MISSING ARTICLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1943, Page 2

MISSING ARTICLES

P. & A. SOCIETY’S, COMPLAINT.

ARMY REFUSES TO

At a meeting of the Wairarapa P. and A. Society at Carterton on Saturday the secretary, Mr L. H. Smart, reported that the Army authorities had refused to pay for ten tables, 16. chairs, cups, saucers, cutlery and blankets of a total value of £B6 14s —articles now missing, said to have been used in the officers’ mess, when an infantry brigade was in occupation of the Showgrounds. Mr O. A. Cadwallader, who presided, said the show was not far away and the articles were wanted. On his motion the secretary was empowered to act further in the matter. Mr W. Howard Booth said that the society should hammer away until the matter was satisfactorily settled. With all the money that was being wasted in camps all over New Zealand, he said, surely the Army could pay for a few cups and saucers, etc. The muddlement was worse than dreadful. It was little use blaming the officers, he said, as they were school teachers, etc., and seemed to have no idea of management. It was hard to get any sense from them. Benzine was being wasted all over the country. Mr G. Hart said an officer from Masterton had with him inspected every hole and corner in the grounds to try to find parts of the missing chairs with a view to having them repaired. Mr Smart said he failed to get satisfaction from the ordinary channels and stated that he would complain to the Minister of Defence.