FIFTY-TWO ALEXANDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16178, 15 March 1916, Page 8

FIFTY-TWO ALEXANDERS.

ARRIVAL ON FRIDAY.

A PUBLIC WELCOME.

Fifty-two officers and men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who have been invalided home, are expected to arrive in Auckland on Friday morning. Of this number, 34 have returned by a troopship which reached Dunedin yesterday, and they will arrive by the first express from Wellington. The other 18 officers and including Majfr F. A Wood, Auckland Mounted TRifles, and Major W. C. Sinel, Auckland Infantryare returning by the steamer Arawa from England. The latter is due at Wellington late this evening, her passongers including 128 officers and men. After all soldiers except those for the Auckland district have been disembarked ami mails discharged, the steamer will come North. Arrangements are being made for a public welcome to the Auckland men on their arrival. Discussing the matter of receptions to ! returning soldiers, the Mayor remarked yesterday that a suggestion had been made that contingents arriving by steamer should be welcomed at the wharf. Mr. Gunson remarked that in bin opinion such an arrangement would be a satisfactory one. There would be no difficulty in arranging with the Harbour Board for the use of one of the larpe sheds. The receptions for men arriving bv train would probably bo held in the 'Town Hall as in the past* "These receptions are intended to show to the men that mark of aPDreciation which is due to them," said Mr. Gunson, "and I am sure they are appreciated. Although it has been suegested that at times these functions have been, irksome to the men. I think the discontinuance of the practice would now be more detrimental than any inconvenience that may be caused."