THE RETURNED INVALIDS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9824, 25 July 1900, Page 8

THE RETURNED INVALIDS.

Welcomed to Wellington.

[pes press association.] Wellington, This day. The Mayor of Wellington paid a visit Iro the Papanui this morning, and officially welcomed the invalided soldiers. Both officers and men declined to be interviewed, as they were still under military control. The Hods. M-essrs Seddon, Ward, Hall-Jones., Duncan,Walker, Carroll, and McGowan, and Colonel Pole-Penton, attended at the Cabinet room at 1 o'clock to receive Lieutenants Vernon (New South Wales), Canavan and Weather, and Trooper Saunders. Mr Seddon said he was delighted on behalf of the colony to welcome the men back, and hoped they would soon be restored to perfect health. The whole country recognised ttiey had done credit to the colonies which sent them away. Colonel Pole-Penton, in the course of his remarks, said the forces of the colony were proud to welcome them back as comrades.

Lieut. Oanavan returned thanks for the hearty welcome that had been extended to the party. Lieut. Vernon also expressed his appreciation of the kindly treatment he had received in New Zealand and he was glad to visit a colony whose men had done so well in South Africa. Hβ considered the New Zealanders had done better than the other colonial contingents, with the exception perhaps of the New South Welshmen.

The party were afterwards entertained by the Premier at lunch.