LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FALLA

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 9

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FALLA

A POPULAR SOLDIER.

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME HOME.

The railway platform ond the precinct* of the railway station were thronged on the Bth inst. when the express from the north arrived, the occasion being the arrivalof Lieutenant Colonel N. S. Falia, C.M.G., ' D. 5.0., who- had reached tho dominion by the troopship Remuera. When Lieuten-ant-colonel Falla made his appearance on the platform of tho railway carriage ha was greeted with threo hearty cheers, and crowds pressed forward to shake hands" with the soldier who had earned a place in tho hearts of the people. Among those on the platform to greet him were Colonel Cowie Nicholls, Colonel E. R, Smith, Colonel Chalmer, Captain Tapley, and other well-known Territorial officers. The B. Battery, to which Lieutenant-colonel Falla was attached before proceeding on active service, paraded at the southern end of the railway platform, under Lieutenant A. J. Chrystall, and formed a guard of honour. Lieutenant-colonel Falla inspected the guard, and suital addressed the officers and men. Ho v.'as then escorted to a carriage, and he and his wifo and friends were driven, via Stuart street, to the Town Hall, four horses (mounted) drawing the conveyance, the members of tho Battery forming a procession. En route the returning officer was repeatedly cheered, and this was renewed when the procession halted at the Town Hall steps. Tho Mayor (Mr W. Begg) suitably welcomed Lieutenant-colonel Falla, and called for three ringing cheers, which were responded to lustily. Addressing Lieuten-ant-colonel Falla, his Worship said he was proud of tho fact that his first official act since- assuming the office of Mayor was to welcome a returning soldier. As citizens they were... proud of the way in which the soldiers from the dominion had conducted themselves on the battlefield, and proud of the fact that many of them had earned distinction at the hands of their King and country.—(Cheers.) These men, including Lieutenant-colonel Falla, had proved themselves; good soldiers, and tiue citizens, and now that they had. returned he hoped they would resume their duties in private life. Ho trusted that Lieutenant-' colonel Falla would live long amongst them. —(Cheers.) He again called for three cheers, which were heartily given. Lieutenant-colonel FaJia, rising in his, carriage and speaking from it, said' he was delighted with the reception accorded him. It was a revelation to him to find such an immense crowd present to receive him. He was only one of many who had gone from among them to fight for King and country, but unfortunately some would never return. He had not achieved a wonderful success. lie, Jike others, took on a plain job, and did it to the best of his ability. He thanked the Mayor for his kindly welcome, and resumed his" seat amid loud applause. He was then driven to his home the carriage being followed down tho street by an admiring and enthusiastic crowd.