IN THE CITY

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 63, 11 September 1915, Page 6

IN THE CITY

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME LARGE CROWDS OF PEOPLE IN THE STREETS Again has Wellington extended in enthusiasm the ready hand of greeting to the returned men. Disappointment was generally - felt this morning when the weather threatened to remain unpleasant, for all wished that the sick and wounded men might do brought ashore in scenes of brightness and happy homecoming. But the gloom and the haze cleared up, and the Tahiti, at anchor in the harbour, was soon lit up with glints of sunshine, and bunting appeared among the shipping, and in the city the ; people prepared in happier mood to arrange their preparations and beflag the buildings. , The citizens, augmented by many visit, ing friends and relatives" o"f the returning men from all- parte of the Dominion, needed no bidding in the qrder of their welcome. It was spontaneously enthusiastic and wnole-hearted. Thousands lined the streets as they had done on the occasion of the Willochra's arrival, waiting for the procession to come along. Many more crowded tne verandahs and the windows of the shops and premises along the route. At the wharf great masses of humanity perched themselves along the tees and climbed cranes and railway trucks. Territorials and Boy Scouts kept them to their tubttea parts THE NEXT-OF-K^IN. One eager group of some thousands — men, women, and children- : -occupied a, space on the Glasgow Wharf — the next-of-kin of the returning soldiers, a particularly proud, anxious group. Wives, sisters, mothers, fathers, and brothers were there. Slowly the vessel moved up, and as soon as the sound could reach the returned ones, a ' band at the end 'of the wharf sent out the notes of "Home, Sweet Home," and tho cheers came in from those on the boat, and heartier, fuller, heavier cheers caught , up the note ashore, and the glad volume of it went rolling and echoing away along the wharves and down through the crowds in the streets. The landing was not long delayed, for the arrangements were excellent;, and soon the men were streaming down the gangways and being assisted to the motor- cars. In a little while, under the direction of the marshal, Inspector Doyle, the . procession of motor-cars moved off along Waterloo-quay, up Bunny-street, and into Lambton-quay. To say that the people cheered > hardly describes the scene. Flowers were showered upon the men by ladies, and cigarettes handed to them by eager hands. At intervals in the procession the sth Regiment Band, the Salvation Army Band, and the Trentham Camp Band played appropriate British airs. At the Town Hall, where the official welcome is taking place, speeches were being delivered as The Post went to press. The gallery was thrown open to the public early in the forenoon, people taking their luncheon and securing early seats. GOING HOME ARRANGEMENTS FOR WOUNDED. NORTHERNERS AND SOUTHERNERS. The hospital train for Auckland _ will leave to-night in charge of a military officer. It will carry the sick and wounded northerners who are^t to travel Convalescent soldiers returned will also travel by that train if they so desire. The Defence authorities prefer that they should. The Mayors of the towns along the route will be informed by telegram of the probable time the train will'reach there. This train leaves Wellington at 7.30 p.m. It has been arranged that the Wanganui train shall leave at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Accommodation will be attached for invalided men. The Wairarapa-Napier train is expected to leave at 9.45 a.m. to-morrow. These times, however, are at present only provisionally arranged, and may be altered. The Tahiti was timed to leave to-night with the Southern wounded and invalided soldiers, but some of the seamen aboard, having signed articles only for Wellington, it is stated, do not wish to travel to-night. It is, therefore, very improbable that the vessel will leave before Monday. Mr. W. T. Young went aboard the vessel to-day, to try and induce the men to go on. It will be unfortunate if there should be the delay, for arrangements have been made, according to time table, for the reception of the men in the South, and the wounded men themselves are anxiously awaiting the time of their arrival home.

The annual "rocial" and d&nce of the Thistle Football Club will be held in the New Coniur; HaU-on^THesdMteveoiaff.*.