SOLDIERS' HOME-COMING.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 70, 22 March 1919, Page 5

SOLDIERS' HOME-COMING.

ANOTHER DRAFT ARRIVES. ARRIVAL OF THE ATHENIC. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. The Auckland portion of the transport Athenic'3 dftft of returned eoldiers arrived at Auckland from Wellington this i morning. The vessel came around North; Head at about 1 p.m., and was greeted with a salute of six guns from the forts at Devonport. A ferry steamer laden with next of kin met the transport out in the Rangitoto Channel and escorted! her into the harbour. The vessel brought eeventy-fivp of all ranks, together with seventeen soldiers' wives and six nursing sisters. The reception accorded the soldiers was a most enthusiastic ono. tho general pubHe gathering in great numbers at the Queen's wharf, waterfront, Campbell's Point, and Devonport waterfront to cheer the men. Unfortunately a high wind was blowing, and prevented the seaplane from the New Zealand Flying School at Kohiinarama carrying out its part of the programme. The seaplane was to have circled over the transport and dropped a number of messages on the vessel as she entered the stream. Among these was one from the Y.W.C.A. to the war brides on the boat as follows: "The blue triangle (Y.W.C.A.) greets the future citizens, and opens the door of welcome in Upper Queen Street, Auckland. Come to us for information or help." The Mayoress also was to have sent the following message to the war brides: "A welcome awaits the war bridea to attend the social gatherings, the firut of which will be held on March 26, at 3 p.m., at the Town Hall." A request is included that they send their names and addresses to Mrs. J. H. Gunson, president of the Women's Patriotic League, so that admittance cards can be forwarded. A further message from Mrs. Gunson was worded as follows: "We hope you have all benefited by your long sea voyage, and that your return to your own country will be marked with real pleasure." Except for a storm lasting two days that was encountered in mid-Atlantic, the transport has had a very pleasant voyage. In coming through the Panama Canal, the soldiers were allowed ashore iat Colon for a day, and the residerts in I the American town did everything posi eible to make the short visit of the New i Zealanders a pleasant one. The health Jof the troops has been excellent throughout the voyage, and there are no cot ' cases, although three of the men for the i Auckland district are each minus a limb.

The transport berthed at Queen's wharf at 1.30 pjn., and coon afterwards the soldiers were allowed ashore to join their eagerly waiting next-of-kin. Refreshments were provided by the Ministering Committee of the Women'e Patriotic League i none of the sheds on the wharf. A voluntary motor corps, unfler Mr. A. A. Martin, was in attendants to carry the men to their homes. A very large crowd of people gathered at the foot of Queen Street to cheer the soldiers as they passe 3 along in the motors. The soldiers came to Auckland under the command of Captain J. D. Swan, ■who left New Zealand with the artillery in the Fifth Reinforcements. He was on Gallipoli until a few days before the evacuation, and subsequently went to France, where he saw continuous active service for a lengthy period. He is accompanied by his wife. Among those who have returned is Lieutenant Grey Thome George, eon of the Hon. Seymour Thome George, of Auckland, who has been on service with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Lieutenant A. V. Swales, of Auckland, and Lieutenant E. Matthews, R.N.R., nave also returned after special duty in anti-submarine work. Lieutenant Vickerman, another Auckland officer, acted as ship'e adjutant during the trip from Wellington to Auckland.

The following soldiers' wives have returned: —Mesdames H. A. Jones, E. C. Jones, G. L. Ashbolt and child, A. Garrett and two children, E. C. Gate, E. V. M. McKenzie, A. M. Burnett, E. A. Smith, E. B. Beaver and child, A. Brophy, E. S. Buckingham, A. E. Chandler and child , , M. L. Griffiths, G. M. Ingham, M. M. Johnß, C. E. McCaw, E. Meachem, E. M. MMviJle, J. M. Todd, E. A. Tomlinson, A. Cooper and child, L. Cottam and child, F. Davis and child. ILLUSTRATION. IN SPORTS EDITION. We will reproduce in our Sports Edition some excellent photographs of the Athenic and the landing of her Auckland troops.