SPECIAL FORCE RECRUITING

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22851, 26 October 1939, Page 10

SPECIAL FORCE RECRUITING

SEVEN ENLISTMENTS YESTERDAY

Seven enlistments were made yesterday in Christchurch for the Special Force, while one recruit signed up for the Maori Battalion. Lieutenant R. R. Livingstone was among the A number of applications have been received from men over 35 years of age, and the Recruiting Office has had to set them aside.

The registrations yesterday were:— Gavin, Henry Gordon, unemployed.

Tuahiwi. Harper, Robert Roy, State Forestry employee, Balmoral. Livingstone, Robert Revel, accountancy student. 41 Riccarton road. Christchurch. • „ „ ~ Priest Thomas, bushman, Barfield. Woods, Keith William Pannett, farmer. Springston. Maori Battalion

Thoms, Reginald Jerome Joseph, labourer. 28 Hastings street, Sydenham.

DANCES FOR MEN

ON LEAVE

SUGGESTED USE OF ART GALLERY

WORK OF CHRISTCHURCH WELCOME CLUB

The use of the Durham Street Art Gallery as a dance hall for men on leave from the Burnham Military Camp on Saturdays was suggested at a meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Welcome Club yesterday. The club has made considerable progress in the provision of recreation for men on leave, but some concern was expressed yesterday at the lack of a hall in which well-conducted dances could be given. “I would like to say that the men do want dances,” said Mrs H. Wyatt, reporting for the entertainments committee. “The lack of a hall is cramping our style ” ' “There is a definite need for dances on Saturday night,” said Mrs W. F. Kent-Johnston, organiser of the club. “It appears that the men feel they are not wanted at civilian dances. Men have gone to halls, and have not been accepted because there have been officers present. The result is that the men are going to third-rate and fourthrate dance halls, and we know that no good can come of that.” Mr E. F. Willcox moved that the provision of a hall should be left to the entertainments committee. Mr Heathcote Helmore said that the Durham Street Art Gallery was not in use at present, and would be a suitable place. The City Council had taken away the dance licence of the Art Gallery, however. Mr Willcox’s motion was passed, on the assumption that the possibility of using the Art Gallery should be investigated. Mr J. Mackenzie, for the information committee, said that in addition to the men having access to the racecourses, the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association would shortly consider admitting them to its grounds. It was also proposed that the Tepid Baths should be open to the men. An attempt was being made to arrange big excursions to the beaches. , It was hoped that a library service, operated from the public library, would soon be available in the camp. The surf clubs were giving full membership facilities to the men from Burnham, said Mr A. R. Richards, for the recreation cor-mittee. Arrangements were being made for tennis, cricket, and other sports. Transport at reduced fares was discussed. It was agreed that the payment of train fares by leave men was not a matter for the club; but Mrs Kent-Johnston was authorised to approach the Tramway Board to inquire about reduced fares for the men on the trams. Mrs Kent-Johnston said that in Dunedin soldiers were permitted to travel all day on the trams on payment of Id.

HOSPITAL AT

BURNHAM

MODERN BUILDING SOON AVAILABLE

The establishment of a temporary hospital at Burnham Military Camp is reported to be fulfilling all needs .while the authorities are awaiting a modern hospital which will be available soon. According to advice yesterday, the temporary hospital is comfortable and well situated, and works on the system by which the medical officer, if not satisfied with a patient after 48 hours, sends the patient to the Christchurch Hospital. So far the few patients have received excellent attention. It is expected, barring the, appearance of summer complaints, that the hospital will not be busy, especially as the routine of the camp tends to keep sickness at a minimum, and as all precautions are taken against ill-health. Good progress is also reported in work on the main headquarters building.

ISSUE OF TWO UNIFORMS

BURNHAM CAMP INSTRUCTION

An announcement was made yesterday by Military District' Headquarters that every man in Burnham camp had either already been issued or would shortly be issued with denims. This issue is greatly appreciated by the troops, it was stated. The denims are cool in warm weather, provide a change, and can -be used in training work, thus permitting the service uniform to be kept neat and clean for leave and special occasions.