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[Page 48]
15th October 1914.
I regret to have to report the occurrance yesterday of an accident which resulted in the death of No. 433, Private Albert Martin Wates of 'C' Coy., Infantry Battalion.
The deceased was taking his rifle down from a peg in the barracks, where he had hung it muzzle down by the sling when he came off duty in the morning. Unfortunately he had neglected to unload it as there was one cartridge left in the chamber, which exploded and completely shattered his left thigh bone. He was removed to Hospital at once, where his left leg was amputated by Major Maguire, P.M.O. He came out of anaesthetic well and conversed with the Hospital Attendants, but suddenly became unconscious and died at 5-45 p.m.
His body was interred this morning with Military honors in the Cemetery at Rabaul.
His next of kin is his Sister - Mrs. W. James, 304 Cobden St., Redan, Ballarat, Victoria, who has been informed.
Enquiries are being held as to the cause of both these accidents.
Re "Komet":
An investigation of the books this morning shows that the "Komet" arrived here in August 1911.
She was built to replace the "Seesturn" which was lost on a voyage from Australia to New Britain, and cost the sum of M. 645,000. Of this sum the Insurance Companies paid M.422,000, and the balance M. 222,600 was provided from the treasury here.
The annual cost of upkeep was M. 300,000. Of this sum M. 120,000 was paid annually to the Norddeutcher Lloyd Company as a subsidy for which they provided Officers and Crew, and all expenses with the exception of repairs and coal, which was paid for by the Government of the Colony out of the balance of the vote.
I understand that in order to keep the expenditure within the annual appropriation, it was customary to lay the vessel up during a portion of each year.