STRANGE PICNICS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21190, 13 August 1940, Page 7

STRANGE PICNICS

TROOPS IN EGYPT RELAXATION MEASURES PLEASANT ENVIRONMENTS CN.Z.E.F. Official News Service. EGYPT, July 22 Weekly picnics, which in a sense must be the strangest ever known, have been, inaugurated for members of the first contingent of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Egypt. The purpose of the picnics, which are held in surroundings of trees, gardens and green lawns, is to enable the men to relax under conditions completely different from those of their desert camp. Because the war observes no holiday, however, arms and ammunition must be carried by every soldier attending the picnics. Thus the incongruous spectacle of stacked rifles, machine-guns and mounted anti-air-craft guns, is seen m the peaceful parks and gardens where the outings are held.

As a relief from the heat and glare of the desert, stretches of turf and clumps of shady trees have an enhanced attraction for many members of the force, who are content to stretch themselves on the grass and pass the time dozing, reading, or writing letters. Two picnic sites, however, are popular sight-seeing places. One is the Cairo Zoo and the other the irrigation works on the River Nile. Light lunches are taken by the picnic parties when the outing occupies a full day. Soft drinks are provided by the New Zealand National Patriotic Board.