PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 126, 29 December 1915, Page 1

PAPAKURA.

The following interesting letter has been received by Lieut. A. G. Mabee from Kifleman Harold Wilson, written " At Sea " on Nov. 4th: " Just a line to let you see that I am still helping to keep the flag flying. We have so far had an excellent trip, only about two days' bad weather all told. However, it is getting rather monotonous, and everyone is anxious to reach the port of disembarkation and get to it. We expect to make port about Nov. 12th. At present we are just about to cross the line and the ceremony will be carried out this afternoon. It will be an excellent chance for seme of the men to get it back on to their officers and N.O.O's. We have an excellent chaplain on board, a man very much like the Kev. Wood. He is the prime mover in this matter and is acting as Father Neptune. He comes down to our mess and dines with us now and then, and I can assure you that he is a man that you can listen to. He is the idol of the men. We had a burial at sea this week—a young fellow on one of the other boats who had died of fever—and it was a most impressive ceremony. We have had a boxing tournament and the first rounds were completed last week. The favourites are all Aucklanders and I expect Auckland to carry off all the grades. We have some vory good musical talent on board and the concerts have been very fine. We also enjoy the selections by the Hand very much and there is no doubt that the band is a high class one."