He strongly denies that the Turks desecrated Australian graves. On the contrary, the Turks kept the Beach and Shrapnel Valley cemeteries in order, adding mounds lined with stones to each grave, similar to their own military cemeteries. The Australian Grave Detachment, aided by maps and photographs, are able to locate almost every grave known when Anzac was evacuated.

Though the Turks had destroyed the wooden crosses for firewood, there were metal crosses at some, and carved stones.

Moreover, the comrades of those who had fallen often sank pipes with the names of the casualties stamped on them in Morse code. This is an adaptation of an old Australian trick used in marking allotments.

The Australia is due on Tuesday, and is expected to enter Sydney Harbour not later than 11 o'clock. It will be a very different Australia from the one that left here so silently early in August, 1914. A battlecruiser is supposed to be a fairly old ship in eight years, and a hulk in 12.

The Australia in 1914 was, to all intents and purposes, a new vessel, but the ship we shall see Tuesday will be one that has passed the dividing line between new and old. It is as though a child had gone from us, and was now coming back a middle-aged man, with a bald crown and a grilled beard. Similarly the crew will not be so young as when they left. Boys will have become young men; young men, - well, not so young.

The Australia will come to her moorings again after an absence of nearly five years. It is a long time.

Mr Hughes, the Prime Minister of Australia, and Sir Joseph Cook, the Minister for the Navy, have returned from a visit to the site of the great Australian memorial on a ridge overlooking Amiens.

The memorial will be of Australian trachyte and marble, and the ground ten acres. The monument will be clearly visible from Amiens, and all the graves of Australians who fell in the region will be placed around the memorial.

Mr Hughes, addressing soldiers at the site, said it was fitting that Australia should erect her greatest memorial on the spot where, according to Marshal Foch, France had been saved. "These men," he added, "have not merely saved France, but they had saved Australia and civilisation. If the Germans had gained a victory, Australia would have been the first to fall into her net, and there would have been no talk of a League of Nations or mandatories."

Mrs Harker presided at a meeting of the executive of the Newcastle and Hunter River District War Chest Fund, held at the depot, Scott's Limited, on Tuesday. It was the first meeting held at the depot since it was opened for work on March 21, and the report covered a period of five months. During that time the goods received at the depot had been 1777 pairs of socks, the largest number being sent in by Maitland branch 670. Toronto Sock Fund contributed 179 pairs, a splendid record for a small branch, Muswellbrook 174 pairs, Singleton and Aberdeen each contributed over 100.

Other articles sent in were 138 shirts, 51 pairs mittens, 43 caps and mufflers, and 34 other articles. During the period 23 cases of socks and shirts had been sent to France and Egypt for general distribution, four cases of mixed goods to Sydney War Chest, and one case for use on a transport. Of that number 15 cases were completed on Anzac Day, 25th April. The remaining 13 cases were despatched in January during the vacation. Gifts had been sent to Waratah and Maitland Hospitals.

It was the wish of the honorary superintendent that help be given to soldiers' dependents before the War Chest closed. Rouchel and West Maitland branches had already started this work. The Cook's Hill Patriotic League and the Hearts of Oak had also asked to be allowed to help, and other leagues were reforming to work for other funds as the need for War Chest work was ended.

The following branches in connection with Hunter River District War Chest Fund had been closed: West Maitland, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Scone, Aberdeen, Jerry's Plains, Rouchel, Bunnan, Oakhampton, McCully Gap, and Muscle Creek.

A welcome home was tendered to Bombardier W. T. Victor on Friday night. The Mayor, Alderman J. Dixon, and members of the Welcome Home Committee met him at Newcastle station, and accompanied him home to the residence of his sister, Mrs W. Davies, of Wilton Street, Merewether, where a repast had been provided. Private Victor went away with the 30th Battalion in November, 1915, and fought in the battles of Villers Bretonneux, Fleurbaix, Ypres, Messines, Bullecourt, and Fleurs, and came through without being wounded. His brother, Frederick, who enlisted in May, 1916, is still at the front. His mother died while he was away.

Gunner W. Nix, MM, has returned home after four years' service. He was employed in the Tramway Department when he left, and was a prominent cricketer and footballer. On his arriving at Newcastle he was welcomed by the Mayor of Adamstown, Alderman Cameron, and the town clerk, Mr W. Brown, and subsequently the Rev. J. H. Margotts, and Messrs. T. Robin, J. Bokenstein joined in the welcome. Gunner Nix thanked his friends for their welcome. He gained the Military Medal in the push on the Hindenburg line on August 29th, 1918.

Mrs J. Thomas, of Brighton Avenue, Toronto, has been notified that her son, Gunner H. L. Thomas, is returning by the Soudan, due in Melbourne about the 24th June. Gunner Thomas enlisted in 1915. He left Egypt with the original 30th Battalion for France, where he was taken prisoner of war on July 20, 1919, at Fleurbaix. After being a prisoner of war in Germany for 16 months, he succeeded in escaping to Holland, eventually reaching England. After two months' furlough, he applied to the military authorities to again go to France. He was with the 5th Battery, 2nd Field Artillery, in France, when the armistice was signed.

Mr Thomas Murray, of Newcastle East, has been notified that his son, Private W. R. Murray, of the 1st Machine Gun Battalion, and late of the 3rd Battalion, is returning, and will arrive in Melbourne on the 24th June by the transport Soudan, after three and a half years' service. Previous to enlisting he was one of the naval contingent who went to New Guinea at the outbreak of the war.

Quartermaster-Sergeant Cherry, who left with the 35th Battalion, arrived home at West Wallsend on Sunday night. He was met at the tram by the patriotic bodies, and escorted to the school of arts, where the band and a large gathering of citizens had assembled to welcome him. Councillor J. Johnston, president of the local patriotic committee, on behalf of the citizens, extended a welcome.

QM-Sergeant Cherry, responding, expressed his thanks for the welcome. He was escorted to his home, where a large gathering of relatives and friends were in waiting. Mr W. Gregory occupied the chair, and spoke in complimentary terms of both Mr Cherry and Mrs Cherry, as both had played their part in the great crisis, Mrs Cherry being secretary to the girls' league, whilst her husband was on the other side. The toast of "The Parents" was proposed by Mr G. Snedden.

Mrs J. Snedden and Mr A. Hodge also expressed their pleasure at the soldier's return, and extended him a hearty welcome.

Sapper E. Brooks, who recently returned from the front, after three years' service, was entertained by the employees of Elermore Vale No. 2, at the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening, and presented with a suitably inscribed gold medal.

The Mayor, Alderman T. Abel, presided. The loyal toast was proposed by the chairman, after which the toast of "Fallen Soldiers" was drunk in silence.

"Our Guest" was proposed by Mr D. Watkins, MHR, who commended the lodge for keeping the promises made by them to give their soldier members a hearty welcome. While there were some of the employers who were loyal to the promises made to employees that their positions would be there for them when they returned, he regretted that there were others who were not doing it.

Their guest was one who answered the call, and they were all glad to see him back again.

Mr J. Bell then made the presentation of the medal, which he said would serve to remind Sapper Brooks of his association with the Elermore Vale Tunnel. They would be glad to see him back again with them, for his place was ready for him as soon as he was ready for it.

Sapper Brooks, in response, said he was very pleased to be back again at Wallsend. Since leaving he had been in Africa, Egypt, India, France and England, and he had come to the conclusion that after all this part of the world was the best. He was a member of the corps that were engaged so long in the tunnelling work at Hill 60, and he was there and saw the big explosion. He was also at Polygon Wood.

He concluded with thanking them for their cordial welcome and their gift.

A public welcome was accorded to Corporal L. G. Marks, who returned to his home on Wednesday, after four years' active service. Upon the guest entering the hall he was heartily greeted. After a brief address from the chairman, Mr Kilshaw, a musical program, interspersed with dancing, was gone through.

During the evening Corporal Marks was invested with an inscribed medal by Miss Williamson, president of the local Red Cross branch. Corporal Marks suitably responded. Refreshments were served by the Red Cross members. Corporal Marks, who is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs George Marks, of Marks' Point, and a native of Belmont, was the first to receive a send-off in the district. He served on Gallipoli and in Egypt and France, and was wounded on two occasions.

Prior to enlisting he was teaching in the Tamworth district.

Mrs J. McLeish, of Purple Hill, Minmi, has received word that her nephew, Lance Corporal Harold Baird, DCM, is returning to Australia by the Borda, and is expected to arrive in Melbourne about the 27th June.

Mrs T. Henderson, of Main Street, Minmi, has received advice that her son, Signaller Thomas Henderson, is also returning to Australia by the same steamer.

A public welcome home to a number of returned soldiers has been arranged by the Red Cross Society for Monday night next.

The Toronto Sock League has disbanded after three years' successful work. At the close of the first year the league affiliated with the Newcastle and Hunter River War Chest Fund, and became known, from April, 1917, as No. 9 Branch. Altogether 156 Christmas parcels were sent to local soldiers, and out of the 96 parcels sent for the Christmas of 1918 48 have been acknowledged with grateful thanks. Members have knitted 2202 pairs of socks, 108 pairs mittens, 13 pairs kneepads and 30 caps.

The pupils of Toronto Public School were responsible for 242 pairs socks, 20 pairs of mittens, and 80 washers. The premier knitter, however, was Mrs Cockburn, who knitted 855 pairs of socks.

Mrs M. Blackie has been notified that her son, Private A. J. Blackie, is returning by the transport Borda, due in Melbourne on the 27th June.

Mrs H. James has been notified that her son, Lance Corporal Harry James, is also returning by the Borda, and a similar notification has been received by Mr W. Brownlee regarding his son, Sergeant W. Brownlee.