THE RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1927, Page 10

THE RETURNED SOLDIERS.

AN EXCELLENT MUSTER. OVER 600 ON" PARADE. So good was the muster of returned soldiers to form an informal guard of honour on the occasion of the Duke's landing this morning that the men lined either side of Queen Street from the head of the Queen's wharf to the Customs Street intersection, and also the carriageway from the dais where the Duke was welcomed by the Harbour Board lo the wharf pales. The excellent turnout of the ex-service men was the subject of very favourable comment from the military authorities. When the parade was first mooted it was thought that the. ex-soldiers would parade in the vicinity of the dais, forming a guard of honour as their Royal Highnesses left for Government House. So many men intimated their intention of parading, however, that it was decided that the men should line the* lonjrer route from the wharf to Customs Street. Despite the threatening 'conditions of the weather and the fact that no public holiday had been declared, between six and seven hundred ex-service rn.cn mustered on the Queen's wharf at 9.15 this morning. The" parade was a particularly representative one, and was one of the strongest of its kind seen in Auckland in recent years. The men were in mufti, but all wore their decorations. Lieut.-Col. A. H. Sinel was in command. As the men marched through the wharf gates to take up their position the large crowds packed about the eniranee gave a rousing cheer. "Owing to the rain the men were dismissed rather hurriedly, without anv word from the military* authorities, but the hitter would like them to know that their excellent muster was verv much appreciated and a credit to the city. Their steadiness on parade was very favourably commented upon." Thus Lieut. R. S. .ludson. V.C., who acted as adjutant at this morning's parade.