Newly-Built Township

Northern Advocate, 13 February 1940, Page 5

Newly-Built Township

The New Zealand troops disembarked and journeyed to a newly-con-structed township of camouflaged tents and wooden huts. They were played into camp by bands of two battalions. Nurses from the ships proceeded direct to camp, where there are wards assigned to the New Zealand Medical Staff. The site was converted in eight weeks from waste into a small township. The lay-out involves seven miles of tarmac roads, a completely sterilised water system, and four miles of drains. There are over 150 huts erected by local labour, under army supervision. Sleep Under Canvas. These comprise kitchens, dining halls and canteens. All ranks will sleep under canvas four to a tent. General Freyberg’s tent is perched on a small knoll in the centre of the camp, commanding a view' all round. Hot, Cold Showers The amenities include hot and cold shower baths, a cinema, recreation rooms, wireless, table tennis and darts and newspaper supplies. Scotch ale and tea await the troops. General Freyberg says that, profiting from the experience in the Great War, the greatest care is being taken of the health of the troops. Dishes will be sterilised daily. Each man will receive a few drops of creosol disinfectant on his hands before every meal. Sixteen miles of butter muslin has been bought for protection of food,

Swimming Bath A swimming bath is being constructed and a travel bureau inaugurated to enable visits to historic spots at small cost. * “It must not be thought that troops are in for an easy time,” said General Freyberg. “Strenuous work lies ahead. “The men will be kept in hard training and will have time off only at the week-ends.”