Mortality Among Penguins.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 172, 22 July 1940, Page 6

Mortality Among Penguins.

Penguins have suffered heavily as the result of the mining of the ill-fated Niagara, great patches of oil from the tanks of the ship having created great mortality among them. Hundreds of dead penguins strew the beaches in the vicinity of the disaster, death in most cases having been duo to starvation. It seems that after the birds come ashore they are unable to dive back into the sea owing to the feathers being matted with the floating oil. Though no merchandise has been recovered from the vessel, pieces of wreckage and fragments of lifeboats have been drifting along the beach.

Financial Help to Territorials.

It has been announced that financial assistance may be granted to territorials who are undergoing periods of intensive training and who, by reason of their undertaking military service, are unable to meet their financial obligations. The obligations in respect of which assistance may Ims granted are rent, interest on loans or mortgages or in respect of agreements for the purchase of a dwelling house or business premises, and interest and instalments payable in respect of agreements for the purchase of furniture or other chattels; rates and taxes; insurance premiums; other necessary or reasonable expenses, not being expenses incurred in the purchase of- property. Assistance will not be granted for the discharge of ordinary debts.

Extending Military Camp. In addition to a quota of army trainees, Waiouru military camp at the moment contains in lints and tents about 800 workmen, who are erecting buildings and preparing grounds for an extension of the cam]). When reconstructed, the camp will be capable of housing 7000 or 8000 men. It - was hoped to have the work finished by Octol>er, but it may be later than that before it is ready for occupation. Workmen are complaining of the cold weather. The main complaints have been concerning the accommodation in tents, but as huts are being completed the men are being shifted into these more comfortable quarters. Some men, however, prefer the tents because of the comparative privacy and quietness. Firewood has been one of the most serioiis problems, but coal and coke are obtainable at about 4/ a bag. There are big fireplaces in the public works hutments, but the tents are not so congenial. The accommodation being provided for the troops includes large central coke stoves similar to those used in camps in England during the last war. Hard Winter at Waiouru.

The severity of winter conditions at Waiouru, where the Dominion's largest and most up-to-dato military camp is being established, has come as an unpleasant surprise to many of the 800 workmen employed there, particularly those employed by private contractors and billeted in tents, reports a Wariganui correspondent. Particularly after rains, snow or frost, these quarters have not been very comfortable for men drawn from the more sheltered conditions of city life. Some workmen who have not appreciated the difference in climate between Waiouru and Auckland have arrived at the camp with only two blankets. They have found conditions anything but happy, and have not stayed long. The camp is situated on a bleak and elevated plateau only a few miles from snow-clad Mount Ruapehu. and at least five blankets, and preferably seven or eight, are needed. In the hard Waiouru frosts the blankets themselves are almost frozen. Men who are used to a hard, open-air life, however, make light of the hardships and find the bracing conditions to their liking.