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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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MINUTES.

THE SIXTY-SEVENTH MEETING of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Thursday, 15th July, 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). MR. W. J. EVANS, Admiralty.

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

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.

2. Cargo at Alexandria in which the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Cor- poration are interested.—Mr. R. E. N. Fadfield attended the Committee to represent the bank.

It was understood that the bank proposed that they should take over all the cargo in which they had an interest and send it on to its original destination, accounting to the Court for the net proceeds of realization. Mr. Padfield explained that some of the cargo was outward and some homeward cargo. The difficulty of dealing with it arose from the extreme congestion at Alexandria, which prevented The proposed procedure the British shippers from getting their claims disposed of. would, therefore, be in the interests not only of the bank but also of possible claimants, since it would enable the goods, some of which were perishable, to be It was pointed out that before the bank could be realized at an earlier date. allowed to take over any goods they would have to prove their interest in them, but Mr. Padfield replied that all the bank's documents were already deposited with the Procurator. Mr. Padfield was not prepared to pledge the bank to give an under- taking to pay the invoice value of all the goods, less expenses into court, as he con- sidered that a portion both of the outward and of the homeward cargo would fail to realize this amount. The bank had agreed to be responsible for the invoice value "Barenfels" cargoes, because of all the goods in regard to the "Gutenfels" and

up their cargoes at they had reason to believe that the Indian indentors would take these values. It was also pointed out that, in the case of the s.s. "Istria," the Com- mittee had not insisted upon the invoice value because the cargo of soya beans was understood to be perishable. Mr. Padfield went on to say that the bank had made advances in most cases to the full invoice value of the goods, but it was pointed out that it might be possible for any claimant to dispute the action taken by the bank if this price were not realized. Mr. Padfield was asked whether the bank would agree to give an undertaking, as in the case of the enemy cargo on the "Gutenfels" and "Barenfels," indemnifying the Court against all petitions, claims, proceedings, actions, or demands in respect or on account of the goods or any proceeds thereof arising directly or indirectly out of or connected with the delivery and sale of the goods. He agreed that the bank would do this, and the Committee were satisfied that such an undertaking would cover claims in respect of the difference between the full invoice value and the price realized.

The Committee also discussed with Mr. Padfield the arrangements that would be made with regard to the disposal of cargo which had originally been consigned to Mr. Padfield explained that, as the bank was now pre- German firms in China. vented from dealing directly with the German consignees, they proposed to approach the Chinese indentors, who had bought nearly all the goods from the German con- signees. The goods would be delivered to the indentors at the original invoice value. Where the Chinese indentors could not be found the cargo would be realized at the best price obtainable. The Committee thought that it would be important to obtain guarantees that the goods were delivered to the original Chinese indentors, in order to prevent their being handed over to dummy firms acting for the original German consignees. It was therefore agreed that in all cases the bank should be required to satisfy the British Consul as to the character of the person receiving the goods.

MINUTES.

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The Committee decided that any indemnity given by the bank must be given to the Procurator at Alexandria, with whom the necessary arrangements should be made direct. Any agreement should provide for the insurance of all the cargo. Subject to the points mentioned above, they thought that an agreement might be When the heads of an agreement made on the lines of that for the "Istria cargo.

had been arranged here a telegram should be sent by the Foreign Office to the Pro- curator to ask if the Court would accept the proposed arrangement.

3. 8.v. "Neath."-Mr. Holt reported that this ship had made the voyage from St. John's to Cardiff in eight days.

The Committee decided that she should be chartered for another voyage to New- foundland for pit props.

4. 3.3. "Koerber."-Mr. Holt reported that the ship would require a new It would, however, be windlass, which could not be obtained at Alexandria. possible to patch up the existing windlass for the voyage home. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Transport Department and inform them of the position. Mr. Malkin informed the Committee that the Marshal would arrange for the disposal of the condemned cargo on this ship when she arrived.

The Secretary was instructed to inform the Director of Kew Gardens that the scientific collection would be delivered to him on its arrival on his applying to He was to instruct the Company Messrs. Arthur Holland and Company. accordingly.

5. s.8. "Lucia."—Mr. Holt reported that this ship had now arrived at Liver- pool. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Admiralty saying that it was proposed to put her up for sale unless she were urgently required for naval or military purposes.

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6. 9.8. Gutenfels."-Mr. Holt reported that the owners of the vessel which had collided with this ship were putting the matter into the hands of their solicitors, and that Messrs. Grahams and Company had proposed that Messrs. Hill and Dickinson should be employed to act for the Committee. The Committee considered that they would not be justified in employing any other firm than Messrs. Waltons and Company, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Treasury Solicitor asking if he saw any objection to this.

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7. 8.5. Pindos."—Mr. Holt reported that he had ascertained from the Sugar

sugar Commission that they had only from twenty to twenty-five thousand tons of load from America. It was agreed that, in view of the representations from Messrs. Elder Dempster and Company reported at the previous meeting, the ship should be sent to West Africa with Government cargo.

8. s.o. "Yawry."-The Secretary reported that the Admiralty had claimed £59 78. 10d. for stores supplied to this ship at Sierra Leone. Mr. Evans undertook to discuss the claim with the Accountant-General of the Navy.

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5.8. "Bangor."-It was agreed that this ship should not be insured for the voyage from the Falkland Islands, except against the usual protection and indemnity risks, and that Messrs. William Richards and Sons should be employed to calculate the cost of taking the coal to West Africa for the purposes of its appraisement. As regards the protection and indemnity insurance, only the eleven members of the crew who had been taken on from the original crew of the "Bangor" were to be insured against risks under the Workmen's Compensation Acts.

10. Steamships "Hamm" and "Apolda.”—Mr. Tennyson explained the pro- posals which had been received from the Millars' Timber and Trading Company for the carriage of maize from South Africa to Australia. The freight for this com- modity was rising, and it was understood that 40s, might be obtained, but it would mean five or six weeks' delay, and no cargo could be loaded except by agreement with Messrs. Millar and Company. It was understood that negotiations were taking place on the subject between the latter and the Federal Steam Navigation Company The Committee were of opinion that Messrs. Millar should not be allowed to share in the profits if the cargo of maize were secured.

Mr. Tennyson informed the Committee that Messrs. Mitchell, Cotts and Company were anxious to obtain one of these ships for a voyage from Durban to Capetown with coal. If maize were loaded it would in any case be necessary for one

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