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Army Education and Welfare Service Army educational services were maintained throughout New Zealand during the year, and in Japan up to the time of departure of the Forces. The main formal educational functions of the service have now become the general education of the Regular Force Cadets, and coaching and conduct of Regular N.C.O. Promotion Examinations. Informal educational work, including the provision of facilities for cultural and hobby activities, has continued. The Services Film Library, administered by A.E.W.S., has acted as a purchasing and distributing agent for the three Services. A.E.W.S. Library depots, the stock for which is now obtained through the National Library Service, are now servicing forty-two libraries of Navy, Army, and Air Force units. As far as duties allowed, troops are encouraged to take part in a variety of sports for which facilities can be provided. Winter and summer inter-district tournaments were held, and Army teams took part in inter-service competitions. During the war years many of the Church bodies catered for the welfare of soldiers by staffing recreation huts in Army camps. With the smaller number now in Army camps it was considered that this task could be more efficiently performed by one organization. Accordingly, with the agreement of the Churches concerned, Y.M.C.A. has taken charge of the one institute building remaining in each camp. In their operations they are advised by a Committee representative of all the principal Churches. Expenses, less profits earned, are met from the Army vote. Engineer Service Howses.—-During the period under review, 66 housing units were built for married Army personnel by the Construction Squadrons of the Royal New Zealand Engineers. One aluminium house has been purchased and erected at Waiouru Camp as a test of the suitability of aluminium houses for Army requirements. Pensioners' Colony.—A portion of Burnham Camp has been handed over on loan to the Department of Health for utilization as a pensioners' colony and is now occupied. Maintenance. —Wartime construction now presents a major task of maintenance, and, whilst routine work has been performed by the Ministry of Works, certain maintenance has had to be deferred. This has been occasioned by the national shortage of labour and building-materials. Supplies and Transport Rations issued to troops in New Zealand for the year totalled 410,373, the average cost being 2s. 3-42 d. per daily ration, an increase of 2-038 d. on the previous year. Rations issued to Polish Children's Camp, Pahiatua, amounted to 111,018 at a total cost of £11,456 15s. lOd. Foodstuffs imported during the year consisted of tea, rice, canned and dried fruits to a total value of £1,414 lis., a decrease on the previous year's importations by £5,917 15s. 2d. The consumption of petrol for the year amounted to 231,370 gallons, which shows a decrease of 42,619 gallons on the previous year. Fuels for heating and cooking purposes were consumed in the following quantities (previous year's consumption are shown in parenthesis):— Tons. Coal .. .. .. .. 2,441 (3,263) Coke .. .. .. .. 662 (693) Firewood .. .. .. 730 (1,052) Gallons. Fuel oil .. .. ..82,717 (91,303)

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