German New Guinea suppliment

[stulev]

When the Australians captures Rabaul German New Guinea at the end of Sept. 1914 - Governor Hahl had told the Australian commander that he expected the annual supplement from Germany at any time. --- Can anyone tell me what that supplement was made up of(money??) how it was coming and what happen to it.

[Chris Dale]

Hi Stulev,

I passed your query on to a friend of mine who knows a fair bit about the history of New Guinea and he said he wasn't certain about the supplement but "The governor in question was, of course, Haber. NOT Hahl. Almost certainly the supplement was specie (metal money. There might, of course, have been some bank notes. But my guess is that metal money would comprise the bulk of it.) and conveyed upon the NDL vessel that connected GNG with Singapore, which in turn connected with the NDL vessel that connected Hamburg with Singapore. But, I cannot swear to that."

I hope that helps in some way.

Cheers
Chris

[stulev]

Thank you - by metal money you are saying German coin would be sent each year to help pay for the operation of the New Guinea government. What were the coin denomination in circulation in Germany at the time - any large sum would then have to include gold coins in 10 or 20 mark values.

Yes on the shipping the coin was shipped on the S. S. Prinzess Alice of the German East Asia Line and probably to be transfered at Singapore or Hong Kong to one of the lines running to Rabaul.

Hahl was officially still Governor but off on sick leave I think -- but you are correct Haber was the acting Governor who surrendered to the Australians.


Stuart

[Chris Dale]

Hi Stuart,
I'm glad the informstion was of some help and co-relates with your own knowledge. As it's information passed on to me, I don't really know enough to comment further, but perhaps this website (by another forum member) may be of some help with information on colonial coins. http://www.kolonialgeld.de/
Cheers
Chris