HOME AGAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25301, 7 September 1945, Page 6

HOME AGAIN

PRISONERS OF WAR

PARTY REACHES AUCKLAND A large crowd of relatives and friends assembled at the Auckland rail-nay station early yesterday morning to greet a farther draft of repatriated prisoners of war who returned home by special train from Wellington, The train arrived at 6.50. The Expeditionary Force draft consisted of 230 men for the city and suburbs and G6 for North Auckland, including a few who were ■ not ex-prisoners. In addition, there was » a party of 34 airmen who were tepatriated prisoners and two returned airmen. The tram service from Customs Street to the station was augmented to cope with the heavy demands, but no extra trams were run from the suburbs to the city. Although the normal service, starting in most cases shortly before 6 a.m., was available, many people found difficulty in getting to the station. The I'apakura Camp Band was again present to play while the crowd waited for the train. A picket fence barrier, erected ainng the length of the platform with members of the Provost Corps guarding the gateways in it, was used ftir the first time to keep the platform clear, so that the men could alight and hud their wav easily and quickly to their waiting relatives "and friends on the roadway. This is the first effective barricade which has been used, and it is understood that it will be used for future drafts. There was a roar of excitement, combined with a rush to toe . barrier, when the train arrived. The arrangements for trie despatch of the men and next-of-kin to their homes again worked exceptionally smooth Iv, and within half an hour of the arrival of the tram the majority of them had left. Motor-cars were provided by the Hod Cross Transport Corps. " the Auckland Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Asio- ' nation and the Army to convey the ' Auckland men to their homos. ; ' Men for North Auckland and rela- ' tives who met tliem were taken to the transit camp at Mechanics' Bay and provided with breakfast. At eight o'clock the men and their relatives left bv three special service cars for the 1 North. Those who could not be accommodated in the service cars were taken 1 to their homes in Army cars. Among official representatives on the platform were the deputy-Mayor, Mr " J. L. Coakley, Brigadier A. B. Wil--1 Hams, officer commanding the Northern ' Military District, and representatives of ' ex-servicemen's organisations.