RETURNING SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 77, 26 December 1918, Page 6

RETURNING SOLDIERS

FINE RECEPTION AT PANAMA

STUDIES ON THE VOYAGE

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, December 24. A steamer which arrived last night had 835 returned soldiers on hoard. There is' practically no sickness on board, and only one cot ease, which is convalescent. There is no influenza aboard. The whole complement was inoculated against the disease during the voyage. The vessel had an uneventful voyage. Educational classes wove held throughout the trip, anil were well attended. Of the men 533 are for Auckland, 52 for Wellington, 123 for Christcliurch, and 120 for Dunedin.

Auckland, December M. The transport which arrived last night brought 835 members of the 'Expeditionary Force, atul the men were landed during the day. The troops were allowed to land for six hours at Colon when passing through the Panama. Canal. Great enthusiasm was shown by the people on the banks as well as by American troops as the ship was drawn slowly through ' the locks'. Magazines, fruit, sweets, etc., were thrown aboard with great liberality, and the men responded with badges, buttons, and even hatbands, some going to tho. length of exchanging addresses with members of tho fair sex who took their fancy. . In accordance with instructions from Headquarters, London, educational classes were conducted for those willing to take advantage of them. The original idea of making them compulsory was abandoned owing to-the large number of men engaged on fatigue duties (over 30A) and thi number of old and unfit men. Classes had to be held between decks, where tho light and the ventilation conditions in hot. weather were anything but favourable. The' presence on board of a Press delegate to the Old Country, Mr. Fred Pi rani, was taken advantage of, and lie was given charge of the educational classes, and acted as instructor in shorthand and economics. Some 250 pupils attended the classes, and an examination held last week showed that wonderful progress had been made, especially when it is remembered that little more than three weeks' instruction could be given altogether. Lectures on agriculture, history, and fruit .cultures were well attended,'while nearly all tho ship's company were present, at lectures and debates on economies, which mostly took, the shape of practical legislation and were held in th"" evenings. .... . ■ The southern portion of the contingentwill be dispatched south by a special train leaving at five o'clock to-night. Next-of-kin of men were admitted to the wharves, and a large crowd of friends and relatives .waited outside the wlmrt gates to watch the man j?o • pait in motors. Trior to the berthing, of the vessel*a presentation in the form of an illuminated address was made by tho troops to Mr. Pii-ani.

ARRIVAL IN WELLINGTON

MEN ENTERTAINED AT CHRISTMAS DINNER.,, . Quite unexpectedly some'. 250 of the draft, the', majority pf whom were tor. the South Island, arrived here about 1 p.m. yesterday. The facl that it was Christmas lay and that the men were those''who 4 liftd "done their bit - was enough for the Mayor and Mrs. Luke, ivlio, with the assistance of Captain (.tentry and some willing members of the Buckle Stt-eet staff, decided that the men should not 'go without their Christmas dinner, although oDiy in Wellington for a couple of hours. The commissariat of Buckle Street was called upon, and responded nobly to the call, whilst, the daintier dishes were prrjured in (own, but the net result was that the men were given an excellent dii'ner, to which they did full justice. The waiting was done by a few orderlies from Buckle Street. Mr. and Mrs. Luke, and Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Leslie, who, considering the number they had to supply, did wonderfully well. The men were in excellent spirits, and the dinner was a complete success—complete even to the decoration of the hall with bunting. ' . • On arrival at the Town Hall, the men were welcomed back by the Mayor, and were subsequently addressed by Major-General Sir Alfred Robin, whose brief, soldierly address was thoroughly appreciated.. After dinner His Excellency the Governor-General and Lady Liverpool motored down to the Town Hall, and exchanged seasonable greetings with the 'men. The southern portion of the draft left for the south during the. afternoon. Special mention should be made of the attendance at the railway station cf n large number of members of .the Volunteer Motor Corns, who practically forwent their own Christmas.dinner arrangements in nrjler' to run the men up to the Town Hall as soon as possible.