HOMEMAKING

Dragon, 1 December 1942, Page 13

HOMEMAKING

A few weeks ago one Battalion, having reached the age of wisdom and understanding, were released from the apron strings of Mummy Brigade Headquarters, and pushed out into the blue to fend for themselves. Everyone was jubilant at the day of liberation, and although reluctant to leave their old camp, the boys took the news with an up-turned chin and even looked forward to the move to the place where potatoes are plentiful everywhere—except on the daily menu. They get three spuds a week at "Potatokohe." With minimum of fuss and bother the South Islanders prepared for their move. Cameras clicked overtime to enable rhe boys to take with them a lasting memory of the place they had loved so much. It is reported that a few sentimentalists even applied for transfers to another battalion so that they could remain under the shadow of Mount Ruapehu for another period.

When the land of milk and honey and Taranaki gates was reached, everybody set to work to build a new home. Gravel lorries were speeding in all directions, a sight most unusual these days. In this time of strikes and sit-downs and sob-stuff, it must be very pleasing to the little man in charge of operations that he prevented too many shovel handles being broken under the weight of several score of men who showed an inclination to lean too heavily on them.

Below we see the little man who had not one, but several busy days getting the "Potatokohe" camp, cooked up.