OFFICIAL REPORT ON THE TARANAKI ENCAMPMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7922, 14 April 1887, Page 5

OFFICIAL REPORT ON THE TARANAKI ENCAMPMENT.

[Br TELEGRAPIT.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. Sra George Whitmore has sent into th Defence Office a lengthy report on th Taranaki encampment, and compliments thi men on their appearance, and the steadine«: of the manoeuvres, which were little, if at all Inferior to those of regular troops. He statei that the few instances of excess of spirits were grossly exaggerated. There was n( single police case, and absolutely nc Individual misbehavior. With reference tc the catering, he says:—"ln point of fact allowing for possible cases of men getting their meat boiled, or, in division, getting awkward pieces, and for the instances where the meat was issued before it was cooked, ] am able to say that, out of many camps ] have been in, I never saw better food provided." He then oontinues : "I have reason to know that certain persons endeavoured to excite discontent, and could only fix upon the rations as a ground. These same persons, having failed to produce general disorder, nevertheless have spread false reports of the men's conduct, which was really excellent." The Post states that the Defence Minister intends calling upon the commanding officers at the recent Taranaki encampment, to report on the alleged misbehaviour of volunteers, and, if considered necessary, a board will be appointed to investigate the matter. It is probable that if the allegations are substantiated, the chief actors in the riotous demonstrations will be made a severe example of. ________________