TREK NORTH

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20954, 6 November 1939, Page 6

TREK NORTH

2000 SOLDIERS TO PAPAKURA CAMP PLANS FOR ENTRAINING MEN Feverish activity prevailed at the Hopu Hopu military camp today, the eve of the transfer of nearly 2000 men to the Papakura mobilisation camp. Plans were being made for the journey tomorrow, and details were still being worked out at a late hour this afternoon. Primarily to ensure the smooth running of the transfer of the men, the detailed marching orders gave the officers in charge a valuable lesson in manoeuvres. Tomorrow’s “show” will be the first large-scale movement of New Zealand's new army. The men will journey to Papakura by special train. The task of organising the entraining has been no small one. All the men in camp at Hopu Hopu, with the exception of the cavalry and artilleiy units, will travel north. Approximately 1000 troops will remain encamped at Hopu Hopu. The 18th (Auckland) Rifle Battalion will move first tomorrow. It will be followed by the 4th Reserve Motor Transport Company, the headquarters of the 2nd Divisional Engineers, the 6th Field Company and sth Field Park Company of the Engineers, the 2nd New Zealand Divisional Ammunition Company and the 10th Light Aid Detachment. Remaining at Hopu Hopu will be the headquarters of the Divisional Artillery and the 4th Field Regiment of Artillery, and the Divisional Cavalry Regiment. New Camp Conditions Soldiers who have found some of the hardships at the Hopu Hopu camp rather trying will welcome the transfer to Papakura. Airy dormitories will be a welcome change from the tents which, despite the fact that they were floored with wood, were often unpleasant in wet weather because, being old, they leaked. While a soldier expects to have cramped sleeping quarters in army life, he will relish the opportunities at Papakura for more comfortable sleeping conditions, with any amount of room for his clothes and personal possessions. Electric light has been installed in all the dormitories, with the result that the troops will be able to dispense with the candle. Wooden rifle racks have been built for each dormitory to take the place of the canvas fixtures around the tent poles at Hopu Hopu. In addition, to add still further to the indoor comfort of the troops, there are coat-hangers, racks for gear, and several other “gadgets” as part of the permanent fittings. Sleeping conditions should be ideal also, for wooden beds are provided instead of stretchers, a luxury hitherto confined to the officers of the army. Each dormitory will accommodate 40 men. In the centre of each dormitory there is an administration section, consisting of two rooms.