HOME AGAIN.

Otaki Mail, 18 January 1922, Page 2

HOME AGAIN.

V- — MBS K. PATCHING RETURNS FROM ABROAD

Mrs R. Patching, who left these shores, in company with Mr and Airs James Patching, of Wellington, by tho “Kemuera" on May 25th last, returned to her home at Otaki ou Monday, after an absence from the Dominion of nearly eight months. The trip abroad, mainly, was to visit the grave of her son, who paid the supreme sacrifice during the groat war, and was buried in France. Leaving Wellington the "Remuera” and her passengers encountered splendid weather, but there was little to break the monotony of sea life till the arrival at Panama, where the great canal and its works caused wonderment. The trip through proved interesting. but after leaving here the

boat made no further call till Newport News was reached. The " Hemuera ’ ’

also called at Colon, and at both places the stay was enjoyed. Southhampton was duly reached on July 7tli, and as friends of the party were residents the sojourn proved more enjoyable than might otherwise have proved the case. The stay was all too short. Devon was then made, where the party stayed for two or three weeks, and a pleasant time passed all too quickly. The trio proceeded to Riclimoud (fiurrey), and from there to London. Here the High Commissioner was called on, and as lie proved kindness itself the party were given maps and much-needed information regarding London and its environments. Permits were also given to visit places of note and these were made good use of by Mrs Patching and her relatives. After a stay of fourteen days in Richmond the trip was made to South Kensington, and from there to St. Barnabos hostel, where they received a warm welcome, and secured muchneeded information prior to their departure for France and Belgium. Dover .was farewelled on August loth and Calais made, and as a programme had been mapped out by the good folks of St. Barnabos hostel the party visited various places, laden with desired information. A branch of St. Barnabos hostel at Calais also proved a source of information for which the tourists were grateful, and after gathering other par-

titulars flu: trio left for Ypres, whore a night was spent. The tourists then took car next day for Messinos, and as a soldier was their cliaffour many places of interest; were pointed out. Alessines was duly reached, then in turn La Plus Douvre cemetery, where Airs Patching had no difficulty in locating tho gravo <*f her son. The cemetery and its surroundings were found to be in good order, and Mrs Patching pays a tribute to those responsible. The party then returned to Armientieres, and there visited the grave of Francis, son of Mr and Mrs G. P. Catley, of Levin. The grave was found well eared tor. and it was evident that considerable attention was being paid to the cemetery wherein the body rested. The party then proceeded to Lille, stayed the night, and next day departed for Briastre, where the son of Air James Patching lay at peace. Boulogne was duly reached, after which the party returned to Folkstone. A night was spent at St. Kensington hostel, where tho ma- ■ Iron, Mrs Fraser, was found to be both kind and obliging. The party then visited South Wales, viewed tho coalmines, and altogether enjoyed their stay of five weeks. Teignmouth (Devon) was- again visited and after a week’s stay the party moved to Totness and stayed a week. Lewisham (Kent) was duly visited, and during their stay of twelve days the. Ide of Wight, Bath, At cad ip hills, arid other places of interest, were visited. When Kent was left it was enveloped in a dense fog. On leaving Tilbury the party embarked ou the "Orsova" which called at Gilbralta, which was reached on November 30th. The stay was short and Toulon was reached on December 2nd, Naples on December Ith, Port Said on the Bth. Suez on the 9th, Colombo on the 19th, Fremantle on the 29th, Melbourne being reached on January 4th. The party left on the sth, arriving in Sydney early on the morning of the 7th. After a pleasant sojourn of four days, during which the main places of interest were visited, the party left by the "Afaheno” for Wellington, where they arrived at noon on Sunday last. It was not till 4 p.m., however, that the boat berthed, the passengers having to undergo necessary inspection. The precautions at Wellington were found far more stringent than in other places. Airs Patching states that living at Home is very dear, bnt articles of clothing, crockery, etc., were far below the lowest of New Zealand prices. The working conditions, however, were bad, while it was absolutely shocking to see the way maimed soldiers had to work for a living.