WELCOME TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 32

WELCOME TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.

STRATFORD, November 27. Trooper Montgomerie arrived here last night. He was driven from Eltham by the mayor and an escort of mounted rifles, and was formally welcomed home by the mayor on the steps of the post office. A great crowd turned out, and the reception was most enthusiastic. The bands were in attendance. INVERCARGILL, November 28. Trooper James Aitken, of the first contingent, who returned to Gore yesterday, came on to Invercargill this afternoon, and had a very complimentary reception from the Oreti Rifles (from which corps he volunteered) and citizens, who assembled in large numbers at the Band Rotunda. The mayor welcomed him and others spoke. Thereafter, headed -by the Garrison Band, and escorted by his corps, Aitken was drawn through town in a carriage. The trooper, who is unite young, had a full share of casualties. He was missing after a skirmish 'before faardeberg, and supposed dead for a long time. He had been found by the Boers, and was well treated, and liberated after Pretoria. At Nooitgedacht, the again got into the fighting line, and was again wounded, and was then invalided liome. November 29. ' Lieutenant Collins, who returned from South Africa yesterday, was examined today by the Medical Board, who found that fehe wound on the left wrist was of a more serious character than they had been led to believe. The wound was inflicted by an expanding bullet, which shattered the •watch that the young officer was wearing on Ms wrist. Portions of the watch were forced into- the flesh, and at Mafeking these and nine pieces of bullet were extracted. It is not expected that he will £c ready for active duties for several months to come.