10,000 A MONTH..

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1958, 29 March 1919, Page 1

10,000 A MONTH..

RATE OF RETURNING DRAFTS, 9,038 ARRIVING IN APRIL. It was originally hoped that New Zealand soldiers abroad would be able to be brought home at the rate of 10,000 a month, but this expectation up to the present has not been realised owing to shipping and other dilhculties. The authorities, however, have done their best to speed up the return of New Zealand's sons, and are now able to announce that ten big liners will arrive in New Zealand during the month of April, bringing back no fewer than 9,038 men. The names of the vessels, the number of troops they have on board, and the dates of their expected arrival in New Zealand are as follow: — No. of Troops Due. Westmoreland 1033 A pi. 5 Kaikoura 1112 „ 17 Mahcno 398 „ 20 Willochra 1009 „ 20 Bhamo 830 „ 22 Raranga 1075 ~ 23 Corinthic 1229 ~ 21 lonic 979 ~ 20 Remuera 750 ~ 27 Tainui 557 „ 28 The whole of these vessels, with (he exception of the Kaikoura, have sailed from the United Kingdom, and are making fur New Zealand via the Panama Canal. The Westmoreland has the Maori Contingent on board, and will make Auckland her first port of call. The Kaikoura is coming from Egypt with members of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade which formed part of the famous Anzac Mounted Division.

It is hoped that the rapid rate of return will be maintained, though this is doubtful owing to demands on shipping. On the 18th insi. the total strength of the N.Z.E.F. in France and the United Kingdom was 33,278.