BACK FROM ACTIVE SERVICE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16212, 15 May 1918, Page 7

BACK FROM ACTIVE SERVICE.

ANOTHER DRAFT OF INVALIDED MEN.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, May 14. Draft No. 159 of returned soldjers arrived this morning. It comprises 541 including 20 officers. The invalids are mostly incapacitated bv gunshot' wounds. Of 200 cot cases when the voyage began, onlv 80 are now so classed. Thov had a great reception at tho American ports. On tho whole they had a very nne trip. The men are highly pleased! with their treatment on the ship, l which has been equipped with the most modern appliances for massage, resulting in a wonderful improvement in the cases under treatment. Two soldiei's returning by tho hospital ship died on the voyage—Private G. Thomas, of Tuatepere, Southland, who died on April 18th and was buried at flea: and Private C. T. McKinley, of Balelutha. who died on April 23rd, and was buried at an American port, American troops providing the firing party. ' Later. Tho majority of the men who arrived by tho hospital ship to-day were wounded in the fighting aroupd Passchendaele in October. I There are a number of cases of tuberculosis, due to tho effects of gas and of shell shock, hut tho men as a wholo benefited by the voyage.