SOLDIERS AND WIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17275, 26 September 1919, Page 7

SOLDIERS AND WIVES.

ARRIVAL BY CORINTHIC.

WELCOME IN AUCKLAND.

WAR BRIDES AND BABIES.

The transport Corinthic, with the Auckland portion of her draft, berthed at Queen's ■ Wharf about 1.30 p.m. yesterday, and disembarkation took place immediately. The draft comprised 89 soldiers, 81 wives, and 17 children.

The men and their war brides were given a warm welcome at the wharf, Two young women showered confetti upon them as they caine off the gangway, and in one of th e sheds on the wharf the Ministering Committee of the Women's Patriotic .League served them with refreshments. As usual, the shipping in the port sounded their syrens as the vessel approached. Plenty of motor-cars were in readiness to convey the men and their wives to their destinations. No doubt most of the war brides felt it rather an ordeal to meet for the first time all their new relatives, but judging by the obvious warmth of the family welcomes they need not have felt ill at ease. Ihe senior officer gon board was Lieutenant-Colonel L. M. Shera, 0.8. E., M.C., of Auckland. This officer left New Zealand as captain jn command of the field troop, New Zealand Engineers, Main Body. He served on Gallipoli from May to September, being then invalided to England with enteric fever. Later he rejoined his unit in France, finally reaching his present rank as commander of the engineers of the New Zealand Division. He was not once wounded. Captain H. D. Dansey, M.C., of Rotorua, who also returned by the Corinthic, sailed with the second Maori contingent, and in France was employed on st*>ff duties with the eight and the twentysecond army corps, his chief work being in connection with forward railways and bridging. He won his decoration at Measines. He had two brothers in the force Captain George Dansey, of the Pioneers, who is now home, and Major Roger Dansey, who is still in Germany. Captain E. L. Siddall, of Opotiki, is a veterinary officer who has served with the division since the Main Body was formed.

The officer in charge of the draft was Major H. C. MacKenzie, M.C., of Invercargill, and the adjutant Captain H. A. Ellingham, M.C., of Hawke's Bay, both of whom had to complete the journey to Auckland. Each has a long record of service.

TEOOPS ON THE MONOWAI.

DUE AT 8 A.M. TO-DAY.

The Monowai, which has on board 230 troops for Auckland, who arrived at Lyttelton by the Ayrshire last week. ■ is due here at 8 a.m. to-day. She will berth at King's Wharf.