INTERNED GERMANS.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 December 1918, Page 6

INTERNED GERMANS.

I TRANSFER FROM MOTPIHI. QUARTERED AT NARRAW NECK The German prisoners who have ■been interned on Motuihi Island were transferred to Narrow Neck camp -on Monday. The Defence steamer Lady Roberts, with the prisoners on board, reached the wharf at the torpedo yard about four o'clock About half-an-hour later the >x>Gove/rnor of Samoa, C. Schultz, with two other Germans, left in a motor-oar for the new camp. The ex-Governor dressed in drill khaki, and wore a sun helmet. He took no notice of his surroundings but sat back in his seat reading a newspaper. His demeanour suggested viee-regal state, and if he felt any chagrin over his position his nonchalant air very completely concoaJsd "the fa<ft. Apparently a few people knew that the Germans were to be seen on the public highway for the first time, and at one spot a few hoots were heard as the ex-Governor's ear sped by. Otherwise there was no demonstration A small party of prisoners had already been sent to the camp as an advance baggage party. The "main body" were marched from the port to the camp under a smart guard commanded by a non-commis-sioned officer. There was no congregation of the public- at any point on the soute, and only pastefers-by and residents of the streets passed through witnessed the migration. The prisoners, though of varying physique and dress, looked, a remarkably healthy and well-fed lot of men. lirom their appearance most of them enjoy the most robust health. A few of the party, which numbered about 'BO, anarehed in serio-us dilenee, but the others evinced the highest spirits They talked loudly in their own tongue and gave vent to the heartiest laughter. But for the presence of the guards, who marched on either iside of the motley procession -with bayonets, fixed, the Germans might ibave been a party of picnickers who ■were very satisfied with their out-

ing. The smallest things seemed to amuse them. The mirth they disV played when a very interesting little girl on the footpath, whoso eyes were on the procession, collided violently with a man standing ahead of her, would have satisfied a professional comedian. One German smiled broadly at a young woman on the footpath The signs by which she expressed her : hostility were not flattering to the German. At 'the head of the party marched Count von Luckner. He was smartly attired in a walking suit of fashionable grey with a cap of the same i material. He took no part in the: laughter and joking. An athletic figure, he walked with set expression and dignified bearing When a photographer was taking a " snap'' von Luckner raised the coat he had on his arm in front of his, face, but. in., nothing else took any notice of those, on the street.

"What struck residents of the loca-. lity most, in connection, with the., transference was the amazing amount,* of goods and chattels which aeeom-J panied the prisoners. Several Defence,,? Department waggons were engaged; throughout the day conveying these? effects from the wharf to the camp,? At the wharf the luggage was loaded; on the waggons by prisoners, but afr th© camp the duty of taking it, offj waggons, fell to native, soldiers. Gilbert. Islanders, employed in unloading waggons did not appear to relish" -thej{ job, and such notices as "Glass.-with-, Care," on cases did not inspire gem, tleness in handling. This-luggage was, left in the drill square to 'be -convey-n ed to the huts by its owners", * ~- ~ g The hut formerly used by : the Y-.M, C.A. has been set aside, it is under- I stood, as the abode of the ex-Govern- • or of Samoa, Early in the day, it is

reported, it was suggested to certain non-commissioned officers in camp that they might try to get a party of native soldiers to prepare this hut for its occupant, but the cablegram in the "Herald" of that morning telling of the mutilation of a British prisoner in Germany was regarded as a sufficient reason for no effort being made in the direction indicated. An order is published to-day by the Defence authorities prohibiting boats approaching or landing parties on iV beach, immediately bcN-w Narrow Neck camp.