THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2813, 13 September 1915, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

THE RETURN HOME

A HITCH IN THE EFILDING ARRANGEMENTS.

It has to be reported that tho arrangements made in Feilding for the reception of her wounded soldiers returning home were not altogether successful. This was not the fault, however, of the Feilding Patriotic Committee or the public. On Saturday morning tho secretary of tho Feilding Patriotic Committee (Mr E. H. Fislicr) was officially informed that a special train with returning wounded soldiers on board would leave AVeilington some timo during that day, with Feilding troop* on board. The exact time of tho arrival of the train here was to bo announced later. Arrangements were immediately made for three motor cars to bo at tho station to convey the men to their homes.

Some hours afterwards word was received that tho train would pass through Feilding a little aftor midnight, but there woro no Foilding men on board and it would not stop here. This news was made public per medium of the Lyceum Theatre and the Staii notice board. The Patriotic Committee did not, officially wait on the platform to see tho train go through. However, some Feilding people did attend on tho station, and possibly on the off-chance of something happening, ancl very much to their surprise the train did stop and put off a. Feildinir trooper, Victor Lankshear, to whom the people gave an enthusiastic welcome. Communication was at once made to the secrotary of the Patriotic Committee, who procured a motor car to take Private Lankshear home.

Further news was received to the effect- that a train would reach Feilding about .12.30 p.m. on Sunday with Feilding men on board. This having boon made public a couple of thousand neople rolled ii]> on tho plat form to do honour to the returning heroes. It was then ascertained that information had been received that there were no Feilding troops 'on train either, and there was'a nossihility it might not stop at Feilding. However, 'remembering what had happened the previous night, the crowd decided to wait and see. The train eventually arrived at l.itf 0.m., and it was found there were only four troopers on board, for AVanganui and northern towns. A stop was made, and the ' Feilding Brass Band played some inspiriting airs. while girls boarded the train and distributed bouquets of flowers to the few soldiers on board. Mr AY. A. Veitch. M.P. for AVanganui. who was on the train, made a short speech, urging eligible'men to enrol.