MATTERS MILITARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 250, 31 August 1864, Page 5

MATTERS MILITARY.

the ppbveyob's depaetment. "Mieulx Serra." e believe that in no army in tlie world are the sick so well, carefully ami kindly attended, to as in the British army. It was not always so. -there was a time not very far distant, when the Mck soldier was treated with but little care, jus wants ofttimes left unnoticed—and even his very food pilfered, or if not pilfered, short quantity and bad in quality. We ascribe the jappy change that has taken place in a great i u T C > C admirable arrangements made by ine I urvey Department.

> In NW Zealand there has been amnio scone for the exercise of these improved arrangements ' Sctfeo'ir llOSP \ tal - d -thr#eM, C e a „ tcstl O tlie constant care evinced bv this per for me°(? 1 ' f counh Aets of khJness r n F the Slck ai ' e I,OTOI ' forgotten and o nitcfully, most gratefully is the Purveyors DeSi ° k and Wo « nded Ze^W? Li -f -° f V' 0 Purye y Department in New lo'I o ' ". ;, * « aln J? sfc SS to state is H. ■ From IS57 ' t,ie date of t » ,?v I""?, 8 T' IVal m cw Zealand, up to tile picsent—the department lias been crowinc and increasing, until it lias become a We and niost important branch of the Departmental Service m tfew Zealand. Faster, much faster indeed, than tlio growth ot his department, lias been the growth and increase ot the circle of friends bv whom Mr. Adams is surrounded. Mr. Adamshas identified iumselt with every useful institution in our Province, and in support of wliieli his purse and advice are ever as open and free as his own irenerous disposition. Whether as a brother of the mystic tie, a member of the Mechanics' Institute Committee, or of Soldiers* Wives l?elief Committee, or as connected with a score of other practical and useful schemes, Mr. Adams lias earned and obtained the respect and esteem of ail who have the good fortune to know him. The duties of tlie Purveyor's Department are both heavy and responsible. With the Purveyor is vested the sole responsibility of everything connected with hospital equipment, supplies, washing, bedding, Ac., both in camp, field and quarters. He is also the paymaster and quartermaster of the departments ot the Army Hospital Corps serving on the station, and prepares all cash accounts referring to the ollieers of the medical staff. Adams in addition to his now Crimean and Colonial experience, lias the able assistance ot one purveyor, two deputy-purveyors, two established and one probationary clerk, also 0110 stall' clerk. It may not prove uninteresting if we take a retrospective view of this department—with a hasty glance at its earliest history and progress. It was not till the beginning of the 18th century that Military Hospitals were established in England, and the means of conducting and maintaining them long continued most imperfect . During the campaigns in the Low Countries in ly IS, the troops were attended bv a species of purvey department, under the name of hospifal store-keepers, and clerks, who furnished every requisite with promptness and regularity. The first Military Hospital "established in Europe was erected by order of Pichelicu, at Pignerole, in Piedmont, where the building still exists. Since that period great changes—almost, revolutions—have been effected in everything connected with hospitals. The care and comfort of his wounded aud sick has ever been a first consideration with every truly great general. Cyrus. Alexander, Hepha?stion, and Hannibal, were all distinguished for their constant attention to the wants of tlie sick of their several armies.

In tlie I'olll an army, generals themselves set iui example in tending to the -wounded. Andorim says, speaking of Julius Cajsar :• — " Alter his battles the Dictator himself visited the tents ot the wounded, and assured himself of their proper treatment." He ordered the sick and wounded to be conveyed to the nearest town, where they could enjoy repose and the best assistance. In this act we discover the principle of the institution of military hospitals. Another pi eat licrnan (Sevcrus) ordered that chariots should follow the army for the conveyance of the wounded. These are the lirst jimbulances on record.

~V\ hilst it is pretty clcar and evident that the Pur veyor's Department have been performed in Jill civilized armies, by some branch of the administrative departments existing in connection with the army, it does not appear that until the oar]}- part ol the Peninsular war, any organised body existed under that name. Previous to that period the duties now performed under the direction of purveyors, were perfoimcd by hospital stewards, at the various military hospitals. At the close of the war the Purveyor's Department was set aside, but, en the breaking out of the [Russian war it was found absolutely necessary to reorganise the department, and, i'rom the experience then learnt, it is probable, such a thing as abolishing or setting aside such a department will never again occur, at least, not till that happy period shall have arrived when reason, and not steel, shall decide the disputes of nations.

Purveyors are now required to provide Military Hospitals with all provisions, stores, furniture, and supplies of every description, except medicines—to keep nominal registers of the admission and discharge of patients, and to take charge of their arms and clothing—to see that the buildings are kept in proper repair—to make the wills of patients and conduct funeral arrangements ; and are, in fact, to the Medical Department, what Barrack Masters are to the troops in general. u Some very slight idea of the magnitude and importance of the Purveyor's Department in ]New Zealand may be obtained by an inspection of the great quantity of stores constantly arriving for the use ot this department. Wc say a slight idea, because to lorm a correct one we should require to take a trip to ;dl the stations, camps, Sic., in jS'cw Zealand—at each of which a, store of good is laid up for the sick soldier.

"We might here jusuj allude to the services rendered to this department and the service generally by the Army Hospital Corps; but as we purpose doing so in a separate article, we refrain from saying more at present than that they are a most excellent auxiliary to the Purveyor's Department. The strength of the Purveyor's Department, as a whole, is as follows : —lO principal purveyors, 20 purveyors, 30 deputy purveyors, 20 established and probationary clerks.

The Principal Purveyors, Purveyors, and Deputy Purveyors, are all commissioned officers. In conclusion, we are exceediuglj' gratified to know that Mr. Adams (the first Purveyor in JN T ew Zealand) has merited aud received the highest commendation at the hands of General Sir D. Cameron.

The head of tlio Pnrvej'or's Department has also signified his approval of the zeal aud energy ever and always displayed bj r Mr. Adams. .Knowing that such a course has been strongly urged by General Cameron, and seconded by the head of the Purvey Department, we arc justified in expecting to hear in a fow mails the promotion of Mr. Adams to the office of Principal Purveyor. _____