MAORIS IN CAMP

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 13, 15 July 1915, Page 8

MAORIS IN CAMP

DOINGS AT DEVONPORT THE INEVITABLE MUD. HEALTH PRECAUTIONS. (BT mBGJUPH— SPECIAL TO TBI POST.) AUCKLAND, This Day. The Second Contingent of Maoris for active service abroad is now comfortably established in camp at the northern end of Devonport. A total of 353 officers and men were assembled yesterday, and the strength of the force will shortly be increased to 400 by the arrival of other volunteers. Authorities who were consulted in regard to the selection of a site for the camp are agreed that its present situation is an admirable one, and much superior in some respects to other sites that were considered. The whole force is at present accommodated in tents, and by their situation they are afforded the best possible protection against inclement weather. Since the first detachment reached the camp there has been a great deal of heavy rain, so that the erection of - permenent buildings has been delayed and much mud has developed within the camp area. The possibility of postponing the camp was considered before any of the men arrived, but as there had been one delay of a fortnight, and many_ of the_ men had left their employment in readiness to proceed to Auckland upon* the dato announced, this course was abandoned. The only conclusion possible after a careful inspection is that the mud is of no serious consequence, and that every precaution has been taken to safeguard the health of the men. All the tents are floored, and are quite dry. The necessary thoroughfares for the men among the tents ■ and between the various sections of the camp have been formed and sanded. The worst of the mud is outside the area actually used by the men. Its presence is due principally to the exceptionally heavy traffic of wagons loaded with scoria- and building material. The Maoris themselves are amused at the siiggstion that their camp is muddy. Men from the gumfields and backblocks accustomed to the "roads" of the roadless north, laugh at the idea that a few muddy tracks should condemn their camp. The greatest care has been devoted to the health Of the men. .The first detachment that reached the camp comprised 45 men who had assembled at Trentham. As they were all suffering from influenza colds, they ,were isolated from the area intended for the . main camp, and two men suffering from pneumonia and a third from bronchitis were sent to the Auckland Hospital. A few days later all the other men were sent away from the camp until they had fully recovered.. During the wet weather a good many of the men suffered from ordinary colds, but this ailment has now disappeared. The only cases in the camp hospital are two men under treatment for a minor sickness of a different nature. During the greater part of this afternoon the men were occupied in receiving a second inoculation against typhoid, a precaution to which all the men of the Expeditionary Forces have been subjected. Within a few days a permanent sewerage system will be completed. In the meantime a sanitary service that is quite satisfactory has been provided. The fresh breezes and warm sunshine of the past few days have had a very salutary effect, and in a day or two the mud will have disappeared. The staff of the camp now includes Chaplain-Major H. A. Hawkins. "In discussing the arrangement of the camp he expressed regret that currency had been given to reports that the health of the men was lilsely to be impaired by their environment. Major Hawkins said he considered the site much superior to that at Avondale, where the "first contingent was trained. The men were thoroughly contented and so well satisfied with their canvas accommodation that they were not at all enthusiastic over the early prospect of removing into hutments. " The health of the force was excellent, and the men were applying themselves with, keen interest to their training.