LAST LAP FOR HOME

Evening Star, Issue 25617, 18 October 1945, Page 4

LAST LAP FOR HOME

ANDES DUE NEXT TUESDAY BIG DRAFT OF SERVICEMAN (Special) WELLINGTON, Oct. 18. '' About 2.300 service personnel from the United Kingdom and the Middle East are expected to arrive in New Zealand on board the Andes next week," said the Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, last night. He added that the approximate figures showing the composition of the draft were as follows: Navy 275. Army 522 (370 from the Middle East, and 152 from the United Kingdom). Air Force 1.475 The ship was expected to disembark all South Island personnel at Lyttelton on Tuesday, and North Island personnel at Wellington on Wednesday, the Minister said. The usual arrangements had been made to despatch all members of the draft from the ship's side to their homes immediately following their disembarkation. The times of the arripal of the Andes at Lyttelton and Wellington would be broadcast early next week, and detailed train and bus arrangements would also be broadcast after the ship's arrival. Personnel whose homes were in Lyttelton and Wellington would be able to meet their next of kin at those ports, the Minister said, but as next of kin from other localities would have no opportunity to meet members of the draft at the disembarkation points, they were advised not to proceed further from their homes than the nearest centre where the local welcome ceremonies were usually held.-