RETURNED SOLDIERS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17982, 26 December 1918, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS

CONTINGENT AT AUCKLAND.

EDUCATIONAL CLASSES ON

TRANSPORT.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, December 24. J Thle w|hioh, arrived Lost night brought eight hundred and thirty-five members of the Expeditionary Force and the men were landed during the day- The troops were allowed to land for six hours at Colon. Passing through the Panama Canal great enthusiasm was shown by the people on the banks, as well as the American troops. As the ship was drawn slowly through the locks, magazines, fruit' and sweets were thrown aboard- with great liberality and the men responded with badges, buttons and even hatbands, some going to the length of exchanging addresses with members of the fair sex, who took their fancy, lu accordance with instructions from headquarters, London, educational classes were conducted for these willing to take advantage •of them, the original idea of making them compulsory being abandoned owing to the large number of men engaged oii fatigue duties, over 300, and the number of old and unfit men. The classes had to bo held between decks, where light and ventilation conditions in hot weather were anything but favourable. The presenco on board of a Press delegate to the Old Country, Mr Fred Pirani, was taken advantage of and he was given charge of the educational classes and acted as instructor in shorthand and economics. Some 250 pupils attended the classes, and an examination conducted last week showed . that wonderful progress had' been made, especially when it is remembered that little more than three weeks' instruction could be given altogether. The lectures on agriculture, history and fruit culture were well attended, while nearly all the ship's company were present at the lectures and debates on economies, which mostly took the shape of practical legislation and were held in wie evenings. The southern portion of the contingent will be dispatched south by a special train leaving at five o'clock tonight. Next of kin of the men were admitted to the wharves and a large crowd of friends and relatives wafted outside the wharf gates to watch the men go past in motors. Prior to the berthing of the vessel a presentation, in the form of an illuminated address, was, made by the troops to Mr Pirani.