A HOME-COMING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 209, 29 May 1919, Page 4

A HOME-COMING

THE KIMUTAKA'S DRAFT. The Irausport Riniutaka, with 721 troops from England, which arrived iu tlie stream on Tuesday evening:, wua Ijtrthed at 11 a.m. yesterday ut the Glasgow Wharf, where ilic hoine-comers were given a most enthusiastic welcome. \fith bunting Hying in every direction and tho Patriotic Society's Band making glad music on the wharf, tho scene was quite a stimulating one to all concerned, as well as the large crowd of spectators whp had to avail the boys outside tlu> harrier. The disembarkation artur.geuioiils were curried out with epeed and au entire absence of confusion, to that every man was ashore within twelve minutes trom tho lime the first soldier came downTlie gangway. The performance, was ono that did credit to Cuptain Pricior, embarkation olficer. A good turn out by tho Wellington Volunteer Motor Corps facilitated considerably iu dispatching the- men to their destinations. The Auckland men left for the norm by the second express, aud the Kelson men by the Pateeua yesterday afternoon. The small section oi southern lnw'i will leave for the south this evening. Morning tea and music were provided at the Returned {soldiers' Club for the benefit of the returned nien and thenfriends.

Tho Riiuutaka put iuto Newport Kews on the voyage out in order to toko in come -WOO tons of coal.lor the i\'ew Zealand Government. This long stay in port enabled the men to obtain ehore leave to visit places of interest in the vicinity. : Newport News itself is a straggling ilittle port, mostly born of the war, but across Chesapeake Bay lies Norfolk, the old capital of Virginia, .when that State was an English colony. Several of the men made the trip across tho bay to the old town, and enjoyed their experience immensely. The long stop enabled a few to pay a visit to Washington, but for the great majority" tlie railway fares (,£8 odd) was too much for them to afford, especially after tlie fortnight's leave they had just enjoyed in London. Alt on board keenly appreciated the trip through ■ the Panama Canal. As the transport had bunkered at Newport News there was no .excuse for delay there, and there was no' shore leave gvanted in the Canal zone, but all along tlie banks, from Colon to Balbao, wherever there was any settlement, the people gave the.soldiers.a rousing wel-f name "over the side." The troops on board were under the command of Major C. G. Haytor, of Hawke's Bay. ■