RETURNING HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1919, Page 5

RETURNING HOME.

UNREASONABLE RESTRICTIONS. THE SOMERSET'S ARRIVAL By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christcliurch, Yesterday. The transports Port Hacking and Somerset were berthed about noon. Both wera clean ships. Christchureli, Last Night. The transport Somerset left Liverpool on July 2, a very pleasant tnp *e(ng experienced during the whole voytige. Norfolk, Virginia, was reached on July 14, and the vessel did not leave until July 19, during which time the men were entertained royally by the Navy, the Y.MC.A., and the American people generally, ample leave being allowed and everything possible done to give the men a thoroughly good time. Colon was reached on July 26. The Somerset was in a fortunate position, having on board the bandi of the Second Otago Infantry Battalion. The band, which was under the command oi Sergc.-Major J. C. Williams, consisted ot twenty-five players'. The Somerset brought a big English mail (000 bags) for the Dominion.

The troops on board the Somerset witnessed a terrible aeroplane accident as they were entering Norfolk harbour, Newport News. Two aeroplanes had come out to greet them and were circling low over the ship's bow*, when they collided and fell with a crash into the sea. Four airmen were killed instantly, and one was saved, and many of tne splinters from the aeroplanes fell on the vessel's deck. The accident happened only about twelve yards from the ship's bow, and if the collision had occured a few moments early a large number Ofi New Zealand troops would have been killed or injured. The aeroplanes were flying so low over the ship that the troops were able to speak to the airmen.- If the accident had occurred earlier fhe aeroplanes would have crashed on the top of a large body of the troops who .were eongregated on the boat. Tt is stated that the aeroplanes wero of a small type, and the airmen were very daring in their methods of flying. THE PORT HACKING'S VOYAGE. Christchureli, Last Night. The transport Port Hacking left Liverpool on July 4, and, with the exception of two days rough weather about a week out from Colon, and another two days before reaching Lyttelton, fine weather was experienced during the whole voyage. There were 835 troops under the command of Major Richardson, D.CM., and the utmost harmony prevailed during the whole trip. The food throughout was regarded as good for a troopship, and the men had practically no complaints. The troops on the Port Hacking comprised a mixed dralt Hum the Main Body to the latest reinforcements, and every man appeared to be wearing the new general service ribbon. Their behaviour throughout the trip was regarded by Major Richardson as excellent. The only port of call was Colon, where the usual hospitality was extended. Lectures, debates, and concerts were held each evening during the trip, which was enlivened by the band of th« Second Canterbury Battalion, which is die champion band of the New Zealand Division, having earned thin distinction at St. Legar, France, in June, 1818( The band is commanded by Sorgt.-Major R. U. Owen, and consists of thirty-five men. THE MAMARI'S TRIP. Auckland, Last Night. After a tedious time while the medical inspection was being carried out n tne stream, tlje transport Mainari was berthed at noon to-day. The vessel arrived shortly after midnight, and was boarded by the port health officer this morning. One of the soldiers was found to be suffering from a mild form'of influenza, and the medical inspection, therefore, took a good deal longer than usual The patient, together with ten contacts, were removed to isolation at Motuihi. One man, who is suffering from mumps was also taken off the steamer and placed in hospital.

A sad occurrence marked the vessel's stay at Newport. While one of tho soldiers, Rifleman R. Barker, was swimming at the chip's aide lie got into difficulties and sank before help could read: him. He was not afterwards seen. Rifleman Barker's next-of-kin reside in Sydney. During tho stay at one of the American ports one of the soldiers missed the steamer and was left behind. Ho will probably be picked up by another transport following the Mamari.