RETURNED SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16215, 18 May 1918, Page 10

RETURNED SOLDIERS

ANOTHER BATCH ARRIVES.

A large number of wounded soldiers readied Lyttelton yesterday morning, and were accorded a hearty welcome. The wharf was barricaded, admittance to the public being denied. The Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr W. T. Lester) was not allowed to pass the sentries, and lie made an unavailing protest against relatives being excluded. Colonel Ciiaffcy, to whom the matter was referred, informed Mr Lester that had he applied for permission to _go aboard with the ambulance detachment in his capacity as Mayor of Lyttelton it would have been granted. Colonel Chaff s\v then invited -Mr Lester to go aboard, which invitation, after some hesitation, was accepted.

The train did not arrive in Christcliurch until 11.40. there being a large crowd to greet them at the railway station, and a big fleet of motor-cam belonging to members of the Automobile Association and others waiting To convey them to their homes. There were eleven cot cases for Christchurcfi and two for Timaru, and sixty-one walking cases for Christchurch and suburbs, twenty for stations south of Christchurch, eleven for the West Coast, and six for Hanmer Springs, making a total of 111. Mrs Geo. Rhodes brought down a quantity of Red Cross gifts for the soldiers, and apples for tliose going on to Dunedin. DRAFT ARRIVES TO-MORROW. Tfie secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association has received advice from the Defence Department that a largo number of invalided soldiers— about 317—will arrive in Christchurch from Wellington to-morrow morning. Those members who can assist with cars to convey the men to their homes are asked to communicate with the secretary, Mr C. W. Hervey.

There was a large gathering on the Ashburton railway station yesterday afternoon to welcome the Ashburton returned soldiersj among whom wera F. A. Firmstone, A. J. Jamieson, S. A. Shilling, and Private C. D. Cliist:all (Hinds). In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) the men were officially welcomed by the Town Clerk, Sir A. McClure. Private Chisnall, who left with the 24th Reinforcements, and who is suffering from a compound fracture of the right leg, was conveyed direct to the Ashburton Hospital. Another Ashburton man, Private E. J. Panthor, who left with the 26th Reinforcements, was taken ill at Christchurch and conveyed to the soldiers' ward of the Christchurch Hospital.