CAMP AT RACECOURSE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 69, 20 February 1931, Page 6

CAMP AT RACECOURSE

EVACUATION NEXT WEEK. STATEMENT BY MAJOR-GENERAL An announcement that every endeavour would be made to evacuate the Awapuni refugee camp by Saturday of next week was made by Major-General Young to a “Standard” reporter toda “The central relief committee recognises that it will be a considerable time before the women and children will be able to return to Napier and Hastings, but considers that it is bettor to have the refugees billeted in private homes,” stated Major-General Young. Accompanied by Brigadier \\ byte, the General inspected the Showgrounds camp this morning, and discussed matters of administration and finance. He paid a visit to the recently-established school at the cattle pavilion and addressed a few words to the childien, urging them to do their best under the conditions prevailing. Major-General Young stated that he was not yet in a position to make a statement regarding the Showgrounds camp. “I was instructed by the committee to make full inquiries,” lie stat : ed. “The evacuation of the racecourse is the first move.” Asked where it was proposed to accommodate the racecourse refugees, the General stated that the central committee had received a number of offers, and it was hoped to absorb the entire contingent in private homes until the residences in their home towns were available for occupation.