CO885-24 — Page 207

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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mmmmmCO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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agreed to bear any freight in excess of 358. 6d. He had consulted the Federal Steam Navigation Company on the subject, and they had estimated that freights of 358. 6d. for sleepers and 10s. for maize would mean a dead loss of £12,000 and a profit loss of £62,000. The Committee thought that Mr. Tennyson should inter- view the High Commissioner, and inform him that if the conveyance of this cargo was an urgent matter they would carry the cargo on the basis of payment of the cost expenses.

Mr. Tennyson also informed the Committee that he had received from Messrs. William Richards and Sons figures for the expenses involved in taking the "Apolda❞ to Australia. The Committee agreed that the figures might be worked out with Messrs. William Richards on the basis that the released cargo should bear a pro- portionate share of the expenses.

7. 8.8. Rajaburi."-The Committee approved the proposed agreement* with Messrs. John Swire and Sons for the charter of this ship.

8. 5.8. "Diana."-Mr. Tennyson informed the Committee that he had.com- sulted the Admiralty Marshal, who had stated that he saw no objection to this ship being valued on the basis of her August value. The Committee agreed to this proposal.

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THE FORTY-SEVENTH MESTING of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Monday, 3rd May, 1915, at 3.15 p.m.

VIOS-ADIFIRAL SIR E. J. W. SLADE, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O. (Chairman).

The following members were present —

MR. W. J. EVANS, Admiralty.

Mr. G. L. Barstow, C.B., Treasury.

MR. C. Hirwood, Board of Trade.

MR. H. W. MALKIN, Foreign Office.

Mh. L, D. WaxRLY, India Uffice.

1/

MR. C. TENNYSON, C.M.G., Colonial Office.

MR. T. H. HOLT, Crown. Agents.

MR. R. A. WISEMAN (Secretary).

ין

1. The minutes of the previous meeting were amended by omitting all refer- ence to the recommendations which the Committee proposed to embody in their fourth interim report. Subject to this they were confirmed.

2. Fourth Interim Report. The draft of this report was considered in detail and amended, and it was decided that it should be printed and recirculated for further consideration at the next meeting.

9. Registration of Australian Ships. Mr. H. Larkin, the shipping represen- tative of the Commonwealth of Australia, attended the Committee to discuss the above question. He stated that he was not satisfied with the procedure which had been adopted by the Australian Government for the registration of detained German ships. The Commonwealth had now asked if the ships could not be registered under Section 80 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1908. It was arranged that if Mr. Larkin would send Mr. Evans the names, numbers, and particulars of the ships. the Board of Trade would be asked to give the ships the necessary British registry under the Order in Council of 1911.

The Committee recommended that, when the registry had been obtained, the necessary papers should be sent to meet the ships. Where the ships were proceeding to foreign ports it was suggested that the Foreign Office should telegraph to inform His Majesty's Ministers of the steps which were being taken to give the ships a British registry.

It was also suggested to Mr. Larkin that the Australian Government should be asked to have all the enemy ships requisitioned permanently instead of temporarily.

* No. 9 in Appendix B. + No. 4 in Appendix A.

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The Committee also discussed with Mr. Larkin the extent to which Australian ships had been placed at the disposal of the Transport Department. It was under- stood that the latter had taken up about 20 out of 60 refrigerated ships usually employed in the Australian trade. Mr. Larkin expressed the opinion that it would be an advantage if the Transport Department took up the detained ships which were at present being employed by the Australian Government for cargo purposes, on the understanding that they released to private owners an equivalent amount of tonnage previously taken out of the Australian trade.

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4. 5.8. Senegambia."-The Committee agreed that this ship should be placed in the hands of the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company, the latter being paid a 5 per cent. commission on freights.

5. Steamships "Kalymnos" and

Concadoro."-The Committee agreed that these ships might be handed over at once to the Transport Department for the pur- pose of shipping oleum. The Secretary was to ask Messrs. Lachlan to value them.

6. 3.3. "Josephina."-Mr. Holt informed the Committee that the Falkland Islands Company wished to purchase another 800 tons of coal. The Committee agreed that the Company might have the whole of the surplus coal not required for running the ship, but it was thought desirable that Mr. Holt should make inquiries as to prices now prevailing before concluding the sale.

7. 8... "Paros."--Mr. Holt informed the Committee that the repairs required to this ship would be very expensive. The Committee authorized their being undertaken.

8. 3.8

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Kawak."-Mr. Holt reported that the defects of the boilers were not very serious, and that a few pounds would cover the expenditure.

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9. 8.p. "Chile.”—The Committee agreed that a claim for ates, rent, and similar charges, which had been forwarded to Mr. Holt, should be referred to the Prize Claims Committee.

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s.o. "Terpsichore." The Committee were informed that it was under- stood that the Court would be. more willing to make the necessary order for the delivery of the ship if an undertaking were given to redeliver her in an Irish port. The Committee thought the undertaking might be given if it were found necessary to do so.

11. 8.8.

Marina." The Committee agreed that an insurance against war risks need not actually be effected, on the understanding that the charterers would remain liable for these risks.

Rajaburi."-The Secretary pointed out to 12. Steamships "Quarta” and “ the Committee that the war risk on these ships was not being covered. It was agreed that' no steps need be taken to effect any insurance.

Mr.

18. 8.7. "Carl." The Secretary informed the Committee that the Customs authorities had taken a list of the slop chests, which had then been sealed up. Starkey had informed him that he had been unable to have them removed from the ship, and that, as they formed no part of the ship's stores, they would be at the risk of the Committee. It was agreed that the Committee must take the risk.

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Mr. Glanvill had reported that he had been unable to effect an insurance against anything but total loss. The Committee recommended that Mr. Holt should make inquiries of other firms owning sailing ships as to how they covered their ships against this risk. It was agreed that, in view of the terms of the agreement with Mr. Starkey, he could not be asked to carry this risk uninsured.