CARGOES OF PRIZE SHIPS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 60, 8 September 1914, Page 8

CARGOES OF PRIZE SHIPS

A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. As a result of the publication of a Gazette notice relative to goods on board enemy ships detained or captured in Australia, the Attorney-General (the Hon. A. L. Herdman), who was seen by a Post representative to-day, said that he had received letters from business people anxious for the release of the consignments on German vessels in Sydney, Melbourne, Fremantle, and other Australian ports. Mr. Ilerdman explained that the Government could not, of course, interfere with those cargoes j it was a. matter for the Prize Courts established iv the different States of the' Commonwealth. All that the Government could do had been done. He had cabled to the Commonwealth Attorney-General in Melbourne asking what facilities could be given to Now Zealand consignees i for the release of goods consigned to them, and he had received the following telegraphic reply :—- "Your telegram 2nd September : Ships and cargoes are now in control of Prize Court ; persons interested in cargo should make application to the Court. Applications by New Zealand consignees on similar conditions to those now being, made by consignees in various States will not be opposed by the Commonwealth." The Minister recommended those firms in New Zealand who were interested in the cargoes on many ships in Australia to communicate with their representative in the Commonwealth, and have their claims properly represented to the Prize Courts. Mr. Herdman thought that those firms who had ■ no agent or representative in the Commonwealth had better forward their applications to the Attorney-Gen-eral's office, Melbourne, for submission to the Prize Courts in the various States. Up to the present no German vessel has been detained or captured in New Zealand. Ships of German origin infrequently visit New Zealand waters, but all the principal Australian ports have their tegular tramps, and it is at those ports that goods from Germany are transhipped for New Zea land.

On Wednesday, 16th September, the biennial election of members of the Upper Hutt Town Board takes plage. Recently a representative deputation waited upon tho chairman of the board (Mr. R. H. Webb) au'd Commissioner Kemp and asked them to again offer themselves at the poll. Both expressed their disinclination to submit themselves for re-election, but later agreed to reconsider their decision. Mr. Webb has since decided to fnll in with tho request of the deputation, 'uit Dr. Kemp has reiterated his decision to resign. Two defendants charged with drunkenness at the Magistrate's Court to-day pleaded not guilty. The first said to Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M. : "I was not drunk, your Worship. Only a little intoxicated." His Worship :•> "What do you call drunk?" Defendant : "Well, when a man is laid out." His Worship : "And can't get up again." "Yes." His Worship : "Your definition and mine don't agree. You arc convicted and discharged." The other defendant pleaded that he was suffering from the effect of an overdose of morphia, but he was also convicted. A patriotic concert, to be followod by a da-nee, will be ghen in tho Assembly IJall, Inland Bay. to-morrow evening. A mo^ attractive programme has been airunted. Dtirina; the moiling tho Hon. V. l\i. B. Fisher will deliver a patriotic siddrcw. Tho proceeds of the concert will be devoted to the relief of distress.