THE CHUPRA'S CONTINGENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1919, Page 5

THE CHUPRA'S CONTINGENT.

, -*» PETITION FOR COMPENSATION BY SERGEANTS. By Telegraph.—Presi Association. Christehureh, Last Night. The quarters and accommodation on the Chupra were such that non-commis-sioned officers numbering 54 are forwarding petitions to the Minister of Defence and General Richardson, asking that, in consideration of the conditions under which the sergeants were placed on board the boat, each member of the mess should receive a sum of money representing the difference between the'charge for the second and third-class passage. DETAILS OF VOYAGE. Christehureh, Last Night. The transport Chupra left Tilbury docks on June S, and had a fairly good trip until Port Said was reached. The next port of call was Colombo, and about half-way across the Indian Ocean the vessel ran into a. monsoon, and all |on board had a fairly bad time for three days. The Chupra is a vessel of about GOOD tons, belonging to the (British India Company, and possesses no refrigerator space. This fact was given as a reason why site came out via Suez, instead of through the Panama Canal. "They are the most contented and best behaved lot of men I ever had anything to do with," said Major ,T. Evans, M.C., officer commanding the troops on board. The vessel is most nnsnited for a troopship, as there is practically no deck space, but the men made the most of their time and contrived to get a good deal of pleasure out of the voyage. There was no illness on board, and the food was stated to have been good from London to Port Said, and from Colombo to New Zealand, but between Po't Said and Colombo ihe meat was affected by the heat and the men could nof eat it. Apart from that the men had no complaints, except that they did not like the wny they were cooped up, with practically no opportunity of getting any exercise. DEMOBILISATION FIGURES. Wellington, Ln*t Night. ! The Defence Minister has received an-1 other demobilisation statement showing j the number of men of the expeditionary force in the United Kingdom on July in as follows: In France 12. in the United Kingdom f.002, patients in hospitals in the United Kingdom CSO. men with wives and families in the United Kingdom 1013, nurses and Red Cross workers to be evacuated flfi. The total number evacuated from the United Kingdom since the armistice was 40.105. ,