RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16163, 18 March 1918, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER TRANSPORT. (rr.ESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, March 17. Transport No. 149 was berthed last evening. Although there were no cot cases on board fully a third of the contingent were suffering severe!:' from wounds or sickness. Eight men and ono officer had each lost a limb, while several of the men had lost an eyo. A large percentage of the men had boon invaliued as a result of sickness, while a number had been returned for defects such as flat feet, eye trouble, and over ago. Private G. C'utten. of "Wellington, died during the voyage, following an operation tor appendicitis, and was buried at sea. Several of tlie men wear decorations. A number of them aro Main Body men returning as commissioned officers. The arrangements for the landing of tho men were a great improvement on those of the previous day. One of the southern contingents left at o p.m., and the other at 10 p.m. INDIGNATION IN AUCKLAND. A RESOLUTION OF PROTEST. (riIESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, March 16. Considerable indignation was expressed by the nearest relatives of returned soldiers yesterday over what was regarded as unnecessary delay iu the landing of the men, and tho giving to friends and relatives access to them. The Mavor (Mr J. H. Gunson) addressing a large assemblage about 9 p.m., said ho had no hesitation in saying that the arrangements constituted a public scandal, fol- which the military authorities wero alone responsible. He understood the matter was entirely in the hands of the military authorities in Wellington, the officer iu command .of the Auckland Military District having no authority in connexion with the proceedings. Ho moved a motion, which was seconded by the Deputy Mayor, emphatically protesting against "the disgraceful conditions and total lack Of suitable arrangements ofi tho part 6f tho ifiilitary ntithdrilitis, and request lrig the Minister of Defence to tife prompt measures to prevent a restition of the inefficient conditions tittvailing in Auckland to-niglit."

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) ItOfOftUA, March 1?, A : The Minister of l>ofohco states that full induirv will be made regarding th& delay in landing returned soldier* Ak Auckland oii Friday v The Ohitterbury returning ioldiefS* will a Mire by Transport No. 147 at Lyltel. ton to-morrofr mot-iling. 4 Within the next few clnj*s two or three I of the largest contingents of rottl fried I sick, and pounded soldiers are expected I to arrive in Cliristchurch, and Mr C. ■ W. Herreyj the secfotary of the Canter- \ bury Atitortirtbilo Association, asks all ] motorists who can assist tho Association in taking the men back to their horfies from tho Chrisichuroh railway station to communicate with him without delay, so that he will have some idea of tho arrangements wHlch it U-ill bo flecessarv to make to carry out tho work; Mr : Hervey's telephones are Nos. 4tb, 31T5, and 391 C.