BACK TO MOTUIHI

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9966, 9 May 1918, Page 4

BACK TO MOTUIHI

THE SEEADLER’S OFFICERS A TRIP TO THE NORTH FOB THE WINTER. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 8. It is understood that the internment camp on Ripa Island is to be closed, and that Count von Luckner and Lieutenant Kirsoheiss, the German prisoners of war, will he transferred back to the old quarters on Motuihi Island. Paring the summer months the accommodation on Ripa island for the pritheir words was quite satisfactory, . but in winter-time Ripa Island is unfit for an internment camp, the(genej-al-surroundiug not being couduoiJvo to the good health of the mem. Count Felix von Luokner was the commander of the Gorman raider Seeadler, and Lieutenant Carl Frederick Kirscheiss was his second in command. With Other members of the raider’s crew they were captured in the Pacific last year, brought to Now Zealand, and placed on Motuihi Island (in Auckland harbour) under guard. At the end of November nine of the Germans, including all the Seeadler men, escaped from tile island in a motor launch belonging to the commandant of the internment camp. They captured a scow and got as far as the Kermadecs before being overtaken and again made prisoners. Soon after their return to New Zealand it was decided to intern the two officers on Ripa Island, whence the authorities considered it would be more difficult for them to escape.