HOME AGAIN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16420, 14 January 1919, Page 7

HOME AGAIN.

TAHITI'S MEN REACH CHRISTCHTJRCH. A large draft of about 300 returned soldiers arrived in Christchurch at 8 o'clock last night by special train, and were accorded a very hearty reception by a big crowd, which, enthusiastically choered the men. The band of the Salvation Army enlivened the proceedings, and about fifty cars, driven by members of the Automobile Association, attended to drive the men to their destinations. A good many men of the draft came up by the first express, which arrived some three hours before the special train, and it was just as well they did so, for there was a short supply of -cars, and several of the' volunteer drivers had to make two and three trips. The Mayor I (Mr H. Holland) was among those who welcomed the men, but there was no formal speechifying. ALLEGED MISMANAGEMENT. (SPECIAL TO "THE PKBSS.") DUNEDIN, January 13. While the welcome extended yesterday to the men who returned by tne Tahiti was marked by commendable spontaneity on the part of the public, it is unfortunate (says the "Otago Daily Times") that the same remark does not apply to the arrangemeniu governing the disembarkation and subsequent care of the soldiers. From what can bo gathered from the men, general mismanagement seems to have prevailed in several directions. There was no serious attempt at the maintenance of order, and the soldiers made their own arrangements as to when ihey left the boat. Interviewed by a reporter, one of the men stated that it was understood that a launch would reach the vessel off the Hoads at 4 a.m. yesterday with the staff necessary to attend to the men's papers. There was no appearance of the launch, and atteutiou was not. given to the papers and pay of the men until an hour after the vessel had berthed at Port Chalmers. When the vessel was made fast the men went ashore without the semblance of ordor. ,

According to our informant, the men wore not advised of the order in which they were to leave -for their lerpective homes, and men for other destinations than Dunedin boarded the train originally intended to convey only Dunodin and suburbs men to the city, llioso who were unable to catch the tram reached Dunodin by means of the terry boats, and thus it was that a number of them who reached Dunedin missed their relatives and friends, and had perforce to seek accommodation last night at any available hotel or boarding-house. As locl-ing-houses are nearlv all full at present, difficulty was experienced in a numbor of cases m finding a bed for the night. Hie soldiers state that the" attitude token up by some of the shore military oihnals did not serve to inspire Iji'e rypn with any decree of confklenco in fie preparations made for their care after leaving the ship.