Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 80]
-find-
that the report was correct, some 15 tons of rice and other goods having been landed. These were at once impounded. The Provost Marshal ascertained that the launch had come from a Steamship called the "Sitar", belonging to the New Guinea Coy., and that she was then at Kaewieng and practically acting as a distributing centre for certain stations.
On the 16th instant I despatched the Steamer "Nusa" from this port with a small force, under the command of Major Heritage, to Kaewieng, with the threefold object (1) to release Mr, Jolley (British Consul), who was reported to have been interned there during the war (2) to hoist the British Flag, read my Proclamation, administer oath of neutrality, or take any other steps necessary to establish British rule, and (3) to ascertain the whereabouts of the "Sitar", capture her and bring her to this port. This expedition has not yet returned, and I am without news as to the result of their mission. There is, however, little doubt that the arrival of this cargo from the East has to a large extent relieved the tension previously existing, and no doubt the Merchants here are expecting that other similar cargoes may arrive, and they are, therefore, hesitating about purchasing the cargo from the British Ship, or supporting Burns, Philp & Coy's proposed monthly service.
On the same day as the Expedition was despatched, Mr. Taefert made his appearance at the outposts and was promptly arrested and sent in to Rabaul. On questioning him he admitted having brought the cargo from Macassar. I charged him with having surreptitiously landed the stores at Vuna Paka, and intimated that I regarded them as smuggled goods and intended to impound same. He informed me that although he had paid no duty on the goods, he had declared the cargo at the first port of call, viz. Bitape, in Kaiser Wilhelmsland, which course he stated was the usual one under German Rule, and that his Company had a running account with the Government, and it was not customary for him to pay the duty for 30 days afterwards.
I doubted his word and asked him to produce any documentary evidence that his statement was correct, but this he was unable to do, and as he admitted to me in the course of examination that several statements he had made to the Provost Marshal and to me were untrue. I told him I could nor rely on his word and must regard the goods as smuggled. He informed me the the "Sitar", which is a Steamer about the size of the "Suatra", was the property of the New Guinea Coy. He would not state where she was then, but I found on examination of his letter copying book, which was seized amongst his belongings. that he had given instructions to the Captain of the Ship to take her to the vicinity of Kaeweng and hide her there. On being questioned he admitted that this was so.
Up to the time of arrival of Mr. Taefert the other Merchants appeared to be disposed to purchase the Moresby's cargo on arrival, but Mr. Taefert exercises a dominating influence over all the others, and as a result of his appearance no business whatever has been transacted.