CAMP PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 4

CAMP PROBLEM

RESULT OF MOBILISATION NEW TYPE OF HUT DESIGNED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 29. The mobilisation of the National Military Reserve and the Territorial Force has raised a major problem not only in the provision of uniforms and supplies, but also in accommodation, and the army organisation is working at high pressure to provide all needs. As most of the extensive permanent camp accommodation is in use, arrangements will have to be made for the thousands of additional men who will be distributed in a large number of places. The Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, described to-day how the new camp problem is being tackled. It has necessitated a complete departure from the fixed hutment type, he says. Tents- are usually the first resort in such cases, but many of the men now being called up will eventually be accommodated in more weatherproof quarters. The Public Works Department has designed a special light, portable hut,. almost as handy as a tent, enabling camps to be quickly set up in any area away from the usual camp facilities. The hut has floor space of 4ft by 7ft, and good head room. It is constructed of substantial three-ply timber on frames and in sections which can be folded flat for transport. Three complete huts can be carried on a motor lorry, and can be unloaded, opened up, and bolted together almost as quickly as tents. The roof is of malthoid on a threeply base. There is provision for guyropes. The sides have ventilation louvres, and the lighting is from the roof through oiled canvas windows. The huts house four men more comfortably than is possible in a tent. They should have a high salvage value, because they are suitable for the seaside and other camp accommodation, or for farm buildings. Nearly all the materials are of New Zealand origin.