BACK FROM THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1918, Page 8

BACK FROM THE WAR.

MORE TARANAKI MEN ARRIVE. BUXOLED AIIUANCJ EXIENIS. A further contingent of returned Tavnnaki soldiers reached Now Plymouth by last night's mail train. The DeputyMayor (Mr. W. A. Collis). and deputychairman of the Patriotic Committee (Mr Chanev) were on the station to greet the men. There was also a large number of relatives and friends at the station. There appeared to have been some bungling somewhere with regard to advice a 9 to the number of men expected, as several men arrived of whom neither the Deputy-Mayor nor the Patriotic Committee had had any notice. The worst feature of the case was the fact that i one of those of whom no notice of arrival had been received was a cot ease—Private Abbott. Recently the local authorities were advised that several cot cases were to arrive by a certain train, and all the necessary arrangements were made for the reception of the men. When the train arrived, however, no cot cases came, although no advice to the effect that they had not been sent was received locally. Consequent upon having had no advice yesterday, there was some delay in the despatch of the wounded man to the hospital, as there was no ambulance in attendance when the train arrived. When the ambulance was secured no time was lost in taking the man to the hospital. There were, however, further surprises in store,'and evidence of further omissions on the part of someone, as the hospital had not been acquainted with the fact of the man's expected arrival, and no afrangements had been made for his reception. There is another important feature in connection with this cot case which requires explanation When the train left Wellington the officer in charge complained that there was no water nor any gas in the hospital carriage, but a remedy of the omission was promised along the line. This, however, was not done, and the carriage arrived at New Plymouth ill total darkness, and water had had to be secured from another carriage. The climax in the case was reached when preparations were made to carry out the shunting operations at the station before the cot case had been removed from the hospital carriage, and only the prompt intervention cf a member of the military stall', at the instigation of a railway employee, caused operations to be suspended. By this time the relatives of the wounded man and the general public present were feeling somewhat irate at the bungling, and strong feelings were expressed on every hand. When seen, after all the men had been despatched from' the station, the Deputy Mayor complained of the insufficient adivice sent regarding the men who arrived f.tst night. Mr. Collis stated that the 'only notice he received was contained in the following telegram:-., both of which were received by him about 9.30 yesterday morning: '•Auckland, Sunday.—Following ex 134 leave Auckland ii.3o p.m. for New Plymouth: Privates Teed, Wheeler, Terrill, Sattler, Roebuck, McKay, Beauchamp, Howell, Johnston." "Wellington, Monday (8.20 a.m.). — Returned soldiers ex RDI2!) due to arrive mail train to-day.—Defence." Mr. Collis said it was very annoying to those responsible for the local' arrangements that full particulars of the men to arrive were not sent, to say nothing of the discomfiture of relatives in the particular case last night. The officer in charge of the men saidt that advice, of the cot case had been sent, though he could not, of course, account for those who should have got the advice not receiving it. .Following are the names of the men wltt> returned: Private I l '. L. Wheeler.—Left with the 15th Reinforcements, was wounded at Messines, and has to report at the local hospital. Rifleman N. V. Terrill.—Left with the 27th Reinforcements, and has returned on sick leave. Private D. McKay—Left with the lfith Reinforcements, has returned suffering from shell concussjon. Private I. .1. Howell.—Left! with the 10th Reinforcements, was wounded at Armentieres in July, 191(1. He has a month's leave prior to being discharged. Trooper 0. Randall (Mokau). —Left with the 17th Reinforcements, and was wounded at Messines, and lost his left arm. Private Dc-vine.—Left, with the sth Reinforcements, was wounded in France. Private Devine waR employed in New Plymouth prior to enlisting, but his relatives are in Australia. Private E. A. Abbott —Left with the ISth Reinforcements, was wounded at La Basseville, in the neck and buttocks. He was the only cot case to arrive last night, and was taken to the New Plymouth Hospital. Privates Teed and Johnston also arrived last night. /' In addition to the above, Private Hall, Who was also a cot case, was taken off the train at Stratford. A FURTHER DRAFT. The following Taranaki men returned by a boat that i arrived in Auckland on Saturday. Captain E. .1. Brammall (M, J. Brammall, Hawera). Second-Lieutenant St. E. Gilshnan (Mrs. K. Gilshnan, Kakaramea). Private (.1. L. Barry (Mrs. Malone, Hawera). Private W. R. Bracegirdle (F. .T. Bracegirdle, Inglewood). Private J. Campbell (Miss M. Tait, Waitara). Private F. J. Codd (B. Codd, Inglewood) Private W. S. Dale (Mrs. A. H. Dale, Rahotu). Private J. N. .T. Doyle (Mrs. M. Doyle, Okaiawa). Private A. P.. Elgar (A. Elgav, Stratford). Private C. Gomer (Mrs. V. Gomer, Hawera). Private W. Gray (E. A. Gray). Private D. R. Gyde (Mrs. H. Clough, Inglewood). Private N. R. Hamblyn (Mrs. N. M. Himblyn, Midhirst). Private I*. K. Hollard (E. Hollard, Hawera). Private I. J. Howell (Mrs. C. A. Howell, New Plymouth), Private J. H. Hunwick (C. M. Hur.wick, Waipuku). Corporal J. A. Jones (J. Jones, Mokau). Private E. Lewes (N. Lewes, Inglewood). Private J. A. McCook (J. McCook, Opunake). Private W. R. McCracken (Mrs. F. M. McCracken, Wharehuia 1 ). Private J. Mclatyre (Mrs. L. Mclntyre, Elthazn). Private D. McKay (Mrs. >1 McKay, New Plymouth). •Private P. E. Rae (Mrs. M. Rae,-Taiarai-n»ka). 'Private W, D. Roebuck (C. K. Roebuck, > Iftrw Plymouth),

Private W. H. Snrtlev (Mrs. W. 11. Sadlev. Ncnv Plymouth). Private'P. vSattler (f/. Sadler. Waitui). Servant S. Smith (Mrs. C. 8. Smith, Haw-era). * Private W. Spurille (S. 0. Spurdle, JnjjleVO'lll). Corporal I). L. Teed (S. Teeil, New Plymonth). Lam-i'-Corporal N'. V. Ten-ill (Mrs .1. Ten-ill, New Plymouth). Private JJ (j. Thompson (.1, T. Thompson. Normality). Private .1. Tho.mpson (Mrs. M Thompson, Normality). Private F. L. Wheeler (Mrs. T. Wheeler, Vogelt own). Private 0.-Wilson (W. Hallet, Tahora). Private K.'Willis (Mrs. E. Willis, Stratford).