IN EASY STREET

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 147, 18 December 1915, Page 6

IN EASY STREET

GERMAN PRISONERS IN ENGLAND A TRAINED CHOIR AND A BRASS BAND. (Received December 18, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, 17th December. .During the pressmen's visit to tho German camp, they noticed that some of the prisoners display remarkable industry. One had made two violins, others excellent carvings. The carpenters made music stands and furniture. A choirmaster had trained fifty of his fellow prisoners, and there was a brass band of thirty members, the instruments having been presented by English musicians. Tailors, bootmakers, and barbers were paid for their services. The men wash their own clothing, and are required to keep their rooms clean. "Lights out" sounds at 10.30, but the men are permitted out of doors until midnight under aii officer appointed by each dormitory. This tesults in splendid discipline. When a prisoner burned a plank from, a bunk, the others court-martialled him, charging him with damaging Government property. Although there are no German officers in this camp, many of the men are of superior talents. A chemist acts as dispenser, a barrister was found lecturing a class on the history of Babylon, a former resident of England was teaching shorthand and English. 'The pupils are glad of the mental exertion to relieve the monotony. Hot baths are always available, TJie prisoners are perI mitted two letters'outward weekly, and receive all arriving. Thus, they 'are in close touch with their relatives. A hundred and five thousand parcels were received in eleven months, and they now total 1500 daily with Christmas gifts. It is pathetic to watch the anxiety of the recipients during the search of the parcels by the officers, fearing that some of their treasures will be confiscated. The parcels frequently contain spirits, which are tabooed. A TACTFUL NEW ZEALANDER, The men are permitted books and English newspapers, except those containing offensive anti-German' articles and cartoons. The absence of restrictions is remarkable. The band plays "Wacht am der Rhine." Most of the prisoners are affable, and only once has trouble threatened, which was tactfully, but promptly, quelled. One man escaped in twelve months:

The smoothness of the working is due to the sympathetic treatment by the commandant, Major W. C. Bulkeley, D.5.0., who was born in Taranaki, and is the owner of property in Colombostreet, Christchurch, and whose father was Aide-de-camp to Sir George Grey. He also controlled the prisoners in South Africa. Major Bulkeley won the confidence of the Germans by his straightforward dealing. On his entering a room everyone jumps to attention in a twinkling. GERMANS DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE. Major Bulkeley does not treat the prisoners as dogs, but as soldier to soldier, always returning a salute. Thus, when an exchange of prisoners is arranged, it is necessary to send a picket to bring out the men, as few of the Germans desire to go. There are few com-' plaints. The canteen supplements the unlimited variety of foodstuffs. The prisoners are' permitted to receive from their homes half a sovereign weekly. Some complained about the white bread, as they prefer the coarser kind. CAMP IN STRIKING CONTRAST TO THOSE IN GERMANY. A travelled American journalist ,on taking his leave, declared that the camp was most striking in contrast to those in Germany, where the British and Russian prisoners arb compelled to sweep the streets and do the most menial work.