CLUBS IN PACIFIC

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1944, Page 7

CLUBS IN PACIFIC

SERVICE TO TROOPS COMMISSIONER’S' REPORT The success achieved by the Kiwi Club at Bourail Beach, New Caledonia, was referred to by Major C. W. O. Brain, patriotic commissioner with the 3rd New Zealand Division, in a report to the standing committee of the National Patriotic Fund Board. Major Brain who is now back in New Zealand, stated that between April 14, t'he opening date, and August 3 of this year, the club staff served the troops with 42,287 cooked meals and 39,378 morning and afternoon teas and suppers. Nearly 3,000 officers, nurses, W.A.A.C.S 1 , n.c.o’s.' and men enjoyed a holiday at the club. Tnese figures, said Major Brain, did not include the thousands served bv the club ice cream and soda fountain nor did they include the service given to the many thousands 1 who, thronging to the beach at weekends, were provided with hot tea for lunch and morning and afternoon teas, served on the beach by the club's staff. “Although the main object of the club was to provide accommodation for leave personnel’’ he continued, “due to the club’s location in such ideal surroundings and its splendid facilities, its residential function was in reality secondary in importance. Daily crowds of troops relaxed in comfortable chairs on the extensive verandah accommodation facing the sea, crowded the recreation hall, reading and writing rooms, and generally made themselves’ at home in the gay and comfortable surroundings of their club. Added attractions were the surf, yachting and boating on a large lagoon immediately behind the club, and evening entertainment W'as provided by holding dances and concerts, and there were pictures twice a week.”

Referring to the native style club built inland for the New Zealand troops at New Caledonia, Major Brain said that this was essentially! a soldiers’ club. It was not only a popular meeting place for the- men at the main base camp but for all troops of the New Zealand Division. In addition to the amenities available within the club, there was a big sports ground immediately in front of the premises. The club opened on November 12, 1943, and closed on August 18 this year. During that period 54,748 cooked meals were served and 177,851 morning and afternoon teas.

Major Brain also gave details of the quantity of ice cream made by the board’s ice cream plant and the soft drinks made by the bottling plant; the recreation centres provided for the Y.M.C.A. staff to serve the troops, the distribution of sports gear, gift parcels, indoor games,etc, and the care given to sick and wounded. He expressed appreciation of the co-operation extended to him by all concerned and paid tribute to the work of the padres and the Y.M.C.A.. personnel. DISPOSAL OF ASSETS Major Brain also reported that the board’s affairs had been completely wound up at New Caledonia. The total receipts from the sale of assets amounted to £43,959, but against this there were debits of approximately £lO,OOO for certain buildings and supplies. Other material which was difficult to obtain in New Zealand was being shipped back to New Zealand or transferred to the board’s representatives with the Royal New Zealand Air Force units in the' Pacific. He added that when the New Zealand Division started to return to New Caledonia from the forward area the welfare personnel were ready and equipped to give a most efficient and complete service, but owing to a rapid change of plans in the disposition of the New Zealand forces the opportunity to serve was restricted to three or four months The chairman, the Governor-Gen-eral (Sir Cyril Newall) on behalf of the Board, thanked Maior Brain and his staff for their excellent work.