TRANSPORTS ARRIVE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 279, 21 August 1919, Page 6

TRANSPORTS ARRIVE

THE MAMARI AT AUCKLAND MILD CASE OF INFLUENZA By Teleffrarh —Prem Aaaoclat.'tk. Auckland, August 20. After a tedious time wliilo the medical inspection was being carried out in the stream the transport llamari berthed at noon to-day. Tha vessel arrived shortly after midnight, and was boarded by the port health oflicur this morning. One of tho soldiers was_ found to be suffering from a mild form ol' influenza, and the medical inspection, therefore, took a good deal Joiner than usual. Tho patient, together with ten contacts, was removed to isolation at Motuihi. Ono man suffering from mumps was also taken off tho steamer and placed in hospital. A sad occurrence marked the vessel's stay at Newport. Whilo one of the soldiers, iiiilenian K. Barker, was swimming at tho ship's side he got into difficulties, and sank before help could reach him. He was not afterwards .seen. Rifleman Barker's next-of-kin reside in *\villiey. During the stay at one of tho American ports ono of tho soldiers missed the steamer and was left behind. He will probably be picked up by another transport following tho Hainan.

FORT HACKiNG AND SOMERSET AT LYTTKLTON A,N AEROPLANE ACCIDENT. by i'ivkh Aflßociation. Christohurch, August 20. Tlid transports Port Hacking and Somerset berthed about noon. Both are clean ships. 'i'lio Port Hacking left Liverpool' oh July i, and with Hie exception of two days' rough weather about a week out train Colou, and another two days before 'rmhing Lyttclton fine weather was experienced during the whole voyage. Tlicro were 835 troops, under the command of Major liichardson, D.R.0., 11.C., and the utmost harmony prevailed during tho whole trip. Tho food throughout was regarded us good for a troopship, and ihe men had practically no complaints.

The troops on the Port Hacking comprised a mixed draft from the Main Body to tho latest reinforcements, and every man appealed to bo wearing tho new general service ribbon. The' behaviour throughout tho trip was regarded by Major Bichardson as excellent. Tho only port of call was Colon, where the usual hospitality was extended. Lectures, debates, and concerts were held each evening during the trip, which was, enlivened by the band of tho Second Canterbury Battalion, which is (lie champion band of the New Zealand Division, having earned this distinction at St. Leger, France, in June, 1918. The band is commanded by Sergeant-Jlajor R. G. Owen, and consists of thirty-five men.

The transport Somerset left Liverpool on July 2. The voyage was a very pleasant ono throughout. Norfolk, Virginia, was reached on July U, and tho vessel did not leave until July 19, during which time tho men were entertained royally by the Navy, the Y.M.C.A, and the American people generally. _ Ample leavo wa§ allowed, and everything possible was'dono to give the men a thoroughly good time. Colon was reached on July 26.' The Somerset was in the fortunate position of having on board tho band of the Second Otago Infantry Battalion. The band, which was under the command of Sergeant-Major J. C. Williams, consists of twenty-five players. The troops on board the Somerset witnessed o. terrible aeroplane accident as they were entering Norfolk Harbour, Newport News. Two aeroplanes had come out to greet them and were circling low over tho ship's bow. when they collided and tell filth a crash into tho sen. ' Four airmen were killed instantly and ono was snved. Many of the splinters from the aeroplanes fell on the vessel's deck. The accident happened only about twelve yards from tho Chip's bow, and if the collision had occurred a few moments earlier a large number of New Zealand troops would have been killed or injured. The aeroplanes were (lying so low over tho ship that the troons were able to speak to the airmen. If tlie accident had occurred earlier the aeroplanes would liavo crashod on top of the large bodv of troops who were congregated on the boat. If is stated that the aeroplanes were of a small type, and the "airmen were very daring in their methods of flying.

The Wellington a,nd South Island details ex the Mnmari will reach Thorndon Station between 11 a.m. and noon to-day.