Featherston Military Camp, on a "windswept grassy plain" 3 kilometres north of Featherston, New Zealand was built —after the announcement of National Registration of all military-aged men— to supplement Trentham Military Camp on the other side of the Rimutaka hill. The National Registration actually took place in October and November 1915 but the bill empowering conscription by the government did not pass until 1 August 1916.
1915
The camp was built in haste in the last quarter of 1915 more than 12 months after the first world war or Great War began. It was then intended to hold 4,500 men. A branch railway line from Featherston —in fact the start of the intended Martinborough branch railway— was a mile and a half long. First, Second etc. streets ran the length of the site and First Avenue, Second Avenue etc. ran crosswise. The first loads of materials arrived by rail in the first week of September 1915. Stabling was provide for 500 horses. A larger camp than Trentham Camp the accommodation was also built to a better standard with large windows and all buildings clear of the ground. In the centre of each hutment there was a concrete-built space with a stove and wire netting for drying clothes and gear overnight. The four dining halls were set in the middle of the camp with the cookhouses at the centre. Ablution stands were set nearby. An immense gong made of a railway rail hung from a post. The large hospital was completed in one week shortly before occupation. Officers' quarters were scattered throughout the camp in small hutments. Two producer gas generators supplied all the electricity for lighting including street lighting. There was a Post Office which opened 29 November 1915, a bakehouse, a milk-house and butchers shop. Buildings were provided for social institutes of the Church of England, Roman Catholic Church and the Salvation Army. Billiard rooms and a shooting gallery were provided. The Troops moved across from temporary quarters on Tauherenikau Racecourse in January 1916.
1922
Buildings demolished by a special contractor produced 50,000 feet of totara, matai, kauri, rimu and hardwood timber auctioned in August 1922.
1926
were instructed by General Headquarters, Military Forces, Wellington to sell by public auction on Friday 26 November 1926 the following temporary wooden structures with Malthoid roofing:
