ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1917, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

THE CUMBERLAND ENQUIRY. NAVY DEPARTMENT NOT SATISFIED. MARINE COURT REQUESTED. Received Sept. 21, 10.15 p,m. Sydney, Sept. 21. ine Cumberland enquiry has aroused considerable interest, owing to the huge insurance. It is stated that a million' is involved in the vessel. The cargo was insured »t war risk under the Imperial scheme, also an ordinary risk through Australian office*. According to expert evidence, the Cumberland .track a mine, it being considered that from the way the plates were Mown inwards it wm impossible for the explosion to have "been internal. The N«jy Department, however, is not satisfled, and has requested further evlaenee. It favors holding a Marine Court of Inquiry. THE PORT KEMBLA'S CARGO. Melbourne, Sept. 21. _ Amongst the Port Kernbla's cargo, were #ix thousand cases of Christmas comforts tor soldiers at the front, sent by tho Mayoress' Patriotic League. Practically the whole of the general merchandise aboard was shipped for the Imperial Government. Further tightening precautions are beins; adopted to safeguard departing vesA MISSING (BARQU<p. London, Sept. 20. The barque Dee (1169 tons), which left Mauritius on February 18 for Bunbury (West Australia) haa been posted as missing. MOTHER COUNTRY. THE FOOD PROBLEM. COST OP BRITISH REQUIREMENTS EXTRAORDINARY PRICES FOR SPIRITS. Received Sept. 21, 9.10 p.m. London, Sept. 20. Lord Rhoadd* states that the minimum foodstuff requirements of Britain from the United States and Canada for the ensuing year will be over ten million tons, the value being £250,000.000, the bulk of which will be expended on cereals, sugar and meat. The danger of the food situation lies less with submarines than with the world's food shortage. Owing to the stoppage of distillation and the restriction of clearances of spirits from bond, whisky is realising extraordinary prices. Well-known brands fetched 140s a dozen at auction, as compared with 42s before the war. Some Irish whisky in bulk, six degrees under proof, brought 118s per gallon. FRUIT IMPORT RESTRICTION. ILondon, Sept. 20. Fruit traders have been informed that j nothing can be done at present to remove the import restrictions. READJUSTING FREIGHTS. i Times Service. Received Sept, 22, 1.55 a.m. London, Sept. 2. Notice is likely to be given immediately of increases of considerably more than one-third on outward freight to Australia and New Zealand, and an increase of one-third to South Africa. Homeward freights are usually higher than outward, especially during the war. The readjustment means that consumers abroad will share the additional costs, while shipping profits will not be increased owing to Government requisitions. EAST AFRICA. ENEMY .POSITIONS CAPTURED. Received Sept. 21, 10 p.m. London, Sept. 20. A Belgian communique Tefers to the success of the Belgians in German East Africa at Madege on the 10th, which was completed by the capture of enemy positions at Ealimote. The enemy is retreating towards Mahenge on the whole front. The pursuit continues.