NEARLY READY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 249, 2 August 1941, Page 3

NEARLY READY.

FIVE MOBILE CANTEENS. ONE FOR MAORI BATTALION. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 1. Five mobile canteens which are being built at Petone for service with the New Zealand forces in the Middle East are expected to be ready in another three weeks. These motorised canteens. have been given through the National Patriotic Fund Board by the staff of Woolworths (N.Z.) Ltd., who have provided the funds for two, the Masonic Order, the N.Z.- Federation of Shop Assistants and native school children. The native school children’s canteen, is for service with the Maori Battalion. The bodies are being built on imported three-ton chassis, and when the job is completed another five very serviceable 'units will be available to cater for the welfare of the New Zealand Forces.

A start with the work was made about three weeks ago, and this week Mr G. A. Hayden, secretary of the Board, and others, inspected the con struction as far as it had progressed. There was no doubt, said Mr Hayden, after the visit, that the canteens would be .a, valuable adjunct to the services already in operation in -the Middle East for the armed forces. In addition to the bodywork, two main water tanks each with a capacity of 94 gallons are being built underneath the chassis. An extra, 22-gallon petrol tank is being fitted at the rear, and there is also a small water .supply tank which will hold nine gallons. A pump will enable water to be pumped up from the two main water tanks to the smaller tank, and a check valve is bei«ig fitted alongside the pump so that the containers can be filled without pumping water up into the small tank. Inside, the bodies will be equipped with a sink, benrih, cupboards and electric light. There will be two storage compartments over the top of the cab. One side of the body will be hinged so that the top part will provide a canopy and the bottom part a counter. Other equipment will be added in the Middle East.