GREY UNIFORMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 26 November 1941, Page 6

GREY UNIFORMS

MILITARY DEFAULTERS PARTIES FOR DETENTION ARRIVALS AT ROTORUA Two parties, totalling 26 men, have arrived at Rotorua for the defaulters’ camp at Strathmore. This camp, the first of two in the Rotorua-Taupo district, has accommodation for 200. Mr. L. G. Greenberg, controller of the camp, stated that full details of the camp routine were not yet worked out. On their arrival by train the defaulters were escorted to covered lorries and, under police supervision, were taken to the police station, where they were given lunch. Subsequently they were taken to premises in the town for fitting-out with grey uniforms before being despatched to the camp. A number of people evinced interest in the arrival of the defaulters, but the men concerned were transferred to the lorries almost immediately and without incident. There has been considerable activity during the past month at Strathmore, which is about 25 miles south of Rotorua, preparing the camp for occupation. Huts similar to those used by the Public Works Department have been made in the department’s yard at Rotorua, and a dining room and central hall for recreation erected. A large amount of roading has been done on the estate. Stores for the camp have been arriving in Rotorua for the past fortnight and have been placed in a warehouse.