SOLDIERS RETURN HOME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17276, 27 September 1919, Page 9

SOLDIERS RETURN HOME

QUOTA FROM THE AYRSHIRE. ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND. TOTAL OF 187 ALL RANKS. The Auckland district quota of the returned draft which reached Lyttelton in the transport Ayrshire last week, arrived here yesterday morning by the Monowai. The ship berthed at King's Wharf shortly after 8.30. The quota numbered 187 of all ranks, including seven officers. Many of the men were those who left with late reinforcements, and there were no senior officers on board. Lieutenant Palmer, Auckland district representative, was in charge of the quota. '

A large crowd of relatives met the men at the wharf gates, and there were many happy reunions. Members of the Ministering Committee of the Auckland Women's Patriotic League were in attendance, and the returned men were supplied with light refreshments and cigarettes. The men living in the city and near suburbs were expeditiously conveyed to their homes in cars supplied by citizens, the service being under the direction of Mr. A. A. Martin.

Of the men, 39 belonged to the southern and eastern portion of the province, and they left by the Rotorua train at 9.15 a.m. yesterday. The men for North Auckland, numbering about 20, will be sent home as circumstances permit. The Auckland city and suburban men totalled about 120. TWO OTHER TRANSPORTS DUB. AUCKLANDERS NUMBER 324. The transports Adolph Woermann and Cordoba are due, according to the latest advice, at Wellington on October 1. The first-named has 234 Auckland district men on board, and the Cordoba about 90.