HOME FROM THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 153, 18 March 1918, Page 6

HOME FROM THE WAR

THREE DRAFTS DUE

TO-DAY

REACHING WHARF AT 2 P.M.

Tho Defence Department advise that tho Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago soldiers, ex returning drafts. 147, 148, and 149, are expected to arrive at tho Queen's Mharl at 2 o'clock this afto/noon on transports Nos. 95 and 96.

Next-of-kin we advised that transport 86 carries all returning draft 148, and the Wellington district soldiers ex draft 149, while transport. No.' 95 caries draft 147 and the Canterbury and Otago soldiers ex draft 149.

Printed notices will be placed on the Queen's Wharf to show where each transport will berth, and should any information lie received as to alteration in tho time of arrival, such' information will bo posted outside tho U.P.0., entrance "to the Queen's Wharf, the Returned Soldiers' Club, Base Records, and the newspaper offices.

In tho absence of tho Mayor and Councillor W. H. P, Barber, tho next senior councillor (Councillor J. ID. Fitzgerald) has been asked to give tho civic welcome to the soldiers returning to-day. It is desired that those having motor-cars available, and who are willing to allow them to be used for the convenience of the returned men, shall communicate witn the ActingTown Clerk on the subjoct during tho morning.

A PUBLIC SCANDAL. PROTEST AGAINST LANDING ARRANGEMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 16. . Considerable indignation was ex-' pressed by the next-of-kin of returned soldiers yesterday over what was regarded as unnecessary delay in tho landing of tho men and the giving to friends and relatives access to them. Tho Mayor, addressing a large assemblage about 9 p.m., said he had no hesitation in saying that the arrangements constituted a public scandal, for which the military authorities were alone responsible. Ho understood the matter was entirely in the hands of the military authorities in Wellington, tho officer in command of the Auckland Military District having no authority in connection with the proceedings. He moved a motion, which was seconded by the Deputy Mayor, emphatically protesting against "the disgraceful conditions and total lack of suitable arrangements on the part of the military authorities, and requesting the Minister of Defence to take prompt measures to prevent a repetition of the inefficient conditions prevailing in Auckland to-night."

The Minister of Defence, according to a Press Association telegram from llotorua, states that full inquiry is to bo made regarding the dehy in land-' ing the men on Friday.

NUMEROUS SEVERE CASES. ONE DEATH AT SEA. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 17. Transport No. 149 berthed last ovening. Although there are no cot cases fully one-third of the contingent is suffering severely, from wounds or sickness. Eight men and one officer have each lost a limb, soveral have lost an eye, a large percentage are invalided as a result of sickness,' while a number have been returned for defects such as flat feet, oyo trouble, and over age. Private G. Cutten, of Wellington, died at sea on March 11, following an operation for appendicitis. He was buried at sea. Several of the men wear decorations and others are Main Body men returning as commissioned officers. Arrangements for the landing of the men were a great improvement on the previous day. The southern men left in one contingent at five p.m., and the others at 10 p.m.