WOUNDED SOLDIERS RETURN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2868, 5 September 1916, Page 6

WOUNDED SOLDIERS RETURN

THE ARAWA AT AUCKLAND, i By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, September 4. The Arawa, with returned wounded and invalided soldiers, arrived at 4.30 on Sunday afternoon. The returned men were accorded an enthusiastic reception as they proceeded from tho steamer to a large shed on the wharf, where they wore formally welcomed by the Minister of Defence (Hon. J. Allen) and the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunson). Ma.ior Henderson acknowledged the cordial welcome, and said that their only regret was that they had not seen tho finish of hostilities. The men looked forward to returning for that purpose. The invalided men living in tho south depart by tho noon express to-day. Tho voyage has been beneficial to the health of all the returned soldiers, who, with one exception, were ablo to walk off the Arawa without assistance. Dr. Marshall Macdonald, of Dunedin, who for the past year has occupied tho position of medecin-major with the French Foroos, returned by tho Arawa as medical officer. He reported that the Ticalth of officers and men throughout the voyage had been oxcollent. There was only one cot case —a Nino Islander, suffering from tuberculosis. Shortly after tho commencement of tho voyage ono man contracted measles, but the disease did not spread. At each place called at on the voyage the returning men were treated very hospitably. Tho officers who returned by the Arawa arc: Major P. B. Henderson, Major M. MacDonnell, Lieut. Fromm (in chargo of Niuo Islanders). ,Mode-cin-Major Marshall Macdonald, Staff Sorgt.-Majors AV. A. Stedman, H. Wray, and C. Dalby, Sergt.-Majors F. Holmes and V. Marshall, Quartcrmas-ter-Scrjjts. W. Copping and Westbrook, Serets. J. A. England and W. Woods. Sisters S. Macdonald, Taylor, and Woods returned as nurses to the invalided men.