PROVISION FOR TROOPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 64, 13 September 1939, Page 11

PROVISION FOR TROOPS

ERECTION OF BUILDINGS

EXPEDITIOUS WORK

"When the' troops were called out on the declaration of a state of emergency, and required to occupy their war stations at a few hours' notice, arrangements had to be made for accommodating the men in small or large numbers at twenty different posts," said Colonel E. Puttick, Officer Commanding the Wellington Military District, in a statement to the Press

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"The plans already prepared in peace were put into operation," said Colonel Puttick, "and on the first day tents were erected, straw,, palliasses, five blankets per man, and. waterproof sheets provided, and where larger numbers were involved, marquees erected. The provision of meals at such a large number of widely-scattered posts was not an easy matter. Hot meals were prepared at two main points and distributed in hot food containers twice daily by motor transport, the third meal being dry rations. HUTS. MESS ROOMS, AND BATH-HOUSES. "At the same time, in accordance j with prepared plans, the construction jof cook-houses, living huts, mess rooms, storerooms, bath-houses, and other facilities and conveniences was commenced under the excellent arrangements made by the District Engineer of the Public Works Department, who had a complete scheme ready to deal with the emergency. The buildings were prepared in sections by factories working three shifts and assembled on the sites. The policy adopted was, as far as possible, to give priority to the more exposed localities and especially to those where the larger numbers of men were living. The living huts are provided with tier bunks, a small stove, and table. At the same time rush orders were placed for wooden tent floors to be made. These were distributed as fast as they came to hand, and most of the tents in use are now provided with these and all will have them by today.

"The erection of buildings has proceeded expeditiously and many can be seen from various points in the city. The Army authorities adopted the principle of providing at each post in' the shortest possible time a building of some kind —living hut or mess room —which wduld provide shelter in the event of inclement weather.

"One of the larger units is moving from its tents completely into huts today. Several of the small detachments are being provided with huts today, and practically all should have them by Thursday or Friday. TROOPS AT SEATOUN. "The troops at Seatoun will remain in tents until large hutments can be provided for them elsewhere. This camp is in a fairly well-sheltered position, on ground which drains readily. All tents have floor-boards, and a road and gravelled tracks in front of each row of tents have been completed, to prevent mud. This camp is close to a large military establishment with numerous buildings and many ■ facilities such as baths, drying facilities, and so forth.

"All posts are visited by officers once a day and by medical officers from time to time, while senior Army officers visit the detachments as opportunity offers. Today, on account of the heavy rain, lorries with dry greatcoats are visiting all detachments other than those which have their own drying facilities, exchanging dry greatcoats for wet ones, which will be dried under special arrangements and .then returned to the men. The spirit of the men has been excellent throughout, and they are carrying out their duties admirably. They all seem to realise that complete accommodation cannot be made available at a moment's notice, and are aware of the arrangements that are in hand to improve their conditions.

"The Public Works Department has shown the greatest keenness and promptitude in meeting the Army requirements, and is to be commended for the splendid arrangements it had ready to meet' the emergency."