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.
Company that if they had reason to apprehend any attempt at seizure they should immediately communicate with the British Consul at the port concerned.
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9. 3.0. Chile." The Committee approved the action taken by Messrs. Shute and Company in endeavouring to obtain an offer to salve this vessel on the no cure no pay principle.
10. s.o." Yawry.”—The Committee considered a letter which had been received from Messrs. Houlder, Middleton and Company respecting Captain · Milman's complaint with regard to the detention of this vessel at Freetown. They decided to recommend that the contents of this letter should be communicated to the Governor of Sierra Leone.
11.
s.s. “Sandakan."-The Committee considered a telegram which had been received from the Governor of the Straits Settlements stating that this vessel had stranded on the Borneo coast before the insurance policy had expired.
12.
Purchase of "Lloyd's Register."-The Committee instructed the Secretary to make inquiries as to the possibility of selling the old volume.
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13. s.s. Diyatalawa.”—The Secretary was instructed to inform the Admiralty that this ship had arrived at Middlesbrough and would be discharged by the middle of the week.
14. 8.8. Altair." The Committee considered a letter from the Transport Department with regard to the Suez Canal tonnage certificate. Mr. Holt undertook to make inquiry from Messrs. Dillon on the subject.
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THE NINETY-second MEETING of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Monday, 20th December, 1915, 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. L. D. Wakely, India Office
MR. T. H. HOLT, Crown Agents.
MR. C. TENNYSON (acting as Secretary), Colonial Office.
MR. BEBB attended the Committee during the discussion of paragraph.3.1
1. The minutes of the Ninety-first Meeting were confirmed.
2. (a) Sailing Vessels "Chile" and
Hirose."-The Committee decided.
that a sum of £450 would be sufficient for the bail in this case, and that Mr. William Lewis and Mr. W. H. B. Leslie might be accepted as sureties.
(b) The Committee approved the agreement which had been made by Messrs, Shute with the Ardrossan Salvage Company for the salvage of the vessel on the no cure no pay system.
3. Accounts. (a) The Committee discussed the question of the financial control of their accounts, and of the responsibility for defending them before the Public Accounts Committee.
(b) The Committee considered the statement of their accounts for November, which showed a general balance of £355,338 59. 5d., and a credit in respect of the Transport Department's undertaking of £1,905.866 3s; 11d.
(c) The Committee considered the action to be taken with regard to the expenses of the voyage of the 8.8. "Syra" from Gibraltar to Alexandria. It was decided that instructions should be sent to, Gibraltar to have the arrangements made by the Attorney-General made an order of the Gibraltar Prize Court. The Committee approved the payment of £850 on account of the managers' disburse- ments for the first and second voyages of this steamer.
(d) Stores on Time-chartered Vessels.-The Committee decided that in all cases the charterers should be asked to pay at the beginning of the charter for stores taken over by them, but that interest should not be demanded in cases where payment had not yet been made under any of the current charter parties.
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(e) s.s. "Australia."-The Committee recommended that a report should be obtained from the Governor of Ceylon with regard to the damage caused to this vessel during docking at Colombo,
Vouchers for Cable Accounts. With reference to paragraph 6 (b) of the Eighty-fifth minutes, the Committee decided that the conclusion reached in that paragraph should be subject to the proviso that vouchers should be obtained where possible. In the case of accounts received from oversea agents of persons employed by the Committee, the Accounting Officer might accept reasonable accounts, but should refer to the Committee any account that might appear unreasonable.
(g) 8.8. "Bethania."-The Committee instructed the Secretary to ascertain from the Transport Department whether any part of the account from the Governor of Jamaica in respect of the repairs and maintenance of this ship had been paid by the Transport Department. Subject to this they decided that the expense should be borne out of the Committee's funds and debited to the idle account of the ship.
(h) Closing of Ships' Accounts.-The Committee decided that when the Accounting Officer considered any account was satisfactory the managers should be informed that this was the case, subject to any question that might arise on audit.
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(i) 8.8. Gibraltar." The Committee considered the account rendered by Messrs. Parker, Garrett and Company of the freight payable on delivery under the original bills of lading of the Hansa Line. They instructed the Secretary to make further inquiries with regard to the two items of freight payable in London, and decided that the amount of £42 198. 5d., freight on goods which could not be identified, should not be charged against the representatives of the cargo-owners. They also decided that Messrs. Parker, Garrett and Company should be asked to furnish a certificate by Messrs. Johnson and Higgins of the amount collected for freight on delivery.
4. S.D. "Clevedon."-The Committee decided that the contractors' offer to do the work on a time and material basis should be accepted, since this was recom- mended by Messrs. Hardy and Company as the best policy under present conditions. 5. 8.0. "Neath."-The Committee decided to accept the charter party with Messrs. Elder Smith and Company, acting on behalf of the Commonwealth Govern ment, as amended by agreement.
6. 8.3. Adolphus."-The Committee considered a letter from the Admiralty stating that this ship would be handed back to them for sale. The Secretary was instructed to ascertain when the ship could be transferred, and, if possible, to make arrangements for her employment in the coal trade pending sale.
7. 8.3.
Seattle." The Secretary reported that the Foreign Office and Treasury had concurred in the employment of this vessel in the coal trade pending adjudication, and he was instructed to take the necessary action to have the ship requisitioned.
8. 8.8. Diyatalawa."-The Secretary reported that the Admiralty had con- curred in the proposal made by the India Office to use this ship for a voyage to the Persian Gulf in March next, but that the Admiralty proposed to use the ship He was instructed to report meanwhile for a voyage to Port Said with coal. this to the India Office and concur in the Admiralty's proposal.
The Committee recommended that, if possible, the vessel should be used to carry cargo on her return voyage from Port Said. Mr. Holt undertook to discuss the matter with Captain Segrave, who was going to manage the ship on behalf of the Admiralty Contracts Department.
9. 8.8. "Koerber." Disposal of Tin and Brass.-The Committee approved the Secretary's action in putting the sale of these goods in the hands of Messrs. H. A. Watson and Company, Metal Brokers to the Ministry of Munitions.
10. 8.8. "Barenfels."-The Committee considered a request, which had been received from Messrs. Grahams and Company, pointing out that the Transport Department were proposing to remove this ship from their management, and asking that the Committee would assist them in the matter. The Secretary was instructed to send a copy of the letter to the Transport Department with a statement that