TROOPS ARRIVE TO-DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17111, 17 March 1919, Page 4

TROOPS ARRIVE TO-DAY.

MAIN BODY DRAFT. I HOEORATA DUE AT 2 P.M. ARRANGEMENTS FOR WELCOME. The transport Hororata, which arrived at Wellington on Friday evening with a large draft of Main Body men, left the Southern port at 6.15 p.m. on Saturday, and is due to arrive at Auckland between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to-day. The vessel will berth at tho King's Wharf. Next of kin will bo admitted to the wharf at 12.30 p.m., and may obtain the requisite passes from an officer of the Defence Department, who will bo stationed at the entrance to the wharf from 9 a.m. for that purpose. The returned troops were medically boarded in Wellington, and practically no delay is expected to take place in their disembarkation after the ship is berthed. The troops were also officially welcomed home by representatives of the Government, on their arrival in Wellington, and it is intended, therefore, that there will be no formal speeches of welcome in Auckland. Children to Assemble. Various arrangements have been made, however, to express the delight of the Auckland people at the return of many men who belonged to the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force. When the transport is reported to be passing Tiritiri lighthouse, a rocket will be fired from the King's Wharf, and this will give the public about one hour's notice to prepare and assemble to welcome the troops. The soldiers at Fort Cautley have been requested to cheer as tho vessel passes tho North Head. The children attending the Devonport school are to bo assembled at the Admiralty Reserve, or on Victoria Wharf, and they will give cheers and sing patriotic songs as the vessel res up the harbour. The pupils of Stephen's Maori School for Boys will assemble at Campbell's Point, and will welcome the troops in Maori style. Residents of Parnell are asked to co-operate in the cheering at this point. The pupils of the Normal School and tho Technical College will be assembled in the reserve in Princes Street, opposite the Museum, and will cheer, as the ship passes opposite the reserve. The pupils of the Auckland Boys' Grammar School will be concentrated at the King's Wharf. A request has been made that vessels in the harbour will " dress ship" in honour of the occasion, and will also sound their syrens when the Hororata puts in an appearance off the wharves.

Appeal by the Mayoress. The Mayoress, Mi*. J. H. Gunson, made a special appeal last evening to tie public of Auckland to assist in giving the returned men a cordial welcome home, by gathering at the places already mentioned, and cheering with the school children. Mrs. Gunson also asked that business firms make a liberal display of bunting over their premises. Arrangements have been made for a steamer to leave the ferry tee at noo»7with the next-of-kin of the returning troops on board. The ferry steamer will meet the transport down the harbour, and accompany it up the stream, landing the relatives in sufficient time for them to meet the troops when they disembark. The ordinary, passes issued by the Defence Department to next-of-kin will entitle the holders to accommodation on the ferry steamer. Entertainment Arranged. Refreshments will be supplied by the ministering committee of the Auckland Women's Patriotic League to the soldiers and the in one of the 'sheds on the King's Wharf, which has been madeavailable by the Harbour. Board. • Those soldiers whose homes ate outside the city arid immediate suburbs will '\ be given tickets enabling them to participate in & motor-car tour, and also to obtain meals. Other arrangements are also being made for entertaining those men' nob being met by relatives. . . .. . 'The men whoso homes are in the city and suburbs will be conveyed to their destinations in motor-cars provided by citizens. The service will be in charge of Mr. A. A. Martin. Each car will be decorated with a Union Jack. Should the weather conditions prove favourable for flying, one of the machines from the New Zealand Flying School at Eohimarama will drop a message of welcome on to the deck of the transport. LANDING AT WELLINGTON. SEVEN BANDS TAKE PART. [BY. TELEGaAFH.—PEES3 ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The troopship Hororata berthed at two o'clock this afternoon, and disembarks tion proceeded without delay. The returning soldiers were greeted by a large crowd, who accorded them a most enthusiastic welcome. There was a plentiful display of bunting on the ship and in the city. Seven bands took part in the general rejoicing. The Hororata sailed for Auckland this evening.

enthusiasm: IK ohristohuroh. large CROWDS ASSEMBLE [bt telegraph,—press association.] CHRISTCHTJKCH, Sunday. The Mararoa, with the Southern portion of the Hororata's draft, was bedecked with bunting when she entered Lyttelton. Harbour this morning. Huge crowds on the wharf gave the raon an enthusiastic reception. At the Christchurch railway station the men were enthusiastically greeted by thousands of people, the largest crowd seen here since the return of the first of the wounded men very early in the war. The men will be accorded a formal public welcome on Tuesday.