LATE ARRIVALS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 9

LATE ARRIVALS

DEPARTURE OF ANZACS DELAYED. AT LEAST ONE MAN MISSED BOAT. SYDNEY, April 29. It is not yet known how many of the New Zealander ex-soldiers failed to board the Maunganui and the Monowai before they sailed last night. At least one man arrived at the wharf when the vessels would be passing through the Heads. There are also many who boarded the wrong ship, but it was too late to allow them to change. The vessels were due to sail at 8 p.m., and the men were supposed to be on board by 7.10, but at that hour less than half were aboard. The remainder straggled down overburdened with all manner of souvenirs.

Both vessels were more than half an hour late in getting away. Members of the contingent spoke most highly of the hospitality of the Sydney people. They travelled free on trams, trains, ferries, and buses, and are anxious to repay that hospitality when Australian returned soldiers visit New Zealand in 1940. The New Zealanders, by their excellent conduct and fine bearing, also created a good impression in Sydney.

The nurses with the contingent were not overlooked. They were guests at many functions, including a musicale by the New Zealand Women's Association, at which Mrs. Arthur Rathbone, of Hawke’s Bay, sang, Miss Vai Sullivan played a pianoforte solo, and Mrs. Tepine gave a poi dance. One of the New Zealanders, Mr. David Baldwin, broke his ankle in a street accident yesterday, and was carried aboard his ship just before it sailed.

ANIMATED FAREWELLS

WAR TUNES AND "AULD LANG SYNE.” SYDNEY, April 28. The Maunganui and Monowai sailed for Wellington at 9.30 p.m.. The New Zealand "diggers” were accorded a rousing send-off from crowds of friends and well-wishers and fellow "diggers” that packed the wharves and extended far along the approaches. Men swarmed up the masts, gathered along the ship's rails, and on every vantage point. Bands played at the ship's sides and the crowd joined in singing wartime songs and "Auld Lang Syne.” The police band accompanied the vessels down the harbour and the whole scene was one of the cheeriest for many years. Mr. Vincent Ward, M.L.C., interviewed, said that the New Zealanders were proud of the part they had played in the wonderful Anzac commemoration. “We return with a feeling ol affection for Australia and its courteous and hospitable people," he said “The spirit of goodwill abroad during our visit was something words cannot explain. I feel it is bound to lead to a better understanding between Australia and New Zealand.”

RETURNING FROM SYDNEY

R.S.A. CONTINGENT DUE MONDAY

WANGAIUI QUOTA ON NEW PLYMOUTH EXPRESS

Wanganui and district returned soldiers who accompanied the New Zealand contingent to Australia for the special Anzac Day commemoration services, are due back by the New Plymouth express on Monday afternoon.

The Maunganui and Monowai, the ships which carried the contingent to Australia and are bringing it home again, are due in Wellington early on Monday morning, having left Sydney on Thursday evening. Complete arrangements have been made by the Railways Department for the conveyance of the men out of Wellington on

the day of their return. Th? schedule as drawn up is as follows: 9.40 a.m. —Train passengers for Levin, Woodville, and Hanke’s Bry Nations, including Wairoa and Gisborne. 10.15 a.m.--Train passengers for Otaki, Palmerston North. Feilding, and stations north of Marton on the New Plymouth line. 3.42 p.m.—Special train, passengers for Marton and stations north thereof, including Rotorua, Taneatua, Thames, and North Auckland lines. 2.45 p.m.—Special railcar. passengers for Masterton and stations sort a thereof. 3.30 p.m.—Railcar, passenger.' for, Eketahuna and Pahiatua. Letters received from Australia by the “Chronicle” from Wanganui members of the contingent state that the crossing to Sydney was a good one. Nevertheless one Wanganui man could not leave his bunk and was cared for by his fellow “Diggers." “The food on the Maunganui was splendid.” writes a Wanganui man. “better than in some of the first-claj*. hotels in the Dominion.”