THE AUSTRA SOUDAN CONTINGENT. Return of the Troops. [REUTER'S TELEGRAME.]

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 108, 27 June 1885, Page 3

THE AUSTRA SOUDAN CONTINGENT. Return of the Troops. [REUTERS TELEGRAME.]

Sydnjev, June 23. The landing and formal reception of tho New South Wales Contingent, on their return from tho Soudan, took place, as had be6n arranged, this morning but the heavy rain which has been prevalent during the last few days continued through the night and during the morning, necessitating a considerable change in the plan which had been prepared, and marring to a great extent the success of the demonstration from a spectacular point of view. The whole available force of the colony, to a number of over 5,000 men were massed in the metropolis for the purpose of taking part in the ceremony. The transport Arab was brought alongside the Circular Quay from her mooringsin the harbour, and the contingent disembarked on the same spot from which they sailed in March last. When the work of disembarkation was completed, a procession was formed, and proceeded to Victoria Barracks by the same line of route which was adopted on the occasion of the Jeparture of the contingent. Rear Admiral Tryon forwarded an Imperial escort of seamen and maiines belonging to Her Majesty's chips now in harbour. On arrival at the barracks, the troops, who had all along been loud'y cheered by the crowds of spectators who, notwithstanding the rain, thronged the line of route, were addressed by His Excellency, who thanked them in the name of their Queen and country for their services, after which they were dismissed. The original intention was to hold a combined review of the foroes in Moore Park, but the heavy_down pour prevented the carrying Qu,t of thia part of the programme..