17th Reinforcements
3/10/1916
Dear Jack
A few lines today will be the last I will manage to write before leaving N.Z. as after today there will only be one day to put in & that will be a busy one. Now that we know definitely that we are to sail Thursday everyone is quite eager & there seems to be more life in the men generally. You would no doubt be surprised to learn that I had a trip to Auckland, I left on Thursday at half past ten & returned leaving at nine Sunday night so that I had three days there and enjoyed them very much. Auckland is quite different from any of the other big cities & has a fine harbour plenty of room and deep water. I landed on Waiheke about six on Friday night and left again at half-past nine on Saturday so had Sat night & Sunday to spend in Auck. My word it is a fine life to lead they have not
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much to worry about if it were only a little more handy to the city the boat service is a hum-bug & very slow. It is alright just for a run down but to have to wait your hurry when doing business must knock some of the polish off. As regards the railway trip through from here there is only about an hours run on the express between Fielding & Marton that can compare with the South Island. About there it is a grand sight at present a green about it that I have not seen any where else & the country is level but has a gradual slope facing the sun so that one can see nearly every inch. It is just about there the land is so dear runs on an average of fifty pounds an acre. I only got a glimpse of Mt. Ruapahu coming down in the morning as it just broke day at the foot of the spiral & as it was wet practically could be seen however the mist broke for
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the space of about three minutes & I was enabled just to see the out-line. It was a funny thing it should have rained each day I was in Auckland had I left last night the climate conditions would have been quite different & I would have seen all that was to be seen from the train but as it was I saw hardly anything. However I missed a very wet day in camp so I am thankful for that much as a wet day under canvas is none to pleasant. Jessie went back with me also Mrs Hamilton they went by the main trunk from Wellington & I met them at Palmerston N. We are making preparations for our departure returning gear etc that we do not take with us. I am on guard today so am using the time when not on the beat to get a few letters off. This afternoon we all have to be vaccinated so there will
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be some soreness at our departure Eh. The eighteenth mounted are sailing along with us & I would much prefer that we were by ourselves they are such a rough wild lot. I believe we sail by Manakau to Sydney & catch a P&O boat from there so that will mean a few days in Australia. Today is just perfect & if the next week keeps the same we should have a decent trip to Australia. Just off the beat & hot it was to I happened to get the warmest part of the day from twelve to two. The four of us that are on guard were relieved while we went to be vaccinated but as all the others had been done by the time we arrived & the doctor had removed himself we were ordered to return at 1-30 tomorrow. This part of the camp is very quiet just now only we of the seventeenth to occupy the place after what it was the day I left it seems dead.
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There is nothing more that I can write about at present. I saw the results of the Hunt Club Races & guess that you were a spectator & gathered some of the large dividends. This I suppose will have to be the last from this camp at anyrate so hope it finds you all in the best of health as it leaves me the same.
Your Brother
Charlie
P.S. I ran across Jack Ewan the night before I went north got the shock of my life I can tell you. I had heard he was coming but did not a know he had left. He is in the Vetinary Corps so has a fine easy job & a permanent one. I think this address will find me alright. Ch.
16429. Tpr C. C. McIntyre
(17th Otago. Mtd Reinf).
G.P.O.
Wellington
