Journey’s End For More Northlanders

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1945, Page 4

Journey’s End For More Northlanders

Today Whangarei turned out to welcome the second draft this week of returning prisoners of war. In marked contrast to the hail and cold that prevailed on Monday, when the first draft arrived in town, the weather was fine and mild.

For the first time, the Army utilised Railway Road vehicles, and the men had a comfortable trip from Auckland in two large ’buses, with an Anny vehicle used largely for the transport of baggage. Some next-of-kin who had joined the convoy before its arrival in Whangarei could be seen with their menfolk in the ’buses, having stolen a march on others.

The trip north was uneventful, with the exception that better travelling time was made than was anticipated, and one vehicle entered Whangarei about half-an-hour before sthe scheduled time of arrival. This was turned back by the Area Commander (Lieu-tenant-Colonel H. P. Conyers-Brown), so that the full convoy came through the streets as a unit.

At the junction of Water and Walton Streets the convoy was met by the Whangarei County Pipe Band, which led the way through the beflagged streets to the Drill Hall, where many of the men had volunteered in the early days of the war. All along the route—Water Street, Bank Street, Cameron Street and then via John Street to the Drill Hall—the footwalks were lined by cheering members of the public, all eager to gain the first glimpse of well-known faces, faces that had not been seen for many a long year, but which seemed little changed, except for a deeper tan. Business was practically at a standstill, as the majority of the staff of the various firms were lining the streets, anxious to take their part in the welcome.

At the Drill Hall had gathered the majority of the next-of-kin and here there were, many enthusiastic reunions after long partings and many adventures on the part of the returning boys. The Whangarei men were transported to their homes, while those for further north went forward by road transport after refreshments at Area 3 headquarters camp at the Drill Hall. Big M.E. Draft Tomorrow Tomorrow afternoon the largest draft of the three that will be arriving home this week will come north by the express. These men will be from the .Middle East. They will be welcomed at the station in a fitting manner and then they will depart to their Northland homes.