ON RIPA ISLAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1780, 24 January 1918, Page 2

ON RIPA ISLAND.

GERMANS INTERNED,

VON BUCKNER AND KIRSCIIEISS.

The Defence authorities recently decided to place Count Felix von Buckner, commander of the Gem an commerce raider Seendler, and Second Lieutenant Carl T. F. Kirseheis.s, navigating lieutenant and second in command, on Ripa island. This decision was followed by the. arrival of these prisoners, ami their internment on the island on Sundav.

ll was expected (says the Sun) that the prisoners of war would he landed at the wharf, but this course was not adopted. The Defence, authorities evidently deemed it. advisable to disembark them on to the. Defence launch used as a ferry boat between Ripa ami Bytteltou. About 10.20 a.m., the Mararoa came inside the Heads. Five minutes later the Defence launch, Hying the New Zealand ensign, with Capt. Beeming, MX'., the newly-appointed commandant of Ripa Island, on hoard, as well as a dozen soldiers, put out ami stopped right in the track of the ferry boat, just oil Ripa Island. Capt. Cameron, of the, Mararoa, slowed down while the Defence launch made fast. A strong guard was also on the Mararoa, ami could he seen at the side of the ship. A rope ladder was lowered, and, presently, Count von Buckner descended, followed by Bt. Kirscheiss, The Count was dressed in a smart and well-lilting uniform of light khaki, with the German blue naval cap. Bt. Kirscheiss wore light kha--<( ki trousers and a double-breasted ' navy blue tunic, with blue cup. As soon as they stepped on to the launch they went through to the cabin, out of sight of the hundreds of passengers on the Mararoa, who were interested spectators. The whole time occupied in disembarking the prisoners and landing them on Ripa Island did not amount to more lima d quarter of an hour.