RETURNING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16430, 25 January 1919, Page 9

RETURNING SOLDIERS.

♦— THE BRITON'S CONTINGENT. The transport Briton, with about 11-50 returned soldiers on boaid, is duo to arrive at Lyttelton next '1 ucsdaj. A word of warning to relatives anc friends of the men was sounded jester day by Colonel Chaffey, Officer Commanding' the District, lie pointed on* to a '"Press" reporter that though t itboat is exported at 7 a.m., it will no use going down to meet her at ~ telton until at least that evening. ship will anchor in the stream, and i will bo twelve or thirteen hours at least after her arrival before any man u ill be allowed ashore, this period being ucvotea to record work, etc. The onlv peop-c allowed to go on the vessel besides the Defence officials will be Red Cioss workers with a supply of fruit and )i>freshments for the men. As the Canterbury and Otago soldiers will be immediately entrained for Christchurch as soon as they arc* disembarked from the transport. Colonel Chaftev advises relatives and friends to await tlie arrival of the men at the city railway station instead of proceeding to Lyttolton. No soldier will be able to be seen at the port, he says. ADVICE TO RELATIVES. (srECIAL TO "toe press.") WELLINGTON, January 24. The Defence authorities state that it will bo possible in future to give earlisr and more definite information to nearest relatives and the general public iegarding returning drafts of New Zealand soldiers, an improvement in tho system having been made by the Department as a result of tlie naval censorship over the movements of troopships and hospital ships in New Zealand waters having been lifted. '1 lie former limit of a fortnight beiore arrival can be abandoned, i.nd the new system provides that on receipt of the cabled nominal roll of a draft," tho nearest relatives will bo advised as scon as practicable of expected date and port of arrival .>1 vessel, after, which the nominal roll will be released for public information. Any variation in the date or port of arrival of tho vessel will be subsequently made public officially. Tho prime object of this procedure is to preclude contusion arising from any conflicting reports bo ing and to obviate any necessity for individual enquiries hy relatives and friends. WELCOME FOR MAORIS. (press association telegram.) GISBORNE, January 24. Arrangements have been made lor tho transport with tho Maori pioneer battalion, which is expected in March, to land her troops at Gisborne. This concession is beinc made because tho Eastern Maori districts supplied more than half the Natives sent to the war. The Native peoples of the East Coast are preparing a great time for the entertainment of returning soldiers and for a fitting welcome in accordance witii Maori custom. It is expected that over 1200 Maoris will come in the first ship, and it is possible that the second ship, J with the balance of 600 men, will also bo despatched to Gisborne. The Maoris will be received at Gisborne by tho Acting-Prime Minister, the Native Minister, and other members of the Executive. THE WILTSHIRE'S DRAFT. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, January 24. Tho Defence Department notifies that the s.s. Wiltshire, with draft 210, which was due at Wellington about January 26th, has not reached Australia, and therefore the date of tho vessel's arrival in New Zealand is uncertain.