TRENTHAM CANVAS CAMP

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 49, 21 November 1917, Page 6

TRENTHAM CANVAS CAMP

NEW SOLDIEES' ENJOY TENT LIFE. What is really a canvas branch-camp of Trontham Camp proper has been established on tho ground adjoining tho railway, near HoTetaunga station. At present this new camp is occupied by tho Thirty-fifth A Infantry Reinforcements, numbering about 1200 men, who were mobilising last week. The experience at Tauheronikau segregation camp showed that new soldiers thrive under tentlife conditions, and this is being more than borne out in the camp of the Thirty-fifths. Though not intended as a segregation camp, it can easily be uecd as such, as it is entirely self-contained, even to having its own institutes, which nre accommodated in mnrquees. At present these are equipped chiefly ns reading and writing rooms, but arrangements are being made to have billiard-tables provided. In this connection, it is pointed out, the various bodies concerned will welcome donations. Owing to a case of measles having developed in the Auckland draft on the journey down, tho whole of the Auckland quota is segregated for the time being. But the men are not having a dull time in consequence. Tho usual training is being carried out, nud in the evening hours special efforts are being made to provide entertainment for them.

A party of ladies of the Victoria League motored out on. Monday night, and gave an' open-air concert. The night was still and starlit, and the stage, which had been erected between the now camp and the isolation camp, was lighted by the glare of motor-lumps. Not only the men of the new draft, but also those in isolation, enjoyed the novel scene and entertainment. In fact, the various vocal and instrumental items could be clearly heard at Heretaunga. The new cam]) is ltehted by electricity, the wires being carried some distance. The tents, of course, are not connected with the eupply, but the cookhouse, dryroom, storehouses, and principal roads are brightly lighted; and, the ground having been properly graded and drnined, tho camp site remains dry in the wettest weather.