cotts & C° say they are going into the position and we hope to have an offer in writing from them to place before you.
Yours truly,

James Burness & Sons