VISITS TO CAMPS

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

VISITS TO CAMPS

MINISTER'S INSPECTION FOOD STORAGE QUESTION BETTER HOSPITAL BLOCK General satisfaction with tlie lay-out of tlio camp and the facilities for the soldiers was expressed li.v the Minister yf Defence, the Hon. F. .Jones, yesterday, alter a very thorough first inspection of the Papakura camp. Mr. Jones, also visited Xganmwaliin and expressed pleasure at the improvement in conditions which* had resulted from the transfer of a large body of the men to Papakura. Accompanied by Colonel N. W. MeD. Weir, officer commanding the northern military district, and Major 11. D. McHugh, camp commandant. Mr. Jones closely inspected every typo of building in the camp and also carefully examined equipment- for food storage. Variety of Food "So far as the meals are concerned," said Mr. Jones, "I am satisfied that everything is being done to give variety, and if anybody bad the opportunities for seeing the camps that I have had in the last few days they would bo well satisfied with the conditions of keeping, preparing and serving the food. "Papakura had some unfortunate trouble last week-end, but immediate steps are being taken to remedy the position. The present cooling system is not absolutely satisfactory, but the installation of refrigerated rooms will effectively prevent any recurrence of the trouble. Orders for this equipment had been given before the outbreak ol' poisoning. Influenza Epidemic "The soldiers have been touched by the influenza epidemic which has also affected civilians," said Mr. Jones, when speaking of the health of the men. "This has been so at all the camps, hut when such large bodies of men are brought together it is likely that ail epidemic is more easily spread than in civilian life. "However, when the new Papakura hospital block is completed, we will he ablo to look after them better than ever. I am satisfied that the treatment they have been receiving in the temporary hospital has been quite good, and parents need not be alarmed because we have been sending men to public hospitals. "This does not mean that the cases have been serious, for nine-tenths of them would not be sent if they were still in civilian life, but we have decided on this course to give them better treatment and to lessen the dangers of infection. The system is to keep them in the camp hospital no longer than 48 hours, so that if they need more than that amount of attention they are sent to a public hospital." Construction Progress Speaking of the camp, Mr. Jones said that as far as the construction and lay-out of the buildings was concerned and the progress which had been made with the formation of roads and with the tar-sealing of footpaths, Papakura was ahead of Burnham. He had been surprised at the progress made, especially as at the start it had been slower to develop than other military construction programmes. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, his officers and the men employed on the job were to be congratulated. Mr. Jones said he looked forward to the time when the laying out of the beds in grass and garden plots would he completed. The ca'mp would then be one. of the prettiest places in the province, and while it had been constructed on its present basis as a result of the outbreak of war. its usefulness would never disappear. Before the war started it had been intended to erect certain key buildings and use tents to make the site a mobilisation centre, and while the new conditions had made it necessary to construct a permanent camp. >1 variety of uses could be found for-it, even if it was not needed for military purposes.