GERMAN EX-CONSUL AND FRIEND.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1916, Page 5

GERMAN EX-CONSUL AND FRIEND.

PLACED OUT OP HARM'S WAY. Auckland, February 23. The arrest has been effected, urider the Defence of the Realm Act, of the ex-German Consul in Auckland, Mr. Carl Seegner, and his aormer private secretary, Mr. Lothav fCilander. Both liave been interned as prisoners of war, and aro nt present under detention at the fort at North Head. It is understood that tlie action of the authorities in tlie matter w»3 due to suspicions aroused by the persons named in connection with their recent movements. •Strict reticence is observed, both by the military authorities and the police; but enquiries made in other directions have brought to light the circumstances leading to the double arrest. It appears that for six months past Messrs Seegner and Eilander, and a third party, in the person of a wellknown resident of Auckland, who is a German by birth, but a naturalised British subject, have been in the daily habit of meeting in the Domaii. Business men, and the employees of firms whose establishments are s'ituated in Stanley street, and in positions in Parnell overlooking the Domain and its entrances, have noticed these daily meetings. The conclusion which tlie observers come to was that the members of the trio were probably debarred from visiting each other's houses for some reason or other, and that they therefore selected the Domain for their daily consultations. More than once they were followed surreptitiously, and it wa9 found that tliey did not always meet in the same spot. Several benches in the secluded places in the bush-covered portion of the reserve were used by them in turn for tlie purpose of their meetings. On two occasions a fourth person was seen with the other three. The majority of those who noted the foregatherings of the trio became so ac-. customed to them that lately they had ceased to b e very much interested. Some, however, took a different attitude, and' not only were their suspicions as to what might be afoot aroused, but also their resentment. This led to certain persons making complaints both to the local police and the Defence authorities, whilst, in one or two instances, the matter was reported to the Defence Department in Wellington.

It is also understood that members of the trio concerned complained to the police lately that they had been threatened by employees of one firm with a ducking in the Domain pond if they did not discontinue their daily meetings. Whether because of these threats, or because they became aware that they were being watched, Mr. Seegner, his exsecretary and their friend changed their rendezvous. A week or two ago, instead of meeting in the Domain, they were seen together at Mount Hobson, at. Campbell's Point, and in some of the city parks. Within tlie past day or two, however, they had reverted to the Damain, and in view of the complaints received from residents and business people, Messrs Seegner and Eilander and their friend have been for some time past under surveillance. Why suspicion was attracted only to Mr. Seegner and his former secretary has not been divulged, but it is understood that it was confined to them, and not. extended to the third pary, who is said to have invariably been with them oil the occasions mentioned. The military authorities apparently decided that, especially in view of th» alleged threats uttered against the exConsul and Mr. Eilander, it would be better to intern them, and so put them out of harm's way. Their arrest was quietly carried out on Tuesday shortly after they had separated, subsequent to having met each other as usual. They were immediately taken over to Devonport by ferry steamer and handed over to the military authorities at the fort. In all probability both prisoners of w,ar will be transferred to Motuihi or Somes Island, where there are internment establishments.