TENTS IN CAMPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24685, 14 August 1941, Page 2

TENTS IN CAMPS

REPLACING OLD PATTERN STATEMENT BY BRIGADIER A statement that all old pattern tents were being replaced as quickly as possible by new waterproof tents with wooden floors was made by the officer commanding the Northern , Military District. Brigadier P. H. Bell, D.S.O. The new tents, he added, were quite suitable for healthy men to sleep in during all seasons of the year. Difficulties which arose in tented camps were being overcome, although at times the general public was inclined to think that the Army Department treated such difficulties with indifference qr else completely ignored them. Brigadier Bell said he was in favour of having buildings for messing and recreational rooms in all camps that looked like being permanent, but at the same time expensive buildings could not be erected at camps which were being used for only a short time. Sometimes it was difficult to say whether a camp would be permanent or temporary. Although the army authorities knew that some localities were not suitable for camps, they had to make use of these owing to the fact that nothing better was available. Brigadier Bell also mentioned that staff officers under his direction paid regular visits to camps throughout his district for the express purpose of reporting on conditions and effecting improvements wherever possible.