HOME AGAIN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16433, 29 January 1919, Page 6

HOME AGAIN.

ARRIVAL OF BRITON

QUARANTINED FOR TWENTY-

FOUR HOURS.

CASES OF INFLUENZA ABOARD

The big transport, Briton, with 1165 officers and men on board, over onothird of -whom aro for Canterbury, arrived at Lyttelton, lier first port of call in New Zealand, at 10.20 yesterday morning, and anchored in tho stream off Camp Bay, about ten minutes later. The military authorities had arrauged to board tho vessel immediately upon her arrival, and completo their record work, in order to enable the men to disembark in tho evening. However, us a result of a visit to the ship by tho Health Officer, slio was placed in quarantine for twenty-four hours. His inspection revealed that there were two dofinite cases of mild influenza 011 board, besides some cases which, had recovered. An inhalation chamber was installed, and the vessel fumigated. As it was officially announced i 10111 Wellington late last night that tho Briton had boen released from quarantine, tho arrangements lor yesterday will be adhered to to-day, the Christcliurch men arriving ill the city at 6.40 p.m. Last Saturday morning, at about 0 o'clock, tho snip's principal medical officer, Major W. S. Sinclair, died from heart failuro, following upon epilepsy, and was buried at sea tho same day.

The health of the troops aboard has been good on the whole. There are ten light hospital cases aboard, suffering from suppurating -wounds, etc., but boyond the influenza cases, no infectious diseases.

When the Briton arrived at Camp Bay yesterday, she -was met by a launch containing the health officers, Rod Cross workers, and military officers. None, except the doctors and Customs and military officials, however, were allowed on board tho steamer pending the customary medical examination, when the cases of influenza were discovered. The uncertainty regarding tho vessel's movements was doubtless responsible for tho fact that there was not a large crowd of relatives and friends of the returning men waiting at tho Port to greet them. A cold southerly wind and rain prevailed during tho day. and under tnese conditions launch trips to the anchored steamer held no attraction to those whose business did not roquiro their presence there.

Tho Briton, built by Harland and Wolff at Belfast, twenty-two years ago, is a fine type of vessel. She has two funnels and threo masts, and is fittod with a double wireless apparatus, one being fitted at the mastheads, and the other from the rims of the vessel's two funnels, which are much further apart than those on the ferry stoamer Maori, fthe is built on graceful lines. Her length is 530 feet, 30 feet longer than the Athenic, and she is fantastically camouflaged in grey, green, and blue, with black and white hoops on masts and funnels. She shows signs of having been to sea for some time, appearing somewhat weather-beaten. She is the first Union-Castle liner to visit T/yttelton, and is a much different class of vessel to those usually frequenting theso waters.

When the launch, Ruahino, drew alongside tho transport, a fairly heavy sea was running, and it was not without somo difficulty that the doctors, Customs officials, and military officers were able to board the vessel. Some time was occupied in transferring from the launch to tho steamer, the necessary proceeding being to prasp a rope attached to a eiingway at the steamer's side just at the precise moment when tho roll of tho launch brought tho gangway to a convenient position, and jump to the gangway.

The men aboard tlio Briton anneaml to be in high spirits. Thfy nil looked extremely well, and woro happy to be hone a train.

Nearly seventy of the returned men brontrht wives with them, having contracted matrimony since leaving the Dominion.

. Arrangements had b«?on made by the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr W. T. Lester) to accomnanv Colonel Chaffey and the Mavor of Christchureh on a trin yesterday afternoon to the Briton, hut in view of the fact that the vessel was quarantined the visit -was necessarily cancelled. Provision had nlso boon made by Mr Lester, on "behalf of the Lvttelton branch of the Bed Cross Society. to entertain at dinner, at 6 n.m.. in the Excelsior Hall. 250 North Island men. who would have pone north by the Maori last evening, had they been allowed a clearance from the ship.

BRITON RELEASED FROM QUARANTINE. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, January 28. A report was received from Dr. Chesson, District Health Officer at Christchureh, to-day, that the Briton, which has arrived at Lyttelton, j s reported to have had a few slight cases of influenza on board, none of them showing pneumonic indications, and she has been released from quarantine the influenza cases and all contacts 'with 'them being held for further treatment.