The troops seized three of the ship's boats, and made their escape from the transport. The police were informed, and a water police launch hurried to the scene, while a big batch of foot police were sent to various points. One of the boats made off towards Chowder Bay, and another to Nielsen Park. A police launch hurriedly proceeded to Chowder Bay, and overtook the men on the first boat before they reached the land. The boat heading towards Neilsen Park, however, had a good start, and when the launch reached the boat the men had dispersed. A good force of police from the city, who had travelled to Neilsen Park with a view to intercepting the men, met the soldiers, and captured thirteen of them, thus leaving very few to secure their escape.

The annual meeting of the Northern Soccer Association was held in the Trades Hall on Saturday night. The annual report set out that the past season had been a very successful one, and for the first time since the association had been reformed, the Show Ground had been run at a profit. Pleasure was expressed at the victory of the Allied armies, and the part soccerites had played in the war. During the past twelve months T. Allanson, E. Poole, E. Richardson, F. Banks, G. Ruddy, J. Searle, T. Bell, F. Poole, J. Elliott, A. Williams, T. Hope, A. O'Neil, A. Jones, J. Winterbottom, W. Black, W. L. Sneddon, J. Bilbie, A. Wright, J. Ramsay, H. Fullicks, R. Convery, G. McCurry, C. McIntyre, V. Wilkinson, D. Gibb, J. Thompson, W. Callender and R. Croker had been killed on active service, and regret was expressed at the loss the relatives had been called upon to bear.

The following had won awards: Corporal V. Wilkinson, Privates W. Sevester, W. Stein, T. Parkes, A. Forbes, T. Dial, H. Woods, H. Beard and G. Pollock had won Military Medals; Lance-corporal Peter Coppock had won M.M., and later had bar attached; Captain E. Manefield and Sergeant Chalmers had both won the Military Cross; and J. Bilbie had received a certificate (presented by King George), for diving into the River Thames and rescuing a boy.

Sir Joseph Cook, the Minister for the Australian Navy, states that Australia has accepted Britain's offer of six destroyers and six submarines of the most modern type, in recognition of the intimate cooperation of the Australian and British Navies. The British offer comprises six destroyers of the class alternatively of the Leander and possibly the Anzac, with five destroyers, and six of the J class submarines. The vessels were built during the war period, and are the largest and best of their kind. The size, speed, seagoing qualities and fighting value are far in advance of the Australian destroyers, and the submarines are considered most suitable to the Australian and China stations.

A welcome home that had been arranged for Private Samuel White, of the 33rd Battalion, a son of Mr. and Mrs. T. White, of 15 Dawson Street, Cook's Hill, had a sensational interruption by the arrival of the police and the quarantining of everybody in the house, eleven in number.

Private White, who arrived at Newcastle by train which arrived at twenty minutes past ten o'clock, was one of the troops on the Argyllshire who broke quarantine from the vessel and alluded capture. The welcome home had been arranged by the Cook's Hill and Hunter Street West Welcome Home Committee, and was to have included another soldier named Noakes, who, however, did not arrive. Among a large number on the platform at the Newcastle railway station to meet him on arrival were Alderman Kilgour, the Mayor of Newcastle, and Alderman Christie. Alderman Christie accompanied Private White to his home, where a number of friends called to greet him. While the celebrations were in progress, Sergeant H. Roberts, of the Newcastle police, put in an appearance in the front of the house, and announced that all the inmates were to consider themselves in quarantine. The police acted on information supplied by Dr. Zions, Medical Superintendent of the Newcastle Hospital, who had been informed of Private White's breaking quarantine.

Corporal Joe Shakespeare, after seeing active service since November 17, 1915, has returned to Newcastle looking fairly well. After spending four months in Egypt, he landed in Marseilles on March 28, 1916. For upwards of two years he was on the Western front, and during that time he only had ten days' leave in "Blighty." He was twice wounded, once in Pozières, and once at Bullecourt, and was gassed when Fritz made his last big push. He put in six weeks in one of the London hospitals, and was convalescing for three months. He was then ordered to France again, but by this time the armistice was signed, and the scene in Trafalgar Square that memorable night was one never to be forgotten. The people went mad with excitement, and to give an idea of the extent of the madness, Shakespeare says he saw motor cars and motor cycles thrown on to a big fire and totally destroyed. The cars and cycles were driven to within a short distance of the blaze, then the occupants alighted, and the machines were allowed to go into the fire at their own sweet will. He also saw ladies remove their hats from their heads and throw them into the flames. As was only to be expected, whenever an opportunity presented itself, Joe was doing something in the boxing line. One tournament he promoted in France proved a great success, and the General personally congratulated him upon the excellence of the bouts staged. Joe was recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal, but having been "crimed" for overstaying his leave, he did not receive the decoration. He saw many of the leading boxers in London, but missed Jimmy Wilde, much to his regret. He regards Wilde as a freak, and if he comes to Australia he is sure to prove a great draw. Joe is due at the Randwick Hospital this week, and upon his return to Newcastle he will lose no time in getting back to Neath.

Mrs. Mannix, of Reid Street, Newcastle, has received a letter from Lieutenant C. T. Adamson, of the 33rd Battalion, referring to the death of her son, the late Lance-corporal Sydney Mannix, who died in hospital in Manchester, England on October 9th, as the result of wounds sustained in France on August 31st. The wounds were sustained while Corporal Mannix was sniping. Lieutenant Adamson states that he was widely esteemed, and alludes to the prominent part he took in the swimming carnivals in the Somme during the last summer. Among his closest comrades was "Dinky" Patterson, of East Maitland, who, at the time of Mannix's death, was in hospital in England, suffering from a severe wound of the jaw.

Driver Archie Skelton, of Speers' Point, returned from France on Tuesday evening, and was met at Cockle Creek by numbers of the townspeople, and publicly welcomed home. The band was in attendance and played selections, but heavy rain considerably interfered. The official welcome was conveyed to the returned soldier on behalf of the public by Mr. A. Young, president of the soldiers’ reception committee.

Mrs. M. A. Smith has received notification that her husband, Private Gordon Smith, MM., is returning by the transport Orsova, arriving about February 16. Private Smith was well known in Boolaroo, and prior to enlisting was employed at the Sulphide works. He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous service in repelling a German attack by means of a machine gun he had found in a trench and rendered workable. He was isolated from his comrades, who afterwards rescued him when the attack was defeated.

General Rawlinson, commanding the Fourth Army, in a letter dated 24/7/18 sent to Private Smith, congratulated him on the gallant act for which he had won the Military Medal.

At the residence of Mr. E. McColl, on Saturday night, a welcome home was accorded to Private D. Beglow, who has returned home after close on two years of active service in Palestine. Mr. W. Johnston extended a welcome to Private Beglow, and hoped it would not be long before he was restored to good health. Alter a short toast list had been gone through, Miss J. Bennett presented Private Beglow with the usual token of esteem. The recipient, in responding, thanked the Patriotic Committee for their welcome, and also for the parcels received while on active service. The rest of the evening was spent in dancing and parlour games.

Sapper R. ("Pinky") Scott, who left Australia with the 2nd Tunnelling Company about eighteen months ago, arrived home on Tuesday evening, and was accorded a hearty welcome on his arrival at the Stanford-Merthyr railway station by a number of his friends. Several members of the Welcome Home Committee were also present. He is suffering from shrapnel wounds in the left arm and left thigh. He received the wounds while an inmate of a field hospital, the hospital being bombed, and he was struck by shrapnel. Many of his comrades were killed and wounded by the same explosion. Sapper Scott also saw service at the Boer War. His brother, Private Archie Scott, was recently reported killed in action, after serving nearly three years.

Mrs. H. Danvers, of 22 Lingard Street, Merewether, has received word of the death of her brother, Private Henry John Ellick, of the 19th Battalion. His death, which was due to pneumonia, occurred at Port Said, Egypt on his homeward voyage. He enlisted at the age of 18, and left for the front in 1915. He was gassed in France, and was also buried through a shell dropping close to him. At the time of his enlistment he was employed at the steel works.

The members of the Teralba Comforts Fund have some money in hand, and some completed work, but as the movements of the men are uncertain, owing to the armistice, members are doubtful whether it is wise to send along further parcels of comforts. The last batch of parcels, numbering about 36, was received by the Teralba soldiers in November last, and that they were as welcome as ever was shown by several letters which have been received by Mrs. Muller, secretary of the fund. Corporal G. Thomson, writing is December, said: "Received your parcel and words fail me to thank you for the kindness that has been shown to me since I left Teralba. I am sure that the women of Teralba have covered themselves with glory for the way they have attended to the boys who left to do their little bit in the struggle." Sapper A. C. Eade, who is expected home shortly, in his letter said he took the opportunity of thanking the ladies for "another lovely parcel," which he received on November 21. He stated everything was in perfect order, and it was a pleasure to get hold of something Australian after the few luxuries they had been accustomed to.  

Private Frank Patrick Burke, Cooks Hill (influenza pneumonia); Driver Ernest Henry Walter Robinson, Anna Bay (pneumonia); Private James Stephen Waddell, Waratah (influenza); Sapper Thomas Wright, Aberdeen (broncho pneumonia).