RETURNING SOLLIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17040, 23 December 1918, Page 6

RETURNING SOLLIERS.

' DRAFT DUE TO-MORROW.

NO INFECTIOUS DISEASE.

The draft of 835 returning soldiers on Transport 199 is expected to reach Auckland some time to-morrow morning. Latest advices from the ship state that there are no cases of infectious disease aboard, and that all the troops have been inoculated. It is hoped in the event of the ship being declared clean that the medical boarding will be completed in time for the Southern men to leave by special train at five o'clock to-morrow evening. The draft, which is under the charge of Lieutenr.nt-Colone! E. H. Saunders, includes 26 officers and nurees and 124 men for Auckland. Among the officers is Lieutenant C. R. G. Bassett, V.C., of Auckland*. Should tho ship be passed by the port health officer, she will berth at the Queen's Wharf and the boarding of the troops be carried out in one of the large sheds. This course is deemed advisable in view of the fact that the ship, being a cargo vessel, has restricted deck space, which would prevent the work being parried out expeditiously. Next of kin will not be admitted to the shed. Notices will be posted as early as possible outside the Herald office, at the wharf gate the Defence Office, and the Soldiers' Club notifying next of kin tho hour at which they will bo admitted to the enclosure adjoining the shed. If the transport arrives in the morning and is cleared the Auckland men will be boarded first to enable them to join their relatives as early as possible, but should she not reach the wharf before noon the boarding of the Southern men will be taken in hand first, so that they may be despatched by the special train, thus enabling many of the North Island men to reach their homes on Christmas Day. To meet contingencies the Defence Department has prepared a canvas camp at the quarantine station on Motuihi Island capable of accommodating 800 men. The camp has been provided with all cooking arrangements, and the necessary bedding and equipment has been sent down by tho Auckland Hospital Board. Tanks capable of holding 6000 gallons of water have also been installed. The shipping company has undertaken the commissariat for th'j troops until the Defence Department is able to transport the necessary supplies to the island. The entertainment of the men will be in the hands of the Y.M.C.A., while tho Ministering Committee of tho Patriotic Association will provide Christmas cheer should they have to spend the holidays in quarantine.