THE TRENTHAM CAMP.

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 July 1915, Page 5

THE TRENTHAM CAMP.

ABANDONMENT SUGGESTED. “WILL NEVER BE FREE OF DISEASE.” GOOD SITE NEAR AUCKLAND. [3y Telegraph—Special to the Star.] AUCKLAND, This Day. In Auckland the teeliug is strongly in favour of decentralisation in the matter of training New Zealand’s Expeditionary Forces. Tiie Mayor (Mr. J. IT. Gunson) has received many letters urging public meetings in order to emphasise the desirability of each province training its own men, but he states that he prefers to first make personal representations to the Minister for Defence. A PERMANENT CAMP. In discussing the matter the Mayor contends that it must be borne in mind that these Gamps will not be a matter of months, but of probably at least two years. At, Orakei, where the Government has recently purchased 500 acres, and which is destined for conversion into a model suburb, an excellent site exists. It is within ten minutes of tin.* trains; it is for ‘a mile or more

along the harbour front and consists g* ©©rally of undulating country. The <' ■entry drainage scheme arid city water -apply run along the boundaries of the property and it is probably one of the healthiest spots in Auckland. The Pen rose rifle range is within easy reach. “I am hopeful that the Minister will rise to the occasion,” i declared the Mayor. “In a local camp facilities could be givenjor the training of those who desire to enlist but whose services could not be immediately accepted.’’ A DOCTOR ON THE OUTLOOK.

“To ray mind Orakei is immeasurably better than Trentham, which is a cold, wet place, and when men from all parts of New Zealand are brought together they are very liable to give rise to an epidemic of disease, such as measles,’’ said a local doctor.' “In such a place as that when there is an outbreak of disease the whole camp ecomes septic and gives rise to a host of other complaints when the outbreak is thought to have been stamped out. Bronchitis and colds are only to be expected after an outbreak of measles. In my opinion 4he best thing would be to clear out of Trentham altogether, for I believe that disease will undoubtedly continue, perhaps in a more serious degree. It will be impossible to clear it out at the present time. Trentham is a desperately had place for colds and as the winter progresses the number will increase. The climate of Aukland is milder, the incidence of

disease is less, and because of tire bet-

ter weather conditions the men could he trained much easier. There are admirable opportunities for manoeuvres, and 4000 men could easily be accommodated on the Orakei site. It does seem - that in the desire for centralisation the Department is sacrificing the interests of the men, for Trentham will never be clean.” TRENTHAM IN WINTER.

“I’m one of those who should' have got away with the ‘Fifths,’ hat I did not,” remarked a well set-up young New Zoala nder in Queen Street this morning. His throat was still swathed in lint and bandages and he had just

had a month in hospital. The pressman singled him out from half a dozen men obviously in Auckland on leave. “It may be too sweeping a statement to say that everyone who goes to Trentham can expect an early attack of measles, but it certainly is a fact that the epidemic is running through the camp like wildfire and instead of being stamped out it seems to be growing a more serious problem,’’ he said. “When I went into hospital the first week in June there were only 50 cases ; by the end of the month there were 600. The Minister may deny it and keep on denying it, but it’s true ; they simply don’t know where to put the men. The Wellington Hospital can take no more; Levien’s wool sheds are chock-a-block ; the jockeys’ rooms and other buildings on the racecourse are full, and the hospital at Berhampore can hold no more. We all have Hie feeling that Trentham is not healthy. The mud for acres round is churned up to a depth of six inches, the place gets little sunlight, and the winds blow cold and bleak- Of course, we make the best of it. Measles

ah.ne would not be so bad, but it is ali>!.,st impossible to avoid a chill and il,,:t/s where the risk comes in, and that is why so many of the fellows have on d. The hutments are very draughty ,ii i those who can get into tents prefer io do so. Mind you, the hoys don’t growl. I scarcely hear a word, but that’s because the- have definitely made up their minds to be soldiers and the first duty of a soldier is to_ try and learn not to grumble. Admittedly it sounds as if I’m grumbling now, but I don’t mean to and I certainly have not said as much on the subject to anyone before. It’s simply that you have asked for the information and I’ve given it you.” EVOLVBNG ORDER OUT OF CHAOS SICKNESS NOT REPORTED. DIFFICULTIES OF THE AUTHORITIES. fßy Telegraph—Special to the Star.] WELLINGTON, This Day. One of tiie best innovations at Trentham last week was a large marquee containing braziers, where soldiers may dry their clothes. The riien have had a very uncomfortable time during the prolonged wet weather, as it is impossible to keep all their clothes and beds ding dry. Tent dwellers have been particularly troubled with damp and it is safe to say that had there been more lire in camp there would ha- ■■ been fewer colds, through damp blankets. One of the poor fellows, who died last week from pneumonia following measles, was discovered on. a departing transport, where his mates had smuggled him into a bank, hoping that he would escape detection by the medical men and consequent hospital treatment ashore. This disinclination of the men to disclose their ailments has added to the difficulties of the authorities. They may have themselves ■ to blame- That can bo elucidated at the coming Select Committee inquiry, but Parliamentarians who have been particularly inquiring into the welfare of the men have discovered that some have had to be taken out of the ranks with the marks of measles on their faces., They would -not seek medical aid during the preliminary headache stages and were consequently centres of infection to their mates.

Sick parade at Trentham to-day was 48—a satisfactory drop from one day last week, when it reached 118. • Fifty men were discharged from hospital today ■ and have been given ten days’ leave fo visit their homes 1 .