ANZAC CONTINGENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1938, Page 9

ANZAC CONTINGENT

QUIET WELCOME HOME. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 2. Highly appreciative of Australian hospitality, but none the less glad to be home, the contingent of New Zealand returned soldiers who attended the Anzac Day celebrations in Sydney arrived back at Wellington by the Maunganui and Monowai today. In contrast to the enthusiastic farewell from Wellington the contingent was given a quiet welcome home. There were then only 20 or so people on Queen’s wharf, although a dozen more had arrived by the time the berthing was completed and a number reached the wharf during the time the men were coming ashore. From the wharf there were comments on the smart appearance of the men in the black and white striped ties issued on the trip across to Sydney. In the meantime the Monowai had appeared in the stream, where she remained until the medical inspection of the Maunganui was completed. She berthed at Pipitea wharf. Colonel R. F. Gambrill and Lieut. - Colonel G. Lyon, who commanded the men in the Maunganui and Monowai respectively, spoke appreciatively of the way the contingent was received by the Sydney people. “Their welcome was overwhelming,” said the former, “and their hospitality extraordinary. In fact vze found it quite a strenuous business to attend all the gatherings arranged. From the time the Customs Department gave us as quick an entry as possible, the people could not do enough for us. The behaviour of the men, apart from one or two minor incidents, was excellent, and we have reason to believe that left a good impression with the Australians.’’