TAUHERENIKAU CAMP

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3096, 29 May 1917, Page 7

TAUHERENIKAU CAMP

OPEN-TO-THE-AIR SYSTEM NOVEL CANTEEN AND INSTITUTES

Thn new seereeation camp which is beinz built at Tauherenikau is noiv nearly finished, and will be in full occupation by troops shortly. It is situated on the site of the original camp, and b number of the building?, after being altered somewhat, will be utilised in the new scheme.

The camp consists of four sectors, each of which is self-contained and about 200 yardo distant from , its neighbours. A rector consistn of a number of new bell tents, an institute, .cook-house, "drying room and latrines; while in a central position iiro tho sick hut canteen and distributing wlore. Alternate Biles for pitching tho tents in each sector are provided, so as to reel tho ground from time to time.

Tho cook-houses aro substantially built, on the pattern of those in use in other camps, and tho drying Tooms aro also of .i modern pattern. Tho latrines will be of the same pattern as thoso at I'eatherston Camp.

Tho canteen and institutes will embody a number of novelties of design, tho purpose of which, like that of the wholo camp, is to prevent mon congregating together, especially in enclosed spaces. 11l hot or cold drinks will lxi served a.t tho canteen Swn bufTeta which open upon a sheltered verandah. There will be- no inducement, to loiter or linger. Yor the; sale of dry goods, counters will bo provided in such a position that the men will enter at ono door, make thoir purchases and pass out by another door; they will not bo ablo to stand and talk. In Iho institutes this idea of discouraging tho men from meeting and talking will not bo carried out so fully as togards keeping tho men moving, but tho wholo of the windows.or a portion of them, according to the weather, will always bo open. Like the kiosk type of camp hospital, tho shutters will bo closed on the weather sido. while thoso on the shellorcd side will bo opened. The existing roomy institute of the Salvation Army does not conform to these plans, and some alterations will be necessary. It is the only one in the camp at present, and tho others which are beins built were designed in accordance with tho new idea.

- The sick hut is a largo and substantial building, its plan resembling that of a Maori niooting-hbuso. It has a deep verandah, or porch, whioh extends across its whole width. This will be tho waiting-room, from which will open tho doors of the inhaling room and of the passage leading to the rooms of the building. From . the waiting room tho sick mon will pass into the medical examination' room and from there lo tlio dispensary or treatment rooms as occasion demands. Other offices, and a twobed ward for emergency cases, are also provided. This building is the only placo m camp where the men from the lar segregated areas will meet. Tho water supply of tho new camp will be drawn from a water-race which comes fresh from tho rive.r. The water will be purified in a filter which is now to Now Zealand, consisting of speeiallyluid strata of sand and gravel, with a storage cistern below from which tho water will bo pumpedMnto tanks holding 'MO gallons. Prom there it will bo reticulated throughout the camp, an abundant supply beinj? always available. The drainuge of the camp is being constrnctod on tho soakago system, whicn has proved successful in tho gravel formation, which prevails at Tauherenikau. In spite of its open-air character, or maybe because of it. there aro indications that Tauhorenikau will bo a popular camp uitb the men. Tho Twentyeijhths, at present in camp there, are a fit and happy draft, and the camp ig a. favourite one among officers. The only thing which is regarded with disapproval is the wind, though from the medical point of view this is by no means a disadvantage.