ARRIVAL OF THE CHUPRA.

Gisborne Times, Volume LI, Issue 5235, 29 July 1919, Page 6

ARRIVAL OF THE CHUPRA.

SOLDIERS HAVE UNEVENTFUL TRIP. Press Association Telegram. CHRISTCHURCH, July 28. The transport Chupra berthed at aioon, being declared a clean ship. The Chupra left Tilbury Docks on June 8, and had a fairly good trip until Port Said was reached. The next port of call was Colombo, and about half-way across tlie Indian Ocean the vessel ran into a monsoon and all on board had a fairly had time for three days. The Chupra is a vessel of about 6000 tons, belonging to the Britisli India Company, and possesses no refrigerator space. This fact was given” as the reason why she came out via Suez instead of through the Panama Canal. “The men are the most contented and best behaved lot of men I ever had anything to do with,” said Ala jor J. Evans, A'LO., officer commanding the troops on board. “The vessel is most unsuited for a troopship, as there is practically no deck space, but the men made the most of their time and contrived to get a good deal of pleasure out of the voyage.” There was uo sickness on board, and tlie food was stated to have been good from London to Port Said and from Colombo to New Zealand, but between Port Said and Colombo the meat was affected by heat and the men could not eat it. Apart from this the men had no complaints, except that they did - not like the way they .were cooped up, with practically no opportunity of getting any exercise. ALLEGED UNSATISFACTORY ACCOMMODATION. N.C.O.’s FORWARD PETITION TO AIINISTER. Press Association Telegram. CHRISTCHURCH, July 28. Tlie quarters and accommodation on tlie Chupra were sucli that the N.C.O.’.s, numbering 64, are forwarding petitions to the Alinister for Defence and General Richardson, asking that in consideration of the conditions under which the sergeants were placed on board the boat, each member of the mess should receive a sum of money representing the difference between the charge for a second and a third class passage.