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[Page 12]
(6)
Early to-morrow morning I am leaving here for Frederick Wilhelmshafen, escorted by the "Australia", "Encounter", French Flagship "Montcalm" and possibly a Destroyer. I am taking with me 4 Companies of Infantry under Col. Watson, and will probably despatch 2 Companies as garrison at that place and return here in about a week to resume my administrative duties.
After conference with the Admiral, it has been decided on arrival at Frederick Wilhelmshafen to send Captain Travers (my Intelligence Officer), accompanied by Lieutenant Mayer (a German Regular Officer who was taken prisoner) ashore with a copy of the terms of surrender in English and another in German, for presentation to the Head Official there, with an intimation that I have come to take possession and occupy the place in terms of the agreement, and also secure an assurance from him that there will be no resistance to such occupation and that the harbour is not mined or defended. In this matter I do not anticipate that there will be any difficulties, as the Governor's surrender includes the whole of the German Possessions lately under his administration, including the mainland of New Guinea.
In the earlier portion of this letter I mentioned that a Court of Enquiry was being held into some irregularities, but the evidence adduced was not sufficient to sustain the charges which had been made.
The health of the troops and also the population continues good. The European Hospital at the top of the hill near Government House has only just been opened, and is most complete in all its fittings and appointments. At the present time it is occupied by 7 German Sailors from the 'Planet' who are, of course, prisoners, and another German prisoner whose right hand was shot off in the engagement at Herbertshohe on the 11th instant. There are no men of our own inmates of that Institution. In the Native Hospital there are 131 cases, and I understand this is about the usual number. This place is controlled by two German Doctors who are, I understand, very clever at treating Native diseases, and indeed diseases of all kinds, and I propose, if they will remain, to retain them in their positions.
Lieut.-Col. Paton is still commanding the garrison at Rabaul, and Commander Beresford, R.A.N., is in charge at Herbertshohe, and I shall probably leave Major Martin of the Infantry Battalion in command at Frederick Wilhelmshafen.
As my duties as Administrator increase, I may possibly find it necessary to place Lieut.-Col. Watson in Military command, so as to afford me full opportunity of attending to the other work, but I will keep you fully advised from time to time as opportunity offers of any such changes.
(Sgd.) WILLIAM HOLMES, Colonel.
ADMINISTRATOR.