'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.' [‎29v] (58/134)

Hi
64
to the Principal Marine Transport Officer at Basrah. I am to add that there has
been no previous correspondence with the Admiralty on the subject by this Otiice.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
You obedient Servant,
General,
Military Secretary.
The Secretary,
War Office.
Enclosure III.
14099. 28th March 1916,
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 26th March, No. T. A.-44341-I9I6, Sub-enclosure
I to Serial No. 14, on the subject of the appointment of a Shipping Adviser to the
Principal Marine Transport Officer, Basrah, I am directed to inform you that
a copy of your letter will be forwarded to the Government of India. It is presumed
that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty do not wish any action taken by
this Office in respect of the issue of pay to the gentlemen so appointed.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
• General,
Military Secretary,-
The Secretary,
Admiralty,
Serial No 15 ' Telegram No. 54363, dated the 16th May 1916.
]p rom _TIie Commander-in-Chief m India, Simla,
To—The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Londofi.
Please refer to letter No. 14099 of 28th March 1916, {Enclosure III to Serial
No r 14} from India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. to Secretary, War Office, regarding appointment of
Shipping Adviser to Principal Marine TranBport Officer, Basrah. Admiralty have
appointed Mr. P. H. Browne of British India Company as Civil Assistant to
Principal Marine Transport Officer, Basrah. Object of the appointment is to econo
mise in tonnage, but neither I nor Government of India were consulted on the
subject. With reference to my telegram No. 51764 of 2nd May, I have already
selected Browne as suitable for appointment as Traffic Superintendent under Sir
George Buchanan to carry out duties of unloading vessels, despatch of goods to
various departments, and wharfage arrangements generally. I consider that this
arrangement would be preferable to that proposed by the Admiralty, and would
be glad if you could arrange with Admiralty for transfer of Browne to work under
Buchanan in carrying out such of the Admiralty requirements, as are suitable to
existing conditions at Basrah.
. Teleffram P., No. 17272-Cipher, dated the 28th May 1916'.
Serial No. 16.
From—The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India, Simla..
Your 54363, May 17th {Serial No. 15).
under
The appointment of Mr, P. H. Browne as Traffic Superintendent at Basrah
jr Sir George Buchanan is concurred in by Admiralty, it being understood that