OTAGO DRAFT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25457, 11 February 1944, Page 2

OTAGO DRAFT

ARRIVAL THIS AFTERNOON RECEPTION ARRANGEMENTS The Otago members of the leave draft from the Middle East will arrive in Dunedin by special train at 3.41 p.m. to-day. and complete arrangements for their reception have been made with a view to reducing to a minimum any possibility of confusion or delay at or near the Railway Station. In addition, the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) has asked that business premises in the city should be closed between 3 o'clock and 6 o’clock so that employees may take part in the welcome to the troops. In order to keep the station clear for the use of the troops, no one will be admitted to the platform itself, but enclosures will be set aside for next-of-kin outside the station buildings. At the north end of the station area there will be an enclosure for next-of-kin from the northern suburbs of the city; an enclosure near the main station exit will be reserved for relatives from the city area and the hill suburbs, including Wakari; and at the south end of the station there will be an enclosure for next-of-kin from the southern city suburbs. Next-of-kin from Central Otago and Mosgiel will use the south enclosure. Admission to the enclosures will be by the production of the telegrams from Base Records or the soldiers themselves. These will admit the holder and such relatives as are nominated by the person producing the telegram. On the arrival of the train, the Mayor will give a short speech of welcome through the loud speaker system at the station, and the Dunedin soldiers will then be directed to the enclosures where their next-of-kin will be waiting. Mosgiel soldiers will complete their journey by the same train, which will leave again at 3.55 p.m. Troops for Central Otago will be provided with a meal at the station by the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council, and will then be directed to the south end enclosure and will travel to their destination by bus, which is scheduled to leave at 4.30 p.m. The chief traffic inspector (Mr E. H. Barrett) has arranged for the transport of soldiers and their next-of-kin to their homes. Private vehicles belonging to next-of-kin will be provided with stickers, and no other vehicles, except army cars, will be permitted in the station area. The Band of the Ist Battalion, Otago Regiment, the Burns Home Guard Battalion Pipe Band, and the Dunedin Ladies’ Brass Band will be at the station to take part in the welcome to the troops.

At the annual meeting of the Otago Retailers’ Association, held last night, it was unanimously resolved that retail stores should close from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to-day, as requested by the Mayor.