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[Page 88]
(Copy)
Government House,
Rabaul,
25th october 1914.
The Administrator:
Sir;
I have the honor to report that I took command of the armed ship "Nusa" on Friday, 16th inst., and a detail of 15 soldiers, with one machine gun. Captain Strassburg, Master Mariner, had been appointed Navigating Officer.
In accordance with your instructions, I proceeded to Kaewieng with the object of hoisting the Union Flag and proclaiming British Military occupation over New Ireland, to release the British Consul - Mr. Jolley - who had been detained there as a Prisoner, and to deport the German Commissioner. In addition, my instructions were to search for and capture the Steamer "Siar" which had been engaged in smuggling cargo into New Britain, etc.
The expedition reached Kaewieng on the afternoon of Saturday, 17th instant; the flag was hoisted and saluted, the proclamation published and steps taken to release Mr. Jolley, and get the German Commissioner in.
I could obtain but little information regarding the "Siar", but had the impression confirmed that she was hiding at Garden Island, some 70 miles South east of Kaewieng. Accordingly I put to sea at 9 o'clock the same night, leaving Lieutenant Basil Holmes with 10 men for a garrison at Kaewieng, and steamed for Garden Island. This place was reached in a thick haze about 11 o'clock Sunday morning, 18th inst. From a knowledge of Island custom, I anticipated that if in harbour, the Officers of the vessel would be breakfasting at the Trading Station. This surmise proved to be correct, as on coming abreast of the station, white men were seen hurrying from the verandah. Proceeding at full speed the "Nusa" was headed for the little harbour of Tekeriki, where the Steamer "Siar", the large motor boat "Matupi" and smaller motor schooner "Sente" were found anchored.
Before the Officers could reach their ships I had prize crews placed on board and all the arms seized and ship's papers taken into custody. P.O. Clark was put in charge of the "Siar" together with A.B. Courtney as Engineer; the engines of this vessel were found to have been temporarily dismantled. At daylight on Monday, 19th inst., the "Nusa" towing the "Siar", and motor schooners under their own power, weighed anchor for Kaewieng, reaching that place the following morning at 8 o'clock, where the "Siar's" engines were placed in working order and fuel taken on board. Mr Jolley had in the meantime been released, and the German Commissioner came in at Noon and surrendered himself, at the same time formally handing over New Ireland to the British Government.
I arranged for Lieutenant Basil Holmes to remain at Kaewieng in temporary charge of the Administration with a detail of 6 Soldiers, it being understood that a permanent garrison would be despatched from Rabaul within a week.