THE ROYAL TOUR.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 8, 7 May 1920, Page 6

THE ROYAL TOUR.

The following is published for general information and returned men are asked to make themselves conversant with the position. . PARADES. The R.S.A. invite as many as possibie to appear in uniform. The parade will constitute soldiers in uniform and those in mufti. Each seotion being kept together. RAIL WARRANTS. As it is the expressed wish of H.R.H. to meet as many of the returned soldiers as possibie, your headquarters has arranged, in conjunction with the Departments of Defence, Internal Affairs, and Railways, for the issue of a free rail warrant available for one day only, to each ex-soldier who is located where a parade is not being held to enable him to travel to the nearest concentration point. Any returned soldier desirous of availing himself of tliis privilege must apply to the nearest Defence Office for an order, which he must present to the stationmaster (at his "home" station) in exchange for a ticket before boarding the train. Note. — If the returned soldier's "horne" station has no stationmaster, then the order will be exchanged for a ticket by the guard. It will be readily seen how necessary it is for the Railway Department to know how many people will be travelling to the various concentration points, and, therefore, the above method of issue will enable the Defence Department to aid the Railway Department by giving the desired information. In company with the returned soldiers which will be travelling, there will also be territorials, cadets, scouts, and school children, therefore headquarters would Rsk that every assistance be rendered by local associations to see that their members are well posted on the necessary details.

TRAIN ARRAN GEMENTS. These will, of course, be made known later on, but the Defence officials should be in a position to notify the time-table when the orders are being issued. AVAILABILITY. Local associations are asked to stress the following points as forcibly as possibie : — The bearer of a ticket issued above must return to his "home" station on the day of issue or he will be obliged to pay his fare when he makes the return journey. Unless a returned soldier makes application and receives an order from the

nearest Defence Office he cannot avail himself of the free rail warrant. The following places are concentration points, and a guide to returned soldiers who are availing themselves of the privileges of the free railway warrant. The three places, Balclutha, Gore, and Invercargill, are the nearest points that a parade will be held. To Balclutha. — From all stations Kaitangata and Catlin's River branch. From Crichton, Kuriwao, and intermediate stations. To Gore : — From Clinton and intermediate stations. From Charlton and Mataura-. From all stations, Tapanui, Waikaka, and Switzers branch. From Balfour and intermediate stations (Gore -Lumsden.) To Invercargill From Brydone and intermediate stations. From all stations on the Edendale-Glenham, Waimahaka-Tok-anui, Bluff, Tuatapere, Nightcaps, Hedgehope, and Kingston lines. MEALS. The civic authorities in Invercargill have made provision to supply returned soldiers with free meals. Tho obj,ect of this is to make sure that the men will be able to get a meal. The local caterers will he hard pressed on that day, and this procedure will overcome the difficulty. Returned men who are availing themselves of these facilities can obtain ticket-s from the sscrotary, R. S.A., Invercargill, — Ed.