ISLAND HOME.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16038, 24 January 1918, Page 2

ISLAND HOME.

VCjTb PRISONERS OF WAR.

The Defence authorities recently decided, 1 to place Count Felix von laickner, commander of the German commerce raided Seeadler, and SecondLioutenant Carl T. F. Kirscheiss, navigating lieutenant and second in ,comi mand on Ripa Island. Ihis decision was followed.by the arrival of these prisoners, and their internment on tll o island on Sunday. It‘was expected (says the Sun ) that the'‘prisoners of war would bo landed at the wharf, but this course was not adopted. The Defence authorities evidently deemed it advisable to disembark them bn to the Defence launch used as a ferry boat between Rina and Lyttelton. About 10.20 a.m. the Mararoa caino inside the heads, ifive minutes later the Defence launch, flying the New nla-nd ensign, with Captain Jjeeming, M.C., the newly-appointed\ commau'dant of Ripa Island, on board, as well as a dozen soldiers, put out and stopped right in the track of the ferry boat, just off, Rioa Island. Captain Cameron, of the Mararoa, slowed down while the Defence launch made fast. A strong guard was also on the MararoaT and could he .seen at the side of the ship. A rope ladder was lowered, and presently, Count von Lnekner descended. followed by Lieutenant Kirscheiss. , . . The Count was dressed in a smart and well-fitting uniform of light khaki - with the German blue naval cap. Lieutenant Kirsclieiss wore light khaki trousers and a double-breasted navy Ke tunic, with blue cap. As soon as they stopped on to the launch thev went through to the cabin, .out of sight of the hundreds of passengers on the Mararoa, who interested spectators. • . ■" / The whole time occupied m disembarking the prisoners and landing \ them on Ripa Island did not amount to more than a suartor of-an hour.