CO885-24 — Page 192

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

CO. 885

Reference :-

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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MINUTES.

16. The Committee decided that the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce

might be informed of the steps which had been taken as to the employment in trade of the detained enemy ships in British ports.

17.

容

8.8. Birkenfels."-An application was received from the High Commis- sioner for Australia for the employment of the "Birkenfels " to carry a cargo of concentrates from Australia to America, and to load a further cargo of grain home from the Plate. The Committee recommended that Mr. Holt should ask the Federal Steam Navigation Company for their views as to this proposal, and that the High Commissioner should be informed, in due course, that the ship would be run by the Federal Steam Navigation Company, on behalf of the Committee, for the account of His Majesty's Government.

18. 3.5. Apolda." The Committee approved of a proposal, which had been received from the local agents of the Federal Steam Navigation Company at Cape- town, that the survey of the damaged goods of the "Apolda" should be postponed until the steamer was ready to receive cargo. They also agreed that the share of this ship in any general average expenditure connected with the damage to the burnt cargo must be borne by the ship, and could not be charged to the cargo

owners.

402

THE THIRTY-third MerTING of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Monday, 8th March, 1915, at 3.15 p.m.

The following members were present:—

VICE-ADMIRAL SIR E. J. W. SLADE, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O.

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 with a slight altera- tion in paragraph 3.

2. 8.5. Rooke.”—Mr. Holt informed the Committee that he understood from Mr. Thompson that £300 or £400 would be required to put this ship in proper repair. The Committee agreed that Messrs. Tyzack & Branfoot might be instructed to effect the necessary repairs and then to fix the ship for bringing coal to London. It was agreed that the arrangements for chartering should be effected by Messrs. Tyzack & Branfoot and not by the Newcastle managers of the Admiralty Coasting Trade Office. The latter should, however, be consulted as to the rate at which the ship should be chartered and as to the firm to whom she should be fixed.

Mr. Holt stated that he understood that the 422 bags of maize on board this ship, referred to at the previous meeting of the Committee, belonged to certain Belgians, but he had no information as to their names. The Committee recommended that a telegram should be sent to the Governor of Gibraltar asking to whom this cargo had been released.

3.

8.8.

"Gracia." Mr. Holt stated that he had ascertained from Mr. Thomp- son that this ship was quite unsuitable for carrying coal and that she would require certain repairs. The Committee agreed that Colonel Leslie should be informed that this ship was no longer available for the coasting trade. Messrs. Tyzack & Branfoot should overhaul her and report what expenditure was necessary and what use should be made of her.

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4. 8,8, Rance."-A letter from Messrs. Waltons & Company, enclosing an agreement with Mr. Somerville for the charter of this ship, was considered by the Committee, and the agreement approved. The Committee recommended that a

* No. 2 in Appendix B.

MINUTES.

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telegram should be sent to the Governor of the Straits Settlements informing him of the position, and asking him to take steps to deliver the ship to the Straits Steam- ship Company and to report the date of delivery. When this report was received the Secretary should write to Messrs. Glanvill, Enthoven & Company asking them to effect the insurances, and to Messrs. Thomas R. Miller & Son relative to the insurance against protection and indemnity risks.

5. s.s. "Spreewald," Mr. Holt informed the Committee that Elder Dempster & Company were willing to take this ship for a voyage to West Africa, receiving 2 per cent. on disbursements and 14 per cent. on freight. The Committee agreed that the Admiralty should be requested to hand the ship over to Messrs. Elder Dempster's agents at Plymouth with the plans of the ship.

6. 8.8. "Josephina."-The Chairman informed the Committee that the Admiralty did not wish to make use of this ship for naval purposes, and it was, therefore, agreed that Mr. Holt might arrange for Messrs. Farrar, Groves & Com- pany to take her to Monte Video or Brazil for cargo.

7. Alexandria Ships. Mr. Holt informed the Committee that the captain and two engineers who were sent out for the Paros" were now being transferred to the Achaia."

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The Committee decided that Mr. Holt might fix up arrangements for the "Goslar."

Werdenfels." 8. Steamships "Gutenfels," "Barenfels," "Lauterfels," and -A letter from Messrs. Grahams & Company, raising various small points in con- nexion with the voyage of these ships, was considered by the Committee and instructions given to the Secretary as to the reply to be sent.

As regards the first two ships the Committee thought that Mr. Holt might make an agreement in the usual form with Grahams & Company for their return voyage from India.

"

9. Report on Position of Ships. Mr. Holt reported to the Committee with regard to the "Adolphus," George R.," "Erymanthos," "Kawak," "Kalymnos," "Gibraltar," "Frisia," "Lorenzo," "Thor," "Yawry," "Emir," "Concadoro."

Mr. Thompson had reported that the first two were good boats and would make good colliers. The Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers, Limited, were willing to offer a cargo for them from the Medway to the North. The Committee agreed that the next three should be employed in the coal trade if suitable. Mr. Holt stated that the charter of the "Concadoro" had been fixed.

10. 8.8. “Schwarzenbek.”—The Committee were not prepared to entertain the offer from C. Leary & Company for the charter of this ship at £100 per month. It was arranged that Mr. Holt should find out for what purpose, the firm wished to obtain the use of this ship.

11. A letter from Mr. Starkey was read to the Committee, but they were unable to reconsider their decision not to allow him the use of a sailing ship for the West Indies.

12. Steamships "Quarta," Rajaburi."-Mr. William Roberts had asked a question as to the classification of these two ships at Lloyds. Mr. Hipwood was asked to make inquiries in the matter.

13. Accounts. The Committee thought that the Assistant Paymaster-General for Supreme Court Business might be asked to furnish a monthly statement of his balances.