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

London, 7th February 1916
Messrs Worms & C° - Paris

Dear Sirs,
Port Said
We have to acknowledge receipt of your special letter of the 3rd inst. under this heading.
We are much obliged to you for repeating to us for our guidance some private information which you have received from your Marseilles Manager as to the price which the P & O steamers have recently been paying for their coals at Port Said and in connection therewith we may mention that for some time past whenever a change in the price has taken place Mr. Reiner of Messrs Gray, Dawes & Co. has managed to get hold of the fact that something of the sort was on the 'tapis' and has rung up the Writer to ask for authentic information upon the subject which the latter has invariably given him in confidence and as a matter of courtesy. We believe the arrangement of the English Coaling Company with their shareholders is that they charge them the current price during the course of the year, but same is subject to adjustment either upwards or downwards according to terms known only to themselves - at the end of the financial year.
We note that the "Malwa" recently took only half her usual quantity at Marseilles & the balance at Malta instead of bunkering entirely at Marseilles as in the past; of course as you are aware the P & O Company have had their own depot at Malta from time immemorial.
We had an opportunity of putting the question casually to Mr. Plummer today and he told us the explanation of the matter was that the Chairman is rather anxious to reduce their stock at Malta and one or two boats which are to follow will do the same thing, but it will not amount to anything very material.
We are, Dear Sirs,
Yours truly,

James Burness & Sons