RETURNING TROOPS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13821, 30 April 1919, Page 5

RETURNING TROOPS.

afternoon

MAN LOST OVERBOARD

The steamer Earanga arrived -at Wellington yesterday with 1074 men aboard. Tho vessel anchored in the stream at 6 a.m., and reported ''All well. " The Port Health Officer afterwards declared her to be a clean ship, and she came alongside the wharf in the

The voyage was made via Panama, and a, pleasant, trip is reported. On the way out, 2/1245 Private D. McDougall, was lost, overboard. The deceased soldier's next of kin is Mr It. Spalling, of P>oga Villa, New South Wales.

Men for places along the West Coast were sent homeward by a train leaving; at about 4 p.m. Those for north of Palmerston North were to stay in that town overnight and continue the train journey this morning. The Auckland ■men are to go north to-day. Otago and Canterbury soldiers were sent south by last evening's ferry boat, and the Picton, .Nelson, and West. Coast men go over to-day.

The troops were known as " 1) Group, Coil ford. '•' They left the English camp at 0 a.m. on March I.lth by train, and embarked a.t Portsmouth the same morning. The vessel left tho wharf at nooi: and. sailed at midnight the samo day. Somo rough weather was encountered ou tho run to Newport News, U.S.A., where the Karanga stayed for nearly live days while she loaded some 7000 tons of coal for tho New Zealand Government. The troops went into a remarkably fine rain i> at Newport News, and were, giren '-"the freedom of the city ,, by tho inhabitants, who treated them royally. The Now Zealand boys travelled far and wide on the trains at reduced fares, and the theatres were thrown open to them free of chargeWhile at that port the troops bought a piano for use on tho voyage, at a cost of £70. It was subsequently raffled among them at one shilling a ticket. Tho winner found out yesterday that it will cost him £12 duty to land it. The soldiers werQ sorry to leave the hospitable American people. As the ship stayed only three hours at Colon no one was allowed ashore there. At the Canal tho troops were thrown an abundance of fruit. Tho tedium of the rest of tho voyage was relieved by sports, boxing, educational lectures and concerts. A fair orchestra was organised among the "diggers," and its efforts were j greatly appreciated.