RETURNING SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3413, 13 August 1919, Page 29

RETURNING SOLDIERS

TRANSPORTS ARRIVE AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, August 8. Tlie transports Matatua and Uhmaroa arrived at Auckland, the former this morning and the latter last night. On tho Matatua were 682 soldiers from France, while the Ulimaroa brought 1092 troops from Egypt. Tho Matatua anchored in tho stream until this morning, when she berthed at 9 o'clock. Although the ship was pretty crowded, she was not uncomfortably so for a troopship. The food was remarkably good right through. The voyage was an uneventful one. The Matatua left Tilbury Docks on Juno 28, and the only port of call was Colon, where the soldiers were ashore for a few hours at night. During the trip educational classes have been carried on. Attendance at these classes was compulsory, except for about 2o per cent, of the soldiers, who were engaged on fatigue duties. The numbers attending the various classes were as follow: 31; English, 38 j mathematics, 7; surveying and applied mechanics, 6; bookkeeping, 62 - } advertising, 13; live stock, 117; beekeeping, 17; cabinetmaking and design, 14. The health of the troops has been good, except for a few cases of mumps. Amusements of various kinds helped to kill the monotony of the voyage, and the presence on the transport of the New Zealand Artillery Band considerably helped in this direction. The band has returned as a unit after playing at a number of depots in England. The officer commanding the troops is Major A. B. Williams, D.S.O. The men for the southern towns among the Matatua's draft were transhipped to the Ulimaroa, in which they will leave for their homes. The Ulimaroa left Suez on June 30, and except for the tail end of a heavy monsoon in the Indian Ocean, and a heavy swell in the Australian Bight, the weather was fine. Two- days were spent at Colombo while the ship took on water and enough coal to carry her to New Zealand. The men were allowed ashore both days, and eai'ned the thanks of the General for their excellent behaviour.