01)Letter 4 Jan. '43 from Sir Thomas Gordon, Aust. Rep for British
Ministry of War Transport to The Secretary, Dept. of the Navy -
Desire to take over Centaur for use as a hospital ship on a
sub-charter the vessel on bare boat basis to Commonwealth Naval
Board. (Dept. of Navy 603/292/216).
02)Letter (ref. 2265) 12 Jan. '43 - To Sir Thomas Gordon from
Secretary of the Navy - Acknowledges 4 Jan '43 and assumes that Aust.
Rep is obtaining the approval of Allied Consultative Shipping Council
to release the vessel to Dept. of the Navy. (Dept. of Navy
603/292/216).
03)Letter (ref. 603/292/216) 16 Jan. '43 - from Head of Shipping
Dept. Dalghety and Co. Ltd. to Secretary of the Navy, Melbourne -
acknowledgement of notification that Dalgety has been appointed
agents to the Comm. Govt for Centaur etc.,
04)Teleprinter message (ref. D.264) 19h55 27 Jan. '43 To Secretary,
Prime Minister's Dept. from Secretary, Dept. of the Navy - Refers to
Dept. of Navy teleprinter D.241 of 25 Jan. '43 advising that
identification number of Centaur is '47'. (Navy 603/292/228).
05)Memo 25 Jan. '43 To Secretary, Prime Minister's Office from
Secretray, Dept. of Navy - Requests that Home Office, London be
notified of the anticipated commission of H.S. Centaur 1 Mar. '43 and
that the particulars of the vessel be forwarded to enemy
powers...(Navy 603/292/227).
06)Letter (ref. 09019) 11 Feb. '43 To The Victualling Store Officer,
Sydney from the Director of Victualling - informs of articles
required for supply by Victualling yard at Sydney to the fitting out
of Centaur for Hospital Ship Service. (Navy 668/201/2559).
07)Minute paper 19 Feb. '43 from F.J. Mercovich, Director of Nay
Accounts - Outlines the rates of pay of Master and officers of
Centaur.
08)Letter 20 Feb. '43 From A.R. Nankervis, Secretary, Navy Dept. to
The Manager, Dalgety & Co. Ltd., Melbourne - reference to the
fitting out of Centaur covers Services Personnel to be borne; Costs
of Victualling; Period of provisioning; use of Victualling Yards and
Naval Provision Contracts; Victualling scales and sample menus; Mess
& Kitchen utensils and Stores; Medical comforts; Beding and misc.
articles; Dry Canteens, Bar, & Liquor arrangements; and,
Accounting controls.