CO885-24 — Page 185

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

ERELE CO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGM NOT TO

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MINUTES.

As regards (b), (c), and (e), the Committee considered that these points were suffi- ciently covered by the guarantee of the Australian Government, except in regard to cargo ultimately found to be enemy property. The Committee thought that it was unnecessary to limit the indemnity to the contractor in regard to possible acts of negligence. Mr. Hotblack pointed out that in the policies it was admitted that the seaworthiness of the ship was not warranted to the Company.

A letter from Mr. Lowrey, forwarding a copy of a telegram which he had received from his agents in South Africa, was read to the Committee, and the question of the charges in respect of port and harbour dues, etc., to be placed on the cargo-owners was discussed. Mr. Tennyson stated that the total amount chargeable was about £4,800, and the Committee agreed that of this amount £1,200 should be collected from the cargo-owners; any overcharge to be returned to them pro rata. The remainder, namely, £3,600, should be borne by the Government.

The Secretary was instructed to inform Mr. Hughes that his draft offer was accepted, subject to the alteration stated above, and that the expenses which he would be liable to meet at Capetown under Clause 1 of the offer would not be likely to exceed £5,000. The Salvage Association were to be asked to co-operate with The Committee Mr. Hughes, in order to ascertain the exact amount payable. thought that Mr. Hughes should be asked to attend their next meeting in order to discuss any outstanding points.

The Committee recommended that a telegram should be sent to South Africa informing them of the nature of the indemnities which had been arranged, and asking them to place on board the ship the documents concerning any cargo already released, and copies of any orders made by the Court. The proposals of the Australian Government should be accepted, and it should be suggested to them that the unpaid freight should be collected and placed towards the expenses of moving the ship before ascertaining the general average contribution. Instructions should also be sent as to the valuation in the case of the release of enemy cargo against bail bonds.

#1

2. Steamships Hamm and "Apolda." The proposals of the Australian Government for moving these ships were approved.

The Committee thought that the ships should be insured against war risks. As regards the Batavian cargo which, it was understood, formed a certain pro- portion of the cargo of both these ships, Mr. Malkin undertook to look up the papers containing correspondence with the Dutch Government, and to inquire as to the position. In regard to this cargo, Mr. Holt stated that a line of steamers The ran from Fremantle to Singapore, which could take any goods for Java. Committee recommended that a telegram should be sent to South Africa informing them that arrangements should be made for sending these ships. As regards the damaged cargo which it was understood had been removed from the "Apolda," the Committee recommended that particulars as to the consignees and tonnage, and as to whether the cargo had been abandoned to the underwriters, should be obtained. 3. Conditions of Sale.-The Chairman informed the Committee that the Admiralty had prepared a reply to the Board of Trade letter with regard to the bidding of French citizens. The Committee agreed that they should not discuss the subject until the views of the Admiralty had been expressed.

4.

3.8. Werner Vinnen."--The agreement with Messrs. Houlder, Middleton & Company for the management of this ship was confirmed. It was agreed that the name should be changed to the " Yawry."

5. Mr. Starkey's application for a Sailing Ship.-The Committee discussed the question of putting into use the larger of the enemy detained sailing vessels held up at ports in the United Kingdom. It was understood that the Admiralty might wish to use one of them, and that the Egyptian Government had also maɗe inquiries which might lead to the use of others. The Committee recommended that the Board of Trade should obtain particulars as to the condition of five which would probably be suitable. Mr. Starkey could be informed that it might be possible to allow him the use of one of these ships, but that the Committee were not yet in a position to discuss matters with him.

6.

3.8.

“Emir.”—Mr. Holt informed the Committee that a protest had been made against double payment of the freight. The Committee agreed that the point could be met by demanding payment of the expenses of moving the ship from

* No. 3 in Appendix B.

MINUTES.

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Gibraltar to London as a general average, but it was thought that the point could be considered when it had been raised in writing. Mr. Holt also stated that he understood from Elder Dempster & Company that most of the cargo-owners had not got bills of lading. The Committee recommended that a telegram should be sent to the Governor, asking him to state whether the bills of lading had been forwarded with the ship.

The Committee thought that the method of ascertaining the values upon which freight was payable should be arranged between Mr. Holt and Elder Dempster & Company.

Mr. Holt informed the Committee that he had completed the arrangements for the insurance of the cargo against war risks.

7. 8.8.

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'Marina.”—The Committee agreed that John Holt & Company should be asked whether the firm wished to make any use of this ship.

8. 8.8.

'Gibraltar" (late "Schneefels ").-Mr. Holt informed the Committee that Messrs. Houlder, Middleton & Company had submitted proposals for charter- ing the ship home, the firm to receive a commission of 24 per cent. on disburse- ments and 14 per cent. on freight. The proposals were that the ship should bring home either grain or cotton, the profits in the former case being considerably lower than in the latter. The Committee thought that it was more important that the ship should bring grain to the United Kingdom than cotton, and Mr. Holt was requested to make arrangements accordingly. The Committee was informed that the time taken to load for grain would be sixty-one days, as against eighty days if cotton were loaded. It was understood that the contractor proposed to make an allowance of £1,084, in view of the fact that the cost of bringing the ship home in ballast would not be incurred. The Committee thought that the contractor might be informed that they would consider sympathetically an application from him for an allowance in respect of the increased cost of coal since the contract had been signed.

'Concadoro."-The agreement with Messrs. Bullard, King & Company, was confirmed. Mr. Holt informed the Committee that the ship was formerly owned by this firm.

9. 8.3.

10. Steamships "Derflinger" and "Lutzow."-The Committee decided that these ships should be brought straight home after loading, without calling at intermediate British ports.

11. 8.3.

"Rooke" (late "Slawentzitz").—As regards the 400 tons of maize, destined for Lisbon, which it appeared possible might still be on board this ship, the Committee agreed that the cargo should be discharged if this had not already

been done.

12. Steamships "Adolf" and "Georg."-The agreements with Messrs. Tyzack and Branfoot were confirmed. The Committee recommended that a tele- gram should be sent to the Governor, instructing him to change the names of both these ships.

13. 8.8. "Haidar Pasha."-A telegram from Egypt, stating that the General Officer Commanding had requisitioned this ship for a voyage to Greece, was con- sidered by the Committee. They recommended that a telegram should be sent to Cairo saying that no ships were in future to be requisitioned without previous reference to His Majesty's Government, and pointing out the inconvenience and expense caused by the action of the local authorities in this case, in view of the fact that the agreement had already been concluded for sending out a crew. Inquiry should, at the same time, be made to find out whether it would be possible for this crew to take the ship to Greece.

Mr. Holt informed the Committee that Messrs. Galbraith, Pembroke & Company were holding up action in regard to this ship for the present.

14. 8.8.

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Paros." Mr. Holt referred to an agreement with Messrs. Turner Brightman & Company for managing the ship, and pointed out that he had arranged that if the ship went through the Canal the commission on disbursements should be reduced to 21 per cent. The Committee agreed that the ship might go to India or Burma for cargo, and the agreement with the firm was confirmed.

15. 5.8. “Annaberg."-The Committee agreed that this ship might go east for cargo, and the agreement with Messrs. Galbraith, Pembroke & Company was confirmed.