RETURN OF THE TRANSPORTS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15174, 12 January 1915, Page 7

RETURN OF THE TRANSPORTS.

TAHITI AND MAUNGANUI AT

PORT CHALMERS

(special to "tub press.")

DUNEDIN, January 11

The Union Company's popular Tahiti, effectually disguised as H.M.N.Z.T. No. 4. came alongside at Port Chalmers .yesterday morning showing every sign of having had a lengthy spell at «ea. Painted a steely blue, and fitted from end to end of every deck for the acoonMiodation of troopers and their horses, she was quito unrecognisable as the trim passenger vessel Tahiti. The brief information that Commander F. P. Evans, 11.X., was able to give to a, "Times ,, reporter- was all good news, and indicated that the voyage with Now Zealand troops to Alexandria had been a most successful one. Ho explained that, as servants of the- Defence Department, the. officers are , not permitted to give- information of any sort, but he had no objection to its being known that every ono of the men arrived in Alexandria fit and well. Thero was no sickness among them on the voyage, and out of 282 horses only throe were lost. Good weather was experienced. The Tahiti reached Alexandria on December 3rd, and immediately disembarked the men, sailing again on the return voyage tho following day. Sho has como direct to Port Chalmers, and will shortly be docked there for the cleaning oi : which she is obviously in need. The Tahiti did not bring any newspapers from Egypt.

Tho Maunganui also reached Port Chalmers this afternoon from Alexandria.

The Maunpranui, tho Tahiti, and tho HawkVs Bay, which is coming shortly, will go into dock, so that quite a feast in the- matter of employment will bf* provided for tho workmen at Port Chalmers. • .