RETURNING SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 29

RETURNING SOLDIERS

MEN BY THE PORT SYDNEY. WELLINGTON, May 7. Twenty-six soldiers arrived from Sydney by the Port Sydney to-day, _ The draft comprises men who were sick in Australia, natives of the Islands, and several Zealanders from South Africa. THE REMUERA’S DRAFT. RECEPTION IN DUNEDIN. Some 70 soldiers, who landed at Auckland from the Remuera, arrived in Dunedin by the north express on the _7th. The ferry steamer was an hour late in reaching Lyttelton, with the result that the express left Christchurch after the schedule time, and did not arrive at Dunedin till about 10.20 p.m. Shortly before half-past 9 a' considerable ' crowd collected outside the station and covered the platform inside. The principal business places flew bunting, and the usual arrangements were made to give the men a fitting reception. The public responded to the appeal for motor cars to convey the soldiers to their homes, and as soon as they detrained they boarded the waiting cars and drove off. passing under the illuminated arch in Stuart street erected by the Fire Brigade, _ and cheered on the way by the people lining the route. Captain M'Cormack was in charge of the draft, to which the usual hospitality was accorded by the people at wayside stations. The ladies of the Patriotic Association handed to each man a parcel containing cigarettes and chocolates as he left the Dunedin platform. A number of nurses of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service were among those who returned; and Mr H. Fawcett, who was for a considerable time the Y.M.O.A. secretary at the Hornchurch Convalescent Hospital, was also one of the draft. Thirty-four men for stations south of Dunedin wore billeted in the city for the night, and loft for their homos by the next morning’s express. THE KIA ORA’S DRAFT. RECEPTION IN DUNEDIN. A draft of 380 men who returned to New Zealand by the Kia Ora arrived in Dunedin shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday by special train. A very large crowd assembled outside the station, and the platform inside was packed with next-of km and friends. The Mayor (Mr W. Beggl was on the platform. Colonel Cowie Nioholls, Y.D., was present to represent the Defence Department, and Captain Dobson was in charge of the local arrangements for detraining the men, etc. On the arrival of the train the men quickly boarded the waiting motor cars kindly supplied by local residents, and were driven to their homes, passing under the triumphal arch erected by the Fire Brigade at the corner of Stuart and streets. Each mam, before ho left the station, was presented with a neat parcel, to which was attached a card boarimr the words : “ The Otago and Southland Women’s Patriotic Association thanks vou for what you have done, and heartily welcomes you homo again.” The total Otago draft was 450 men, of whom 165 were for Dunedin and 215 for south of Dunedin. 9/1329 Private M'Lelland was left in the Christchurch Hospital suffering from mumps. Tho train went on to Invercargill at 5.30 p.m. with the southern men. THE ARAWA’S DRAFT. CHRISTCHURCH, May 11. A wireless message has been received from tho Aarawa stating that she will probably arrive at Lyttelton on Thursday morning. The health of all on board is good, so there will probably be no necessity for any quarantine. NORTHUMBERLAND’S DRAFT. ARRIVAL IN DUNEDIN. A very large crowd assembled at the Dunedin station on tho i2th to welcome home about 40 Otago apd Southland soldiers of the Northumberland draft, who arrived by the north express, The Mayor (Mr W.

Begg). Lieutenant-colonel E. R. Smith, and Captain Dobson were among those officially present. The Salvation Army Band turned out in force to welcome Bandeman W. A. Fleming, who went away with the Twelfth Reinforcements, and contributed some stirring music. As usual, the Otago Motor Club had complete arrangements made for the conveyance of the men to thoir homes in motor cars. About half the number are for destinations south of Dunedin, and will continue their journey to-day. > THE PAPAROA DRAFT. WELLINGTON. May 12. It is officially stated that the Paparoa, with a returning draft of 246, is expected to roach Wellington about May 24.