RETURN OF OUR SOLDIERS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 15 July 1901, Page 4

RETURN OF OUR SOLDIERS.

The Troops in Dunedin.

(Pkr Pkes3 Association.)

Dunkmn, July 13. It has now been arranged that the Ta"as with the men for Canterbury and North Island is to leave Port Chalmers on Sunday morning. Tho men will be entertained at a social to-morrow evening, and the northerners will thon bo conveyed to tho port, leaving on tho following day. The mo3fc serious cases of illness, with the exception of Ssrgt Bell and Private Nicholas who aro too ill to be removed, havo been taken from tho Tagus. Tho two mentioned as left on board are under tho cbargo of Surgcon-Cipt Watt, and nursing sisters Do Montmorency and Frankland, whose untiring skill and kindness cannot be too highly praised. July 13. Very large crowds assembled in the vicinity of the railway station to welcome the landing Contingents returning from the war. The day was beautifully fine, though with the recent frost and snow somewhat damp under foot The train was over half an hour late, by which time the crowd had lessened somewhat, those on the outskirts having realised that there was little chance of seeing much.

A volley of cheers greeted the train as it steamed into the station. The men got out smartly and were drawn up in a triangle where they were formally welcomed by the Mayor and Col. E. R. Smith. There was much cheering, which was remarkable for its heartiness. It had been arranged that the men should be taken to their quarters by the volunteers, and Col. Penton was just congratulating the police in keeping the place clear for tho purpose of arranging the men when the friends and relatives of the men drifted rather than rushed through the ranks of volunteers and police and in a few seconds the returning troopers were snrrounded. It was at onc3 seen that the m?n of the Fourth and Fifth outside 0;ago had made many warm friends while in camp at Forbury before their departure, and these friends now took possession of them. It was perhaps a heartier and more appreciated welcome hom9 than the more formal one, as each trooper was surrounded by a small knot of men women and children and taken away to some homo. The men are being entertained at a social to-night and put in an appearance in largo numbers. The northerners appear in excellent spirits and have only one complaint, that they are rushed away too soon from friends in the South.

The invalided men are making satisfactory progress to-day.