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8

Enclosure. Notice to Shippers and Shipowners respecting Manifests and Bills of Lading. The attention of shippers and shipowners and the trading community generally is drawn to the fact that in time of war the practice of shipping goods with bills of lading made out " to order " (made illegal by section 4 of the Customs (War Powers) Act, 1915, in the case of goods shipped from the United Kingdom under license) is very undesirable in respect of any goods exported from any part of the British Empire. Shippers of goods not requiring licenses are therefore advised not to make out bills of lading "to order," but only (a) to a named consignee, or (b) to a bank or financial house of high standing,-with the remark in the margin of the bill of lading, " Notify A.8.," " A..8." being the name of the person or firm for whom the goods are ultimately destined. Goods shipped to Holland should be consigned to the Netherlands Oversea Trust. It is essential during the war that, in the case of all goods, whether shipped under license or not, British ships should have on board throughout the voyage a full manifest of cargo and all the bills of lading, or certified copies of the bills of lading. Unless these requirements are complied with there will be a risk that the ships will be stopped and diverted by H.M. ships or the war vessels of the Allied Nations, in order to permit of full examination of the cargo, and ascertainment of its destination. In the case of British ships that will touch at ports in countries contiguous to enemy territory, compliance with these requirements is of special importance, and serious delay may result to ship and cargo in such cases if all ship's papers are not on board and in order. This notice supersedes the announcement made by the Board of Trade on the 19th August, 1915 (see Board of Trade Journal of 26th August, 1915, pp. 594-95), but in no way affects the requirement of section 4 of the Customs (War Powers) Act, 1915, in regard to licensed goods. Board of Trade, 19th October, 1916.

No. 8. New Zealand, No. 954. My Lord, — Downing Street, 4th December, 1916. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, copy of a letter from the War Office expressing the appreciation of the Army Council of the services performed by the New Zealand Hospital Ships " Marama" and " Maheno," and their gratitude to the New Zealand Government for placing these vessels at their disposal. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Sir,— War Office, London S.W., 22nd November, 1916. I am commanded by the Army Council to request that the excellent services performed by the New Zealand Hospital Ships " Marama " and " Maheno," under the respective commands of Lieut.-Colonel P. R. Cooke and Lieut.-Colonel J. S. Elliott, New Zealand Medical Staff, whilst temporarily employed on cross-Channel service from July last until their recent departure, may be brought to the notice of the Governor of New Zealand. During the above period there was great pressure in the hospitals in France, hence prompt evacuation of sick and wounded was necessary, and many serious cases were carried. The two ships transported over twenty-four thousand patients. The staffs of these ships worked in a most praiseworthy manner, and the timely assistance was of the greatest value. The Army Council desire that expression of their appreciation of the services of the abovenamed officers and their staffs may be communicated to the New Zealand Government, and also their gratitude to that Government for placing these vessels at their disposal. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, Whitehall S.W. B. B. Curitt.