THE RETURNING HEROES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11541, 28 November 1900, Page 7

THE RETURNING HEROES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,l see by this morning's issue of our welcome friend th« Herald, that the One-h-mga folks, represented by the Mayor and others, are arranging for a " fitting reception" of the three "returning volunteers from Africa." Now, as wo all know there are quite a number of our men expected vory shortly to arrive in the Harlech Castle. May I ask what steps are being taken here, in Auckland, to give them a "welcome homo," such as our heroes deserve ? I am sorry to see that our patriotic and energetio citizen, Mr. Kirker, has just left Auckland, but there are others, headed by our worthy Mayor, Mr. Goldie, who will doubtless form a "Welcome Committee." Private individuals and families have, of course, their own ideas of greeting; but all would like to have some public acknowledgment of our pride and joy at the return of our "soldiers of the Queen." First of all, our united public expression of gratitude to Almighty God, for the victorious return" of those who fought foi God and Right and Empire, having passed through clangers and hardships of which we can form no idea; also a united''memorial service of the bravo heroes who have laid down their lives for Queen and country, and with whose sorrowing relatives and friends we feel the deepest sympathy in the midst of our own happiness. Nor let us forget the earnest and touching appeal to us made by Lord Roberts, to whom you rightly refer in your loading article of the 2*th inst., as a " Christian hero," " the matchless Bayard of out Victorian age." Hoping to hear very soon of some programme of welcome to this first batch of our returning contingents.—l am, etc., The Mother OF One of Them.