CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9] — Page 42

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Just as the "Phranang" and the "Devawongse" began

to earn what may be called unusual profits (they have been chartered for $31,000 and $31500 a month respectively) the Goverment stepped in a took them over. A month's rent has been received for the "Phranang", and it was scarcely

sufficient to cover the cost of her recent repairs. A

claim for the return of this money will be made, and the

Company, being still in debt and deprived of its chief

earning power, is not in a position to repay it. For this

reason, among others, we pray for the release of the

*Devawongse", so as to enable us to discharge our

obligations including the liquidation of the heavy debt of

the Company.

In a letter addressed to our solicitor, Mr. C.D.

Wilkinson, who, prior to our letter to the Commodore,

applied on our behalf for the release of one of the two

steamers, Mr. Noel Wright, the Commodore's Secretary, said

that "it was absolutely necessary to take up a large number of vessels (each of which had to possess certain

definite qualifications) with a minimum lost of time,

practically every suitable ship which happened to be near

had at hand to be taken up". As regards the question of

qualifications, we understand that many vessels belonging

to other companies are equally suitable.I submit that the

requisitioning of one steamer in preference to another

because it happens to be near to hand may work, as it has worki

in our case, great hardship. There must be many other

steamers now near at hand, and we would respectfully

that the Company with the smallest proportion of its

tonnage requisitioned, should be required to hand over a

urge

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