AT THE WHARF.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 161, 18 July 1901, Page 2

AT THE WHARF.

The town Volunteers and the Garrison Band mustered at a quarter-past eight and marched shortly afterwards to the Fort, where they took up a position in readiness for the procession which was to follow. The carriages containing the Mayor and Councillors and other members of the Reception Committee left the Council Chambers just after half-past eight, the Railway Wharf being reached at about a quarler to uine. The Wainui, with the returning troopers on board, had arrivi'cl in the harbour at 7'30, and had anchored in the stream oppo site the wharf. She was timed to land the troopers at i) o'clock, and at five minutes before that hour sh3 drew alongside. As she did so, the Mayor called for cheers for the troops, the call being responded to by those on the wharf. Cheers were afterwards given by the Volunteers, as Ihe troopers marched through their double lines at the entrance to the wharf. The wharf, in accordance with the wise arrangement which has boen followed on the last two or three similar occasions, was barricaded off, the entrance being guarded by the police. None but the members of the Committee, tho relatives and friends of the troopers, the press representatives, and a few others, including the friends of the steamer's ordinary passengers, were allowed to go on tho wharf, which was thus kept free from that congestion which hampers the carrying out of any well-ordered programme. The troopers landed at sbout nine o'clock, and were received by their relatives and friends, There had been some uncertainty as to who were really returning this morning, and tho number, 1 5, was rather less than anticipated. The names of those who returned are as follows ; — Fourth Contingent : Farrier-Major Mead, Sergt. Gorne, Corpl. Bolton, Troopers bright, Cresswell. W. Thomp- j son and S. Smith. Fifcn Contingent : Sadie i--Sergt. Stallard, Corpl. itoberts, Trumpeter Jacobs, Troopers Snook, Burnett, Brown, HcGee and McMurray. Trooper McArtney, of the Fourth Contingent and Farrier Watson, qf the Fifth Contingent, remained behind at Wellington. Trooper McArtney, who is laid aside by fever, is doing well, and is expected to be here in a few days. Trooper Thompson enlisted at Blenneim and Trooper Smith in Hawkes Bay. Sergt. Sadd and Trooper Bovey, who returned tq Jfelson since the last public reception (on May 18th), took their places amongst those who returned this morning,