RETURNING SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3396, 16 April 1919, Page 25

RETURNING SOLDIERS

ARRIVAL OF THE PIONEER BATTALION.

AUCKLAND, April 6. The steamer Westmoreland, with tho Maori Pioneer Battalion aboard, arrived in the harbour last night, and, the vessel being declared a clean ship, the troops were landed this morning. The Maoris were greeted with the greatest enthusiasm, and were cheered to the Domain, headed by a band. At the Domain Sir James Allen took the salute, and the men were given a typical Native welcome by the representatives of the tribes who are in oamp at the Domain. Many speeches were made. Among those present were the Hons. Messrs Herries, Pomare, and Sir James Carroll. THE HUIA FOR..THEIR. RECEPTION. WANGANUI, April 5. Maoris have been assembling by hundreds from all parts of. the dominion, quite a number coming from the South Island, for the purpose of participating in the big huia which is to be given to the Pioneer Maori Battalion. - . Dr Pomare was at Wanganui a day or two ago, and -saw that arrangements were proceeding along right lines. These have now been completed! Accommodation for about 1500 visitors has and over six big truck-loads of 6tock have been sent to the freezer. The contingent will go south upon the conclusion of the ceremonies here. All Wanganui returned soldiers and the Garrison Band are, joining in Monday's big parade. MAORIS WELCOMED AT ROTORUA. ROTORUA, April 7. Two hundred returned Maori soldiers belonging, to Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty arrived by special train from Auckland this afternoon, and were officially received by the resident officer at the railway station. A large crowd cheered enthusiastically, and the town band played them to Ohinemutu, where the Arawas welcomed them in Maori fashion with hakas and many speeches. The Countess of Liverpool was present. After the speeches the soldiers were entertained at a feast. The Governor-General will address them to-morrow. TYPICAL NATIVE WELCOME. GISBORNE, April 8. The East Coast members of the Maori Pioneer Battalion, numbering 264, arrived by the Mapourika to-day,* and were accorded a great reception by iarge crowds. The day was gloriously fine, and the morning was made the occasion of a public holiday. All business premises were closed, and Jhe town was liberally bedecked withbunting.. On the arrival of tho "tender at the wharf, fully beflagged," an enthusiastio scene was witnessed. The men were drawn up in the square, and addresses of welcome were delivered by the Deputy Mayor- (Mr H* Hill), Sir James Allen, and representatives of iooal bodies throughout the East Coast district. The men, headed by bands and accompanied by returned soldiers, Territorials: and Cadets, marched through the town amid a, bombardment of flowers and confetti, and entrained at the railway station for the Park Racecourse, there to be welcomed home at a huia by Maoris from every pa between Havvke's Bay and Cape Runaway. Old Maori customs were observed at the reception, a lengthy programme of haka and poi dances and a poi drama was gone through, and an Impressive tangi was held. ' During the afternoon a big church service was held, at which Bishop Sedgwick paid a tribute to the Maori soldiers. At an interval in the proceedings Sir James Allen presented private Toi Karini with the Croix de Guerre for an act of gallantry at Ypres. . The huia festivities will continue for a week. -'•''.' THE SOUTH- ISLAND MEN. . WELLINGTON, _ April 8. Fifty members of the Maori Battalion arrived this evening by train from Auckland, and were welcomed by the Mayor. Of this number 41 were'. for the South Island, and these were taken to the Mararoa by the Voluntary Motor Corps. A GISBORNE WELCOME. GISBORNE, April 9. There . wer.o enthusiastio scenes at the huia to-day, when a public welcome was accorded to the Maori soldiers. Addresses were delivered by the Bishop of Waiapu and the Hon. A." T. Ngata. Tribal welcomes followed, and speeches by the Hon. A. T. Ngata, Sir James Carroll, Lady Carroll, and others, interspersed with songs and dances. In the course of his address theBishop of Waiapu suggested the re-erection of the Te Aute College as a memorial to the soldiers. In the afternoon the troops came to Gisborne to assist in unveiling a granite monument to the late Wi Pere. A. religious service in Maori was conducted by Native clergy, and addresses in Maori eulogistic of the deceased were "delivered by Sir J. Carroll, Mr Ngata, and Chaplain Wainohu. ARRIVAL OF THE WILLOCHRA. WELLINGTON, April 14. The Willochra, from the United Kingdom, via the Panama Canal, arrived at 10.25 p.m., and if a clean ship will berth at 9 o'clock on Tuegj&iy morning. She has 1068 officers and men aboard.