USE OF SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24831, 3 February 1942, Page 4

USE OF SCHOOLS

OCCUPATION BY ARMY COMMANDER EXPLAINS NEED The army vacated the Tainui School building yesterday, .and hopes also to be able-to leave the .Musselburgh; arid St.; Clair Schools before March 1. A statement to > this, effect was made yesterday by the cohimander of; the Otago , '', military. area,-, Lieutenantcolonel J.. G. Jeffery,; who appealed for the adoption of a tolerant attitude by the 'public, to wards the army having been forced' by circumstances toi occupy school buildings following the; mobilisation consequent upon Japan's entry : into the war.' - > The" men quartered iff the Mussel-' burgh School, he said, -were undergoing courses, of trainingl for officers and: non-commissioned officers to fill the posts created by the expansion of exiting: units and the formation of new units: It would be a-month before the courses were cprhpleted. Unless circumstances arose which; could not at present be foreseen, the army,hoped to vacate the : two remaining schools in use by the.end of the month. Every endeavour was being made to. work to that schedule.; .': .;■>':' ; -v* :-Vx---:..- ;!Y""'

"The taking over of schools, was riot done lightly by the army"• Colonel, JefTery said. "The .arrny's hand was, forced by mobilisation;-to And additional sleeping, accommodation, lecture [ rooms, dry parade' grounds 'and such other necessary amenities ais, lavatory and ablution accommodation, almost at a moment's notice. Schools offered all the .requirements, and; amenities, which could-riot have'been provided in any other way l m the time allowed. Moreover*: '. the within handy marching distanceSfcfe camp of .the men". ; . ..... . •.' .' '