THE GERMAN METAL RING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2575, 24 September 1915, Page 5

THE GERMAN METAL RING

PRIZE COURT PROCEEDINGS CARGO FOR THE ENEMY By Mecca ji—Press Association—Copyright London, September 22.. In the Prize Court; the hearing was resumed of the case in which the Crown .claimed condemnation of 6710 tons of spelter aboard the Bilbster, v.'lucli the Australian Metal Company had eonsigned to Merton and Co., but which was really intended for Germany. The Crown reiterated that the Mertons showed a desire to keep from the knowledge of the authorities. the fact tliat, the cargo' was intended for GerThe £5000 which the Mertons claimed was debited in their books to the Metal Gesellschaft, of Frankfort. The Crown intimated that it did not desire to act ungenerously, and would allow a deduction of £2225 from the £6000 in respect to part of the cargo discharged at Antwerp. Judgment was reserved. fin opening the case, Sir F. B. Smith, K.C., on behalf of the Crown, said that' the Metal Gesellschaft of Frankfort, tho Beer Sondheimer Company of Frankfort, and Aaron Hirsoh and Sohn, of. Halberstant, were interested in the cargo. . These threo firms dominated the base metals market—a remarkable instance of the manner in which the German octoffus had thrown out its tentacles. The Court- had ; to decide whether J. and M. Gunn, owners of the Bilbster, wero able W ilaim -C 7546 freight. The Crown resisted the claim, because Mertons, although • they knew the cargo was for an enemy destination, attempted to avert capture. Mertons had paid the '(shipowners £3000 on account of freight. As Mertons had 'given no assistance, and had attempted to deceive the Crown, counsel also objected to Merton and Co.'s claim.]