MINUS TROUSERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 35, 21 November 1939, Page 7

MINUS TROUSERS.

SOLDIERS SN HOSPITAL. PREVENTING BREAKING’ OF BONDS. (Per Press Association.> AUCKLAND, November 20. The 50 soldiers at present accommodated at the Auckland Hospital infirmary suffering from influenza were deprived of their trousers by the hospital authorities at 6.30 p.m. yesterday; but they are quite happy. They know they will get them back when they leave. hospital in a. few days. In the meantime, pyjama trousers are the fashion. On a recent night some of the soldier patients decided to attend a dance, and disappeared from their ward, leaving dummies in their beds to mislead tlie_ nurses on night duty; but the nurses were not deceived, and when the soldiers returned they were dismayed to - find how deficient they had been in the art of camouflage. Then other soldiers, feeling fitter than their charts entitled them to, had been taking unauthorised strolls in the neighbourhood, although outside hospital grounds had been declared out of bounds. Certain others were morei daring. They took Tinauthorised motor-car rides with friends who called for them.

The superintendent, who is an old soldier, pointed out that he did not wish to impose irksome restrictions; hut that as their health was his responsibility, he must insist on their obeying the rules of the institution. The men took it in good part, but one soldier said that lie intended leaving as soon as he was able. As a consequence, the superintendent instructed that all trousers were to be locked up “for the duration.” It is understood that the attitude of‘’the soldier in question was such that it became necessary for action to be taken by the military authorities.