BACK FROM THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 January 1919, Page 5

BACK FROM THE WAR.

BIG DRAFT fifSTOßtfi generous tri<:atmhn"j: IS PANAMA P'jKl'S. Auckland, .Tan. !)• The transport Maunganui (No. 203) arrived nt Auckland this morning from Liverpool with an invalid draft ol S4O of all ranks. The vessel was oaniijß'U in Rangitoto Channel 'J'he Maunganui left Liverpool 011 Deeembe; - 2, mid foi the first week encountered bad weather. On two occasions she had to heave-to, but before long the weather moderated, and for the rest of the voyage was qui to good. At Panama the draft was given an exceedingly warm wel"oine by American residents of the canal zone. Not only were the men liberally entertained lit the two terminal ports, but at every li>ck people threw aboard packages of tobacco and other things which they knew the soldiers would like At Colon tho shin was loaded up with magazines, fruit, tobacco, and all sorts of eatables. Special trains were put on to convey the men from the port to the town Entertainments and refreshments were provided for them- They were taken out for sightseeing trips, and regular launch services were maintained between ship and shore; in fact, their good-will and generosity quite overwhelmed the men. One of the first remarks addressed to the newspaper men who went aboard, the ship to-day was a request that something should bo printed to show the gratitude of all raiks to their American friends.

"Tho thing that struck me most," said one of the officers, "was the hearty and demonstrative way in which they did it all. They can beat us Britons at that. I do think that New Zealand people ought to do something in return, or at least make them » grant in cash to help them to entertain Ne>- s>aknders passing through- The people of, the canal zone are >nost)y Oovemwan* employee* and there are no capitalists amongst them. I understand that wc only got what they g.iv* to ev«ry W«v Zealand draft, and how they can nifrrd to keep VI; up I don't understand. W« certainly ought to do something in return." On the voyage a certain amount of educational work was carried on under the scheme now feeing developed in the New Zealand Forces. Voluntary eiasse* in economics, steam engineering, and elementary 'Bookkeeping were held. The men who attended showed keen interest, and this was especially so in the economics class. The Oisborne men disembarked hur», but tho Southerners are going on by the same hoat this afternoon