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MINUTES.

185

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

། ། ། ། ། ། mmimmimCO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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this ship, which had been requisitioned for the use of the Anglo-Persian Oil Com- pany. The Committee decided that, as the ship was not within their terms of refer- Mr. Holt ence, Messrs. Strick and Company should be referred to the Admiralty. undertook to inform Messrs. Strick and Company accordingly.

8. Canadian Wheat.-The Secretary reported that the Admiralty had announced their intention of not taking over the Helgoland," "Kawak," or "Barenfels." It was decided that the "Helgoland" and "Kawak" might be fixed for wheat from Montreal. Mr. Holt was to instruct the managers of the "Kawak to effect immediately such repairs of the vessel as were absolutely necessary. It was understood that the "Barenfels" would not be ready for sea before the middle of

October.

DE

9. 8.8. "Paros."-The Committee decided that the papers concerning this ship should be submitted to Messrs. Lindley's, the average adjusters. It was also agreed that the amounts paid by the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society in respect of railway fares for the crew should be refunded to this Society.

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and "Apolda."-The Secretary reported that the 10. Steamships "Hamm terms of the charter* for these ships were now finally agreed upon.

A letter from Messrs. Henry Hilbery and Son was read claiming compensation in respect of the detention of a consignment of cement belonging to Messrs. Muller, The Committee Poignard and Company, at Cape Town, on board the "Hamm." decided that the applicants should be referred to the Prize Court at Cape Town.

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11. Messrs. Lachlan and Company's charges for Valuations of Steamships "Thor,"

Istria," "

George R.," "Lutzow," Adolphus."-The Committee approved the payment of these fees.

12. Steamships "Rajaburi" and "Quarta.”—A letter sent by Messrs. Waltons and Company to Mr. Roberts's solicitors, replying to their claim for compensation in regard to these vessels, was read to the Committee.

13. 8.8.

Bethania."-The Committee decided that reports which had been received from Jamaica with regard to the sale of the damaged cargo ez this steamer should be sent to Messrs. Glanvill, Enthoven and Company.

14. Submarine Signalling Apparatus.-A letter was read from Messrs. Wal- tons and Company stating that their clients the Submarine Signalling Company had no copies of the leases under which the signalling apparatus was installed in the steamships "Hanna Larsen" and "Helgoland." The Secretary was instructed to reply asking that evidence of the contents of these leases should be supplied by a statutory declaration or otherwise.

15. Application by the High Commissioner for New Zealand for copies of printed papers and reports issued by the Committee.-The Committee recommended that the High Commissioner should be informed that no papers had, as yet, been issued by them.

16. 3.0. "Elfriede."-The Secretary reported that the motor schooner "Elfriede" had been sold in Fiji for £1,000, the equivalent of the reserve price.

17. 8.8." Empress IX."-The reports which had been received by the Colonial Office from the Governor-General of Canada with regard to this vessel were read, and the Committee recommended that the Governor-General should be requested to make arrangements for her seizure in the manner suggested.

18. Insurance Scheme for Committee's Accounts.-The Committee approved a draft letter to Mr. Glanvill thanking him for the trouble he had taken in connexion with the valuation of vessels for the purposes of this scheme.

19.

Accounts. The Committee approved the recommendation of their Accounting Officer that in future, where payments might be delayed pending satis- factory replies to inquiries that had been raised, it was desirable that the Committee should immediately authorize payment on account, reserving only a sufficient amount to cover the amount involved by the questions raised.

No. 4 (b) in Appendix B.

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THE EIGHTY-FIRST MEETING of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Monday, the 4th of October, 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. HIPWOOD, Board of Trade.

MR. H. W. MALKIN, Foreign Office.

MR. L. D. WAKELY, India Office.

MR. T. H. HOLT, Crown Agents.

MR. Č. TENNYSON, C.M.G., Colonial Office, who acted as Secretary in

the absence of Mr. Wiseman.

Mr. Evans acted as Chairman during the discussion of the first eighteen items, in the absence of Admiral Slade.

1.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were confirmed, subject to one

alteration.

2. Sale of small sailing ships at Malta.-The Secretary reported that two small sailing vessels, of thirteen and twenty-seven tons respectively, named the "Elleni " and "Aghios Nicholaos," had been condemned and ordered to be sold by the Prize Court at Malta. The Committee agreed that these vessels might be sold locally.

3. Date of commencement of insurance scheme for accounting purposes.→→The Committee considered that the premium should be calculated in regard to each vessel as from the date on which the Committee took possession unless the ship continued to be insured under the Committee's cover after that date. Mr. Holt undertook to supply the requisite dates with regard to steamers dealt with by the Committee.

Value of cargoes on risk at Alexandria,-Mr. Malkin reported the receipt from the Marshal at Alexandria of an approximate valuation of all goods which had come under the cover at that port. He proposed to send this to Glanvill, Enthoven and Company.

4.

5. 8.8.

Barenfels."-Mr. Holt reported that Messrs. Grahams and Company had questioned the desirability of insuring these steamers against protection and indemnity risks. The Committee decided to adhere to their usual policy and insure against these risks in accordance with the instructions contained in the Treasury letter of the 18th January, 1915. A report was read from the Board of Trade's surveyors on the Tyne stating that the repairs which were being effected to the vessel appeared to be necessary.

6. 8.8.

"Koerber." The question was raised whether the Director of Kew Gardens was to be charged freight amounting to about £2 on the Schneider collection brought home on this steamer. It was decided that the Director should be allowed

to remove the collection and that the question raised should be deferred for further consideration.

7. 8.8. Lucia A letter was read from Messrs. Lachlan and Company enclosing and explaining their account for the valuation of this ship. The Secretary was directed to make further inquiry with regard to the charge of eight guineas for taking the inventory.

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8. Canadian wheat. Mr. Holt reported that the "Kawak" had been fixed for 118. and had already sailed, the "Barenfels" for 12s., and the "Helgoland" for 128. for the Bristol Channel, 128. 3d. for London, and 12s. 9d. for the Humber and the Tyne.

The Committee She would be ready to leave about the end of the week. approved the proposal to change the name of the "Helgoland" to the "Nerine provided that there was no other ship of the same name on the register. Mr. Evang undertook that the Admiralty should make the necessary application to the Board of Trade. Mr. Holt reported that Messrs. Knott and Company had now agreed to accept the same terms as other managers of steamers, and signed an agreement on these conditions for the "Kawak."