WAIOURU CAMP

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 115, 17 May 1941, Page 11

WAIOURU CAMP

MEN'S WELFARE

PROVISION OF COHORTS

As one who had seen the camp in its various stages of development he had nothing but praise for those responsible for its lay-out, construction, and completion, stated Mr. G. A. Hayden, secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board, on his return to Wellington after a visit to Waiouru Military Camp this week. Mr. Hayden referred to the facilities for recreation and for the general comfort of the men at present available and to the need for special attention being given to the provision of extra comforts because of the situation of the camp—there being no towns of any size in the near vicinity as i i the case of the main mobilisation camps—and the fact that it is located at a high altitude.

The board has erected and equipped four institutional and recreational huts at the camp and these are controlled on the board's behalf by the V.M.C.A., Salvation Army, Church Army, and Catholic Church. Mr. Hayden was impressed by the enthusiasm of the representatives of the social welfare organisations in their efforts to look after the well-being of the men. These huts embody improved features suggested by the experience gained at the main mobilisation camps, and of their kind they are undoubtedly the best in New Zealand. THE CAMF LIBEARY. A feature of the amenities is the camp library. In many respects its lay-out and facilities resemble those of a city library, though on a smaller scale. Over 50 per cent, of the camp personnel makes use of the lending section. "The thousands of people who have given books for camp libraries vould indeed be gratified," said Mr. Hayden, "if they saw the way these books are being kept and used." A visit was also made by Mr. Hayden to the camp hospital, which, together with other such hospitals, is provided with comforts by the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society, as the board's agent in this important field of work.

Mr. Hayden added that the men are also helping to provide the means for recreation. They were endeavouring, he said, to lay out a nine-hole golf course, and the board would be pleased to receive on their behalf serviceable golf clubs and balls that citizens might have available and are prepared to give to the men. Similarly the gift of putters would be appreciated, for in addition a miniature putting green was proposed.

"The commanding officer at Waiouru," said Mr. Hayden, "takes a keen interest in the welfare and comfort of his men and gave every assistance in making known their further requirements. Altogether the visit will be productive of good results in helping to increase the comforts of the officers and men who are doing such good work in this isolated camp."