CHRISTMAS IN CAM?

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2951, 11 December 1916, Page 6

CHRISTMAS IN CAM?

.ARRANGEMENTS"FOR LEAVfi YULETIDE DINNER FOR T'ROOPS. The Christmas arrangenieuta for the soldiers ,in Trehtham and JAmtherston Training Camps have been/ practically completed. While the officers, and men of the Expeditionary ForciW will have leave of long or short deration, the camps will-not be closed:'in'any sense of the word, as the usual' routine work will have to be carried out 'in preparation for tho incoming off the Twentyfourth Reinforcements, wl few men of this draft will arrive at>'.'jrentham before Christmas. These, recruits had mad© arrangements to/go into" camp before the date of the mobilisation of the Twenty-fourth was-' put back, and hayo asked to be allow/id to do so. All troops in th© camps will be given an opportunity of taki/jg extended leave from December 21 tiTl January 4, and will have the usual ./facilities providedto enable them to visit their homes A number, however, who have no home ties, may elect to stay in camp and spend their leave in Wellington and the All ranks at Trantham are to be entertained at a Christmas dinner, which is being arranged by ; the Mayor and Mayoress-of Wellington, to"be held on December 19 ,'ff the weather is fine the tables will bo set out of doors in tlio camp grounds instead of the men f v? ch J> alf -Htment'having a separate table, lho outdoor arrangoment was followed at May Morn last year, and V s nmn ompl ? ite 'success. The' spectacle or 2000 men assembled at tho tables was inspiring. At Trentham this year tnere will /oo double that number of troops, and it should be a gay and picturesque gathering. Arrangements for entertaining the soldiers at Christinas dinner are also being made at Featherston.

The troops in camp at Trentkam oil December 19 will include the Twentyfirst Infantry and a portion of tlio lwentietlis, as well as the Engineers and the officers and N.C.O.'s of other drafts and the headquarters staff. At I'eatherston will be the Twenty-second ■ and Twenty-third Reinforcements and •■the officers, N.C.O.'s, and men. of other units and drafts, and the headquarters stair.. It is understood that m both camps suoh members.'of the training stair as can be spared at that time will bo given. Christmas leave. But the regular routine work will go ou -is usual.