VEHICLES FOR THE ARMY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 6

VEHICLES FOR THE ARMY

CAMOUFLAGED AND ARMED DELIVERY TO HOPU HOPU Mechanisation of New Zealand’s army has been rushed ahead since the outbreak of war. An indication of recent developments was given at the Hopu Hopu military camp yesterday, when the first consignment of motor vehicles to be used in the training of the special military force was delivered. Eighteen trucks were driven from Auckland by men from the motor transport unit. Orders have been placed for 62 vehicles. Today 30 more vehicles arrived at the camp, and the delivery of the remainder will be made in the next few days. Trucks, which range from lOcwt. to three tons, were purchased at the outbreak of war, and have been converted for army use by ten Auckland coach-building firms. The work was begun on October 25 and completed a day before schedule. All the vehicles have been camouflaged, and some are equipped with wireless, while others have been provided with anti-aircraft and machine-gun mountings. PAPAKURA CAMP READY FOR THE MEN (Special to Times.) AUCKLAND, Saturday Although several of the buildings are still in the course of construction, the Papakura mobilisation camp is now substantially ready for the 1900 troops who are to transfer to it next week from Hopu Hopu. The main block of dormitories, mess-houses, drying-rooms, headquarters, hutments, social rooms and so on is completed.