On the Troopships

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 97, 14 August 1914, Page 8

On the Troopships

OFFICIAL INSPECTION OF THE MONOWAI AND MOERAKI. A FINE BODY OF MEN. EQUIPMENT COMPLETE DOWN TO SMALLEST DETAILS. [Paa Peeb« Akbociatxon.] Wellington, August 14. An official visit of inspection was paid to tho troop ships Monowai and Moeraki this morning by the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by tho Hon. Messrs Allen, 8011, and Rhodes, General Godloy and staff officers. The party wont first to tne Monowai, on which tho bulk of the force of men wore drawn up on deck in full marching order, and were thoroughly inspected. They are certainly a very fine lot of young men, who are v.ory keen on the work ahead of them. Tho main body of the force was drawn from the sth (Wellington) Infantry Regiment, which is complete in every detail, including! a band. There is a strong ambulance section, and details of all other services necessary to an army in the field. Tho equipment has obviously been very carefully attended to. Ihe troops on tho Monowai are under Lieut-Colonel Turner, sth Regiment. Colonel Logan, commander of the force and the headquarters staff are on board the Moeraki, which also has a largo number of troops, mostly engineers. Both ships have doctors and three nurses. Accommodation for the men is necessarily limited, and bunks have been erected in every conceivable part of both ships. AH the dining saloons, social halls, smoking rooms, and even tho upper portions of the holds have been fitted with sleep accommodation. Tho men are very cheerful and look forward to their interesting experience.