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Press, Volume LI, Issue 15425, 2 November 1915, Page 8

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WILLOCHRA'S MEN FROM

GALLIPOLI

CITY'S GREAT RECEPTION,

A STIRRING SCEXI

The dUanpointmcnts experienced in tho past by the people of Chr.stchurch in the matter of welcoming home tho men who have fought so bravely on Gallipoli were all forgotten yesterday, when the arrangements made for the leceotion of the soldiers who returned by the Tofua and Willochra were carried out without a hitch. All who so dosired had the fullest opportunity presented to them to sec the men and to warmly welcome them back. 1a en the weather helped to make the reception successful. The rain that lell during tho night and early morning ceased long before the men from JLyttelton arrived at the railway station, and the sun was shining brightly during tho period that tho procession was passing through the streets.

Flags fluttered from many buildings, bands played stirrins military tunes, and the city wore a joyous, holiday appearance. On the route from the '• station to the Colosseum tho streets were lined with people, who cheered the soldiers as they passed. The most enthusiastic cheering aroso from the school children, massed in Durham street, along tho Provincial Council site. They presented a most picturesque appearance, each waving a Union Jack. All the arrangements for the procession wero well carried out, and the soldiers ■ arrived to time at the Colosseum. AT LYTTELTON. AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. The soldiers who arrived at Lyttelton bv tho Monouai yesterday were not greeted with auspicious weather. The sky was dull with heavy clouds ; from the south-west, and tho hills were shrouded with mist. Nevertheless these i conditions did not prevent a large crowd, numbering some hundreds, from being present when the Monowai was berthed alongside the ferry wharf. Flags 1 flew from many buildings, and a fine display of bunting was made on the shipping in port, the general effect being enhanced by tho whistling of the steamers and the cheering. Colonel Chaffey and Major Meddings 1 were present, and there was also a number of the N.Z.G.A.T., No. 4 Company, under Captain J. P. E. Veale, the Lyttelton Coastal Defence League, under Mr J. T. Brice, Officer Commanding, and the Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts, under Scoutmaster Guy. As the soldiers stepped ashore, they were each presented with a bouquet of flowers by school children, and they looked contented, although many wero sadly injured. as they were claimed by relatives and took their seats in the special train for town. The more unfortunate ones, thoso who wero unable to be removed from their cots, and nnmbering thirteen, wero not forgotten. Several members of tho Lvttelton Citizens' Coastal Defence League, accompanied by a number of ladies, went aboard with fruit' and delicacies, and made the men's stay in port as comfortable as possible. Six of tho less eerious cases were brought ashoro in the afternoon, and the men taken for a motor ride to Mr Orton Bradley's homestead at Char tens Bay. Short addresses of weloome were given by Mr W. Radcliffe. Mayor of Lyttelton, and Mr M. J. Miller, chairman of the Harbour Board. Mr Radcliffe said that he wa6 pleased to be able, on behalf of the citizens of Lyttelton. to extend to tho soldiers a heartv welcome back to tho land of their "birth, after having done their duty so well. Everyone sympathised with them in the injuries they had received, and hoped they would soon l>e restored to health and able once again to take their places in the fir-ing-line. (Applause). Mr Miller, in welcoming the men on behalf of the port and the district of North Canterbury, stated that the people were glad to be present a& a token of respect to the men and the work they had accomplished. Theirs had been a hazardous and a trying experience, but in spite of it all it was gratifying to know that they were all eager for recovery and for another opDoitunitv U> come to gripe with the enemv. Ho trusted that they would have'the chance of helping to finish the conflict and of fiiving Britain and her Allies, an honourable peace. (Applause). Equally enthusiastic was the scene when the vessel left for Wellington. Hundreds gathered to see the men off, and children scrambled for souvenirs, such as buttons, which they were given in return for flowers. IN CHRISTCHURCH. ALONG THE ROUTE. It was apparent fairly early in the morning from the appearance of the streets that something out of the usual was toward. Along the route that the procession of returned soldiers was to take there was a bounteous display of flags and bunting. There was something out of the ordinary.. too, in the crowds that beyan to line the streets shortly after ten o'clock. They were eager crowds, looking forward with keen anticipatory pleasure to welcome back tho soldiers from war-scarred Gailipoli. Tho school children, numbering several thousands, were got together shortly after eleven o'clock, and allotted their places in Durham street in the vicinity of the Provincial Council Chambers. They were a happy, joyous crowd, waving I flags and carefully treasuring flowers wherewith to bombard the returned j heroes. High street and Manchester street wort? in gala attire, tiie flags of the Allies fluttering froru many buildings. The footpaths were thronged with sightseers, some stationary and others bound for the railway station. Moorhouse avenue from Colombo street to the station entrance was a mass oi people and of motor-cars. Most of the people were congregated round the goods entrance to the station yard. Hie motor-cars, brightly dedeoked with Hags and flowers, made their way round to "the Colombo street entrance to the station yard, and thence to the southern passenger platform. Amongst those who put in an appearance early were tho Hon. James Alien, Minister of Defence, Colonel Chaffey, Officer Commanding the District, and his staff, the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, the members of the executive of the Reception Committee, Dr. Thacker, M.P.. Mr G. Witty, M.P., the Mayor (Mr H. Holland), the town clerk (Mr H. R. Smith), and Mrs Holland and Mrs Smith. Others cars contained members of the City Council. 'I he Senior Cadets with their bugle band, the C.D.C., and their band, and

the Regimental Band also attended. Botwoon half-past ton o clock nnd haltpast e!cvc:i the crowd oil Moorhouse avenue reached l>k proportions, and from one end to the other ot the loii£ lines of people all "'ere with excitement. ARRIVAL AND PROCESSION. In the meantime the stream of motorcars to the southern nulvrav platform ivas continuous. The arrangements appeared to bo perfect, and to be perfectly carried out. Now and then, ownit: i to the concentration of cars at the entrance, there was a little dcla*. but it was soon got over. The train conveying the troops from Lvttelton dulv arrived, and the soldiers who came by'it. as well as those vrho arrived in town on Sunday night, were 1 soon accommodated in tho waiting motor-cars. llie supply ol oars was ample, and there was no crushing or i' •crowding. The strains of ''Home. 5...H Home" from the Regimental Band heralded the head of the procession, as it came over the railway line, ami a cheer arose as tho first, car with returned soldiers emerged on to the avenue. The solilie.rs were pelted with flowers. Right along the lino to the corner of Manchester street the cheering was taken up. and was continued. In Manchester street the footpaths and (xirtion of the roadway was thronged with an enthusiastic and cheering people. Every balcony overlooking the • street and every window had their oc- ] cupants, cheering and waving flags and throwing flowers. A great concourse ; of people were at the Clock Tower, j and here the cheering was great in volume and most hearty in tone. Along < High street to the Bank corner similar scenes were enacted. From the - thronged footpaths, from windows and j balconies, cheor upon cheer greeted the soldiers, and floral tributes descended on them galore. When Cathedral square was reached, there was added to tho cheering of the crowds • and the music of the bands, the deep- , toned welcomo of the Cathedral bells. The Square was bright with bunting, and the soldiers, were heartily cheered as they passed through it. Westward along Worcester street the procession took its way, and onco over tho Worcester street bridge it turned into Cambridge terrace and started northwards to Armagh street. This portion of tho route had been resorvod for tho school children, and they were gathered thoro in their thousands. Tho girls were dressed in wliito, and were provided with an abundance of flowers, whilst the boys were armed with flags and with lungs. When the soldiers appeared the children spontaneously rent the air with their shouts of welcome, and clouds of flowers fell upon the soldiers. There was no intermission in the cheering. It started high and strong, and continued without any appreciable break all the time tho , soldiers were passing. The happiness of the children's faces seemed reflected in the smiles of the soldiers, who appeared to enter heart and soul into the warmth and enthusiasm of the . children's welcomo. There seemed to be no end to the soldiers, and so long as they came along the children shouted, threw flowers at them, and waved their flags. Turning into Armagh street the procession, headed eastward towards the Colosseum. Along the street the crowds , cheered tho soldiers until the entrance to the Colosseum lost them to the people's view. THE PUBLIC RECEPTION. SCENE IN THE COLOSSEUM. The scene in the Colosseum. shortly after noon, when the returned soldiers and their relatives began to troop into the hall, was an impressive and striking one The big building had been festooned with flagß, and six gTeat tables ran nearly its whole length, with a shorter table below the dais at the northern end. At the sides and at one end of the hall spaces were reserved for the public, and for tho next of kin, who only in a few instances sat alongside their soldier lads at the luncheon, as the returned men were just about numerous enough to fill tho available seats without any civilians. It was about 12.15 that the first bartch of soldiers came into the hall, and hearty hand-claps greeted their appearance. Fresh batches of men constant-, lv arrived, bedecked with flowers, and renewed cheers and applause greeted the arrival of each war-worn party. Among those present at the upper table were his Worship the Mayor, his Lordship Bishop Julius, the Hons. Jas. Allen and G. W. Russell, his Honour Mr Justice Dcnniston, Col. Chaffey, Messrs H. G. Ell, L. M. Isitt, and Dr. Thacker. M.P.'s. There were, besides, numerous ladies and gentlemen connected with the Patriotic and Red Cross Committees, and the Citizens' Defence Corps. In a very short time everyone was comfortably seated, and the C.R.C. Band, under Bandmaster Siddall, obliged with a few marches. His Worship tho Mayor, after the National Anthem had been played, requested the Bishop to ask a blessing, and then tho men got down to the serious but pleasant business of having lunch. During the meal, the Christchurch Liedertafel, under the baton of Dr. Bradshaw, contributed an excellent programme of part songs, which were much appreciated . THE SPEECHES. Lunch over, the Press photographers flash-lighted tho scene, and atter prayer by the Bishop, his Worship the Mayor addressed the gathering. He said it was a red-letter day in tbo annals of the city, and ho felt profoundly touched and impressed at what he had seen- The citizens had gathered in great numbers to show their deep appreciation of the gallant work done by the men who had come bacic fiom the front, and on behalf of tho pcopie of Christchurch and Cantorbury ho extended to them a sincere and hearty welcome, from the very bottom of his heart. The whole country had thrilled to read and hear of the deeds done bv the boys at tho Dardanelles. They had not disappointed the pcopie of New Zealand, for though the (Jallipoli Peninsula had not been taken, the New Zealanders had done all that was humanly possible, and they had made a name for themselves which would never die. "When the war is over." said the Mayor, "you will he numbered among those who did their dutv. (Loud applause). Will the same be said of all those who hear my voice to-dav, or who read tho account, of these proceedings in tho papers? I sincerely hope it may be, for. if the British nation d,oe« its duty there can he no doubt as to the. result." (Applause). The nation was wasting too much time in criticism, he continued; it was not the time for criticism —it was the time for action, and to do or die. The horizon looked black, hut the dawn would come, and victor*- would he ouis eventually if the nation was united. He welcomed the men in the hall, not as Christchurch men only, hut a« New Zealand men— i loud applause)—men v.ho had done their duty. They were •>roud of these men, and at tho same time they had sincere sympathy for the mothers of those bravo lads who had laid down their lives for the Empire. The speaker suggested to the Ministers present that it would be a graceful act to allow the wounded men to travel free on the railways whilo on fnrlough. This was done, he believed, for naval men in uniform, and it should be a privilege extended to the New Zealand returned soldiers. (Aj>plau»e'i. Mr Holland concluded with renewed expressions of welcome on be- . half of the city. •A SIGN OF HOPE." i Tho Hon. Jas. Allen said he felt i bound to express his keen pleasure at

tho very remarkable demonstration he had witnessed in the city that day. It had boon extremely gratifying "to him to t-eo the splendid reception that had been given to the returned men. V\ ith regard to the free passes for wounded men. he himself had not anything to do unth the railways, but be would gladly hand on the suggestion to his colleague, the Hon Mr Herries. He. had no doubt that, it would be sympathetically considered bv Mr Herries, Mr lJussell, and the* Cabinet as a whole, but, of course, it was a matter for the Cabinet to decide upon. The past two days hud been inspiriting for him, and had left a feeling of confidence and of hope. The work begun by theso men of New Zealand wou'd iie completed, and the work begun by the Emp'.re would also be completed, of that he felt sure. The whole of British history showed that at the times of the greatest, stress and anxiety, the courage and determination of the British people had always risen to the occasion s and that he felt would be the case in tho present instance. Tho Press of New Zealand had received inspiring news that day; they heard that one million Russians were advancing on Bulgaria—(applause)—that tho British army had junctioncd with the Serbians, and that there was a chance of the Italians dashing in from tho west. (Loud applause). The situation, bad and gloomy as it had looked, gave hope of something more cheerful iu the near futurethere was a silver lining to the cloud. He was confident that all they had seen in tho streets that day was a sign of hope; a sign that the country would take un its burden and make the. sacrifice. Tho men who had come back that day were tho men who had done their duty and performed theii obligations. They had shown that they were prepared to defend thoir homos and their women and children. The sight of that great concourse of children in the Square had touched him very much, nnd here surely there was something for the men to protect. Some men had not done their duty yet in the Dominion, but he felt confident that they would do bo without making it necessary to resort to ea.%emitics He had confidence in the present and hope for tho future, and he hoped that tho united action of the British would ho an example to the rest of the world, and that the Empire's conduct would gain the confidence of the smaller nations, and show that it was fi ah tine for liberty and just : ' e. The Minister concluded with a feelmrr reference to the fine behaviour of the Maori soldiers. (Applause). The Maori had not been content with mere garrison duty, "but had demanded to be put; in tho firingline with his pakeha brothers. They had had their -wish granted, and had upheld the finest traditions of tho ancient Maori Tace. (Applause). PROVISION FOR SOLDIERS. The Hon. G. W. Russell thanked the people for their mapiificent reception to the returned soldiers. Without indulging in any comparisons, he felt proud of what Christchurch had done. The men who had. returned had set an example which would he followed by others until the German and Turk were oven Some and Europe was made free. The soldiers had not been forgotten ! whilo they were away, and a pension i scheme, more liberal than any in the British Empire, or in fact in the world, had been brought in. The resources of the Public Health Department had been placed at the disposal of returned soldiers. He had given instructions that the departmental officers should not draw tho line too hard and faßt in respect to returned soldiers, but that eveiy facility should be afforded thom to attain tho same physical, mental and nervous health they enjoyed before they enlisted. The Minister referred to the work to be done by tho Discharged Soldiers' Department, under the Hon. A. L. Herdman, and said that these things showed that the people of New Zealand recognised their responsibility in asking men to endanger their lives and limb in defencc of tho Empire. He paid a high tribute to the nurses sent from New Zealand. Referring to the National War Funds Council, h© announced that in addition to the Mayor (Mr 11. Holland), Mr William Recce had accented a seat on the Council, as a renresentative of Christchurch. Ho concluded by expressing tho belief thai: victory would assuredly crown the efforts of the Allies. The members of tho Liedertafel gave a part song. Tho Mayor expressed his appreciation of the loyalty and support that large numbers had given in making the function so successful. At Mr Holland's request. hearty cheers were given for all who assisted.

Cheers were also given for the returned soldiers and tho ladies of Christ/church.

Mr ('. B. Massey retnrned from Dunedin by the secord express last night, after having mot his second «on (Private R. C. Massey, "A" Company, Canterbury Battalion), who has been invalided "hnroe by the suffering from rheumatism. Private Massev was ono of the cot cases, and was transferred at Dnnedin to the Monowai for treatment at tho Rotorua Sanatorium.