RETURNING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16507, 26 April 1919, Page 8

RETURNING SOLDIERS.

THE MAHEXOS DRAFT. Tho Mahono is the last hospital shin coming to Now Zealand. There are a low hmblcvs , l;on remaining in Kaglaml, and these will bo Lome with tho transports convoying the unn-athed and fit of tho lator reinforce meats. Tho Chrisu-hurch public hardly seemed to realise that the Mahono's ctratt was ike last of tho wouudod to come homo from the war. lor thoro was no demonstration, no'formal reco;<tion. and only a comparatively small attendance on the railway platform and Jipj-roaohcs to tho station. Tho special tram drew into tho southern platform at 10 lo a.m.. ami tho eight cot cases ior (.hnsMmrch w cn . taken off h, ambulance motors to tho Hospital Thn walking cases wero taken to 'their homo* in motors provided bv tho -VntA. inobilo. Association.. Mr A. S. Clarksmi being m charge. Several of the more fit soldiers for Chrstchurch camo on from in the ordinary ti me . tablo train leaving Hyttolton 'at 925 a.m. '

The Christe:nirrh draft numbored 38 men, including ei;jht eot cases. There wero two men for North Canterbury e!::!it for tho "West Coast, and 13 Smith Canterbury. Two cot ensoj for Timaru wero sent South by the mitf. day express, with the South Canterbury men. There remain on the Jfnhcno u> bu disembarked at Port Chalmers 82 men for Ot.isio and Southland, including 12 cot ensos. Members of_th o Red Cross and Lady liiverpool Societies had, as usual, refreshments in readiness for the soldiers and tin* southern men regaled themselves with the tempting display. ; Several of the men' have- artificial limbs, and of tho Christohurch miofov thoro were eight with artificial legs. TIIK lONIC'S DRAFT. The secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association has received advice that tho soldiers ex lonic will arrive in Christchurrh at approximately 8.30 a.m. to-day All members of tho Association who can assist in conveying tho men to their homes aro nsked to be in attendance with their cars. About 42 cars aro required.

BHAMO'S DRAFT. (PRESS ASSOCIAT.'OV TKLECttAM ) AUCKLAND. April 25. The transport Bhamo arrived this morning with 776 of all ranks, nine nurses, fourteen officers' wives, and four children. The health of the- troops hns been good except for mumps, of which twenty-three cases wero removed to isolation quarters to-dny. There- was a slight outbroak of influenza earlv in the voyage, tho last caso on March 2Sth. Sergeant Kenneth Burns, D.C.M., son of tho lato Mr Alexander Burns, of Christchurch, is returning by tho .Kia Orn, which :s due on May Vth. Sergeant Burns, who left with tho Bth Reinforcements, took part with the New Zoalandera in most of tho heavy fighting on tho Western front. Mrs Butcher, Armngh stroot, Linwood, hns ro?eived advice that hor husband. Chief Motor Mechanic C. C. E. Butcher, is returning in tho Makurn, duo on iMny 7th. Mrs T. Afrey, of Islington, has received word that hor brother, Private Walter Leslie Bennett, will arrive in Wellington bv the Tainui, on 28th of this month. Private Bennett loft with the 9th Reinforcemonts, nnd saw 3J years of active service. Hβ was severely wounded in action on Septenjbor 7tV 1918, and was in hospital in Kent, England, up to tho time of embarking for New Zealand. Before enlisting, he me in ( tho employ of tho Now Zealand Refrigerating Company, at Islington, 'A younger brother, Private Frank Bennett, left with tho 20th Reinforcements, was wounded at Mcssinos, and returned last January.