FEATHERSTON CAMP

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2690, 9 February 1916, Page 6

FEATHERSTON CAMP

PERMANENT CANVAS PORTION THOUSANDS OF MEN IN TRAININC Since tlio new military camp at Featherston was occupied by the troops a fortnight ago, it has grown considerably, a permanent canvas camp capable of holding 3000 men having been set up ou the land across the road from Iho main camp. Theoretically, the old camp at Tauhercnikau has boon moved to the new site. But in actual fact it is practically a new camp. Most of the tents are, those which were used at May Morn, and are of the Indian service pattern, wiili wooden floors 12ft.' square. The cookhouses, too, are new, those which did service at Taulierenikau having been found to be too worn out to move. There are two cookhouses for the new canvas camp, each capable of cooking for 1500 men. They are built of wood on concrete foundations, and are unusually high, with louvre ventilation at the ridge-poles. s . A Huge Camp. An idea of the size of the Featherston Camp may be had when it is said that the distance from tlie water tank in the north-western end to the last tent in the new portion is one mile, while the total mileage of roads within its boundaries is about nine miles. This includes the main road, where it passes through the camp. Sentries are posted at both ends of this portion of the Greytown-Featlierston Road, and all traffic which is not for the camp is kept moving by the military police. A fine view of the whole camp can be had from the top of the tower in the shower-bath house. The rows of hutments and the streets of the main oamp and the lines of tents in the canvas portion make aji imposing sight. , . Baths and Drainage. The shower-baths are so far towards completion that the cold showers can be used. An oil engine is running during nearly the whole' of .the 24 hours, pumping clear, cold water from a water-race into the storage tanks, and the showers in one half of the building are streaming down ceaselessly. In the hot weather prevailing, the soldiers find them a great boon. This portion of the bath-house is to bo used for' bathing in squads. Li the other half—each half has 50 showers—independent bathing is being provided for, by fitting taps for hot and cold water to each shower. This necessitates » lot of plumbing • work, most of which has been done. A louvre ventilator fitted in the roof of the tank-loft will be appreciated by those on duty there, while hot showers are being given, as the heat from the steam-pipes will be considerable. The water from the bathhouse, ablution stands, and all other sanitary appointments in both, portions •of the camp is carried by pipes into a 12-inch main drain. This crosses beneath the canvas cainp to the Taulierenikau River, into which it empties, the fall being sufficient to cause the sewage to flow rapidly. A combined water supply from wells and from water-races is being used at present, the well-water being for drinking and the other for -bathing, washing, ctc. Until the pipis for it are laid in the canvas camp, tlio drinking water is being carted >n tanks on lorries. -This is only a temporary arrangement, snd with the advent of more workmen on the job the completion of the water supply will soon bo accomplished.' At present there are only 350 men working at the camp. Soldiers In Gamp. There are just over 6000 soldiers in the camp, including all the Tenth Reinforcements, and thG Mounteds and •Army Service Corps men of the Eleventh and Twelfth, and during" this week the Thirteenth Mounted and A.S.C.' will go into camp there. An area for infantry drill has been secured l»y the lease of some paddocks a short distance along the- road, and tlie mounted .men exercise and manoeuvre in the grounds beside the horse lines. The Commandant, Colonel N. P. Adams, is having a 100 yards rifle rangu laid down. I'eatherston Camp is essentially a camp for Mounteds, and the advanced rifle Work is oarried out at the range M Papawai, seveu miles away. The infantry of the Reinforcements who are next to leave will spend several weeks under canvas at Featherston before they march' over the hill to Trentham, where they will put in their advanced musketry- course on 1 the rifle ranges there. Canteen and Shops. Tlie oamp canteen has been in full swing for a week. At mid-day and at night, the scone in the big room is a stirring one, thousands of men being served witli pool drinks or with hot pies and tea or coffee. On one side there arc numerous alcoves in which tables and benches have been placed, and in one portion of the main portion of the canteen, tablos and stools are also provided, so that the soldiers may sit down and enjoy their refreshments. At night two long rows of electric lamps provide brilliant illumination. Stretching from the canteen is an, imposing a-ow of shops,, in which anything the soldier ca.ii desire may be purchased.