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Base Wallahs: Story of the units of the base organisation, NZEF IP

I — Early days in Fiji, Tonga, and Norfolk Island

I
Early days in Fiji, Tonga, and Norfolk Island

Many of the units ultimately welded into the Third Division originally served in Fiji, Tonga and Norfolk Island. And it was in-these islands that welfare services in the Pacific had their beginnings. With the first force of New Zealanders who sailed for Fiji went Mr. H. C. Ford as YMCA secretary, and he set up the first recreation centre at Samambula. He served in Fiji for approximately 12 months, his place being taken by Mr. C. Cassells who ultimately became the first senior YMCA secretary with the Third Division. Mr. F. L. Smith, manager of the Bank of New Zealand in Suva was on 18 June 1941 appointed honorary commissioner for the board in Fiji. Yeoman service was also rendered in Fiji by Mr. A. W. McMillan who assisted with the board's work in the colony. For administration purposes the island had been divided into two—the Eastern area and the Western area. Prior to the entry of Japan into the war, the units were in two main camps—Samambula in the east and Namaka in the west. The Board early provided a YMCA building for each camp and a small recreational hall for brigade (subsequently divisional) headquarters. In addition, on 4 June 1941, His Excellency the Governor of Fiji, Sir Harry Luke, KCMG, opened the New Zealand Club which had been erected by the board on a site in Suva made available by the Fiji Government. This club was designed by Captain Hitchcock and was controlled by a citizens' committee under the chairmanship of Bishop Kemp-thorne.

With the entry of Japan into the war the disposition of troops entirely changed and their numbers materially increased Accordingly, in January 1942, Mr. G. A. Hayden, the secretary of the board, visited Fiji and arranged for a considerable expansion of page 155recreational facilities and amenities. These days of rapidly expanding establishments, shortage of supplies and equipment and infrequent communications were difficult ones for the board. The construction of some 40 native bures was authorised and early in 1942 the picture theatre which had been erected at Samambula was opened with a 35 mm projector. At Lautoka a small club was built and a grant of £200 was made towards an officers' club at Namaka. Mr. Colin Cassells, the senior YMCA secretary, had with him four assistant secretaries, later increased to six, and the work of furnishing recreation centres, and providing other facilities was pushed ahead until in the latter half of 1942 units being welded into the Third Division returned to New Zealand, and the move to New Caledonia was made.

Norfolk Island and Tonga also provided their quota of personnel for the new division. Norfolk Island was serviced originally by the YMCA, and later by the Church Army, while in Tonga a good recreation centre was controlled by the YMCA, and later the New Zealand Forces Club was provided and furnished. Captain N. J. Paltridge was appointed club manager and National Patriotic Fund Board commissioner in Tonga, but tragedy overtook him on his first trip back to New Zealand to arrange for the shipment of supplies, and an ice cream plant; the plane he was returning on being lost at sea with all hands. His place was taken by Captain J. R. Herbert who arrived in Tonga in the middle of July 1943.