The Troopship Waiwera.

Manawatu Herald, 24 October 1899, Page 3

The Troopship Waiwera.

Through the courtesy of the officials, a representative of this journal was enabled to make an inspection of the troopship Waiwera on Thursday. The arrangements that have been made for the accommodation of both horses and men on board are excellent, and should result in all being as comfortable as is possible under the circumstances. They reflect great credit upon Mr Daniel, foreman for the Union Company, who has been in charge, and his large staff of workmen. The horses will be accommodated on the main deck and also on the 'tween deck. Each stall is substantially made, and is six feet six inches long by two feet six inches wide. This precludes the possibility of the horses lying down, and presumably they will be on their feet all the time. Every precaution has been taken to protect the animals from the weather and make their lot as comfortable as is possible. Battens have been laid down on the deck to prevent them slipping, and in order to obviate chafing when the weather is rough the stout battens eight inches by three inches, which separates the stalls, has been thickly bound round with woolly sheep-skins. The stalls are solidly constructed of kauri and white pine, and the feed boxes, which are on the outside of each stall, are fixed on to a bracket so that they can be readily taken off and cleaned.

The quarters for the men are very comfortable. The two companies into which the contingent is divided are to be located in separate parts of the ship — the No. 1 Company (North Island portion) being in the after part, whilst the No. 2 Company (South Island) is forward. Ample provision has been made on the steamer for the troopers' ablutionary functions, tbe bathrooms being numerous and spacious. Each bunk is provided with a stuffed mattress, and everything has been done to make the men's quarters for the sea voyage cosy and pleasant. They have been inspected by Dr Burnes, who has expressed himself as being well satisfied with the arrangements.

Mr Gilruth, the Government expert, has inspected the stalls, and has complimented everyone concerned on the satisfactory and substantial nature of the work. The usual difficulty of shipping horses was, in the case of the embarkation, greatly obviated. Instead of the animals being swung up, a specially-constructed gangway was prepared, and by this means they were walked from the wharf to the main deck. From the main deck those which are quartered on the 'tween deck will be lowered down in the ordinary way by means of the winch.

The officers' quarters it goes without saying are very comfortable and arranged and fitted in a manner becoming the use . to which they are to be put. Algoa Bay is to be the first calling place in South Africa of the Waiwera. The total distance from Wellington is estimated at ten thousand miles, and it is expected to be traversed in thirty days from leaving Wellington. It is likely that a call will be made at Albany, which is ten or eleven days steam from Wellington, to obtain bunker coal. The staft of stewards on the transport steamer usually consists of about five hands, but it will be increased to fourteen for the passage to South Africa. In addition to the ordinary supplies that are usually carried for an ocean voyage, there has been shipped i2,0001b beef, 250 carcases mutton, 3001 b butter, iooolb small butcher's goods, 6cwt fish, 480 tins condensed milk, icwt cheese, 200 cases beer, 74 do whisky, 40 do wines, several cases brandy and gin, and 30olb tobacco. — Post.