RIVERTON CAMP

Southland Times, Issue 21606, 19 January 1932, Page 6

RIVERTON CAMP

IMPROVED CONDITIONS ® / . ' MEN SATISFIED WITH MEALS PROGRESS ON ROAD That there now existed no grounds whatsoever for complaint in the manner in which their meals were prepared was the statement made unreservedly yesterday afternoon to Times reporters by men engaged on the road widening work at the unemployment relief camp situated just out of Riverton. It will be remembered that in November last 16 men took their departure from the camp as the result of the conditions alleged to be then in existence. Seven of them voiced their complaints to Mr W. C. Denham, Labour candidate for Invercargill in the recent general election, these being subsequently published in full in the Southland Times. Much of the criticism centered in the cook who had sup planted the first cook engaged, the men asserting that they were unable to eat the greater part of the food prepared bj- him; consequently they were unable to secure sufficient nourishment to enable them to perform their daily toil. Subsequently the Public Works Department conducted an investigation into the men’s complaints, the upshot of which was the engagement of a new cook. So capably has the latter carried out his duties to date that ail ground for complaint has entirely disappeared. Indeed the men interviewed yesterday were warm in their praise of liis efforts on their behalf. The New Cook. Hailing from Scotland, Mr David Clark, the new cook, who for 35 years past has followed his calling in different parts of the globe, possesses excellent credentials for the position. He has acted as cook in military and bush camps, flaxmills and hotels, and for the past nine or ten years has been working about the district. In his possession he has some glowing testimonials, but, with the men, deeds speak louder than words. The fact that Mr Clark’s cooking has proved completely satisfactory to them is but a further tribute to his culinarj' ability. Not only does Mr Clark cook for the men, but he also bakes. Scones and cakes made by his deft fingers were on view yesterday and compared quite favourably with similar products from the housewife’s oven. “As good as the best hotel,” was how one enthusiast described the meals when asked for an opinion. Pausing for a moment as they swung a pick or wielded a shovel, the other men on the job spoke very appreciatively of the food they were receiving. “If only the wages were better our lot in the circumstances would be quite tolerable” declared one of theni. A sample menu revealed that for breakfast at 7 a.m. the men receive porridge, mutton chops and bread and butter. For lunch they take with them parcels of sandwiches made of a variety of meats and for dinner in the evening they have soup, beefsteak pie and plum pudding. Cake and scones provide acceptable “extras." Yesterday the men had bacon and eggs as a variation for breakfast and at night roast mutton, rice pudding and stewed apricots with tea and coffee to round off a very satisfactory meal. The cook said that he had no difficulty in securing adequate supplies end that there was no “skimping” whatsoever. The acquisition of a larger safe enabled him to keep the meat in good rendition. The smaller safe he used for storing vegetables. An improvement in . the water supply has been the erection of a tank into which flows a clean stream, tapped from an adjoining water-race. The cook house itself yesterday presented a neat and tidy appearance, reflecting credit upon the work of the cook and nis two assistants.. The evenings are being passed in pleasant fashion with reading matter supplied by kind friends, appreciation in this respect being expressed of the generosity of Miss Hunt, of Riverton, in sending out parcels of books and papers. Work on the Read. The overseer (Mr James McLauchian), when interviewed, said the work was progressing very satisfactorily and there were now 40 single men on the job. Ten miles of the road had been surveyed and already the widening work had covered one mile 58 chains of the stage of two miles 27 chains from the commencing point. He said that the fine weather lately had been welcomed by the men, for it had enabled them to keep at the work daily and so earn their ten shillings or so per week. The road, to the reporters, certainly showed an improvement, though in parts the surface could advantageously be made less bumpy. For this purpose, however, it is understood that a private contract for gravelling right up to the Longwood Junction of the road has been let, and the contractors intend operations towards the end of this week. “WIZARD” SMITH THREAT TO GO TO DAYTONA. RESIDENTS HINDER OFFICIALS. Auckland, January 15. Unless “Wizard” Smith receives more consideration from the residents of Ninety Mile Beach district he has stated that he will cancel all arrangements to attempt the world land speed record in New Zealand, and take the Enterprise to Daytona Beach, Florida. The members of Smith’s party assert that ever since they arrived at Ninety Mile Beach they haxe been hindered in their arrangements by people insisting on going on the beach. The people of Kaitaia and Waipapakauri contended that all and sundry should be allowed on the beach when the racing car was out on tests or trials, but Smith maintained that if people were allowed to wander at will they would endanger their own lives and also his own. He said it was immaterial to him whether he took his car to Daytona or stayed in New Zealand. He came here to be loyal to the Auckland Automobile Association, a body which had done so much for him. lire manner in which the public were treating the officials was unreasonable. The officials were men who had given up a tremendous amount of their time, and it had cost them personally a lot of money. The only reward they were looking for was to place New Zealand on the' map, and so benefit the very people who were doing their best to hinder them. The officials intended to see the event through at all costs.

“It is unlikely that Smith will make any attempt on the records until February 9 or 10,” said Mr H. J. Butcher, chairman of the Auckland Automobile Racing Slub, who returned to Auckland yesterday. "February and March have always been regarded as the most suitable months. At present the beach is in an impossible state. There was a heavy downpour for fortyeight hours just before Christmas, and the water is still coming down on to the beach. The seventeen mile stretch, which included the measured mile, is at present the worst part of the beach. It is unlikely that the beach will improve enough by the next spring tide for the trials to be held. That is also the opinion of people who have lived in the district for years.” Mr Butcher said he was more confident now that Smith would break the records than he was when he first went up to the beach. The new radiator and cooling system were working perfectly. It was certainly an ugly looking job, but it was efficient.