201
49
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
885/25
—མ
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON | ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
48
MINUTES.
The Committee considered an account from Messrs. Wilson, Sons, and Coin- pany, Limited, for £2,482 6s. 8d. for coal and water supplied to this ship at Dakar. This account had been considered by Messrs. Elder Dempster and Company, who had advised that it was in order. The Committee decided that the Admiralty should be asked to settle the account, since the Committee were not responsible for the arrangements with regard to the ship.
3.
3.5.
"Edna.”—Mr. Holt reported that this ship would be due to call at Plymouth on the 15th June for orders. Mr. Evans stated that the Board of Agriculture had placed the sale of the nitrate in the hands of Messrs. Anthony Gibbs and Company. Mr. Holt was requested to see the latter firm and find out what arrangements should be made for the discharge of the cargo.
4.
8.v. "Terpsichore."-The Committee agreed that this ship should be chartered to bring home deals from Halifax or logwood from Belize, according as Mr. Holt might be advised by the Board of Trade, the estimated profit being approximately the same in both cases.
C
5. 8.0. Kelp."-The Committee considered an application from T. K. Durkee, the mate, for assistance, in view of the losses he had sustained through the wreck. Messrs. Fisher, Alimonda, and Company had suggested that an allow- ance of £20 should be made in the circumstances. The Committee agreed to accept
this suggestion,
6. S.S. Diana."--The Secretary read a letter from Messrs. Mitchell, Cotts, and Company with regard to the protection and indemnity insurance on this ship. It appeared that the employers' liability had not been insured, but Messrs. Cotts admitted that the responsibility was theirs, and they had asked their club to hold them fully covered until the redelivery of the boat. The Committee agreed that in the circumstances no further action was necessary.
The Secretary reported that, at the request of Messrs. Mitchell, Cotts, and Company, the Nigerian Government had been asked to advance £400 to the captain of this ship to pay off the crew, this sum to be allowed in the settlement for the stores, etc.
Mr. Holt stated that the Nigerian Government were not insuring in the Pro- tection and Indemnity Association the quarter liability against collisions, as this was covered by the marine policy which insured four-fourths R.D.C.
7. 8.8. Grahamland."-The Committee approved the payment of £1,500 to Messrs. Farrar, Groves, and Company on account of their disbursements. Mr. Holt reported that, at the request of Messrs. Waltons and Company, the master of the ship had had an interview with that firm to discuss certain points arising out of the correspondence with the British Columbian authorities.
8. s.v. Bellas." Mr. Holt stated that he understood that the asphalt which would be brought from Trinidad would be sold to the Munitions Department. The Committee thought that it was unnecessary to raise the question of the return of
any of the freight to that Department.
8.5.
9. "Macedonia."-The Secretary reported that he had seen Mr. H. G. Kellock with regard to the revision of the valuation of this ship, and that a revised certificate had now been forwarded by Messrs. C. W. Kellock and Company reduc- ing the value of the ship from £50,000 to £47,111. The reduction represented the cost of repairs which had been effected at Gibraltar according to a statement of account forwarded to the Committee by the Admiralty.
10. 5.8. Telde."--The Committee decided that the Secretary should write to the Admiralty and ask them to make all the arrangements with regard to the future employment of this ship, as she was not in a condition to be loaded with cargo by the ('ommittee.
Messrs. Elder and Fyffes were to be informed that the Committee were unable to give them any information with regard to the future employment or disposal of this ship.
**
11. 5.3. Gibraltar.”—The Secretary read to the Committee a letter from the Procurator-General's Department with regard to the position of the freights which the Arbitrator had decided could not be collected from the representatives for the
MINUTES.
cargo owners. The Committee decided that, if Mr. Tennyson agreed, the question of applying to the court for the condemnation of these freights should be referred to Counsel as proposed in the letter.
12. Insurance of Cargoes.-The Committee were informed that the Admiralty Marshal had now effected an insurance against aircraft and bombardment risks. They recommended that the Foreign Office should telegraph to Alexandria to find out whether it was considered that it was worth while effecting a similar insurance of the cargoes in the Prize Court at Alexandria.
The Secretary was authorized to write to the Foreign Office and ask whether some payment could not be made to the Committee on account of the premium collected by the Marshal at Alexandria under the scheme.
"
Certain papers with regard to the premium collected in India on cargoes et "Lindenfels," and "Wartenfels," the steamships Rheinfels,' "Warturm,' "Franz Ferdinand" were considered, but it was decided to wait until Mr. Wakely was present before dealing with them.
13.
5.3. Marina."-The Committee approved the payment to the Crown Agents of a bill for £57 0s. 8d. in respect of expenses incurred by the Nigerian Government on this ship previously to her charter.
2492
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH MEETING of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office, on Monday, 26th June, 1916, at 3.30 p.m.
The following members were present :-
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR E. J. W. SLADE, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O. (Chairman). MR. W. J. EVANS, Admiralty.
MR. G. L. BARSTOW, C.B., Treasury.
MR. H. W. MALKIN, Foreign Office.
MR. L. D. WAKELY, India Office.
MR. C. TENNYSON, C.M.G., Colonial Office.
MR. T. H. HOLT, Crown Agents.
MR. R. A. WISEMAN (Secretary).
1. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.
2.
"Edna. 5.8.
-The Committee discussed the question of applying to the
A report made by Court to requisition this ship for a voyage to West Africa. Messrs. Scruttons on the condition of the ship was considered, and it was decided that Mr. Holt should ask Messrs. Elder Dempster and Company to make an estimate of the time and cost involved in putting the ship into proper repair for such a voyage.
3. 8.8.
CC
Diana." The Secretary reported that this ship had been delivered in the Colony to the Nigerian Government on the 22nd June.
4. Ivory at Sierra Leone.—The Secretary reported that the Admiralty Marshal had agreed to sell this commodity if it were brought home to the United Kingdom. The Committee considered that the Admiralty should be asked whether it would be possible for the ivory to be brought home in a transport, and that, if no such trans- port were available, the Governor should be instructed to send the ivory home only if heavy charges were accumulating on it in the Colony.
5. Sailing Ships at Malta.—Mr. Malkin stated that, from the point of view
"
of the Foreign Office, there was no objection to the sale of the "Cleopatra" and
Ayia Nicola" under the conditions which allowed Allies and Neutrals to bid.
Lokken." Mr. Malkin stated that the Foreign Office had informed His Majesty's Procurator-General that no application should be made to the Court to requisition this ship until the claim of the owners that she was captured in territorial waters had been definitely disposed of.
6.
8.8.
7. Insurance of Cargoes.-The Secretary informed the Committee that His Majesty's High Commissioner for Egypt had reported that the authorities concerned
K
Page 210Page 211
203
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
וד
C.O.
Reference :-
885/25
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
50
MINUTES.
did not recommend the insurance of cargo in Egypt against aircraft risks. The Committee agreed that no further action need be taken in the matter.
The Committee considered a letter from the India Office forwarding forms relating to the insurance of cargoes and the collection of premium. The Secretary reported that the correspondence forwarded by the Government of India showed that there had been an under-collection of Rs229-9 owing to the fact that the local authorities had omitted to add 10 per cent. to the proceeds of sale. On the other hand, there had been over-collections in respect of the rate of premium payable on certain small items, and on other consignments premium had been collected up to the date of sale instead of to the date of condemnation only. The Committee agreed that Messrs. Glanvill, Enthoven, and Company should be asked whether the under- writers would be willing to accept premium on the basis of the collections actually made.
8.
s.s."Erymanthos."-The Secretary reported that the Admiralty had agreed to bring to the United Kingdom the prize railway material lying at Malta if not too bulky. The Committee decided that Messrs. Churchill and Sim should be appointed as agents for the sale of the material on its arrival in the United Kingdom, They recommended that the Governor of Malta should be asked to send any avail- able information as to the manufacturer and original shipper of the goods. Mr. Holt undertook also to make inquiries on this point.
The Committee considered a further letter from Mr. Orrett with regard to the rate of his commission on the cargo loaded in Jamaica. Mr. Holt pointed out that Mr. Orrett calculated his commission on the freight reckoned on the full capacity of each puncheon of rum and limejuice irrespective of the quantity which it might contain when landed. On the basis of the out-turn of the cargo the difference between the quantity shipped and the quantity landed was about fifty puncheons, and this would mean a difference in the rate of commission of something like £4. The Committee thought that it was not worth while to raise any further question on this point, and decided to accept the proposals now made by Mr. Orrett.
9. Balances.-The Secretary reported that the balance of the Committee on the 31st May amounted to £604,041 2s. Od.
10. 8.8. "Emir."-The Committee considered a report from the Transport Department with regard to the repairs effected to this ship subsequently to the date of her valuation by Messrs. Lachlan and Company, which had been made on the basis of the ship being in sound condition. It was agreed that the Transport Department should be asked to furnish a statement of the repairs effected and full
accounts.
The Committee considered a report furnished by the Assistant Paymaster- As regards General for the accounts of the first voyage of this ship from Gibraltar. the charge of £250 made for the cost of shipping the crew per s.8. Bonny," the Committee considered that they should accept a charge for the cost of diverting the "Bonny" or for the wages of the crew from the date of shipment until arrival at Gibraltar, but not a charge for both. It was agreed that Lloyd's insurance premium of £48 could be accepted, and that, as freight had been paid on the released cargo, no claim should be made on the Port of London Authority for a refund of rent or of tonnage, river, or light dues. The agency fees were also accepted as correct. The Committee recommended that the Governor of Gibraltar should be asked to report on the discrepancies shown between the cargo originally on board and that dealt with on arrival. They also agreed that for the purposes of the marine and war risk insurances the following items of cargo should count as released cargo:—(a) 4,220 bags of mangrove bark, (b) 20 bundles of skins, (c) 30 bags of coffee. On the other hand the following should count as condemned cargo:- (a) 2 cases of trophies, (b) 34 bales of hides, (c) 1,000 bags of ground-nuts.
"
11. 8.S. 'Grahamland."--The Committee considered the draft of a letter to the Agent-General for British Columbia with regard to (a) demurrage, (b) short shipment of cargo, (c) the re-letting of the ship. Subject to certain amendments the draft was approved.
12. Commission payable to Messrs. Grahams and Company on the sale of enemy cargo. The Committee decided that the Assistant Paymaster-General should be asked for a report on the rates of commission proposed by Messrs. Grahams and Company, and that, if no objection was raised, the rates should be approved for submission to the Court at Alexandria.
MINUTES.
51
13. $.5. 'Frisia." The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Paymaster-General on the accounts of this ship. The Committee decided that the substance of this report should be sent to the Peninsular and Oriental Company for their observations, subject to the omission of any reference by name to the other ship mentioned in the report. The attention of the Company should be called to the fact that the disbursements so largely exceeded the original estimate, and that the crew appeared to be excessive, particularly having regard to the figures In this con- which had been supplied by the Governor of Hong Kong for a crew. nexion Mr. Holt was asked to ascertain what was the complement of the other ship mentioned. The Company should also be informed that the Committee were not prepared to pay for a surgeon or a chef, as the ship was not a passenger boat, and that the Committee should be credited with the cost of keep during the voyage of the surgeon and chef actually carried. The Company should also be asked to credit the Committee with the wages and keep of that portion of the native crew of seventy-two in excess of requirements for a boat of this class, a complement of twenty-seven to thirty being regarded as sufficient. The Company should also be asked why they paid wages up to the 3rd July, although the discharge of the ship was completed on the 26th June.
C
14. 8.8. Bangor."-The Committee considered a letter from Messrs. Elder Dempster and Company with regard to the commission payable to them on the sale of the original cargo of coal in West Africa. The Committee agreed that a com- mission of 2 per cent. on the coal sales at Lagos should be accepted, and they noted that Messrs. Elder Dempster and Company had agreed not to press for a commis- sion of 1 per cent. on the coal sold to the Government at Lome and Lagos. It was agreed that the responsibility for the shortage of 281 tons shown by the accounts did not lie with Messrs. Elder Dempster and Company.
15. 8.1.
Yawry."-
"The Committee agreed that it was not possible to pursue further the question of the charge of £25 6s. Od. shown on voucher 412 received from the Governor of Sierra Leone, or the charge of £40 for repairing the donkey-boiler shown on voucher 420, and the Committee now approved the payment of £1,815 98. 4d. in respect of the disbursements of the Colonial Government on the ship.
16. S.S. Tandem."-The Committee decided to accept a charge of £9 18s. 2d. which had been disbursed by the agents of the Federal Steam Navigation Company. on certain items of cargo in Australia, and to include this sum in the claim upon the Australian Government.
17. 8.8. "Marina." The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Paymaster-General on Messrs. Elder Dempster and Company's account for £354 15s. 4d. The Committee agreed to accept the charge of £45 12s. 5d. in respect of the proportion of the Company's branch steamers' expenses between 19th June and 18th July, 1915.
2518
THE ONE HUNDRED AND Seventeenth Meeting of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office, at 5.0 p.m., Monday, 3rd July, 1916.
1.
Present:
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR E. J. W. SLADE, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O. (Chairman). MR. W. J. EVANS, Admiralty.
MR. G. L. BARSTOW, C.B., Treasury,
MR. H. W. MALKIN, Foreign Office.
MR. T. H. HOLT, Crown Agents.
MR. C. TENNYSON, C.M.G., Colonial Office, acted as Secretary in
Mr. Wiseman's absence.
The minutes of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Meeting were confirmed.
2. Transport Department's request for a Sailing Vessel for British Columbia. -The Committee considered a letter which had been received from the Transport Department asking for the use of a prize sailing vessel of about 2,000 tons. They
R 2