RETURNING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16434, 30 January 1919, Page 6

RETURNING SOLDIERS.

MARAMA DUE TO-DAY

Tho hospital ship Marama, with tiv South Island portion of draft 206 of returning soldiers, is duo at Lyttelfcon this morning. It is hoped to have th« disombarkation from tho Briton completed in timo to commence landing irom tho Marama at 8.30 a.m. The vessol lias on board about 17 cot cases, ot winch 13 are for C-nrist-church, and a number of walking case* and arrangomonts for conveying some ot those to Christchurch Lave been mado by Major Matthows, A.Q.M.U. Tho i#ytteiton Branch of tho Rod Cross Society will meet tho vessol this morning and distribute fruit, sweets, and cigarettes among tho soldiers. A quantity of cake will be placed on board tho troop-train for tho mon proceeding South. Tho .Maraud loaves to-day for Port Clialmors. MALTA BERTHED AT "WELLINGTON. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, January 29. The troopship Malta, which 'arrived from Egypt last Monday, was allowod by tho Health Department to borth this morning. About 300 Rarotongans, some of whom showed pneumonic symptoms, wore previously landed on Somen Island, leaving -101 Now Zoaland white troops to come ashore to-day. Those for other parts of tho North Island left by train, and the southern mon lett by the Maori to-night. Tho hospital ship Marama, from England, via Auckland, reached Wellington this morning and disembarked mon. QUARANTINE 'ARRANGEMENTS. (SPECIAL to "the press.") WELLINGTON. January 29. Tho Defence authorities do not anticipate that thero is any reason for anxiety as to tho accommodation at tho four quarantine stat.ons at tho chief ports of New Zealand proving adequate for the demands that may possibly be mado upon it. With mch large bodies of men coming back as are expected in tho course of tho nort fov months, it is conceivable that largo numbers of mon may liavo to W housed at the stations for some time. This would happen in case it should bo necossary to quarantine a whole draft, which everybody hopes will not bo necessary. Thero are .buildings at the ports aiready, providing a pood deal of accommodation, and tluV Dofenco Department is in a position ;o increase that accommodation with tents at the shortest notice.