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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O. 885

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786

MINUTES.

THE FORTY-NINTH MEETING of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Monday, the 10th of May, 1915, at 3.15 p.m.

The following members were present:--

1.

VICE-ADMIRAL SIR E. J. V. SLADE, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O. (Chairman).

MR. W. J. EVANS, Admiralty.

MR. G. L. BARSTOW, C.B., Treasury.

MR. C. HIPWOOD, Board of Trade.

MR. H. W. MALEIN, 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).

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed, subject to an alteration

in paragraph 9.

2.

Fourth Interim Report.*-This report was again considered and finally approved by the Committee."

3. 8.8. "Adolphus."-Mr. Holt reported that this ship would complete ber discharge on the 11th of May. As no request had been received by the Committee for the ship to be worked on behalf of the Transport Department, it was decided that she should be ordered to the Tyne. The Director of Transports was to be informed accordingly.

4. 1.5. "Concadoro."-The Secretary informed the Committee that the Trans- port Department had stated that this ship was of no use to them, and it was decided to put her up for sale in due course. As no reply had been received by the Foreign Office to the note which had been sent to the French Ambassador relative to the arrangements to be made for the participation of French citizens at sales by auction, the Committee decided to fix the ship for coal. In the meantime Mr. Malkin undertook that the French Ambassador should be reminded.

The Secretary was instructed to ask the Transport Department if they would bear the cost of the wages of the officers and crew from the 3rd to the 8th of May, while the ship was being held up, in order that she might be examined as to her suitability for the transport service.

5. 8.8. " Gracia.”—The Chairman and Mr. Tennyson informed the Committee of conversations which they had had with Sir George Perley, the High Commis- sioner for Canada, about the need for shipping facilities from the Dominion. Sir George Perley had stated that there was a great need for tonnage from the Atlantic side as well as from the Pacific coast. Mr. Holt was asked to see the High Com- missioner and make inquiries as to the freights that could be obtained for bringing cargo from some Atlantic port.

6. 8.0. "Bellas."-The Committee recommended that a telegram should be sent to ask the Canadian Government whether they were taking any steps to utilize this ship.

7. Steamships " Hamm," "Apolda."-Mr. Tennyson informed the Committee that he had learnt from Mr. Hughes that a freight of 92s. 6d. could be obtained for cotton from Pern. It was thought that a reply must be awaited from South Africa as to the shipment of railway sleepers from Australia before any other cargo could be considered. The Committee recommended that the Government of South Africa should be reminded on the subject.

8.

8.8. "Fürth."-Mr. Holt informed the Committee that Mesars. Harrison and Crossfield had claimed about £15 on account of short delivery of copra.

Mr. Holt was directed to inform the firm that the account was closed and could not be reopened.

9. 8.8.

'Josephina.”—Mr. Holt reported that the Falkland Islands Company were willing to pay 458. a ton for the coal on the ship. The Committee agreed that the Company might have the surplus at this price.

* No. 4 in Appendix A.

MINUTES.

93

10. 8.8. "Erymanthos."-The Committee agreed that the managers might allow ten passengers to be brought from Jamaica, £6 10s. each being paid for their passages.

11. Other ships.-The Committee also discussed the position of the following ships: "Frisia," Syra," George R." "Pindos," and Reichenfels."

•

12. 8.0. "Heinz."--The Committee agreed that condition 3 of the proposed conditions of sale might be varied by allowing the balance of the purchase price to be paid within thirty days of the sale instead of within fourteen days. It would be sufficient if the variation were announced by the auctioneer at the beginning of the sale.

The Committee thought that a form of bill of sale might be printed, and copies sent to Messrs. Kellock to be filled up for signature by two Lords of the Admiralty. 13. 3.8- “Marina.”—Mr. Tennyson reported on a proposal which he had received from Mr. Botterell on behalf of the charterer, but the Committee decided to postpone consideration of the matter until a reply had been received from Nigeria to the telegram making inquiries about the condition of the ship.

14. Railway material at Malta and Alexandria.-A letter from the War Office on this subject was considered, and the Committee agreed that the disposal of this material might wait for the present.

15. 8.8. "Paklat."-The Secretary reported that he had learnt from the Trans- port Department that it was desired to use this ship to bring home ammunition. The Committee decided that there was no objection to the Transport Department taking her over for this purpose. The necesssary arrangements should, however, be made by the Transport Department to register the ship and for her valuation.

16. Ships requisitioned at Alexandria.-The Committee directed the Secre- tary to write to the Transport Department and ask them if certain ships which had been requisitioned had been properly registered.

17. Turkish Sailing Vessels requisitioned at Alexandria.-The Committee recommended that the Foreign Office should inquire for what purpose these ships had been requisitioned, and how long they would be required for military purposes. 18. Accounts. The Secretary reported that the balance to the credit of the Committee on the 30th of April was £168,201 8s. 10d. Mr. Barstow undertook to make inquiries as to the use which should be made of the balances.

*

19. 8.0. Yawry."-A telegram from the Governor of Sierra Leone was con- sidered, and the Committee decided that it would be useless to attempt to make arrangements for her to be towed to Dakar by the colliers to which the Governor referred. It was recommended that further inquiries should be made as to the cargo of coal.

20. Mr. Barstow informed the Committee that he understood from Sir John Mellor that objection might be taken to the employment of Messrs. Waltons and Company to act on behalf of the Crown in litigation. The Committee agreed to bear this in mind if the question arose in the future.

805

THE FIFTIETH Meeting of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Thursday, the 13th of May, 1915, at 3.15 p.m.

only.

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. 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).

Mr. R. A C. Sperling, of the Foreign Office, was also present.

Mr. Barstow was also present during the discussion of paragraphs 22 and 23

1. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed, subject to an alteration in paragraph 8.