SOLDIERS IN EGYPT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23318, 2 May 1941, Page 6

SOLDIERS IN EGYPT

- ♦ ' REMODELLED Y,M.C.A. PREMISES

COMMODIOUS QUARTERS

Eftew Zealand Official News Service.]

CAIRO, April -2. , Thousands, who sutefibed to the lf«W Zealand Patriotic Fund would have been delighted had they had been present to-night at the official opening of the remodelled premises of the Y.M.C.A, ih camp, There are now comfortable sttd commodious quarters for the men ifl their off-duty hours within easy reach of most parts of the camp, providing a distinct improvement ort the facilities available when the camp was first occupied. The nut tySs declared open by Brigadier N. S. Falla, C.M.G., D.5.0., V.D., Commandant of the Base.

The guests included Brigadier Foster, Assistant-Adjutant-General of the British Forces in Egypt, LieutenantColonel F. Waite, Patriotic Fund Commissioner, Brigadier L. M, Inglis, Mr H. W. Shove, Y.M.C.A. Overseas Commissioner, Miss E. M, Nutsey, Matron-in-Chief of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service, and Mrs A. P. F. Chapman, New Zealand Y.M.C.A., who is to be in charge of the Lowry Hut to be erected shortly in the camp. Lieutenant-Colonel Waite, outlining the functions of the Patriotic Fund, Said that he was a trustee of the amount .that had been subscribed by the people of New Zealand for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It whs his duty to see that the men obtained a reasonable amount of comforts, conveniences, and amenities and at the same time take care that enough was kept to provide for the task of rehabilitation, which was equally important. Many said that they had received nothing out of the fund, but he wished it to he known that the Y.M.C.A. was the principal expending agency and, as an illustration of hOW the fund Was used, he said that the bands that had come away with the troops had been equipped with, the money subscribed for patriotic purposes. As one who had been with the New Zealand Army 25 years ago in this country, he was relieved to think that the men-were able to stay in such a place as this Y.M.C.A. and write a letter home.

Brigadier Falla, in formally declaring the hut open, expressed the hope that, while it waS very fine and a credit to the Y.M.C.A., it would not have too long a life, as the soldiers did not wftnt to be here indefinitely.

The building will accommodate at least 800 meh, and will be a boon during the summer, as it has a large central portion with a huge canvas awning, -which will provide a cool retreat. «With a canteen at one end and a Writing-room at the other, the centre' equipped |with a stage and a floor with two levels, the building is made of brick and wood and has an attractive appearance Ifl relief to the army hyts nearby, ' The Kiwi concert party presented an entertainment at the end of the proceedings, which was attended by a gathering of senior officers and a large number of soldiers. _ ,