TROOPS DUE TO-DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17141, 22 April 1919, Page 5

TROOPS DUE TO-DAY.

HOSPITAL SHIP MAHENO. TO BERTH ABOUT 9.30 a.m. ARRANGEMENT FOR WELCOME The hospital ship Maheno, with a draft of 398 invalided soldiers, is expected to reach Auckland at daylight this morning. According to a statement made by (ieneial Sir Alfred Robin, commandant of Kite forces, at Wanganui, last week, she is bringing the last of the wounded from the hospitals. Advice was received by wireless last evening that she is a "clean " ship ; therefore, if the port health officer is of the same opinion, she will not be subject to any delay. It is expected that the vessel will berth at half-past nin e o'clock at the Queen's Wharf, when the disembarkation of the men for this district will take place, the " hoarding " having been completed during the voyage. Members of the voluntary motor corps are requested to be at the wharf at 9.30. Next of kin will bo admitted to the enclosure from nil o'clock. After the Auckland portion of the draft has been hnded the Maheno will leave for the South with the remainder of the invalids. No shore leave will I be panted to anyone on board. | Auckland men who are not to go to hos- ' pits- I will be dismissed at the wharf. The vessel will be visited by the Gov. ernor-General, the Earl of Live; pool, to welcome the draft. The officer cummanding the district, Colonel H. R. Potter, and Mr. A. J. Entrican, the Deputy Mayor, will also formally welcome the men. I Arrangements have been made by the Women's Patriotic League to provide icomforts for the men arl to give them a welcome. Should the weather he line a seaplane will fly over the vessel and drop cigarettes, sweets, and message;? of , welcome. The vessels in port are rej quested to dress ship in honour of the : occasion. A ferry steamer will leave the . ferry tee at 7.45 a.m. with next of kin ■ and two bands on board, and will cruise round the hospital ship while it lies in the stream. Next of kin desiring to make the trip will be required to produce their passes at the wharf. As usual the Ministering Com- '. mi'tee of the league will distribute cako. ifruu, cigarettes, etc., on board. TONIC DUE TO-MORROW. TOTAL OF 743 ON BOARD, 168 SOLDIERS' WIVES.. The lonic, with 743 men and about 168 soldiers' wives on board, is expected to reach Auckland at noon to-morrow. She has been declared a clean ship. Two trains will be provided to convey the troops for the south. On each two carriages will be renerved for soldiers and their wives and the wives who have come out to join their husbands.