THE TAINUI'S DRAFT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 185, 1 May 1919, Page 4

THE TAINUI'S DRAFT

RECORD DISEMBARKATION

LARGE NUMBER OF JAW

CASES

The success of the new method of disembarkation, explained in yesterday's Dominion, was evidenced' yesterday in the case of the Tainui, whose complement of returning fepliders was disembarked iu fifteen minutes—a record for New Zealand, /flic complete success of the arrangements is duo largely-to Captain Prictor, military landing officer, and his assistants, who received every help irom tho Harbour Board's staff and Captf.iu Chudley, murine superintendent for tho. Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company. 'I he ship's complement comprised 505 oflicers and other ranks. 36 uuvses, and 4!) soldiers' wives, together with a number of children.

The vessel berthed at the GlasgowWharf at 8.50 yesterday niorniug, and 6he was clear at 9.5 a.m. So speedily was the disembarkation carried out that men for Napier and the Wairarapa wero oble to catch tho 9.10 a.m. train. The Patriotic Socioty's Band was in .attendance, and. there was also a large gathering of next-of-kiii-and others to welcome the men The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, 0.M.G.) and the Mayoress tendered the city's official welcome, and Mr. H. Curtayno (secretary of ihe Returned Soldiers' Association) was aho present to welcomo the men.

There was a large muster of motorcars -under Captain Pryor of the Motor Voluntary Corps, and Vocal men were expcditionsly despatched to their homes. Tho vessel had. an uneventful 'voyoge out, and the men speak highly of the wonderful , hospitality of the Americans whom they met when going through the Panama Cnnal. They were pitterluined on a most liberal scale at Colon. The draft included some eighty jaw cases, evacuated from the Jaw Hospital, situated at Sidcup, in Kent. Many of the men are still suffering considerable disal.ility, and will be treated in the Nevr Zealand orthopaedic hospitals. Accident at Colon, During tho height of the fun at Colon, Panama, a serious accident befell No. 22.03* Pie. If. J Irvine. During tho course of a journey on the Cristobal railway, Irvine had the misfortune to fall from the _train, ai'd received rather ficriciis injuries to one of his legs. He was removed to a hospital, where, upon examination, it was found necessary to amputate tho limb. Private Irvine was left at Cristobal, where ho is reported to be making a good recovery. . ■ Disposal of Troops, As already mentioned the Napier- and Wairarapn men were -dispatuned to their homes in the 9.10 a.m. train yesterday, vhilst the Auckland men left by special express at 2 p.m. The men for Nelson Siiled by the Pateena, and the southern men went south by tho Maori last night. The Wanganui and Ta'rau.iki men will leave by the New Plymouth express this' morning