SOLDIERS' RETURN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2653, 27 December 1915, Page 6

SOLDIERS' RETURN

THE TAHITI'S CONTINGENT MOSTLY CONVALESCENT. ffiy fosocln-tJcm 1 Dunedin, December 26. The troopship Tahiti arrived at Port Chalmers at 5 p.m. yesterday. She left Suez oil November 22, and had a fine run across. A largo number of the men improved wonderfully during tho voyage. Private Harrison, of the Canterbury Infantry, died of pulmonary trouble, ana was buried in the Red Sea. . Ono hundred and eighty-five officers, men, and .nurses are on board, under the charge of Dr. Beck, D.S.CX., with Captain Pitt as adjutant, and Dr. Tans, senior medical olßMcer. As a result of the'medical examination six men aro to be sent to - Dunedin Hospital, three to Auckland Hospital, one to Ashburton, two to Wellington, one to Gisborne, ono to Wanganui, one to Napier, one to Hamilton. ■ The majority of the invalids aro convalescent from' enteric,, rheumatism, and dysentery,- ■ but there are several pulmonary cases, and a number recovering from wounds. One man ,has lost a leg just below the knee. The' men were entertained at luncheon in Port? l Chalmers by the local Women's Patriotic -Committee to-day, and afterwards were given a civic reception. Tnc Maunganui left Port Chalmers at 2.5U p.m. with tho northern contingents. Only about 23 Otago and Southland men were on board the Tahiti. Four of tlie nurses on the ill-fated Marquette came across on the vessel — Sisters Blackie, M'Leod, Wilson, and Looney. WELLINGTON'S WELCOME. ARRANGEMENTS IN TRAIN. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) has in ' hand arrangements to give to the wounded soldiers, to arrive by tho Maunganui, a fitting welcome, similar to that accorded previously to other contingents .of sick and wounded from the front. Ho proposes to give the soldiers a civic icception at 10.30 tomorrow morning at the Town Hall.