PLEASANT INTERLUDES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 39, 15 January 1943, Page 3

PLEASANT INTERLUDES

Official War Correspondent South Pacific Base, Dec. 14. A seaside holiday camp with swimming, boating and sports facilities is envisaged for troops of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Leave and recreation present difficult problems here, but Major-Gen-eral" H. E. Barrowclougli, D.5.0., M.C., commanding the force, gave early consideration to their solution. It. is realised that, most of the New Zealanders arc. eager for an opportunity to> plan for the establishment of a leave camp at a neighbouring beach. Parties from units of the force would be. sent there in rotation and they would complete their holiday with sports and relaxation. The camp scheme is only in the suggestion stage. If. a seaside area were chosen, small sailing boats might be shipped there from the Dominion. Games and excursions would be organised, and a wet and dry canteen established in the holiday camp. Another idea with a dual purpose is the starting of regular fishing expeditions to the coast from unit areas. These would serve at one and the same time to* offer the men a means of recreation, and to supplement the ration scale with fresh food. Hunting parties will also go into the hills on an organised basis. Men will go out of camp with two or three, days' rations. Units began early to look for areas suitable for cricket and softball. It is proposed to establish a sort of social and information centre in each of the larger troop concentrations, where men will be able to write letters, study war literature and magazines, and hear talks on military and other topical subjects in the evenings. This will be additional to the Y.M.C.A. organisation. Mobi.lg cinema units attached to the force will circulate, presenting motion picture shows in the. open air. In addition to this service, the National Patriotic Fund Board's representatives will publish a small newspaper, keeping the- troops in touch Avitli the progress of the war and affairs in New Zealand. A printing press has been obtained for this purpose.