"DOING" ROME

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1944, Page 3

"DOING" ROME

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

OWN CLUB ESTABLISHED In addition to a club at Bari, the New Zealand Forces in Italy have a club of their own in Rome. This club, according to a recent report by Brigadier A. S. Falconer, National Patriotic Fund Board Commissioner, has been of considerable value in providing facilities for troops on leave "doing'V Rome on sightseeing trips. Formerly the Hotel Quirinale, the club is in the centre of the city. "The opportunity to--see such a city as Rome," says Brigadier Falconer, "falls to the lot of but few in ordinary times, and any money expended in providing means to. enable New Zealanders to see Rome under comfortably organised conditions is well spent indeed. St. Peter's, the Vatican, the Colloseum, the Pantheon, and the Forum are now familiar topics of conversation in the Division,' and non-divisional troops will also have an early opportunity of becoming acquainted with these and other places of interest in the famous city." The hotel was requisitioned by Lieu-tenant-General Freyberg, G.O.C. New Zealand troops, who is a" firm believer in the establishment of clubs where his men can meet and obtain meals and sleeping accommodation at reasonable charges and under hygienic conditions. Brigadier Falconer states that with the fall of Rome, 'and the Division in a position to grant leave, the preliminary plans made by the G.O.C. to op*en a plub were put into operation with- | out delay An advance party from the Bail Club was soon in possession and was followed by Lady Freyberg and a of W.A.A.C. girls also from the Bari Club.' With the assistance of the Division, within a few days they had the club open and catering for the needs of New Zealand troops "doing" Rome. A V.M.C.A. tea van supplemented the hotel resources in providing tea during the first few days. The civilian staff of the hotel was retained, and a small orchestra was engaged to play in the lounge J during the midday and evening meals. WELL-APPOINTED CLUB. "The hotel is well appoint— 1" states Brigadier Falconer. When his report was written, July 15, food resources however, except for fruit and vegetate 5 ' were slender, and that necessiI toted the club staff and guests being ted on rations supplemented by what was available from the canteens. Conducted tours, under experienced guides, were arranged immediately, and these, according to Brigadier Falconer, have been most successful. To overcome night-leave.restriction, troops were conveyed from the divisional area in Army vehicles to arrive at the club for breakfast, and to take part in conducted tours during the mornings. Parties returned to the club for lunch £ * m£ c aereeakle surroundings before setting out for the afternoon's sightseeing.. The evening meal was also provided at the club, the S? S mn-g t0 their units late at night. Behaviour in Rome has been exemplary," adds Brigadier Falconer and the interest taken in the historic city really remarkable." PATRIOTIC PARCELS. vStS^*™? is a^SO made by Brigadier Falconer to, an issue of patriotic^ parout 2 a ht2T When he was 2«t &f t}f lme and in a Position to he people of New Zealand for supplymg this popular quarterly amenity New Zealanders. serving in the Rovai Navy, in the R.A.F., and in British ™V "F& receive the* Parcels by !? J" a ™ #_?. Patriotic Board store staff m Maadi is concerned Repatriated prisoners of war and small SSfts" arriving unexpectedly from all qu£Jf^ o a! S°^ equire t0 be dealt with from time to time. Could it be conveyed to the people of New Zealand as verta!!L,e?P + -essed' their expression of appreciation would provide some measure of reward to those Who cZtribute towards making the parcel I scheme possible." parcel.

OWN CLUB ESTABLISHED