ANOTHER CONTINGENT HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 169, 17 July 1919, Page 5

ANOTHER CONTINGENT HOME.

• : - X ARRIVAL OF THE MARAMA., WITH DRAFT OF 641 ALL RANKS.. LDIBLESS CASES NUMBER 107. ONLY FOUR COT CASES. ~ The ambulance carrier Marama arrived at Auckland shortly before eight o'clock this morning, and was berthed shortly after nine at the Queen's wharf. The customary reception programme was carried out. As the transport came alongside the wharf, the sirens of the steamers in port vociferously voiced a welcome, while a salute of twenty-one guns was fired bj r the artillery from Stanley Point. A seaplane from Kohimarama circled over the vessel, ac 4 dropped messages of welcome and packages of sweets and cigarettes. «*» THE CITY'S WELCOME. When the transport was moored alongside the wharf she was boarded by Mr. A. J. Entrican, Deputy-Mayor, who extended a formal welcome to the soldiers on behalf of the city. He was accompanied by Mr. H. D. Heather, chairman, of the Harbour Board, and LieutenantColonel Duigan, D.5.0., of the district • staff corps. The Ministering Committee of the Women's Patriotic league provided tea and refreshments on the wharf, and fruits, cigarettes, and bunches of; violets were sent aboard the transport for the cot cases, and those of t"»e> soldiers who are not landing at Auckland. There was no delay in the disembarkation operations, which were carried out without a hitch. The voluntary motor corps, under Mr. A. A. Martin, was irt '.attendance with a large number of cars in which the Auckland soldiers with their next of kin were carried to their: homes. . t A FAIR PASSAGE. ;' The Marama left Southampton oni June 9, and came to New Zealand by ■way, of Panama. The weather throughout the journey, with the exception of a. couple of days near Pitcairn Island, was excellent, anil all of the soldiers havej greatly benefited in fiettlth as a result. JThe vessel's compliment totals 641 of all ranks, including a staff of 13 officers, 17) nursing sisters, and 95 other ranka, while the patients numbered 20 officers, 2 sisters, and 546 other ranks. There; were only four actual cot cases on the) transport, but 107 soldiers have returned; mniua a leg or an' arm. The cot cases were taken to the annexe by ambulance, AMERICAN HOSPITALITY. * j The American citizens of the Panama! zone again gave the New. Zealanders at ' thoroughly good welcome. _ At Panama, where the soldiers were ashore for a ' day, a special train was brought into " service, and the American V.M.C.A. went} to great lengths to make their visitors i enjoy their short stay. At Balboa, tha troops were ashore for about five hours, and they found that a large shed on one of the wharves had been converted into I an excellent theatre for their benefit, and a concert was given them that kept them thoroughly well amused? Throughout the journey sports and; amusements have been kept going. Prizes valued at £30 were given for the sports events, and the concerts were all very successful. ' A sum of £70 was handed to the commanding officer by the Red" Cross organisation in; London, who also placed the sports prizes abroad the vessel. "No attempt -was made to keep educational classes going on the journey, the only students being a few who had already started' a Course in England and brought 'their books with them. The. chief medical officer is Colonel P. C. Fenwick. C.M.G., who was assisted by Captain E. Eoberton, Captain D. H. Bett, and Captain A. C. Thompson. The nursing staff was under the control of Sister Pengelly,- acting matron. None of the Southern troops landed at Auckland, and the transport sailed early in the afternoon for Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. At Port Chalmers she will dismantle her hospital fittinga, 'and thus end her career as a transport*