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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
C.O. 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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MINUTES.
of the ships to proceed to Capetown. The Committee thought that Messrs. Mitchell, Cotts and Company must arrange a rate of hire with the Federal Steam Navigation Company before the proposal could be considered.
11. 8.1. “Pax.”—As it was understood that the Governor had reported that this ship could not be sold locally, the Secretary was asked to communicate again with Messrs. C. W. Kellock and Company as to her sale in the United Kingdom while lying in the Falkland Islands. It was agreed that the cargo of linseed should be brought home in the "Freshfield," as proposed by the Governor.
12. Application from the New Zealand Government for the use of a steamer to load wool.-The Secretary was instructed to write to the Transport Department and ask if they could provide a vessel for the New Zealand Government.
13. 8.8. Emir."-The Secretary reported that Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son had now satisfied Messrs. Waltons and Company as to the claim of Mr. James Clark to the two cases of trophies upon this ship. The Committee agreed that they might be released to Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son without an indemnity.
14. Condemned railway material at Malta.-The Secretary was to write to the War Office enclosing a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Malta and inquire whether any decision had yet been reached.
" Lorenzo and "Thor."-The Secretary reported that the 15. Steamships Governor of Trinidad had now furnished particulars with regard to the charges for docking these two ships.
8.8.
The Accounting Officer's report on the accounts for the first voyage of the "Thor" was to be discussed with Messrs. Farrar, Groves and Company.
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16 8.0. 'Chile."-The Committee agreed to a suggestion from Messrs. Glan- vill, Enthoven and Company that the Committee's claim against the underwriters for damage caused while the ship was insured under the Admiralty Marshal's cover should be settled by the surveyors by mutual consent.
17. s.v. "Tergestea."-The Committee considered a letter from Messrs. Fisher, Alimonda and Company forwarding a request from the enemy owner to be informed as to the position of this ship. The Secretary was instructed to reply that the ship had been taken over by the Government.
18. Schooner" Elfriede.”—A telegram from the Governor of Fiji reporting The Com- that it was doubtful if he would be able to charter this ship was read. mittee recommended that the Governor should be instructed to make the best arrange- ments he could, and, in the event of condemnation, to sell the ship locally.
19. 8.8. “Kalymnos."-The Committee were unable to entertain a proposal from Messrs. James Knott, Sons and Company that brokerage should be paid to their agents in connexion with the loading of copper from Gibraltar to the United Kingdom.
S.8.
20. "Istria."-The Secretary reported that this ship had been discharged of her cargo on the 12th of July.
21. Accounts.-The Secretary raised the question as to how freight transac- The Committee thought that it tions should be kept in the Committee's accounts. would be preferable to have an entirely new head, so as to keep these transactions distinct from prize receipts and from moneys entered under the head of detained ships and cargo.
22. Auctioneer's Commission at Alexandria.-Mr. Malkin raised the following point with regard to the sale of confiscated enemy cargo at Alexandria.
It appeared that the regular auctioneer's commission in connexion with the sale The Prize Court, however, had been able to make an of cargo was 5 per cent. arrangement whereby the commission was reduced to 2 per cent. in consideration of the large amount of cargo to be dealt with. The buyers, in accordance with custom, had paid the usual 5 per cent. commission, and the auctioneer was unwilling to reduce his charge to the public. The Committee thought there was no objection to the 3 per cent. being paid into the funds of the Prize Čourt.
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MINUTES.
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THE SIXTY-EIGhth Meeting of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Monday, 19th July, 1915, at 3.15 p.m.
The following members were present:-
MR. W. J. EVANS, Admiralty (in the Chair). MR. G. L. BARSTOW, C.B., Treasury.
MR. C. HIPWOOD, Board of Trade.
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.
8.v. "Neath."-Mr. Holt reported that he had fixed this ship for a further voyage to Newfoundland at a freight which was 2s. 6d. a fathom more than for the previous voyage.
3. 8.8. "Emir."-Mr. Holt reported that this ship had been ashore at Forcados and had lost her propeller blades and damaged her rudder. He undertook to ascer- tain whether any inquiry was being held as to the damage.
The Committee agreed that seventeen cases containing specimens of dried leaves and plants might be destroyed if the Director of Kew Gardens could make no sugges- tion as to their disposal.
The Secretary informed the Committee of the attitude which had been taken
by the Attorney-General at Gibraltar as to cargo short-shipped.
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Bellas" and the
4. Other ships. The Committee also discussed the s.v. 8.V. "Chile."
5. 8.8. Bangor."-After considering two letters which had been received from Messrs. William Richards and Son the Committee decided that the Court at the Falkland Islands should be asked to appraise the cargo of coal at its value of £2 a ton in West Africa, less the estimated cost of taking it there.
6. Steamships "Helgoland" and "Lutzow."-The Committee considered a letter from Messrs. Waltons and Company relative to certain submarine signalling apparatus installed on board these ships in which an American company called the Submarine Signal Company were interested. The paper was held up pending the consideration of certain prize cases by Mr. Tennyson.
7. 8.3.
"Reichenfels."-The Committee agreed that this ship should be trans- ferred to the Transport Department.
8. S.8. "Concadoro."-The Committee approved the payment of Messrs. Lachlan and Company's account for their expenses in connexion with the sale of the 'Concadoro,” with the exception of the charge of ten guineas for appraising the ship.
9.8.
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9.
8.8. "Rooke."-The Committee approved the refund of £13 58. 9d. to Messrs. Cox, McEuen and Company in respect of freight overpaid on 425 bags of maize carried from Gibraltar.
10. Conditions of sale.--The Committee agreed that it was desirable to increase The Foreign Office the rate of interest on deferred payments from 4 to 5 per cent. was to be asked for their views on the matter.
The Committee discussed what action should be taken to ensure that prize ships would not be transferred to an enemy or to a foreigner within five years from the termination of the war. The Secretary reported that the Admiralty Marshal had stated that he was relying on his brokers to inform him of any transfer of prize steamers. In the case of sailing ships sold to a foreigner the Admiralty Marshal was in the practice of informing the British Consul and asking him to report any transfer of the ship. The Committee decided that the Secretary should write to the Admiralty suggesting that the Customs should be asked to instruct the Registrar of Shipping at the port at which the ship was registered not to close the