The Willochra's Arrival

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VIII, Issue 3, 1 July 1915, Page 115

The Willochra's Arrival

On Thursday, July 15th, the Willochra's arrived in Wellington with 270 invalided and wounded men from Egypt. They were under the care of eight Austra ian Army nurses, to whose good attention is due the recovery of so many during the voyage. A public reception was accorded the returned soldiers in the Town Hall, at which the nurses were also present. The Mayor, Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, in their speeches referred to the excellent services of the nurses, Sir Joseph saying that it was an outstanding tribute to their care and skill that while 80 of the wounded men had to be carried on to the Willochra, only 15 had be to carried ashore in Wellington. On Friday afternoon Mrs. Massey entertained the nurses at afternoon tea in the Prime Minister's room. Lady Liverpool was present and spoke kindly to the nurses. Among other guests were Mrs. Herdman, Miss Coates, Lady Stout, Mrs. F. M. B.

Fisher, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Pomare, Miss Bicknell, Miss Payne, Miss Inglis. The Prime Minister and several members of the Cabinet came ill before the party dispersed. Sir Joseph Ward very kindly 2 )u "t his motor car at the disposal of the nurses for the day. Another afternoon tea at which the Australian nurses were entertained was that given by the Council of the Trained Nurses' Association in Miss Tendall's rooms. There were present, in addition to the guests of honour, Mrs. Porter, Mrs. F. M'Lean, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Young, Miss Bicknell, Miss Inglis, and Mrs. Macdonald. On arrival at Dunedin the nurses are to be granted ten days' leave, and, in recognition of their service:, to our men, the New Zealand Government has presented them with free passes on the railways and is arranging for them to visit some of the beauty spots of the Dominion.