REST CENTRE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 7, 17 September 1943, Page 7

REST CENTRE

TROOPS AT TONGA

"IDEAL RENDEZVOUS"

The equipping of what is known as the "Recreation Centre" has been the local point of the National Patriotic Fund Hoard's activities at Tonga. This institution is set in spacious grounds and is described by Captain J. R. Herbert, the board's representative on the. island, as a haven of rest for groups of soldiers from tlie outlying units who come in regularly to spend three days' furlough there amid comfortable surroundings. "The centre is staffed by the Army, there being a small male personnel and twenty W.A.A.C.s," states Captain Herbert in a recent report. "The W.A.A.C.s are doing an excellent job; they are 1 a crowd, of hapjiy, jolly girls to whom nothing is a trouble.. At the time of writing every man in the New Zealand Forces on this, island lias spent a furlough here. There is no military discipline enforced and the men are absolutely free to do as they wish during their stay. They may partake in any of the recreational facilities provided, by the board or if they s6 desire they may laze in the sun cooled by the trade winds .which prevail at the present time. The Comfort of Sheets "The men feel for the. first time for some months the coolness, of comfortable sheets. They experience the pleasure of sitting down to beautiful meals prepared by the W.A.A.C.s. They are served their meals by trim-ly-uniformed W.A.A.C.s on tables covered by spotlessly white c tablecloths. The. Army has provided build-i ings, rations, and living accommodation whilst the board has provided all the furniture for the recreation room, the writing room, and all the sports equipment.

"At the rear of the recreation room are six lawn tennis courts with nets, racquets, and balls provided by the board. Tennis, balls are, however, a real difficulty and any sec-ond-hand tennis balls tennis enthusiasts in New Zealand could ma'ke available would be greatly appreciated over here. The Recreation Room "The recreation room itself is tastefully furnished with bright-col-oured tables and canvas chairs. At the end of the hall are three, table tennis tables (in constant use) and the popular buffet where morning, afternoon tea, and supper is dispensed free of any charge by smiling Waacs. Also opening on to this room we have a canteen •where the men may make their necessary purchases. At the other end of the. hall the engineers are erecting a very fine stage; which will be of great assistance in the staging of concerts. OH the recreation hall are the reading and writing room, cool and inviting. Wicker chairs, which always seem to be occupied, give an air of comfort and relaxation.

"I\n the front of the recreation

and reading room one may see enthusiastic golfers practising on the putting green prior to trying their hand on the local golf course, where the soldiers may play free of charge, thanks to linancial arrangements made with the local golf club by the board. Provision is made also on the grounds for dart bowls, volley ball, basketball and cricket., "At the centre there is a full-time hairdresser who cuts the men's hair free of charge. And incidentally the Waacs have not been forgotten in the. matter of "hairdos" 1 as the board has completely equipped a small toilet salon for the girls' use. Alongside the hairdressing salon is a well equipped library, the books for which are supplied by the board. The library is: under the. control of the Army Education and Welfare Service." Captain Herbert sums up the centre a;s being an ideal rendezvous which has assisted, materially in providing for the men.