RELIEF WORK CAMPS

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 457, 19 May 1932, Page 9

RELIEF WORK CAMPS

Conditions of Single Men at Motunau. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS. No. 1. After being nine months in operation, the two relief work camps for single men in Canterbury are now well established. From time to time criticism of both a constructive and a destructive nature has been levelled at them. To investigate the conditions under which the men live and to bring to light possible improvements, a “ Star ” reporter has visited the camps. The article below deals with that at Motunau on a site near the beach and some ten miles from the Motunau Post Office, which stands on the Main North Road, fifty miles from Christchurch. Twenty-five men are under canvas at Motunau working on a new road round the back of the Motunau stream to provide access to the beach without having to cross the ford in the stream, which is tidal. There are sixteen tents, one of which is a spare, and 1 n most cases the men sleep two to a tent. The tents are in good order and are watertight, and they are all surrounded by a trench to drain off any water and keep the floors dry. The Government provided the tents, rough but ready stretchers, mattress cases and straw; the men had to procure any other furnishings themselves. Thus a good deal is left to the men in the way of fitting out their accommodation. Some have managed to secure wood from which they have fashioned doors, while others have produced boards to place on the floor. Some of the tents have sacks as a floor covering, but many of them are bare. The interiors of the tents reflect the character and ingenuity of the occupants. In some, useful fittings have been improvised, one man going as far as to construct a dressing table. In another a small oil drum has been fashioned into a fireplace by the occupant, a young man who joined the unemployed when he came out of his apprenticeship at the engineering trade. Every possible help is given the men with whatever is at hand in the way of boxes or material to make extras. The characteristic army touch was observed in one tent where blankets were seen rolled in the regulation style by the ex-soldier worker. Workers are Willing. Competent judges consider the men to be of a fine type and capable of holding their own with experienced roadmen. The work is hard. It consists of cutting a % way through a clay bank of rock-like solidity. The men are paid contract rates of 2sd per yard, which works out in some cases a little under 10s a week, and at a little over in other cases. The remuneration is far from princely, but some of the men spoken to said that they recognised the inevitability of the position and felt that work in the camp was considerably better than loafing round the city, where it seemed to them that even married men were faced with difficulties. It was realised that the Government did not offer large wages, but something to see them over a bad time and take them out of the cities. The ages of the workers vary from 21 to 64 years, and all are willing to do their best. There is no “loafing on the job.” It was stated by one of the men that only one worker had left through dissatisfaction, and he was “ a grouser and an agitator whom we are better without.” Only one of the original party of five has gone, and he went gold prospecting on the West Coast. One or two others have taken on prospecting. Shearing accounted for another departure. Suggestions by Men. While wishing to make it clear that they were not ” squealing,” several of those under canvas made several suggestions where assistance might, be given in improving living conditions. With the approach of winter, the need for a chimney and fireplace in each tent was felt. One or two of the lucky ones had managed to secure a few sheets of galvanised iron to construct chimneys, but there was nothing in the locality which the others could use. If anyone should have a few sheets of old iron they would be welcomed by the men, who would soon form them into chimneys and fireplaces. The nature of the work is hard on clothes and boots, which some of the men have considerable difficulty in purchasing from their small wages. Any donations in that direction would be acceptable. Some of the men are also short of blankets, gifts of which would not be amiss. The absence of a bath or big tub is.a shortage that the men are also hoping may be remedied at some time. The camp is by the river, which served in the summer. but is now on the cold side. Old books and magazines and tobacco or cigarettes are always popular donations. The Bill of Fare. An iron shed with kitchen attached serves as a dining-room, and also for a common room in the evenings. A big fireplace in which a roaring fire can be built occupies a prominent place in the room where the workers can play cards, draughts and other games, or where they can read by the light of oil lamps spaced at intervals. The kitchen is a most businesslike place, presided over by a capable cook, formerly a sergeant-major in the Royal Scots regiment. The menu is varied and wholesome. Porridge is provided every morning with sausages twice a. week and chops on other mornings. The monotony of stew is avoided. As the work is close to the camp, a hot meal is served at mid-day. Every day there is a hot roast with potatoes and cabbages, peas, onions or carrots. This is followed on various days by sago, rice and steamed puddings, stewed fruit or tapioca custard. Tea consists of cold meat and potatoes with sometimes pies and scones, and cake once a week Tea is the drink at all meals, while jam. svrup, treacle, sauce and bread are on the table every day at the appropriate meals. The stores, which are provided by the Government, arrive twice a week, as does the mail. The camp is somewhat isolated from hapuenings outside, but a wireless set, which had *o be repaired, will be back within a week.