NGARUAWAHIA CAMP

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 98, 14 November 1941, Page 7

NGARUAWAHIA CAMP

Just north of Ngaruawahia Stands Hopu Hopu camp,

In the summer time it’s very hot In the winter very damp.

There’s rows and rows of army tents And marquees that are brown,

Regularly they put them up

But the wind just blows them down.

To stay in camp in the winter time You must have what it takes

From Records to the Y.M.C.A You travel via the lakes.

On cold bleak days the Sgt’s mess Is as draughty as a stable,

And when it rains so help me bob You can paddle on the table.

Just recently we had a storm And havoc it did play,

It whistled round our poor old mess Then blew it clean away.

Each moment it grew stronger As though eager for the fray It levelled Records to the ground Then did the same to Pay.

Still once again our marquee’s up Although it’s jerry built

It’s covered with a well-worn fly That’s like a patchwork quilt.

The Q.M. wired Trentham Camp ; \ To procure this work of art, / z They say it was the mainsail ) That propelled old Noah’s Ark. So really we are satisfied ‘ There is no cause to squeak, Perhaps it isn’t serviceable But at least it is antique: " / • —J.P., Ngaruawahia Camp.