CO885-24 — Page 198

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

*Reference :--

C.O. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

| ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRE NOT TO

70

MINUTES.

arrangements for moving the "Hamm" might be deferred, owing to the expense of The Committee agreed that the Australian Govern- taking her to Australia. ment might be informed that the charges in respect of the cargo on the "Hamm would not greatly exceed the proportion payable by the consignees in the case of the "Birkenfels.'

17. Entry of Detained Ships into Neutral Ports.-A letter from Messrs. Ralli Brothers to the India Office, asking what the position of detained steamers would be if, owing to stress of weather or any other cause, they were obliged to shelter in a port other than a British or allied port, was considered. Having regard to the opinion given by the Law Officers, the Committee thought that, if ships were requisitioned and provided with a certificate of British registry, then there was no reason why they should not enter neutral ports in case of necessity. It was, however, important that the ships should be requisitioned and registered as British ships. When so registered they were entitled to the same protection from His Majesty's Government as any other British ship.

18.

Accounting Arrangements.-A question was raised as to the allocation of the proportion of brokerage allowed by Messrs. Glanvill. Enthoven & Company to the Committee on insurances effected through them. The Committee thought there was no objection to this, and any similar, item being placed under a separate account if that was considered most convenient.

19. Steamships "Gutenfels," "Barenfels," "Lauterfels," and "Werdenfels.” -The Secretary informed the Committee that these ships had been valued by Messrs Kellock & Company as follows:-

528

GL

Lauterfels Gutenfels "Barenfels

"

35

"Werdenfels

The Committee saw no objection to these values being accepted.

£125,000

£75,000

£55,000

£55,000

THE THIRTY-ninth Meeting of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Monday, 29th 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. (Chairman).

MB. W. J. EVANS, Admiralty.

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).

Lieutenant-Colonel Leslie was also present during the discussion of 2.

1. 8.8. Gracia."-Mr. Holt informed the Committee that the amount of copper which Messrs. Mertons now wished to ship to the United Kingdom was not In these circumstances the Com- more than 1,000 tons of nickel copper matte.

mittee were not prepared to arrive at a definite decision as to the homeward voyage.

It was understood that the Admiralty wished that a consignment of ferro- manganese which was lying at Liverpool should be shipped out to the United States, as it was required for the manufacture of shells ordered by the military authorities in this country. Mr. Holt had ascertained that the American exporters refused to pay more than 128. a ton for taking the cargo out, since, if they waited for a liner, they could ship it at 10s. a ton. Having regard to the necessity for an early shipment of the ferro-manganese, the Committee agreed that the "Græcia" should be sent to Liverpool to take this cargo at the rate mentioned.

MINUTES.

71

2. Small Sailing Ships.-The Committee discussed the terms of the proposed Agreements with the following firms:-Messrs. Fisher, Alimonda & Company, Limited, London; Messrs. James Livingstone & Company, Limited, Grangemouth; Messrs. Hannan, Samuel & Company, Fowey. The Committee agreed to the pro- posals set out in the memorandum by Colonel Leslie, subject to the following observations:-In Clause 4 of the Agreement, Messrs. Fisher, Alimonda & Company wished to substitute the words "a sufficient competent clerical staff" for the words "a sufficient technical and clerical staff." The Committee saw no objection to this alter- ation provided that it was made clear to the managers that the Organizing Secretary should be consulted before any expense was incurred in engaging outside technical assistance. As regards Clause 11 of the Agreement, dealing with insurance, the Committee did not agree to the proposed insertion of the words "if possible." The Committee decided that freight and disbursements for any voyage should not be insured.

Having regard to the terms offered, by Messrs. Livingstone and Messrs. Hannan, Samuel & Company, the Committee did not think that there was any justification for paying Messrs. Fisher, Alimonda & Company at a higher rate than Colonel Leslie informed the Committee £50 per ship for management expenses. that he understood that Messrs. Fisher, Alimonda & Company had had experience in managing sailing vessels.

The Committee agreed that Lieutenant-Colonel Leslie might now make final arrangements for putting the small sailing ships into use as he proposed.

3. 8.8. "Erymanthos.”—The Committee agreed that this ship might go to Jamaica, if a favourable reply was received from the Governor to the telegram which had been sent by the Colonial Office offering the Colony the use of the ship. Mr. Holt undertook to make inquiries as to whether there was any outward cargo available.

4. General Policy.-The Chairman informed the Committee that, as the result of a conference which he had had that morning with the High Commissioner for Canada, representatives from the Transport Department of the Admiralty, and the War Office, he had proposed that the Transport Department should take over all the available prize and detained ships, and should thus ease the demand on He had arranged that the Transport Depart- ships belonging to private owners. ment should work out a scheme, and he proposed that representatives of that Department should attend a subsequent meeting and discuss the matter with the Committee.

5. 8.8. Adolphus."—It was understood that arrangements for disposing of the cargo of copper on this ship had been made, but that the discharge could not be effected until the cordage, which was on the top of the other cargo, had been removed. Mr. Evahs undertook to see the Director of Stores and ask him to make arrangements for the immediate discharge of the cordage.

6. 8.8. "George R.," s.s. " Kalymnos."-It appeared that the amount of copper to be exported from Gibraltar was rather less than had been previously estimated, and the Committee recommended that telegrams should be sent by the Admiralty and by the Colonial Office to inquire whether the whole cargo could not be shipped in the "Kalymnos," leaving the "George R." free for general cargo. small balance of cargo remained which could not be put on board the "Kalymnos the local authorities should be asked whether they could not ship it by a cargo line for not more than 258. freight.

If only a

1

7.-8.8." Yawry."-The Governor of Sierra Leone had reported that there was some difficulty in discharging the cargo of coal on board the ship. The Com- mittee agreed that the coal might be used as ballast and disposed of at some other port than Freetown, provided the owner had no objection.

44

8. Alexandria Ships.-The Secretary informed the Committee that he had received a letter from the War Office stating that it was now not proposed to It was understood that Goslar." Koerber," and requisition the "Lutzow," Mr. Holt had already made telegraphic inquiries with regard to the "Lutzow.” The Committee agreed that he might make arrangements to fix up the "Goslar.” It was understood that the Foreign Office would telegraph for particulars as to the discharge of the cargo of these three ships, as well as of the other ships at Alexandria.

* No. 12 (b) in Appendix B.