Club at Bourail

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 56, 9 March 1944, Page 3

Club at Bourail

N.Z. TROOPS IN PACIFIC “I have just had an opportunity of coming down from the forward areas to visit the base installations of my force in New Caledonia,” states MajorGeneral H. E. Barrowclough, G.O.C. of the N.Z.E.F. in the Pacific in a letter received from him recently* by the secretary of tho National Patriotic Fund Board. “In the course of my tour of inspection I visited the club which has been installed at the Bourail racecourse camp. I should like to take this opportunity of informing your Board of the tremendous impression that the club made upon me and of conveying to the Board, on behalf of the force, our very great appreciation of the services which you have provided in connection with the club.” Major-General Barrowclough said he spent some time on the premises and was more than favourably impressed with the dignified atmosphere prevailing there. The manner in which the club was conducted would be a credit to any gentlemen’s club anywhere. The design and construction of the building contributed to its atmosphere, Which all the troops appeared to feel and which all responded to in a creditable manner. The presence of a fine group of girls in the club helped also to maintain its general tone. “Finally/'' added the Major-General, “we are indebted to the Patriotic Fund Board for the very fine furnishings and equipment which you have provided. I have been more impressed with this club than with anything else I have seen in this area. It is going to have a tremendous effect on the morale of the troops and will help in a very large way to mitigate the roughness and uncouthness of a soldier’s life.” Thanks are also extended by Major* Gefieral Barrowclough for other services provided in the interests of the welfare of the New Zealand troops in the Pacific. The installation of the ice cream plant which the Board had made available had been very welcome. Everywhere lie went among the troops he found appreciative references to the quality of the ice cream now being provided on a liberal scale. To suit the conditions the Bourail club conforms to the native typo of construction, and it is the largest of its type built anywhere. Prefabricated parts have been sent by the Patriotic Fund Board for the erection of another club building at New Caledonia. A site for this was selected some time ago, but owing to changed circumstances Major-General Barrowclough lias suggested another site to the Board to meet the altered condition, and this will probably be approved.

Rationing Evaded Some Chinese market gardeners at Mangere appear to be most happily ► - ree from restrictions of meat rationing. These Chinese buy pigs at the Westfield sales, take them home and slaughter them for tlieir own use, thus obtaining an unrestricted supply of pork, which is a favourite dish in China. Inquiries failed to show that the practice described was contrary to any statute, war regulation or by-law, though it is possible that some legal bar may be found to exist. The Meat Act, 1939, requires that in general live stock intended for human consumption is to be slaughtered, only at a registered wbattoir or licensed meat export or rural slaughterhouse, but expressly exempts the slaughter of stock by any person on land or premises in his own ’occupation if the meat derived thereifrom is not sold or intended for sale.