RETURNING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16432, 28 January 1919, Page 6

RETURNING SOLDIERS.

1 THE BRITON'S ARRIVAL. Complete arrangements have beer made bv ihe> Defence Authorities for the disembarkation of the big batch of returning troops that is arriving in Lyttelton to-day by the Briton, which is cxpected to reach port at 7 a.m. As . previously stated, tho North Island ! men will leave by this evening's ferry steamer, and tho Christchurch men \\ ill be sent to town in the vicinity of ; C p.m. Soldiers for North and South Canterbury, the West Coast, and Otago will bo disembarked early to-morrow ! morning, and the Southern men will lpave bv a special troop-train, w.ncli 1 will bo despatched from Lyttelton about 8 o'clock. . . The Roturned Soldiers' Association has arranged to welcome tho local men on Thursaav, at the club rooms. Over 400 Christcnurch' men aro expected to arrive to-da} - , and the function, therefore, will necessarily be an extensive one. Members of tho Women s National Reserve have promised tc pro- ! vide tea, and an excellent musical programme has been arranged. The local secretary, Mr W. E. Leadlev, will deliver an address, and amongst other things will explain the objects and benefits of the Roturned Soldiers' Association. Tho function will last from 1 4 o'clock until 6 o'clock, and a large attendance, and a very successful gathering is anticipated. AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION'S ARRANGEMENTS. There was a large attendance at the special meeting of tho Canterbury Automobile Association last night, callto make arrangements for the conveyance from tho railway station to their friends of the men arriving to-day by the transport Briton. Mr J. S. Hawkos presidod. Lieutenant McDonald, representing Defence Headquarters, was also present. Mr A. S. Clarkson, chairman of the Association's Transport Commtitee. referred to the inconvenience caused by conflicting information regarding the arrival of soldiers, and cited an instance in that evening's 'newspaper in connoxion with the men who arrived at Wellington by the Malta. One statement was that the South Island men would arrive this morning; and a telegram from Wellington stated that the men would not land at Wellington till to-day. Lieutenant McDonald explained that it was only late yesterday that the Defence authorities received information that tho men by the Malta would not arrive at Lyttelton till to-morrow (Wednesday) morning. There would be about 150, of which 30 were for Christchurch. Mr H. J. Ranger, reforring to delays caused by • uncertainty as to the hour of arrival of steamers and trains with returned 6oldicrS>, suggested that the wireless on board the forry steamer should be utilised to forward information as to the hour of arrival. Lieutenant McDonald said that he understood that the Minister of Defence had beon approached in that matter, and had promised that it should bo carried out. Apparently this had not beon done. Mr A. S. Nicholls suggested several alterations in respect of the badges worn by members of the Association going to meet returned soldiers, and also as to soldiers' being informed respecting the cars being frcie. Lieutenant McDonald said that there would bo no difficulty in troop trains, arriving at the south platform; but in respect to returning soldiers arriving by the ferry train, that train had to arrive at\ the north platform. Mr Clarkscin announced that pennants had been prepared with the words on them "Returned Soldiers Free." These were to be affixed to wind screens. As to cars boing crowded, it had been decidod to notify that only three relatives, or friends, and one soldier would be carried in any five-seater car belonging to members of tho Association. Mr Lightband, referring to tho roception of the soldiers, described what is done in Sydney and Melbourne—the nxon being driveu in cars through the city, the streets being lined with citizens. Replying to the chairman, Lieutenant McDonald said that tho men did not want receptions. Mr Clarkson wak of opinion that the question of a reception should be dealt with by the Mayor. Lieutenant McDonald said that the Defence authorities would do all possible in tho matter of giving information to tho Association as soon as it was received. Mr Clarkson said that arrangements would be made to display a flag at the Patriotic Banaar one hour before th 6 tram conveying the troops arrives this evening. He detailed the provision made regarding marshals at the station platform. _ Tho following arrangements regarding to-day's returning soldiers were agreed to:— Tho special train is timed to arrive in Chris tchurch at G. 40 pjm. Motorists are to' be at the southern platform of the ChristehurcK Railway Station not later than (3.15 p.m., and on enteringthe gates, drive direct to tho end of tho station yard, turn, and get into position. Motorists meeting- special soldiers nruat oarry out the*® instructions, •excepting' that they mu3t lino up opposite tho platform alongsids tho iron fence. On arrival of the troop train every motorist is requested to bo at his car. A staff of marshaJs, -under the direction of Mr H. Mcintosh (Traffic Inspector) will bo in attendance. Motorics doinsr short trips aix> naked to return to the station. Any alteration as to the time of arrival of the troop train will bo posted mi<Hde the offices of the Association, 69 CatheSral equaro, at 5 p.m. Members were asked to deoorate their J cars with bunting. | Mr_ Clarkson stated, in replv to a question, that country members in places where returning soldiers had tlioir homes had been communicated with, and asked to provide cars. There had heen a good response to this request. In respect to those nlaces from which no replies had been received, he hoped . that members of tho Association in those nlaces would roll un and assist. MALTA AT WELLINGTON. EIGHT CASES OF PNEUMONIA. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, January 27. The P. and 0. steamer Malta arrived here this morning from Egypt with troops. On the trip across the Indian Ocean some of the 268 Raratongans showed slight pneumonia symptoms and sixteen were landed at Fremantle! Eight more cases were discovered oil the voyage from Fremantle to Wellington. Six of these were Raratongans, two others being New Zealand soldiers, one an officer. All the Raratongan soldiers and contacts have been landed on Somes Island, as well as the two New Zealand soldiers affected. All the other troops, after being inoculated and passed through the inhalation chamber, are to be allowed to land tomorrow morning. 11.45 p.m. The troopship Malta is still in the stream. • ■ There is to be a consultation a? 10.30 to-morrow morning to decide whether the disembarkation of the men will be proceeded with. MARAMA AT AUCKLAND. fPRESS ASSOCIATION n?I,TORAiI.) AUCKLAND, January 27. The New Zealand hospitai ship Maramu has arrived with 507 soldiers of all ranks. There were 300 cot cases when she left England, but the number was greatlj reduced on the

voyage. She had an exceptionally good trip Panama Canal. Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward visited the vessel at Colon. Private E. J. Tavendale, of Kaiapoi, died of illness during the voyage. Later. The Southern portion of the draft left Auckland in- the Maranxa for Wellington at 3.30 p.m. The troops had Christmas Day at sea. The women passengers and the nurses made ''treasure bags" for each patient, and filled them -with sweets and other delicacies. The Christmas fare included one highly appreciated item, namely, a cake from New Zealand. which was nut on board by the Red Cross societies when the vessel first left Port Chalmers.