TROOPS' ESCAPADES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23512, 24 November 1939, Page 9

TROOPS' ESCAPADES

JAUNT IN PYJAMAS ORDERLY ROOM SEQUEL GOOD BEHAVIOUR FOLLOWS Exemplary behaviour on the part of troops who are temporary patients at the Auckland Infirmary has been general since four of ..them - were recently punished for various escapades. The medical superintendent of the infirmary, Dr. E. L. Fitzgerald, said yesterday that he had only that morning complimented tjie • men or.*'bheir conduct. They were,' in fact, "as good 1 as gold." . ' , . ~ "The men realise.-that it was a stupid thing to do," - Dr. Fitzgerald added, referring to a recent occasion on which some of the men at the in- , firmary, in spite of t\ie confiscation of their trousers to discourage wandering but of the hospital, while receiving medical care, made an excursion clad in their pyjamas. Three of the men concerned later appeared in an orderly room before their commanding officer, and for being absent from the wards without leave up to 12.30 a.m., thev were given three - days' detention in camp. A fourth fiym was given two days' "confined to barracks" for "conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline." It was emphasised by Dr. Fitzgerald : that there was nothing in the nature of a court martial in the meting, out of suitable punishment for. the breaches of regulations. He also that since tl\e original escapades, there had been no trouble whatever with the men. The gratitude and thanks of the 100 men who were admitted to the Auckland Hospital .with influenza for the kindness and skill with which they were treated during their stay, which - ends; to-day. were expressed by a spokesman last night. Everything had been done to make their stay as comfortable and cheerful as possible, he said, and the men were glad t° have an opportunity of making known how greatly they appreciated the attentions of the medical land nursing staffs. _ Particular thanks were due to the medical super-; intendent, Dr. J. W. to the Red Cross and to the members of the St. John Ambulance Division.