Army defends camp care

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33753, 28 January 1975, Page 16

Army defends camp care

(X.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. The Army tried to leave as little evidence of its presence as possible after exercises, ! said the Chief of the Genera! Staff (Major-General R. H. F. Holloway). The Army went to considerable lengths to ensure that ! any area was not unduly disturbed, disfigured by rubI bish, or subjected to fire damage, he said. General Holloway was commenting on criticism by the chief ranger of the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board, of damage to bush in the Mount White-Poulter River area during the annual camp of the Third Infantry Brigade. He agreed that some damage had been done, but said this affected a small patch of isolated bush, described by the chief ranger as having “no aesthetic value.”

The park board was told of the Army’s activity, and clearance to use the land included an undertaking to make good damage as far as practicable. General Holloway said the owner of the area had visited it during the camp and was satisfied with the state of his land. Lasting improvements had been made to roads and tracks by Army engineers in I preparation for the camp. The Army did not intend ito use the area regularly, and noise was limited — the ; ranger confirmed that no complaints were received I from park users.