BACK FROM THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1919, Page 5

BACK FROM THE WAR.

LANDINQ- OF WILLOCHRA MEN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The troopship Willochra, which arrived last night, was passed as a clean ship and berthed at 2.6 this afternoon. Unfortunately, the weather to-day was cold and showery. The returning troops, however, were given a hearty welcome. The steamer Duchess, this morning, conveyed round the transput aoout a thousand school children, who sang and cheered the men. The Auckland men went north by special train this evening, and the south islad men left by the Mararoa. The Nelson and Picton steamer was kept back until :i.3o> p.m., enabling the men for thosu districts to catch it. Officers and men report that they experienced an excellent voyage, being accorded the usual hospitality when passing through the Panama Canal. Shortly after leaving England a number of influenza colds were experienced, but these rapidly disappeared, and there was no further sickness. The Minister of Public Health stated this afternoon that, as the later information regarding the Willochra is of a very satisfactory character, it is considered unnecessary to detain the vessel. The cases on board have been of a mild description, with nothing of a malignant nature, while the men have gone through the ordinary inhalation treatment, and a very large number have been vaccinated In addition, it must be taken into consideration that no cases beyond seven mild ones developed during the journey of many thousands of miles. For all these reasons it is felt unnecessary to detain the vessel any longer. The removal of the embargo applies to the whole of the cases, and it will not now be necessary to send patients and contacts to Somes Island.

The returned men, judging by the comments made from the ship's side, are very sore at the prohibition' poll being taken during their absence from New Zealand, and it was generally asserted that fully 80 per cent, of chose on board had voted iu favor ui continuance.

THE lONIC DRAFT.

The following Taranaki names are given in the list of men returning by the lonic, which is due at Auckland about April 23: Second-Lieut. W. Everiss, Stratford.

Sergeant A. W. Allardice, Puniho. T. L. Bellringer, New Plymouth. G. Flynn, Te Wera. Sergeant S. Hedgman, Stratford. G. A. Home, Eltham. Lance-Corporal H. D. Chesswas, WaitO' tara. T. E. Larking, New Plymouth. P. G. Law, Hawera. L. Loveridge, New Plymouth. G. Markham, Opunake. J. J. Hanson, Inglewood. J. 15. H. Mayhead, Midhirst. J. A. Mills, New Plymouth A. L. Mitchell, Hawera. A. 11. Osborne, New Plymouth. W. A. Ross, New Plymouth. B. Saunders, Waverley. W. B. Smith, Whangamomona. J. Somers, Eltham. W. B. Sprackett, Eltham. R. Stewart, Waverley. V. H. Thatcher, Kawhia.