Item 10: General William Holmes diary, 23 August 1914-22 February 1915 - Page 107

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[Page 107]

FRIDAY - 16TH OCTOBER 1914:

At 2-50 a.m. the following message was received from the Secretary - Defence:-
"What information have you about Jolley late British Consul."

and at 3-17 a.m. a message was received from the Navy Board:-
"It is understood that the terms of surrender of German Governor, Simpsonhafen, includes German possessions Pelew, Marianne, Caroline and Marshall Islands.   Please confirm."

Reply despatched at 11-30 p.m.
"Administrator to Navy Board:-
"Yes; Surrender covers all German Possessions Western Pacific, Officially known as German New Guinea, includes Islands you specify.

At 9-0 a.m. the "Moresby" arrived from Sydney and took up anchorage in Simpsonhafen.   P.M.O. (Major Maguire) immediately put off and gave the ship a clean bill of health.   Message received on the 14th instant from  Burns, Philp was handed to Mr.  Lucas on his visiting the  Administrator.   The cargo includes a quantity of rice and provisions for sale to the Merchants, as well as supplies for the Troops as asked for by the Administrator.   A mail for the troops was also received and was sorted and delivered. No despatches or replies to the Administrator's communications were received, neither was the amount of   £5,000 for pay of Troops asked for received.

Mr. Lucas, Representative   Burns, Philp & Coy. had an interview with the principal business firms here but diid not arrive at any definite terms of settlement in respect to the disposal of the  cargo on board the "Moresby".

The "Nusa" with Major Heritage in charge, left at 11-0 a.m.  for Kawieng. The "Madang", which had been around the North Coast returned at 1-0 p.m. but had no news respecting the  "Siar" or "Samoa".  

At 3-35 a.m. the following message was received from the Navy Bb:-
"Planet" sunk by Germans before Japanese landed Yap, 7th Octr.   Her crew, guns and ammunition had been previously transferred to the late Russian Volunteer Steamer "Riazan" whose name has now been changed to "Cormoran".

At 10-38 p.m. the message relating to the  capture of the "Komet" was again transmitted, as it had not previously been received in full owing to electrical atmospheric conditions.

The following message regarding the death of Pte. Wates was despatched from the Administrator to the Minister for Defence -
"Regret report death No. 433 Pte. Albert Martin Wates, who accidently shot himself today.   Next of kin - Mrs. W. James, 304 Cobden St., Redan, Ballarat, Victoria."

2000 copies of Govt. Gazette have been published and copies will be sold by the Treasurer at 6d. each.   Health of troops continues excellent.

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