BACK FROM THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2792, 9 June 1916, Page 6

BACK FROM THE WAR

SOLDIERS WELCOMED

RECEPTION AT TOWN HALL

Another body of returned soldiers was welcomed home yesterday at the Town Ilall. The gathering was enthusiastic, and tho men were given a very hearty welcome.

The Mayor of tho City (11 r. J. P. Luke) presided, and among thuie who accompanied him on the pla'tfonu were: The Hon. W. .Eraser, Col. It. Jieaton Kliodesi tho Mayoress (Airs. Luke), Airs. W. P. Massey, and Lady Ward. The Prime Minister (the Kight Hon. W. P. Massey), and the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen), who were unable to bo present, sent apologies. The returned men were in excellent spirits, and _ were obviously glad to ba back in their nativo land again. They had been in New Zealand several days, their ship (tho Slaunganui) having first called at Port Chalmers, but .they only reached Wellington yesterday morning, and were taken direct to tho Town Hall. Tho reception was largely attended by relatives antLfriends of the guests. A party of Maori troops was among the returning soidiers, and they, too, were met by relatives and friends.

The Mayor, 'amidst applause, assured tho soldiers that they were all very welwas delighted to be able to grasp their hands again. They had done their duty well, had made a big sacrifice, -anti Now Zealand appreciated their services, and would stand by them in the future, and see that they were well treated and fairly dono by. He was ?lad to see the Maori soldiers amongst them, and pointed out that their presence was one great evidenco of the solidarity of the British Empire.. Also, there were Dr. Elizabeth Gunn and the nurses, and these -he congratulated on their safe return and eitended to them a fitting welcome.

il le . Eraser, speaking in- behalf of the National Govornment, said that all we're glad to see the men back again. Those were not mere words; they were heartfelt. The present, in faot, was hardly a time for making speeches; it was a time for action. The people of New Zealand-would not forget tho services the soldiers had renderod. Colonel Rhodes also said a few words of welcome. He added that he realised the difficulties the, soldiers had. faced, for he had fcone over the ground they had fought on. Some of the men he had then met had since been killed. The finest tribute Aew Zealand could pay tho memory of its soldiers was to care for those who returned. The gathering then sang tho Natbnal Anthem, and "Rule Britannia." ROLL OF HONOUR ' The following casualty and hospital reports were issued yesterday:— WOUNDED. MAORI CONTINGENT., Rangiao, Pte, Wirihana Hori. Next-of-kin, Mr Pukunui Rangiao, ICauangaroa/ Fordell (uncle). (Admitted to hospita] May 22; wounded, left foot.) Hirmi, Pft. Haimoa. Next-of-kin, MiRepora Ponoporo, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty (mother). (Admitted to hospital May .25; severely wounded, right fore- . arm.) HOSPITAL REPORT. King, Driver Leslie. Next-of-kin, Mr. \V. G.. Bassett, timber merchant, \\ aitganui (uncle). (Landed at Colombo Military Hospital, for treatment; suspected cerebrospinal meningitis.) Whetton, Pte. Arthur J. Next-of-kin, Mrs. S. Whetton, 15 -Tay Street, Wanganui (mother). (Jaundice.) Bergh, Pte. Harold Siguart. Next-of-kin, Mr. 0. V. Bergh, Rawson Street, New Brighton, Christchurch (brother). (Seriously ill, 26th General Hospital, Etaples. June 3.) .' Connell, Pte. Christopher William. Next-of-kin, Airs. M. Connell, Box 90. Peild-

ing (mother). (Dangerously ill; accidental fracture base of skull and right claricle, June 3.) Langford, Pte. Ernest Harold. Next-of-Mr. A. Langford, store, Winchester, South Canterbury (father). (Dangerously ill; 1-ith Stationary Ilospital, Wimereux, May 30; suspected scarlet fever.) Frew, Pte. Edward John Perkins. Next-of-kin, Mrs. D. S. Frew, 19 Dean Street, St. Albansy(mothor). (Transferred to 27th General Hospital, Abbassieh; still seriously ill.) Landed at Colombo for Hospital Treatment. Measles. Mano, Pte. Hii. Next-of-kin, Mr. Mano Makaraka, Taheke, Hokianga (father). Renata, Pte. Harry. Next-of-kin, Mr. Ngapuhi Renata. Herkino, Manganui . County (father). \ ■