RETURNING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16519, 10 May 1919, Page 5

RETURNING SOLDIERS.

THE KIA OKA'S DRAFT.

A raw morning, but a warm wclcomo, greeted tho bijr; draft of men from the Kia Ora on their arrival in Christchurch yesterday morning. By 7.-30 o'clock thcro was a large crowd assembled at tho station, not only on the south platform, where tho next of kin wero accommodated, but also in Moorliouse avenue, where tho general public congregated to give the men-a welcome. Tile special train with the troops for Christchurch and tho Coast arrived within a few moments of schedule time.

Loud cheers greeted its appearance, and thß occasion was made moro festive still tv the Buying of tho Woolston Band, who turned out to greet two or three of its members in khaki, who were among tho draft. ''See the Conquering Hero Comes" was tho first appropriate tune played by the Band, and this was followed no by "Home, Swcot Home,'' as tho me if swarmed out on tho platform, and were engull'cd in tho crowd of waiting relatives and friends. Tho men all looked very fit indeed, and were naturally overjoyed at being back home once again. > Colonel Chafrey, O.C. district, spoke in terms of commendation of tho behaviour of the men, and (v the fact j that" 1000 men wcro disembarked within sixteen minutes, a very creditable performance. ! A "Press" reporter was told that the j voyage out had been very uneventful, 1 and cxcept for tho past four or live days, the weather had beon good. "We liacl a rough spin for the best part of Inst week, and somo lieavy seas, but the rest was good," said ono of tho company. "Wo came through I the Panama Canal, -where tho Americans seemed pleased to see us, and gavo us a good recaption. Personally, I found it far too hot to onjoy going on shore, especially after tho cold weather we had in Franco and England." Among those on tho platform to welcome the men were tho Mayor (Dr. Thackcr. M.P.), and Mrs Thnckor, Mr H Holland (ex-Mayor), Mr Lynch ninvor of Grevmouth), and tho Hon. J. Grimmond, M.L.C. The Mayor was in his element, in welcoming tho boys back, and though there was nothing in tho ivny of "speechifying," yet "the Dr." found numerous opportunities of saying the appropriate thing to tho rej turned men. ! The Canterbury Automobilo Association turned out in force to tho appeal I for cars, and, ns usual, did excellent work \mdo'- tho direction of Messrs J. S. Hawkes. W. H. Tisdall, A. S. Clarkson. and P. S. Nicholls, in transporting tho local men to their homes. In spite of the largo number of cars wliick answered tho call, many had to make doable trips, but this was done cheorfully. and tho work of transportation went on without ft hiteh. Altogether the draft totalled approximately 995 men, made up ns follows: For Christchurch and suburbs 29(5, for the West Const 29. for stations between mid Dunedin 175, for Dunedin 206. for South of Dunoziin 210. for the North Tsland 62. and for Nelson and Pictnn 17. The men for Nelson and Picton and the North left by the ferry boat Inst niVht. A special train ■was packed with the 091 men for places snditli of ChristcJmreh. and, ns a refreshment car was attached for the purpose of providing wenl.s for tho men. tho local ladies of tho Hid Cross and

Lady Liverpool Fund did not find it necessary to carry out their usual catering. MAYOR'S COMMENTS. THE COMMISSARIAT ARRANGEMENTS. The Mayor (Dr. Thacker, M.P.) had a, few comments to niako to tho reporters Yesterday, concerning tho arrival of 'tho Kia Ora's men who, he said, looked very fit. and constituted one of the finest looking bodies which had ever returned. In connexion- with the'train having on board the southern men, there was but one commissariat waggon, and that was in tho middle of the "trahi, on which there wero three or four hnndred soldiers v.'ho had had nothing to eat probably siuoor-5 o c»ock that morning. His opinion was that the train should have been allowed to stop for five or ten mantes to sallow tho men to secure some refreshments at Christchurcli, and also to stretch thoir leg*. Even if the train not stop for more than a couple or minutes, that would bo sufficient to allow of jugs of-tea and a.cup or two, nntl sandwichos and cakes being placed in each carringo. Tho Mayoress "had inspected the dining compartment, and she had said tho food provided was excellent, but. of course, the accommodation "was insufficient, and he was going to seo if tho recommendations he had proposed could not bo friven leffect to. Dealing witli th<%tracsr>ort of the soldiers to their by tho cars provided by members of tho Automobile Association, the Mnyor stated that the members had acted splendidly, whilst the work of the motor inspector (Mr M>Tntosh), who conducted tlm mar- ' shrilling, was superb. The only complaint ho (Dr. Thacker) had to make was that none of them had flags. "SOME ROAST MUTTON." "In talking to men," said his Worship, "I found that "they were simply delighted at getting home. I. asked four of them quite independently at different times what they would like best now, and they all said: 'Some roast mutton and some roast potatoes,' and the last man said he would like some onion sauce as well with it, and I said 'good-oh'."

ARRIVAL OF NORTHUMBERLAND. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TET.KOnASI.) WELLINGTON, May 9The troopship Northumberland, with returning draft No. 243, arrived at 4.10 p.m. She was declared a clean ship, and will berth at 7 o'clock to-morrow morning.

Lieutenant Esmond Atkinson, R.N.V.R., and Lieutenant Hal. Jr. W. Atkinson, R.N.y.K., sons of Mr Tudor Atkinson, of Wellington, aro returning by the Arawa,' which i 3 due at Lyttelton on Monday. Both officers enlisted some three years ago. When hostilities ended the former was serving on H.M.S. light cruiscr Constance; tho latter wag commending a .moor launch cf thoMotor Patrol, with headquarters at Harwich.' Mrs Esmond Atkinson and son aro also returnin" by tho Aruva.' Sirs H. Peach, 82 Milton street, Sp*eydon, lias received a cable from her husband, to the cSect that ho sailed ,for New Zealand on May 4th. Private Peach left with the 29th Reinforcements, in August, 1917. and in May, 1918, was taken to England suffering with trench fever. Ho regained has health, and had completed his training a* Sling Camp when the armistico was signed.