TWO PIES A WEEK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 4, 16 January 1942, Page 2

TWO PIES A WEEK

(N.Z.E.F. Official* News Service) CAIRO, Nov. 29. New Zealand soldiers in the mair Middle East base camp and hospitals can now count on two pies pei week, one meat and one fruit, from their own camp pie bakery. The factory in a new building near the original camp bakery, was; opened last week by. Mrs B. C. Freyberg, wife of the G.0.G., in the presence of the New Zealand High Commissioiner to London, Mr W. Ji. Jordan, Brigadier A. S. Falconer, D.5.0., M.C. and commanding officers. Mrs Feryberg pressed the button and set in motion the new up-to-date machinery which had been brought from England. Since then 4000 pies a day have been coming out of the four big ovens for distribution to units. Mrs Freyberg referred the importance of variation in soldiers' rations, pointing out that a Avell-fed soldier Avas a good soldier. The High Commissioner, Mr Jordan, congratulated all those who had been concerned with the establishment and construction of the factory. He added that he would make a point of writing to the Prime Minister and telling him of the splendid spirit of goodwill and co-operation which .existed between all ranks of the N.Z.E.F., one exemplification of which was this splendid building and installation. I Brigadier Falconer expressed regret that Major-General B. C. Freybeeg was unable to be present, for it was in his imagination that the pie factory was first born over 12 months ago and it Avas he and; |thp High Commissioner who had negotiated the purchase of the machinery in England. <

Tlie bakery is under the control of Major W. A. T. MeCuire, and is operated under the direction of Captain J. K. Palmer. Sergeant T. Redmond is in charge of a staff of 24, all trained bakers, pastrycooks and butchers. The equipment is complete, covering electric mincers, cold storage rooms, electric mixers, pastry rollers and cutters, shaping and topping machines, and an endless 'belt on which pies are filled. A.t full capacity 10,000 pies a day could be produced. The four ovens each hold 1008 pies. Baking is so arranged that every man, in the camp will receive one meat and one fruit pie per Aveek. Ia is proposed that other edible commodities will be produced including delicacies for sal? at the New Zealand Forces Club.