WEDDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 64, 15 March 1919, Page 20

WEDDINGS.

The arrival of the troopship Port Melbourne, with soldiers on board, was looked forward to by the city with great interest, and when the great liner rounded the North Head on Friday in the morning mists, with syren going, few people along , the water fronts but wore out of bed watching. At half-past seven a steamer, arranged for by the Women's Patriotic League, went out loaded with! 2000 next-of-kin relations, and circling! round the steamer anchored. The cheers j were spontaneous and hearty, afld it was one of the moet enthusiastic receptions yet given. Unfortunately, after events destroyed the men's pleasure, as they were kept waiting for a very long time while their wives and mothers stood; about hour after hour outeide the harrier, oftlmes with a heavy ehiltf in their; arms looking for their soldier husband, j Preparation had been made by the ministering committee of the Women's Patriotic League, under Mrs. J. B. Macfarlane, which as u«ual roee to the occasion with an organisation that might well be copied in higher quarters. They; were assisted "by members of the league's executive. The workers arrived in the shed* at eight o'clock, and were kept going till after noon, when they began to pack the boxes to go with the 600 men for the South. A box of cakes and sandwiches is placed in each carriage. The fruit cake woe of the very best,' and 4001b were ordered, while of Madeira 2001b was needed, besides 100 dozen e'nall cakes, and .'!00 dozen sandwiches; with this the committee supplied 20 cases of apples, besides the apples and cigarette's taken out to the troopship.: The refreshments were appreciated by the men. and as one remarked, "It was good to get plenty of sugar once more."'. The men all looked very worn anil lag gard after their long and terrible ex-i perience, and to have their homecoming marred even when war has ceased aroused much adverse comment.