BACK FROM THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 98, 22 October 1918, Page 7

BACK FROM THE WAR

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS

RETURN

On behalf of the citizens the Mayor

(Mr. J. P. Luke) went out to the Heads this morning to meet Keturning Draft 191 which had arrived, comprising 657 of all ranks. He went aboard the ship early and welcomed the men back to New Zealand. The vessel had a remarkably good trip, which was, however, marred by one tragic incident off the British coast (the incident was reported by cable). One of «the vessels which was being convoyed along with the troopship was torpedoed and sunk only about a quarter of a mile away from the latter. There was considerable loss of life, and the vessel was one of the_ principal liners'-.running to the United Kingdom. The men speak very highly of the British convoy system, which has done so much to prevent loss of life and shipa. Quite a number of men * are accompanied by their wives. The womenfolk, the 'Mayor says, are looking forward to a happy life in the Dominion, and he sincerely trusts their desires will be realised. The men on the ship, greatly benefited in health by the voyage out, were grateful for gifts of fruit and cigarettes brought out by' the Mayor. They were thirsting for news of the war, and quite understood the latest phases of the war, aa there were indications in that direction before they left Home. The returned men for stations between ?almerston North and Auckland will leave by special train at 7.30 this evening. The men for Wanganui and New Plymouth will go forward by train at 8.20 a.m. to-morrow, and ■ for Napier and Gisborne at 9.10 a.m. to-morrow. Draft 186 returned by another vessel, and the men will be accommodated on the same train.