SOUTH ISLAND GAMP

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 14

SOUTH ISLAND GAMP

RAPID BUILDING AT BURNHAM QUARTERS FOR VOLUNTEER FORGE AREA OF NEARLY FIFTY ACRES The rapidity with which a mobilisation, camp is being built in Canterbury is evidence of tho facility with which New Zealand has made the transition from a peace to a war-time basis and the capacity of Government departments, private contractors and workers to rise to the demands of a sudden emergency (reports tho Christchurch ‘ Press ’). In fewer than 10 days a village to accommodate 2,200 recruits and officers lias sprung up on a tussocky paddock. By tho end of this week accommodation for 1,100 troops will he finished, and in another fortnight the second section of more than 16 acres will be covered with buildings. When the South Island allotment of approximately 2,200 of troops who have enlisted under the cal] for 6,600 volunteers for service “ within or beyond the Dominion,” move into the camp everything will be ready for their reception and housing under the best of military service conditions. For months after tho declaration of war in August, 1914, troops at Treutham were living in tents. Because ot the expedition with which construction work has been carried out in the last 10 days, a repetition of the errors of 25 years ago is impossible. Any plans tor the temporary accommodation in tents of incoming troops from all centres in the South Island to the camp have been shelved for all time by the speed at which the hutments are being built. Eleven hours after the Prime Minister of Great Britain declared a state of war with Germany, not even one building peg had been driven on the laud on which quarters for the troops are being completed. When war became imminent early on the morning of Saturday, September 2, surveyors were sent to the camp site, and they worked all that day and throughout the Sunday on mapping out the ground in conformity with the very elaborate plans previously drawn up for a camp to cover several hundreds of acres, by the Army Department and the Public Works Department in collaboration. 540 MEN EMPLOYED. Over the week-end the services of contractors on other State and private undertakings were invited for the building of the camp. At 9 o’clock on the Monday morning carpenters and labourers arrived on the ground, and the number of workmen has gradually increased until yesterday 540 wore employed making what is described .by army authorities as “ the finest military camp in this part of the world.” _As special contractors for plumbing, painting, and other finishing works arrive on the scene with their artisans, still larger numbers will be employed at the camp. Although tho call to undertake this gigantic building programme was made hurriedly, the plan of action was well laid out. Without any contracts being signed, 12 building contractors in Christchurch suspended their operations and transferred their whole equipment and staffs to the camp; there was no quibble on terms and conditions. Consideration was given by the Public Works Department to the firm’s organisation and the number of men available, and each was allotted a certain amount of work which it was considered it would bo able to carry out in reasonable time. The weatherboarding is now being placed on 22 huts in a 16-acro block. Those will be used as dormitories for the first battalion. As the buildings for the first battalion arc completed, the 12 contractors will ,move on to the second- battalion (area, practically a replica of the section on which they are now working. QUARTERS AND STORES. An immense quantity of building material has been transported by road to the camp. Throughout the day lorries are travelling from Christchurch carrying timber, iron, and fittings. For the first camp for 2,200 South Island volunteers a total of 44 dormitories will be built on two sections, each with a wide parade ground dividing the two rows of hutments. Overlooking the rows of dormitories are the quarters for . the officers and the officers’ and sergeants’ messes. Four ablution stands, a shower, a boiler house, a guard room, ration store, and quartermaster’s store are being built. Unlike Trentham conditions, the troops will mess in a building separate from their sleeping quarters. ■ The buildings are all set high off the ground, and even at this stage they give every indication of being most comfortable. For this military township a full electric supply is available. A deep well already within tho camp grounds will supply water for drinking purposes, and water for ablation and fire-fighting purposes (a fire station is already established) will be drawn from a district water race, NEW ROADS. Mechanised units of the Public Works Department were transferred from various works in Canterbury to prepare the building sites and parade grounds, and now two motor graders and two pull graders, operated by tractors, are forming the 61 chains of roadway from the road to give access to the new buildings. Another 48 chains of road is being built for tho new ordnance store, the construction of which was authorised some months ago, and the permanent way for the railway siding is in course "hf preparation. A number of privately-owned trucks have been impressed for road metalling purposes. When the camp scheme is fully developed the new roading will have a total length of four miles. A 30yds ride range for elementary instruction is being entirely remodelled, all that remains of the old range being the concrete butts close to the dormitories. CAMP AMENITIES. At present representatives of the Young Men’s Christian Association and the Salvation Army are in temporary quarters to enable them to develop their organisation as the camp grows. Permanent quarters are to be provided. Mr J. Wright, who was extension secretary at Christchurch, represents the Young Men’s Christian Association, whose activities are centralised in the gymnasium. Materials for reading and writing are provided, and the association is also making itself responsible for the supply of fruit and hot cocoa to the men already in camp. A talkie picture plant is to bo installed, and l concerts dances, and church services are beiim planned for the time the recruits enter camp. Dir Wright also proposes to use tho talent among the troops for entertainment. The first of the troops are expected to enter the camp id three weeks..