VOYAGE TO ENGLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1916, Page 19

VOYAGE TO ENGLAND.

MOKAU SOLDIER'S EXPERIENCE. DURBAN CITIZENS' WELCOME. A letter has been received by Mrs. J. R. Terrill, Mokau, from her brother, Private S. M. Black, who left Mokau to join the loth Reinforcements, and is now "somewhere in France." il'rivato Black, in describing the voyage from New Zealand to England, said Jie left Wellington 011 the Ulimaroa on July "29. The trip across the Australian Bight was rough, and cold weather was experienced. A tremendous school of povpoisss was met with, and it was estimated that an area of 2000 acres of sea was covered with them, and lis far as the eye could see they were gambolling about. A Maori died and was buried at sea. On arrival at Albany the men were not given leave, but the next day they paraded through the town, with the band at the head of the column, and afterwards were given leave. After a stay of 30 hours, the voyage was continued. The 21 days that elapsed before Durban was reached passed happily enough, ,the men indulging in sport, quoits, draughts and cards As the transport isteamed up the 'harbor at Durban many launches p\it out tc meet her, and as the vessej.drew- up to the wharf the great crowd with smiling faces bore witness to the welcome that was about to be extended. Oranges, mandarins and bananas were thrown to the soldiers by the hundreds, and sackloads of_ fruit from private orchards were placed on "board. The New Zealanders were given leave from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and the following day a parade was held, and the men were given a civic reception and entertained (0 luncheon. General leave followed, ami the visitors were shown the utmost kindness by the rosidents, who iprovided motor-cars, and drove them to every point of interest' in the town and suburbs. Private Black regarded Durban as a very beautiful place. As the troops left they were again bombarded with fruit, and provided with fresh evidence of the hearty good-will of the .people. The whole ship joined in singing "Auld Syne," to the accompaniment of the band, and Durban was left behind with feelings of sincere regret. Three days later the ship called at Capetown, Here the welcome was not as cordial as that given at Durban. After leaving Capetown smooth water was met with until England was reached. Cape Verd Islands were sighted, and a call made at St. Vincent. Before the anchor was dropped hundreds of natives, in boats, swarmed round the ship, and commenced trading with the men. Drapery*, fancy goods alid fruit wore the chief articles of merchandise. Business ■was done by means of a bucket, which was tied to a long rope. On the price being agreed upon, the money was placed in the bucket, and was hauled into the boat. The article purchased was then placed in the bucket and drawn up to the ship. JJight days after leaving St. Vincent the transport steamed into Plymouth Sound, and the New Zealanders got .their first view of England. The. train journey from Plymouth I to Salisbury was a delightful experience, I ar,d some of the prettiest country iniagI inable was pas-red through. Private I Black concluded by stating that on arrival at Bulford camp the men were accommodated, and were soon put to work at drill and training for the great work ahead of them.