CO885-24 — Page 225

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference -

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24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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MINUTES.

8. Copper brought to the United Kingdom from Gibraltar in the steamships "Adolphus,"

George R.," and "Kalymnos.”—The Committee considered certain figures which had been supplied by Messrs. C. S. Henry and Company as to the amount of copper loaded on these three ships. It was understood that it was not possible for the Admiralty to supply a complete check for the figures in the case of the "Adolphus" and "Kalymnos," but it was decided to accept them in all three

cases.

A refund was to be made to Messrs. C. Henry of £64 10s. 5d., in respect of the freight overpaid by them.

The Secretary pointed out that war risks premiums had been paid on round figures which were higher than the totals now stated by Messrs. Henry and Com- In effecting the insurances the amount of copper loaded in the pany to be correct. 8.8. Adolphus" only had been given as a provisional figure, but the difference In all three between the two figures in the case of this ship was a trifling one. cases the matter was simply one of accounting between two Government Depart- ments, and if there had been a loss the Committee would have claimed from the War Risks Office for the round figures for which the copper had been insured. It was. therefore, agreed that no adjustment of accounts should be made.

In connexion with this subject Mr. Holt asked whether there was any necessity for steamship owners to delay presenting their accounts in order to allow sufficient time for any small items, such as claims for demurrage, to be presented. The Com- mittee thought that the accounts should be presented as soon as convenient, and that any small adjustments which might be required should be made subsequently.

9.

8.3. Emir." The Secretary reported the sale of the remainder of the ground nuts on this ship. He read a letter from Messrs. Churchill and Sim dis- cussing the price obtained.

10. s.o. "Heinz."-The Committee approved of the payment of Messrs. C. W. Kellock and Company's account, amounting to £173 2s. 1d., for expenses in con- nexion with the sale of this ship.

44

11. 8.8. Istria."-The Secretary reported that he had been informed by the Transport Department that this ship was required for the purpose of carrying water for the Dardanelles. She was specially suitable for this purpose as she was fitted for 2,000 tons of water ballast, and, moreover, the Transport Department had no other suitable ship available. In the circumstances, the Committee agreed to hand over this ship to the Transport Department as from the completion of her discharge, and the Transport Department were to be informed of the arrangements which had been entered into with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. The ship was to be valued by Messrs. Lachlan and Company.

12. Steamships "Gutenfels," "Barenfels," "Lauterfels,” and “Werdenfels.”-

Gutenfels" had arrived at Liverpool from The Secretary reported that the 8.8. Karachi. It was agreed that she should be handed over to the Transport Depart- ment on the conclusion of her discharge.

The Secretary read a letter from Messrs. Grahams and Company explaining the procedure adopted for the sale of the enemy cargo on board these four ships. A copy of the letter was to be sent to the Foreign Office in order that the Procurator might be asked whether he was satisfied with the arrangements described.

The Secretary explained the action which had been taken by Messrs. Waltons and Company with regard to the discrepancies between the Prize Court orders and the indemnities entered into by the banks who were interested in the sale of enemy Barenfels." The Committee agreed cargo on the steamships "Gutenfels" and that the undertaking now given by the banks was sufficient.

"

13. Steamships “Frisia," " Altair," "Achaia,” “Sudmark,” and “Bethania.” -The Secretary reported that these ships had been appraised by Messrs. Lachlan and Company as follows:-

""

8.8.

Frisia

$.8.

Altair

5.8.

"Achaia "

8.8.

Sudmark

21

8.8. "Bethania

£107,236

57,113

39,000

97,000

80,000

The Committee agreed that Messrs. Lachlan and Company's accounts for the valuation of these ships were to be paid.

MINUTES.

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14. Insurances. Mr. Holt raised the question as to whether an insurance should be taken out against heavy lifts. The Committee decided that this risk should not be insured.

The Committee decided that a fund should be constituted to take the risks which would be covered by the usual insurances, a flat rate being taken for all the ships run by the Committee in the ordinary way.

15. 8.8. "Erymanthos."-Mr. Holt reported that he had fixed a rough value of £45,000 for the "Erymanthos" for the purpose of calculating an allowance for insurance risks on this ship, and that he would make the necessary arrangements with Messrs. James Knott, Sons and Company to calculate the rate of insurance. He also undertook to inform Messrs. Knott that further expenses beyond those included in their accounts had been incurred at Malta, a claim for which would be put forward in due course by the Admiralty.

The Committee then considered a report submitted by their Accounting Officer on the accounts of this ship. The Secretary was instructed as to the reply to be returned.

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16. s.s. "Bangor."-The Committee recommended that a telegram should be sent to the Governor of the Falkland Islands to ask for a survey upon the coal, to be

Macedonia." taken in co-operation with the Commanding Officer of H.M.S.

17. 8.8. Kawak."-The Committee accepted Messrs. Knott, Sons and Com- pany's accounts subject to the report of their Accounting Officer.

Before Messrs. Knott, Sons and Company's remuneration could be calculated an allowance should be made, as in the case of the "Erymanthos," for the risk borne by the Committee and not insured. Mr. Holt undertook to communicate with Messrs. Knott on this subject, and also to inform them that there were certain further expenses which had been incurred at Malta, a claim for which would be preferred in due course by the Admiralty.

18. 8.5. "Fürth."-The Secretary reported that the British Tanker Company had now paid the balance of the purchase money on this ship as well as interest at 4 per cent. as from the date on which the ship had been handed over to the Anglo- Persian Oil Company.

He also informed the Committee that Messrs. C. W. Kellock and Company had stated that they proposed to charge a fee for the valuation of this ship at the rate provided for in the Admiralty Marshal's scale. Mr. H. G. Kellock had explained that the fee of ten guineas was a specially low one in view of the fact that the ships The Committee considered, however, to which it applied would be sold later on. that they would not be justified in agreeing to pay a higher fee than ten guineas.

19. s.s. "Gibraltar."-The Secretary reported that the net amount realized upon the sale of the lascars' stores on this ship was £25 13s. 5d.

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20. Steamships Hamm" and "Apolda."-The Committee approved of the payment of a further sum of £1,856 9s. 7d., which had been disbursed by the Federal Steam Navigation Company on these two ships.

The Committee considered a report from the Senior Naval Officer at Simons- town, stating that £3,098 0s. 8d. had been paid by the Federal Steam Navigation Company in respect of the stores on these ships. It was understood that this sum had been paid into the Prize Court, and it was therefore agreed that no action could be taken on the matter pending a decision as to the general question of prize receipts. The paper should be noted for subsequent consideration.

21.

The custody of mortgage deeds taken out on the occasion of the sale of prize ships.-The Secretary informed the Committee of the substance of a letter which he had received from the Assistant Paymaster-General on the subject. A copy of the correspondence was to be sent to the Admiralty.

22. 8.8. "Australia."-The Secretary reported that the British India Steam Navigation Company had proposed £500 in settlement of the repairs required to the defective plate.

Mr. Hipwood had asked the Board of Trade surveyor for his opinion, and he had stated that £300 was the most that could fairly be claimed for the damage. The Secretary was instructed to ask the Company to accept this figure.