ARMY CAMP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23428, 18 August 1939, Page 10

ARMY CAMP

MOBILISATION CENTRE SITE AT PAPAKURA START BY WORKMEN ENERGETIC MEASURES An announcement concerning the Government's plans for the mobilisation camp at Papakura was made by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. M. Jones, on his return to. Wellington yesterday from Dunedm. He said the Government was acquiring a at Papakura owned by Mr. E. D. McLennan and his nephew, Mr. JJ. McLennan. It was an area of approximately 225 acres, and, pending completion of the negotiations, the owners had agreed to allow the Government to proceed with the necessary drainage, reading, laying on of water and the erection of key buildings for storage. In conformity with the Minister s announcement work was started yesterday on the construction of the necessary public works camp as a preliminary to the creation of the mobilisation camp. The site lies between the Papakura Road and Grove Road, Walters Road being on the northern boundary and the Papakura golf links on the southern boundary. Indications ,ir ® that tlie preparation of the area, whiten will accommodate large bodies of troops i£ required, will be .pushed forward with despatch.

Accommodation for Workmen Material for the camp for workmen was deposited on the site on Wednesday, and yesterday men were preparing the foundations for the huts and tents. Material on the site included canvas tents and covers, floors already assembled, and much timber. Linesmen were also engaged'in fixing "Wires and in other work for telephones and lighting. It was obvious from the preparations that the work will engage the efforts of large numbers of men.. It is believed that some workers will be diverted from State housing. When, following the completion of. the workmen's camp, the preliminaries of water supply, roading, drainage and lighting are in existence, troops could be moved to the area and assembled under canvas should mobilisation be thought expedient before more prehensive shelter arrangements bad been made. The Minister has intimated that a. permanent _mobilisation cam,p is contemplated, which would mean the construction of large huts. It is assumed that no time will be lost m embarking on-the construction of these once first essentials have been attended to. Plans Well Prepared The activity on the area and the amount of material deposited and arriving, cannot be the result of a sudden decision. It is obvious that plans have been prepared well ahead. The camp's proximity to Auckland, should troops ever be necessary to protect the city, and the fact that its situation would render it immune trom sudden coastal raids, are factors/that must have been studied by the military authorities. ' . , . The area selected is so large that, although the Minister has announced that training facilities would be provided for 6000 men, it is clear that, a ■considerable extension could .easily be 'made.,

TERRITORIAL UNITS '' ' ' * / THE SCOTTISH COMPANIES INCREASE IN ESTABLISHMENT [BY TELEGRAPH —-SPECIAL REPORTER] "WELLINGTON, Thursday An increase in the establishment of the Scottish companies recently established was announced to-night by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. "When the Government agreed to the establishment of a Scottish company in each of the four main centres in the Dominion, the strength of each company was to be 125," said Mr. Jones. "It has now been decided to increase the strength of these units to a total in all ranks of 150, on the same conditions as have already been laid down. "It is understood that each company already has a waiting list that will provide the increased number of recruits. However, those applicants whose names are on the waiting list and who are not successful in being selected may, if they desire, enlist in one of the other territorial units, as no further increase in the establishment will be permissible."