THE NINTH CONTINGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 93, 21 April 1902, Page 5

THE NINTH CONTINGENT.

NORTH ISLAND

BATTALION

THE YO.YAGE TO ALBANY

ANOTHER BAD STORM

A DERRICK LOOSE

SERIOUS DAMAGE DONE

(Special to the "Star.")

Here we are between Melbourne and Albany, after spending- from Wednesday morning to Thursday in Sydney.

I visited the camp in the Centennial Park, where the Federal Contingent was encamped, and found our camp at Te Papapa compared very favourably with it. New South Wales is sending 2000 men to the front, some leaving by the Manhattan, which was ia harbcur. The contingent seemed a fine bcdy of men from what I saw of them. Unfortunately we had a very rough time to Sydney, and lost about twenty horses, but owing to the passage it is a wonder more were not thrown over. After leaving Sydney we'again ran into an even worse gale than before, and the rolling of the vessel was awfui, but the horses were well looked after, and we have not lost any up till now, thoueh some of them are bad. *

The gale -was so severe that we only made about 50 miles headway one day, and 100 the next. We passed Wilson's Promontory on Sunday, 30th, at 2 p.m., and Port Phillip on Monday, March 31, at 6.30.

Saturday evening, owing to the gale, everything was very quiet. On Sunday we had Church of England service twice by Chaplain Bates, and Roman Catholic service conducted by Surgeon-Captain Bakewell, each being well attended.

One of our troopers named Fraser, whose father lives at Waiwera, was taken ashore at Sydney suffering from dysentery, and put in hospital, but his case is not regarded as a very serious one, although it was deemed advisable to send him ashore.

We have had formed by Captain Henderson a minstrel troupe, which is making great progress, and our first entertainment is to take place next Wednesday. To-night our chaplain, Mr. Bates, is to give an illustrated lecture on "Japan."

On the morning after leaving Sydney we had a very alarming accident, which for a time made a great number of our men think we might never reach South Africa. A large derrick in the fore part of the ship about S.3G a.m. broke loose and kept swinging to and fro for about an hour before it was made safe. The officers tried to make two swinging beams fast with a two-inch hawser, but it snapped like a carrot. For some time we were afraid that the derrick might come down and kill some of the horses, but very fortunately the only injury was to some of them, resulting- from the blocks and tackle attached tc the derrick, striking first of all the stalls, and carrying parts of them away, and then hitting the horses as they swung to and fro. As far as can be told at present repairs will oe effected at Albany. The damage, estimated at £500, consisted mainly of the destruction of two lifeboats and the smashing of the winch. For some time the sight of the huge derrick swinging to and fro until it broke off was appalling, and I shall never forget it.

We hope to reach Albany about 10 a.m. on Saturday. For three weeks we shall then say farewell to land, and will then hope to resume my letters again.

ALBANY, April 5

At noon to-day (Saturday) all men have leave for the afternoon, and an enthusiastic cricket team, armed with bats and ball and fortified with pads, are on the warpath to find foemen worthy of their willow.

Nearly all the sick men are recovered, and the pleasant prospect of a run ashore brightens up everyone.

The voyage begins to prove monotonous, and officers and men find refuge from dulness in military studies, reading, music and games. "We're off to Durban in the morning."