Item 59: Internment camp diary, November 1917-August 1918 - Page 86

<p>[Page 86]</p><p>there was no way of selling them, and the proceeds would have been minimal anyway. So most of the owners decided to vent their frustration with a bonfire on the last afternoon. Between 3 and 4 pm almost &frac34; of the 120 huts went up in smoke, and because some stoked the fire with tar, kerosene, etc, hardly a trace was left of most buildings. It was quite picturesque, and especially after dark, the still-smouldering ruins lit up the whole beach. The anger of the owners is understandable, because the government, knowing that it planned a transfer, should have stopped delivery of the expensive wood in the last few weeks. It does seem that the decision to transfer us came rather abruptly. Among the few who didn&#39;t burn down their huts is my friend Wehrs, who is still hoping for a sale.</p><p>Apart from our hand luggage, which</p>