FEATHERSTON CAMP.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2774, 18 May 1916, Page 6

FEATHERSTON CAMP.

"FOURTEENTH" ON LEAVE ARMY SERVICE CORPS ON TREK The .Fourteenth Reinforcements begin their extended leave from Featherston Camp this week. Yesterday morning be-, tween 500 and 600 men, whoso homes are north of Palmerston .North, chiefly in the Auckland district, left the camp by 11 special train of 15 cars, drawn by two engines. The work of entraining was carried out in a methodical manner, wihich 'was contributed to by the fact that the trains, for troops on leave, are drawn up in the siding in the camp. The troops were paraded, with their kits,' outside, headquarters. In detachments of forty, they were mardhed along to' each carnage in order, where they wheeled and stood two deep, facing the carriage. Then one file was ordered to board; tho. carriage at one end and the other file at the, other. The won were in high spirits, and there was plenty of .chaff and banter.

The train was quickly loaded up, a carriage in the centre being, reserved for tho officers and sergeants-major. As it drew ont the men cheered lustily and chouted farewells. Later, in the day, another train left the camp with the Soijth Islanders, who were to go' south last night. The Wellington and Hawke's Bay, men will leave for their homes to-day. Camp Improvements. The improvements and enlargements of the camp are being pushed on with as the work of the camp proceeds, various departments having been found to'be too small. One of these is tho pay office, while the records office work, too, has grown beyond its present offices. A new pay office is now being built; the foundations are in the ground. When it is complete, tho whole of the paymaster's staff will be accommodated in it. The present pay office will then be, utilised by the records office, and in this way ample room for both will be provided. The second hospital is now in use, also the new quarters for the'medical officers. The dental hospital has been removed to a larger site, and is being enlarged in order to cope with the large amount of work it has to handle. Another important addition to the camp will be tho camp bakery. ' The concrete foundations for it are down, and the superstructure will soon be up. It will be somewhat different from the field bakery in use at Trenfch&m. A new officers' mess is also to be prooeeded with at once. A.S.C. oh Trek. The; Thirteenth A.S.C. Reinforcement draft is. away from Featherston Camp on trek, during which tho men will undergo, ns nearly as possible, field service conditions. The detachment, wtaich includes 40 men and eight wagons, was at Martin's Ferry, llartinborough, yesterday, and wi'J he at Ruamahanga Bridge today. They will march back to camp oil Saturday. While in the field instruction in all' kinds of A.S.C. work, including cooking, bivouacking, and convoying, will be given. * . There is one feature of -A.S.C'! work which cannot be fully carried out in camp, in connection with the fresh meat supply. That is, tho slaughtering of animals for food. This work, as carried out in the field on active service, could only be carried ont in camp at the sacrifice of hygienic conditions. On the other hand, : there would bo nothing gained by establishing' proper abattoirs, as this would not allow of the employment of field-methods.' Tho meat is therefore taken into the camp in carcasses. To meet the daily needs of the men in Featherston, 14 to 15 bullocks or 155 «he°p aro needed. " ; , •