WITH THE TROOPSHIPS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3987, 21 July 1915, Page 7

WITH THE TROOPSHIPS.

ROUGH PASSAGE TO ALBANY

INTERESTING LETTER FROM TROOPER P. A. O’MEARA.

•I be following interesting letter, dated June 20. has been received by Mrs W. A. O’Meara from lier son, I Trooper P. A. O’Meara, who is at present en route to the front with the New Zealand 31 einforcemeats:— ‘‘We have now been at sea for about thirteen days and are getting used to the seafaring life. Prom the start we had bad weather and have only had one day that could be called a fiiso day. The horses had a rough time at the start and we lost three in the first twenty-four hours—we have lost five altogether—out- of about 400 on board the Tahiti. I do not know how many died on the other: two boats. One man on the Aparima was buried at sea the other day. Ho was a fellow named Merrick of the artillery and died of inflammation of the brain. While they buried him all the boats stopped and the men were paraded m front of their lifeboats and the “Last Post’’ was sounded by the ships' buglers. We aro getting used to oui bunks now, but they are still very stuffy and dreadfully cramped. The food we are getting is first class and we have plenty of variety. “I have stood the trip wonderfully well; have not been seasick although the sea has been rough. It was so v rough one night last week that the captain of the boat was on the point of ordering all the horses on the top deck) (100 in all) to be shot and thrown overboard. We were rolling very badly at the time and it was a very near go for the horses. We also discharged a thousand gallons of fresh water overboard at the time. We expect to roach Albany to-morrow and hope to otbaiu leave but aro not certain. Am enclosing a canteen coupon (used). We have to pay 3s a coupon and no money Is taken for goods. One must first buy a coupon and tbe amount one buys is punched out of tickets. It is a fine idea and js a check on the money handled by the canteen employees.. “Tobacco hreheap, sixpence a. tin, pineapples fourpence a tin, tinned pears and peaches ninepence a tin. But there is not a great variety of stock carried. Am also enclosing a ticket in a motor car raffle that I expect to win. You may have the car as a birthdav present if. I am lucky! We arc all looking forward to seeing a newspaper and to reading the latest news. We get no news on the boats and do not know how things aro going. We are getting tired of the monotonous sea journey and I daresay will) be glad to see the Suez. I heard wo wore only going to make one port of call on this trip and that was Albany so, if that happens we will have another month on the water without a stop. The Aparima is keeping both the Tahiti and Maiuigaiuii back. She is a slow old tub and can only do el'evcn knots* frt best while the others arc capable of sixteen knots. ,” e left.,the Aparima- behind yesterday morning and do not expect to M'C her until we reach Albany. We left Wellington before dawn on Sunday morning. We had a good send-off on the Saturday afternoon. There were a. great number on the wharves. i iaiuinod my hand early in the trip and this is the first letter I have written since I came on board. My hand m all! right now. We have a lau- y easy time on board : no drill as it v alwavs too rough. We have only to

look after our horses and clean oiu saddles, rifles and other sear. f |ie Maunganni damaged her steering goal a couple of days ago and had to s o" down to repair, hut soon ('aught us t again. We have been going half speed most of the way. . a.in. Saturday—Have just utrived at Albany wharf. The entrance to the wharf at Albany is very pretty. To get to the wharf you tTu-cn W£ a narrow entrance about, 400 01 000 yards wide. Must post tins lettei how in order to catch first mail. J J write another letter as soon as 1 hat e seen the town. Good-bye fin* the. pio- | .sent. Love to all. ■_