BACK FROM THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1919, Page 5

BACK FROM THE WAR.

THE TAHITI'S VOYAGE. COLLISION NARROWLY ESCAPED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, July 4. The transport Tahiti arrived this morning via Panama with 1104 troops on board. All are A class, there being no sickness, except a few cases ot mumps. The voyage was uneventful except On one occasion when the Tahiti had a narrow escape from being run down. A week after leaving Colon during a heavy fog, she had slowed down and stopped her engines, when suddenly another big ship swept across her bows, the Tahiti parsing her astern. The transport Tahiti arrived this morning with a big contingent of New Zealand soldiers. The Vessel arrived early and remained in the Stream, the troops being brought ashore by a ferry steamer.

The Tahiti left Tilbury Dock on May 27th, and had an uneventful trip across the Atlantic, except an exciting escape from a collision during a fog. TJiis took place when the vessel was a few days out from Colon and the fog had then lasted for about a week. One night, about eight o'clock, the siren of another vessel was heard blowing the customary fog warnings, but those on the Tahiti were unable to locate the direction froin which the signals were coming. Eventually the Tahiti stopped her engines altogether, and two ov three minuter later another vessel loomed up in the fog and passed across her bows, perilously near, at full speed. The lielm was put hard over and she cleared the other vessel's stern. At Colon, and all the way through the Canal, American residents turned out and gave the New Zealanders a rousing welcome.

The men on the transport bad many complaints to make about the quality of the food given them during the latter stages of the journeT. They stated that practically since leaving Colon they lmd no vegetables or fresh meat, meals for tlie most part being confined to bully beef and canned bearis or peas, The tea was, so some of them said, iiiulrinkablo on manv occasions, and the livead was sour about every third day. BOATS FROM EGYPT. RUAHINE DUE MONDAY Wellington, July 4. Advice has been received that the Ulimaroa with returning Draft 271 left Egypt for New Zealand on June 30. The draft comprises 10!)2 troops. The Ulimaroa is expected to arrive the second week in August. A wireless inesaage stated that the Ruahine witli returiftg Draft 260 will probably arrive in Wellington on Monday next at' 6 p.m. She may be later as the weather is unpromising. The Pidsna and the Funsbrucke are expected to leave Egypt shortly With the balance of the New Zealanders.