ATHENIC'S DRAFT.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16478, 22 March 1919, Page 4

ATHENIC'S DRAFT.

arrival in christchurch

A largo draft of roturneil soldiers, many of "whom had their wives and children with them, arrived in Christ-church, vesterday morning. The men returned in the Athenic, which arrived in JNew Zealand a lew days ago. The total number to reach Christchurch was 527, made up as follows -.-For Chrfetchurch, 120 men, 13 wives, and o children, loi south of Christchurch, 59 men, o wives, and 1 child; for the Coast, < men and 1 ivifc: for XHincdin and the South, -i t men, iIH wives, and 9 children; in all, 4GB men 44 wives, and lo children, Ihe train steamed into the southern platform at 10.45 amid hearty cheers, and on arrival the Timaru and Duncdin men, their wives, and kiddies, wfere rriven refreshments, which had been provided bv the ladies of the Red Cross, Xavv League, and the Lady Liverpool Moorhousc avenue had been roped off from Manchester street to Madras street, and this spaco was reserved tor relatives. Tho result was that the ordinarv vehicular traffic in' this part of the town was much disorganised, ana many carters and express men were stopped from carrying on their ordinary business. The new system did not prove remarkably successful. Many of the men seemed to be disappointed that their people were not on the platform to greet them, but when the idea was oxpTained they cheered up. _ The Canterbury Automobile Association had asked for 94 cars to be ready to transport tho men, but as a matter of fact 11.2 drivers responded to the call, mid there were plenty of vehicles for all. As the men were driven out of the station yard by the Moorhouso avenue gate thev were "spotted" by relatives, and the car was stopped while tho fathers, mothers, and sisters clambered aboard. The general opinion of the public seemed to be that tho now idea was not a remarkably successful one and more than one agreed that Mr Stringleman's scheme of taking the men to some central point, such as the King Edward Jtarracks or the Colosseum, where their relatives could be waiting, would be the better plan. Tho men for the South went on by tho troop train after a wait in Christchurch of about an hour.