OUR RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3201, 21 July 1915, Page 37

OUR RETURNED SOLDIERS.

CiViO &ECEPTBOM. CORDIAL WELCOME HOME. An immense crowd assembled in and around the Octagon Hall on Monday at midday to do honour to the soldiers and nurses who have returned from tho front, and who landed from the steamship Willochra. An enormous crowd had to remain outside the hall, the condition of which would not admit of another one being squeezed in. A small but efficient band contributed national and patriotic airs while the crowd awaited the airival of those returned home. The entry of tho soldiers and nurses produced tho utmost enthusiasm, cheer rising on cheer. The Mayor of the city (Mr J. J. Clark), who also received an ovation at the hands of the crowd, called upon all to join in singing the National Anthem, a behest that was complied with with great heartiness. Tho Mayor said that in sending the men away to the front they had done so with an appeal to God for protection, and it was but fit that in welcoming them hack thanks should bo returned to the Almighty for all He had done. He called upon Majorchaplain Gray to load them in prayer. Major-chaplain Gray then engaged in prayer, in which gratitude for the men’s safe return and an earnest hope that speedy victory might rest with the Allies by land, by sea, and by air were expressed. A number of moving pictures of Australian and New 7 Zealand men at tho front —• chiefly in Egypt —were then kindly shown at the instigation of tho Picture Proprietary, and provided what was probably by no means the least interesting part of the function to the men. The Mayor then addressed the people. Ho said: “I wish to say that tho keynote of our mooting is one of joy and jubilation. For tho second time in tho history of this little dominion vve have to welcome back our own boys who have been fighting for the Empire on foreign battlefields.—(Applause.) Wo to-day welcome them hack, feeling that they have justified the utmost confidence that we had in them.—(Loud applause.) Along with our brothers from across tho ferry in Australia —(applause)—■ they had to stand shoulder to shoulder against well-trained troops, and in comparison with tho pick of the fighting men in the world. And wo in this far-distant part of tho Empire arc not ashamed of them — (applause) ; —rather are wo proud of the comparison that can be made between tho New Zealanders and Australians and the fighters of other lands. —(Applause.) The men we welcome back to-day are the men who have made tho supreme sacrifice.—(Applause.) They have given all that they had to give for their King and their country—(applause) —and we have to thank them and express our pleasure at seeing them back homo with us once more.—(Applause.) I suppose, that’ the magnitude of the task which these raw troops from the Southern Hemisphere were set to carry out is without parallel in tho world, with' the exception, perhaps, of the scaling of tho heights of Abraham at tho capture of Quebec. We are not here to eulogise what they have done. Wo are content to know that their actions wore such as brought a spontaneous burst of enthusiasm from right throughout tho British Empire—(applause) —and what is perhaps the greatest praise of all, is tho appreciation that was shown to them by tho men of the sister service—the British navy.—(Applause.) Wo do not forgot, even in this hour of joy and sorrow, to think of those who can never come back—those who went from hero, but now arc lying in their lonely graves.in tlic desert. Tho people in this land will ever lie grateful to those who have fallen, and their utmost endeavours will ho as citizens to try to do something for those who have given so much to the Empire in the lives of their sons and husbands.—(Applause.) I do not think that this is a time for speechmaking. Wo have only gathered hero to show by our presence how glad wo are to have our men back again. Wo are proud of their achievements, proud of all that they have done, and wo hope that they will be able to do what they long to do ; to got back again into tho firing lino among their comrades. —(Applause.) But even if (hey arc not permitted to do so, wo are sure that their presence here will inspire many of those who have not yet felt tho call to go and

join their comrades who arc fighting- for all of us at the Dardanelles. —(Applause.) Now, I just want to say one more thing-, and that is this: I want, on behalf of tho citizens of Dunedin, to extend a welcome to the Australian nurses. —(Cheers and the singing of “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.’’) There is one thing that this war has done, and that is it has linked New Zealanders vcry_ closely with our friends across the ferry in Australia.—(Applause.) All our little jealousies and differences are forgotten, and as our boys are standing shoulder to shoulder with tho men from Australia, fo wo will stand together with our friends in Australia. They will help ns and we will help them whenever we can. Ido not. think that anything too glowing can bo said' of the magnificent services that these sisters have given—(loud applause)—in caring for our boys during their trip from Egypt to their homeland, and our grateful thanks will be given to the nurses for all they have done. If wo in Dunedin can do anything to make their stay hero a pleasant one, they have only to ask, and everything we have will bo at their disposal.-—(Applause.) I want, men of Otago and Southland, to express to you, on behalf of the citizens how proud we are of what you have done and how splendidly you have upheld the honour of this land of ours.—(Applause.) We are proud of the magnificent battle you have put up. Wo welcome you back. Wo regret that you arc battle-scarred, but tho wounds you carry are wounds of honour. Wo know that you did your duty well and faithfully. What more can T say than that wo in this land are proud of you ? (Cheers.) In conclusion the Mayor said that, he had boon asked by Miss Downie Stewart’s committee to request flic Australian nurses’ acceptance of an enamelled souvenir of the achievements of the Australasians at tho Dardanelles. The souvenirs were distributee! amidst loud applause. The Mayor then announced that seeing that so many had been unable- to gain admission, ho would address them from the balcony, and throe cheers having been given for “our boys.” and three- for “our nurses,” the stage party proceeded to the balcony. From this position the Mayor briefly” addressed the crowd, a few words being also spoken by one or two of tho men. ROME OF THE WOUNDED. DEPARTURE FROM DUNEDIN. The following men who arrived among the wounded on tho Willoohra loft town yesterday for tho destinations given:— Private C. M. Wilson, Gore Hospital. Trooper W. Stewart, Invercargill Hospital. Private A. Mules, home at Bluff, Corpora] D. Ritchie, Nurse Grievc’s hospital Invercargill. Private A. Wilson, Nurse Griovo’s hospital, Invercargill. Gunner V. E. Challis, Invercargill Hospital. OTAGO WOMEN’S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. A PLEASING FUNCTION. The Early Settlors’ Hall has seldom, if ever, presented a move animated appearance than it did on tho 18th. Ladies arc not to bo outdone in. recognising bravery and merit, and tho members of tho Otago Womens’ Patriotic Association let it be unmistakeably understood that they appreciated what the soldiers and nurses who returned to Dunedin on Sunday, had done in the service of tho Empire, quite as much as anyone else. They, therefore, organised a particularly pleasant evening for those returned from tho front, and very many attended to do honour to those to whom honour was due. The comfortable hall had been rendered very attractive by deft hands, tho stage especially presenting a very handsome appearance. A good orchestra had been pressed into service, and frequently played selections’ for the edification of those present. The visitors were received and welcomed by Miss Downio Stewart (president) and Miss Jean Burt (secretary). After one or two of those selections had been given, the Mayor (air J. J. Clark) said he did not intend to inflict a speech upon those present, but ho was going to ask the Primate to say a few words to the returned soldiers and the nurses. Bishop Nevill said he felt it a very high honour that had boon unexpectedly conferred upon him, and lie would endeavour to voice the feeling of the audience in welcoming tho returned soldiers and the nurses. Ho only wished that lie could find words such as those present would wish him to utter, and ouch as would express what lie felt upon the occasion. He was unable to find words to express the admiration they had for the men who had boon fighting the battles of the Empire.—(Applause.) Ho could only say that his greeting to tho men and nurses was most heartfelt and sincere. If there was time to express the feelings that were in his heart, ho could say a great deal more. Speaking particularly to tho nurses, he said we honoured and admired the courage of those who had faced shrapnel and machine guns, but he was not quite sure that those who had volunteered to do their duty day after day, and even night after night, waiting upon these who came back from the battlefield with terrible wounds, were not as much deserving of admiration. Nursing under such, conditions was one of the noblest things to which anyone could devote herself. On behalf of the Women’s Association, he heartily welcomed the nurses, whose sojourn in New Zealand was so short.—(Applause.) Tho arranged programme was then proceeded with. Tins consisted almost entirely of vocal items by Miss Paccy. Mi- R. Bryant, Mrs Umbers, Mr Simpson, and Miss Eileen Murphy, whoso efforts to entertain wore warmly applauded. In several instances, the singers had to reappear. The pleasure of the evening was added to by Mr H. Russell, who gave a musical monologue in capital style. Creature comforts were by no moans forgotten, tea and other light refreshments being handed round during the ovonimr. Lieutenant-colonel M’Doiiald. on behalf of tho wounded and invalided men, returned thanks for tho cordial welcome extended to them and for a most enjoyable evening.