LEISURE HOURS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21177, 29 July 1940, Page 10

LEISURE HOURS

TROOPS IN ENGLAND DANCE FOR ALL RANKS MILD EPIDEMICS WANING (From the Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in Great Britain) LONDON, July 27 The first all ranks dance in London organised for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force by the New Zealand War Services Association was a great success last evening. Between 300 and 400 officers, noncommissioned officers and men attended. Tickets cost a shilling. Three hundred partners specially selected and invited by the ladies’ committee in London included Miss Mary Churchill, daughter of the British Prime Minister, and several girls of the titled aristocracy, besides New Zealand nurses and civilians living in England. Members of the New Zealand air and naval forces were also present. Music was played by the brigade band. It is proposed to make these dances a weekly feature. Mr Geoffrey Cox, the New Zealand Rhodes Scholar, and until lately a Fleet Street correspondent, has enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Although the sickness rate is still rather higher than among the English troops, the health of the New Zealand men is satisfactory, in view of the rather erratic weather and temperatures of the past 10 days. Mild epidemics of measles and mumps are now clearing, only 25 cases remaining in hospital. There are very few cases of serious illness. The number in hospital suffering from minor complaints other than measles and mumps is about 100. A convalescent home is being established in an attractive Queen Anne residence with extensive grounds near the New Zealand general hospital.