PRIZE COURTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 174, 28 August 1914, Page 6

PRIZE COURTS.

• ESTABLISHED IN NEW ZEALAND. Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aguust 27. The following proclamation appears In a "Gazette" extraordinary, issued this evening:— s "CONSTITUTION OF.PRIZE COURTS. 4 4 LIVER POOL, GOVERNOR, AND J. VICE-ADMIRAL. / "A PROCLAMATION. ''Whereas by section 2 of the Prize Courts Act, 1894 (Imperial), it is enacted that any commission, Avarraut, or instructions from his Majesty the King", or the Admiralty, for the purpose of commissioning or regulating the procedure of a prize court in a British possession may, notwithstanding the existence of peace, be issued at any '""'time, with a direction that the C ourt ; nhall act only upon proclamation, made j in that possession by the Vice-admiral j thereof, that war has broken out be- j tween his Majesty and any foreign ] State; and, whereas, in pursuance of the said enactment the Lords of the Ad- J jniraltv have, by warrant, under the. seal of the Office of Aumiraltv, and | .<iated the seventeenth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine,, authorised and required the Supreme Court of New Zealand, and the Chief .lustice of New Zealand, and all the other Judges for the time being of the said Court, upon, proclamation being made as j aforesaid, to take cognisance and j judicially to proceed upon all manner j of captures, recaptures, seizures, prizes, j {ind reprisals of all ships, vessels, and j . goods, which shall on the outbreak of | war have been already seized and j . taken, and which are or shall be brought within the limits of the said Court, and all other matters of prize falling within the jurisdiction of the said j Court, and to hear and determine the | same according to the course of Ad-j miralty and the law of nations, and the I statutes, rules, and regulations in that i behalf for the time being in force; j and to adjudge and condemn all such ships, vessels, and goods as shall belong to the foreign State - named in such proclamation, or to the subjects of such State, or to any others inhabiting within any of the countries, territories or dominions of the same, *' or which are otherwise eondeinnable as prize, and which shall be brought before the said Supreme Court for adjudication and condemnation; "Now, therefore, in pursuance and exercise of the authority conferred ! upon me by section 2 of the Prize | Courts Act, 3894, I, William Arthur! De Brito Savile, Earl of Liverpool, Governor and Vice-Admiral of the Dominion* of New Zealand, being satisfied by information received by ' me from the Secretary of State for the Colonies in that behaltj do hereby proclaim that war " has broken out between his Majesty the King and certain foreigu States; to wit, the Empire of Germany and the Empire of Austria-Hungary, and do hereby declare that the Supreme Court of New Zealand is authorised and required to exercise jurisdiction as a Prize Court accordingly under the Naval Prize Acts, lij<)4;Jiil4 (Imperial), and all Acts, rules, and regulations in that behalf." - DECLARATION OP LONDON. An Order-in-Council is also gazetted declaring that Britain is co-operating with the French and Russian naval forces, and that the provisions of the Declaration of Loudon, will be observed with some modilicat ions relating to contraband and the blockading oi' cneinv ports. THE ADVANCE GUARD. WELL AND FIT. £From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August: 127. The Prime Minister stated in the Jlouse this evening that during the last few davs'a number of wild and mis-

! r}iicvoiis rumours had been afloat Avith regard to a disaster alleged to have overtaken tlio first section of'. tlic Expeditiouary Force. These rumours had not 111 c slightest foundation, and lie had been specially requested by the Go\"ornor to state that, his Excellency had been in communication that morning with the Expeditionary Force. They were Avell and in good form,.and ready to give a good account of themselves whenever the opportunity might offer. (Hear, hear.)' FARES UP NOW. PEE CENT. RISE. Press Association. - WELLINGTON, August 27. ' As a result of the dislocation of timetable arrangements in the direct steamer service between London and New Zealand, caused by the withdrawal from service of several vessels to be used as troopships, the shipping companies concerned have, it is understood, decided to raise existing fares between New Zealand and London by 25 per cent. A comparison of the present scale of fares with the increased scale slioavs that the first saloon single passage fare will be increased from £64 to £BO, the second saloon fare from £:>B to £47 10/-, and the steerage, fare from £l9 to £2.-» ]»/-• It is also understood that freights will be advanced, but the new scale has not yet been drafted. It is stated that passages by the Suez route may still be booked at old j rates, as the Orient and P. and O. ser- j vices continue as usual.* Three of the j Orient Company's vessels have been pressed into service as troopships, but j the time-table is not expected to suffer any disarrangement. GOVERNMENT URGED TO MOVE. . The following resolution was. passed at a joint meeting of the Importers' and Exporters' Committees of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, held yesterday" The . combined Importers' and Exporters' Committees of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce emphatically protest against the excessive imposition of 25 per cent, additional freight rates recently advised, and urge the Government to endeavour to arrange with the British Government for the national war insurance of vessels trading to and from New Zealand, .and thus, avoiding any justification for increase of freights on the products of the colony and imports from Great Britain." NEW BANK RATES. Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 27. The banks doing business in New 7 Zealand have adopted the following new rates, which came into operation today: — Buying rate.—Discount, per cent.: On demand, IQ/-; thirty d*ys, £1 5/-; sixty days, £1 10/-; ninety davs, £2; • 120 days, £2 10/-. Selling rate.—Premium per cent.: On demand, 15/-; thirty days, 7/6; sixty days, par; telegraphic transfers, £1 5/per cent, premium. The buying rates are' the same as those fixed ou August 17, but the selling rates have been altered so as to correspond with the current Australian-rates. Those operating from August 17 until to-day were fixed only for the- time being, and in view of the factors then governing the money market. The revised rates are considered to be rather on the low scale.

A PATRIOTIC SOUVENIR. A valuable patriotic souvenir will bo disposed of during the interval at Harry Lauder's performance to-morrow night, in the shape of an autograph Union Jack, specially made by Messrs Strange and Co. The Hag, which is being made of the finest quality silk, will be four and a-lialf by nine feet in dimension, with a staff of white and. gold —the latter, by the way, being the product of the firm's factory. Ornamenting the flag will be the autographs of his Excellency the Governor, General Sir Alexander God ley, Hon. W. F. Masscy (Prime Minister of New Zealand), Sir Joseph Ward, tlie Parliamentary representatives of Canterbury, the Mayor of Christchurch, and several other notable citizens. The autographs | will be in parchment, appliqued on to j the silk, and the inscription, " Canter- i bury Patriotic Demonstration Memento, I 29/8/.1914," will be embroidered in redand blue on the white, border. * The flag promises, when completed, to be a very handsome specimen, and no doubt there will be keen competition as to who shall be the fortunate possessor when Mr Jones (of Craddock, McCrostie Co.) wields tlie hammer over it to-morrow night. It is hoped that the purchaser will look favourably on the idea of presenting it to one of the Canterbury regiments, 'as that seems the most appropriate fate tor such a fine and well-designed piece of- work. Tlie proceeds of the flag, it may be mentioned, will lie entirely devoted to the Canterbury Patriotic Fund. Messrs Strange and Co. are to be commended for the ■ patriotic spirit which prompted the idea of such a souvenir, and which, it is safe to prophesy, will result in a handsome addition to the funds. REGIMENTAL INSTITUTE. The large building of the "W.C.T.U., i which at present is occupied by the ! C.E.M.S. and Y.M.C.A., is every evening ' crowded to the doors by'men busily en- | gaged in writing, reading, and amuse- ' meut. .Though over. 450 lineal feet of ! table accommodation is provided for I writing, the men have to av ail tliem- ! selves of shelving, boxes, eti». Some idea | of the volume, of correspondence may be : gauged by the fact that more than once j the post box such as is fitted up in town ! lias betai filled to overflowing. | At coffee-time, froin 8.45 to 9.20, it is : almost impossible to get by the "queue that is formed, while the ping-pong, j bagatelle and boxing areas are equally ! crowded. j The short devotional "service is also ! well attended. As the evening mails j arrive after the camp post oHice is I closed, all letters thus arriving are distributed by the C.K.M.S. men on duty, i It is'' encouraging to know that a ! large number of men have, asked ; for copies of the Mew Testament, which , are being given away. /> ! Boxes of books are being made 1 up for use on the transports, and donations ! of such scut, to the V.M.<'.A. Building will be forwarded to camp. ; CANTERBURY "PATRIOTIC FUND. | This fitll«i is established with the f'olI lowing objects:---: a; To provide for ! t huse dependent on o.i r v<>ln nt eers should jit be found accessary; (b) to assist. ! volunteers returning • pi: ysi< a II v unfit ; until such i'une as they are restored to health: (>■) generally to applv [the funds in such manner as the execu-

tiAe may deem necessary to alleA'iate suffering and distress caused by the present crisis. - Donations may be foiAvarded to his Worship the Mayor of Christ-church, the Town Clerk, or the secretary (Mr R. T. TossAvill, Royal Exchange Buildings), and will be acknowledged through these columns. The following additional subscriptions

AMBERLEY. j Further donations to the Canterbury Patriotic Fund are:—J. Turner £1 1/-, j.l. Harrison 30/-, I). Boyce £1 ]/-, J. j Marneiss £1 1/-, M. Klderton 5/-, T. {Hunter .10/-, A. Fairweather 10/-, Gates I Bros. 10/-, Borgfeldt £l, H. M. Burgin £O, W. Harrison 10/-. Total, £ll 18/-. THE LIVERPOOL FUND. ADDITIONAL GIFTS. | The following additional gifts have i I•een received by tlie Mayoress for the Liverpool Fund : —Mr Sowden, magazines; Mrs A. Sleightholme, books; I Maude Stringer, books; -Little IJivei, j books- Mrs jla Ilj books, '2 pairs socks, J 1 Balaclava; R.M., books, 2 Balaclavas; ; Miss McLean, Geraldine, 4 Balaclavas j Miss McKen/.ie, Geraldine, 2 Balaclavas; | Lady Clifford, S Balaclavas, French 'books, !) cardigans; Misses Preston, 2 Balaclavas; Mrs Chrystall, M Balaclavas; Mrs Herbert Brown, 4 Balaclavas; ; Mrs Alfred Morton, Balaclavas; L.JI., i") Balaclavas; Mrs 1 iumphreys, 2 Balaclavas; High field, Amuri, Balaclavas ! (per Mrs Micholls); Mr Hodgson'and ! family, 7 Balaclavas; Mr Kllis, 4 Bakl- • tdavas; Mrs fryer, ~> Balaclavas: Anon, j 1 Balaclava ; Misses Kvans, Balaclavas; Mayfield Friend, Balaclavas; : .Hiccarton Borough, 4 Balaclavas; Miss j Macdonald and Miss Stevenson, Balaiclavas; Mrs Wilding, Opawa Sowing j Bee, .">0 liol 11 a!! s ; Mrs W. <'hapinan. West j I'lyreton, 9 pair shoes: Mrs Smith, 4 'Balaclavas; Mrs Cebbie, Balaclavas; 1 Mrs Green, 2 Balaclavas. 2 cholera belts; : l\*a nj' i! ii ru, M Ba la-lavas, 2 cholera belts; j Mrs (, L hi'aiio, '■'> Balaclavas; Miss Anderj son, 1 Balaclava; Misses Robinson, 3

Balaclavas; S.E.R., 1 pair socks; Papanui Boy Scouts, 7 pairs socks; Beath, 4 pairs socks, 4 handkerchiefs; Mrs 11. Gardiner, 6 pairs socks; Lady from East Oxford, handkerchiefs; Miss Brittan, 1 cap; C. M. Armstrong, 1 cap; Mrs B. Fishery 1 belt (cholera) ; Miss Nina Chapman, Ashburton; 1 box medicated bandages. Misses Ivirwan, Montgomery, Slidder*, an'd Carr have forwarded a cash donation of £l. poor of great"britain fund. YESTERD AY 'S SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Total to date £(>6(55 17 S Messrs Macfarlane and (Jo. have offered to sell free of commission any potatoes, onions, or other produce given to the Food for Britain Fund. Arrangements are now being made to form a Women's Committee for the purpose of collecting clothing, etc. Any articles of wearing apparel must indeed he acceptable to the poor of Britain and Belgium during the coming winter. The names of depots for the receipt of parcels will be announced in to-morrow s newspapers. A hare drive was held at Mr Duncan Rutherford's station, Leslie Hills, 011 Wednesday by a party of about 14 guns. The day was beautifully line, and about--250 hares were accounted for, and they were scut by Mr Rutherford to Belfast to be frozen and shipped to "Lngland Li aid of the "Poor Relief Fund.''

' The staff of Dalgety an«l Co. yesteridiiv afternoon entertai ned at tea tluoc mem 1 >t?rs ot tlit? stafr, 11. At. Cotton, X. B. McCalluin, and L. (J. Newman, who have joined the (Canterbury contingent- ; of the' Kxpeditionary Force. Each voluiii tocr was presented with a wrist watch. Last night the officers of the First (Canterbury) Infantry, wlto are not going to the front entertained the officers of the regiment who are .leaving with the Kx- ! peditiollarv Force. Colonel Smith presided over the gathering, which was held at the <.!adena Tea l?oonis. | (Continued on page S.)

have been received: — £ s. d. J. M. Mitchell 2 10 0 Mitchell Bros 2 30 0 Employees Mitchell Bros. .. 1 15 6 J. McFerran 1 1 0 Mrs Berest'ord 1 1 0 Richmond Working Men's Club 50 0 .0 '' Lyttelton Times'' Companionship 10 0 0 Canterbury Ty pograph ical Association 5 0 0 W..T.A. 0 10 0 .I.C.W. (per J. C. Wallace) 0 7 (3 Salvation Army — City Corps 3 15 0 *St. Albans 1 15 0 Linwood i) 17 0 Loval Aniberlev Lodge, M.U., I.O.O.F.' .. 5 0 0 Knock Auction 0 7 0 Total to date . .. 9396 14 o

£ ' s. d. Amount previously acknowledged 66:} (5 17 2 M. G. Sharpe 5 0 0 Mrs and Misses Papprill . . 0 15. 0 Mrs and Misses I'apprill 0 (Belgian Fund) 0 15 0 O 6 Anonymous 0 5 0 J. T. Dohertv, ten hoggets, . sa y ; • 10 0 0 Miss Nellie Kumsey (per S.Z. Fanners' Co-op., Ashburton) ' . . 1 0 0 Staff and Employees Crown - Brewery Co., Ltd., half of one day's salary 31. 0 0